Trump 'heading for disaster' but has 'addiction to control' that feeds on 'drama': expert
A series of "manic" choices show how Donald Trump has "no respect" for diplomacy, a political analyst has suggested.
The president's recent actions in Venezuela and Greenland were criticised by Chris Hughes, who suggested Trump's actions could have major implications for the UK, Russia, and beyond. Writing in The Mirror, defence and security editor Hughes suggested "attention" is more important to the president than peace and "diplomatic norms".
Hughes wrote, "Trump could simply ask Greenland to allow more early warning systems on the island and perhaps a few thousand more troops - as it had before during the Cold War. But there would be no drama in that, no American strength muscle flexing or posturing."
"In seeking so much attention Trump shows no respect for the diplomatic norms that have kept World War III at bay for so long, the warnings, the polite marking of cards before an operation."
The defence editor went on to suggest Trump had not factored in human error as a possible spark that could lead to a larger-scale conflict or a rush towards further "intense moments".
Hughes wrote, "And even more threats from Trump that America must take Greenland for reasons of national security in another attempt at grabbing attention. The pace of global drama and fallout with Trump at centre stage is hard to keep up with and delivered in such a whirlwind that it is also hardly believable."
"But one miscalculation by a stressed out official could send any of these high-octane, incredibly intense moments in history hurtling towards a major conflict. It is sometimes hard to remind ourselves that most of the flare-ups, rows, interventions etc are totally unnecessary."
Hughes believes these actions will have an effect on "junior partners" like the United Kingdom, as well as other NATO members.
He wrote, "And yet the UK is time and time again implicated as junior partner to the US. In Trump’s crude, manic and whirlwind way of dealing with things, barely halting to draw breath or looking at the detail, he will eventually miss a crucial element."
"It is unsustainable and it is surely running out of steam. It is as if Trump knows he is heading for disaster but his addiction to control, fascistic take-overs and attention means he cannot stop."