Trump’s New Era and the World Order
Less than a month into Trump’s new term, the world order he is rapidly shaping is already taking form – revealing a method to what some might call madness.
His top priority is rolling back China’s expanding influence, a trend that accelerated during the Biden era, while simultaneously strengthening the United States.
In recent years, a China-Russia-Iran axis has emerged, seeking global dominance by controlling key trade routes (through China’s Belt and Road Initiative) and energy resources (Russian gas and Iranian oil).
Trump is dismantling this axis through several strategic moves:
- Targeting Iran as the Weak Link – With Israel having already done much of the groundwork, Trump was quick to call Netanyahu to coordinate the next steps. (We’ll return to Gaza later.)
- Courting Putin Over China – Rather than pushing Russia into Beijing’s arms, Trump aims to align with Putin. In return, he appears willing to concede influence in Eastern Europe – Ukraine and NATO serving as the sacrificial offering in this geopolitical deal.
- Competing for Global Trade Routes – Trump seeks to challenge China’s dominance by disrupting its advantages in the Panama Canal while, in collaboration with Russia, developing an Arctic shipping route. This route, which runs along the coasts of Greenland and Canada, has become viable due to melting ice, offering a shorter East-West passage and reducing reliance on the Suez Canal.
- Energy Independence – By ramping up oil production in the Gulf of Mexico and the southern United States, Trump aims to make the region an American stronghold. The goal: reducing dependence on Middle Eastern oil and cutting energy transportation costs.
In this new world order, money dictates influence in the Middle East. Those with natural resources (Saudi Arabia and its oil), financial power (the UAE), or technological prowess (Israel) will find favor in Washington. Meanwhile, those clinging to tribalism, poverty, and perpetual conflict – such as the Palestinians, Jordan, and Egypt – will be pushed to the sidelines.
