GEOPOLITICS: The U.S. in Decline, Europe Rising

The past few days have been a whirlwind of news surrounding Donald Trump. First came his disastrous speech to Congress, then whispers of so-called peace negotiations with Ukraine. Meanwhile, European leaders gathered in Brussels to talk defense spending and how best to support Ukraine.  

But let’s talk about something even more critical—the intelligence industry. The Trump administration, now packed with conspiracy theorists and Kremlin-friendly loyalists who have zero real expertise, is reshaping U.S. intelligence in ways that could have lasting consequences. How will this affect America's relationship with its allies? What happens to the Five Eyes alliance? And, let’s be real—why is America now acting as Putin’s puppet?  

 

TRUMP'S BEEF WITH CANADA 

By now, we’re all familiar with Trump’s absurd fantasy of making Canada the 51st state. It’s laughable, considering Canada is a sovereign country with a strong economy and a quality of life that many Americans can only dream of. Unlike in the U.S., Canadians have free healthcare, peace, and a sense of normalcy. Naturally, Canada rejected Trump’s ridiculous demands.  

Not one to handle rejection well, Trump lashed out—this time with tariffs, blaming “fentanyl at the border” as his excuse. Never mind the fact that Canada supplies a tiny fraction of the drug compared to other sources. Canada initially made some concessions, which delayed the tariffs for 30 days. But that time is up, and now, talk of reinstating them is back.  

And it doesn’t stop there. On top of his economic tantrums, Trump has floated the idea of kicking Canada out of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance—despite the other members opposing such a move. If this actually happened, intelligence-sharing between the U.S. and Canada would be severely disrupted. A reckless, nonsensical idea, considering Canada remains one of America’s closest and most trusted allies.  

WHAT IS THE FIVE EYES ALLIANCE?

The Five Eyes is an intelligence-sharing partnership between the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Formed during World War II, it remains one of the most powerful intelligence networks in the world, covering counterterrorism, cyber threats, and military operations.  

Trump’s suggestion that Canada could be kicked out is not just reckless—it’s practically impossible. The alliance runs on mutual trust, and Canada plays a key role with its advanced cyber capabilities and deep integration with U.S. intelligence networks. Removing Canada would create logistical nightmares and weaken the entire structure.  

And here’s the kicker—Trump can’t just snap his fingers and kick Canada out. The decision isn’t his alone. The UK, Australia, and the other allies have already signaled they won’t support such a move. The alliance is built on long-term agreements, not one man’s personal grudges.  

THE INTELLIGENCE CRISIS IN THE USA

Trump’s latest picks for top intelligence positions are raising red flags everywhere. Tulsi Gabbard, now heading U.S. intelligence, has no experience in the field and a history of pushing Kremlin-friendly narratives. Kash Patel, the new FBI Director, is another loyalist with no serious intelligence background. These aren’t professionals. They’re political appointees who serve Trump first, America second.  

This is making U.S. allies nervous—especially in the Indo-Pacific. Countries like Japan and South Korea, which rely on U.S. intelligence, are now questioning whether they can still trust the information they receive. And they’re not wrong to worry. If intelligence agencies are being run by people with political agendas and foreign ties, how long before that information becomes compromised?  

The result? Allies will start looking elsewhere, finding new partnerships to protect their own security. The U.S. is losing its credibility—and fast.  

AMERICA, THE KREMLIN'S MOUTHPIECE 

It’s not just about intelligence—it’s about messaging, too. Trump and his administration don’t just weaken U.S. security; they actively repeat Russian propaganda.  

Look at what’s happening with Ukraine. Trump called Zelenskyy a dictator. His administration demanded elections in Ukraine—even though the country is under martial law, and no one there is calling for elections right now. Vice President JD Vance even blamed Ukraine for starting the war. Meanwhile, Trump keeps pushing the idea that Ukraine has no choice but to surrender to Russia under the false banner of “peace.”  

But it’s not just words. The U.S. has now halted military aid to Ukraine, including shipments that were already en route from Poland. Intelligence-sharing has stopped, making advanced weapons like HIMARS and Storm Shadow missiles ineffective. Before, Ukraine was using U.S. intelligence to target key Russian infrastructure—oil fields, refineries, strategic sites. Now, that advantage is gone, leaving Ukraine to fight with one hand tied behind its back and the other hand broken.  

And the rest of the world is paying attention. If the U.S. can abandon Ukraine this easily, who’s next? Why would any country buy U.S. weapons if they can be disabled on a whim? How do you trust a country that was once the leader of the free world but is now throwing democracy under the bus?  

EUROPE STEPS UP 

As the U.S. spirals, Europe is stepping up. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen just introduced the ReArm EU plan—a massive initiative providing up to 800 billion euros to boost defense spending across the continent. This isn’t just about weapons. It’s about creating a more coordinated, independent European defense.  

France is now talking about extending its nuclear umbrella to other European allies, since its nuclear arsenal operates independently from the U.S. Meanwhile, Canada and Turkey are signaling interest in strengthening ties with Europe instead of relying on an increasingly unreliable America.  

And when Trump’s administration clashed with Ukraine, European leaders wasted no time in responding. They quickly rallied around Zelenskyy, sending aid packages and speeding up military support. France and the UK are now leading efforts to negotiate a peace plan—one that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty rather than forcing it to bow to Russia.  

While America isolates itself, Europe is coming together. The balance of power is shifting.  

CONCLUSION 

The world is at a crossroads. As the U.S. retreats, Europe is proving it doesn’t need to wait for American leadership. With new defense initiatives, stronger alliances, and unwavering support for Ukraine, Europe is taking control of its own security. Meanwhile, America’s credibility is in freefall, its intelligence agencies are being dismantled from within, and its foreign policy is being dictated by conspiracy theorists and Kremlin sympathizers.  

So the question is—if the U.S. won’t defend democracy, who will? And what happens next when Russia and China see the cracks in the system?