Trump II and the World / Politique étrangère, Vol. 90, No. 3, 2025
Does Trumpism exist? And if so, how can its ideology be characterized, given the myriad currents underpinning it—from populism and the Christian Right to paleolibertarianism and technolibertarianism? Does it embody a genuine worldview that informs its diplomatic actions? An obsessive drive to overturn long-standing practices, alliances, and commitments deemed “detrimental” to American interests, coupled with a fixation on transactional, one-off deals, appears to serve as its de facto strategy—hence the widespread weakening of allied ties. Observers are equally at a loss to discern an economic strategy, and above all reluctant to anticipate the possible outcomes of its contradictory maneuvers.
Faced with the Trump tornado and the havoc it is wreaking on the Old Continent, European nations seem hesitant: How will they ensure their security going forward—and against whom, and with what means—if the United States confirms even a partial withdrawal of military support? How should Europeans go about devising a comprehensive security strategy? How can their concrete defense needs be identified? Should Europeans turn a blind eye, resign themselves to the situation, or rally their forces to change it—and at what economic and political cost?
European interests extend beyond the continent itself. For this quarter, Politique étrangère also turns its attention to the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, the main stage for the economic tug-of-war between China and the US. It also examines the misfortune that has befallen Haiti—a situation in which France played no small part, yet it remains one of the few countries actively concerned about Haiti’s plight.
This issue is available in French only: Trump II et le monde
TRUMP II AND THE WORLD
Trump II: The Clash of Ideologies, by Laurence Nardon
The Geopolitics of the Second Trump Administration, by Alix Frangeul-Alves and Martin Quencez
Donald Trump’s Economic Nationalism, by Norbert Gaillard
Trump II and Asia: The Wind is Picking Up..., by Marc Julienne
The Second Trump Administration and the Middle East, by Rym Momtaz
DOES EUROPE HAVE THE MEANS TO DEFEND ITSELF?
The Defense of Europe: A New Crisis of Principles, by Olivier Schmitt
Europe Uncovered?, by Élie Tenenbaum and Guillaume Garnier
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Turkey-PKK: Forty Years, All for Nothing?, by Adel Bakawan
Iraqi Shiites: Religious and Strategic Drivers of Iranian Influence, by Alain Monnier
BAROMETERS
Jihadism: North African Combatants in the Syrian-Iraqi Zone, by Djallil Lounnas
The Challenges Facing Nigerian Oil in the Niger Delta, by Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos
Value Chains and Investments in Asia, by Paul Salez
REFLECTIONS
Iran’s Nuclear Program: Evaluation Methods and Difficulties, by Cyril Gelibter
Haiti 1825–2025: The Geopolitics of Debt, by Jean Marie Théodat
BOOK REVIEWS
Editor: Marc Hecker
Multinationales. Une histoire du monde contemporain, by Olivier Petitjean and Ivan du Roy (eds.), by Vincent Vicard
232 pages. 23 euros.
September 9th, 2025.
Diffusion : Pollen/Dif'Pop.
Subscription: Armand Colin.
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Trump II and the World / Politique étrangère, Vol. 90, No. 3, 2025
Iran: Anatomy of a Power at War
The elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking officials at the outset of the 2026 American-Israeli operation did not succeed in bringing down the Iranian regime. The regime had prepared for such a scenario, notably by decentralizing its structures. Moreover, it continues to adapt to war. The power of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is growing at the expense of the Shiite clergy. The security apparatus defends the country’s sovereignty and justifies its actions in the name of raison d’état.
“Remodeling” the Middle East?
Chaos continues to spread, seemingly without end, across the Middle East. The Israeli-American attack on Iran has resulted in a clear military and diplomatic failure, but it is paving the way for a regional realignment, the consequences of which remain uncertain. New regional groupings are taking shape, either centered around Israel or built on the prospect of coexistence with Tehran, alongside a decline in American influence and the marginalization of Europe, while China maintains a low-key presence.
Silicon Valley and War: Lessons from Ukraine
Over the course of international conflicts, and particularly in Ukraine, major tech companies have emerged as central actors. Initially subject to wartime maneuvering, they have since become decisive actors in their own right, privatizing a significant share of wartime exchanges, shaping the information flows of societies, and presenting themselves as providers of security. This situation raises important questions about states’ autonomy in making decisions and taking action.
Does Artificial Intelligence Change the Nature of War?
From Gaza to Ukraine and Iran, current conflicts are being shaped by the arrival of artificial intelligence and robots on the battlefield. The changes under way are so profound that humans risk rapidly losing control over entire aspects of the conduct of military operations. While these technological developments are altering the character of war, their impact on the very nature of war itself remains a matter of debate.