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“Neroism is in the air”: Donald Trump's fantasy world and American foreign policy

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  • Stephen Blank
  • Aurel Braun

Abstract

This article represents a critique of Donald Trump's foreign policy. Observation of his behaviour suggests affinities to Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, whose similar exhibitions of mercurial narcissism and autocracy led his country into the disaster of World War I. Specifically, we criticise Trump's belief that he could bring about a peaceful resolution of Russia's war against Ukraine and that by doing this, he could magically detach Russia from China. We demonstrate the fallaciousness of these beliefs and the inconstancy of his beliefs with respect to the war in Ukraine, which have achieved little other than to alarm European governments regarding the reliability of their American ally. At the same time, we go on to highlight the increasing dependence of Russia upon China that precludes any easy dissolution of their increasingly intimate bond. Thus, these facts go far to undermine Trump's initial foreign policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Blank & Aurel Braun, 2026. "“Neroism is in the air”: Donald Trump's fantasy world and American foreign policy," Defense & Security Analysis, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(2), pages 259-281, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:cdanxx:v:42:y:2026:i:2:p:259-281
    DOI: 10.1080/14751798.2025.2583792
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