Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Colombia's presidential election has exposed a divided country mistaking aggression for leadership.

Against Russia, Europe needs a peace-through-strength strategy

Former NATO Secretary General Rasmussen proposes Democratic Seven alliance among EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and UK with combined $36 trillion GDP to counter authoritarian influence as US withdraws global leadership.

Under Trump's second term, the US global reputation declined to minus 16 percent, falling behind Russia and China, according to a Democracy Perception Index survey of 94,000 people across 98 countries, reflecting international concerns over tariffs, military actions, and strained alliances.

Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen advocates for a new democratic alliance of seven nations, potentially called D7, to provide global leadership as the United States withdraws from that role under President Trump.

Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen urges Europe to establish an independent defense alliance requiring five percent GDP defense spending and Ukraine's full membership, citing NATO's disintegration and diminishing US security guarantees under Trump.

The Alliance of Democracies' Democracy Perception Index reveals U.S. global reputation declined sharply to minus 16 percent, now trailing Russia's minus 11 percent, driven by recent foreign policy tensions including NATO disputes and trade conflicts, based on surveys of 94,000 respondents across 98 countries.

Former NATO chief Rasmussen: London and Paris should lead efforts to ensure the defense of Europe without the US

Neither Argentina nor Brazil: The Only Country That Could Stop the United States' Advance Into Latin America in Upcoming Conflicts

Trade ministers from Europe and Asia-Pacific will meet to discuss an alliance excluding the U.S. The meeting will take place on the sidelines of a WTO gathering.

The Economist offers global news, analysis, and commentary on various topics.

Italy Proposes Expanding NATO to Include South Korea

Former NATO chief Rasmussen proposed D7, a middle-power democratic coalition of seven nations representing 36 trillion dollars in GDP, to coordinate on trade, technology, and defense amid authoritarian expansion and US policy uncertainty.

Under Trump's second term, the US global image fell below Russia and China according to an international survey, driven by aggressive tariffs, military tensions, and strained NATO relations, with approval dropping from plus 22 to minus 16 percent.

The US global perception score dropped to minus 16 percent, falling below Russia's minus 11 percent, driven by Trump's foreign policy decisions including NATO tensions, reduced Ukraine support, and tariff threats, while European allies strengthen independent defense capabilities.

Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen proposed creating an independent European defense coalition with mandatory 5% GDP spending and Article 5-style guarantees, arguing Trump's policies have undermined U.S. security reliability and NATO faces disintegration.

Former NATO chief Rasmussen warns Britain and France must lead European defence as US commitment weakens, since Europe still depends on America for 70% of NATO spending and critical capabilities despite collective defence investment exceeding $400 billion annually.

Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen calls Trump's attacks on alliance members painful, urging Europe to reduce US security dependence and prioritize European-made weapons amid strained transatlantic relations.

EU leaders convened in Cyprus to strengthen European defence by invoking Article 42.7, a NATO-style mutual assistance clause, amid Trump's threats to withdraw from NATO and concurrent approval of a €90 billion Ukraine loan and new Russia sanctions.

Former NATO chief Rasmussen advises Europe to strengthen Ukraine, intensify sanctions, and clarify EU membership terms before appointing a Russia negotiator, arguing Moscow only respects demonstrated strength.

Europe needs to build its own defense capacity to avoid weakness and isolation.

Europe Looks To Strengthen Its Defense As U.S. Reduces Presence Abroad

Former NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen proposes creating a "D7" democratic defense alliance including the EU, UK, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea to replace US leadership, citing concerns about Trump's unpredictable foreign policy and withdrawal from global responsibilities.

Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1536: Russia’s 9 May parade rolls out without tanks

Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen warns that NATO faces disintegration due to weakened U.S. security commitments under Trump, proposing a new European defense alliance with independent capabilities and Ukraine membership to strengthen continental security.

Britain and France should lead 'new European Nato' without Trump and expand ‘Coalition of the Willing’, says former chief

Former NATO chief Rasmussen urged Europe to reduce U.S. dependency and boost indigenous defense spending, citing Trump's hostility toward allies and U.S. ordnance depletion from Middle East operations weakening European weapons supplies for Ukraine.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen discusses Denmark's role in NATO and Western security.