The Hungarian Atlantic Council hosted a roundtable on NATO’s future in light of Donald Trump’s re-election. Experts analyzed the implications for global security, Europe’s defense responsibilities, and Hungary’s strategic role. Panelists highlighted NATO’s adaptability to emerging threats and the shifting dynamics of transatlantic relations, projecting cautious optimism for the alliance’s future.
On November 27, 2024, the Hungarian Atlantic Council organized a roundtable discussion titled Reflections on NATO’s Future in Light of the U.S. Elections at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The event featured prominent speakers, including former Defense Minister Tibor Benkő, Foreign Affairs State Secretary Péter Sztáray, former Minister of Culture Gábor Fodor, Lieutenant General Attila Takács, and the Council’s Secretary General István Gyarmati. Moderated by the Council’s President György Csóti, the discussion centered on the implications of Donald Trump’s presidency for NATO, global security, and Hungary’s strategic position. Key topics included NATO’s adaptation to global challenges, the evolving nature of U.S.-European relations, and the potential for a new international order under Trump’s leadership.
The panelists addressed the ongoing transformations in defense and security policy, particularly the expectations for European NATO members to increase their financial contributions, a point emphasized by both Trump and his predecessors. Tibor Benkő highlighted NATO’s collective defense principles and the need for unity in addressing emerging threats, such as those posed by BRICS nations and China’s economic rise. Péter Sztáray discussed the impact of the Ukraine conflict on NATO’s eastern flank and the paradoxical weakening of member states’ defenses due to their support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Gábor Fodor underscored NATO’s role in upholding freedom and democratic values, while István Gyarmati placed current geopolitical shifts in a broader historical context, noting the strategic implications of the post-Westphalian order.
The discussion also explored future challenges, including fourth-generation warfare, defense innovation, and the alliance’s stance towards China and other global actors. The speakers expressed cautious optimism about NATO’s adaptability and resilience, anticipating progress in transatlantic relations under Trump’s leadership. The event concluded with a promise to revisit these issues in the spring of 2025 to assess developments and further evaluate NATO’s trajectory amidst ongoing geopolitical shifts.
