Foreign Policy Live Ian Bremmer on One Year of Trump 2.0
Jan 16, 2026
Ian Bremmer, President of Eurasia Group and renowned geopolitical analyst, discusses the motivations behind Trump's second term foreign policy, emphasizing the 'law of the jungle' and a focus on power. He highlights Trump's preference for limited military interventions rather than regime change, assessed through his dealings with countries like Iran and Venezuela. Bremmer also analyzes how vulnerable nations are adapting to manage U.S. pressures and the future of U.S. congressional oversight amidst growing global challenges.
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Why A U.S. Strike On Iran Was Paused
- Trump was prepared to strike Iran but chose restraint after regional leaders urged caution and facts on the ground changed the calculus.
- The U.S. lacked the immediate military posture and credible local fragmentation to justify a large strike, so action was postponed.
Trump's Military Pattern And Domestic Focus
- Trump favors short, sharp uses of force and avoids extended ground wars while still willing to negotiate broadly with adversaries.
- His second term intensifies transactional domestic-economic aims and personal enrichment compared with his first term.
Law Of The Jungle As Foreign Policy
- Bremmer describes Trump's foreign-policy logic as a 'law of the jungle' focused on power and transactional leverage.
- This approach weakens long-term U.S. interests because it undermines reliability and rule-based alliances.
