The recent U-turn by US President Donald Trump on the suspension of arms shipments to Ukraine is more than just a course correction ~ it is a revealing glimpse into the evolving calculus of American foreign policy, and more precisely, the tightrope that US leadership walks in balancing public sentiment, strategic interests, and unpredictable allies. The temporary halt in weapon supplies, particularly in critical systems like Patriot air defense missiles, was met with alarm in Kyiv and confusion elsewhere. It came at a time when Ukraine is under intensified attack ~ not just militarily, but psychologically, as Russian drones and missiles rain down on cities, including the capital.

That this pause was justified under the pretext of “putting America’s interests first” only underlined the transactional lens through which global security is increasingly being viewed. Yet, within days, Mr Trump publicly rev – er sed course,........

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