President Donald Trump’s first year in office has been marked by increased international instability, rather than the peace and conflict resolution he promised, according to a leading French daily. The newspaper’s editorial highlights a concerning trend of direct military engagements in several countries, coupled with assertive rhetoric reaffirming American dominance.
The editorial points to a stark contrast between Trump’s ambition for a Nobel Peace Prize through supposedly decisive interventions that would end long-standing conflicts, and the reality on the ground. It notes that tangible breakthroughs have been elusive, differentiating between achieved ceasefires and failed attempts at lasting resolutions.
Key failures, the editorial argues, are evident in the handling of the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza. Despite promises of swift solutions, no real progress has been made in Ukraine. Similarly, the ceasefire in Gaza has not translated into a viable political path towards a just and lasting peace.
The newspaper places responsibility for these outcomes squarely on Trump’s shoulders, particularly his administration’s abandonment of traditional American support for Kyiv without securing concessions from Moscow. This, it argues, has allowed Russia to dictate the narrative surrounding the war.
Furthermore, the editorial criticizes Washington’s continued alignment with hardline Israeli policies, asserting that it perpetuates a long-term deterioration of conditions in the Palestinian territories. The administration’s inability to influence regional allies, especially in the Sudanese conflict fueled by external support and causing a humanitarian disaster, is also highlighted.
In conclusion, the editorial suggests that Trump has a window of opportunity to correct course. However, this hinges on a fundamental review of his initial decisions, which have weakened America’s “soft power” and contributed to a more turbulent global landscape.
