THE “most dangerous man in the world”, according to Noam Chomsky, is back in the White House. His first term in office proved him to be a self-centred, erratic, cunning, destructive and even criminal leader. However, he has been an effective servant of the corporate bosses and the security “deep state” of the US (led by the Pentagon, CIA and the FBI.) Together, they rule America in the name of democracy and free enterprise but, in reality, in pursuit of exclusive global hegemony and the maximisation of corporate profits. Trump’s political success represents the political degeneration of the US.

Many expect Trump to push for a deal with Putin on Ukraine which would prevent the expansion of Nato to the borders of Russia. (Unlike Ukraine, Finland has been independent since the Russian revolution.) The deep state, however, is likely to resist any such peace initiative in conjunction with Nato and European allies.

Trump might try to placate the deep state and his allies by linking a deal with Putin on Ukraine with a loosening of Russia’s strategic ties with China. Putin, however, knows how Kissinger’s success in driving a wedge between Moscow and Beijing led to Moscow’s defeat in the Cold War. He will never allow a repeat of this strategic disaster for Russia.

Trump’s efforts to cultivate Putin could also alienate Western Europe which supports Ukrainian independence within its present borders, for fear of being outflanked by Russia and China in the whole of Eurasia. Given Trump’s scepticism about Nato, he is unlikely to compensate Europe for such a strategic setback. Accordingly, the question arises:........

© Dawn