Some smart thinkers on international affairs have spent time analyzing Donald Trump's worldview to see where he fits on the philosophical spectrum. They may as well debate his past tenure as a pro wrestling impresario.
Over the past few days Trump--who really does have a pro wrestling past, but is now, we remind you, leading the race to be the Republican nominee for president--has uncorked a series of reckless and naive pronouncements on America's strategic role in Europe and Asia.
"It's possible we're going to have to let NATO go," he said at a rally Saturday in Eau Claire, Wis. "When we're paying and nobody else is really paying . . . you feel like the jerk."
About South Korea and Japan, two of America's key Pacific allies, Trump said he'd consider bringing home U.S. troops and allowing the two countries to build their own nuclear weapons arsenals if they don't pay more for their own defense. "I would rather have [Japan] not arm, but I'm not going to continue to lose this tremendous amount of money," he said. "And frankly, the case could be made that, let them protect themselves against North Korea. They'd probably wipe them out pretty quick."
We think Trump once said the same thing about the grudge match between Bobby Lashley and Umaga.
One of the most important beliefs governing America's role in a nuclear world is that our country is safer because of the tight security alliances we maintain in Europe and Asia.
Only a U.S.-backed NATO stands in the way of Vladimir Putin seeking a Cold War rematch.
It's no exaggeration to say that in both Asia and Europe--battlegrounds of bloody world conflict--peace and democracy flourish because of America's enduring presence.
The most dangerous threat to America's future isn't conventional terrorism. It's nuclear proliferation among nations and, potentially, terror groups. As Ivo Daalder, former U.S. ambassador to NATO and president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, reminded us, the more countries that possess nuclear weapons, the more decision-making authorities there are, and thus "the more likely one of those people will decide to use them."
If Trump wants to talk about financial burden-sharing, fine. But don't get fooled into believing Trump's views have merit. Diplomacy isn't show business.
Editorial on 04/06/2016