You can't seriously believe that nato countries are really indipendent. The USA choose single ministers from certain countries and prime minister needs usa approval.
It is not official ( of course ) , but very well know. Very former high official have confirmed that ( not officially of course ). The secrecy of real usa status is notorious. See what happened to Assange...
Italy and Germany for sure... Even the chief of the european union.. Hungary pretends to be against, but in reality, it follows what the usa want. I don't undestand why usa don't simply aknowledge the reality of their empire instead of pretending to have allies.