I read many articles focusing on the personality of those occupying the White House, but far fewer analysing the strategy pursued by the White House. As if the problem were one of personality rather than strategy.
But let us be clear. When Vance goes to Munich to accuse Europe of undermining freedom of speech, the goal is not to unite allies, much less to engage in a deep and honest discussion about the concept of freedom.
When Vance bursts in and interrupts Zelensky to disparage him, he is not aiming to facilitate the signing of the agreement drafted by the diplomatic teams of both countries.
It is evident that the purpose is, on the one hand, to create division within Europe and, on the other, to deepen the divide between Europe and the United States, thus making it easier to justify the diplomatic rupture that is underway.
The apparent cordiality of the U.S. towards the United Kingdom, celebrated as a victory by several British media outlets, is nothing more than a manoeuvre designed to weaken the bonds of unity between continental Europe and the United Kingdom—an effort initiated with Brexit, which requires continuous reinforcement to prevent any reversal.
One might ask, why foster this rupture? There is little doubt that Trump’s U.S. and his entourage have chosen to fuel what Francis Fukuyama calls the politics of resentment, aligning themselves with what Timothy Snyder has termed the politics of eternity.
According to Francis Fukuyama, the politics of resentment is a model of political mobilisation based on exploiting feelings of injustice and denied recognition among certain groups, fuelling identity-based divisions and fostering polarisation. Instead of promoting an inclusive discourse, leaders adopting this approach reinforce the perception that certain segments of society have been forgotten or betrayed, channeling their frustration for political ends.
Conversely, the politics of eternity, as described by Timothy Snyder, refers to a strategy in which authoritarian leaders deliberately undermine the ability of democratic institutions to function effectively, making the implementation of stable political solutions impossible. This approach creates a permanent state of crisis and misgovernance, convincing citizens that only the authoritarian leader can restore order while delegitimising any democratic alternative.
Both strategies reinforce each other: social resentment is instrumentalised to justify actions that render democracy unworkable, while the dismantling of institutions generates even more resentment, creating a vicious cycle of democratic erosion.
It is important to understand this, so that we do not allow ourselves to be distracted by the theatrics surrounding the interventions of Trump and Vance. These theatrics serve a clear strategic purpose, with the added advantage of surprising and diverting attention from the essential issues.
The worst we can do is to escalate our rhetoric to the level set by the White House, as our own escalation would only serve as a reinforced argument for Trump’s administration's hostility. The best response is one of firmness and composure, fully aware that our future depends, first and foremost, on our own choices.