Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:40pm on 24 Apr 2026,Friday International
European leaders are accelerating plans to strengthen regional defence amid growing uncertainty over U.S. commitment to NATO under Donald Trump. At an EU summit, officials proposed activating a mutual assistance clause to ensure collective security, reflecting fears of reduced American support. Trump’s criticism of NATO and threats of withdrawal—driven by disputes over the Iran conflict—have deepened divisions within the alliance. European leaders worry about reliability, with Poland questioning U.S. loyalty in a potential Russian attack. The tensions have prompted Europe to explore independent defence strategies, though leaders remain cautious about weakening NATO unity. (PC: AP)
