Delusional and dangerous
Donald Trump at the United Nations
Vidya Bhushan Rawat-
The world needs responsible leadership from powerful countries. In seeking to weaken others, America risks inflicting harm on itself—a process already underway. The consequences of narcissistic leadership affect every nation. Trump was elected partly on the promise of peace and of preventing escalation toward a global conflict, which many feared under Joe Biden’s administration. Yet, it is now evident that Washington aims to control global energy markets and sustain its economy through war-driven policies.
The Ukraine war could have been prevented if the U.S. and Europe had acted honestly and prioritized peace. Instead, their strategy appears to be to bleed Russia and fragment it—a goal Trump’s speech seemed to reinforce. To think Ukraine is winning is unrealistic; it is struggling even to mobilize enough fighters. For the U.S., however, the war sustains a profitable arms industry, with weapons sales to Europe ensuring the conflict drags on.
The Putin–Trump summit once raised hopes for reconciliation, but neither Moscow nor Washington will sacrifice national interests. Believing that Trump’s rise to power or symbolic meetings could resolve the crisis was always naïve. The American establishment has shown little interest in serious negotiations, focusing instead on manipulating events to serve its business and strategic interests. Unlike the Iraq War era—when Russia was weakened and China had yet to rise—today’s geopolitical reality is different. Russia is militarily resurgent, and China is an established global power. Moscow is pursuing its goals in Ukraine with determination, regardless of Western media narratives.
This war continues to distort the global economy. Trump’s open support for Ukraine and Europe ultimately benefits Russia, which will use the time to consolidate gains and annex more territory. His UN speech, rather than strengthening the U.S., risks further isolating it from the Global South, even as it cements ties with Europe. Yet, the belief that Russia or Vladimir Putin stand isolated is a misreading of global opinion. Despite Western efforts, Russia remains influential and respected in many parts of the world.
That apart a few more things too reflected Trump’s moving dangerously as well ignorant of the issues that the world face today. The way he just trashed the issue of #climatecrisis showed that he is still surrounded by the powerful business lobby which is ‘determined’ to exploit the natural resources around the world. How could a person leading the biggest democracy of the world so unaware of the glaring global realities of increasing temperature, swelling oceans, rising rivers and massive devastation due to floods, cyclones, cloudbursts and landslides. Even if we may disagree on things, I am sure President Trump cant say that the global scientists working on it have wrongly attributed the crisis as ‘climate one’. May be, he wanted to suggest this is a ‘human’ created crisis. Yes, if he meant that there is nothing called climate change then I can with him because ultimately what we are witnessing today in the form of furious behaviour from ‘nature’ is nothing but a response to blatant violation of laws of nature by the human greed. Yes, we have defiled the sanctity of nature resulting in equally powerful rejection by the nature to our attempt to control it and term as ‘development’. Sadly, Trump does not believe in all this.
Another outrageous statement he made was about the Mayor of London Mr Sadiq Khan for trying to bring Sharia law there. Now, the UK government must respond to such allegation and if it’s true then Khan must be dismissed otherwise it is the duty of the government to protect its elected representatives from such outrageous statement at the UN body. Trump is paranoid of a possible Muslim Mayor being elected in the New York city.
However, while Trump’s business model in continuous support to Ukraine by reversing his own position that areas annexed by Russia can not be retrieved, he shamelessly defended Israel despite a majority of European nations now openly supporting a two state solution. This also expose the hypocrisy of all in this as European leaders too know well that without American support nothing will move so while they are issuing statement about two state solution now, probably under domestic pressure, the fact remain when will it happen ?
Anyway, there are some valid questions that he raised on immigration and demographic patterns in Europe and elsewhere but then these issues need to be addressed by the local governments and people. The crisis in Europe seems to be much bigger.
Donald Trump desperately need #Nobel prize to satisfy his ego. Norwegian must provide him that so that he is compelled to work for peace. Of course, it is a fact that the Nobel is already downgraded a lot and once Trump get it, there is nothing more to do so.
All these issues from Russia-Ukraine to Israel and climate change have exposed the contradiction among allies of the United States. Obviously, corporate interests too are the reason for these contradictions now increasing but the grave realities around the world must force leaders to work honestly and with integrity. Escalation of any kind particularly among the nuclear power is dangerous. America and Europe must get out of their dream of a disintegrated Russia. They will do the world a service to honestly negotiate with Russia and resolve the issue rather then aiming to dismember it and destroy the Russian state. It would be extremely dangerous and must be avoided. Nobody has a right to install puppet regimes or engage in regime changes in other countries. Anyway, the world does not end because Washington or its allies refuse to recognize realities. Countries and people will chart their own paths. Such arrogance, embodied in Trump’s UN address, will only deepen the United States’ isolation in an international landscape that has already changed.
