Pete Hegseth’s remarks on the centrality of national security, displays of power, and the defense of American interests, at the theoretical level, reflect the classic tenets of US foreign policy. However, a review of the US administration’s actual conduct indicates that these concepts have taken on more of a propagandistic function than serving as a genuine basis for decision-making. What has unfolded in practice has not been the safeguarding of American citizens’ security, but rather entanglement in costly and fruitless tensions. This gap between rhetoric and action points to a deeper crisis in the strategic definition of US national interests.
“America First” or “Israel First”?
During his election campaign, Donald Trump pledged to end “endless wars” under the شعار “America First.” Yet his administration’s performance over the past year indicates that this slogan has effectively shifted toward “Israel First.” The United States’ active involvement in regional escalations, particularly in alignment with the Zionist regime, demonstrates that key decisions are driven not by the interests of the American people, but by the demands of specific lobbies and the arms industry. This paradigm shift has not only weakened the domestic legitimacy of US foreign policy, but has also tarnished the country’s global image.
Economic and Social Costs of War
Trump’s claim that war would be low-cost stands in stark contrast to economic realities. Rising energy prices, declining financial markets, and increasing inflation are direct consequences that have affected the lives of American citizens. The drop in public satisfaction with economic conditions signals widespread discontent with this approach. In effect, a war that was supposed to generate security has instead become a source of internal instability, placing an additional burden on American taxpayers.
Strategic Failure and the Erosion of Global Standing
At the international level as well, this war has failed to achieve the United States’ stated objectives. Iran’s resistance and Washington’s inability to secure tangible gains have culminated in what can be described as a strategic failure. Moreover, violations of international law and the inability to rally allied support have contributed to a weakening of the United States’ global standing. Even US calls for allied cooperation in managing crises such as the Strait of Hormuz have been met with indifference—an indication of its diminishing influence and credibility within the international system.
NOURNEWS