Good or Bad for the Jews

"Good or Bad for the Jews"

Many years ago, and for many years, I would travel to Morocco to visit uncles, cousins, and my paternal grandmother. Some lived in Tangiers;...

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Trump's Foreign Policy

It seems we have two big topics that nobody cares about in this election cycle: deficit spending and foreign policy. 

In the past, those two topics would have featured highly in any electoral debate. 

Not now. 

On the debt/deficit topic since nobody knows what to do, everybody ignores it, and just keeps spending--and I mean both Dems and Reps. Measures to deal with the budget deficit and the national debt have zero, and I do mean ZERO, political support. I don't even see much rhetorical support for restraining spending--an occasional bleat from the Pauls, father and son, but that's about it. The recent way over-the-top and destructive reaction to the ChiCom "pandemic," of course, has brought that out quite clearly. Both sides compete to produce the biggest possible "stimulus" package so that the government can "stimulate" the economy which it needlessly shut down in the first place. The government creates the problem; the government seeks to resolve that problem, and, thus, creates more problems.That's how it happens, here and in every other country. Some day, a future generation will face the day of reckoning. But, not now: so party on! That's the extent of my sage comments on this topic. You want fiscal and economic wisdom, go somewhere else; I am not giving away the solution for free, you know. And I ain't leaving it on my laptop in any repair shop, either . . .

The other topic? 

Trump's foreign policy has succeeded so much that it has dropped off the public radar. I can't remember an election in which foreign policy played such an insignificant role. The successes have proven more than impressive, and, in no particular order, some are: rebuilding and strengthening NATO over the objections of NATO; destroying ISIS; establishing a cooperative relationship with both Brazil and Mexico; checking China; checking Russia; checking Iran; checking North Korea; rebuilding the alliance with Israel and the Arabs; reaffirming our support for Taiwan and Japan; renegotiating the idiotic NAFTA; pulling out of the idiotic Paris Climate Accord; killing the idiotic TPP accord. There are others, too, which I am sure the six readers of this inconsequential blog can list.

I can't recall another administration with this many foreign policy successes in such a short time. Trump's approach to foreign policy runs counter to the advice of the "experts" in the Deep State. He insists on keeping it simple--something which my old colleagues at State refused to do. His policy is based on American strength, economic and military, on common sense, and a keen understanding of American interests. America First is a real thing. Successful foreign policy begins at home, e.g., making clear we are no  longer going to be the intellectual property rights and economic piggy bank for China, or a dumping ground for illegal aliens from Latin America and elsewhere. He has restored the United States as a popular place to invest, and has brought factories, long thought lost, back home. Remarkable.

For the first time since roughly WWII, the United States is not only energy independent but a net exporter of energy. Who among the smart classes would have predicted that--I mean aside from this blog, of course? This energy independence has freed us from worrying about what energy policies might be followed by OPEC, Venezuela, the Arabs, Russia, etc. Energy independence gives us remarkable freedom of action on foreign policy. Energy blackmail is no longer an option for our adversaries.

Trump has avoided the easy interventionist attitude of past administrations, while at the same time he has rebuilt the US military into a genuinely awesome machine with which no sane adversary would want to tangle. Trump has shown that, when necessary, he will pull the trigger: ask the 200 Russian mercenaries in Syria annihilated by the US Marines; ask al Baghdadi; ask Soleimani--I mean, that is, if you can find enough of them to ask. He made clear to Kim il-Sung's chubby grandson that whatever nuclear capabilities North Korea might have, we have a lot more, "my button is bigger and it works." North Korea would be on the losing side of any military exchange with the US; Kim Jung-un seems to understand that. Trump, however, will not get us involved in weird little endless wars over issues marginal to our core interests. 

