I think there’s a real chance of changes in soft-power dynamics given recent events. When allies feel their partner and neighbour is behaving solely in its own interests, it changes trust relationships.
Trump, tech, US-first focus with less interest in collaboration. TikTok. Ukraine and discussions around defence budgets. Reducing focus on EV’s. Tariffs. Iceland. Gulf of America.
Immediate choices might be fear-based but it’s smart to look for other partners as trust erodes.
An extreme side effect might be countries who felt safe under the US arms umbrella, needing to arm themselves. Are we absolutely sure that’s what we want? Does that include nukes?
Trump, tech, US-first focus with less interest in collaboration. TikTok. Ukraine and discussions around defence budgets. Reducing focus on EV’s. Tariffs. Iceland. Gulf of America.
Immediate choices might be fear-based but it’s smart to look for other partners as trust erodes.
An extreme side effect might be countries who felt safe under the US arms umbrella, needing to arm themselves. Are we absolutely sure that’s what we want? Does that include nukes?