And it only worked when it did because of you-know-who.
Yep. Part of the outrage against Trump on the part of the international powers-that-be is that his insistence on restructuring this happy con game is a genuine threat to a lot of entrenched interests. A lot more than ideology is involved.
But I think Trump is more lightning rod than actual cause. Security requirements have changed almost beyond recognition since 1991 but they haven't gone away. Plodding along as we have been isn't really an option. There isn't much a carrier battle group can do about a Europe intent on committing demographic suicide, for example. And manning the ramparts for people who are letting the enemy in through the front gate is an exercise in futility.