Thanks to Trump, Putin is winning
For decades, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goal has been to undermine democratic nations, particularly those in NATO, and weaken their ability to thwart his imperialist ambitions. Under President Trump, he could not have been more effective.
The most powerful leader in the world today is not the president of the United States, as has been true since the close of World War II. Rather, due to Trump’s actions, it is the president of the Russian Federation. Putin is winning, and he must be stopped.
Internationally, Putin is winning because Trump has trashed America’s goodwill. He has offended practically every other nation in the world with his obsession with raising tariffs. Our closest allies — Canada and the United Kingdom — view the U.S. as an unreliable trade partner and are seeking alternative trade outlets. The rapprochement that successive presidents attempted with China has dissolved as Trump has declared economic war and driven China closer to Russia, a development Putin watches with glee.
Trump has damaged NATO. NATO countries are under increasing threat of attack by Russian drones, military jets and naval ships that have violated their territory. Europeans worry that if Russia took more aggressive action, such as a military incursion, the U.S., under Trump, would do nothing. Trump is feeding their concerns by handing Putin the territory of another nation, just as Neville Chamberlain did with Hitler in 1938. Not since World War II under Nazi domination have European nations been at such odds with the United States. All of this is thanks to Donald Trump and gratifies Vladimir Putin.
At home, Trump has divided Americans. He has never seen himself as the president of all the people. Instead, he considers half of all Americans (those who vote for Democrats) as his enemies. Millions of Americans are marching in the streets to oppose him. He mocks them, swears at them and posts videos of him flying a jet dumping fecal matter on their heads.
Trump has initiated fights between the White House and federal agencies as he attempts to shut down agencies whose missions he disagrees with and simultaneously fire thousands of federal employees. He also is warring with judges who are attempting to rein in his unconstitutional and illegal acts. Then, he has shut down the entire federal government and has refused to compromise with Democrats to reopen it.
Trump seems pleased with himself for the chaos he has created. But even more pleased is Putin since Trump’s actions at home and abroad fit neatly into his goal of disrupting the West and turning America against itself. All of that diminishes our ability to inhibit Russian aims. Trump has been a useful tool for Putin in damaging the global power of the U.S. and the West.
What can be done?
The first act is to recognize what is going on and the consequences for the world if Putin succeeds. The United States loses its role in the world as a promoter of democracy and the most influential actor in global politics. Instead, that title goes to an autocrat who seeks to restore the Russian Empire and dominate the world.
Opinion leaders — both Democrats and Republicans — need to explain what is at stake for Americans and others in dividing the West and making Vladimir Putin the victor in his fight with us. Hosts of political podcasts, radio talk shows and cable network shows, as well as editorial boards, need to address the real enemy and explain how Trump and his supporters are doing his bidding — intentionally or unwittingly.
Next is for Americans to resist the temptation to join the chaos. Instead, we need to come together to face a common enemy — the influence of Putin. We need to ignore Trump’s call to divide us. Instead, we can find common ground with each other and reject hatred and division that feeds Putin’s agenda.
The integrity of our nation and our place in the world are at stake in the fight with an expansionist Russia ruled by a diabolical leader. Putin is manipulating our president’s chaotic and divisive tendencies to destroy us. We cannot allow Vladimir Putin to win.
Richard Davis is professor emeritus of Political Science at BYU.