This weird idea that Trump is less of an enemy towards the Global South because he did a few symbolic things
Exactly. I used to take that exact line. Then a friend of mine pointed out that, really, the very best you can say of Trump – and it’s being generous – is that he has some instincts toward realpolitik and political pragmatism, which in principle would at least make him better than the neocons (who are totally delusional and driven by ideology). However, Trump also wants to be respected, and he’s terminally insecure, so he bowed to the neocons at pretty much every major juncture. Which completely obviates any reason one might have for supporting him.
Exactly. I used to take that exact line. Then a friend of mine pointed out that, really, the very best you can say of Trump – and it’s being generous – is that he has some instincts toward realpolitik and political pragmatism, which in principle would at least make him better than the neocons (who are totally delusional and driven by ideology). However, Trump also wants to be respected, and he’s terminally insecure, so he bowed to the neocons at pretty much every major juncture. Which completely obviates any reason one might have for supporting him.