The 1947 Truman Doctrine promised that the U.S. would provide military, economic, and political support to democratic countries threatened by authoritarian rule. From its issuance on March 12, 1947, until this year, the U.S. stood as the unquestioned world leader against tyranny. We sometimes supported equally bad tyrants because they claimed to be fighting communists, as in LBJ’s famous remark, “Sure, he’s an SOB, but he’s our SOB.”.
But, despite flaws, the whole world knew the U.S. was the one country that weak startup governments and the western democracies looked to for leadership and protection. Equally, we were the most capable and generous in providing aid to cope with disasters, diseases, and other problems.
All that has been torched, in barely a month.
The affinity of Donald Trump for Russia has been so visible and so obvious that it’s hard to believe there hasn’t been more comment. His disgraceful performance at Helsinki in 2018 should have erased all doubts. There wasn’t just the notorious press conference, where he stood next to Putin and said he trusted the Russian tyrant more than his own intelligence services. If we take the scene at face value, we also have a president so naïve and so gullible that he will accept Putin’s “man-to-man” assertion of innocence. There were also his repeated talks with Putin where Trump took pains to ensure no other Americans were able to hear the discussion, behavior that would have set off alarm bells if it was any other person.
The Ukraine sellout has been on view in plain sight for some time. For example, anyone counting on a fair and equitable settlement will not send his Secretary of Defense to Europe ahead of the negotiations to undercut Ukraine’s bargaining position. Hegspeth announced publicly that Ukraine inevitably must concede some territory and must give up any chance of ever joining NATO.
What was on view in the Oval Office was far more – and worse – than simply the disgraceful and childish bullying of a former ally. We have clearly taken sides with the aggressor. Ukraine is told the sacrifices and concessions it must make; no such demands are made of Russia. The President berates Zelinskyy for expressing “hatred’ of the man who has murdered and kidnapped his population and expresses solidarity with Putin over the crises they went through together.
When the Soviet Union broke up, Ukraine found itself, briefly, the world’s #3 nuclear power. In return for giving this up, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom all agreed to respect Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity. Russia has long since proven that its word is worthless, which of course would make any normal person even more cautious about trusting Putin. But, instead, Trump added the United States to the list of countries whose word appears to be worthless. In the process, he chose to destroy the world created by the Truman Doctrine.
Leon Reed, freelance reporter, is a former US Senate staff member, defense consultant, and history teacher. He is a 10 year resident of Gettysburg, where he writes military history and explores the park and the Adams County countryside. He is the publisher at Little Falls Books, chaired the Adams County 2020 Census Complete Count Committee and is on the board of SCCAP. He and his wife, Lois, have 3 children, 3 cats, and 5 grandchildren.
Couldn’t disagree more with this analysis. How long should we support a country that is clearly losing the war. The longer this goes on the more land Ukraine ultimately will lose. Trump is correct that the death of so many people on both sides is just horrible. This is a war that should never have happened. It was brought on by the Neo-Cons in the democratic party and an almost braindead president that was unable to think for himself. We should have been friends with Russia instead of turning them into an enemy and driving them to China for help.… Read more »
This idea that nobody except Trump wants peace is ridiculous. The difference is Trump is the one who demands nothing of Russia and major concessions from our ally. Neo-cons in the democratic party. What are you smoking? “Friends with Russia … good leader for Russia.” Nothing better illustrates the depth to which MAGA Republicans have sunk than their sudden affection and admiration for Putin. The man who jails or assassinates political opponents. Has turned Russia into a gangster state. Has shrunk the russian economy to 3rd world status. Has engaged in a war against a 3rd rate power that has… Read more »
Well, Ukraine may be a 3rd rate power but the USA is fighting a proxy war against Russia. It’s not a Ukraine – Russia war but a Ukraine, Nato, USA vs Russia. When USA uses their intelligence to assist Ukraine in when and where to deploy ordinance that is a totally different scenario than fighting alone. From what I hear our equipment has performed very poorly. Our tanks and Patriot missiles have been decimated by the Russian army. In spite of the various sanctions, the Russian economy is doing quite well. In addition, the national debt of Russia is only… Read more »
Jay, it’s hard to respond seriously to the utter nonsense you post. “The Russian economy is doing quite well.” Are you kidding? They’re in an economic meltdown. You should be ashamed of posting this Kremlin talking points. And American weapons are doing just fine, thanks. It’s Russia, with losses of 800,000 that has weapon (and soldier) performance issues.
Just two small points about this article. First where were the democrats under obama in 2014 when Russia invaded the Crimean Peninsula, which was a part of Ukraine. They stood by and did nothing. So who stands for Russia? Second when Ukraine needed military airplanes to fight Russia biden withheld them. Fearing it would offend Russia. So who is the coward. And let me add another thing. Who withheld money and arms to Israel, a democratic country, to try to pressure them to make a peace deal with terrorists. Your article is the usually democratic playbook of lies and half… Read more »
I wish a MAGA warrior could come up with an argument slightly more on point or less pathetic than “what-about?””what-about?” “what-about?” Obama may have responded weakly to Crimea. So, that means we are forever required to ignore Russia’s illegal, imperialist moves? How do I respond to such nonsense? Obama may have been too slow and weak in his response. So, you justifiably criticize that. Good American he-man response. But hen you utterly ignore 10 years (and counting) of blatantly pro-Russian behavior by your hero. The Republican party and its supporters will NEVER erase the stench of Putinism. You (rightly) criticize… Read more »
Trump is Putin’s puppet and always has been. Putin knows how to play him, and was gleeful seeing it all in action, including Brian Glenn’s leading questions to each setting the stage.
It’s sad to see. It’s even sadder (to me) knowing many Christians put him there – blindly following an antichrist because he says some words itching ears want to hear. American Pharisees in action.
They likely erased Matthew 25:31-46 from their Bible, but that includes more than Ukraine – not that they care.
Thanks for this piece on the rapid fall of the U.S. as a world leader for peace and prosperity due to the Trump regime. Hopefully many people will read it thoughtfully.
I did read it thoughtfully. Hang on for the rise of the USA again in the world.
Yee-haw! Yeah, we’re gonna kick some Canadian butt. And Panama too. And Denmark. Who needs allies? And intelligence sharing? We’ve already torched the strongest alliance in the history of the world, voluntarily stepped down from our position of unquestioned leadership. Meanwhile, we’ll be meek, subservient puppets of such outstanding countries as Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, North Korea …. That’s the ticket!
Thanks, Leon, for this information re. the precipitous fall of the U.S. as a world leader. Hopefully it will wake up some people about what dire straights the world is now in due to the Trump regime.