Staff Reports
In the whirlwind of geopolitical maneuvering, President Trump once again finds himself in the thick of international diplomacy, attempting to navigate the complicated relationship between the United States and Russia. After speaking with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, he declares he will soon chat with President Putin. It’s always intriguing to hear that they share a “very good dialogue.” It doesn’t require a geopolitical aficionado to know that Putin’s promises often evaporate faster than a puddle in the Sahara. Yet, the good ol’ dance of diplomacy continues, despite the glaring absence of actual progress.
European allies find themselves in the hot seat as President Trump ramps up pressure to cease buying Russian oil. You’d think that cutting off the financial oxygen fueling the Ukrainian conflict would be a no-brainer. But oh, the romance between European countries and discounted Russian oil seems harder to break than a soap opera love affair. It’s remarkable how, while Putin’s flexing his muscles with adversaries like China, President Trump must play the part of the parent threatening to ground the kids over bad behavior.
Over in China, Putin’s lain down the red carpet with President Xi and buddies like North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, crafting a vision of a new world order that conveniently sidelines the West. Perhaps the synchronized goose-stepping parades should have retired with the Cold War, but apparently, it’s all the rage again. The message from China’s grand military pageantry is loud and clear: adversaries are teaming up, and they’re all in on seeing Russia as the winner in Ukraine. Oh joy, just what the world needs—an alliance of countries whose idea of democracy involves a lot more order and a lot less democracy.
The news channel’s guest, retired General Jack Keane, and some other political minds agree that it’s time for the West to flex its muscles a bit. Forget buttering folks up over friendly talks that go nowhere; it’s time Europeans stop bankrolling Russia’s ambitions. Slapping sanctions on countries continuing their illicit oil shopping spree is on the docket. It’s almost as if buying cheap Russian oil comes with an implicit “security who?” clause attached.
Meanwhile, the talk of changing the Department of Defense back to the Department of War stirs the historical pot. While the shift might serve as a rallying call, more importantly, it reminds everyone of the need to be ready—ready to act, not just talk. The reassuring buzz from Washington suggests preparations for defending freedoms remain solid, strides ready to counter this alliance of rusted out iron curtains. The geopolitical stage is daunting, but as always, America’s tenacity and historical memory stand in good stead to navigate through these turbulent times.
