Aboveground Nuclear Test conducted at the Nevada Test Site on May 25, 1953; EPA.gov One of Trump’s most outrageous lies is that he has been tougher on Russia than any other U.S. President. Many of the foreign policy actions Trump has taken either indirectly or directly benefit Russia. One example of an indirect benefit for Russia is the discord Trump has created in NATO and the western alliance.
An example of a direct benefit to Russia of Trump’s foreign policy is the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). The Trump Administration says it is withdrawing from the INF because of widespread Russian violations. On its face withdrawing from the treaty that does not constrain Russia makes sense. But even with violations, the INF provided some restraints on Russia that will no longer exist.
Withdrawing the INF benefits Russia because they are now able to pursue development of the land based missiles to threaten Europe and counter China. U.S. development of land based missiles to counter China could also benefit the U.S. Nonetheless, the Trump administration does not seem to have considered how other countries are going to react to scrapping this treaty. A new arms race could develop involving Russia, China, India, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan.
At best a renewed arms race could cost trillions of dollars. Added to the cost of an arms race, climate change, and tax cuts we could be talking about real money.
An example of a direct benefit to Russia of Trump’s foreign policy is the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). The Trump Administration says it is withdrawing from the INF because of widespread Russian violations. On its face withdrawing from the treaty that does not constrain Russia makes sense. But even with violations, the INF provided some restraints on Russia that will no longer exist.
Withdrawing the INF benefits Russia because they are now able to pursue development of the land based missiles to threaten Europe and counter China. U.S. development of land based missiles to counter China could also benefit the U.S. Nonetheless, the Trump administration does not seem to have considered how other countries are going to react to scrapping this treaty. A new arms race could develop involving Russia, China, India, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan.
At best a renewed arms race could cost trillions of dollars. Added to the cost of an arms race, climate change, and tax cuts we could be talking about real money.
| https://www.vox.com/2019/2/1/18206619/inf-treaty-usa-russia-pompeo-trump | https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/01/us/politics/trump-inf-nuclear-treaty.  |