A retired US ambassador warns that Washington’s alliances, built over eight decades on trust, are being weakened under Trump
Patrick Theros, founder of the American Academy of Diplomacy and a former US ambassador to several Arab capitals, says that America’s strategic greatness over the past eighty years did not lie in its aircraft carriers, nuclear weapons, economy, or even the dollar, which nearly became the world’s currency. Its true strength, he argues, was its allies.
Russia has satellite states and other countries connected to it. China has partners and clients, while Iran has proxies. But America built something these powers could not replicate: alliances with nations that fundamentally wanted to be its allies. They trusted Washington because, despite its mistakes and occasional arrogance, they believed it would take their vital and strategic interests into account. Donald Trump destroyed that trust during his second term, causing extensive damage that will remain associated with his presidency. Alliances are built on trust. An ally accepts the risks of being aligned with the United States because it believes Washington will consider its interests, even when persuading it to adopt policies that carry risks. Trump, however, views alliances completely differently — like a “racket” or mafia club used for protection.
Allies pay, and America protects. If they do not pay enough, their protection is their own responsibility. If they disagree with America, they are treated as traitors or betrayers. “Look at the wreckage,” the retired American ambassador adds.
Saudi Arabia, and later the smaller Gulf states, built their security around the United States. They bought billions of dollars’ worth of American weapons, provided military bases and ports for American forces, cooperated in the energy sector, invested billions inside the United States, and accepted internal and regional risks because they trusted America. Yet they were left without consultation and dragged into the American-Israeli war with Iran.
The Gulf Cooperation Council took the initiative to protect the family store. Yet it shattered the store and the entire family. American bases became an impediment and a source of harm. They triggered an Iranian reaction against Qatar and did not act to stop it.
Why should countries host American forces if those forces make them targets in wars they fundamentally oppose and had warned against, only to find themselves dragged into them without warning and by Israel’s decision?
It is clear that the matter is not over. America remains embroiled with Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, while the Gulf Arab countries remain entangled with Washington. This has pushed Gulf leaders to view both Iran and Israel as geopolitical threats. Yet their ally Trump puts his Arab allies at the service of Netanyahu or under his command.
Moreover, Washington added salt to the wound when it proposed merging or unifying American and Israeli military institutions and asked Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi to trust Washington to protect them.
There was once an impression that Israel was a proxy of the United States. Now, however, Arab capitals are asking: who is the actual proxy?
The results have become evident. Last month, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca. Washington will consider it to be directed against Iran. But it is more than that: it is a safeguard against threats from any quarter, including America. The list of America’s allies who feel betrayed does not stop at the Gulf. Greece, whose alliance with the United States was firm and robust, is being rewarded by Trump’s approval of the sale of F-35 fighter jets to “enemy” Turkey.
Once again, loyalty to Washington does not guarantee that it will protect its allies’ interests. NATO has received the same treatment, particularly on issues such as Ukraine and others.
Canada is facing similar treatment, despite being geographically the closest ally to the United States. Trump has demanded that it become the 51st state of the United States, and its refusal prompted him to impose numerous taxes on it.
Additionally, Trump canceled military maneuvers with his ally South Korea because it did not meet his request to assist him in his war on Iran. This will push South Korea and Japan, both American allies, to work toward establishing a bilateral alliance that would enable the two countries to defend themselves against Russia and North Korea.
“America never built an alliance, treating it as a charity,” the retired American diplomat responds.
Greece gave the United States bases and strategic routes. Canada is its first line of defense. South Korea contains North Korea. NATO doubles American power against Russia. The Gulf provides bases, energy security, intelligence, and strategic access. Japan is America’s port in the Pacific.
All of these alliances force any enemy of America to confront not a single nation, but a rich and powerful international alliance with significant military capabilities.
Trump believes America’s allies need it more than it needs them. But his Persian adventure taught them otherwise.
The next American president can proclaim that America is back. That will not be enough. America’s allies have learned that the American guarantee can disappear with every presidential election. Hence, they will never trust it entirely again.
Trump’s foreign policy may lead to a devastating fall for his electoral coalition, MAGA, in the upcoming midterm legislative elections.
America’s enemies spent eighty years trying to “hit or break it,” but they failed. Trump might do it in eight years.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Annahar.
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter
