The memory of the D-Day 80th anniversary ceremony on the beaches of Normandy, a party of the enduring alliance between the U.S. adn Europe, now feels distant. The shared resolve to meet the test of ages and defend Ukraine, as articulated by former President joseph R. Biden Jr., seems increasingly challenged.

A Promise Unraveling

Standing alongside French President Emmanuel Macron,Mr. Biden proclaimed NATO more united than ever and vowed, we will not walk away, because if we do, Ukraine will be subjugated and it will not end there. Thes words, spoken against the backdrop of the sacrifices made on those very beaches in 1944, drew a direct line between the courage of those soldiers and the current struggle against what he termed another tyrant bent on domination.

The Shadow of “America First”

That tyrant, according to Mr. Biden, was Russian President Vladimir V. Putin. Though, the landscape has shifted dramatically, with former President Donald Trump, an America-first leader and perennial coddler of autocrats, seemingly absolving Mr. Putin of duty for the war in Ukraine. Mr. Trump has also been a vocal denigrator of NATO and opponent of the European Union, which he claimed was formed to screw the United States.

Europe’s Unease

The rapid unraveling of transatlantic bonds has left many Europeans questioning whether to regard Mr. Trump’s America as an ally or an adversary. Rima Abdul-Malak, a former French culture minister, observed, It’s night and day. Trump has occupied all the space in our heads and the world looks alarmingly different.

A Wrecking Ball to the Postwar Order

The start of Mr. Trump’s second presidency has been marked by what some see as a dismantling of the transatlantic alliance that fostered peace and prosperity. this has been described as taking a wrecking ball to the postwar order, leaving uncertainty about what new arrangement will emerge.

Echoes of History

The current sense of unease evokes historical parallels. Paul Valéry, a French poet and author, wrote in June 1940, contemplating France’s defeat to Hitler’s Wehrmacht:

We are on a terrifying and irresistible slope. Nothing that we could fear is impossible; we can fear and imagine almost anything.
Paul Valéry, French Poet and author

This sentiment resonates today, as certainties have dissolved, specters risen, and fear has spread, in Europe as in the United States. Some Europeans are even acquiring burner phones for visits to the U.S., drawing comparisons to traveling to countries like Iran.

Concerns of Autocracy

Mr. Trump’s actions, including targeting universities, protected speech, international students, immigrants, judicial independence, and truth, have raised concerns about the rise of autocracy. Bruno Fuchs, president of the French National Assembly’s foreign affairs committee, spoke of a police state taking form after a recent visit to Washington.

A Moral abdication?

Mr. Trump’s public treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, including accusing him of ingratitude and risking World War III, was seen by many European leaders as a moral abdication. Mr. Trump reportedly said after the meeting, This is going to be great television.

Europe’s Response

In response to these developments, French President Emmanuel Macron declared, Peace can no longer be guaranteed on our continent. While Mr. Trump has since attempted to mend fences with Mr. Zelensky, including a minerals deal, Europe is moving towards greater independence.

Seeking Strategic Autonomy

Europe is steadfast to shed what Vice president JD Vance called its vassal status. German chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Mr. Macron in paris to pursue independence and strategic autonomy from Washington. In a joint statement in Le Figaro, they affirmed, will never except an imposed peace and will continue to support ukraine against Russian aggression.

Symbolic Gestures

One idea being considered is a return to the D-Day beaches for a joint photograph echoing the iconic image of François mitterrand and Helmut Kohl holding hands at Verdun, symbolizing European unity and reconciliation.

The Franco-German Engine

The Franco-German alliance remains the driving force behind the European Union.A revitalized alliance could lead to the rearmament of Europe,both as a military power and as a guardian of the values for which America fought in World War II.

The Challenge of Audacity

Georges Jacques Danton, a figure of the French Revolution, famously said, Audacity, audacity again, always audacity! mr. Trump has demonstrated a certain kind of audacity, leaving many mesmerized, reduced to amnesiac stupor. As David Axelrod, a strategist for Barack Obama, noted, He’s Pavlov and we’re the dogs.

Germany’s Role

Europe must respond with its own form of audacity to develop strategic might. Germany, historically demilitarized, faces the challenge of adapting to a world where raw power often overshadows rules and laws.

Internal Divisions

europe is not entirely united. the nationalist, anti-immigrant, and anti-climate-science sentiments that propelled Mr. Trump into office are also present in Europe, empowering leaders like Viktor Orban in Hungary and Giorgia meloni in Italy. Rising far-right parties reflect the anger of Europeans who feel ignored by urban elites.

A Collective Memory

Though, much of Europe retains a collective memory of the horrors of the 20th century, understanding the fragility of freedom and the potential for dictatorship and mass murder. This historical awareness distinguishes europe from the U.S. to some extent.

Lessons from Vichy

Reflecting on France’s history, the author writes from Vichy, the town from which Marshal Henri-Philippe Pétain ruled a collaborative regime during World War II. This period serves as a reminder of the consequences of abandoning core values.

Robert Paxton, in his book Vichy France, concludes: The deeds of occupier and occupied alike suggest that there come cruel times when to save a nation’s deepest values one must disobey the state. France after 1940 was one of those times. These words offer a poignant reflection on the choices facing Europe today.