The notion that Europeans and Americans were or are full partners in the Nato alliance and that it has kept out the Russians and the Warsaw pact is a total fiction.
Today, Nato is totally dysfunctional and an obstacle to all sides and understanding the future role of Nato is increasingly being called into question since the appointment of President Trump.
Since the end of the Second World War and the founding of Nato Europe has never been a full partner with America when it comes to the defence of Europe.
The already inept Nato is coming under increasing pressure as it attempts to fend off attacks from the European electorate from Scandinavia down to the Balkans.
A leading contributor to the quandary Nato is in is the lack of leadership. Since the times of Adneauer and De Gaulle Europe has not seen great statesmen rising to the top.
As a result, the European collective foreign policy has developed into Europe becoming a back-seat driver who is currently holding back American foreign policy.
Because of the 9/11 attack on the US Nato invoked Article 5 which considers an attack on one Nato member as an attack on all members.
If push came to shove would Article 5 become something akin to a house with a pretend roof?
Would Nato come to the rescue of Poland where today the US has in place a token gesture to defend Poland from aggression from the east?
Additionally, Turkey is playing a new role as the Trump administration reduces their presence in the Middle East, particularly in Syria.
Turkey is presently trying to convince the US administration to provide it with arms to kill remnants of ISIS.
This will almost certainly create issues with the Kurds who have been the local force that has greatly assisted the US operations in Syria.
History shows that the Nato alliance has been less of an alliance and more of a protectorate.
The EU since it was formed 60 years ago has never become an element of strength or a mechanism by which the US could practise a ‘one-stop’ defence policy in Europe.
The Europeans remain fixated with an approach to accommodate the Muslim world whilst at the same time adopting a more hostile approach with Israel which is at odds with America.
As a result, the Trump administration is downgrading their relationship with Europe.
The reality is Europe is waning demographically, changing out of all recognition culturally and is dead politically.
The UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, etc. are disappearing biologically. Native births are below replacement rates and with the recent growth in numbers of migrants this guarantees fast cultural change.
Managing migration is by far the most consequential challenge facing European states and politicians.
Traditional political parties are discredited, and the ruling classes are under siege from their populations, especially the young. Germany and Italy are paying Libya and Turkey to keep migrants out of Europe.
Since Trump came to power Americans are increasingly asking themselves if Europe is not prepared to pay the price of defending themselves then what could they possibly offer of value to the US?
Gordon is the former president and chief executive of BMMI. He can be reached at gordonboyle@hotmail.com