Parsing the new call to defend ‘Western civilization’

There is a joke on the internet that one should not judge the Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy harshly until you have read it in the original Russian.

The fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the document shortly after it was released made that joke a few shades darker.

There has been a good deal of commentary on what a fundamental departure this strategy represents — instead of advancing democracy there is a call to the battlements to defend “Western civilization” that seems to be defined by race and faith.

Others dismiss it as a word salad that will not survive contact with a mercurial president, determined rivals (particularly Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio who are both eyeing the 2028 GOP presidential nomination), and economic and political reality.

What has struck me is that while the document correctly argues that a strategy is a statement on ends and means, the ends — actually, three pages of “wants” — and the means, which are largely a list of boasts, do not explain how the administration will seek to get from Point A to Point B.

“The world’s single largest and most innovative economy.” Will the president’s tariffs damage that economy? Will its immigration policies starve the economy of needed labor? Will the slashing of research funds result in fewer breakthroughs and dampen innovation? Will growing deficits keep interest rates high?

“The world’s leading financial system.” Repeat after me, the (over-valued) stock market is not the economy. Markets have surged on the back of AI investment, but middle-class Americans don’t feel it. Chase’s Jamie Dimon warns of “cockroaches” in the system.

“The world’s most advanced, most innovative, and most profitable technology sector.” Ditto the cutting of research funding. Ditto the $100,000 visa fee for foreign talent. Not to mention the number of bright foreign students who no longer see America as a welcoming academic environment and are going elsewhere.

“The world’s most powerful and capable military.” True but there have been several reports lately about the Pentagon’s dysfunctional procurement system. Secretary of Defense Hegseth wants to see the military emphasize speed in developing and producing weapons, but the problem has resisted reform for decades.

The latest National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress does seek sweeping change in that system, but it is questionable if the current defense industry could provide the military with the necessary “means” in a sustained conflict as things currently stand.

“A broad network of alliances.” Near the end of the document, the strategy states it will not “hector” Middle Eastern monarchies about the way they run their countries (presumably that includes executing journalists because, you know, “things happen”). But it has no problem “hectoring” European nations about their lack of defense spending or immigration policies. No, the U.S. is not leaving NATO, but why do so many leaders from allies say that they cannot depend on America anymore?

“An enviable geography with abundant natural resources.” Apparently, those resources don’t include rare earths, and, oh yes, cyberattacks are not deterred by oceans or distance.

“Unmatched ‘soft power’ and cultural influence.” Pew Research’s survey of America’s standing with other nations documents the plunge in trust in America that has occurred since the president took office. Majorities see him as “arrogant, dangerous,” and “not honest.” Not sure what the administration’s concept of soft power might be — Lee Greenwood?

The words democracy and diplomacy are conspicuous by their absence, and this is said to reflect hard-headed “realism.” I was recently reminded that “Western civilization” is adherence to a set of ideas (democracy, free markets, rule of law, scientific inquiry) that knows no skin color or religion. I’m not sure this administration thinks that is true.

• Keith Peterson, of Lake Barrington, served 29 years as a press and cultural officer for the United States Information Agency and Department of State. He was chief editorial writer of the Daily Herald 1984-86. His book “American Dreams: The Story of the Cyprus Fulbright Commission” is available from Amazon.com.