In the Middle East, Trump's achievements have been exceptional. He not only put an end to the idiotic issue of Israel's capital, he marginalized the hopelessly corrupt and double-dealing Palestinian Authority. No more money for them. He adopted a version of a policy I long advocated when I worked at State--to no avail--of active inaction: take the position that we already have a two-state formula for Palestine called Israel and Jordan. If those two want to create a third state, that's a matter for them. Not us. Meanwhile, of course, put the embassy in Jerusalem, drive home to the Arabs that their enemy is Iran, not Israel or the US, and that we are independent of Arab oil. So up to them to make the next move. And that's what is happening: we see Arab countries end their state of war with Israel, and establish economic and diplomatic relations with Israel--to the chagrin of John Kerry, Iran, Ilhan Omar, and the Palestinian crooks.

China now knows that while Trump holds the White House, the nature of the relationship changes. No wonder the Chinese have invested so heavily in recruiting the Biden family. China faces serious push-back around the world. Even Sweden agrees with Trump, for example, that there should not be Chinese involvement in developing 5G in Sweden, and that Chinese companies should not have access to Sweden's telecom infrastructure. We see Australia, India, and Japan strengthening their cooperation to counter China. There is renewed interest from several quarters in strengthening relations with Taiwan.

The bad state of affairs between the US and Russia is a needless problem. In my view, we could and should have better relations with Moscow. Yes, we all know that Russia can be sneaky and--horrors!--Russia pursues a "Russia First!" policy. We can deal with that. Trump has been partially crippled in dealing with Russia by the insane Russia collusion hoax promoted by his domestic enemies. It is tough to talk to Putin with shouts of "Collusion!" echoing across the American political landscape. Total insanity. Despite that destructive insanity from the Democrats, Trump has managed to check Russia--as noted above--and perhaps in a second term establish a more productive, less confrontational relationship with Moscow.

None of this seems to matter for the elections. Too bad. Trump has made the world a safer place.

22 comments:

  1. Even the debate topic of foreign policy mentioning North Korea purposely by the moderator never mentions the wins by the Trump administration. I would contend it's part of the blackout by the Democrats Propaganda ministry organisations.
    Wonder if the straw that broke the camel's back was Trump moving the embassy.

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  2. "Some day, a future generation will face the day of reckoning [on deficit spending and unrepayable debts]. But, not now: so party on!"

    Yes, it is strange that government financial insanity -- which propelled Ross Perot to within reasonable distance of the White House only a quarter century ago -- is now no longer a topic of any interest to the intelligentsia or the general citizenry. But the Gods of the Copybook Headings will have their say -- and potentially much sooner than the Political Class imagines.

    None of the Best & Brightest predicted the collapse of the Soviet Union, and then almost overnight it was gone. There is an important principle in geology -- Uniformitarianism -- which has been puckishly stated as: Anything which has happened is possible. Russia and the 'Stans are (for the most part) happier places today than in Soviet days, although the intervening 3 decades were very painful. That is probably our "Best Case" expectation.

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  3. DJT’s policy on energy has been clear and has resulted in the US being a net exporter of energy. Russia is highly dependent on exports of commodities with revenues from sales of crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas accounting for about a half of Russia’s federal budget. If POTUS is a puppet of Vlad why is he not restricting energy production in the US? This is the Biden plan. What was Putin’s goal in recruiting Trump? If we follow the dictum of “Cui bono,” it is Democrat policies that would be most helpful to Russia.
    Mr Dip could you please untangle the web that has been woven.

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  4. We're trying to catch up to the EU on "fraction of economy run solely by the government."
    Looks like Marx and his hate-enraaged despotists are poised for victory.

    - reader #1482

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  5. Frankly, I am also impressed by Trump's foreign policy. Any idea on who might be advising him, or in his corner?

    The "bigger button" rhetoric at least got us talking with NorK, caused Xi Jinping to caution Li'l Kim that the lips and teeth alliance was off should he provoke a nuclear war with the US, and followed through by walking away from a bad deal in Hanoi rather than any deal being better than none. As for the Middle East, the deals between Israel on the one hand and Bahrain and UAE on the other, without the bribes we put in for the Egyptian and Jordanian ones, and then the Sudan deal, were a pleasant surprise.

    I would hope that the reintroduction of Taiwan into the world community (whether as the rump of Dr. Sun's Republic of China, Taiwan Great Liuqiu, Dong Ning, or even Bob) would be a great leap forward. However, I admit to a certain amount of timidity. The Taiwan problem looms very large in the minds of China's leadership; it is to them what Anschluss with Austria wa for Hitler.

