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.
To buy an issue: leslibraires.fr.
To buy the Epub (in French): Immatériel.fr.
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Trump II and the World / Politique étrangère, Vol. 90, No. 3, 2025
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Has ASEAN become Marginalized within Regional Security Architecture? / Politique étrangère, Vol. 90, No. 4, 2025
South Asian leaders continue to reiterate how “central” ASEAN is to the region’s security architecture. However, in practice, the tendency is to prioritize bilateral agreements, gradually marginalizing the organization. This fragmentation is weakening regional cooperation, accentuating divisions, and compromising stability in the context of growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific. These trends are worrying at a time when Sino-American rivalries are becoming more acute.
Caught between China and the US: Southeast Asia’s Strategic Fence-Sitting / Politique étrangère, Vol. 90, No. 4, 2025
The secret of success for many Southeast Asian countries has been their choice of economic and diplomatic multilateralism. Fence-sitting between rival powers is becoming fraught. China inspires a degree of fear in the region, due to its clout and geographical proximity. And under Trump, the United States is on the offensive against the multilateral trade system, with major diplomatic consequences. Can Southeast Asian countries maintain their balance by embracing new partnerships?
The Gulf Search for Power(s) / Politique étrangère, Vol. 90, No. 4, 2025
Persian Gulf countries have become heavyweights in the international arena, wielding influence both regionally and far beyond. Acting as diplomatic mediators, investors, and hosts of global events, they are attempting to move beyond their long-standing role as suppliers of energy resources and reshape their economic, social, and political foundations through ambitious national “Visions”. Their international alliances are proving increasingly flexible, broadening their diplomatic reach (even if Washington’s influence remains decisive)—with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates all part of a dynamic pushing many global actors toward multi-alignment.
Trump II: The Clash of Ideologies
The second Trump administration brings together a number of very different, even opposing, ideologies: far-right populism, the reactionary Christian right, paleolibertarianism, and technolibertarianism. The most visible measures taken since Donald Trump's return to the White House have been populist in nature, with the president's authority strengthened, checks and balances weakened, a form of identity politics embraced, and economic nationalism implemented.