After the 9/11 attacks on America, Nato’s article 5 — which says an attack on one member is considered an attack on all — was invoked for the only time in its seven-decade history. When US forces began military action against Afghanistan, British and other Nato troops joined them. America’s withdrawal 20 years later, giving Nato allies little option but to pull out, delivers a double blow to the alliance. It has simultaneously laid bare the extent of Nato reliance on the US — and raised doubts about future American willingness to provide support to its allies.
在美国发生“9•11”袭击之后，北约(NATO)的第五条款——对一个成员国的攻击被视为是对全体成员国的攻击——在其70年的历史中唯一一次被动用。当美军开始对阿富汗采取军事行动时，英国和其他北约部队也加入其中。20年后，美国的撤军——让北约盟国除了跟着撤军以外几乎别无选择——给北约造成双重打击。它既暴露了北约对美国的依赖程度，也让人怀疑美国未来是否愿意向其盟友提供支持。