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| American President Donald Trump |
US allies before WW2
Before World War 2 America was already a force to reckon with, but it never had global aspirations. The US leadership at that time wanted to focus more on the economic development and less on the international politics. On the one hand, this policy of neutrality resulted in the economic boom on the home turf, but on the other, it provided an opportunity for the Hitler regime to unleash a wave of terror without fearing any American backlash.
US allies in the Post-World War 2 scenario
The United States of America was first hesitant to join Allied powers in their quest to defeat Nazi Germany, but the Pearl Harbor attack compelled America to do. Thus the decade's old policy of being neutral in world disputes was no longer valid. Till 1941 the military might of the British Empire had vanished, and America was the sole power left with the capacity to replace British's role as a world police. The World War 2 brought about a new era in America history when it formed a united front against the enemies. British, France and other smaller anti-Hitler and colonized states became US allies for the first time in the global war; the axis of most of these countries is still intact.
US allies in the form of NATO
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| Emblem of NATO |
Countries which were considered to be US allies in the Second World War created an umbrella organization under the command of US in 1949 to tackle militarily threats. The initial purpose of this capitalist alliance was to deter the expanding power of the Soviet Union but it evolved over the years, and now it deals with the scourge of terrorism as well. NATO countries have deployed their troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and other conflict zones to help Americans fight terrorism and rival regimes.
Non-NATO US allies
The American government along with having military and civil cooperation with the NATO members also established close relationships with many Non-NATO allies in the world. Israel is considered to be the closest Non-NATO US ally in the world. Some of the other Non-NATO US allies include Japan, South Korea, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Australia, and Pakistan, etc. The United States provide them assistance in the form of military equipment and financial aids.
US allies in the pre-Trump era
From the Word War 2 till the Obama administration, US were involved in many bilateral and multilateral agreements with its partners. Some of the most prominent agreements include Trans-pacific partnership, Paris Climate Agreement, coalition support funds, and security agreements like deployment of security forces and air defense systems like THAAD anti-ballistic System. The Trans-pacific partnership is an agreement signed by America and its allies to help boost trade among the member countries and to contain Chinese economic aspirations in the Pacific region.
On the contrary, the THAAD system is an American air defense system installed in Turkey, United Arab Emirates and recently in South Korea. All of these agreements symbolize the close relationship that exists between the US and its allies.
US allies in the Trump Era
Donald Trump during his election campaign came hard on some of the steps taken by the Obama administration, and one of them was the Trans-pacific partnership. Trump vowed to scrap the multilateral deal once he comes into power and he fulfilled his promise upon reaching the presidency. Trump was of the view that this deal can severely damage American economy and can cause joblessness. He also advocated against the Paris Climate Agreement giving the same reason. America is no longer a part of both the deals mentioned above. Donald Trump also heavily criticized US allies for not paying the money that American government deserves in exchange for providing them security. While the American military was deploying THAAD System in South, he launched his tirade against one of the most important US ally Korea by saying that they should pay for the system. Recently, Donald Trump also criticized the head of states of NATO countries for not contributing enough finances to the Umbrella organization.
Conclusion
Trump’s changing opinions with time and his unfair criticism of the closest US allies have carried shivers across. Philippine, which was once considered a major US ally in the South China Sea region is now looking to improve relations with Russia and China at the cost of American relations. Turkey, a NATO member, is also looking more towards the east than the west. Similarly, the US withdrawal from the TPP agreement has sent a negative message to the US allies in the region at all, and now some of the countries are trying to induce China into the region to make it more meaningful. The nervousness and apprehensions of the US allies were visible at the recent NATO conference in Hague. Angela Markel upon returning from the NATO meeting advised European countries to be more independent of the American clutches and be more self-dependent for their security arrangements.
What the Trump is doing can severely hamper the image of US not only in the eyes of closest allies but in the view of the international comity of nations. Every country would think hundred times before forming an alliance with America and that too especially under the Trump administration.
About Muhammad Asim
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