Donald Trump recently waded into the murky waters of NATO politics. On the surface, these events may seem worlds apart, but both touch on an underlying theme: resilience in the face of chaos. Trump attends a NATO meeting, urging Europeans to step up their defense efforts. Perhaps, in this tangled web of reality, there lies a nugget of truth about modern Western society’s existential confusion.

In an ironic twist of fate, Trump’s NATO excursion aimed to awaken Europe’s dormant defensive spirit. Across the ocean and onto the political stage, Trump channels his inner leader, rallying the NATO troops and asking them to contribute more to their defense budgets. His efforts, dubbed as a push to revive Europe’s willingness to defend itself, also summon an imagery not far from a fictional reality. It’s as if Trump is urging Europe to abandon its pacifistic slumber and take up the proverbial bow and arrow, reminding them that sitting idly by and letting someone else fight the battles may not be the prudent course.

Pacifism and socialism are portrayed as sleep-inducers endangering Western civilization’s vitality. By emphasizing the need for active defense, Trump highlights the dangers of passivity. Peace and prosperity are admirable goals, but not when they pivot on the assumption that others will bear the weight of maintaining them. These events draw attention to the need for grit and resolve in the face of adversity, whether by meeting one’s own defense commitments.