Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Nov 1: Once branding himself a “peacemaker,” U.S. President Donald Trump now appears to be redefining that legacy through a mix of aggressive posturing, surprise military maneuvers, and unpredictable diplomacy a blend that’s keeping both allies and adversaries guessing.

During his inaugural address, Trump had declared that his administration would measure “success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars we end.” Yet, nine months into his second term, the president’s foreign policy has taken a strikingly muscular turn, echoing Ronald Reagan’s “peace through strength” philosophy albeit with Trump’s trademark flair and unpredictability.

As part of his recent Asia tour, Trump drew global attention by abruptly cancelling trade talks with Canada and imposing a 10% tariff on Canadian imports. The move followed his outrage over a Canadian TV commercial featuring a spliced Reagan speech criticizing tariffs.

While Trump was meeting leaders in Malaysia and South Korea, the U.S. Navy launched lethal strikes on suspected drug boats in the Pacific. Soon after, his administration ordered the deployment of the USS Ford and thousands of troops from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, marking the largest U.S. military buildup in Latin America in over five decades.

Adding to the tension, Trump hinted via social media at a possible end to the decades-old U.S. ban on nuclear weapons testing, just moments before a key meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. When pressed later, Trump remained vague, telling reporters, “You’ll find out very soon.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed the president’s stance, saying, “America will ensure that we have the strongest, most capable nuclear arsenal that’s what peace through strength means.”

Observers, however, warn that Trump’s impulsive style often shifting positions overnight risks undermining international stability. In recent months, Trump has moved from saying Ukraine must cede land to Russia, to claiming Kyiv could reclaim lost territory, to finally suggesting both sides “stop fighting where they are.”

Former U.S. Ambassador Ian Kelly described the situation as “a product of a lack of process,” alleging minimal consultation with Congress or traditional allies.

Despite these criticisms, Trump continues to tout his foreign policy record. He proudly cites June’s strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, which he claims “obliterated” Tehran’s program though the UN nuclear watchdog reports renewed activity at those facilities.

Meanwhile, Trump’s naval operations in the Caribbean have intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with the White House framing the campaign as a crackdown on drug trafficking. Analysts, however, warn of a slippery slope toward another prolonged conflict close to U.S. shores.

“Trump’s team seems to prefer short, sharp military actions, claiming problems are solved immediately,” said Justin Logan of the Cato Institute. “But history suggests otherwise these quick strikes rarely end the story.”

As Trump continues to juggle deterrence and diplomacy, the world watches a president who once promised peace now wielding power with unpredictable vigor leaving open the question of whether his “peace through strength” will ultimately forge stability or fuel new conflicts.