Image: U.S. President Donald Trump sits behind his desk as he announces a bilateral trade agreement with Mexico to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 27, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
Doug Bandow, National Interest: America Is Determined to Fight the World
Boosted by its victory in the Cold War, the United States has allowed hubris to dominate its foreign-policy decision making.
The United States sanctioned Beijing for purchasing Russian military equipment. Does the administration really believe that China will cancel the deal because of American economic pressure? Yet again Washington has deftly pushed the People’s Republic of China toward Russia, encouraging an unnatural friendship, even alliance.
America is the world’s strongest, most dominant nation. However, its power has become a problem. Hubris conquered Washington. Today the Trump administration appears determined to go to war, military, political, and/or economic, with virtually every other state.
Washington’s arrogance has been long building. During the Cold War the United States was necessarily constrained. Moscow could match U.S. military force, sported numerous allies in Europe and elsewhere, and challenged America ideologically. Although the Soviet Union was weaker than commonly believed—the CIA consistently overestimated the USSR’s economic strength—Moscow could counter the United States when important Soviet interests were involved.
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WNU Editor: The above author's commentary is in sync with much of the Washington foreign establishment. They believe that America's role in foreign affairs should be one of accommodation, compromise, coalition building, mediation, and generosity. They definitely do not favor the current White House policy and strategy. As to what is my point of view. I do not see President Trump's policy as one that is determined to fight the world, but one that is primarily and exclusively focused on protecting and advancing American interests. This may be a radical departure of past U.S. foreign policy, but it is also one that is quite frankly practiced by almost every nation in the world. And while I sympathize with my progressive friends that their liberal idealism of the world order is now coming to an end .... I do understand the reason why .... the U.S. can no longer afford it, and more importantly, a growing segment of the American public now want nothing to do with it.
