With President-elect Donald Trump's return to the Oval Office imminent, speculation abounds regarding the direction of his second-term foreign policy. J. Michael Waller, a senior strategy analyst at the Center for Security Policy, anticipates a distinct "America first" approach, contrasting it with what he perceives as the Biden administration's "America last" stance.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has publicly advocated for a substantial increase in military spending under Trump's leadership, emphasizing the importance of bolstering the nation's "hard power." In a Foreign Affairs article, McConnell cautioned against isolationism, arguing that a retreat from global engagement would be a detrimental response to perceived past weaknesses.
McConnell specifically urged Trump to prioritize military strength through sustained defense spending increases, investments in the defense industrial base, and streamlined development of new capabilities accessible to allies and partners. He argued against a narrow focus on individual threats, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global interests and the expansive designs of adversaries.
Waller, author of "Big Intel," clarified that an "America first" foreign policy doesn't equate to isolationism. Instead, he explained, it entails a precise definition of national interests, avoiding the assumption that every global crisis demands direct U.S. intervention.
Waller interpreted McConnell's Foreign Affairs piece as an attempt to preserve the bipartisan consensus on existing global commitments, even if those commitments overextend U.S. resources. He suggested a need to re-evaluate true national interests and strategically allocate resources to secure them.
Trump's selection of Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state has been praised by Waller as a "really good pick." Rubio has been critical of U.S. funding of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, characterizing it as supporting a "stalemate war." Trump himself has called for a ceasefire and immediate negotiations to end the conflict and prevent further escalation.
Furthermore, Trump has demanded the release of hostages in the Middle East, issuing a stern warning of severe consequences if they are not freed by the time he takes office.
