Politico reports NATO members are preparing for a worst-case outcome from
Tuesday’s US midterm elections. Five NATO diplomats told Politico European
allies fear that if Republicans lose, President Trump could sharply escalate
attacks on the alliance — potentially withdrawing thousands of US troops from
Europe or cutting US funding to NATO to cement his political legacy. A senior
European defense official said lame-duck presidents often vent frustration and
take greater risks, and that attacking NATO has long been part of Trump’s
worldview. Polls widely expect Democrats to win the House and possibly the
Senate; Trump’s approval rating is at record lows.
