{"id":2569268,"date":"2026-02-12T10:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T15:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congress-eyes-munich-conference-as-chance-to-boost-nato-allies\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T10:06:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T15:06:17","slug":"congress-eyes-munich-conference-as-chance-to-boost-nato-allies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congress-eyes-munich-conference-as-chance-to-boost-nato-allies\/","title":{"rendered":"Congress eyes Munich conference as chance to boost NATO allies"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcongress-eyes-munich-conference-as-chance-to-boost-nato-allies%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2569268&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>This article discusses how Congress aims to use the Munich Security Conference to reassess and reassure NATO allies about the U.S.\u2013European relationship amid a shift in transatlantic dynamics.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Attendance and purpose: At least 50 U.S. lawmakers, led by what the piece calls \u201cSecretary of State Marco Rubio,\u201d are expected to attend the German summit on february 13\u201314 to mingle with NATO partners and evaluate the U.S.-European bond.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Context of realignment: The event comes as many NATO members respond to a perceived shift in U.S. attitudes toward Europe, a shift echoed in Vice President JD Vance\u2019s Munich speech last year and reiterated in the Pentagon\u2019s 2025 national Security Strategy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; European attitudes and credibility concerns: A new poll cited in the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >article shows declining trust<\/a> in the United States as a reliable ally among key partners\u201418% of germans, 20% of French, 22% of Canadians, and 35% of Britons\u2014marking notable drops since the previous year.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Political perspectives: Lawmakers like rep. Gregory Meeks and Sen. Roger Wicker (and Sen. Chris Coons) stress the importance of demonstrating U.S. commitment to Europe, while Sen. michael Baumgartner suggests the conference should gauge European mood on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-releases-list-of-president-trumps-accomplishments-and-it-is-historic\/\" title=\"White House Releases List of President Trump\u2019s Accomplishments \u2013  And It Is Historic!\">defense spending<\/a> and alliance cohesion.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Defense and cohesion questions: The piece highlights a tension between Europe building defense capacity and whether that translates into tighter alliance integration or independence. It contrasts calls for interoperability and shared timelines with warnings of potential \u201chedging\u201d and non-reciprocity.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Broader trends: The article notes that some european partners\u2014canada and the U.K.\u2014are moving closer to China, while French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the Trump administration as \u201copenly anti-European\u201d in a recent interview, signaling broader shifts in Western alliances.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The Munich conference\u2019s aim: To crystallize the transatlantic relationship, measure seriousness of commitment, and determine whether increased European defense spending strengthens or strains U.S.\u2013European ties\u2014despite continued concerns about a looming government shutdown that could affect travel.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Additional context: The piece discusses debates about Europe\u2019s energy independence from the United States and questions whether this shift will yield closer cooperation or new fault lines within the alliance.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Congress eyes Munich conference as opportunity to rebuild confidence among NATO allies<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2023003\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/congress\/\">Congress<\/a> hopes to use the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/germany\/\">Munich <\/a>Security Conference as a platform to assess the U.S.-European relationship and provide reassurances to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-s-envoy-to-north-korea-im-ready-to-meet-anytime-anywhere\/\" title=\"U.S. Envoy to North Korea: I\u2019m ready to meet anytime, anywhere\">long-standing allies<\/a> that Washington stands behind them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>At least 50 U.S. lawmakers, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are expected to mingle with NATO partners and attend the German summit on Feb. 13 and 14. The high-profile event comes as many NATO members grapple with the repercussions of a distinct shift in the U.S. attitude toward Europe, amplified by Vice President JD Vance&rsquo;s speech at the Munich Conference last year. The realignment was later reiterated in the Pentagon&rsquo;s 2025 National Security Strategy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4455596\/jayapal-bondi-epstein-files-search-history\/\">Jayapal outraged after Bondi seen with &#8216;burn book&#8217; of her Epstein files search history<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4455570\/six-republicans-vote-against-trump-canada-tariffs\/\">Who are the six Republicans who voted against Trump&rsquo;s Canada tariffs?