Foreign Policy Live

Is Trump America’s First Post-Unipolar President?

54 snips
Sep 5, 2025
Emma Ashford, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, discusses the evolving nature of U.S. foreign policy in a post-unipolar world. She argues that the U.S. is no longer the unchallenged superpower and emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies, especially in relation to rising powers like China. The conversation covers influences on American foreign policy perspectives, from 'America First' to progressive views, and touches on how public sentiment, particularly among younger generations, is shifting towards collaboration in international relations.
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INSIGHT

Old World Dead, New World Unborn

  • The unipolar era of uncontested U.S. dominance is over and a new order hasn't yet formed.
  • Emma Ashford argues we are in a transition where elites are searching for new international structures.
INSIGHT

Trump As The First Post-Unipolar President

  • Trump is described as the first post-unipolar president because his administration accepts U.S. limits.
  • Ashford says this stance marks a fundamental shift from trying to transform the world.
INSIGHT

Unbalanced Multipolarity Defined

  • Global power now looks like unbalanced multipolarity: US and China lead but many other states are important.
  • Ashford emphasizes the rising influence of middle powers across regions.
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