Think Tank’s Gray: Potential Second Trump Term Would Intimidate Adversaries

Opinions are divided among foreign-policy experts regarding the potential reelection of former President Donald Trump, with Alexander Gray, a senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, arguing that a second term for Trump would bring positive outcomes for America by instilling fear in the nation’s adversaries once again.

In an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal, Gray highlighted the concerns of experts who worry that a second term for Trump could jeopardize the alliances and partnerships that have maintained global peace since 1945.

Contrary to these concerns, Gray pointed out that the U.S. alliance system did not collapse during Trump’s first term. In fact, the Trump administration strengthened relationships with partners in various regions, including the Indo-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

Gray emphasized that Trump inherited significant challenges from the previous administration, such as the situation in Syria, the Iranian nuclear deal, and Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. He also noted the strained relations with allies due to Chinese activities.

During his time in office, Trump focused on repairing and enhancing these relationships, resulting in achievements like the Abraham Accords, improvements in the Quad alliance, and enhanced diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Gray criticized the perception that Trump’s presidency was destabilizing, highlighting his efforts to hold NATO members accountable for defense spending commitments, which ultimately strengthened the alliance’s capabilities.

Looking ahead, Gray suggested that the current administration’s foreign policy decisions have not been as successful, with challenges in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iran, and China. He argued that Trump’s actions, while unconventional, had a stronger impact on American adversaries.

Gray accused the global foreign-policy elite of misrepresenting Trump’s presidency and spreading unnecessary fear about his potential return to office. He suggested that many officials in friendly capitals would welcome Trump’s return due to his ability to instill fear in America’s adversaries.