Former Republican President Donald Trump, who made a comeback in the U.S. presidential election, has begun working on cabinet appointments and other preparations, in anticipation of the administrative transition next January.
Trump has communicated vigorously with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, both of whom lead countries that have conducted military invasions of neighboring nations, but he has repeatedly made favorable remarks about both men, and we want to closely watch the Trump-led U.S. to make sure it does not approve escalation of the invasions.
According to U.S. media, on Nov. 7 Trump held a telephone conference with Putin, requesting that he not expand the dispute with Ukraine. The Russian side denies the conversation, but U.S.-Russia dialogue in itself might be a step forward compared to President Joe Biden’s administration, which has not had a relationship with Russia.
However, Trump, who praised Putin, the initiator of the invasion into Ukraine in 2022, as a “genius,” does not hide his favorable view of the Russian leader. He also approves of the 2014 annexation of Crimea. From the president of the U.S., which has been in a military rivalry that has divided the world in two since the former Soviet era, this adulation toward Russia is extraordinary.
Trump is cautious about continuing to support Ukraine, which is suffering from the invasion, and has announced his intention not to appoint former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who insists that supporting Ukraine is necessary, to a post in his new administration. He had a telephone conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but the Ukrainian side is wary of Trump’s plan for peace, which would call for Ukraine to cede territory, among other concessions that are favorable to Russia.
In 2008, Russia also invaded Georgia, and still stations troops in part of the country. The Biden administration continues to support Ukraine because it also aims to check Russia’s endless use of military force.
If Trump reverses the U.S.’ position, Russia, which uses its military to invade, will benefit. It would also promote the hegemony of countries such as China, which is strengthening pressure on surrounding countries, likely setting a bad precedent.
Concerning expansion of the war in the Middle East, on the one hand, Trump promises to cooperate with President Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority, toward peace, and he has already had three phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is a strong supporter of the Palestinian Authority.
If the U.S. stands on the side of strong military nations, and urges invaded nations to make unilateral concessions, then the triggers for antagonism will remain deeply rooted. By now, the U.S., which has repeatedly used military force itself many times over, should have learned this lesson. The U.S., which has long fancied itself as the flag-bearer of democracy, must not turn a blind eye to the vicious cycle of hegemony and violence that is spreading across the world.
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