Trump Upending World Order will Cost America Dearly

Monday, March 17, 2025

Fareed Zakaria: The decline of American influence is a gift to Russia and China.

Posted by retort at 09:49 AM | 60 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

"The US spent 8 decades building an international system of rules, norms and values that has produced the longest period of great power peace and global prosperity in human history." Fareed Zakaria on how upending the world order will only weaken America: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202 ...

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-- Richard Branson (@richardbranson.bsky.social) March 17, 2025 at 7:53 AM

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But the billionaire oligarchs will be just fine.

#1 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-03-17 10:13 AM | Reply

Trump Upending World Order will Cost America Dearly

That's not a bug, that's a feature of the Putin/Trump administration.

#2 | Posted by censored at 2025-03-17 10:42 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

But the billionaire oligarchs will be just fine.

#1 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2025-03-17 10:13 AM | Reply | Flag:MMMHHMMMM

Billionaires live without borders... or "patriotism"...

#3 | Posted by RightisTrite at 2025-03-17 10:52 AM | Reply

The European countries are eyeing conscription.

They are facing the prospect of a war against a Russian-USA Axis. "Russia" is listed first because it dominates the USA.

Donald Trump will get us into a war. He's too drunk with power and bloodthirsty not to.

MAGA has had to all too good for too long. What whiners. What sick, lying, lazy people.

Their sons and daughters will pay for their sins.

#4 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 11:15 AM | Reply

Shocker, another Liberal dribble about the world is going to end if Trump continues to remove decades of fraud and waste from the US government. It is obvious why they scream the way they do, because it exposes their fleecing of the American taxpayer.

#5 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-03-17 12:25 PM | Reply

fleecing of the American taxpayer

Fishpud is the drooling pissant who said the------------- was being patriotic when he wasted $20 million stinking up the White House.

#6 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-03-17 12:30 PM | Reply

"Trump continues to remove decades of fraud and waste from the US government."

If this were actually happening, there would be examples from the White House of the fraud and waste that's been uncovered.

#7 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 12:52 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

"the world is going to end if Trump continues to remove decades of fraud and waste from the US government."

1st. Still waiting on this proof of all this fraud and waste you speak of. Fraud is crime. Where are the charges? Waste is another matter but oversight is the job of Congress. Not an unelected unaccountable Overlord.

2nd. The world is not ending.

Americas dominance and respect and influence in the world is ending apparently due to Trumpy's erratic, chaotic and wasteful decisions

If that is what you want. Keep on keeping on.

Sounds traitorous to me but you do you.

Just some friendly advice tho.. It never ends well for traitors.

#8 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-03-17 01:00 PM | Reply

"the world is going to end if Trump continues to remove decades of fraud and waste from the US government."

Defund The Police?
Defund the United States!

How do you understand what Defund the Police does to the police, but you don't understand what Defund the United States does?
Of course, if you have the United States and want it to stop existing, that would explain why you want to Defund the United States.

#9 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 01:02 PM | Reply

If this were actually happening, there would be examples from the White House of the fraud and waste that's been uncovered.

Exactly.

Fishpoo thinks everyone is as stupid as he/she/him/it apparently.

I will believe there is fraud being found when I see the charges and the prosecutions. Fraud is a crime.

I do believe there is waste because there is waste everywhere in America but oversight is Congress's job. It's not the job of an unelected Nazi lovin car salesman.

#10 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-03-17 01:06 PM | Reply

"because it exposes their fleecing of the American taxpayer."

Still waiting for any of this to be exposed...

#11 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 01:08 PM | Reply

"The US spent 8 decades building an international system of rules, norms and values that has produced the longest period of great power peace and global prosperity in human history."

Republicans, why do you hate this?
I really don't get why.
I get why Russia hates it.

#12 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 01:17 PM | Reply

They hate this because the Cult Leader told them to hate this.

Russia has been velly velly good to the Lyin' King... financing him for decades, helping him get elected, and knowing where all the bodies are buried if he doesn't behave.

#13 | Posted by Corky at 2025-03-17 01:28 PM | Reply

Just wait until the dollar is dropped as the international currency.

That will be the end of America.

#14 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-03-17 01:35 PM | Reply

I don't think Trump outright says he's destroying the Pax Americana, though.

I'm not sure they have connected the dots.

So I'm trying to get them to explain why they want Pax Americana to come crashing down.

#15 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 01:36 PM | Reply

I'm trying to get them to explain why they want Pax Americana to come crashing down.

