LONDON — U.S. elections are rarely won on foreign policy — presidents enter the Oval Office focused on changing America, not the world.
But many presidents end up being defined by their foreign policy decisions.
Donald Trump's first priority will be to deal with the challenges to American dominance posed by China and Russia. And, possibly, avoid war with either of them.
The U.S. remains the world's most important economic and military power, but a resurgent China and Russia are determined to remake the rules that have guided the globe since 1945.
These challenges come as a post-World War II world order shaped largely by the United States begins to crack.
Russia is testing NATO, the U.S.-led military alliance. China is demanding influence to match its economic might. Meanwhile, Europe's unity is crumbling, with nationalism on the rise. Democracy is being questioned. Islamist militancy is a global danger. Nuclear proliferation threatens. And climate change is melting the Arctic, and opening a new continent to potential conflict, as Russia and others lay claim to swaths of the continent.
The dizzying array of challenges a new administration faces prompted former White House national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski to offer this piece of advice: "More caution in public statements but greater clarity about U.S. commitments around the world should be high on next president's to-do list."
Trump, who ran an "America First" campaign while also making overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has no foreign policy experience so will have to learn fast.
But many presidents end up being defined by their foreign policy decisions.
Donald Trump's first priority will be to deal with the challenges to American dominance posed by China and Russia. And, possibly, avoid war with either of them.
The U.S. remains the world's most important economic and military power, but a resurgent China and Russia are determined to remake the rules that have guided the globe since 1945.
These challenges come as a post-World War II world order shaped largely by the United States begins to crack.
Russia is testing NATO, the U.S.-led military alliance. China is demanding influence to match its economic might. Meanwhile, Europe's unity is crumbling, with nationalism on the rise. Democracy is being questioned. Islamist militancy is a global danger. Nuclear proliferation threatens. And climate change is melting the Arctic, and opening a new continent to potential conflict, as Russia and others lay claim to swaths of the continent.
The dizzying array of challenges a new administration faces prompted former White House national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski to offer this piece of advice: "More caution in public statements but greater clarity about U.S. commitments around the world should be high on next president's to-do list."
Trump, who ran an "America First" campaign while also making overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has no foreign policy experience so will have to learn fast.
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