At a recent NATO breakfast meeting in Brussels, Trump again laid bare his hostile view toward the alliance.  He exclaimed to NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg that allies aren't paying enough toward defense and singled out German chancellor Angela Merkel for pursuing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline deal with Russia. In response to Trump's criticism of Nord Stream 2, Stoltenberg contended that even during the Cold War, there was trade between Russia and European countries beyond the Iron Curtain. Trump countered that trade and energy are different, which is true.  Trade partners are more replaceable than energy-suppliers, especially countries like Russia, which has the infrastructure to meet large demand and influence prices. Russia vigorously defends its position as Europe's largest natural gas-supplier.  Securing this dominant and lucrative position is partly why Russia's armed forces have intervened in Georgia, Ukraine, and...(Read Full Post)