Donald Trump has a strong foreign-policy hand, but could blow it
Bullying foreigners can be sadly effective, but also a dangerous distraction
FOR the spies, diplomats and military types tasked with keeping America safe and prosperous, Donald Trump’s bullying long ago lost its power to shock. Indeed, the national-security establishment—including officials who currently serve President Joe Biden—concedes that Mr Trump’s brand of statecraft, involving America First bombast, cruel jokes and offers that can’t be refused, is at times effective. Mr Trump’s ability to generate leverage leads to a different lament. Shrewd professionals worry that the 47th president has a potentially strong hand, but might blow it.
Explore more
This article appeared in the International section of the print edition under the headline “Bullying is not the same as strength”
From the January 11th 2025 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from International
Women warriors and the war on woke
Trump’s Pentagon pick wants women off the battlefield
Young people are having less fun
Youthful excess continues to decline
Why people over the age of 55 are the new problem generation
Baby-boomers are keeping their bad habits into retirement
Is the age of American air superiority coming to an end?
The growing effectiveness of air-defence systems could blunt the West’s most powerful weapons
Why warriors should welcome laws of war
Lessons from a 17th-century thinker on preventing crimes against humanity
What has four stomachs and could change the world?
Technology is transforming cattle farming, but not fast enough