A petulant manifesto

Hello everybody

Can you guess what this ‘petulant’ manifesto is and who wrote it? Yes, you’re right. This is Trump’s National Security Strategy of the United States of America.

It is a fascinating read.

Before I read it in its entirety I’d read several articles on this strategy by various pundits, some of which were calm and reflective and others rather clutching their pearls and saying, oh my goodness me, what a document.

Then I thought, I really ought to read it myself.

It’s not a difficult read, far from it, and it is not long (29 pages). In plain English it spells out exactly what the current President thinks how America should behave. Moreover, it is crystal clear about what it/he thinks the rest of the world should do. Which is, primarily, bow down to the leader of the world, especially, please note, Europe.

I have to say the first two pages, which are an address to Americans by the President, is a veritable potpourri of hyperbole. I almost laughed. But no, we are to believe that America has been on the brink of catastrophe and disaster after 4 years of weakness, extremism and deadly failures (I think that refers to the Biden administration) and finally America is strong and respected again. Well, maybe. Btw, that’s Brit-speak for wtf. But from now on I will refrain from any of that language and just tell you how it is.

My first thoughts are: why does the most powerful economy in the world sound so petulant and ‘put upon’. The world is to obey this powerhouse, and bow before it, to allow for a systematic extraction of wealth, minerals and anything else the USA sets its mind to, because, up to now it’s been ripped off.

Btw, this is coming from someone whose country did the same whilst it was the ruler of the world. So, nothing new here, we’ve seen this before.

With this document, nothing is hidden, all is in plain sight, we are totally aware of America’s priorities. Which is blatantly set out in the section on Africa (which, being right at the end, is like an afterthought). In the very last paragraph of this strategy document, we read that the US will transition from an aid-focused relationship with Africa to a trade and investment focused relationship, favouring anything, it seems, to generate profits for US business. And never mind the millions of deaths that have been calculated will result from this. No, nothing about that.

Of course, the section on Europe appears the most shocking to us Brits and I expect other Europeans. This is the stepping away from the rules-based order set up since the Second World War and the rock solid, or so we thought, alliance between the US and Europe. This is the astonishing action of the US allying itself more and more with Russia. Here we are in the Upside Down. There are some dangerous thoughts and actions in this section. It should, however, be no surprise to anyone.

I will take you through it.

Section I Introduction begins with the statement that for America to remain the world’s strongest, richest, most powerful and most successful country for decades to come, it needs a coherent strategy. Well, naturally that is what America wants, but whether it actually manages to remain at the top of the tree is another matter – that is mainly down to China.

It continues, instead of worrying itself about other countries President Trump is correcting America’s direction to usher in a new golden age for the country. Well, well.

In Section II we are taken through What America wants, and then in turn, What it wants from the world.  What strikes me as I read the list of the latter is the utter hubris, the arrogance of the words, especially when it comes to supporting Europe and preserving its freedom. Here we see that, at the same time as the States supporting Europe they also want, to restore Europe’s civilisational self-confidence and Western identity.

Hmmm, so far the language has been plain and clear, but this? Now let me think? Is this about Europe allowing fewer brown people into their countries? This, believe it or not, is part of the United States core and vital national interests.

In Section III we read about all the amazing factors that helps America get what it wants. Interesting contradiction here, as now this document is saying how wonderful American is, right now, whilst before everything needed to change to Make America Great Again.

You know, it’s a very British thing not to blow its own trumpet. In contrast, this document boasts – a lot. And one sad thing to point out, on page 6, it states that Trump’s robust domestic agenda is re-installing a culture of competence by rooting out DEI – that’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion which, apparently, degrades institutions and holds everyone back. Dear me! Well, that is different to Jon Stewart ‘s Weekly Show where he always emphasises how incompetence rules the day.

