The shock Israeli strike against Hamas officials in Doha, followed by Russian drones piercing the airspace of NATO ally Poland, delivered twin blows to President Donald Trump’s longtime boast that friends and foes respect the U.S. under his leadership like never before.
Trump voiced unhappiness with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for sending warplanes to attack the capital of Qatar, a major U.S. ally, but has otherwise resisted getting more involved. He has declined to denounce Russia’s drone incursion into Poland, saying Thursday it "could have been a mistake but regardless I’m not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation.”
Trump’s removed attitude contrasts sharply with his repeated claims about his unique ability to solve the world’s intractable conflicts. While he has conceded that Russia’s war in Ukraine — which he once pledged to resolve on his first day back in office — has been more difficult than anticipated, he recently said President Vladimir Putin "wants to make a deal for me.”
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