No War if Trump Wins: A Realistic Promise or Political Move?

Professor Dr. Sujit Kumar Datta

29 Oct 2024, 13:23

Photo: Collected

The basis of U.S. foreign policy is the realism theory, which determines the country's ultimate position in influencing the world stage and protecting its interests. The main goal of U.S. foreign policy is to protect U.S. interests and influence in the international arena. This policy, based on the pragmatism theory, considers war a necessary and effective solution.

Follow Rtv Online English on Google news

However, contrary to this idea, former President Donald Trump's anti-war stance has been impressive, taking the form of a critical promise in recent campaigns. If elected, the United States will no longer engage in war. Trump, who first came to power in 2016, introduced a new model of international relations.

In addition to conventional diplomatic techniques, he spoke directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Although many have criticized his actions, Trump has not directly involved the United States in any new wars during his term in office. With a limited military presence in Syria, including the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, I wanted to show that the use of U.S. forces is not the solution to all problems. However, the question remains whether these measures were limited to a political move or whether they were trying to establish peace in the world.

The realism theory in American foreign policy cannot be ignored in analyzing Trump's promises. Pursuing a foreign policy based on this theory has had a similar impact on all American presidents as war. Does Trump's aversion to war agree with the theory of realism? Or is it just a strategy to strengthen his political position? Trump may be trying to increase his popularity by emphasizing diplomatic relations rather than solving problems through war. He says that he will solve the Ukraine and Gaza crises if elected.

Even so, based on the realism theory, how possible is it to fulfill such a promise? To what extent would the United States of America lose its influence if it altogether avoided war in world politics? These questions remain. Trump recently said in his campaign that he wants to resolve the Ukraine and Gaza crises first.

All the same, will Trump adopt a new strategy to resolve such a crisis, or will he just get drunk on wordplay? U.S. President Joe Biden has taken a strong stance in favor of Ukraine and supported the country militarily and economically. In contrast, Trump's position is quite different. He said that wars have become an unnecessary economic burden on the American people. Trump may be trying to present himself as the leader of the masses with this promise, but it remains to be seen how genuine his statement is.

Trump has promised not to wage another war in the Middle East if the United States comes to power. Given the current situation in the Middle East, a heated situation prevails, with Iran and Israel on the verge of war. At the same time, U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and Israel also maintain their interests. Is Trump's promise just a political ploy to bring peace to the Middle East, or can he restore peace in the region? Is Trump's aversion to war a sign of declining American power?
The United States has long demonstrated its power in world politics, and this demonstration of power has increased its influence. If Trump withdraws from the war, the U.S.'s influence in world politics will decline. Many political analysts believe that Trump's promise is just a ploy to attract voters. If such a promise is fulfilled, it will only be a sign of declining American power, which is inconsistent with his long-term strategy.

The American people today are tired of war and are no longer interested in sending their sons to fight abroad. But does Trump want to win the hearts of voters, or is he willing to build a peaceful world? The issue has become essential to Trump's election campaign, which could also affect his political record.

Trump's "no war" pledge created a new landscape in American politics. It could change the status quo of U.S. foreign policy, but only if implemented correctly. The current global situation, especially the heated situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, has raised many questions about this promise of Trump.

Finally, such promises may only serve as a strategy to gain voters' trust. If Trump truly wants to build a peaceful world, he must deliver on his promises and bring about a concerted change in U.S. foreign policy. It can be a great challenge for him to go beyond war, establish diplomatic relations, and mediate disputes. Therefore, only time will tell if this promise materializes.
The writer is the former Chairman, Department of International Relations, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh and Non-resident Fellow, Hong Kong Research Center for Asian Studies (RCAS)

Comments

Most Viewed News Of Free Opinion

Indian Media Spreads Best Fairy Tales

Horses flying in the sky, dogs and goats speaking like humans, or a giant swallowing a person whole—these phrases are easy to identify as elements of fairy tales. However, would it surprise you if India's mainstream media conveyed similar stories? It might sound shocking, but for many, it's hardly surprising. Indian journalism has long been a subject of criticism worldwide and has often become fodder for humor on international platforms. There have been instances where journalists act as political party workers, turn news presentations into advertisements or soap operas, or become overly emotional while delivering reports. Such conduct is unacceptable in international journalism, yet Indian media continues to defy these norms. Recently, Indian media's coverage of Bangladesh has been particularly noteworthy—crafting stories like fairy tales. While these reports may lack coherence or professional finesse, their efforts to captivate an audience are undeniable. Interestingly, these outlets have been remarkably successful, earning thousands of "haha" reactions on social media for their fantastical tales. This demonstrates that even mainstream media can excel at entertaining the masses. Some researchers offer an alternative perspective on this trend. They argue that these reports are not born out of hatred but rather stem from fear. India has strained relationships with its neighboring countries, and since the fall of the Awami League government in Bangladesh, the latter has grown less inclined to cater to India's interests. This shift has caused concern for India, but it is unlikely to take any direct action against Bangladesh. Instead, Indian media appears to express this apprehension through such exaggerated narratives. Indian journalism has traditionally been considered the "fourth pillar" of democracy. However, in recent times, its reputation on the global stage has taken a hit. The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2023 Press Freedom Index ranked India 161st out of 180 countries. This decline has raised serious concerns internationally about media freedom in India. Increasing instances of threats, arrests, and legal pressures on journalists have become significant barriers to independent journalism, often forcing them into biased reporting. Reports by organizations like BBC and Al Jazeera suggest that Indian journalism is increasingly leaning towards a specific political agenda. Particularly, the media's role in suppressing dissenting voices and favoring the ruling party's narratives has come under scrutiny. In the age of social media and the internet, fake news has become rampant. Indian media houses have occasionally been identified as sources or promoters of such disinformation, further eroding trust in Indian journalism globally. Moreover, Indian media has faced accusations of biased coverage, especially regarding minority communities and sensitive issues. Human rights organizations have expressed concerns about this trend. For instance, the media's handling of the Kashmir issue in 2019 attracted significant international criticism, and similar patterns have emerged in its recent reporting on Bangladesh. Author: Online Activist

No War if Trump Wins: A Realistic Promise or Political Move?

The Israeli-Iranian Conflict: A Pathway to Regional Warfare

Indian Media Spreads Best Fairy Tales