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Thread: Donald Trump Has Made America a Back-Row Kid

  1. #1

    Donald Trump Has Made America a Back-Row Kid

    http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/07/07/...-back-row-kid/

    The days of other countries looking to the United States for leadership are coming to an end.


    "How will America help fix this?” During our time in the Obama administration, this was a common refrain, one we heard over and over from our foreign counterparts about global problems. They saw the United States as the leader on a broad range of issues — from combating terrorism to combating climate change — not just because of its tremendous economic and military strength (though that certainly helped). They believed in American “soft power” — the ability to set the agenda, bring others to the table, draw up a game plan, and take the lead in implementing that plan. In a world of unrelenting challenges, this expectation can be exhausting, and it can often seem like a burden. But the fact that so many countries look to the United States to provide the answers should be viewed as a blessing — it is what makes America exceptional.

    Many things contribute to America’s global influence: its history of forming global coalitions, its government policies that set the tone, its “can-do” spirit, the power of U.S. example on issues like human rights, and, yes, its raw military and economic might. But America’s sway in the world also hinges on the culture of U.S. foreign policy that is propagated — and embodied — by the sitting president.

    Most presidents understand this intuitively. “A platoon leader doesn’t get his platoon to go that way by getting up and saying, ‘I am smarter, I am bigger, I am stronger, I am the leader,’” President Dwight Eisenhower said in 1954. “He gets men to go with him because they want to do it for him, because they believe in him.”

    For decades, American presidents of both parties have sought to enhance this pull of attraction by the policies they promote as well as how they act in office. They have understood that this is much more than being charitable or well liked. It is about commanding respect, maintaining other countries’ faith in U.S. institutions and values, and inspiring others to take action. It is also about coming to the table with ideas and getting things done.

    This is never easy. Whether Republican or Democrat, presidents often struggle with getting others to believe in them and follow along. President George W. Bush was often derided as a callow cowboy, and President Barack Obama was seen as too aloof. Yet each was able to operate within the broad consensus that has embodied U.S. foreign policy for decades. But President Donald Trump is something altogether different. Because he prides himself on breaking with tradition and doing things his own way, he risks tearing down the culture of U.S. foreign policy. This is one of the reasons many Republican national security professionals are uncomfortable working for him.

    As a president, Trump leads by insult, intimidation, bluster, and boast. His policies are deeply troubling in many areas, whether it is pulling out of international agreements, threatening trade wars, or slashing the budget for diplomacy or development. Though some of his chief advisors — the so-called adults like Defense Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson — are more technocrats than ideologues, they are working on many issues (such as Taiwan, Middle East peace, and NATO) to bring Trump’s policies into the mainstream. But what they can’t fix is Trump’s leadership style and the cultural shift it represents — here in the United States as well as abroad.

    For America’s global partners, especially in Europe, Trump is wholly different from any U.S. president they have encountered. He is instinctually more autocratic than democratic, so it’s not surprising that he’s more at ease with monarchs and autocrats, as they are with him. Massive gilded palaces, family courtiers, oligarchic friends, and rule by decree make up the environment in which he is more comfortable, and fawning crowds and a pliant press are what’s desirable. Trump’s behavior is less confounding if he’s seen not as a leader who aims to succeed in a democratic system of government and steer the free world, but as someone who is more familiar with the norms of autocracy. By considering him in the mold of strongman — more Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe than U.S. President James Madison — his choices make more sense.

    The result is a profound shift in the culture of U.S. foreign-policy leadership, in which traditional democratic allies see the president not as a problem-solver but more as a challenge to be managed or worked around. At the same time, U.S. foreign policy under Trump is more recognizable to illiberal leaders in China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. It’s no wonder that they are confident in improved relations, because in Trump they see someone like themselves.

    Irrespective of how they view the Trump presidency, many foreign leaders are wondering if he will get things done. When all eyes turn to him at the next international summit or emergency session in the wake of some tragedy, will he be able to restore faith in America’s capacity to lead and compel others to
    follow?

    Yet based on how few of his campaign promises he’s delivered on in the first six months of his presidency (no Muslim ban, no health care bill, no tax reform, no moving of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem), many have their doubts.

    To be sure, the United States remains too powerful to ignore, and there will still be many policies where close cooperation will thrive. But as leaders grapple with the reality of Trump, they expect a U.S. president who will be more contentious and distracted while less reliable and predictable. (That’s why leaders in Germany and Canada are openly questioning whether the United States still has their back, and why Asian partners are trying to revive the Trans-Pacific Partnership without the United States.) Worse, instead of being admired, Trump is becoming a laughingstock, mocked by leaders from Australia to France. With allies disillusioned, America is diminished.

