Trump bucks Biden’s ‘don’t’ doctrine on world stage, hits adversaries with ‘all hell to pay’ deadline
In the final days of the Biden administration, President-elect Trump is diverging from his predecessor’s cautious approach to foreign adversaries by issuing strong warnings before even taking office. Trump took to his Truth Social account on Monday to issue a stern warning to Hamas, the terrorist group responsible for kidnapping over 200 people, including seven Americans, in the Middle East.
Trump’s message was clear: if the hostages are not released before his inauguration on January 20, 2025, there will be severe consequences for those responsible. He vowed that if the hostages are not released, there will be “ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East” for those who have committed these atrocities.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, has left more than 100 hostages still in captivity. Despite efforts by the White House and the Israeli government to secure their release, progress has been limited.
Trump’s tough rhetoric stands in stark contrast to President Biden’s approach, which has been criticized as weak and ineffective. Biden’s repeated warnings of “don’t” to Iran and other hostile actors have failed to deter further attacks on Israel. Critics argue that simply saying “don’t” without imposing consequences is not a viable national security policy.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other conservative security experts have slammed Biden’s approach, calling for stronger action against Iran and other adversaries in the region. They argue that Biden’s reluctance to take decisive action has only emboldened America’s enemies.
In contrast, Trump’s promises to take a tough stance on terrorism and secure the release of hostages have been met with praise from Israeli officials. President Isaac Herzog and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have expressed gratitude for Trump’s clear and forceful statements.
As Trump prepares to take office as the nation’s 47th president, his team is touting his early successes in promoting international peace and security. Negotiations to end the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine have reportedly accelerated in anticipation of Trump’s inauguration, signaling a shift in the region’s geopolitical landscape.
Overall, Trump’s willingness to confront America’s adversaries head-on and fulfill his campaign promises has signaled a new era of foreign policy under his administration. As the world watches and waits for his inauguration, the stage is set for a dramatic shift in America’s approach to international relations.
