If the United States of America is the so-called leader of the so-called Free World, on the evidence of the 2024 presidential campaign you’d never know it. Despite the so-called world order being dangerously disordered, the subject of American foreign policy nearly never came up.
Oh sure, Donald Trump insisted that his personal ties to world leaders guaranteed he could end the wars in Europe and the Middle East simply by snapping his fingers. And oh sure, Kamala Harris squirmed seamlessly when pressed on how she weighed the interests of Palestinians versus those of Israelis. But there was no serious engagement in foreign policy issues at a moment of their utmost importance.
First, in the last few years relationships among America’s most problematic and potentially dangerous adversaries – Russia, China, Iran and North Korea – have grown observably closer. Second, especially in the last half year Russian President Vladimir Putin has become stronger and more secure both at home and abroad. Third, the war in the Middle East, which so far shows no sign of abating, has weakened America domestically and internationally. Fourth, nuclear weapons are proliferating as are threats to employ them. Finally, American military officials estimate there are now between eleven and twelve thousand North Korean combat-ready soldiers stationed in Russia, some of whom have already engaged with Ukrainian troops.
If America’s political and military establishment had been told when Ukraine was initially attacked by Russia (in February 2022) that in less than three years troops from Asia would be fighting alongside Russians on European soil they would not have believed it. Oh, and did I mention that North Korea has one of the largest standing armies in the world? It is 1.3 million men and women strong!
Everywhere in the world people are waiting to see who will win America’s presidential election. In recent weeks European leaders such as France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Olaf Scholz have been studiously silent on among key issues the changing balance of power in Ukraine. Though they know full well that even a small sliver of the North Korean army could threaten the balance of power on the entire European continent, once it came to pass they have been mute. Mute because until they know who will next occupy the White House they will know nothing.
So, while we Americans have been obsessed with ourselves the rest of the world has either taken advantage of our navel gazing or is standing around waiting. It’s everywhere evident that though Americans would prefer it were otherwise, the next American president will have no choice. On the world stage she or he will be center stage.