Europe is taking on a greater role in security and international diplomacy as the United States shifts its foreign policy focus. The once-stable transatlantic alliance is experiencing fractures, driven by shifting US policies and Europe's push for greater autonomy. Europe is filling the void left by the US in Ukraine and increasing its defense spending, but there are doubts about its ability to act decisively. Differing approaches to Middle Eastern conflicts also highlight the widening gap between the US and the EU. The growing divide is forcing both to reconsider their roles in global affairs.