U.S. president, Donald Trump, has long displayed an affinity for “strong leaders.” Whether this stems from admiration, political calculation, or a disregard for democratic norm; such closeness to Russian president Vladimir Putin and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu unmasks a troubling aspect. These relationships are not merely diplomatic; they expose a bond between these three men who thrive on conflict, repression, and nationalism. Putin and Netanyahu operate in very different contexts, yet their strategies are strikingly similar. Both have waged wars that devastate civilians, particularly children, while justifying their actions under the pretext of battling “Nazis” in Ukraine or “terrorists” in Gaza. In Ukraine, Putin’s invasion has reduced cities to rubble, caused tens of thousands of deaths, and left Russia economically crippled. Netanyahu, in Gaza, continues a relentless campaign that has inflicted enormous civilian suffering. Both leaders dismiss international outrage as biased—labeling critics as Russophobes, antisemites, or sympathisers of terrorism. The International Criminal Court has already indicted both men for war crimes and issued warrants for their arrest. Yet, unbowed by international law, they cling to power through the politics of fear. Peace threatens them more than war, for peace would force them to face accountability. In this Trump has exhibited total insensitivity to world opinion as he continues to openly meet these two leaders who are seen as global pariahs. For Putin, the continuation of war is vital to suppress dissent at home and to keep Russia’s oligarchs, already frustrated by sanctions, tethered to his regime. For Netanyahu, military escalation provides a temporary shield against corruption trials and potential electoral defeat. Should peace return, Netanyahu would face voters and lost the election and more than likely, jail time for long-pending bribery and fraud charges. Thus, both leaders fight not for national survival but for their own survival. The grim irony is that neither conflict promises outright victory. Ukraine shows no signs of surrendering to Putin’s imperial designs, and Gaza remains a quagmire where Israel’s military power has failed to deliver decisive results. Ceasefires and stalemates are the likeliest outcomes-scenarios that threaten the political survival of both men. Trump’s place in this triangle makes the danger global. As president of the United States, he lends legitimacy to leaders condemned by much of the world. Like them, Trump thrives on division, populist fervor, and the projection of military strength. All three were elected, but their governance reveals disdain for democratic institutions and international law. They wield patriotism as a weapon, branding critics traitors while presenting themselves as guardians of the nation. The alignment of Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu is more than an alliance of convenience. It reflects a shared worldview where conflict is currency, nationalism is armor, and democracy is expendable. Together, they embody a troubling global trend: the rise of leaders who fear peace more than war, because peace strips away the myths they depend upon. There are also other global leaders who are using the same tactics to strengthen their political grip. The international community must confront this reality. To ignore it is to allow such dangerously undemocratic powerful men, bound by mutual interests and authoritarian instincts, to dictate the course of global politics. The cost-in human lives, democratic erosion, and global stability-is already staggering.
Sunday, August 31, 2025