In Section IV we get into the Principles of the Strategy, which is primarily America First.  I note that there is an impression amongst some pundits that the entire strategy is about non-interventionism. But that is not so, it is not possible, the document states, for such a country as America whose interests are numerous and diverse. And indeed, America is very much involved and out there in the world wheeling and dealing and seeing its role as totally transactional.  It is all about what is best for America and absolutely nothing about the sanctity of the planet. Climate change and anything to alleviate that – nope, that holds us back

I also note that the Trump’s new broom includes a big dislike for the sovereignty-sapping transnational organisations. I presume he means the UN?

And so it goes on, and on, and on. I will pick up on several issues for you, including the petulant nonsense of this powerful nation insisting that from now on it will be treated fairly by other countries. It will no longer tolerate free-riding trade imbalances and predatory economic practices. And it will work to keep the balance of power, as long as any country doesn’t impinge on or threaten on American interests.

By the way, the document insists that the era of mass migration is over. And that’s fair enough, we all know open borders are not the way to conduct the movement of peoples.  But. We all need migrants who are skilled and also take up the jobs our populations don’t want to do. The issue of migration warrants an entire blog just to put the case for migration.

I also note that at one moment the States aims to withdraw from its post-Second World War commitments, as it states the days of the US propping up the entire world order, like Atlas, is over.  And here Trump pushes for all the NATO countries to contribute 5% of GDP on defence. Which will be challenging to say the least. Actually, there’s more to say here, as different countries within NATO contribute different amounts and there needs to be parity first, from those who contribute less, I think, before we start ruining our economies at the behest of the richest country in the world. And then again, it realises that for the country to continue to be this fabulously wealthy, it will need to expand its access to critical minerals and materials. You kind of wonder how far the States will go to secure these minerals, what interventions might be needed, and how fair the contracts and deals will be to get those mineral rights.

And now we come to the regions of the world. And basically, the first thing that comes up is a declaration of America’s aim to reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine in the Western Hemisphere. In other words, the policy first articulated in 1823 by President Monroe that the Americas is their sphere of influence, is now the prime focus of the United States. This will now come to the fore so that President Trump restores American pre-eminence in both North and South America which is, as the document states, common-sense. Ah, if only foreign policy could be dictated by good old common-sense.

Here we are also to note the importance of American goods, services and technologies which are a far better buy – in the long run. This transactional diplomacy extends to identifying strategic acquisition and investment opportunities for American companies in this region.

After many more pages, I turn to Promoting European Greatness. And here the document is exceedingly aerated about the stark prospect of civilisational erasure in Europe. The European Union is not much liked either. Well, one would hope that anything Trump dislikes might boost the popularity of any institution – I can only hope that his dislike of the EU raises its approval rating in the UK! But hark! A powerful EU is not a good thing for the States.

Note also that there are 4 pages on Promoting European Greatness, which, I guess, doesn’t include the continuation of the EU.  Again, the US is mightily bothered by Europe what with it undermining its political liberty, its sovereignty, its migration policies, its censorship of free speech (as in stopping hate speech, hmmm) and suppression of political opposition leading to a loss of national identity and self-confidence.

The document thinks if this continues the continent will be unrecognisable in 20 years or less. What it wants is for Europe to regain this self-confidence. And. Ah ha, here we get to the absolute central point of this Trump document, apparently this lack of self-confidence is most evident in Europe’s relationship with Russia.

Well, who knew!

Apparently, we Europeans regard Russia as an existential threat – err, well, obviously, if you are European. Has Trump’s America any sense whatsoever of the fragility of the ‘peace’ we’ve had for so many years? Especially with Russia invading a sovereign state. We know this threat in our very bones.

Nevertheless, the US will continue to give a significant amount of diplomatic engagement to re-establish conditions of strategic stability across the Eurasian (interesting word) landmass. Because it is a core interest to the US to negotiate a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. Well, yes, but not at the expense of giving Putin territory he hasn’t already won.

Like a lot of thinking around the Ukraine, Trump seems to swallowed whole the idea that Russia has the upper hand. It does not. It is a grindingly awful destructive war for Ukraine but Russia, amazingly, hasn’t won so far. But I see any view that veers away from Russia is winning so therefore hand over the goods, is dismissed as European officials holding unrealistic expectations for the war.

