Today's Briefing: The Collapse of Trust in America’s Leadership
A cultural analysis of how America’s unpredictability is pushing allies away. Europe is preparing for a future without the U.S., and trust in American leadership is eroding fast.
The world used to trust the US to lead with stability, reliability, and long-term commitments. That trust is gone.
Europe is no longer waiting for the US to dictate security policy. Leaders are ramping up defense spending, building nuclear deterrents, and signing military agreements—without America at the table. Meanwhile, Trump’s push to deport migrants who once aided the US in war zones is sending a dangerous message: America no longer protects those who help it.
The consequences of this shift are massive. Allies are learning to operate without US leadership, and those who once supported America’s military and intelligence efforts will think twice before doing so again.
When trust disappears, so does power.
Europe Is Preparing for a Future Without the US
European leaders have unveiled a massive new defense plan, securing funding and military alliances without American involvement.
For decades, NATO and transatlantic security relied on the assumption that the US would always back its allies. But Trump thrives on unpredictability, a trait admired in American business but disastrous in global politics. While the US embraces risk-taking and fast decision-making, European nations prioritize stability and long-term planning.
Trump’s erratic policies have shattered that stability.
Europe, which culturally values clear commitments and structured alliances, is no longer willing to depend on an unreliable US partner. Now, leaders are forging their own path, strengthening defense spending, and discussing independent nuclear deterrents. Once this transition is complete, America’s influence over European security will be lost forever.
America’s Allies Are Learning the Hard Way That Loyalty Means Nothing
Trump is preparing to deport thousands of legal migrants, including Ukrainians and Afghans, who risked their lives to support US military operations.
For generations, those who helped the US in war zones trusted that America would protect them. That trust was built on a collectivist mindset—“We are in this together.” But Trump’s America operates with a more individualist philosophy—decisions are transactional, based on immediate political benefit rather than long-term relationships.
This cultural shift has dire consequences.
In collectivist cultures, loyalty and long-term commitments are key. By turning its back on those who helped it, the US sends a clear message: America’s promises are temporary.
The result?
Future allies will hesitate to assist. Intelligence sources will dry up, military translators will refuse to help, and American operations abroad will become far more dangerous.
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Book Recommendation
Want to learn more about what and why you do the things you do? We suggest reading Mining the Psyche.
The first in the At Large in the Maze of Myth series, Mining the Psyche, follows Michael Allman, a disillusioned Londoner whose impulsive journey to confront an old acquaintance leads to a psychological odyssey where myth and reality intertwine.
M.J. Hornby’s novel will give you insight into yourself and others - a framework for understanding why people act the way they do - much like cultural dimensions help explain how people interact and relate to one another. Kindle Unlimited currently offers it for free. Get it here.