Allies versus IS - Donald Trump’s US Presidency
The most disturbing part of his impending US Presidency is not his misogyny nor — vile though it is — his racism. It is his willingness to engage with Russian President Vladimar Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the war against Islamic State in Syria.
Bashar al-Assad says Trump could be an ally against IS in a war he has prosecuted that has seen the greatest refugee crisis since the end of the second world war.
Another departure from US foreign policy is Trump’s contemptuous attitude to NATO which, despite our neutrality, assures Ireland’s safety against Russian belligerence.
It is true that the cost of providing a defence of western Europe has largely been borne by the US and that European nations should contribute more to the alliance, particularly wealthy countries like Germany.
The Cold War between the US and the former Soviet Union was a frightening time for Europe. Ironically, a military alliance between them could be more frightening still.
