European diplomats fear Trump could withdraw troops from Europe and resume attacks on NATO after the U.S. elections

NATO countries are preparing for the most pessimistic scenario in Tuesday's U.S. elections. European allies fear that a Republican defeat could prompt President Donald Trump to dramatically intensify his attacks on the alliance, according to NATO diplomats cited by Politico on condition of anonymity so they could speak freely about this sensitive matter.

Three of the diplomats fear that Trump could decide to withdraw thousands of additional U.S. troops from Europe. “Usually, what happens with presidents who lose their political influence is a combination of venting their frustrations and adventurism in foreign policy,” said a senior European defense official.