The New Alliances

The time for strategic alliances is back, ironically in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy in WWII. US President Donald Trump began to show more visible signals of his interest to gather international allies in every relevant front, mainly economically and military, motivated by cultural affinities and common values.

Evidently, the world is currently divided in various blocks, ranging from the European Union, the Russian Federation and its natural allies, the sort of divided Muslim world, sub-Saharan Africa, India, China, Australia and the rest of the non-aligned countries that eventually will have to join the group of their choice.

In his trip to Western Europe, Trump directly sent an invitation to US allies during WWII, beginning with the strongest one, the United Kingdom, openly asking them to leave the EU and join the new block the US President wants to officially initiate.

It’s expected that at least some of the most conservative members of the EU that are not happy with Brussels’ imposing economic and migratory polices will indicate their national interests to join Trump’s plan. Some, because of their fear of their proximity to their neighbor, Russia; and others to secure an economic and security stability the EU has been incapable to effectively provide or maintain.

Some questions undoubtedly come up. What Trump offers in exchange, the imminent international tensions the new “Alliance” will cause, including the weakening of the EU in relevant ways; and the eventual disappearance of NATO as we know it, along with the obsolete and trouble making United Nations.

Trump reasonable alleges that “security ties must be coherent with economic ties”, inviting the obvious reflection on “doing business with the enemy”, when he questioned Germany’s inconvenient long term deal with Russia to supply natural gas through the costly Baltic sea pipeline. This uncomfortable deal turned into the stone in the shoe for the Germans that sooner or later they will have to get rid of. And Trump is right because it simply doesn’t make sense to do business with enemies.

On the other hand, Russia seems to be pleased with the role of the bad guy in the neighborhood, hanging out with the worst companions like Iran, Syria and their proxies; while twinkling of the eye to less than reputable guys like China and North Korea. At some point President Vladimir Putin has to make a choice. Either to come to terms with Trump and work out a deal with the US that may help restore Russia’s reportedly stagnant economy, in exchange of ending useless and damaging games with brutal Muslim dictators and their ties with international terrorism.

Trump’s visit to England is a warning call to the world that the time of new alliances has come. Now it’s up to Russia, China, India and the non-aligned nations with whom they decide to make alliances like that one Trump began to propose to the UK.