×

Trump’s leadership backed by U.S. allies

One chorus in which President Donald Trump’s critics delight in singing is that he is ruining our relationships with other countries. Not really.

Consider what happened last Friday and Saturday: That night, armed forces from the United States, England and France joined in an attack on chemical weapons facilities in Syria. Three were destroyed.

Within hours, leaders of the NATO alliance united in praise for the assault.

On Saturday, the United Nations Security Council was asked to condemn the attack. Just three of its 15 members — Russia, China and Bolivia — voted to do so.

Even more telling, some NATO leaders made it a point to say in public on Saturday that if Syria uses chemical weapons again, another attack will be necessary.

Diplomacy is guided by pragmatism — that is, nations have their own best interests at heart, as they should. So there is no doubt some allies who supported us last week will line up in criticism over something the United States does in the future.

But the solid front in support of an attack orchestrated by Trump makes it clear that if anything, his diplomacy is working when it is most important.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.65/week.

Subscribe Today