America’s Fading Charm

In Lithuania on August 28^th, the Foreign Minister of Turkey Mr Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in a press conference said: “If they say they can do anything they want, like in cowboy movies, then they will get a response”. This was a response to Washington for abandoning Ankara from trading Russian S-400 system to receive the F-35 fighter jets.

This, on one hand, describes the United States’ diplomatic fragility while on the other hand, it labels her diplomatic failure in Pastor Andrew Brunson case which seems no different story than the previous ones.

The prior decision of Washington to roll back from the Iranian deal was something unexpected to the global diplomatic front. The allies being investing tremendously after sanctions uplift in Tehran via companies like  Daimler, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Siemens and Total endowed mega inputs also hope for developing Iranian peacetime with world community diplomatically, socially and politically emerged till Trump absorbed Israeli suggestions to end “the foolish deal”.

This not only raised questions over Pentagon’s reliability but also placed impacts over her power image especially, after the allegations of their elections being the rig that in itself was a humiliation to bid as a global power is that fragile to be engineered. However, this not ends up here Mr Trump did not miss a moment to take his country’s position down at least verbally whether it is a case of Venezuela, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, or the Asia Pacific. The previous TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) withdrawal and later rethinking to be part of it once again, has already grimed and aloof US’s Pacific and Asian allies. Yet, the traditional allies from European panel were never expected to be overstepped like presently ever before.

Looking towards the basic Middle-East, it is already in a delicate situation where the U.S added many complexities by recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital. Once again, a cause was given free hand to proxy wars and its intensification especially in Syria, Yemen and Iraq that will be the point of Strife for U.S strategic presence in near future. Likely, the continuous decisions that are done without consideration of its political, economic, diplomatic and security effects raise questions over the supremacy of United States more than the regions itself.

The world has all eyes on her that seems to be waning from her charm first from Middle-East then from Pacific and now from Europe. Therefore, the response from Turkey over Pastor case and the Beijing offering helping hand to Ankara for sanctions survival explains a lot more of allies rethinking of moving forward. Commenting on the Iranian matter Mr Andreas Schweitzer, a managing director of famous London advisory firm says “Those who want this 80-million-person market and have a long-term strategy will go there with or without Mr Trump.” Hence it is simplifying that allies have started reconsidering taking their own steps.

Earlier or today US foreign policies are said to be serving Tel-Aviv however, many authors even dismay Israel that Trump presidency would create an existential risk to their very own Jewish state in a long run by destabilizing the region at exactly the time where Tel-Aviv requires stability. As Trump bold decisions one after another will naturally turn Israel’s few friends into enemies. The American current inconsistency in humanitarian matters abolishes trust in her and further isolates Israel (the only delighted ally of United States). Jeffrey Goldberg believes that Trump has no understanding of the post-war international order that was created by the United States.”

Here US’s irregularity rides her to the present extremism, volatility and isolationism which will leave allies paying the price in the end. In worst case scenarios Israel will be the first target for paybacks. The sort of unpredictability Pentagon is demonstrating would and is already damaging the foreign affairs of United States. Donald’s extreme stances on minorities and religion have already directed to a serious response amid different nations and is attracting the anti-Americanism over the globe even with the moderate Muslims significant allies in which the present diplomatic clashes with Turkey and Pakistan is a precise example.

It will also, unfortunately, radicalize the Middle East and Asian regions to boost support for ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, anti-Western and anti-Israel elements. Particularly, Egypt and Syria will likely resemble extremism risks which are for what? for peace? for equality? for some important objective? or merely imperilling hostilities for the immature mindset of Mr President?

Pentagon’s stance on Ukraine’s remoteness would mean an expansion of other powers, Trump’s plans to make America great again seems to be at the expense of her overseas friends whereas this strategy is also impeded by growing Chinese- Israeli relations. The colliding timings of Korean dialogues on way to success with diminishing the Iranian deal says it all. America dispersing from alliances in Europe, Asia, Pacific and South America even, leaves two winners that are Moscow and Beijing. The United States of America, yes! is misplacing her charm for selected allies that is bamboozling unsafe game to execute for her long-term position.

She needs to watch her foreign policy steps before it is too late. Washington has to maintain her leadership’s lifetime efforts for world supremacy than letting it go out of hands. Here she needs to play balancing role among different regional rivalries and shall act as a mediator rather than siding one pole for the broader politics. It is in the best interests of the United States to offer major economic platforms than strategic ones which otherwise creates anxieties among states. To hold a grip over her position Washington this time shall come up with some commercial plans rather than traditional power politics especially in case of South Asia, Middle East and Europe where Russia, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan and China are all set to go!.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy and position of Regional Rapport.