The Opinions Trump’s Era of International Bullying
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May 15, 2025 Lydia Polgreen and Nick Kristof, both seasoned columnists on international affairs, dive into the complexities of Trump's foreign policy. They discuss how global leaders are reacting with varying degrees of boldness to U.S. actions. The conversation covers the shifting balance of power, particularly with rising authoritarianism in places like China and a humanitarian crisis in Sudan linked to UAE actions. They also critique the spectacle of Trump's diplomacy, emphasizing the need for reforms to restore America's global standing.
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Trump Emboldens Aggressive Leaders
- Trump's foreign policy emboldens aggressive leaders like Putin and Netanyahu who exploit weak opposition to territorial adventurism.
- Trump simultaneously shapes and takes advantage of a global environment increasingly permissive of such actions.
Bullying Undermines Global Order
- Trump's transactional bullying sometimes advances limited US interests but dismantles post-WWII global systems.
- His abandonment of human rights commitments increases global instability and risks, including in Israel-Palestine and Sudan.
Mixed Signals in Trump's 2nd Term
- Trump's second term shows more territorial adventurism globally under diminished US willingness for hard military engagement.
- His strategy appears to bully quickly for gains and retreat if unable to achieve swift results, sending mixed signals.