Thomas Wright — Trump’s Foreign Policy Is No Longer Unpredictable–Gone Are the Days of a Divided Administration

After he won, Trump had a problem. He was completely unprepared to govern and had hardly anyone on his team who was qualified to hold high office in matters of national security. This dearth, coupled with his continuing grudge against the establishment experts who opposed him during the campaign, led him to turn to retired generals and captains of industry, including James Mattis as secretary of defense, Rex Tillerson as secretary of state, Gary Cohn as director of the National Economic Council, and, after a few weeks in office, H. R. McMaster as national security adviser.…

Paradoxically, the advent of a more unified and predictable U.S. foreign policy is likely to weaken American influence and destabilize the international order. A deeply divided Trump administration was the best case for those who believe in the United States’ postwar strategy, defined by strong alliances, an open global economy, and broad support for democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. Because Trump was never going to change his worldview, his administration has had to be marked by either division or agreement on his terms. We now have the latter. Thus begins phase three—the impact of a unified Trump administration on the world.

Now the neocons and war hawks are now in charge.  May as well have elected HRC and the liberal interventionists. The Establishment in either case. Elections count?

Foreign Affairs (published by CFR)
Trump’s Foreign Policy Is No Longer Unpredictable–Gone Are the Days of a Divided Administration

Thomas Wright