“He’s Inheriting the Conditions for Profound Foreign Policy Success,” David French Warns Trump Against Squandering Opportunities

Conservative writer David French laid out in a column for the New York Times the two significant advantages President-elect Donald Trump will inherit when he takes office in January, gifts handed to him by President Joe Biden.

French stressed that while Trump faces these advantageous circumstances, his success depends on whether he changes his approach or risks squandering these opportunities. French highlighted that Trump will step into office with a robust economy, much like he did in 2016, due to the policies of former President Barack Obama.

In addition to a solid economic foundation, Trump will also inherit a favorable geopolitical landscape, with America’s adversaries currently in disarray. Russian President Vladimir Putin remains bogged down in an ongoing war in Ukraine that shows little signs of progress, and the terrorist organization Hamas is also struggling.

The columnist stressed that Trump has the chance to capitalize on these circumstances, but only if he avoids falling into his old patterns. “If Trump wants to capitalize on our enemies’ weaknesses, he’s going to have to shed at least some of his isolationism,” French wrote.

He continued, saying that Trump would need to recognize the interconnected nature of global conflicts, specifically pointing out that the conflict in Ukraine and tensions with Iran are linked. “In other words, throwing Vladimir Putin a lifeline in Ukraine now would undermine American strategic interests across the world.”

French further elaborated on how Trump has inherited a weakened adversary in the Middle East with the decimation of Hezbollah and the collapse of the Syrian dictatorship. He called Trump a “very fortunate man” to enter the White House during a time when America’s enemies are faltering. However, French warned that Trump could jeopardize his chances for success if he proceeds with his proposed national security team and follows his current instincts.

“He’s inheriting the conditions for profound foreign policy success,” French noted. “But he’s also inheriting the possibility of failure, and the troubling reality is that his instincts are wrong, his national security picks are flawed, and he may well snatch a series of terrible defeats from the jaws of extraordinary military and diplomatic success.”

French’s column painted a picture of both opportunity and danger for Trump, underscoring the critical choices ahead in shaping his foreign policy.