There is method to Trump's apparent madness on the global stage.
Donald Trump’s behaviour during this presidential term reveals a surprisingly deep strategic logic.
The core goal remains to restore absolute American superiority over China and Russia. But Trump wants to avoid confronting these major rivals directly. He is rather working to isolate Beijing and Moscow from their international partners and deprive them of any major means of external support.
At the same time, Trump is building a program of sustained economic, technology and other sanctions to markedly weaken the Chinese and Russian economies over the longer term.
Pushing our allies--often done bluntly without running the language through the State Department to sand down the rough edges--to spend more on defense rather than rely on America is another aspect.
Consider too that talks to end the Winter War of 2022--publicly bolstered by some kind words from Trump--may (and this is sheer speculation by me) quietly involve discussions on splitting Russia from China, which is the ultimate prize for isolating this shaky alignment.
Will Russia or China decide it wants to be the partner with America on economic cooperation rather than a target of economic isolation and potential war?
I've long wanted this type of shift. It makes sense to try. But I can't say I know we are doing this, of course.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
NOTE: You may also like to read my posts on Substack, at The Dignified Rant: Evolved. Go ahead and subscribe to it. It's the right thing to do!
NOTE: I made the image with Bing.
