The future of the EU in the wake of Trump’s betrayal

The EU needs also to focus on conflict resolution, especially in the Middle East and Africa, that have a direct and indirect impact on Europe. The EU has direct strategic and security interests to play an active role in the search for a solution to the conflicts in Libya (a byproduct of the European role in toppling Gaddafi) and Yemen and should certainly make continuing efforts to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, however illusive that may seem.

The EU ought to change the nature of the relationship with Africa not simply from donor to recipient but play a direct role in in the growth of underdeveloped African countries-not only because it has a moral obligation resulting from colonialism, but because such efforts serve the EU's own security interests.

A substantial part of the EU's extensive financial contribution to the African Union (over $3 billion since 2004) should be devoted to sustainable development projects to provide job opportunities and empower local communities. This is the most effective way of addressing the root causes of violent extremism and migration, from which the EU suffers greatly.

Trump has become a marionette manipulated by a master puppeteer, Putin. He can no longer be trusted to serve either America's or our allies' interests. To be sure, Trump will face the judgment of the American electorate, hopefully sooner rather than later, and the historically indispensable alliance with our European partners will be restored.