The Cipher Brief speaks with Liana Fix, Senior Fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, who attended the summit. They discuss the political calculation behind NATO’s new 5% defense spending pledge, the continued influence of Donald Trump on alliance strategy, and why European leaders prioritized unity over deeper discussions on Ukraine, Iran, and Russia policy. Fix also weighs in on the reemerging Russian threat, bolstered by Chinese support, and the potential impact of future U.S. troop withdrawals from Europe. While the alliance remains solid for now, looming questions about long-term cohesion and credibility remain.