The most pressing challenge that citizens of the world face in these tumultuous, unpredictable, and anxiety-inducing times is the realization that an existential battle is raging globally, posing a serious threat to the future existence of humanity and the world as we know it. The unfolding global conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, and potentially elsewhere, are pushing us perilously close to a worldwide war and potential nuclear confrontation, pitting the US, Israel, NATO, and other Western allies against the so-called’ axis of resistance’, including Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and various Middle East countries. The mere contemplation of such a catastrophic war scenario should instill a sense of urgency in all of us.
If we want to capture the Big picture of what’s happening, it’s critical to go back four decades to the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1989. It was then that The United States, convinced of a weakened Russia due to the breakup, decided to take advantage of the situation by gradually expanding the NATO alliance closer and closer to Russia’s doorstep. The goal was to ensure Russia would never again threaten the US’s supremacy as the world’s hegemonic power.
Since 1999, NATO has aggressively expanded eastward, worrying and angering Russia because of the threat it presents to Russia’s national security. Despite President Putin’s continued complaints, the expansion continues to this day. In 2022, Russia drew the line with Ukraine and has repeatedly emphasized that it will never accept Ukraine, which has a 1,426-mile border with Russia, as a NATO member.
TRUMP’S UKRAINE WAR DILEMMA
Donald Trump was elected President with a mandate, including GOP control of both houses, which gave him enormous decision-making power. One of his principal priorities, which is also a desire of his voter base, is to end the three-year war in Ukraine. Unfortunately, the present administration and the Deep State (i.e., CIA, NSA, The Military Industrial Complex, war hawks, and lobbyists) are hell-bent on keeping the war going. As a result, instead of a smooth transition period between administrations, which is the norm, Trump may find himself in a precarious position, making it extremely difficult to negotiate an end to the war with his Russian counterpart. Two obstacles to a peaceful settlement include:
1) Significant differences between the two leaders on how they perceive ending the war. Since Russia is winning the war, Putin has laid out the following conditions, which Trump may find challenging to accept. It could make him and the US look weak while his adversary would look strong:
- Territorial Concessions: Ukraine must cede control of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, areas Russia claims to have annexed.
- Neutrality: Ukraine should abandon its aspirations to join NATO and adopt a neutral stance.
- Demilitarization: Ukraine must limit its military capabilities as part of a broader “demilitarization” effort.
- Protection of Russians: Ukraine should ensure the rights and freedoms of its Russian-speaking population.
- Sanctions Relief: Western sanctions must be lifted on Russia.
2) Conflicting ideologies: Trump is a product of a Nation that believes in US global supremacy, whereas Putin and the BRICS countries actively promote a Multipolar World founded on respect for each nation’s sovereignty, where no country can claim supremacy.
MY TAKE:
President Trump has a big job ahead of him, a job he failed in his last presidency. He didn’t “drain the swamp” as promised or reduce the influence of the deep state, which turned against the will of the people.
If Trump can demonstrate astuteness, wisdom, and will during his second term, he will have a unique opportunity to reach a mutually beneficial settlement with the Russian President. Together, they can lay the foundation for a friendly and cooperative relationship that will bring both countries significant economic and social benefits. For this to materialize, Trump must be open to setting aside his usual domineering ‘salesman’ negotiation strategy and listen attentively to the Russian President’s security concerns and his perspectives on geopolitics and the advantages of a Multipolar World.
Contrary to the propaganda spewed by Western governments and the media, Multipolarity is a reality. Russia, China, India, and other BRICS members and partners, representing more than 50% of the world’s population, are forging ahead and working hard to build a sustainable multipolar world. It will be based on settling differences through diplomacy, mutual respect, and cooperation among nations instead of the conflicts and wars that are presently claiming the lives of millions of innocent people and the destruction of economies and cultures worldwide. Shifting from the present Unipolar World Order to a Multipolar World Order is the best option for achieving peace and prosperity among nations, including the United States, while avoiding perpetual wars and nuclear annihilation of life on Earth.
Although the present US administration and its Western allies are doing everything within their power to prevent the Multipolar World from evolving, meetings between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin after Trump takes office on January 20th, 2025, offer an extraordinary opportunity to shift the present path of never-ending wars to a permanent path of peace and prosperity for all nations.