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  6. "...None of this seems to matter for the elections. Too bad. Trump has made the world a safer place." Nice strokes, Dip!

    Holy! "stain on Shumer's fore-Head", Batman! Voters can only imagine what the Chief'll be able to accomplish, with unbound hands! "Caddie! his Driver please"! See ya at the 19th~~~0~~~

    On Watch~~~
    Catch 'em if you can~~~

    ReplyDelete
  7. G'day Dip,

    There are a lot of people outside the USofA vitally interested in the result of your upcoming election.

    Those with a socialist bent or just plain anti-American attitude obviously would like the Democrats in the White House. However such a result would not only be bad for the US it would be disastrous for those of us who want to see a prosperous, well governed country with the wherewithal to maintain international stability through its potential to cause immense grief to those who would upset that stability.

    Choose wisely "cousins" a lot of us are watching with interest and some nervousness. It is a lot easier to stand with a country that is predictable and constant than with one in which the unpredictable Democrats are likely to do anything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roger that David,
      well said, and
      Hand Salute to our
      dear cousins downunder,
      OW~~~
      nOW hOW 'bOWt that
      Shrimp on the BAR-B!
      "Let's Roll"

      Delete
    2. ..."Democrats are likely to do anything." D' of Oz

      Yes, and the 'Rats are more than likely to support and re-supply the ChiCom Bastagges who do have their sights set on your baliwick too, D. THAT, In addition to the rest of the West, via continuing doses of espionage, subversion, commercial sabbotage, imprisonment, biowarfare, and in the end, nuclear by all means to cook it off... My take, is that the USA has some-more housecleaning to do, pronto! Starting with the resident rodents on NOV-3-2020! If it takes an uncivil War to finish the JOB, so be it! by an large, many Americans have been playing a fools game - while our leftist neighbors, within and out, have been installing their BLODDY ignorance, and sometimes disguised HATE of AMERICA, whilst "We the People", coddle & coo~~~ ! Heads-up, to the bought and paid for anti-America USEFUL IDIOTS, be advised, the reaper is afoot, time to Pay your Tab! Happily, Or Else~~~
      On Watch~~~
      "Let's Roll"

      Delete
  8. Thought all y'all might like this:

    "The Buffoon In The White House"

    -

    The buffoon in the White House just brokered two Middle East Peace Accords, something that 71 years of political intervention and endless war failed to produce. He has now been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by 3 separate world leaders.
    The buffoon in the White House is the first president that has not engaged us in a foreign war since Eisenhower.
    The buffoon in the White House promised to destroy ISIS, and kept his promise. Something Obama promised to do, but couldn’t.
    The buffoon in the White House has had the greatest impact on the economy, bringing jobs, and lowering unemployment to the Black and Latino population of ANY other president. Ever.
    The buffoon in the White House has exposed the deep, widespread, and long-standing corruption in the FBI, the CIA, the NSA, and the Democratic party.
    The buffoon in the White House turned NATO around and had them start paying their dues.
    The buffoon in the White House neutralized the North Koreans, stopped them from developing a further nuclear capability, sending missiles toward Japan, and threatening the West Coast of the US.
    The buffoon in the White House repositioned our embassy to Jerusalem, something every president before him promised to do, but NEVER had the guts to do.
    But for the Wuhan caused pandemic, the Buffoon in the White House has stood up to China, brought hundreds of business back to the US, and revived the US economy well beyond anything his predecessor thought possible…..without a “magic wand.”
    The buffoon in the White House has accomplished the appointing of two Supreme Court Justices, nominated an incredibly well qualified candidate for the current SCOTUS vacancy, and will soon have placed close to 300 Federal Judges on the federal bench.
    The buffoon in the White House lowered your taxes and caused your stock market to move to record levels over 100 times, positively impacting the retirements of tens of millions of citizens.
    The buffoon in the White House fast-tracked the development of a COVID Vaccine - it will be available within months - we still don't have a vaccine for SARS, Bird Flu, Ebola, or a host of diseases that arose during previous administrations.
    The buffoon in the White House rebuilt our military which the Obama administration had crippled and had fired 214 key generals and admirals in his first year of office.
    The buffoon in the White House uncovered and curtailed rampant illegal immigration and widespread sex and drug trafficking in the United States and beyond.
    The buffoon in the White House works for free and has lost well over 2 billion dollars of his own money in serving - and done all of this and much more in the face of relentless undermining and opposition from people who are threatened because they know they are going to be exposed as the criminals that they are if he is re-elected.
    I got it, you don't like him or maybe you hate him.... How special of you. He is serving YOU and ALL the American people. What are you doing besides calling him names and voting against your own freedom? Wake up !!
    I'm wondering who the real buffoons are out there.

