The president embarked on his first foreign trip with a clear-eyed outlook that the world is not a “global community” but an arena where nations, nongovernmental actors, and businesses engage and compete for advantage. We bring to this forum unmatched military, political, economic, cultural, and moral strength. Rather than deny this elemental nature of international affairs, we embrace it.*
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At every stop in our journey, we delivered a clear message to our friends and partners: Where our interests align, we are open to working together to solve problems and explore opportunities. We let adversaries know that we will not only take their measure, deter conflict through strength, and defend our interests and values, but also look for areas of common interest that allow us to work together. In short, those societies that share our interests will find no friend more steadfast than the United States. Those that choose to challenge our interests will encounter the firmest resolve.*
To this, The Atlantic Magazine replies:
Like Trump himself, this general and this financier who speak for him know only the language of command, not of respect. They summon partners to join them "to enhance American security, promote American prosperity, and extend American influence around the world”—and never anticipate or answer the question, “Why should we British, French, Germans, Canadians, Australians, and on and on through the catalogue of your disrespected allies join that project?”**
Apparently there are to be no more Marshall Plans, or nation rehabilitation of former enemies like Japan and Germany. I thought we had learned a lesson when Germany was under the "heal" of other countries after WW-I. It wasn't 20 before WW-II started by the same country - Germany. No more American leadership. It's a "dog eat dog" world.
I am disappointed in Gen. McMaster, I confess that I expected better from him, but I guess he feels he must defend Trump. I'm also disappointed in Gen, Kelly, secretary of Homeland Security, who is deporting illegal mothers of small American children when there are so many others to deport (something like 11 million). In fact there are several Republicans who stated that we won''t break up families. I guess I put too much faith in these generals being responsible, but I should have remembered that many military officers are rabid conservatives. I didn't know that Kelly was one of them. McMaster was billed as an intellectual. I certainly expected better of them.
Former Republican Presidential candidate Even McMullin tweeted: In their op-ed today, McMaster/Cohn reveal their adoption of Putin's foreign affairs ethos.
David From tweeted: Today's Cohn/McMaster oped about Trump trip: an explanation even worse than the policy
On the other hand, WSJ's approach seems to be "let'er rip, boys.***
* https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-first-doesnt-mean-america-alone-1496187426
** https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/05/mcmaster-cohn-trump/528609
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