I would say that, instead of dead, it is on hold. These things are like pendulums swinging in one direction and after a certain amount of time, swinging in the opposite direction. Of course, The US’ current behaviour towards its (traditional) allies will have consequences and will take time to restore. Inevitably, the relationship has changed.
spacedcowboy•7mo ago
> and after a certain amount of time, swinging in the opposite direction
As a Brit, I’m not so sure.
The US have elected Trump, not once but twice. It’s basically incomprehensible why you’d have all looked at the results of the first time around (hey, we understand a protest vote, cough Brexit cough), and then said “yes please, we want more of that.”
So although we deplore the decision of who runs the country, it’s not so much Trump that is the problem, it’s what Americans (as a group) stand for that’s become apparent as the real problem, at least as far as voting illustrates. Hate, greed, lack of empathy, the pursuit of money-über-alles, corruption, the erosion of the rule of law. Fascism, essentially.
The question becomes: “why on earth would we want to ally ourselves with that ?” Even the French (I’m a Brit, I get to insult the French as much as they get to insult us - it works both ways until the chips are down and then solidarity ensues) are looking pretty good in comparison…
I’m not entirely convinced there is a way back for the USA, that is Trump’s legacy. The UK used to be sufficiently powerful that it existed in ‘splendid isolation’. The world is a different place today, and I think the US is indeed headed for a more isolated position in it. My gut feeling is that it’s not going to be terribly ‘splendid’ though.
I put my money where my mouth is. I lived in the US for >20 years, and I left the country (ironically on July 4th) because I don’t like the direction it’s going.
Webstir•7mo ago
Yes, yes ... the old "everything is cyclical" rationalization.
Climate change? Cyclical.
Gun violence? Cyclical.
Wealth inequality? Cyclical.
Pandemic responses? Cyclical.
Social program funding? Cyclical.
International relations? Cyclical.
Intellectually lazy keyboard warriors? Set in stone.
brettkromkamp•7mo ago
spacedcowboy•7mo ago
As a Brit, I’m not so sure.
The US have elected Trump, not once but twice. It’s basically incomprehensible why you’d have all looked at the results of the first time around (hey, we understand a protest vote, cough Brexit cough), and then said “yes please, we want more of that.”
So although we deplore the decision of who runs the country, it’s not so much Trump that is the problem, it’s what Americans (as a group) stand for that’s become apparent as the real problem, at least as far as voting illustrates. Hate, greed, lack of empathy, the pursuit of money-über-alles, corruption, the erosion of the rule of law. Fascism, essentially.
The question becomes: “why on earth would we want to ally ourselves with that ?” Even the French (I’m a Brit, I get to insult the French as much as they get to insult us - it works both ways until the chips are down and then solidarity ensues) are looking pretty good in comparison…
I’m not entirely convinced there is a way back for the USA, that is Trump’s legacy. The UK used to be sufficiently powerful that it existed in ‘splendid isolation’. The world is a different place today, and I think the US is indeed headed for a more isolated position in it. My gut feeling is that it’s not going to be terribly ‘splendid’ though.
I put my money where my mouth is. I lived in the US for >20 years, and I left the country (ironically on July 4th) because I don’t like the direction it’s going.
Webstir•7mo ago
Intellectually lazy keyboard warriors? Set in stone.