January 20th marked exactly one year since Donald Trump resumed office as the 47th President of the United States.

Shock Therapy for the World

The Trump phenomenon itself has provoked strong reactions worldwide. He has clearly succeeded in placing himself at the center of international affairs, and his narcissism and passion are acknowledged by both supporters and critics alike. On January 14th, the business publication The Wall Street Journal published an article praising Trump’s performance under the headline “America Is the Sole Superpower Again.” It asserts that the United States has now strengthened its position among the great powers, while China is “sliding to a distant second place.” GDP growth forecasts for this year range from 2% to 5%; Americans are leaders in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and space exploration, and are the world’s largest oil producers (approximately 14 barrels per day). Trump has used tariffs to restore fair trade and increase US revenues and has also strengthened military power and the defense industrial base.

The Saudi newspaper Sharq Al Awsat summarized these assessments with the succinct........

© New Eastern Outlook