The Evolution of American Leadership: From Expert Consensus to Personality-Driven Populism
The past decade has witnessed a profound transformation in American leadership, particularly in the realm of foreign policy. This shift can be illustrated through two pivotal moments involving former Senator Marco Rubio and Donald Trump. In 2016, during a Republican primary debate, Rubio criticized Trump’s simplistic approach to the Middle East, famously stating, "The Palestinians are not a real-estate deal, Donald." Trump retorted, "With your thinking, you will never bring peace," dismissing Rubio’s traditional diplomatic approach. Fast-forward to 2023, and the roles have reversed: President Trump unveiled a controversial plan to take over Gaza, asserting, "We’re going to hold it; we’re going to cherish it… it’s going to be a great economic-development job." Sitting alongside him was Rubio, now Secretary of State, tasked with implementing a policy he once derided. This stark transition underscores the broader evolution of U.S. foreign policy—from a domain of expert-brokered consensus to one dominated by personality-driven populism.
A New Era of American Empire: Trump’s Vision of Global Domination
Donald Trump’s presidency has defied expectations, challenging the notion that he is an aberration in the international order. Instead, he increasingly represents the embodiment of a new world order—one defined by aggressive nationalism, transactional diplomacy, and a disregard for traditional alliances. While Trump’s first term could be dismissed as an anomaly, his return to office, coupled with the rise of like-minded leaders globally, signals a seismic shift. Trump’s recent actions, including hosting Middle Eastern leaders, antagonizing traditional allies, and proposing radical plans for Gaza, provide early glimpses of this new order.
Contrary to the narrative that Trump is an anti-war figure, his policies reveal a neo-imperialist incline. From calling for the annexation of Greenland to musing about making Canada the 51st state, Trump’s rhetoric reflects a vision of American dominance. His administration has also escalated arms sales to Israel and threatened military action in Mexico, signaling a more aggressive foreign policy. While Trump has expressed reluctance to engage in certain conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, his overall approach aligns with a hawkish, expansionist agenda. This shift has been bolstered by key personnel choices, including hawkish figures like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
A Middle East Policy that Excludes the Palestinian National Cause
Trump’s Middle East policy has been marked by a departure from traditional diplomacy, particularly in its approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His first administration famously brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states while excluding the Palestinians. This achievement challenged decades of conventional wisdom that Israeli normalization required a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians. However, the aftermath of the October 7 war in Gaza forced the Palestinians back into the diplomatic arena.
In response, Trump has attempted to include Palestinians in his diplomacy while sidelining their aspirations for statehood. His "Gaz-a-Lago" proposal, which calls for the resettlement of Palestinians in third-party countries, reflects this approach. While Trump acknowledges the dire conditions in Gaza, his plan prioritizes economic development over Palestinian national identity. Critics argue that this approach ignores the historical and national dimensions of the conflict, reducing it to a mere real-estate problem. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, framed the proposal as a path to "better opportunities" for Palestinians, but this logic risks erasing their connection to their homeland.
The Decline of the Rules-Based International Order
For decades, U.S. foreign policy has been guided by the concept of a "rules-based international order," which envision
