Trump and Hegseth steer national security strategy on a rudderless course
“Gut feelings” trump coherent policy at the top of American leadership.
The national security strategy of this administration has been entirely rudderless, and the consequences are now coming into focus due to recent events around the world.
President Donald Trump is not known to be a disciplined strategist; rather, he relies on his gut feeling. His chosen secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, is the least experienced and least qualified secretary in modern times. As a result, it is apparent that our national security strategy lacks direction and focus.
This lack of strategy is unacceptable and dangerous. Without a coherent strategy, our interests and safety will be put at risk, and the outcome of these current conflicts will be determined without our input.
On the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the president failed to end the war on Day One, as promised. Of course, this was an unrealistic goal, but it is one he repeatedly stated.
His interest in ending the war waxes and wanes, and his self-imposed deadlines come and go with no consequences for Russia. Ultimately, his complete lack of action and seriousness led to Russia expanding the war by flying combat drones into Poland, a NATO country.
No formal or coherent response has been put forward by either Trump or Hegseth. This will not be the last incursion or incident of this kind, and Russian President Vladimir Putin is fully aware that Trump simply does not care enough to create a strategy to box Russia in. Without a strategy, this war could spread, and Russia could threaten Europe and our allies.
In the Middle East, the war in Gaza rages on, as well. And like Russia, instead of heading closer toward an end, things continue to escalate. The latest escalation was Israel’s attack on Hamas in Qatar, a very close ally of the United States. And once again, no response came from this administration.
Our ally Israel has no respect for our other allies in the region, and the current situation continues to deteriorate with no end in sight. The resulting humanitarian crisis will be a regional problem for years to come.
On foreign policy and strategic competition, Trump seems to abandon our partners and allies, and instead imposes sweeping tariffs on them, harming our economy and theirs.
Not understanding the value our partners and allies can bring in a future conflict with our near-peer competitors, Trump thinks the U.S. can go it alone.
Meanwhile, our strategic competitors are peeling away the largest democratic nation in the world because this administration pushed it away.
The Russia-China-India partnership lacks much substance, but it is a negative optic at a time when the U.S. should be focused on coalition building. Instead, our opponents are beating us at this game.
In the Caribbean, Trump is ordering lethal strikes on supposed drug runners. The legality notwithstanding, simply blowing up boats that are suspected of drug smuggling is not a strategy. This is a failed attempt to take a tough stance on drug cartels, and instead is another example of action with no direction or a stated end state.
A well-thought-out drug interdiction campaign can succeed and lower the amount of illegal drugs entering this country, but blowing up unarmed boats is not part of a coherent strategy.
Trump and Hegseth have demonstrated in these cases that they are not willing to understand the nuances of national security.
They have failed to demonstrate they can articulate and execute a national security strategy that protects this nation’s interests.
Instead, they believe televised Oval Office meetings with world leaders are strategy. They are wrong.
Unfortunately, the world is getting more dangerous, and the leaders entrusted with our national security are asleep at the helm, allowing the ship to drift aimlessly with the current.
This is not a national security strategy; this is a recipe for disaster. The only question left is, what will the shipwreck look like in Eastern Europe, the Mideast, and the Caribbean?
Chris Ostroski is a recently retired lieutenant colonel with more than 20 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard. He lives in South Philadelphia.