    Barry Hasselman

    from Facebook

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    Replies
    1. Let's hope in his second term the "buffoon" will 1) Kick corona's a** so we can get back to "normal" with respect to the economy; 2) blow up PC crap once and for all; 3) blow up the Deep State (or at least get us started on it so we can finish it off in the Pence Administration commencing in 2025); 4) Grow the economy such that we can start dealing with the deficit and the debt; 5) work with (hopefully) a Republican Speaker and Senate Majority Leader with balls to do the right things for the American people. We need new, good people in Congress; no more RINOs. And get rid of the "establishment" lurking at State, DOJ, Homeland Security, etc.

      Delete
    2. Author! Author!
      On Target & cheeky Broadside,
      Scott! Where's he hang his
      hat? Other than FB? Worthy
      Nom de plume for a POL-pundit,
      -Hasselman.
      Tks for the post!
      OW~~~


      Delete
  9. Much safer, and, if Biden wins, the nightmare will be back by the end of January

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    Replies
    1. Lose or Win, hope our LEOs coming under siege of late, may begin training 'Posses' to assist, at least temporarily, in preserving the peace, providing force protection, collecting community/group intel (where the brigands are storing their Bricks, Bats, and fireworks etc) -- as well as acting responsibly as back-up personnel, or perhaps posse comitatus?

      Getting a bit worrisome, if not aggravating, seeing our constitutional protectors become "sitting ducks" for marxist gangs and other criminal syndicates, in addition to the usual suspects and 'useful idiots'!
      On Watch~~~
      "Let's Roll"

      Delete
  10. Wow diplomad, that was the best summary of Trump's foreign policy triumphs Ive seen. They could have used you on the campaign team. Sid

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  11. My 2 favorites are: 1) getting NATO members to pay their fair share. I remember during my FS career making periodic pro forma request, followed quickly by capitulations. 2) leaving WHO. Soon to be followed by other UN bodies, I hope.
    Delilah

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  12. Congratulations Justice Amy Barrett!
    Happy Birthday Shillary!
    Sincerely,
    from the Basket of Deplorables,
    and other Law abiding & Patriotic people

    On Watch~~~

    https://legalinsurrection.com/2020/10/amy-coney-barrett-sworn-in-as-associate-justice-of-the-supreme-court/

    ReplyDelete
  13. uhh.. so Khartreoum is recognizing Israel *and* paying the US $350m to get off the terror list?
    Isn't this pretty much the opposite of Kerry's give-away-everything-for-nothing Iran "deal"?
    What did Kerry get for the US? A fat zero... in exchange for billions.... crazy.. how

    - reader #1482

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  14. Speaking of foreign policy, the Senate report on Hunter. https://t.co/Z11yFpvJFl?amp=1

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  15. Yes indeed SusanH, hair raising deeds at least, hoping that American criminal heads will roll, and the ChiComs will at Long-Last will be recognized for the level of EVIL they represent, and punished to the point of their destruction!

    ..."money transferred among and between them don’t just raise conflicts of interest concerns,-->>they raise criminal financial, counterintelligence and extortion concerns.<<-- The Committees will continue to evaluate the evidence in their possession."
    GO GET'EM!

    On Watch~~~
    "Let's Roll"

    ReplyDelete