when putin is smiling
Opinion by Ben Everidge for Thomas
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock by Piotr
And Most assuredly he is …
So, how do you know when an American policy is making the leader of Russia happy? When Vladimir Putin is smiling, of course.
As MAGA Republicans and Democrats jockey for the American electorate’s attention and support, it is of critical importance that we, as a nation, not permit groveling policy changes favorably benefit adversaries like Russia, China, North Korea, or any nation-state that is led by a dictator or authoritarian.
We have heard a lot of allegations about what may or may not be undermining American democracy in 2025. To make it much easier to judge which policies harm the United States’ most vital interests more accurately, I suggest we see who is smiling about those policies and ask ourselves why. And because of whom? What benefit will they receive if so?
The appearance that our Constitution is being undermined by the United States Senate’s unimpressive advise and consent duties during the confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump’s 47 Cabinet members is a valid concern when you consider how inexperienced and flawed some of these nominations were in these initial days of the President’s second term.
The U.S. House’s lack of anxiety over the President’s challenge to their constitutional duty to manage spending for our nation adds to many a person’s angst. For example, what and why is Elon Musk accessing private personal records at the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration?
Should Congress not authorize or oppose the closing of whole agencies of the federal government rather than the White House and its so far unauthorized Department of Government Efficiency known as DOGE? Is or was the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as corrupt as Mr. Musk would have us believe?
Why, after all of these years now, can we not definitively answer the question for those who still do not believe that the 2020 presidential election was not fake and that the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol was not a protest but an illegal attack on democracy?
So, Republican or Democrat, or Independent, what policies and actions would make Mr. Putin, Xi, or Kim smile at us?
Here is how many political independents are looking at developments in early 2025:
Anything that appears to undermine the institutions of our country without good cause. Undermining activities such as any of our elected leaders ignoring the Rule of Law in America, labeling the media as the enemy of the people rather than turning the channel to the news you do trust, or using the United States military against our civilians. Add to the list firing Inspector Generals at our agencies of government without demonstrating cause, dismantling the federal workforce when the fiscal benefit is not evident, denying without scientific evidence that vaccines are harmful, or worse yet, trashing healthcare safety for millions of Americans who cannot afford to be without expert medical care.
Undermining law enforcement in the United States, which has been doing its job prosecuting criminals and pursuing bad guys. When the bad guys are pardoned or have their sentences commuted when a jury of their peers judged them felons, it makes no sense that we would ignore the laws and justice of our nation.
Undermining U.S. allies with no clear objective and benefit in sight. For the most part, NATO has helped us maintain peace in Europe and should not be abandoned now. Placing tariffs on our allies rather than our foes is not a wise economic policy in the modern era, not to mention when we are trying to combat inflation, which will undoubtedly be stoked when the full impact of tariffs occurs. The United States does not need to buy Greenland from the Dutch, making Canada the 51st state against the will of that country and our strongest ally, the United Kingdom.
Attacking American culture so that we can further divide our people by denying them equal benefits and treatment under the law. Women in the United States should have the right to make their own medical decisions about their healthcare.
As engaged political observers, it's essential to assess how specific policies of Congress or the White House and its administration might align with Russian or other adversary’s interests, particularly in ways that could potentially undermine American democracy.
Putin is most assuredly smiling at the following then:
The Dismantling of USAID - The move to dismantle USAID has significant implications. USAID has been instrumental in promoting democratic institutions and civil society in countries with authoritarian regimes, including Russia. The Russian government has long criticized USAID's activities, alleging interference in domestic affairs. By shutting down USAID, the U.S. reduces its support for pro-democracy initiatives abroad, which could be perceived as a concession to Russian interests.
Reshaping U.S. Foreign Policy - The shift towards a more transactional and power-based foreign policy departs from the traditional rules-based international order. This approach includes sidelining longstanding institutions like the United Nations and emphasizing U.S. authority. Such changes can create a geopolitical environment where authoritarian regimes, like Russia, find more opportunities to exert influence without facing collective international push back.
Election Security Measures - Recent actions have raised concerns about the robustness of U.S. election security. Staffers at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) working on countering foreign disinformation and election security have been placed on leave. This move could weaken the nation's defenses against foreign interference, potentially allowing adversaries like Russia to exploit vulnerabilities in the electoral process.
Cabinet Appointments - The selection of specific individuals for key positions has been controversial. For instance, Tulsi Gabbard's appointment as Director of National Intelligence drew significant backlash. Critics argue that such appointments could lead to intelligence policies that are less confrontational towards Russia, potentially compromising the integrity of U.S. intelligence operations.
While these policies may not be explicitly designed to benefit Russia, their implications could align with Russian interests by weakening U.S. support for global democratic initiatives, altering the international balance of power, compromising election security, and influencing intelligence operations. Monitoring these developments is crucial to ensure that American democratic institutions remain robust and resilient against potential external influences.
If our leaders were to give favorable considerations in foreign and defense policy to Vladimir Putin, there would be significant consequences, both positive and negative, on multiple fronts:
The Potential Benefits:
Reduced U.S.-Russia Tensions – A more conciliatory approach could ease hostilities, reducing the risk of direct military confrontation, including nuclear tensions.
Potential Cooperation on Global Issues – Improved relations might lead to collaboration on counterterrorism, arms control, or regional stability efforts (e.g., Syria or North Korea).
Economic Opportunities – A thaw in relations could open up trade and investment opportunities between U.S. and Russian businesses, especially in energy markets.
Decreased Military Spending – If tensions with Russia lessen, there may be less justification for increased U.S. defense expenditures.
Diplomatic Leverage Against China – A warmer relationship with Russia could counter China’s growing geopolitical influence, potentially altering global power dynamics in favor of the U.S.
The Potential Consequences:
Weakened NATO & European Alliances – Favoring Russia could alienate key allies in NATO, especially countries like Poland, the Baltics, and Ukraine, weakening the alliance’s unity and deterrence capabilities.
Undermining U.S. Credibility – Other allies, particularly in Europe and Asia, may question U.S. commitments to security agreements, potentially driving them to seek alternative defense arrangements or stronger ties with China.
Ukraine & Eastern Europe at Risk – A pro-Putin stance might embolden Russian aggression in Ukraine and beyond, possibly leading to further land grabs or military conflicts.
Probable Domestic Political Fallout – President Trump could face significant backlash from Congress, the media, and the public, especially amid ongoing concerns about Russian interference in U.S. politics.
Sanctions Policy Disruption – Easing pressure on Russia could create division within the U.S. government, as many in Congress (including Republicans) support maintaining or increasing sanctions in response to Russian actions in Ukraine and cyber operations.
Increased Russian Influence in the Middle East & Africa – A weakened U.S. stance could allow Russia to expand its influence in critical regions, potentially challenging U.S. strategic interests.
Potential for Intelligence & Cybersecurity Risks – If Trump shares sensitive information or downgrades intelligence cooperation regarding Russian activities, it could compromise U.S. security and embolden adversaries.
The Overall Independent Assessment:
While a Trump-Putin rapprochement could open opportunities for diplomacy and economic engagement, the risks of weakening NATO, emboldening Russian aggression, and damaging U.S. credibility with allies are considerable. The political fallout domestically could also be severe, potentially deepening divisions in Congress and among U.S. intelligence and defense agencies.
If Putin is smiling about what America is doing in 2025, and it appears he is thus far, then we must ask ourselves some tough questions about why, because of whom, and for what reason.
Time will soon tell what the answer to these questions might be.
Are we ready to learn the truth?