White House warns Europe of "civilizational erasure" within 20 years

The Trump administration, in its latest National Security Strategy released early Friday, warns that some of America's longstanding European allies may confront the "real and increasingly stark threat of civilizational collapse" driven by immigration and a weakening of democratic institutions.

The document criticizes the European Union and other unnamed international organizations for permitting uncontrolled immigration and restricting free speech. It asserts that "if current trends persist, Europe could be almost unrecognizable in 20 years or less" and questions whether certain European nations will maintain strong enough economies and militaries to continue as dependable allies of the United States.

According to the strategy, Europe suffers from a "lack of self-confidence," particularly evident in its dealings with Russia. While European countries hold a "significant hard power advantage" over Russia, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led them to treat Russia as an existential threat.

President Trump recently introduced a proposal aimed at ending the war triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The plan, developed without Ukrainian or European input, largely aligned with Russian positions and prompted cautious responses from both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO allies, who have sought to maintain a united front in support of Kyiv.

The strategy criticizes certain European governments on their approach to Ukraine, alleging that some officials harbor "unrealistic expectations for the war" while leading "unstable minority governments." It also claims, without evidence, that European populations desire a resolution to the conflict, but that governments are undermining democratic processes.

The document further suggests that within a few decades, some NATO member states may become majority non-European, raising questions about whether they will share the same global outlook and commitment to the United States as the original NATO signatories.

Several points in the strategy, particularly concerning free speech in Europe, echo remarks made by Vice President JD Vance at a German security conference earlier this year, where he criticized European leaders for allegedly censoring right-wing viewpoints.

The 33-page strategy outlines U.S. foreign policy across five regions: the Western Hemisphere, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It emphasizes restoring strategic stability with Russia, enabling Europe to take the lead in its own defense, and avoiding the perception of NATO as a perpetually expanding alliance.

Despite the warnings, the document stresses that Europe remains "strategically and culturally vital to the United States," and asserts that America's objective should be to assist Europe in redirecting its current path.

Author: Sophia Brooks