We spent years acting like alliances were some charity project for Europe, and now the same crowd is shocked that allies don't jump the second Washington snaps its fingers. That's not how trust works. You don't get to insult NATO, slap tariffs on friends, talk like every treaty is a scam, then expect smooth cooperation when a crisis hits. I don't even say this as some starry-eyed internationalist. Countries look out for themselves. So should we. But one way the U.S. looks out for itself is by keeping partners on side instead of treating diplomacy like pro wrestling. Power isn't just having the biggest military. It's whether anyone wants to answer your call.