Why Trump Is Not to Blame for Europe's Predicament

Following the 2026 Munich Security Conference, the transatlantic alliance appears to be at a crossroads. With the Russian threat failing to manifest and the U.S. shifting its strategic focus, is the "divorce" between these old allies inevitable, or is it a necessary evolution? In this episode of Talking Geopolitics , host Christian Smith is joined by GPF Chairman George Friedman to examine why the U.S. views European reliance as exploitation rather than obligation, and to explore whether Europe can finally overcome its fragmented history to build a unified defense capability. Visit for world-class geopolitical analysis and discussion, and to access our full 2026 Forecast: Re-anchoring the World.

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Why Trump Is Not to Blame for Europe's Predicament is an episode from Geopolitical Futures Podcast by Geopolitical Futures.

This episode is 38:25 long.

This episode was published on Feb 19, 2026.

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