The 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) of the United States of America, released last Friday Australian time, might have ruined the weekend for many Europeans. Some are interpreting the statement as saying that America sees Europe as its “enemy” and will do whatever it can to prop up what it calls “patriotic European parties” in order to save Europe from the “stark prospect of civilizational erasure”.
Responses from Australia will be more complex. Those suffering from “fear of abandonment” and believing that the US will keep Australia safe from a Chinese invasion may find the US’ pivot to the Western Hemisphere deeply disturbing.