The current administration's foreign policy is a mix of old-school realism and a new twist of reality TV drama. This approach is a significant shift from the idealism of previous leaders. The current president and his team have a unique way of handling international relations. They see diplomacy as a negotiation, much like a real estate deal. This perspective comes from the president's background in real estate and his friend's experience in the field.

The president's style is evident in his interactions with foreign leaders. He has been known to livestream meetings and even boast about the "great television" it makes. This approach has led to some unusual moments, such as a shouting match with a Ukrainian leader. The president's friend, who is involved in these negotiations, has been criticized for his interactions with the Russian president. These interactions have been described as sycophantic and painful to watch.

The president's approach to ending the conflict in Ukraine has been met with ridicule. His peace initiative has not led to a decrease in violence. In fact, the conflict has escalated since it began. The president inherited a difficult situation from the previous administration. However, this does not excuse the current administration's lack of a clear strategy. The president's reluctance to use military force is partly due to his distrust of the top brass of the US armed forces. This distrust stems from his first term in office.

The president's views on foreign policy do not always align with those of his base. He is less belligerent than his supporters on issues such as aid to Ukraine and the Iran nuclear deal. The president's critics have accused him of being an imperialist or even a fascist. However, his actions suggest otherwise. He is more of a peacenik at heart. Making peace is historically harder than launching wars. The president is learning this the hard way in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

The president's vision for peace in Ukraine involves major concessions from the Ukrainian president. However, this vision seems no closer to reality than it was when the president took office. The Russian president shows no sign of backing down from his demands. The lesson of history is clear: wars are hard to stop unless one side wins a decisive victory. With sustained Western support, Ukraine has a chance to be a version of South Korea. However, if the West settles for an unsustainable peace, it will share the grim fate of South Vietnam.

Trump's Unconventional Approach to Peace

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