The complexities of foreign affairs faced by President-elect Donald Trump’s administration are akin to walking into a room filled with mouse traps.
First, there is the war in the Middle East. President Joe Biden has been worried that the conflict, which started with Hamas attacks and kidnappings on Oct. 7, 2023, could boil over into a wider conflagration with Iran. It’s good to be concerned, but it’s too late now.
“Israel has a right to defend itself,” the president said, but he has urged restraint despite massive rocket and drone attacks by Iranian terrorist proxies.
Gaza is now a smoking hole in the ground and Israel is striking back at Hezbollah in Lebanon and the West Bank. Israel is also hitting targets in Iran itself.
Will President Trump allow Israel to hit Iranian nuclear weapon development sites and oil fields? Will he re-establish sanctions not enforced by the Biden Administration?
Will the U.S. itself strike Iran? After all, the Iranians already have U.S military troops’ blood on their hands, and they have attempted to assassinate Trump, dissidents living in this country and interfere with U.S. elections.
Then, there is Ukraine. Trump has been critical of the Biden administration for doling out billions of dollars and allowing the conflict to explode into a potential World War III. All the while, it has not tried to negotiate a settlement, according to Trump.
What would that settlement look like? Would Ukraine be willing to give up some territory? Russia wants naval access to the Black Sea. Is that a legit bargaining chip or is it too valuable to give up? It is certainly not in U.S. interests for Russia to have access to the Mediterranean.
Does Vladmir Putin really want to expand beyond Ukraine’s border? Would the U.S. and the West look weak and vulnerable if America and its European allies drop their support?
Then, there’s China. Its economy has taken some hits recently, and the U.S. wants to be able to control its power as much as possible. Would a trade deal more favorable to America lead to a more manageable situation?
There is the porous Southern border. Millions of illegals have poured in, many unvetted, causing all kinds of problems with the economy, social services, crime and national security threats. Will Mexico cooperate with the U.S. to curb the flow?
Energy is both an economic and national security issue. Energy independence offsets relying on foreign oil from the Middle East and natural gas sales from Russia.
The problems are multifaceted and need to be fixed yesterday. Will the president’s new team be up for the challenge? Will Democrats be helpful or obstructionists?
The fact that they are serious national security issues calls for wise leadership and unity.