cloud4000
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Well that's not something new. It has always been this case all NATO members are required to spend 2% of the GDP but somehow EU countries do not want to spend this kind of money. Many countries are not very happy with USA especially Germany after they found out USA has been spying on them too. However USA is trying to stay relevant and thus it created the Ukrainian issue as most of the EU countries were thinking NATO was not needed anymore. Germany and Russia were coming close and the latter wanted to benefit from Russia's cheap LNG. But then Crimean issue created tension between Russia and EU/NATO. However, things are getting normal again. Trump visited EU but wasn't received with any enthusiasm especially when he stressed them to spend more on defence and NATO. So I don't see that happening.
European disdain for US is nothing new. It hasn’t stopped them from enjoying benefits the US brings to Europe, especially in areas of defense. US always been insistent on Europe to pay more for its defense since the end of the Cold War and will make sure Europe keeps its promises. Trump or no Trump, the reduction of US presence in Europe is on the cards. Europe will have to come on board because they will have no choice.
Turkey has the second largest army after USA in NATO and the major country where considerable number of US/NATO's nukes are stored and it is basically at the forefront of NATO so it won't be so easy as you suggested. Erdogan is following the wishes of the brave Turk nation to act more independently like a sovereign state more inline with its glorious past. Thus, when the West (esp. USA) tried to topple him and install a puppet govt, the people took to the streets and sabotaged their plan. West is in constant pain over it. They miscalculated and now their plans have been exposed and their pawns taken to the task.
How can Turkey act independently and still meets its obligations to NATO? If Erdogan wants to follow “the wishes of the brave Turk nation” then why be a member of an organization that obligates to defend other members, especially if these same members are hostile to you, including backing a coup? It makes no sense. True, Turkey unwinding from NATO won’t be easy, or quick, but if you prize sovereignty the way Turkey does, you are willing to make this difficult choice, no?