Mediaboss Marketing

U.S. president Donald Trump pledged to put America first, stop other countries from taking advantage of the United States, and shake up Washingtons business-as-usual mind-set. This resulted in inconsistent and erratic policy in his administrations first two weeks. From putting Tehran on notice, to signing an executive order banning refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim majority countries, to jeopardizing longstanding U.S. alliances, President Trump continues to undermine EU member states security, interests and citizens. The EU must react to mitigate the broader strategic implications of the drastic changes to U.S. policy and check President Trump.

A major component of President Trumps Middle East policy is ideologically driven opposition to Iran. His team views Tehran as a regime led by mad mullahs, driven by an Islamist revolutionary ideology and hell-bent on opposing America. The administration blows Iranian capabilities out of proportion and deeply misunderstands its intentions. In Yemen, Trumps team follows the Saudi linethe Houthis are a puppet of Iran and a threat to the United Statesbut the reality is more nuanced. And when Iran tested a medium-range missile earlier this month, the Trump administration put Tehran on notice and imposed new sanctions on it.

The fear in European capitals is that all this puts the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran at risk. The stronger anti-Iran tone means that de-escalating minor crises becomes more difficult. And there are likely to be challenges to the deal from both sides.

During the campaign, Trump vowed to tear up the deal. But the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was not just a bilateral U.S.-Iran deal; France, the UK, Germany, China and Russia were also involved. For Europe, the deal removes a key concern: Irans nuclear program. It also opens the doors to dialogue with Tehran as a way to overcome other concerns, something Brussels has already begun through its joint EU-Iran High Level political dialogue, which discusses everything from trade deals to human rights. The EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, successfully leveraged the deal to engage not just the moderates but also hard-liners in Tehran on several fronts, including on tough issues like human rights. To be sure, the agreement has flaws, but even skeptics, including U.S. allies in the Gulf and analysts in Washington, have called for Trump to adhere to its terms.

The new administrations more belligerent tone towards Iran also affects the battle against ISIS in Iraq. While Irans role may be worrisome, there is no denying that the United States, the EU, and Iran have overlapping interests in Iraq. Iran is a key stakeholder in the fight against ISIS, and sees combatting ISIS as a foreign- and security-policy priority, to which it has committed substantial resources. The United States and Iran have coordinated on certain efforts, resulting in successful missions. An increasingly belligerent tone makes this type of dialogue and coordination less likely, ultimately jeopardizing the fight against ISIS in Iraq.

President Trump outlined his administrations focus on countering radical Islamic terrorism. As part of this, he signed a controversial executive order, restricting refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen. President Trump claimed this wasnt a Muslim ban. But thats not how its seen. While today the ban has been suspended, the damage is done: if Muslims think this was a Muslim ban, thats all that matters.

Far from helping the West combat ISIS and its ideologyone of Trumps main foreign-policy goalsthe executive order was a gift to terrorists. Its the perfect recruitment tool even after it was suspended. ISIS hasnt been able to sell its narrative of the clash of Islam and the West to the broader Muslim world so far, and such action from the White House allows it to do so. The order also helps radicalize disenfranchised Muslims, and undermines moderate Muslims combatting extremist ideologies.

The ban also further undermines the nuclear deal with Iran. Iran is one of the seven countries targeted. The executive order and the changes to the Visa Waiver Program last year sent conflicting messages to investors and businesses hoping to enter the Iranian market after the nuclear deal. Should Iran be unable to reap the benefits of the deal, itll have less incentive to stick to its end of the bargain.

But perhaps more significant to Brussels and leaders of European countries is President Trumps blatant disregard for managing alliances and relationships with allies. Rhetoric towards traditional allies and friends such as Mexico, Australia and even some of the Gulf Arab states, as well as NATO, highlights the presidents contempt for anyone who criticizes the direction the United States is taking. Instead, President Trump is cozying up to Russias Vladimir Putin, whose actions have threatened European security.

See more here:
Trump vs. the European Union: The Coming Storm - The National Interest Online