For some in the MAGA movement, it seems to be an article of faith that our post-World War II history, especially our history in this century, consists mainly of blunders and betrayals by America’s elites (the “uniparty”).
I dont think most Americans want to radically upend the international order and retreat from our leadership role and I don't actually think Trump wants to. I do think a segment of MAGA as well of course has the American left does believe this and does want this to happen. Trump should not be playing footise with these radicals. But then there are many things Trump should not be doing that he does daily.
I agree we shouldn't upset the existing order, but I don't think that's the issue now. Trump in his first term used threats of withdrawing from NATO as leverage to make our allies pony up. The question now is what to do about the Ukrainian-Russian war, and Trump and our allies don't agree on that. I think Trump views the war as war without end, and that would be his view even if the European countries ponied up all he asks. I think he's doing what he's doing because he really wants to end the carnage and destruction, and doesn't believe open-ended funding by Europe and the U.S. will achieve that. Jim Dueholm
What to do about the war Russia is waging against Ukraine is one issue now. Whatever the merits of the way Trump is handling that issue, I don't see how it is consistent with the approach to foreign policy the U.S. has taken since World War II. That approach did not make supporting the victim contingent on its willingness to give up mineral rights, for example, nor did it denounce the victim while studiously avoiding telling the truth about the aggressor.
Another issue now is tariffs. Although we don't know what the final contours of Trump's tariff policies will be, it's already inconsistent with our post World War II approach and seems inconsistent even with Trump's first-term approach. One might like what Trump is doing, but it's clearly at odds with the existing order.
I also disagree with your view that Trump's approach to Russia's war against Ukraine is motivated by a desire to end the carnage. I can explain why at our next lunch.
I dont think most Americans want to radically upend the international order and retreat from our leadership role and I don't actually think Trump wants to. I do think a segment of MAGA as well of course has the American left does believe this and does want this to happen. Trump should not be playing footise with these radicals. But then there are many things Trump should not be doing that he does daily.
I agree we shouldn't upset the existing order, but I don't think that's the issue now. Trump in his first term used threats of withdrawing from NATO as leverage to make our allies pony up. The question now is what to do about the Ukrainian-Russian war, and Trump and our allies don't agree on that. I think Trump views the war as war without end, and that would be his view even if the European countries ponied up all he asks. I think he's doing what he's doing because he really wants to end the carnage and destruction, and doesn't believe open-ended funding by Europe and the U.S. will achieve that. Jim Dueholm
Thanks for the comment, Jim.
What to do about the war Russia is waging against Ukraine is one issue now. Whatever the merits of the way Trump is handling that issue, I don't see how it is consistent with the approach to foreign policy the U.S. has taken since World War II. That approach did not make supporting the victim contingent on its willingness to give up mineral rights, for example, nor did it denounce the victim while studiously avoiding telling the truth about the aggressor.
Another issue now is tariffs. Although we don't know what the final contours of Trump's tariff policies will be, it's already inconsistent with our post World War II approach and seems inconsistent even with Trump's first-term approach. One might like what Trump is doing, but it's clearly at odds with the existing order.
I also disagree with your view that Trump's approach to Russia's war against Ukraine is motivated by a desire to end the carnage. I can explain why at our next lunch.