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The world is in a far different position than it was just five years ago.
Across Latin America, governments are becoming more aligned with the United States while Chinese influence continues to recede.
Europe is dramatically increasing defense spending, strengthening its borders, and rethinking energy policies after years of dependence and underinvestment. Russia is weaker economically and militarily, Iran has suffered devastating losses to its military and nuclear infrastructure, and China faces growing economic and strategic challenges as its global ambitions encounter new obstacles.
Many of these changes stem from Donald Trump's willingness to abandon traditional diplomacy in favor of an unpredictable negotiating style that pressured both allies and adversaries. NATO members are committing more resources to their own defense, America's strategic position has strengthened across multiple regions, and longtime rivals face greater economic and military pressure than they did just a few years ago. Whether history ultimately judges Trump's approach favorably remains to be seen, but the global balance of power has shifted in ways that increasingly favor the United States.
