Are We at War Against Ourselves?

By Guest Contributing Writer Marc Friedman

At War Against Ourselves is a timely and essential book, especially as the 2024 presidential election looms. In it, General H.R. McMaster, former national security advisor to Donald Trump, provides an alarming critique of U.S. foreign policy in the post-Cold War era, focusing particularly on the chaotic and dangerous leadership of Trump. 

Drawing from his personal experience, McMaster paints a troubling picture of Trump’s profound flaws and the detrimental impact they had on America’s global standing.

McMaster argues that American foreign policy has long been marred by "strategic narcissism," a tendency to view global issues solely through the lens of U.S. interests. However, under Trump, this narcissism was intensified by the former president’s personal insecurities. 

Trump consistently viewed himself as a victim, believing in false narratives designed to protect his fragile ego. This self-victimization not only made him vulnerable to manipulation by adversaries but also rendered him incapable of grasping the complexities of international relations.

The author further reveals Trump’s insecurity through his treatment of advisors, whom he often belittled to mask his own weaknesses. McMaster describes how Trump created a "circular firing squad" within the White House by mocking and degrading his team, fostering an atmosphere of distrust. 

This hostile environment undermined the ability of advisors to collaborate effectively, leaving the U.S. more vulnerable to foreign threats. Trump's unpredictable nature, combined with a lack of respect for expertise, led to fractured decision-making and a toxic leadership culture.

 One of McMaster’s most significant criticisms lies in Trump’s admiration for authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán. Trump was drawn to their power and control, often seeking their approval. 

McMaster argues that this blinded Trump to the strategic realities of these relationships, allowing America’s adversaries to gain legitimacy and influence without offering anything in return. 

The meetings with Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, hailed by Trump as major diplomatic successes, are highlighted as examples where the U.S. gained nothing while adversaries advanced their own agendas.

Trump's foreign policy failures also extended to his inability to engage with complex issues. McMaster recounts how Trump often made decisions impulsively, based on the advice of those who flattered him. 

This lack of intellectual curiosity, McMaster suggests, resulted in hasty decisions that weakened America’s global position. For instance, Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and his abandonment of the Kurds in Syria are cited as destabilizing actions that harmed U.S. interests.

McMaster’s book is not only a critique of Trump’s personal failings but also an indictment of his leadership style. Trump’s inability to tolerate dissent, his need for constant validation, and his reliance on bullying tactics made it impossible for his administration to function effectively. 

Major policy decisions were frequently reversed or contradicted, leaving both advisors and global allies uncertain about U.S. positions on critical issues. McMaster likens serving in the Trump White House to "living at the base of an active volcano," emphasizing the instability that characterized Trump’s foreign policy.

A key theme of McMaster’s book is the concept of "strategic empathy," the ability to understand the motivations of both allies and adversaries. 

McMaster argues that Trump lacked this crucial element, leading to a foreign policy centered on self-interest rather than national security. Trump's focus on personal gain allowed foreign powers like Russia and China to manipulate him, further eroding U.S. influence on the global stage.

McMaster also explores how Trump’s transactional approach to diplomacy strained long-standing alliances. His frequent insults to NATO allies and his reduction of relationships to economic terms damaged partnerships built over decades. 

McMaster warns that this erosion of trust has long-term consequences for global stability, as America’s traditional alliances weaken and adversaries grow bolder.

Ultimately, At War Against Ourselves provides a damning portrait of Trump’s foreign policy. McMaster’s insider perspective, coupled with his nonpartisan stance, offers a compelling argument against Trump’s fitness for the role of commander-in-chief. 

McMaster warns that Trump’s gross insecurity, erratic behavior, and admiration for authoritarian leaders make him a significant danger to America’s global standing and security. He contends that without competent leadership, the U.S. risks further decline in its role as a global leader, with disastrous consequences for world peace and stability.

McMaster’s book serves as a stark reminder of the importance of steady, informed leadership in an increasingly unstable world. Like many former Trump advisors, McMaster has refused to endorse Trump’s reelection, offering instead a sobering diagnosis of his presidency, and Trump’s inability to conduct foreign affairs in the best interests of our nation. 

For those concerned about the future of U.S. foreign policy, At War Against Ourselves is both a warning and a call to action on election day.

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(Mr. Friedman was an international lawyer for almost five decades. He holds a B.A. degree in Philosophy from The Johns Hopkins University and a Juris Doctor degree, with Honors, from The George Washington University Law School.)