Daniel Fried, a veteran US diplomat, told Poland's PAP news agency that while such a move would be costly, it might make political sense given Trump's good relations with Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Romania's declared willingness to cooperate on Iran.
The proposal, reported this week by The Wall Street Journal, would see troops shifted from bases in Germany, Italy and Spain, countries whose stance on the US-Israeli war with Iran has angered the American president, to eastern-flank allies.
Fried was speaking after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met with experts and Washington insiders at the Reagan Institute in the US capital on Thursday.
He described Rutte as working tirelessly to find a "narrow path" through the current crisis, navigating around Trump's anger while keeping the alliance intact.
"He won't get drawn into the rabbit hole of Trump's rhetoric. He just looks ahead because he knows history doesn't end with Trump," Fried said.
He added that, in his view, Rutte's goal is to turn Trump's legitimate grievances about NATO spending into an opportunity that ultimately leaves the alliance stronger through a more capable Europe.
The former ambassador also noted that Trump's anger at NATO partly reflects frustration over the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and is partly being stoked by figures within the administration who are openly hostile to the alliance.
He added, however, that their influence is to some extent offset by a more pro-NATO, "Reaganite" wing that includes the US Ambassador to the alliance, Matt Whitaker.
(ał/gs)
Source: PAP