Since the start of the conflict in Iran, President Trump has repeatedly criticized our allies in Europe for not being there for the United States when their support could have been useful. He has criticized NATO in particular for failing to provide adequate assistance, while the United States has historically provided substantial support to its NATO allies when needed.

This criticism reflects a larger reality: the United States and Europe are fundamentally different. While maintaining alliances remains important, the war between Russia and Ukraine since 2022 has prompted efforts to strengthen these ties.

In reality, the United States functions as a fundamentally different society from Europe. Therefore, American interests will not always align—and have not consistently aligned—with those of European allies. A country can remain an ally without being fully aligned in its long-term objectives, but that distinction must be acknowledged and reflected in policy.

Rather than focusing on cultural differences, it is more meaningful to examine differences in underlying societal values. The two civilizations appear similar, but significant differences emerge upon closer analysis.

Americans, above all, value what is often referred to as “democracy.” The term is frequently used, but rarely understood, especially in the context of American government. The United States is........

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