At the height of this spring’s U.S. war with Iran, NATO allies declined to allow the U.S. to use air bases within their territory to launch attacks on Iran, they rejected the request to let U.S. bombers overfly their territory, and they refused to commit their naval forces to helping the U.S. patrol the beleaguered Strait of Hormuz. In response, President Trump said he was considering withdrawing the United States from the 75-year-old defense alliance – something he has been talking about for years. Is this a serious possibility? Can the President do that without Congressional approval? And what are the risks U.S. withdrawal from NATO?
Case Western Reserve University School of Law's “Talking Foreign Policy” radio show will discuss the future of the NATO Alliance with leading experts on the next broadcast on Monday, July 13 at 9 a.m. (re-airing at 9:00 p.m.).
The experts in this discussion will be:
--Host Michael Scharf, former co-dean of CWRU School of Law and president of the American Branch of the International Law Association;
--John Bellinger, who served as the Legal Adviser of the National Security Council and the Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State during the Administration of George W. Bush;
--US Navy Captain (retired) Sandy Hodgkinson, who held senior positions at the State Department, National Security Council, and Pentagon, including as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense during the Bush and Obama Administrations;
--Dr. Paul Williams, President of the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Public International Law & Policy Group. Paul served as Attorney Adviser for European Affairs at the State Department during the Clinton Administration; and
--Milena Sterio, Distinguished University Professor of Cleveland State University College of Law and Managing Director of the Public International Law & Policy Group.
"Talking Foreign Policy" is broadcast on Cleveland’s NPR Station, WKSU 89.7 FM in Cleveland, and its syndicates throughout Ohio.
Stream this episode live on September 17, 2026 from Ideastream here.
Or listen anytime after it airs at the School of Law Talking Foreign Policy website.