NATO Has Become a Zombie Alliance

European leaders must revive it before disaster strikes.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The article argues that NATO has become a 'zombie alliance' as the U.S. commitment to collective defense under Article V of the NATO charter has eroded, particularly under the Trump administration. The author urges European leaders to take ownership of the alliance and build a European pillar that can stand on its own, with or without the U.S., before it's too late.

Why it matters

The future of the trans-Atlantic alliance is a critical issue as it underpins European security. The article warns that without decisive action by European leaders, NATO risks collapse, which could have severe consequences for the continent's stability and defense capabilities.

The details

The article outlines how the Trump administration's criticism of NATO and questioning of the Article V mutual defense clause have undermined the alliance's credibility and trust. It also describes how recent events, such as the crisis over Greenland and the White House's pro-Russia policy shifts, have further exposed the 'hollowness at NATO's core.' The author argues that European leaders must reject any attempts at reassurance from the Trump administration and instead focus on building a European defense pillar that can function independently of the U.S.

  • In 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron pronounced NATO 'brain-dead'.
  • In 2025, the NATO summit at The Hague avoided controversy and delivered Trump a win with allies' commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.
  • In December 2025, the White House released a National Security Strategy that downplayed the Russian threat to Europe and called for political intervention in support of far-right, anti-EU parties.
  • In January 2026, the Greenland crisis reached a fever pitch, exposing the 'fiction of appeasement as a sustainable strategy for Europe'.

The players

Mark Rutte

NATO Secretary-General who attempted to explain away the Greenland crisis and assert that a post-American concept for European security is 'delusional'.

Donald Trump

Former U.S. president who repeatedly criticized NATO, called it 'obsolete' and 'very unfair' to the U.S., and threatened to withdraw from the alliance if allies did not 'pay their bills'.

Emmanuel Macron

French president who in 2019 pronounced NATO 'brain-dead'.

Joe Biden

Current U.S. president who oversaw a period of remarkable alliance unity and cooperation in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin

Russian president who is seen as seeking the demise of NATO and may try to capitalize on the alliance's weakened state.

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What they’re saying

“NATO has become a zombie alliance. Formally, its procedural features remain intact. There is a bustling headquarters in Brussels, an empowered American supreme allied commander, and formidable military capabilities deployed across the continent.”

— Rebecca Lissner, Author (foreignpolicy.com)

“Without that life force, NATO lacks the credibility and trust that have reassured allies and deterred adversaries for decades. A revival is possible, but it will require Europeans to take ownership of the alliance before it's too late.”

— Rebecca Lissner, Author (foreignpolicy.com)

What’s next

The article does not mention any definite and predictable future newsworthy moments related to this story.

The takeaway

This crisis facing NATO highlights the urgent need for European leaders to take decisive action to revive the alliance and build a European defense pillar that can function independently of the United States. Failure to do so risks the collapse of the trans-Atlantic alliance and the security it has provided for decades.