The False Promise of “Flexible Realism”
US President Donald Trump's foreign policy has been labeled as 'flexible realism', but his recent actions, particularly the war with Iran, contradict the core tenets of realism. Trump's approach to foreign policy is impetuous and reckless, rather than pragmatic and strategic, and has opened space for other leaders to take up a clear-eyed approach.
US President Donald Trump's foreign policy has been spun as 'flexible realism'. However, his actions, particularly the war with Iran, show that he is not a realist. Realism prioritizes national interest and avoids peripheral conflicts. Trump's approach is impetuous and reckless. His war with Iran has no compelling justification and no theory of how to advance US interests. This contradicts the core tenets of realism. Trump's actions have opened space for other leaders to take up a clear-eyed approach to foreign policy.
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