Scott Tibbs
Trump's irresponsible bluster makes war more likely
By Scott Tibbs, February 23, 2024
The Cold War is over, and it has been over for more than three decades. We are no longer facing a global superpower in the Soviet Union, which sought to subjugate the entire world under the oppressive boot of Communism. Even many conservatives who were "hawks" in the 1970's and 1980's recognize that our allies need to step up and provide more for their own defense instead of relying on these United States to do it for them. Donald Trump was a refreshing change of pace in both openly and privately pressuring our allies to take more of the burden away from American taxpayers. All of this is good.
What was not good, however, Was Trump's irresponsible bluster about
abandoning NATO allies to Russian aggression if they did not pay their "fair share" to the alliance. And no, this is not "fake news."
He actually said this:
"I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want."
This is dangerous, destabilizing rhetoric by the former President. This kind of foolishness makes World War III more likely, not less likely. The way you prevent war is by projecting strength, making our enemies afraid and making it clear that aggression against us would be met with severe consequences. This is known as "peace through strength." Abandoning Europe to Russian aggression over a financial dispute is not "America First." There was a time when Republicans would have been horrified by this rhetoric.
"But he was joking," Trump apologists might say. Trump always speaks in hyperbole. I do not care. This is incredibly irresponsible. What if Russia takes him seriously? What if China takes him seriously regarding Taiwan? What if Iran takes Trump seriously and sees this as an opportunity to expand their influence? Does Trump realize that projecting weakness is how September 11 happened? Osama bin Laden thought we were a paper tiger.
Once again, this and shows Trump has absolutely no discipline over his mouth. As Proverbs 25:28 tells us, a man with no self-control is a city that has been broken down, and is without walls. Trump has proven many times over that his promise to be "presidential" was always a lie. In a dangerous world, we need disciplined leaders.
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