The Guardian published an article by commentator Simon Tisdall, arguing that U.S. President Donald Trump is not a “strong” leader when it comes to Russia and Israel. Tisdall warns that, without the intervention of other democracies, chaos would prevail.
اضافة اعلان
He writes that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are creating disorder in a vacuum left by a weak American leader.
Tisdall notes that while it is easy to blame Trump for global problems, there is often an overestimation of any U.S. president’s ability to fundamentally alter or control the behavior of major powers. Yet, by portraying himself as a global king and unchallenged mediator in war and peace, Trump reinforces illusions of U.S. dominance, absolute power, and divine right.
Before taking office, Trump had arrogantly promised to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza swiftly, claiming that nothing like them would occur under his presidency. Eight months later, both crises have escalated, exposing the limits of his approach. Tisdall argues that through appeasement, justification, and support of the main aggressors—Putin and Netanyahu—Trump bears significant responsibility.
Recent events illustrate this: Russian drone incursions into NATO member Poland last week threaten to escalate the Ukraine war into a wider European conflict. Similarly, Israel’s reckless and illegal airstrike on Qatar undermined peace efforts in Gaza, heightening regional tensions. In both cases, the common factor is American weakness, embodied by Trump.
Tisdall critiques Trump’s leadership style, noting that while he seeks to appear strong through executive orders, dismissals of officials, and confrontations with neighbors and institutions, he falters against powerful, resolute adversaries. Putin and Netanyahu have long recognized this, exploiting Trump’s inexperience and desire for easy victories, while leaving him sidelined.
Trump’s reactive complaints, such as his expression of dissatisfaction after Netanyahu’s Qatar strike, only underscore his weakness. Rather than paving the way for conflict resolution, his impulsive interventions, displays, and bias exacerbate crises and prolong conflicts. His lack of leadership skills, combined with limited integrity and common sense, has shocked European leaders accustomed to more rational and competent presidents.
Tisdall warns that Putin has repeatedly tested Western responses, most recently with the drones over Poland, revealing defensive weaknesses and asymmetric political reactions. Trump has remained largely passive.
The article argues that European NATO countries and Britain must stop relying on Washington and take decisive measures: establish protected no-fly zones over unoccupied Ukrainian areas, expand military aid, halt Russian energy imports, seize Kremlin assets, isolate banks violating sanctions, downgrade or cut diplomatic ties with Putin’s regime, and ensure readiness to respond militarily if needed. Waiting for Trump is futile—he is compared to waiting for Godot in Beckett’s play.
Similarly, Arab leaders in Doha face pressure to distance themselves from the U.S. after Trump’s marginalization, while Netanyahu adds Qatar—an American ally—to the long list of nations Israel has attacked with U.S.-made weapons since October 7, 2023.
Tisdall concludes that Trump’s erratic approach leaves U.S. foreign policy hostage to Netanyahu’s destructive policies. While a conventional U.S. president could take measures such as halting arms supplies to Israel, freezing bilateral aid, imposing sanctions, and recognizing an independent Palestinian state, Trump lacks the capacity and inclination to do so.
The article also situates Trump’s failures within a pattern of historic leadership shortcomings, including the 2003 U.S.-UK invasion of Iraq and the inadequate response to climate emergencies. Now, new global catastrophes loom, and unless democracies unite to rapidly stop wars—including using military force if necessary—worse disasters are inevitable. According to Tisdall, reliance on Trump is futile; he has become part of the problem. —(Agencies)