Because they had to treat Black people and the LGBTQ and minorities of other races as equals.

They'd rather burn the nation to the ground than ever see another Black president in the Oval Office.

#16 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-03-17 01:39 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Just wait until the dollar is dropped as the international currency.

Who would decide that? And how would it be done? And what would likely replace it?

#17 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-03-17 01:40 PM | Reply

"They'd rather burn the nation to the ground than ever see another Black president in the Oval Office."

I'm looking for confirmation that they understand Trump is unilaterally surrendering American leadership on the global stage.

I want them to explain to me why they don't want Jack Nicholson's character Colonel Jessep from A Few Good Men standing on that wall any more.

Especially as they tend to think Trump ought to take a Colonel Jessep approach to addressing life's challenges, like annexing Greenland and the Panama Canal.

#18 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 01:44 PM | Reply

Trump continues to remove decades of fraud and waste from the US government.

#5 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

Both of us can point to many examples where Trump has cut muscle from the US bone and made the country weaker.

That is, if both of us were honest.

But you're a troll who will never admit that Trump guns for you as much as for any one of us.

#19 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 01:53 PM | Reply

Trump continues to remove decades of fraud and waste from the US government.

Why didn't he do that the first time he was in there?

#20 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-03-17 01:55 PM | Reply

Who would decide that? And how would it be done? And what would likely replace it?

Isn't the dollar the international currency because it's an agreed upon standard?

How much can the Trump administration offend our allies and the international community before they choose to move away from the dollar?

#21 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-03-17 02:00 PM | Reply

Isn't the dollar the international currency because it's an agreed upon standard?

I'm not sure. Probably.

#22 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-03-17 02:11 PM | Reply

The dollar is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

If Trumpy destroys that then the dollar will no longer be valued as a safe international currency.

#23 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-03-17 02:22 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Trump continues to remove decades of fraud and waste from the US government.

Continues? You mean he has found some fraud? Where? How much? Where are the charges? Fraud against the U.S. is a crime.

As for waste, a bull in a china shop obviously does not care about waste.

#24 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-03-17 02:25 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

More from the cited OpEd ...

... All these changes are gifts to Russia and China, whose goal has been to weaken America's power and presence in the world. As one Russia analyst recently said about Trump's Ukraine policy: It's like Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter and Vladimir Putin's birthday all on one day.

To those who think it's high time that we changed an international system that was so dependent on the United States -- have you weighed the costs and benefits?

The United States spent eight decades building an international system of rules, norms and values that has produced the longest period of great power peace and global prosperity in human history.

Its alliances are the greatest force multiplier for its influence around the world.

The United States has been the greatest beneficiary of this system, even now, decades later, still setting the agenda and dominating the world economically, technologically and militarily.

As that world unravels, America's privileged position will also decline, creating a more dangerous and impoverished world -- and a more isolated, mistrusted and insecure America. ...

#25 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-03-17 02:41 PM | Reply

"The US spent 8 decades building an international system of rules, norms and values that has produced the longest period of great power peace and global prosperity in human history."

Republicans, why do you hate this?
I really don't get why.
I get why Russia hates it.

#12 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 01:17 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

The longest period of peace? Seriously?

#26 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-03-17 03:08 PM | Reply

"The longest period of peace? Seriously?"

So you don't actually know what the post-war hegemony was.
I guess that explains why you don't think you'll miss it!

#27 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 03:12 PM | Reply

#24 miller.house.gov

If you do a search 100s of examples of this type a theft pop up, unless of course you don't want to see it.

#28 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-03-17 03:14 PM | Reply

The longest period of peace? Seriously?

#26 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

When exactly have we not been at war with someone on this planet?

Trumpy just bombed the crap out of the Houthis in Yemen.

You are a farging idiot.

#29 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-03-17 03:16 PM | Reply

#24 miller.house.gov
You said there was evidence of fraud.
miller.house.gov is asking for an investigation into an allegation of fraud.

Do you have any actual evidence, or mere allegations?
You don't have any evidence, but you aren't man enough to admit it.

#30 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 03:19 PM | Reply

So you don't actually know what the post-war hegemony was.
I guess that explains why you don't think you'll miss it!

#27 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 03:12 PM | Reply | Flag:

Again, what are you talking about? Russia invaded Ukraine, Iran invaded Israel. I don't think your "eight decades building an international set of rules......" isn't in jeapordy because Trump is in office, and if it were, based on it's performance it needs a do over.

