Trump’s misunderstanding of NATO is a big threat to his own MAGA project

Apparently Donald Trump is once again threatening to pull out of NATO. His current complaint is that NATO failed to join the US in its action against Iran.

I think there are a number of misunderstandings in his thinking.  Maybe they are intentional.

1. He risks making a short term judgement regarding a long term strategic alliance.  NATO should not be judged by the US in terms of recent events but over the long term.  NATO was central to victory in the Cold War.  The allies cooperated together in Kosovo and NATO countries played key roles in Libya, Syria and both Gulf WRs. NATO allies came together in response to 911 and fought in Afghanistan.
2. He forgets history. It has not always been smooth sailing.  He overlooks the times when countries have gone it alone.  NATO allies were not directly involved in the Falklands war,  the US  stayed out of Suez, France kept out of Iraq and the US went alone in Vietnam.  Strong relationships can over come differences
3. He fails to understand that it was always in the US interest to defend Europe.  This remains so.  The last thing America needs is a resurgent Russian empire. Indeed a Europe preoccupied with its defence is not a prosperous Europe buying US goods.
4. He seems to think he can threaten, cajole and bully such as towards Greenland, Canada or through tarrif wars and still command loyalty.
5. He treats the presidency as his private  fiefdom. This is also seen in his demolition of the East Wing.  He forgets that he has been entrusted with a role and responsibility for a temporary period.  This also means that he cannot bind his successors.
6. He does not know what it is that has made America great. It’s the American dream and her standing as leader of the free world. He trashes her reputation and in so doing diminishes rather than advances American greatness.

All of this means that Donald Trump fails to act in America’s best interests.