Trump's enthronement as the pretentious Emperor of the dying American Empire is a catalyst for rapid change in the world. Countries are forced to take sides or realign themselves in the face of Trump's outrageous and unreasonable demands to the point of extortion at the expense of weak countries. The unipolar world is gone but a new multipolar system is emerging with new partners and players.
Trump's disregard to allies and enemies have taken the world by storm. Canada and Mexico, close trading partners of the Americans were the first to face the thunderbolt of Trump. Both could not believe that Trump would turn against them and are standing up to Trump. Mexico's lady President Sheinbaum proved to be a tough lady to deal with. Boy PM in Canada, in his last few days in office, was also standing up like a man in his boyish ways, challenging Trump's every move. This was quite amazing coming from this kid. Ok, this kid is no more and a man has taken over his job to take on Trump.
The Europeans too were in shock. How could Trump totally ignore them in his dealings with Zelensky in the Ukraine War? The European states have huge interests in Ukraine. Thye want to keep the Russians bogged down in Ukraine with Ukraine as the sacrificial lamb and a clown Zelensky willing to go along. In a way, Trump has called their bluff. For the last three years, the Europeans presented themselves as a weak disunited entity, allowing the Biden/Blinken circus to lead them by the nose into an unwilling war, forcing them to cough up whatever to support the war. Biden/Blinken thought they were in control of the Europeans without realising that the Europeans were the master puppeteers, making the Americans doing the heavy stuff and taking a bigger share of the war effort for them.
Trump is telling the Europeans that it is their war, and they should fight it themselves. America will now take a back seat or would not even participate as a tool of the Europeans. Now the Europeans, knowing that Trump has called their bluff, have to stand up to face the Russians with all they got. Even with the Americans pulling out, the Europeans would continue with their war with Russia, with or without the Americans. Who is duping and conning who is now out in the open. Trump would not allow the European to have a free ride at the American's expense and making the Americans doing the donkey works.
Trump is also not giving India a chance to play both sides. India has to take sides and Modi's game plan is to be with the Americans and abandoning the Russians and BRICS. There is no reason for India to remain in BRICS with its open declaration to be on the side of the Americans.
India's exposure of where its interests lie makes it easier for Russia and China to lead BRICS without having to be mindful of Indian interests. BRICS would now move on its own terms and direction without India.
Japan's position that is similar to Europe, wanting to use the Americans against China and Russia is also being put to test. Japanese PM has several meetings with Trump to pretend to be a willing docile partner but waiting for the right moment to strike may not be so easy now. Trump is going to force Japan's hand. The American occupation force is there to rule or protect Japan and Japan has to pay up. How this would play out is still too early to tell.
The picture of this new realignment of forces would see the Americans alone without the Europeans but with India and may be Japan on their side. European states would now be strutting out alone as another pole on their own in competition with BRICS and the Global South in partnership.
A new ball game is about to begin.
PS. Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to all Muslims in the world.