1st September 2025 (15 Topics)
1
Sep
U.S. Power Struggle
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Context:
The Alaska Summit (August 2025) highlighted internal divisions within U.S. foreign policy, where Donald Trump’s anti-interventionist stance clashed with the entrenched “permanent Washington”.
Trump’s Mandate and Limits
- Electoral Promise: Trump campaigned in 2024 on ending the Ukraine war immediately, reflecting 66% of American support for a negotiated settlement.
- Constraints on Action: Despite a clear mandate, his ability to deliver peace was restricted by institutional resistance and entrenched foreign policy lobbies.
- Alaska Summit Outcome: Optics of statesmanship were achieved, but concessions to Russia were withheld, prolonging the conflict.
America-First versus Permanent Washington
- Anti-Interventionist Position: Trump, Vice-President J.D. Vance, and leaders like Vivek Ramaswamy advocate curtailing U.S. military interventions and focusing on domestic priorities.
- Permanent Washington Interests: A coalition of neo-con politicians, bureaucrats, and commercial lobbies sustain military action and global hegemony.
- Internal Contest:S. foreign policy is shaped less by external adversaries than by internal power struggles between elected leaders and entrenched establishments.
Implications for Global Security
- Ukraine Conflict Stalemate: Continued U.S. military support prolongs hostilities despite public demand for peace and reduced interventionism.
- Risk of Escalation: The Ukraine war brings the world closer to nuclear confrontation, making domestic U.S. policy battles critical for global peace.
- Future Geopolitics: America’s internal contest will influence responses to rising powers like India, China, and Russia more than bilateral negotiations.
Practice Question:
“The Ukraine conflict underscores that U.S. foreign policy is increasingly shaped by domestic political contests rather than international negotiations. Critically examine.” (250 words)
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