Kristol: Trump’s Policies Make US a Rogue Power

Kristol: Trump’s Policies Make US a Rogue Power

Republican strategist Bill Kristol, a former official in the George W. Bush administration, has voiced grave concerns about the direction of U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump. In a recent interview, Kristol argued that Trump’s actions and rhetoric have transformed the United States into a “rogue power.” He expressed deep worry about the potential for further damage to America’s standing in the world over the next three years.

Concerns Over Iran Conflict and Alliances

Kristol specifically addressed the recent military actions against Iran, calling them unjustified and damaging to the U.S. political process. While acknowledging that the U.S. military inflicted more damage on Iran than it sustained, he stated it was not a strategic victory. “The damage that’s been done to the U.S. political process as a result has been very great,” Kristol said. He also criticized the “total rupturing of our alliance structure,” which he believes the recent conflict has exacerbated.

He found the public statements from Pentagon officials, particularly Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, to be embarrassing. Kristol described Hegseth’s approach as “chest beating vulgarity and braggadocio,” which he felt was contrary to the responsible spirit of U.S. leadership. “It’s embarrassing to watch and it makes the Trump presidency is an embarrassment and the Hegseth management of the Pentagon is even more of an embarrassment,” he stated.

Damage to U.S. Standing and Global Order

Kristol argued that the actions taken have done real damage to the U.S. military, placing it in a position to consider obeying questionable orders. He also pointed to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Iran may now be able to charge fees for passage, establishing a precedent that they can close the waterway. “You can’t unsee what happened here over the last few weeks,” he commented.

Kristol believes that the war has negatively impacted Trump’s standing, citing polling data and special election results. He noted that a majority of Americans do not favor the war or the current administration. However, he warned that the president remains very powerful, with few internal checks or guardrails in place. “I very much worry about the next 33 months,” Kristol stated, describing Trump as increasingly “megalomaniacal and unhinged.”

A Rogue Power on the World Stage

The core of Kristol’s argument is that the United States is now viewed as a rogue power by other nations. He drew a disturbing comparison, suggesting that Europe sees the U.S. in a similar light to Russia and China. “We are now a rogue power. And people in Europe know this. They’re looking at us as us as Russia. There’s China,” he said. While hoping the U.S. is still more admirable than Russia or China, he fears the nation is not much more responsible in its foreign policy.

This development is particularly troubling to Kristol, given the 80-year history of an international order that the U.S. helped build and anchor. He characterized Trump’s worldview as one of “spheres of influence” where major powers assert their dominance. This approach, Kristol warned, is not admirable, healthy for the world, or sustainable, and could lead to future world wars.

Critique of Trump’s Foreign Policy Philosophy

Kristol criticized Trump’s lack of interest in supporting Ukraine or standing up for dissidents globally. He contrasted this with the perceived hawkish talk on China, suggesting that Trump’s foreign policy is driven by a transactional, power-based approach rather than a commitment to democratic values or international cooperation. This is a stark departure from the principles that guided U.S. foreign policy for decades.

When asked about the principle behind military action against Iran, Kristol emphasized the need for necessity, congressional authorization, and making a case to allies and the UN. He contrasted the current approach with the 2003 Iraq invasion, which he supported at the time. Although he now considers the Iraq war a mistake in retrospect, he argued it did not destabilize the international order in the same way the Trump administration’s actions have. Kristol expressed concern that, unlike in 2022 when allies rallied to help Ukraine, such a unified response might not be possible in the future.

Looking Ahead

Kristol’s assessment paints a bleak picture of America’s current international standing. He fears that the erosion of alliances and the adoption of a rogue posture will have long-lasting negative consequences. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the United States can course-correct and regain its position as a responsible global leader or continue down a path that isolates it and undermines the international order it helped create.

Source: Trump's America Is Now A Rogue Power | Bill Kristol (YouTube)