
Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Trump’s Militaristic Master Plan w/ Anatol Lieven
17 snips
Dec 15, 2025 Anatol Lieven, a foreign policy analyst at the Quincy Institute, dissects Trump’s 2025 national security strategy, highlighting its contradictions and the dubious achievements of his foreign policy. He warns of rising tensions, especially regarding Europe and China, while questioning the administration's commitment to international institutions. Susannah Glickman, a historian, examines the encroachment of private equity in governmental and military realms, raising concerns about its impact on governance and military infrastructure, and warns against the dangers of prioritizing short-term profits over long-lasting resilience.
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Limited Foreign-Policy Gains
- Anatol Lieven argues Trump's foreign-policy achievements are limited and mainly transactional rather than transformative.
- Lieven warns Trump has alienated allies and parts of his base while only possibly advancing a Ukraine peace process.
Western Identity As Geopolitical Tool
- The 2025 NSS mixes withdrawal rhetoric with aggressive hemispheric intervention and cultural conservatism aimed at Europe.
- Lieven highlights an unusual alignment with right-wing populists and explicit cultural rhetoric about 'Western identity.'
Russia, Peace, And European Leverage
- Lieven notes Trump views Russia differently from other Western elites and prioritizes pressing Europe and Ukraine toward peace.
- He warns cutting off support would leave Ukrainians exposed and could force Europe into a crisis they cannot militarily solve.






