US President Donald Trump's National Security Strategy, published last week, serves as a stark warning for Europe and the rest of the world. The 125-page document is an unapologetic celebration of American exceptionalism, with language that eerily echoes Viktor Orbán's far-right speeches during the 2015-16 refugee crisis.
The Trump administration's strategy prioritizes "promoting European greatness" as a key objective, with explicit support for far-right ideologies and policies that aim to "regain its civilisational self-confidence." This rhetoric is unmistakably reminiscent of Oswald Spengler's The Decline of the West, a foundational text for modern far-right circles. In essence, Trump is championing an anti-liberal agenda that sees European nations as weak and in need of intervention.
The document also singles out specific EU member states, labeling them "healthy nations" that deserve support. This veiled endorsement of far-right parties is a stark departure from traditional US foreign policy. The strategy explicitly promotes the idea of "cultivating resistance to Europe's current trajectory within European nations," effectively giving tacit approval to the rise of nationalist and authoritarian forces.
Trump's vision for Europe is one of "Make Europe great again," which prioritizes "unapologetic celebrations of European nations' individual character and history." In reality, this translates into a concerted effort to undermine liberal democracy, free speech, and human rights in Europe. The document explicitly condones the erosion of these values, embracing instead a radical policy framework that is eerily reminiscent of the US.
In a broader sense, the Trump administration's National Security Strategy draws inspiration from the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, which posits the US as the sole arbiter of the Western Hemisphere. This doctrine has been updated to become the "Trump Corollary," where the US will aggressively assert its interests worldwide and enlist like-minded nations to support its goals.
Make no mistake: the Trump administration's policy is not just a misguided attempt at promoting American influence; it is a calculated effort to dismantle liberal democracy in Europe. The document serves as a clear warning that the US is now an adversary, rather than an unwilling ally, for European nations and beyond. It is time for leaders to take notice and act accordingly.
The Trump administration's strategy prioritizes "promoting European greatness" as a key objective, with explicit support for far-right ideologies and policies that aim to "regain its civilisational self-confidence." This rhetoric is unmistakably reminiscent of Oswald Spengler's The Decline of the West, a foundational text for modern far-right circles. In essence, Trump is championing an anti-liberal agenda that sees European nations as weak and in need of intervention.
The document also singles out specific EU member states, labeling them "healthy nations" that deserve support. This veiled endorsement of far-right parties is a stark departure from traditional US foreign policy. The strategy explicitly promotes the idea of "cultivating resistance to Europe's current trajectory within European nations," effectively giving tacit approval to the rise of nationalist and authoritarian forces.
Trump's vision for Europe is one of "Make Europe great again," which prioritizes "unapologetic celebrations of European nations' individual character and history." In reality, this translates into a concerted effort to undermine liberal democracy, free speech, and human rights in Europe. The document explicitly condones the erosion of these values, embracing instead a radical policy framework that is eerily reminiscent of the US.
In a broader sense, the Trump administration's National Security Strategy draws inspiration from the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, which posits the US as the sole arbiter of the Western Hemisphere. This doctrine has been updated to become the "Trump Corollary," where the US will aggressively assert its interests worldwide and enlist like-minded nations to support its goals.
Make no mistake: the Trump administration's policy is not just a misguided attempt at promoting American influence; it is a calculated effort to dismantle liberal democracy in Europe. The document serves as a clear warning that the US is now an adversary, rather than an unwilling ally, for European nations and beyond. It is time for leaders to take notice and act accordingly.