What’s Happening in the West?
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Mohamad Seifeddine
- 9 Jan 2025 12:29
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6 Min Read
How dangerous is what's currently happening in the West? And Why Are Egypt and Iran at Risk?
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The European side of the Atlantic is experiencing a quasi-political state of emergency, revolving around the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab El-Hajj)
A sweeping geopolitical reengineering is underway—spanning Canada, Panama, the Gulf of Mexico, Greenland, Britain, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Hormuz, all pointing toward the grand target: China.
In this article, we will explore these critical points:
Political Turbulence in the Transatlantic Alliance
The European side of the Atlantic is experiencing a quasi-political state of emergency, revolving around the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House.
Trump’s second term promises to be fundamentally different from his first. The stakes are higher, the priorities sharper, and the demands on allies more pressing. The evolving global struggle, particularly the anticipated confrontation with China, necessitates Trump’s total dominance—not only over the West but also over key global regions, such as the Middle East.
Before the clash with China, Trump seems set to adopt a bolder, more aggressive posture toward even his closest allies. What does this entail?
A Shift from Economic to Geostrategic Priorities
To unpack this, we must view the larger context.
While Trump’s “America First” rhetoric isn’t new, his approach is shifting. Unlike his first term, which emphasized economic priorities, the new strategy appears focused on acquiring geostrategic resources— this time, at the expense of allies.
This isn’t just a matter of personal ambition; it’s a dire economic necessity.
With the US national debt skyrocketing, the options are stark:
- Risk a massive economic collapse in the coming years.
- Default on US debt payments, undermining global confidence and destabilizing foreign investments in US bonds.
- Prepare for a decisive showdown with China, compelling other nations to choose sides.
Faced with this predicament, Trump’s solution seems clear: Expansion without war.
Economic turmoil is pushing Trump toward economic expansion, with four key objectives:
- Annexing Canada
- Acquiring Greenland
- Seizing control of the Panama Canal
- Politically absorbing Britain, potentially followed by formal annexation.
The fourth point may seem shocking, but historical precedents make it less surprising.
Historical Parallels: America’s Rise After WWII
In WWII, Winston Churchill sought US financial aid for Britain, which had been devastated by Nazi attacks. The US granted the aid but demanded Britain relinquish its global naval bases. This marked the transfer of Western leadership from London and Paris to Washington.
Today, Trump’s strategy echoes this historical moment. His message is clear: not “the West,” but “America” as the ultimate power.
How does this ambition manifest in the aforementioned four points?
Recent weeks have revealed Trump’s vision through a series of pointed actions:
- December 20: Trump warned the EU about the trade deficit, urging Europeans to purchase more US oil and gas or face tariffs.
- December 22: He vowed to end the Ukraine war on his terms, alienating key European allies.
While European leaders like Giorgia Meloni attempt to mediate, Trump seems focused on avoiding a third world war by securing total dominance over the Western bloc first.
Militarization and Economic Shifts
On December 22, Trump announced plans to direct the military to develop a “domestic Iron Dome” to secure US airspace.
- This signals an unprecedented shift in international economic relations, potentially heightening the likelihood of war.
- By January 4, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to “America First” policies, signaling potential renegotiation of international agreements to serve US interests.
Fearing Trump’s return, some European states are bolstering their defenses and ramping up ammunition production.
Reports from December 16 revealed concerns, particularly in France and Germany, about how Trump’s policies could strain transatlantic relations in trade, security, and foreign policy.
Additionally, Emmanuel Macron accused Elon Musk of meddling in recent German elections.
Musk responded sarcastically, linking past accusations of racism against Trump to claims of British Labour Party interference in U.S. elections.
This underscores broader European fears of Trump’s consolidation of power, especially as his rhetoric about annexing Canada intensifies.
Canada: The 51st State?
Daily, Trump promotes the idea of Canada joining the US as the 51st state, arguing it would reduce taxes and boost economic opportunities. He even referred to Justin Trudeau as the “Governor of the Great State of Canada” before Trudeau’s resignation.
On January 8, Trump unveiled a map depicting Canada as part of the US.
Could this audacious plan actually succeed?
American history offers examples of such territorial ambitions—from the Louisiana Purchase to Texas’s annexation. However, Canadian leaders firmly reject Trump’s overtures, warning that such rhetoric undermines the fragile trust among Western allies.
Greenland, Panama, and the Gulf of Mexico
Trump’s expansionist ambitions extend beyond Canada:
- Greenland: Denmark has repeatedly rejected Trump’s interest, emphasizing the island’s strategic Arctic importance.
- Panama: Trump has demanded control over the canal, claiming Chinese influence there threatens US security.
- The Gulf of Mexico: He recently proposed renaming it the “American Gulf.”
These moves embody the principle of “might makes right,” challenging established norms of sovereignty.
Implications for Egypt and Iran
This global reshuffling puts Egypt and Iran at significant risk:
- Egypt: Trump’s ambitions for global waterway control could embolden "Israel" to target the Suez Canal, cutting off China’s access to vital trade routes.
- Iran: The strategic Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, already hotspots, could become flashpoints in Trump’s broader struggle with Beijing.
Musk emerges as a central figure in Trump’s strategy—technologically, economically, and even narratively. His ventures in space exploration, artificial intelligence, and social media (via X, formerly Twitter) provide Trump with tools to shape the global discourse.
As technological dominance becomes the cornerstone of geopolitical power, Musk’s role is pivotal.
The ultimate question remains: Can America withstand the internal and external pressures of such a radical transformation? The coming years will test not only Trump’s strategy but also the resilience of the global order.
