I just read the Trump administration's National Security Strategy. Five initial thoughts: 1) Where's the geographic focus? A little all over the place... - Western Hem is discussed first - Europe gets the most mentions - Asia gets the most pages, but nearly all about China
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2) Language on allies is a big shift: - Allies are depicted as a means to an end - Days of "propping up the entire world order like Atlas are over" - Allies must "assume primary responsibility for their regions"
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3) China is by far the biggest focus in Asia (and elsewhere): - Trump team clearly seeing all of Asia through the lens of China - Southeast Asia? Almost completely absent - US treaty ally Philippines isn't even mentioned! - Pacific Islands also nowhere to be seen
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4) Some mixed news on Taiwan... - Taiwan described as a strategic location (hey @elyratner!) - Supposedly no change in US declaratory policy, but notable they don't state that the US "does not support Taiwan independence" - Leaving the door open for a future adjustment?
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5) Finally, I suspect much focus in coming days will be on the "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine: - This is the top item listed under what the US wants from the world - But what does this mean in practice? Esp in Venezuela? - And what does it mean for priorities elsewhere?
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Replying to @elyratner
I'll have much more to say in the days ahead, but until then have fun reading the Trump admin's (new?) National Security Strategy... whitehouse.gov/wp-content/up…

Dec 5, 2025 · 4:07 AM UTC

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Replying to @ZackCooper @elyratner
Hi. Confused European here. Wondering how Europe's "lack of self-confidence" (said to be most evident in our relationship with Russia), is going to be solved by applying "significant U.S. diplomatic engagement" to manage our relations with Russia?
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Replying to @ZackCooper @elyratner
Zack, the part on Europe is particularly appalling. It essentially calls on the Europeans to stop supporting their long-standing and highly commendable effort to strengthen multilateral coordination and double down on ethnic white nationalism and nation-state competition, opposing "non-European" immigration. It aligns the US with the most extreme right-wing (some would say neo-fascist) zealots in Europe
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Replying to @ZackCooper @elyratner
This is one of the best earlier threads I've seen on this topic so far that isn't merely regurgitating quotes and poses actual critical questions.
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Replying to @ZackCooper @elyratner
Well, now we know what Edward “Big Balls” Coristine has been up to since his DOGE gig dried up…..
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Replying to @ZackCooper @elyratner
Nazi Scumbag Strategy™️ - by Trump + @JDVance
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Replying to @ZackCooper @elyratner
@grok how is india mentioned in the NSS
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Replying to @ZackCooper @elyratner
Basically you shoved it into ChatGPT to create a little tweet stream, asked it to add in some choice paragraph clips, and posted it here as a starter. Makes you look smart, keeps the door open for more, easy life. Nicely done.
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