The World Is “Going a Little Crazy”: Trump Inherits Volatile Global Situation
As Donald Trump prepares to take office for the second time, he is facing a volatile international situation that he is sure to inject new unpredictability into. The stunning fall of the al-Assad dynasty in Syria has created new and treacherous circumstances that will demand Trump’s attention and will likely provide an immediate test of his foreign policy goals and acumen.
Trump has consistently expressed a desire to disengage the US from Middle Eastern war zones, and his weekend social media posts reflected this stance. “This is not our fight. Let it play out. Do not get involved,” he wrote, but as a global power with American interests at stake, Trump may ultimately be forced to get involved diplomatically or militarily.
Senator Markwayne Mullin, a key Trump ally, emphasized the importance of considering national security interests when determining US involvement in foreign conflicts. “When it becomes a national security interest and a threat to the United States, then we would get involved,” he said.
The fall of Assad’s regime also presents opportunities for Trump’s other international goals, including his renewal of his confrontation with Iran. Trump’s weekend social media posts highlighted the defeat of Russia and Iran in the conflict, and he touted the end of the war in Ukraine as a possible outcome.
However, Trump’s plans for his second term suggest that he views the world through a “win-loss” prism, with a focus on American interests above all else. In an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump indicated that Ukraine should “probably” prepare for less aid with him in power, and he emphasized his commitment to staying in NATO only if other members pay their bills and “treat us fairly.”
The challenges facing Trump are vast and complex, ranging from the potential resurgence of ISIS in Syria to the intricate relationships between Russia, Iran, and China. Many of Trump’s critics worry that his approach will lead to a series of false dawns and temporary solutions, rather than genuine progress towards stability and peace.
Trump’s advisors are urging him to take a holistic approach to the crisis, treating Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea as interconnected challenges. However, this flies in the face of Trump’s desire to broker individual deals with foreign dictators and to play adversaries against one another.
As Trump prepares to take office, he must weigh the competing demands of international crises, national security interests, and his own domestic priorities. The world is indeed “going a little crazy,” and Trump’s actions in the coming months will have far-reaching consequences for the global community.