It’s difficult to sleep at night knowing belligerent Trump has access to nuclear codes
Istayed in the USA last month with a friend who had recently returned from Florida. While there he had been taken to an event at Mar-a-lago, the commercial resort operated by President Donald Trump where he frequently sojourns.
While my friend was there, Trump arrived and like all presidents was followed by an entourage, including an athletic secret service agent carrying a large brown satchel. It would have contained the codes Trump requires to call a nuclear strike.
The current international situation is worrying and the fact Trump is now in charge makes it quite frightening. I don’t have an immediate solution for the tragedy that has unfolded in Syria not just in recent days but over many years. But, I am certain that there’s neither a quick fix, nor can it be solved unilaterally by one country; even one as powerful as the USA. This will take time and international cooperation, hard as that is too achieve.
It’s not simply that Trump’s knowledge of international affairs is limited, to say the least, but also that his actions are erratic and driven by self-interest. While past Presidents had different levels of understanding, they were surrounded by people in the State Department who could advise. Much of that collective knowledge has gone, replaced by acolytes who are equally concerning in their lack of awareness.
Trump has oscillated from a man who was for doing a deal with Russia to someone who is bellicose and belligerent towards the nation. I’ve no affection for Vladimir Putin and hold him culpable for appalling actions in both his own country and beyond. But this is not the way to carry out international diplomacy. Moreover, Trump has gone from dealmaker to warmonger in a matter of days, if not weeks, whether in Syria or North Korea.
His claims that he was affected by the sight of children suffering dreadfully from the effect of chemical weapons ring hollow from a man who turned a blind eye to the tears of refugee children and has watched slaughter in the Yemen. Drone strikes authorised by him and the actions of his Saudi allies are now compounded by famine. A humanitarian he is not.
Moreover, his UN ambassador’s strategy for Syria seems to be not just the immediate removal of president Bashar-al Assad, but also of Russia and Iran from the country. As with Putin, I’ve no affection for those regimes. However, removal is something to work towards; a precipitous withdrawal or elimination isn’t. Far from creating peace, it will likely lead to a replication of the catastrophe and failed states that exist in Iraq and Libya. Europe and the world are paying the price for that today.
The illegal war in Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein didn’t bring safety. Sectarian violence has been unleashed between Sunni and Shia. That’s not to shed any tears for the despot, simply to learn that there has to be a strategy to deal with the situation that follows. In that, not just with the illegality of the war, Tony Blair and George W Bush are culpable.
Yet, tragically, lessons weren’t learned in Libya less than a decade on. There again there was a despot who was cruel to his own people and murderous to others. Colonel Gaddafi was no more benign then, than President Assad is now.
However, for many years it had suited the west to have a bulwark against the rise of Islamic terrorism, as well as obtain access to his country’s natural resources. Hence, why not only was he tolerated but arms were supplied and prisoners rendered to him. The US and British Governments were complicit and, Human Rights Watch reported, had a cosy relationship with his henchmen. The Police Service of Northern Ireland even trained his elite brigade.
As it transpired, many of those prisoners dispatched to Gaddafi for torture were later supported in the uprising against him, through Nato bombing. Now, though, some constitute the Islamist forces again being opposed by the west. Not only is that absurd, but the country is a failed state, as the refugees washing up on European shores evidence. Lessons weren’t learned.
Seeking the removal of Hussein and Gaddafi was correct but how it was done has been catastrophic. There are now similarities with Assad, someone the west was willing to accept in years gone by and work with against Isis. Indeed, many innocent civilians were slaughtered as they sought sanctuary in Isis-held territory, killed both by Assad’s forces and western bombing.
Launching a tomahawk missile strike is a reaction, not a strategy. For sure, if it’s shown to be Assad there have to be consequences. Chemical weapons are illegal under international law and their use cannot go unpunished. However, though I believe Assad perfectly capable of authorising the use of chemical weapons, there needs to be evidence.
Sadly, dodgy dossiers in Iraq have created a climate of mistrust. Not just international institutions have been undermined but faith in western democracies has been challenged. More than simply the president’s say-so is now needed.
If evidence is produced, action is appropriate. The issue, though, is hugely complex, with no simple solution and unholy alliances abounding. International support has still to be sought, which won’t be easy. The veto on the security council by Russia and China can be overcome but wider support in the region is needed.
It has to be part of a wider strategy not just to punish the despot but to plan for his succession. Ever since the Sykes-picot deal carved up the region almost a century ago, precipitous and selfinterested western actions have had catastrophic consequences.
Sad as it may be, sometimes doing something is worse than doing nothing, until you’re sure you’ve got it right and won’t make it worse.