Trump doctrine seems to be fight with allies, make up with enemies: Fareed Zakaria

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India Today Video Desk

UPDATED: Jan 20, 2026 22:29 IST

In an exclusive interview with India Today, renowned foreign policy analyst Fareed Zakaria analyses the global impact of Donald Trump's presidency. Zakaria describes the 'Trump doctrine' as a fundamental reorientation of American foreign policy, characterised by a tendency to challenge allies while engaging with traditional adversaries. He argues that the United States has abdicated its role as the global stabiliser, leading to a 'post-American world' defined by volatility and diminishing agenda-setting power. The discussion explores the potential for a global tariff war and the 'Donro doctrine,' noting that China may emerge as a primary beneficiary of this shift. Regarding India, Zakaria suggests that while domestic growth provides resilience, New Delhi must navigate Trump's transactional approach to secure technology partnerships. He warns that unconstrained decision-making and disregard for long-standing alliances like NATO are prompting countries to de-risk from the US Zakaria concludes that these developments represent a significant rupturing of the post-World War II international system.

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