This deeply researched book offers a comprehensive analysis of the domestic politics and international consequences of Trump’s foreign policy. Mel Gurtov provides detailed case studies of policy toward key countries and regions, including China, Russia, North Korea, Europe, and the Middle East. He makes a vigorous argument, centered on human-interest priorities and values, for rejecting a foreign policy of neglect and ineptness when it comes to the major issues of our times: climate change, China’s rise, multiple US wars, human rights, authoritarian leadership, and nuclear weapons. Gurtov argues that Trump is a nationalist and illiberal populist whose policy views have been molded chiefly by his business practices, leading to an obsession with “winning,” elevation of ego and loyalty over expertise, and preference for threats over diplomacy. Trump holds to a few simple ideas about the US role in the world: too expensive, too subject to other countries and institutions, and too influenced by “globalist” concerns such as democracy, climate crisis, human rights, and the rule of law. Trump will leave a deeply negative mark on the reputation and credibility of the United States, and on its policy-making process. But Gurtov concludes that a liberal successor should be able to reverse the worst features of the Trump era and restore foreign policy to its true purpose: exemplifying America’s commitment to humane and democratic governance and cooperative economic relations with allies and economic partners.
Mel Gurtov is professor emeritus of political science at Portland State University and senior editor of Asian Perspective. His books include Engaging Adversaries: Peacemaking and Diplomacy in the Human Interest. His blog, In the Human Interest, can be found at https://melgurtov.com.
Preface 1 We Were Warned “America First” The “Lone Ranger” Rides Again The Fitness Issue 2 President Trump, in Person The “Stable Genius” “Trump at War” in AmericaWhose Side Are You On? It’s All about Trump 3 Taking Sides Damn the Experts Two Camps Shakedown: Trump’s Secret Agenda in Ukraine All In for the Israeli Right Compromised 4 Foreign Policy by Improvisation Policy Making Off the Charts The Politics of Trump’s Foreign Policy The Myth of the Deep State Two Terrible Disorders Friends and Enemies Trump’s Democracy Deficit Corruption beyond Measure Truth and Consequences 5 The Costs of Inexperience His Own Worst Enemy Sheriff without a Posse in Europe Sandbagged: The Russia Connection The China Conundrum 6 The (Lost) Art of the Deal “Maximum Pressure”: North Korea Pursuing Regime Change in Iran Indecision and Indifference in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America 7 Dealing Away International Responsibility Abandoning Human Rights Amplifying the Nuclear Danger Realism without Apology: Trump and Saudi Arabia 8 Business First “Tariff Man” Betraying Future Generations 9 Racism at the Border Keeping People Out A National Disgrace 10 Retreat and Advance A Method to His Madness The Costs of Trumpism A Criminal Regime Trump’s Nationalism—and Realism Damage Control Toward a Progressive US Foreign Policy Where Are We Headed? Notes Bibliography
This compact but wide-ranging book provides an authoritative analysis of America’s retreat from the world under President Donald Trump. The book will help the reader understand why, under President Trump, respect for and trust in the United States have plummeted in most of the world—including in long-standing U.S. allies such as Germany.
