News of ignorant buffoon Donald "Rump" Trump's hostile phone call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday has added to the deep concerns about Rump's stability, grasp of foreign policy, and his bullying of a longtime U.S. friend and ally. Rump's abrupt termination of the call was reportedly the result of the discussion over 1,250 refugees that the U.S. agreed to take from Australia under an agreement reached with President Obama. Rump reportedly told Turnbull that Australia was trying to send the U.S. the "next Boston bombers." When the Australian Prime Minister tried to shift the discussion to Syria, Rump cut the conversation short and hung up.
If we treat our allies like enemies (Australia, Mexico, Germany, and a growing list), our adversaries like friends (Putin's Russia, Assad's Syria), and stumble around major points of dispute (irritating China over Taiwan), we'll end up alone the next time we need to put an international coalition together. That only delights our adversaries.
BONUS: Some further insights into the calls Rump's made --
At one point, Trump informed Turnbull that he had spoken with four other world leaders that day — including Russian President Vladimir Putin — and that “this was the worst call by far.”
Trump’s behavior suggests that he is capable of subjecting world leaders, including close allies, to a version of the vitriol he frequently employs against political adversaries and news organizations in speeches and on Twitter. [snip]
Even in conversations marred by hostile exchanges, Trump manages to work in references to his election accomplishments. U.S. officials said that he used his calls with Turnbull and [Mexican President] Peña Nieto to mention his election win or the size of the crowd at his inauguration.He's several cards short of a full deck. How long before he hits the tripwire?
UPDATE: Sen. John McCain's increasingly looking like the Republican foil to Rump. He called the Australian ambassador to convey this message:
“I asked Ambassador Hockey to convey to the people of Australia that their American brothers and sisters value our historic alliance, honor the sacrifice of the Australians who have served and are serving by our side, and remain committed to the safer, freer, and better world that Australia does far more than its fair share to protect and promote.”
