Even if the Democrats’ midterm victory marks the beginning of the end of the Trump administration’s “America First” approach to foreign affairs, it does not augur the return of a consistent, reliable US foreign policy. America’s friends and allies around the world will have to continue to hedge their bets.
NEW YORK—Shortly after the US midterm elections on November 3, Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives (and the chamber’s likely next Speaker) announced, “America is back.” With the Democrats having retaken both chambers of Congress by wide margins, even winning in longstanding Republican strongholds—including Kansas, Texas, and South Carolina—Jeffries certainly has much to celebrate. But when it comes to US allies, the question is: Back to what, and for how long?
NEW YORK—Shortly after the US midterm elections on November 3, Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives (and the chamber’s likely next Speaker) announced, “America is back.” With the Democrats having retaken both chambers of Congress by wide margins, even winning in longstanding Republican strongholds—including Kansas, Texas, and South Carolina—Jeffries certainly has much to celebrate. But when it comes to US allies, the question is: Back to what, and for how long?