    Already, fewer leaders are asking what America will do to fix global security problems. So we’re left with the simple fact that in Trump’s effort to make America great, he has made it less exceptional. Trump’s base might rejoice in pulling inward and disrupting the culture of the presidency, but as he has already started to witness firsthand, the world isn’t rejoicing. Damaging America’s image of leadership will have lasting consequences for our security.



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  3. #2
    We don't want America as the leader of the globalist empire.
    Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

    Robert Heinlein

    Give a man an inch and right away he thinks he's a ruler

    Groucho Marx

    I love mankind…it’s people I can’t stand.

    Linus, from the Peanuts comic

    You cannot have liberty without morality and morality without faith

    Alexis de Torqueville

    Those who fail to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it.
    Those who learn from the past are condemned to watch everybody else repeat it

    A Zero Hedge comment

  4. #3
    Zippy, shouldn't you be in bed at this time?

  5. #4
    I don’t like trump but this article smells funny as if it could have been written 4 years ago, but the author has a brown nose from Obama. The disdain for Trump is strong in this article and does not read like an unbiased statement of facts.

    I don’t believe Obama commanded any more respect than trump is on the global scale.
    No - No - No - No
    2016

  6. #5
    Jan2017
    Member

    Quote Originally Posted by Swordsmyth View Post
    We don't want America as the leader of the globalist empire.
    Quote Originally Posted by timosman View Post
    Zippy, shouldn't you be in bed at this time?
    I surmise that the Swede, Danish and other EU taxpayers are pissed, along with the RPF liberals here,
    so Zippy can hit us in the middle of the night with name calling - lol.

    European Commission Press Release

    Brussels June 7, 2017 European Defense Fund: €5.5 billion per year to boost Europe's defense capabilities
    Today the Commission is launching a European Defense Fund to help Member States spend taxpayer money more efficiently.

    Starting in 2017, the EU will for the first time offer grants for collaborative research in innovative defense technologies and products, fully and directly funded from the EU budget.

    With the support of the European Parliament and Member States, the European Defense Fund can quickly become
    the engine powering the development of the European Security and Defense Union that citizens expect.

    http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-1508_en.htm

    How U.S. Allies Are Adapting to "America First"

    Europeans haven't abandoned the Western Alliance, the bedrock of the post-1945 liberal order
    but the 45th President is definitely spurring Europe to take more responsibility for their own defense -
    moving away from alignment with a United States no longer willing to promote and defend the liberal world order that it had sustained since 1945.

    The liberal order has not collapsed. But it is in distress as the president "turns his back" on the world the United States made to embrace a nationalist and isolationist foreign policy.

    “The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after the May 2017 Brussels summit.

    https://www.foreignaffairs.com/artic...-america-first
    Last edited by Jan2017; 01-28-2018 at 07:49 AM.

  7. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Swordsmyth View Post
    We don't want America as the leader of the globalist empire.
    Just enough leadership to put Israel First at UN forums, continue violence instigations in Syria and do another surge in Afghan war.

    This how does not prove that POTUS has become a puppet of Wall Street fat cats, extremist zionist lobbies etc, Javanka wing of GOP won't let that happen. Although anti money laundering, anti nepotism champion and rising GOP star Kushner should stop receiving regular calls from Kissinger.

  8. #7
    During our time in the Obama administration … They saw the United States as the leader on a broad range of issues … They believed in American “soft power” … so many countries look to the United States to provide the answers … it is what makes America exceptional.
    What a complete brainwashed nutzoid. The author is a complete born again indoctrinee into the religious cult of the American government exceptionalism - that the corrupt politicos, elite, MIC, deep state run imperial Washington is destined to rule the world for its own good. Figures the Zippy would be pushing this lame-brain.

    While the government in Washington is justifiably losing credibility in the world, the author makes no mention of the factors such as complete disregard for international law, disregard for national sovereignty, lies, policies and patterns of preemptive warfare, promoting nuclear first strike, regime changes, invasions, bombings, sanctions, threats, use of swift and dollar hegemony to forcibly bend vassal states to its will, arming/funding/creating terrorists proxy armies, invading nations, false accusations, more lies, false flags, bombing nations, supplying the weapons for Saudi genocide, false accusations, initiating a new cold war, provocations, threats, drone assassinations, torture, renditions, creating a worldwide total surveillance police state apparatus, interfering in foreign elections, propping up dictators, sponsoring coups, more lies, wiretapping its allies, worldwide network of military occupation, subjugation, more lies, and on and on ...