And yet they don’t want to write Europe off.

How kind.

The document’s stance on Europe ends with list of broad policy priorities and yet the most shocking part of it comes before, when the document states that America must stand up for genuine European democracy and freedom of expression, and moreover, encourage its political allies (note that term) especially the growing patriotic European parties.

Lookie here, are we talking about the current American government being allied to right-wing parties in Europe? And are we talking about regime change, and interference in political processes, and the encouragement of parties like AfD in Germany, France’s far right party, National Rally, and even Reform UK? Hey, USA, didn’t you say you were only interested in the Americas? Hands off!

Then we get the Middle East, where Trump’s handling of various hot-spots including Israel and its war with Gaza has gone well, says the document. Note they want to stop hectoring Arab nations to change their way. Oh ok, carry on then with your misogyny. And finally, Africa and there the document abruptly ends, with the last sentence focusing on generating profits for US businesses.

Initial observations

I‘m not exactly clutching my pearls (haven’t got any anyway) but this is a seriously astounding document. And, different to any other recent National Security Strategy.  Rory Stewart of The Rest is Politics fame has read all of them, from Bush Senior to Obama and Biden, and even Trump version1. And he says none of them are like this one.

This document is a vision, not of a shining city on a hill, but of a rogue America who has cut ties with its allies and sees the world as deals to be done and minerals to be extracted. And as for liberal democracy – that is not for the US, and can we persuade Europeans to move away from their liberal democratic ideals too.

But more than that it is dangerous document and a contradictory one too. The US is at once retreating from global leadership and yet beyond concerned with other nation states that don’t quite fit into their view of the world. For instance, despite saying that their sphere of influence is a new and vital take on the Monroe Doctrine, it still wants to reshape Europe and manage it. I repeat manage it. Interesting.

As for Ukraine, what has Putin got on Trump? You really wonder. Parts of this document read as though Putin dictated it. There seems to be no understanding either of being European (I’m being naïve here, of course) but we know what it is like to have a marauding country eager to weaken and bring other countries into their fold. Never forget Putin wants Ukraine, all of it.

And my last immediate observation. OMG.  This is so arrogant of the US. And so extraordinarily rude! Who do you think you are? Mate.

Ha, you now think I am clutching my pearls, do you? No. See this document for what it is. It’s a message of We’re America and f… you. Pardon the language, but why am I saying this? Because the document is all about, this is where we stand, this is what is going to happen and that’s all there is to it.

Mind you, will everyone respond to this positively? Will every nation respond with eagerness to this document? Some interesting thoughts and actions might come out of this.

How should we respond?

Look. America is not our ally. Starmer, for goodness sake, wake up. We have to understand that we are nothing and nobodies in Trump’s eyes. An invitation to visit the King won’t change a thing.

Our best bet is to align ourselves far more with the EU. But that needs another entire blog to unpick the core weakness of our current Prime Minister, because he won’t.

Above all, we need to support Ukraine.

We need to keep NATO going but temper the call to increase our contribution to 5% with getting parity from the partners who don’t contribute as much now.

Support all large international organisations like the UN. They are probably vast bureaucracies, but their intentions are good.

And think about and act on climate change. That should be the main concern of us all.

Penny Kocher 12 December, 2025  

Postscript

 A statement from the author directed to American readers. 

If you have just read this, know that I do not think you are aligned with Trump, or his cabinet, or the writers of this Strategy document. The American people are not Trump. Yet this is my honest critique (not criticism) of an astounding document. Which needs to be looked at and critiqued. Do give the actual document a read. I have given the link to it below. 

Yours in friendship, PennyK

Further reading

National Security Strategy of the United States of America. November 2025

Jonathen Freedland, Donald Trump is pursuing regime change – in Europe. 12 December 2025, The Saturday Guardian

Paul Mason, Trump’s declaration of war on Europe.11 December 2025, The New World.

Timothy Garton Ash, Only Europe can save Ukraine from Putin and Trump – but will it? 6 December 2025, The Guardian.

Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American. 5 December 2025