Trump Administration witnesses a noticeable improvement
During President Donald Trump's second term, several significant policies and achievements were implemented, particularly in the areas of NATO, Israel, and the situation in Ukraine.
Trump's efforts to revive and rebalance NATO resulted in a substantial commitment at the 2025 Hague NATO Summit. The agreement required NATO members to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, with a focus on core defense and infrastructure. However, some European countries, such as Spain, Belgium, and Slovakia, showed reluctance to meet these targets, indicating the strength of NATO’s unity remains somewhat fragile.
In terms of Middle Eastern relations, Trump's policies towards Israel focused on deterring Iran and countering terrorist networks, aligning with prior administrations' policies. The details of specific second-term policies towards Israel were not extensively documented.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Trump initially aimed to end Russia’s war against Ukraine but faced continued attacks and fortified positions throughout 2025. As diplomatic efforts faltered, Trump shifted to providing new weapons shipments to Ukraine and additional sanctions on Russia. Despite these efforts, no resolution to the conflict was achieved during the first half of his second term.
Trump's policy on Ukraine also saw a notable change, demonstrating his ability to adapt when the facts don't bear him out. He sped up the delivery of arms to Ukraine, a shift from his earlier approach.
In other areas, Trump's policies had mixed outcomes. His about-face on Ukraine is a testament to his capacity for change, while his policy of joining Israel in strikes on Iran did not lead to a Middle East war. However, his recent trade deals with Japan and the European Union are expected to raise costs for American consumers and hurt American businesses.
Despite the criticisms and controversies, Trump's second term has seen some successes. The economy is growing at a healthy clip, and the S&P 500 is up by about 10% since the election. Additionally, NATO's European members and Canada are spending more on defense due to Trump's policy, which could potentially strengthen the alliance in the long term.
In conclusion, Trump’s second term saw a substantive NATO budget commitment achievement and affirmed collective defense, moderated progress on Middle Eastern priorities, but ultimately did not resolve the Ukraine conflict despite ongoing diplomatic and military support efforts. The NATO achievements show a potential for longer-term alliance strengthening, though full unity and burden-sharing remain works in progress.
- The editorial on Trump's second term highlights his efforts in revising and balancing NATO, leading to a substantial defense spending commitment at the 2025 Hague NATO Summit.
- The agreement necessitated NATO members to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, focusing on core defense and infrastructure.
- The politics surrounding this commitment reveal that while some countries such as Spain, Belgium, and Slovakia showed reluctance, it indicates a fragile strength of NATO’s unity.
- In terms of Middle Eastern relations, Trump's policies towards Israel involved deterrence of Iran and countering terrorist networks, aligning with prior administrations' policies, yet specific second-term policies towards Israel were not extensively documented.
- Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Trump aimed to end Russia’s war against Ukraine but faced continued attacks and fortified positions, and no resolution to the conflict was achieved during the first half of his second term.
- Trump's policy on Ukraine demonstrated his ability to adapt when the facts don't bear him out, speeding up the delivery of arms to Ukraine, a shift from his earlier approach.
- While Trump's policies have been criticized and faced controversies, his second term has seen some successes, such as a growing economy, an increase in defense spending among NATO members, and an S&P 500 up by about 10% since the election.
