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In 2018 , James Goldgeier wrote “Less Whole, Less Free, Less at Peace: Whither America’s Strategy for a Post-Cold War Europe?” where he argued the United States should reconceptualize its post-Cold War strategy vis-à-vis Europe to ensure both parties’ collective prosperity and security. In the wake of division, growing illiberalism, and Russian aggression in Europe, we invited James to reflect back on his article.Read more below:Image: Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique A. Pineiro via U.S. Department of DefenseIn your 2018 article, “Less Whole, Less Free, Less at Peace: Whither America’s Strategy for a Post-Cold War Europe?“, you argue extensively that the United States should focus its attention more on China and Asia, and allow Europe to focus more attention on the Middle East and Eastern Europe. What is your assessment after conflicts have broken out in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe in the last few years?I think the argument is even more true today than it was then. As I wrote: “If the United States has to lead the response to Russia in Ukraine while also serving as the primary country investing in Middle East stability, it will be less able to devote time and resources to the Asia-Pacific region.” The Russia–Ukraine war has demonstrated quite visibly how dependent Europe is on the United States to provide security. Europe has been largely absent from the events taking place in the Middle East since October 7, 2023 (and of course the United States itself has struggled to shape events as well). Europe as a whole continues to do too little to take its own security seriously, outside of those countries most concerned about Russia, namely the Northern and Eastern Europeans, who need France and Germany to play a bigger leadership role.While U.S. aid to Ukraine has been pivotal to