Pressure increases on Europeans to step up

WITHOUT US military support, the mainly French and British offensive air operations in Libya would not have been possible – highlighting the fundamental weakness of European armed forces.

Such a weakness comes not from “sharp end” weapons – such as strike aircraft or tanks – but from intelligence and logistical capacity, which the US possesses in plenty.

Yesterday’s announcement in the Pentagon that the US military will focus much more on the Asia-Pacific region – at the expense of Europe – reflects the changing balance of world power and trade.

Mr Obama has styled himself as a “Pacific president” from the start of his term. The recent announcement of a significant deployment of 2,500 US marines to a base in Australia also reflects this.

In the past year, the US has repeatedly told its European Nato allies that they must take a greater burden of defence costs and expand their own capabilities.

In June 2011, then-US defence secretary Robert Gates predicted a Nato consigned to “military irrelevance” in a “dim if not dismal” future unless European allies stepped up to the plate – yesterday’s strategy announcement is a precursor of a slow US withdrawal from its previous role.