After Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, “Sighs of relief echoed in the capitals” around the world. Richard Engel, NBC News chief foreign correspondent reported at that time that many abroad reacted as if “the United States had overthrown a dictator, that democracy had been saved, that the reputation of the United States had been saved.”

Four years later, it was no secret that many of America’s key allies, especially in Europe, were desperate to see Donald Trump lose. After his victory, the anguish abroad was almost as overwhelming as it was in Democratic homes from coast to coast.

One of Germany’s leading news magazines ran a one-word headline on its cover beneath a photo of the Republican. “F—”he said. (The original actually spelled the word.)

It’s worth taking a moment to understand why.

The problem is not just Trump’s proposed tariffs. Or his buffoonery. Or his erratic tendencies. Or its corruption. Or their willingness to commit legally dubious abuses. Or the degree to which its reactionary, fascist-like tendencies are offensive to global democracies. Or the discomfort that will result from Trump’s face-to-face meeting with international leaders. who destroyed it after he left the White House, assuming that his career could not recover from the failures and alleged crimes of his first term.

The biggest problem is that they are not sure which side he will be on for a second term.

He Wall Street Journal Featured the fact that America’s rivals “are merging into a new global authoritarian axis.”

At first glance, the emergence of this “axis” is disturbing, but even more alarming is the question of whether Trump sees its members as adversaries or like-minded partners.

Before the American elections, for example, Trump described to the United States’ international adversaries as “supposed enemies” and countries that “might not be enemies.” Almost at the same time, the Republican publicly destroyed our South Korean allies, EU allies and Ukrainian allies – while pointing to the Hungarian Viktor Orbán and his “strongman” style as a kind of international model worthy of emulation.

A few months earlier, Trump saying“Our allies are the worst.” One month later, he added“They are allies, but not when we need them. They are only allies when they need something.”

Earlier this year, in the midst of the Republican Party’s presidential primaries, Trump also said he was prepared to “root for Russia.”to do what they want”to NATO members who did not spend enough on defense.

And did I mention that Trump has supposedly had several undisclosed conversations with Putin Since you left the White House? And that the republican He didn’t exactly deny it. that conversations took place?

As to why Americans should care, a world in which the United States weakens the NATO alliance and sides with authoritarian and dictatorial regimes abroad effectively represents a potential collapse of the post-war global order. World War II, creating global instability, unpredictability and security threats.

In recent generations, Americans have rarely prioritized foreign policy when making decisions at the ballot box. In 2024, many may come to regret their indifference.