Major Challenges Await Donald Trump’s Return to the White House
Donald Trump, the newly elected American president, is preparing to start his second term with a persona expected to be “stronger” compared to his first term eight years ago. However, foreign policy issues might overshadow the new White House administration’s performance. Despite Trump’s constant rhetoric about focusing on “America First,” immigration, the domestic economy, and civil service, foreign policy could quickly overshadow his agenda, particularly concerning the Middle East, Ukraine, China, and Russia, according to seasoned American journalist Daniel Balz in his Washington Post article titled “A Different and More Dangerous World Awaits Trump.”
Middle East
According to the article, Trump has the opportunity to help reshape the Middle East but must answer two significant questions. The first: to what extent will he allow Israel freedom to act in ways that President Joe Biden did not? The second: what will be his stance towards Iran? Will he see an opportunity for negotiation, or will he adopt an extremely hard-line approach? His choice of Israeli Ambassador, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a staunch supporter of Israel, is interpreted as a sign of “surrender” to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more than Biden did.
China
China presents further challenges for Trump, who has threatened to impose significant new tariffs on a country facing severe economic problems and growing military ambitions. As an indicator of his intentions, Trump plans to appoint several China hawks in his upcoming administration. Meanwhile, the governments of key U.S. allies in Europe, particularly France and Germany, have weakened, with the rise of right-wing populist parties.
Russia
Trump might find it more challenging to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, whom Trump has referred to as sending “love letters.” A former European diplomat told the newspaper, “It’s not like the old Cold War, but you can see a global pattern of confrontation and tension.” In this environment, Trump’s adversaries are seen as less inclined to make short-term deals beneficial to the incoming president. Ivo Daalder, President of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, stated, “The big thing is that Russia is in a state of war with the West.” He continued, “Putin is certainly focused on subjugating Ukraine, with the aim of restoring Russia’s strategic position lost at the end of the Cold War… This means Putin is a completely different character, more isolated, and more focused on one goal than when Trump last met him.”
Ukraine
The war in Ukraine might become Trump’s first test, given the battlefield situation, the
exhaustion of Ukrainian forces, and dwindling support in the U.S., especially among Republicans,
for continuing aid to Kyiv. Trump claimed during the campaign that he could negotiate an
agreement to end the war in one day, a type of exaggeration he’s known for, but the reality is
different. Analysts in Europe are concerned that Putin will have extreme demands and that
Trump, eager for a deal, might concede much. The newspaper adds, “Trump’s potential moves
regarding Ukraine are a significant source of concern among U.S. allies in Europe, who were part
of the coalition initially assembled by President Joe Biden and have their own security issues
depending on the outcome. Will Trump sell out Ukrainians with a deal that fundamentally
undermines their sovereignty? Can Ukraine be forced to concede territory but in return for
guarantees linking it to the West?”
Washington’s Allies
Trump assumes office with some U.S. allies weakened and embroiled in domestic issues. French
President Emmanuel Macron has faced a series of political defeats in recent months, while in
Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government has collapsed with new elections
approaching. South Korea’s government is in turmoil after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s
impeachment, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has seen his deputy resign, now
being highly unpopular among the public.
Israel Destroys UNIFIL Properties and Lebanese Army Watchtower
