Monday Briefing: Trump’s anti-NATO outburst

Pakistan's shocking election and a dollhouse fit for a queen

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story February 12, 2024 By Daniel E. Slotnik Good morning. We're covering Donald Trump's statement that he might "encourage" Russia to attack an ally, and Pakistan's shocking election. Plus: A dollhouse fit for a queen. Donald Trump's statement stunned many in Europe.  Sean Rayford for The New York Times Trump's outburst alarmed NATO allies Donald Trump said over the weekend that, while president, he told NATO allies that he would "encourage" Russia to do "whatever the hell they want" to countries that had not paid the money he claimed they owed to the military alliance. Trump's statement, made at a campaign rally in South Carolina, seemed to cast NATO as more of a protection racket than an alliance. It stunned many in Europe, where nations have been developing military capabilities in case U.S. support proves unreliable. Trump has long called for the U.S. to leave NATO and questioned American support for foreign allies. National security veterans of both parties said that such thinking misunderstands the value of the alliances for the U.S. Never before has an American president — even a former one aspiring to reclaim the White House — suggested that he would incite an enemy to attack American allies. If Trump's statement is to be believed, his potential re-election this year may fundamentally alter the world order. Possible consequences: Abandoning NATO allies could effectively end the security umbrella that has long guarded friends in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East; it could also negate the value of mutual security agreements with countries like Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Argentina, Australia and Panama. Imran Khan, in 2019. Saiyna Bashir for The New York Times A shocking election upset in Pakistan The party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan stunned Pakistan by snagging more seats in Parliament than any other, despite a concentrated effort by the country's military to quash support for Khan. Khan's success was the first time in Pakistan's recent history that the political strategy used by the country's powerful military for decades to keep its grip on power had suddenly faltered. Khan's populist party prevailed at the ballot box by relying on social media to evade state censorship and drive turnout while tapping into the dissatisfaction of Pakistan's internet-savvy youth. Khan's party won even after the authorities arrested hundreds of his supporters and imprisoned him in the days leading up to the election. The crackdown seemed to galvanize public support for him. What's next: Allegations of military tampering loomed after the election, and Pakistan was on edge as thousands of Khan's supporters took to the streets to protest, only to be met with tear gas and police batons. Destruction in Rafah on Sunday after Israeli strikes. Said Khatib/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Israel launched a 'wave of attacks' on Rafah Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the Israeli military would begin a ground invasion of the southern Gazan city of Rafah, but not without a plan to move the more than one million people sheltering there. Israel's military said today that it had carried out a "wave of attacks" on Rafah, and Israeli security forces said they had rescued two hostages who were being held there. "Those who say that under no circumstances should we enter Rafah are basically saying: 'Lose the war,'" Netanyahu said yesterday in an interview on "This Week With George Stephanopoulos." President Biden warned Netanyahu in a call that a ground invasion in southern Gaza should not proceed without a plan to protect the people there. Related: Many refugees in Rafah have been uprooted repeatedly since the start of the war. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THE LATEST NEWS Europe News Ukrainian lawmakers are pushing to expand the country's draft. Doing so would replenish Ukraine's armed forces but alienate citizens and pose risks for sustaining the country's population. Finland elected the center-right politician Alexander Stubb as president in its first national election since the country joined NATO. King Charles III appeared in public for the first time since his cancer announcement. He walked alongside Queen Camilla as they went to church. Around the World Money Sharma/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Pressure on one of India's premier left-leaning universities by Hindu nationalists highlights the broader effort to silence dissent against the country's right-wing government. The demolition of a mosque and a Muslim seminary has led to deadly clashes in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. Brazil is facing an outbreak of dengue fever, which could mean a surge in the mosquito-borne virus across the Americas. Other Big Stories Amir Cohen/Reuters Two Israelis are the only people so far who have returned to live in the Kfar Azza kibbutz, which had 800 residents before the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. A $95 billion emergency aid bill for Ukraine and Israel passed an important hurdle in the U.S. Senate. Lloyd Austin, the U.S. defense secretary, was taken to a hospital for a bladder issue, the Pentagon said. He was widely criticized last month for keeping secret his hospitalization for complications related to prostate cancer surgery. Super Bowl Spoilers! Kansas City beat San Francisco, 25-22, on Patrick Mahomes's touchdown pass in overtime. It was Kansas City's second consecutive Super Bowl win. Usher's halftime show, a throwback to the early 2000s, featured artists like Alicia Keys, Ludacris and Lil Jon. Our TV critic Mike Hale ranked the Super Bowl commercials. Taylor Swift made it to the game in time, all the way from Tokyo. From Opinion A visit to Poland helped Michelle Goldberg appreciate the challenges of rebuilding democracy after years under a would-be autocratic government. For all its hype and promise, the environmental revolution of cultivated meat was never a real prospect, writes Joe Fassler. Nicholas Kristof suggests some policies that could help the U.S. better care for its children. A Morning Read Nyimas Laula for The New York Times It might seem like the most lopsided trade in history: Pulau Rhun, a tiny island in what is now Indonesia, for Manhattan. But in the 17th century, the Netherlands believed it got the better part of the bargain when it traded islands with the British because Rhun was covered in nutmeg, a spice worth its weight in gold at the time. There is little trace of that wealth on the island now. Lives lived: John Bruton was a former Irish prime minister who played a central role with Britain in an effort to secure peace in Northern Ireland after decades of strife. He died at 76. SPORTS NEWS 'The Four-Year Plan': The craziest soccer documentary of them all. Formula 1: The most anticipated races this season. 'Season 52': The video that everyone in tennis seems to be talking about. ARTS AND IDEAS via RCT Press Office The trappings of monarchy, in miniature Visitors to Windsor Castle outside London can marvel at the ornaments of royal life, among them a one-inch-tall bejeweled crown. The little crown, and other artifacts like a tiny grand piano with working keys, were included in an intricate dollhouse made by Edwin Lutyens, a leading British architect, for Queen Mary in 1924. A century later, the dollhouse and some of its delicate contents are on display at the castle. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist; Hadas Smirnoff. Prop Stylist: Megan Hedgepeth. Cook: This spicy, smoky chili is perfect after a long day skiing — or hibernating. Watch: "The Taste of Things," a New York Times critic's pick, is a magnificent culinary romance set in 19th-century France. Read: The popular African comic "Aya" is full of everyday heroes. Recall: Just one night of sleep deprivation can impair your short-term memory. Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today's Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here. That's it for today's briefing. Thank you for spending part of your morning with us, and see you tomorrow. — Dan P.S. The Lunar New Year began on Saturday. Here's how it was celebrated across Asia (and in Manhattan). A correction: Friday's newsletter misidentified the Belgian writer and director of the film "Here." He is Bas Devos, not Bas Lurman (which was a misspelling of the name of the Australian director Baz Luhrmann). You can reach Dan and the team at briefing@nytimes.com. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Morning Briefing: Europe Edition from The New York Times. 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