From Kabul to Tehran: US Diplomacy Shifts to Transactional Style
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The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for failing to support a joint US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts say this is an inevitable consequence of a fundamental shift in U.S. foreign policy since the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for not supporting a joint US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28. The escalation led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – the world’s most vital energy artery – causing difficulties for millions of people globally.
Trump even threatened allies, especially Spain, over their tough stance. In March, speaking from the White House, he warned that the U.S. could “fly into” use Spanish military bases and cut off all trade. Last week, a leaked memo reported by Reuters suggested that Trump is considering expelling Spain from NATO.
However, analysts argue that the cracks in U.S. international relations under the current Trump administration are actually a continuation of a policy shaped during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. At that time, U.S. diplomacy shifted from alliance-based coordination to transactional agreements.