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4454940\/seven-takeaways-from-bondis-fiery-house-testimony\/\">Seven takeaways from Bondi&rsquo;s fiery House testimony<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>This weekend, Congress will seek to use the conference to crystallize the relationship, even as some congressional leaders have warned against traveling out of the country due to a looming government shutdown. Lawmakers ranging from Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), both members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MI) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), are still heading to Germany, after Munich Security Conference chairman Wolfgang Ischinger said this week that &ldquo;transatlantic relations are currently in a significant crisis of confidence and credibility.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I hope to work with our European allies and let them know that the United States is still [an ally],&rdquo; Meeks, a top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told <em>NOTUS<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Baumgartner said on Thursday he would be looking to gauge mood swings in Europe, with an eye toward evaluating whether the move of NATO allies to raise defense spending targets &ldquo;after decades of underinvestment&rdquo; marks a move toward strengthening or weakening their relationship with Washington.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Are our allies building capability to bind themselves more tightly to the alliance &mdash; or building national escape hatches in case the alliance frays? That distinction is the real story of 2026,&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalreview.com\/2026\/02\/a-congressmans-five-questions-for-munich\/\">Baumgartner wrote in a <em>National Review<\/em> op-ed<\/a>. &ldquo;The question now is whether that spending is being converted into usable capability and durable cohesion or whether we end up with a Europe and a West that are better armed but less aligned.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>His words come as top NATO allies have shifted toward building out relationships with other partners, amid Washington&rsquo;s increasingly mercurial approach to decadeslong alliances. Canada and Great Britain are edging toward China, while French President Emanuel Macron described the Trump administration this week as &ldquo;openly anti-European&rdquo; during <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/europe\/2026\/02\/10\/emmanuel-macron-declares-a-european-state-of-emergency\">an interview <\/a>with the<em> Economist<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;&#8203;&#8203;What we should do isn&rsquo;t bow down or try to reach a settlement,&rdquo; he said in an interview with several European newspapers. &ldquo;I think we&rsquo;ve tried that strategy for months. It&rsquo;s not working.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A new poll gauging European attitudes toward the U.S. outlined shifts in how key partners view Washington. In 2026, only 18% of Germans, 20% of the French, 22% of Canadians, and 35% of Britons viewed the U.S. as a reliable ally, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/02\/11\/poll-us-nato-alliances-00775984\">according to the Public First survey<\/a>. Since last year, the number of Germans who view the U.S. as a reliable ally has dropped by 16%, by 22% in France, and by 10% in Great Britain.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Baumgartner said the Munich Security Conference would clarify whether Europe&rsquo;s increased defense capacity is geared toward producing &ldquo;Cold War bottlenecks&rdquo; or a system built for &ldquo;allied production.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Hedging won&rsquo;t be said out loud, but you&rsquo;ll hear it: &lsquo;freedom of action&rsquo; without reciprocity, politics-first procurement, and independence masquerading as resilience. Convergence is the opposite &mdash; common standards, shared production, enforceable timelines, and political commitments that match the war plans. If that&rsquo;s the signal, Munich won&rsquo;t just measure anxiety. It will mark a turn for substance, not slogans: an alliance built around interoperability, throughput, timelines that bite, and cohesion that holds,&rdquo; he wrote on Thursday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/4441177\/europe-reduce-reliance-us-energy-trump-pressure-greenland\/\"><strong>EUROPE SEEKS TO REDUCE RELIANCE ON US FOR ENERGY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) last week threw cold water on lawmakers attending <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4454831\/preventing-another-shutdown-priority-for-trump-christian-datoc\/\">without a deal on Homeland Security funding<\/a> being reached, calling it a &ldquo;non-starter,&rdquo; a posture echoed by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Wicker has vowed to attend either way, as has Coons, known as the top Democrat on the committee that controls defense funding.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We have a genuine problem in our transatlantic relationship,&rdquo; Coons told reporters. &ldquo;And to cancel sending a large delegation to Munich simply so that we can figure out how to actually do policing in a democracy sends exactly the wrong message.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Congress seeks Munich to reassure NATO allies<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2569269,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26042705850670.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4402,50396,50459],"class_list":["post-2569268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-congress","tag-munich-security-conference","tag-nato-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26042705850670.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2569268"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569268\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2569272,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569268\/revisions\/2569272"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2569269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2569268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2569268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2569268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}