Mike Baker

In recent days, President Trump has begun raising the possibility of pulling the U.S.

out of NATO, or at least scaling back its commitment, frustrated that European allies have refused to join the fight to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or provide meaningful support to the Iran conflict.

It's not a formal decision, not yet, but it's clearly being used as leverage, help finish the war, or the alliance may be up for renegotiation.

From the administration's perspective, the ask is straightforward.

The U.S.

and Israel have done the heavy lifting, thousands of strikes, degrading Iran's capabilities, pushing the conflict toward what Trump has described as a potential endgame within weeks.

But the hardest part may still lie ahead, getting Iran to release its hold on the Strait and stabilizing global energy flows, and importantly, getting the price of gas at the pumps in the U.S., the EU, and Asia to drop.

And that's where Washington wants its allies to step up.

That's how Washington sees it.

Obviously, the Europeans see this very differently.

Rather than joining the fight right now alongside the U.S., European powers are now organizing a separate 40-country coalition aimed at reopening the Strait, but only after the shooting stops.

And according to reports, the emphasis isn't on combat operations, it's on diplomacy, maritime security, and eventually escorting commercial vessels once the immediate threat has subsided.

In other words, while the U.S.

is asking allies to help win the war, Europe is preparing to manage whatever comes after it's over.

That divide is driving a growing wedge between Washington and its traditional partners.

European leaders have made clear they were neither consulted in advance nor eager to be pulled into a conflict they view as unnecessary.

Domestic pressure is also a factor.

The war is deeply unpopular with voters across much of Europe.

Despite the public friction, the truth is, though, that NATO is still quietly helping the war effort.

American bombers are launching from European bases.