Friday, March 29, 2024
spot_img
HomeGeopolitical CompassThe AmericasTrump Hijacked U.S. Foreign Policy During His Impeachment

Trump Hijacked U.S. Foreign Policy During His Impeachment

Author: Timothy Naftali

Affiliation: New York University

Organization/Publisher: Foreign Affairs 

Date/Place: March 13, 2020/ U.S.

Type of Literature: Analysis 

Word Count: 3283

Link: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2020-03-13/trump-hijacked-us-foreign-policy-during-his-impeachment

Keywords: Trump First, National security, Foreign Policy, Impeachment.

 

Brief:

Looking at the three impeachments since 1973, the author asks whether the process could influence US foreign policy. Trump’s case is unique as it is the first time impeachment was triggered by foreign conduct.  Additionally, the process itself broke the wall between domestic politics and foreign policy. Apparently, Trump never recognized that wall to begin with, and he went on adjusting foreign policy to preserve domestic popularity, damaging the foreign policy apparatus in the process. Such behavior diminished the morale of the national security and intelligence personnel, and harmed Trump’s credibility globally. When the impeachment started, Trump worked on disengaging from the Middle East, leading him to withdraw from Syria. Trump’s decision went against the national security establishment, damaging America’s stand and abandoning allies.  Moreover, Trump turned the response to Iran’s test of his moment of weakness into an assassination of a high official that was nothing short of a blunder, motivated by an attempt to boost his domestic standing. China too took advantage by ending the trade war via a concession that Trump could claim as a victory. China promised to buy $200 billion worth of US products, $76 billion of which would be in the Election year 2020, which money would go to states crucial for re-election. As a result of the impeachment and the defense, a confusion was caused between  Trump’s personal political interests and the needs of national interests; Trump’s loyalists showed carelessness towards national security principles and consequently allowed him and the nation to be manipulated by foreign leaders.

 

By: Omar Fili, CIGA Research Intern

 

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisment -
Google search engine

Most Popular