#31 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-03-17 03:21 PM | Reply

The longest period of peace? Seriously?

#26 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

When exactly have we not been at war with someone on this planet?

Trumpy just bombed the crap out of the Houthis in Yemen.

You are a farging idiot.

#29 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-03-17 03:16 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

That's my point idiot. And the Houthis have been firing rockets at our ships over there for months. So much for the "eight decades building an international set of rules."

#32 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-03-17 03:24 PM | Reply

#24 miller.house.gov
You said there was evidence of fraud.
miller.house.gov is asking for an investigation into an allegation of fraud.

Do you have any actual evidence, or mere allegations?
You don't have any evidence, but you aren't man enough to admit it.

#30 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 03:19 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

Look it up yourself, there are plenty of allegations that will produce evidence that there was fraud. But just keep your head in the sand like you did when you told us Biden was sharp as a tack.

#33 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-03-17 03:27 PM | Reply

FishP obviously can't tell the difference between World Wars and ongoing military disputes between countries.

When was the last time there was a World War, Peabrain?

Might it have been since the Western Alliance was formed? No wonder these people are Cultists; they can't think worth a damn, and need someone to do it for them.

#34 | Posted by Corky at 2025-03-17 03:27 PM | Reply

32 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

You make me tired---

"an international set of rules."---

And the alliances it entailed was largely intended to prevent a huge war---

Like World Wars I and II---

And not miscellaneous pirates like the Houthis---

You want to get nuked? Trump is preparing the way for that?

How about massed armies contesting across continental battlefields? Trump is preparing the way for that.

Why not both> Can't think of any reason why not. Trump is preparing the way for that.

#35 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:30 PM | Reply

there are plenty of allegations that will produce evidence that there was fraud.

#33 | POSTED BY FISHPAW AT 2025

That's a mere statement of faith.

Why is it exactly that you freaks want to murder the entire notion of evidence?

My guess: evidence is a constraint on evil doers.

Much better to do what you want to anyway.

#36 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:32 PM | Reply

The longest period of peace? Seriously?

#26 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

Yeah, gets back to the fact that you've been spoiled silly.

You've had it could and then---

Mysteriously---

You got tired of having it good. Or maybe you thought that all those good things just fell into your lap?

#37 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:34 PM | Reply

POSTED BY FISHPAW

After today, after Trump's loud and stupid mouth---

The Iranians have concluded absolutely that they need some nukes.

Who can blame them?

#38 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:36 PM | Reply

FishP obviously can't tell the difference between World Wars and ongoing military disputes between countries.

When was the last time there was a World War, Peabrain?

Might it have been since the Western Alliance was formed? No wonder these people are Cultists; they can't think worth a damn, and need someone to do it for them.

#34 | Posted by Corky at 2025-03-17 03:27 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

Ok, I see, you specified that it had to be a world war now. Why didn't you say so, the author of the quote you used didn't.

#39 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-03-17 03:39 PM | Reply

POSTED BY FISHPAW

You people loved you some Trump because you say that he didn't get us into any wars---

Fifty/fifty that Trump will provoke a major war with Iran---

Fifty/fifty that someone close to you will die in it.

#40 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:41 PM | Reply

After today, after Trump's loud and stupid mouth---

The Iranians have concluded absolutely that they need some nukes.

Who can blame them?

#38 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:36 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

News flash, the Iranians have always thought they needed nukes. Lucky for us we finally have an administration that won't allow them to get them.

#41 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-03-17 03:42 PM | Reply | Funny: 2

you specified that it had to be a world war now.

#39 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

Not just "now". Always.

Everyone is aware of all the little wars there have been.

The accomplishment has been no Big One.

You know---The sort of war that actually reaches over and hurts FISHPAW.

Jeez. You people must have a death wish. It's the only explanation.

#42 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:43 PM | Reply

Lucky for us we finally have an administration that won't allow them to get them.

#41 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

What's going to stop them?

Oh, I know---a MAJOR WAR.

You know---The sort of war that actually reaches over and hurts FISHPAW.

#43 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:44 PM | Reply

Are you ready for the pain, FISHPAW?

I really doubt it.

#44 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:46 PM | Reply

- Ok, I see, you specified that it had to be a world war now.

This is obviously all Snoofy's Fault for using a term like "post-war hegemony" around a Trumper.

FishP was never going to figure that one out alone.