    Nope, not a mention of any of these actual real evils by the author. Of course these evil acts under direction of the deep state occur not only with Trump but his predecessor Obama, and the predecessor before him George W., and his predecessor Clinton , and his predecessor.

    But the author is not concerned with real evils that have real world impact on real nations and lives. No, the author is instead concerned about the loss of "faith" in the almighty exceptional deep state government that commits these atrocities. The programmed cult member in the church of the exceptional deep state is instead concerned about "style", and "image", and saying things in the right manner, and using politically correct language. No, for Zippy's promoted author, a cult of death and destruction and murder is completely adorable, fine as long it comes with a smiley face, uses PC language, and presents the personality style of a compliant Merkel/Obama wet noodle.
    Last edited by AZJoe; 01-28-2018 at 11:14 AM.
    "Let it not be said that we did nothing." - Dr. Ron Paul. "Stand up for what you believe in, even if you are standing alone." - Sophie Magdalena Scholl
    "War is the health of the State." - Randolph Bourne "Freedom is the answer. ... Now, what's the question?" - Ernie Hancock.

  9. #8



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  11. #9
    Actually , america was back row the moment the dems took power with the Obama administration , Pelosi & Reid. It had been sliding there for some time. In no way will trump ever be disregarded by people such as putin , Netanyahu etc the way that obama was .

  12. #10
    Account Restricted. Admin to review account standing


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    Sounds like the author isn't thrilled that Trump has started to divert American resources back inward to the nation, as opposed to utilizing it explicitly for global domination. Even his speech in Davos reinforced this belief. By the same token, he wants others to chart their own unique path and strive to make their counties better.

  13. #11
    from combating terrorism to combating climate change
    ...lolol...
    The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding one’s self in the ranks of the insane.” — Marcus Aurelius

    They’re not buying it. CNN, you dumb bastards!” — President Trump 2020

    Consilio et Animis de Oppresso Liber

  14. #12
    His policies are deeply troubling in many areas, whether it is pulling out of international agreements, threatening trade wars, or slashing the budget for diplomacy or development.
    /thread
    "He's talkin' to his gut like it's a person!!" -me
    "dumpster diving isn't professional." - angelatc
    "You don't need a medical degree to spot obvious bullshit, that's actually a separate skill." -Scott Adams
    "When you are divided, and angry, and controlled, you target those 'different' from you, not those responsible [controllers]" -Q

    "Each of us must choose which course of action we should take: education, conventional political action, or even peaceful civil disobedience to bring about necessary changes. But let it not be said that we did nothing." - Ron Paul

    "Paul said "the wave of the future" is a coalition of anti-authoritarian progressive Democrats and libertarian Republicans in Congress opposed to domestic surveillance, opposed to starting new wars and in favor of ending the so-called War on Drugs."

  15. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by dannno View Post
    /thread
    The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding one’s self in the ranks of the insane.” — Marcus Aurelius

    They’re not buying it. CNN, you dumb bastards!” — President Trump 2020

    Consilio et Animis de Oppresso Liber

  16. #14
    Better a trade war than a real war

  17. #15
    The days of other countries looking to the United States for leadership are coming to an end.
    Good.

    Piss off and "lead" yourselves.

    “I don't want to run your life, I don't know how to run your life, I don't have the authority to run your life, and the Constitution doesn't permit me to run your life.”

    ― Ron Paul

  18. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by Anti Federalist View Post
    Good.

    Piss off and "lead" yourselves.

    “I don't want to run your life, I don't know how to run your life, I don't have the authority to run your life, and the Constitution doesn't permit me to run your life.”

    ― Ron Paul
    You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Anti Federalist again.



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  20. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by AuH20 View Post
    Sounds like the author isn't thrilled that Trump has started to divert American resources back inward to the nation, as opposed to utilizing it explicitly for global domination. Even his speech in Davos reinforced this belief. By the same token, he wants others to chart their own unique path and strive to make their counties better.
    Trump want even more money for the military and supports more action overseas- Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya.

  21. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by Zippyjuan View Post
    Trump want even more money for the military and supports more action overseas- Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya.
    Lol. Obama gutted the military. And so far, the only major operation escalation seen since Trump became President was the burning of the opium fields in Afghanistan to cut the money flow to the DS.

    But you keep pushing your lies. After all, we all have to work for a living.
    +
    'These things I command you, that you love one another.' - Jesus Christ

  22. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by Zippyjuan View Post
    Trump want even more money for the military and supports more action overseas- Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya.
    And your gal, Hillary (whom you profess to love, along with pedophilia), had policies that were much different.

