Vice President JD Vance Signals Shift in U.S.-Europe Security Relations

In a provocative Munich Security Conference speech, Vance criticized Europe's democratic backsliding and hinted at reduced U.S. military commitments.

Vice President JD Vance delivered a confrontational speech at the Munich Security Conference, accusing European leaders of retreating from democratic values.
Vance criticized European courts for canceling elections and highlighted insufficient NATO defense spending by Western European nations.
The Trump administration is signaling a shift away from the Cold War-era security posture, emphasizing greater European responsibility for its own defense.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored this message, warning that U.S. military presence in Europe may not be indefinite.
The speech has sparked concerns over the future of the transatlantic alliance, with some European leaders lamenting a perceived erosion of shared values.