Much against the portrayed anti-war aura, President Donald Trump is increasingly relying on a hybrid approach. Such a strategy mixes military and non-military means to reclaim the lost turf as a global hegemon, albeit without shouldering any responsibility in a state-centric manner. He has been deceptive too, resorting to kinetics, using negotiation as a façade.

That Trump is unpredictable has proven correct. And the fact remains that he is ultra nationalist. Making "America Great Again" is his first priority, no matter what the cost, but that is the "others pay".

Trump is expected to go ahead with the "Donroe Doctrine", with a unilateral approach in interstate relations. Rules-based world order, international law, Vienna and Geneva Conventions and norms can take a backseat.

Geo-economics embedded in control of energy, minerals and trade routes, buttressed by sanctions and military power, will be Trump's "Order of the Day".

This makes the world apprehensive and less stable, pushing it back to the time of alliances........

© The Express Tribune