Deja Vue. Another defeat.

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by tw

All allies do that. So America's best allies (ie Japan, Britain, Jordan, Australia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel) have started looking elsewhere. With The Don cozying up to Putin, Xi, and Kim; with America backstabbing the Kurds in less than 24 hours, then all those nations and others must reconsider safer options.

That's the conventional wisdom; however, it doesn't jibe with The Donald's esoteric eccentricity. Trump has a business model that he uses as a template for the world and his business, the USA.

Countries that expect the USA to provide security for them are viewed as employees (like commercial businesses provide employees with financial security). A business CEO can have expectations of employees. There may be rifts. Unions may even organize. If the competition gets stiff; however, they'll all pull together again so the business can survive. Everyone knows what's at stake.

Countries that don't expect the USA to provide security for them are viewed as other businesses (like commercial businesses are financially independent). A business CEO has no expectations of other businesses and has to do what it takes to attract them. There may be contracts. There may be cooperatives. If the business doesn't do what it takes to remain attractive to other businesses; however, they can be pushed apart again. Everyone knows what's at stake.

Groups of people who aren't countries are viewed as temps (like temporary workers from a commercial staffing agency). A business CEO has very limited expectations of temps. There may be pay; but, no benefits. There may be a job; but, no career. When the CEO no longer wants temps, the business simply goes on without them the very next day. Everyone knows they had no stake in each other.

Allied countries, non-allied countries, and groups of people that don't comprise countries (e.g. Kurds) are experiencing Trump's mystery diplomacy. Trump's methodologies are unconventional; so, those going with the conventional wisdom are going to be jumping to the wrong conclusions. It's to be expected from those who don't have related insights.