Trump’s foreign policy shifts draw criticism, raise global concerns

The United States' approach to global diplomacy has taken a dramatic shift under President Donald Trump, raising alarms among American experts and allies alike.

Kamran Khan, in a recent vlog, compared Trump's strategy to that of a "mafia don," arguing that Washington is now driven by threats and financial gains rather than traditional alliances and democratic values.

Citing prominent intellectuals like Thomas Friedman, Peter Baker, and Susan Rice, Khan warned that the foundations of U.S. democracy, liberty, and sovereignty are eroding.

He pointed to a New York Times column by Friedman, who questioned whether Trump had effectively surrendered to Russian President Vladimir Putin, allowing Moscow to dictate terms on Ukraine.

"Is our political system now being run by a mafia don?" Friedman asked, adding that Trump appears willing to divide global territories like a gangster cutting deals with a rival.

Concerns over Ukraine policy

Khan highlighted a report from The New York Times suggesting that Trump's administration has pressured Ukraine to hand over its mineral resources in exchange for continued U.S. aid.

He described a scene resembling The Godfather, in which a U.S. Treasury official reportedly slid a document across the table to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, demanding his signature.

According to Khan, this transactional approach to diplomacy—where aid comes with financial demands—undermines Washington’s credibility. Former National Security Advisor John Bolton, a longtime critic of Trump, has similarly argued that the president lacks the capacity to distinguish between allies and adversaries.

Strained alliances and European unease

Khan detailed how European nations, once close U.S. partners, are growing wary of Trump’s leadership. He noted that Trump’s administration recently opposed a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, aligning instead with countries like North Korea and Belarus.

This shift, experts argue, signals the weakening of the post-World War II Western alliance. Writing in The Financial Times, columnist Martin Wolf suggested that Trump's policies have already dismantled the NATO-led global order—leaving only the formal announcement pending.

At the recent Munich Security Conference, Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a blunt message to European leaders: "If you fear your voters, America cannot help you." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced this stance, saying the U.S. is now focused on its own security and the rise of China, not European defense.

A new global reality?

Khan emphasized that Trump's actions are pushing the world toward a new geopolitical reality where traditional alliances are no longer guaranteed.

His critics fear that the U.S. is abandoning its historical role as a global stabilizer in favor of a transactional, short-term strategy that could empower adversaries like China and Russia.

As Harvard professor Joseph Nye told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Trump’s foreign policy may yield immediate gains but could prove disastrous in the long run. "America’s allies may lose trust, and new diplomatic blocs—especially involving China—could rise," Nye warned.

Steven Cook of Foreign Policy echoed these concerns, arguing that Trump's approach to Ukraine amounts to "coercive recovery"—a form of international extortion. Historically, he noted, the U.S. has never demanded financial compensation from an ally during wartime.

What’s next?

Khan concluded his vlog by warning that Europe must now prepare for a future where the U.S. is no longer a reliable partner.

As he put it, "The system once hailed as a democracy is now run like a mafia. Anything is possible."