  23. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by TER View Post
    Lol. Obama gutted the military. And so far, the only major operation escalation seen since Trump became President was the burning of the opium fields in Afghanistan to cut the money flow to the DS.

    But you keep pushing your lies. After all, we all have to work for a living.
    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...r-bomb-n746106

    U.S. Drops ‘Mother of All Bombs’ on ISIS Target in Afghanistan
    https://www.vox.com/world/2017/11/21...an-bomb-troops

    Trump has tripled the pace of US bombing in Afghanistan
    Trump was skeptical of the Afghanistan War. Now he’s escalating it.
    http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/03/09/...e-of-military/

    Trump’s Ramped-Up Bombing in Yemen Signals More Aggressive Use of Military
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...emical-weapons

    Syria missile strikes: US launches first direct military action against Assad
    Trump authorizes missile attack on government airfield in move Russia says is violation of international law
    https://www.usnews.com/news/politics...rs-under-trump

    In Libya Strike, Military Shows New Lethal Powers Under Trump
    The White House has slowly rolled back Obama-era restrictions on drone strikes
    Many more examples can be found.

    https://www.npr.org/sections/paralle...re-on-the-rise

    Under Trump, U.S. Troops In War Zones Are On The Rise
    https://qz.com/935663/trumps-increas...efense-budget/

    Trump’s proposed increase in US military spending is almost as big as Russia’s entire defense budget
    He is not against foreign intervention. He is not bringing forces home. He is sending more over there.
    Last edited by Zippyjuan; 01-29-2018 at 01:32 PM.

  24. #21
    Quote Originally Posted by sparebulb View Post
    And your gal, Hillary (whom you profess to love, along with pedophilia), had policies that were much different.
    Not my gal- you can have her if you like.

  25. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by Zippyjuan View Post
    Not my gal- you can have her if you like.
    Does this mean that you actually love pedophilia more than you love Hillary, Zippy?

  26. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by sparebulb View Post
    Does this mean that you actually love pedophilia more than you love Hillary, Zippy?
    You are the one who loves it and must be obsessed with it. You keep posting about it.

  27. #24
    Quote Originally Posted by Zippyjuan View Post
    You are the one who loves it and must be obsessed with it. You keep posting about it.
    You claim to love Hillary and pedophilia so much, it is only normal that we know which one is your true passion, Zippy.



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  29. #25
    Quote Originally Posted by sparebulb View Post
    You claim to love Hillary and pedophilia so much, it is only normal that we know which one is your true passion, Zippy.
    Some people have troubles detecting satire. Check my post history. Pushing fake news.

  30. #26
    Quote Originally Posted by Zippyjuan View Post
    Some people have troubles detecting satire. Check my post history. Pushing fake news.
    So, are you saying that you post things that you don't mean?

    That means that you are dishonest.

    As far as your post history, your reputation speaks for itself.

  31. #27
    Quote Originally Posted by sparebulb View Post
    So, are you saying that you post things that you don't mean?

    That means that you are dishonest.

    As far as your post history, your reputation speaks for itself.
    I wouldn't be so hard on Zippy. His red reputation bar already conveys enough info.

  32. #28
    Quote Originally Posted by Zippyjuan View Post
    Some people have troubles detecting satire. Check my post history. Pushing fake news.
    Well,, all the Cool Kids sat in the back.

    so there is that.
    Liberty is lost through complacency and a subservient mindset. When we accept or even welcome automobile checkpoints, random searches, mandatory identification cards, and paramilitary police in our streets, we have lost a vital part of our American heritage. America was born of protest, revolution, and mistrust of government. Subservient societies neither maintain nor deserve freedom for long.
    Ron Paul 2004

    Registered Ron Paul supporter # 2202
    It's all about Freedom

  33. #29
    So much of a backseat that Trump was the first American President foreign leader ever invited to go dine in the Forbidden City in China.
    Last edited by TER; 01-29-2018 at 02:43 PM.
    +
    'These things I command you, that you love one another.' - Jesus Christ

  34. #30
    Quote Originally Posted by TER View Post
    So much of a backseat that Trump was the first President foreign leader ever invited to go dine in the Forbidden City in China.
    I had a Cadillac years ago,, Great backseat.
    foot rests,, and Folding bar tables and such
    Liberty is lost through complacency and a subservient mindset. When we accept or even welcome automobile checkpoints, random searches, mandatory identification cards, and paramilitary police in our streets, we have lost a vital part of our American heritage. America was born of protest, revolution, and mistrust of government. Subservient societies neither maintain nor deserve freedom for long.
    Ron Paul 2004

    Registered Ron Paul supporter # 2202
    It's all about Freedom

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