Theo Francken believed the strained transatlantic relationship should remain ‘united’, although sometimes Nato ‘can be a paper tiger’
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenDewey Simin WashingtonPublished: 5:00am, 29 Apr 2026Updated: 5:02am, 29 Apr 2026Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said the US and Nato were faced with a “marriage crisis” as frustrations mount on both sides of the Atlantic, urging Washington to stand with its allies or risk America’s fall.Francken, speaking at a think tank event in Washington on Tuesday, likened the strained transatlantic relationship, which has held for close to 80 years, to a “crisis”, saying “it’s very difficult”.
“I’m convinced that we’re having a marriage crisis … There’s a lot of frustration on both sides of the Atlantic. A lot of miscomprehension of one another’s position and sometimes even anger,” he told the discussion organised by the Atlantic Council.
“That’s dangerous because geopolitical times are very unstable [and] difficult … And it’s better that we’re united.”
