Trump and his cabinet: influence on the world order

Trump and his cabinet: influence on the world order

After the announcement of the designated President Donald Trump, the FOX news presenter and veteran of the army Pete Hegseth as his defense minister, I received news and calls from current and former high-ranking military commanders who shared their reactions. "Ridiculous," said one. "A real nightmare," said another. These voices do not come from partners, but from experienced commanders who served Biden both under President Trump and President.

if loyalty becomes danger

The criticism of Hegseth was not personal. None of the commanders expressed negative thoughts about him. Her central concern is the fear that Trump will put together a team with this and other appointments in the area of ​​national security in order to implement massive and sustainable changes in US foreign policy. "There is a lack of serious experience in dealing with the Pentagon and the processes of national security, but I try to remain open and hope that fresh ideas can improve stagnating conditions," said a retired four-star general. "However, the common element is clearly loyalty, and while some loyalty is essential, blind people can be dangerous. If you look at the previous announcements, this could lead to a single mind checked many hands. I never believed that a mind that does as good as diversity of thinking."

The effects of the 2024

The In 2024 , unlike earlier elections, there could have a significant impact on the US foreign policy and the role of America in the world. Trump has repeatedly emphasized that he is ready to implement his agenda "America first", to end US engagements abroad and to rethink existing contracts that are directed against American interests. Hegseth has already emerged from his position at Fox News as a loud advocate of this agenda.

transactional relationships and their consequences

Trump shows a transactional view of the US relationships abroad, which often does not make a distinction according to values ​​or common history. He made it clear that he sees the United States as not better or worse than its opponents. A connection can be drawn to Trump’s response to Bill O’Reilly in 2017 when he reminded him: "Putin is a killer", whereupon Trump replied: "You think we are so innocent?" And to his remark at an election campaign event in Michigan that "in many cases our allies are worse than our so -called enemies".

The safety of allies on the bracket

a possible nuclear upgrade?

military commanders and diplomats in Europe and Asia say that Trump could have a dangerous consequence when deducting US engagements abroad: states could be forced to develop their own nuclear weapons to replace the security that the US nuclear protective shield offers. This tendency could also cause other countries to expand their own arsenals to maintain the deterrent.

The complexity of the global challenges

This could also be important for the Americans at home. The long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan understandably led to a dwindling public interest in military interventions abroad. The price for US military aid for Ukraine was considered politically unsustainable, especially in view of the economic challenges in Germany. In order to counteract the ambitions of a new and powerful alliance of autocrats, the Americans would have to be ready to compromise - which would be associated with enormous costs.

The art of the deal

The traditional bipartisan approach has proven to be anything but perfect. So far, the United States and its allies have not managed to win the conflict in Ukraine and may have tacitly advised territorial concessions to end the war. What was previously considered a dirty secret is now obvious while the Trump administration takes shape. US allies have to adapt to the new reality because a decline in the US leadership in Europe is expected, which could make extensive military expenses necessary.