Trump revives Cold War rhetoric
UNITED STATES: US President Donald Trump has outlined a new Cold War-style approach to US foreign policy by framing Russia and China as competitors and stressing the importance of nuclear weapons.
The president’s first national security strategy, published yesterday, chastises previous US administrations for their ‘‘complacency’’ since the fall of the Soviet Union. It says American nuclear weapons are ‘‘the foundation of our strategy to preserve peace and stability’’, and calls for new ‘‘significant investment’’.
The document says Russia and China are trying to ‘‘challenge American power, influence and interests’’ and ‘‘erode American security and prosperity’’.
It also warns against ‘‘engage- W Bush as he attacked ‘‘disastrous’’ trade deals and the ‘‘shortchanging’’ of US soldiers.
He pointed to early foreign policy wins, including victories against jihadists, sanctions on North Korea and more defence spending by America’s Nato allies.
‘‘The entire world has heard the news and already seen the signs: America is coming back strong,’’ Trump said.
The document outlines four ‘‘pillars’’ of security: protect the American people; promote American prosperity; preserve peace through strength; and advance American influence.
The strategy reads: ‘‘Following the remarkable victory of free nations in the Cold War, America emerged as the lone superpower with enormous advantages and momentum in the world. Success, however, bred complacency. A belief emerged, among many, that American power would be unchallenged and self-sustaining. The United States began to drift.’’
On rival countries, it reads: ‘‘They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence.’’
One section reads: ‘‘Nuclear weapons have served a vital purpose in America’s National Security Strategy for the past 70 years. They are the foundation of our strategy to preserve peace and stability by deterring aggression against the United States, our allies, and our partners.’’
– Telegraph Group