Leaked U.S. Plan Aims to "Pull" Key EU Nations Away, Report Says

A leaked U.S. strategy document suggests a plan to weaken the European Union by drawing four member states closer to Washington. The draft, reported by European media, identifies Italy, Austria, Poland, and Hungary as primary targets for increased American political influence. The goal, according to the leak, is to create a faction within the EU that is more aligned with U.S. interests. This follows the recent official publication of America's National Security Strategy. The leaked pages, however, appear to detail a more direct approach to managing relations with European allies. Analysts say pulling these countries away from a unified EU position could significantly destabilize the bloc's decision-making. The governments of the four nations named have, at times, clashed with Brussels on issues like migration and rule of law. There has been no official confirmation of the draft's authenticity from U.S. authorities. The report is likely to raise serious diplomatic questions about trans-Atlantic relations.