Posted on 05/28/2025 6:11:31 AM PDT by karpov
President Trump’s foreign policy has been coasting so far on his verbal threats and public cajoling. But he’ll soon face moments of decision on U.S. adversaries that will echo throughout his second term and could determine his legacy
The first year of presidencies often sets the tone for the events that follow on foreign policy. Joe Biden’s Afghan withdrawal gutted U.S. deterrence and convinced Vladimir Putin and Iran’s mullahs they’d meet little resistance if they sought military gains. Barack Obama let China occupy islands in the South China Sea and steal U.S. secrets with little resistance.
Ronald Reagan rebuilt U.S. defenses and began the pushback against the Soviets that led to victory in the Cold War. Mr. Trump sent an early deterrence message in his first term with a robust campaign against Islamic State.
But the world has changed in eight years, and Mr. Trump now faces crucial decisions on Russia, Iran and China. Those adversaries are increasingly working together against American interests. Will the President send a message of deterrence or weakness?
• Russia and Ukraine. The President entered office promising to end the war in short order, but Vladimir Putin isn’t cooperating. The Russian seems intent on continuing the war until Ukraine submits to his terms, and he is mobilizing forces for a summer offensive.
Ukraine will soon confront weapons shortages that make it more vulnerable to a Russian breakthrough. That’s especially true for air defenses, including U.S.-made Patriot missile interceptors. Ukraine has been able to block most of Mr. Putin’s recent barrages of drones and missiles. But as its defenses wane, Ukraine will have to choose between defending its civilians in cities or its forces on the front lines. Mr. Trump is worried about needless deaths, and rightly so.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
I agree with the sentiment of the article - Trump needs to s___t or get off the pot. Tweeting about how mad he is at Putin makes him look impotent. The WSJ wants Trump to go back to arming Ukraine. Very few people want that and Trump was not elected to do that. But Trump needs to either ratchet up the sanctions on Putin until it really hurts him or walk away and let Europe take the lead.
I agree. Trump has promised much, delivered little. I had high hopes for Bondi and Patel, but I see no one who we know are crooks in jail. I don’t see things happening at the Wall. I see billions uncovered by DOGE and corrupt NGOs, but I don’t see those dollars recouped or corrupt people going to court/jail. Why does Biden’s age/senility entitle him to a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card?
Trump: It’s time to start kickin’ ass and taking names.
Agree with you. I personally favor walking away. (1) The Ukraine/Russia conflict isn’t our fight; (2) FedGov has already raped the American taxpayers enough, and we’re never going to get any portion of that back; and (3) Russia is a sovereign nation. The U.S. has no right to tell another sovereign nation what to do, or to insert itself into its conflicts.
Europe may attempt to step up to the plate, but they’re too fundamentally weakened to prevail. Personal opinion only, but I do think that if Russia wanted to gobble up a bunch of European territory to build another empire, they would have long ago.
To the extent that he isn’t agreeing to Zelensky’s demand for what amounts ti unconditional surrender, this is true. Of course some might say the guy who has been throwing up every roadblock to negotiations is Zelensky but blaming Putin for everything feels better.
I blame Putin for everything now. Paperboy put the paper in the bushes: Putin!
I want the U.S. to arm Ukraine, as does a majority in Congress. Russia deserves to lose, and if they win, it makes the U.S. look weak and makes our NATO allies more vulnerable, which would cost us more money in the long run.
Unfortunately, the crossroads that Trump is facing is back home. He can’t count on the republican party to be a partner in keeping America free and prosperous and restoring her to greatness. The political system has been 100% compromised. It is anti-American and throughly evil. His political objectives can only be accomplished the classical way, using force. Same goes for dealing with Russia and America’s other enemies abroad. It’s a sad state of affairs but it’s more a statement about this broken world but I don’t think he has it in him. He may use force against our foreign enemies like Russia but what’s the use if in two or four years the communists come roaring back into power? The country will be lost.
The bare minimum that is required to fix America would be conducting mass arrests, thousands maybe even tens of thousands of traitors need to be jailed or executed. I don’t think the system will allow it. Right now a district judge has more power than The President of the United States.
I think people find comfort in arguing over things like the budget or foreign policy because that’s what we used to do when America was still America. All we had to worry about then was housekeeping. Today the house is on fire.
I expressed my opinion. Sorry if that didn’t sit right with you.
In order of importance:
1) Trump can’t take a strong position until the budget legislation navigates its way through all obstacles. It would be entirely conceivable for senators to decide to vote no because they are angry with a Trump position on the war.
2) There is no evidence of significant pain in Russia from the 16,700 (a number from GPT) sanctions already in place. Ratcheting more doesn’t really have any clear meaning. 500% tariffs on all China goods because there is no other source of oil for them makes what sense? They burn 15 million bpd and produce about 4.5. The US has no hope whatsoever of meeting that shortfall, especially with clear indications that shale is dying. Other producers already have customers. Oh, and note China’s consumption rises 5%/yr and India’s 11%.
Or he can put America first, as he has consistently done, and walk away.
The vast majority of the base does not want anymore money wasted on Ukraine:
https://english.nv.ua/nation/majority-of-u-s-republicans-oppose-continued-ukraine-aid-wsj-poll-shows-50504126.html
Seventy-nine percent of Republican Party supporters in the United States oppose continuing aid to Ukraine in its defense against Russia, The Wall Street Journal reported on April 6, citing the results of its latest survey.
That’s what the USA’s foreign policy “experts” said about Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. All Americans got out of those conflicts were TV ads full of horribly injured combat vets , a pathetic “thank you for your service”, and trillions in debt. Not to mention ignominious defeat.
Trump! Wash your hands of this stupid war or you risk losing your Presidency!
A box of tampons and bottle of Midol will fix this thread.
At least for a couple of days.😄
Zelensky was the one who was kicked out of the white house for trying to change the terms of an already negotiated deal for the nth time. He is very uninterested in a peace settlement, he'd rather duke it out and if the world burns, so be it. Prove me wrong.
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