On the 27th of April, Trump gave a substantial foreign policy address. As always, the actual text of the address is not easy to find. Almost always, the media want to “interpret” his words for the reader. His hysterical opposition is quoted right after his own words, often totally out of their context and initial meaning. The main message was clear however: “We will no longer surrender this country or its people to the false song of globalism.”
This is nothing short of a declaration of war against the entire American political establishment and its corporate base. While Trump himself is a part of this globalized order (as his companies span the globe), in no way does this bind him to perpetual, no-win wars in obscure places whose only interest is oil or controlling Russia.
Predictably, both parties condemned the speech, using identical language. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) declared it “scary.”
One powerful line not mentioned in most news report was one of the most important:
We went from mistakes in Iraq to Egypt to Libya, to President Obama’s line in the sand in Syria. Each of these actions have helped to throw the region into chaos, and gave ISIS the space it needs to grow and prosper. It all began with the dangerous idea that we could make Western democracies out of countries that had no experience or interest in becoming a Western Democracy. We tore up what institutions they had and then were surprised at what we unleashed. Civil war, religious fanaticism; thousands of American lives, and many trillions of dollars, were lost as a result. The vacuum was created that ISIS would fill. Iran, too, would rush in and fill the void, much to their unjust enrichment.
The New York Daily News’ headline about the speech read: “Trump’s Foreign Policy Proposal to Americans: Just Trust Me.” The subtitle to this was “Trump tells Americans to trust him, offers few specifics in muddled foreign policy rant.” This is what passes for “reporting” on these events today.
These are not the words of a secure, legitimate establishment.
A quick read of Trump’s speech shows that it’s not so much his opinion, but rather the recognition of a reality that American failures and ideological rigidity have brought upon the world. America is broke. The American military is overstretched and is backed by no unity of political will, political legitimacy, social cohesion or even explicit purpose. The United States is promoting a leftist vision of the world and imposing it by violence. The New World Order today is about stripping the assets of other firms and destroying any rivals in energy, finance or international standing. It leaves ruins behind and profits only the .0001%.
In this spirit, he says:
We desire to live peacefully and in friendship with Russia and China. We have serious differences with these two nations, and must regard them with open eyes. But we are not bound to be adversaries. We should seek common ground based on shared interests. Russia, for instance, has also seen the horror of Islamic terrorism.
I believe an easing of tensions and improved relations with Russia – from a position of strength – is possible. Common sense says this cycle of hostility must end. Some say the Russians won’t be reasonable. I intend to find out. If we can’t make a good deal for America, then we will quickly walk from the table.
As if there’s any choice. Without exception, the American political establishment is bringing the country to open war with Russia and China — this is a war the US cannot and should not win. Trump is forcing elites in both parties to declare their loyalties. In rejecting this speech, they have firmly stated that the American empire is essential to “prosperity.” Prosperity for them and their bosses perhaps, but Trump might be one elite who speaks for the rest of the planet.