Reference News Network, July 5 report: The U.S. "Capital Hill" Daily website published an article titled "U.S. Foreign Policy Has Become a 'Personal Show' on July 3. The author is Indian geostrategist Brahma Chellaney. The following is the translated text:
In Trump's second presidential term, he demonstrated the excessive personalization of foreign policy to the fullest, turning American foreign policy into an impulsive and self-serving performance.
A recent example illustrates this well: Trump unilaterally announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, catching his senior officials off guard. Such a significant geopolitical decision was made without the knowledge of his senior advisors, clearly demonstrating his autocratic style of governance.
From suspending foreign aid to promoting that the United States should "take over and rebuild Gaza," Trump's impulsive actions contrast sharply with traditional American diplomacy. His decision-making approach tends toward theatricality, unpredictability, and a personalized style—but often at the expense of national interests.
This president has always viewed foreign policy as a form of dramatic performance, aimed more at generating headlines than achieving lasting results. He habitually ignores expert advice and bypasses established channels, constantly undermining America's credibility.
His approach has caused chaos within his government and increased distrust abroad. Allies have had to guess whether Trump's statements reflect official U.S. policy or his own spontaneous ideas, something even his own cabinet often does not understand. Trump's foreign policy lacks a coherent strategy and is instead a series of dramatic routines designed to maximize his personal exposure.
Taking his recent Middle East strategy paradox as an example. Trump first recognized Israel's preemptive war against Iran, then ordered U.S. air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. After declaring victory, he boasted that the U.S. had brokered a ceasefire, proving his strategy was correct. However, he obviously did not acknowledge the key role played by the Emir of Qatar in mediation.
Ironically, Trump might believe that bombing Iran could help him win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Major decisions made on impulse, for appearances, or without consultation with national security experts erode the foundation of foreign policy and increase the risk of strategic miscalculations.
Trump's compulsive communication style amplifies the chaos in foreign policy. No world leader has ever made statements or posted on social media as frequently as him. U.S. officials often have to scramble to explain statements they did not anticipate, while global parties are forced to guess whether Trump's next move will be announced from the White House Situation Room or from the "Real Social" website.
The blurring of lines between national interest and personal interest complicates matters further. Foreign policy seems to increasingly become a mechanism for advancing personal interests. In the past six months, Trump's personal wealth has surged due to a series of cryptocurrency investments and transactions.
Ultimately, Trump has reduced American foreign policy to a performance. Today's American foreign policy looks more like a solo reality show, filled with suspense, twists, commercial deals, and attention-seeking dialogue.
This theatrical behavior may satisfy his personal political ambitions, but it makes America's strategic credibility increasingly fragile. (Translated by Guo Jun)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523489232027943451/
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