#45 | Posted by Corky at 2025-03-17 03:46 PM | Reply

The Iranians have concluded absolutely that they need some nukes.

They probably are not alone.

#46 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-03-17 03:46 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

You people loved you some Trump because you say that he didn't get us into any wars---

Fifty/fifty that Trump will provoke a major war with Iran---

Fifty/fifty that someone close to you will die in it.

#40 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:41 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

50/50. Wow Zed, that's really going out on a limb. I'll say 95% that Trump doesn't provoke a "major" war with Iran. He could do what he did with the Houthis, which is not a major war but we aren't putting boots on the ground in Iran.

#47 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-03-17 03:47 PM | Reply

Who is the realist here, FISHPAW?

Me or you?

#48 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:47 PM | Reply

He could do what he did with the Houthis

#47 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

What do you think would happen next?

#49 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:48 PM | Reply

we aren't putting boots on the ground in Iran.

#47 | POSTED BY FISHPAW

Neither would the Iranians put boots into the US.

Can you guess what that would be?

Sure you can.

#50 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:49 PM | Reply

FISHPAW thinks that the Iranians would simply stand down from massive attacks by the US?

Where did he get such a strange idea from?

It reminds me of the George W. Bush era. You people were absolutely convinced that we could throw a punch and no one would respond.

How did that work out for you?

#51 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:53 PM | Reply

FISHPAW has gone away to brood. Another beer and all his anxieties about what war really meas will fade from him.

#52 | Posted by Zed at 2025-03-17 03:56 PM | Reply

Look it up yourself, there are plenty of allegations that will produce evidence that there was fraud.

You look it up.
You show us the evidence.

That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

Help me out here. I can't figure out if you are being your usual lying sack of ----, or if you genuinely believe Trump's lies.

#53 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 04:22 PM | Reply

This is obviously all Snoofy's Fault for using a term like "post-war hegemony" around a Trumper.

The only reason America has kept the hegemony is its been at WAR around the WORLD, since the "post-war".

When exactly have we not been at war with someone on this planet?
~ donnerBot

Didn't have Donnerbot smarter than CorkyDaBigot, but here we are.

#54 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-03-17 04:22 PM | Reply

"Ok, I see, you specified that it had to be a world war now. Why didn't you say so, the author of the quote you used didn't."
Wow.

This is really the first time Fishpaw has come face to face with the concept of the postwar hegemony. The reason that NATO and the EU exists. The reason for the Petrodollar. The reason for ASEAN and Five Eyes. The reason United States Treasury Bonds are considered a stable investment. The underpinnings of Western financial power.

Well let me bring you up to speed:
At the end of WWII, the conquerors FDR, Churchill, and Stalin got together and divided up the spoils. That system stood for nearly a century, and the West was generally winning.

Trump is waking away from eighty years of progress and creating a power vacuum where the US once maintained a stabilizing influence.

Your job, Fishpaw, is to explain why you want the US to abandon our leadership role in the world.

#55 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-17 04:31 PM | Reply

1Nut had a chance to go to war for China, but he ran away. That definitely wasn't him at Tiananmen Square facing down a tank.

Just sayin'.

- The only reason America has kept the hegemony is

WAS the Western Alliance, which #3 Son's Orange Hero has torn down for his pal Vlad.

But hey, stupid is as stupid posts.

#56 | Posted by Corky at 2025-03-17 04:34 PM | Reply

You look it up.
You show us the evidence.

That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

Well, that's the end of FISHPAW's participation on this thread, LOL.

#57 | Posted by chuffy at 2025-03-17 08:20 PM | Reply

How much would it cost to stop paying countries to be our friend?
To stop funding 70% of NATO?

#58 | Posted by itchyp at 2025-03-17 09:00 PM | Reply

How much would it cost to stop paying countries to be our friend?
To stop funding 70% of NATO?

We don't pay our fair share of 2%gdp ( like we demand others do) to make "friends". They are our friends naturally and historically. Until Trumpy offends them enough. We have agreed to defend each other. Until Trumpy reneges on that deal.

This is just a prelude to Trumpy's plan to try and disrupt and attempt to dismantle NATO. Or failing that withdraw.

#59 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-03-17 09:34 PM | Reply

I am surprised that the offensive constant stupidity of certain MAGA posters on this site has not lead to banishment. It is not only mind numbing, it is outrageously offensive.

#60 | Posted by moder8 at 2025-03-17 10:15 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1