American leadership in the world

by Idéfix Sun Jun 11, 2017 6:18 pm

Senator John McCain, a prominent Republican voice on foreign policy, was visibly irked when asked by the Guardian what message Trump had sent to the United Kingdom, one of America’s most enduring allies.

“What do you think the message is? The message is that America doesn’t want to lead,” McCain said, while adding of the rest of the world: “They are not sure of American leadership, whether it be in Siberia or whether it be in Antarctica.”

Asked if America’s standing on the global stage was better under Barack Obama, McCain, a fervent critic of the previous administration’s foreign policy, responded: “As far as American leadership is concerned, yes.”

It took decades to build the "international community" and America's leadership in it. Trump is dismantling it. Whether he is doing it as part of an isolationist strategy orchestrated by Bannon and other know-nothing types, or he is doing it because he is an ignorant, uncurious moron, the results are the same. China and Russia gain at America's expense.

Unclear to many observers is who, if anyone, is truly driving the US foreign policy agenda under the new administration.

Secretary of state Rex Tillerson, despite being the nation’s top diplomat, has routinely been undercut in his statements by Trump. So, too, has been the case with defense secretary James Mattis and national security adviser HR McMaster, well regarded on both sides of the aisle but caught between upholding longstanding US traditions and appeasing the whims of an unruly president.

The easy explanation is that he is doing this to undermine American leadership in the world.

How Trump’s actions and tone affect US alliances and perception on global stage

by Vakavaka Pakapaka Sun Jun 11, 2017 7:14 pm

It is possible that he came along as the president when a multipolar world is emerging. European nations, China, Russia and India must be actively trying to understand what is happening and planning strategies to maximize any gain they may be having because of a moron being the president in the US.

by MaxEntropy_Man Sun Jun 11, 2017 8:49 pm

McCain has run his last senate race. He doesn't care any more. It's disappointing that it has taken him this long to acknowledge the obvious. I would have been more impressed if he said this when he had a senate race on the line.

by Sponsored content

American leadership in the world

American leadership in the world

Re: American leadership in the world

Re: American leadership in the world

Re: American leadership in the world