Trump, Critic of Neo-Cons, Now Captivated by 'New Neo-Cons'

The influence of neo-conservative thinking on Donald Trump's foreign policy, particularly concerning Iran and China, is a topic of significant discussion. As reported by Hankyoreh, a concerted effort has been underway, orchestrated by figures like Elliott Abrams and supported by right-wing Jewish groups and Israeli interests, to shape the foreign policy agenda for a potential second Trump term.

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The core is a strategy to utilize the political influence of right-wing Jewish people in the United States to place 'new neo-con' forces throughout the foreign and security teams of a second Trump administration.

This strategic positioning has involved embedding 'neo-con' allies within key policy initiatives, such as the Heritage Foundation's 'Project 2025.' The Vandenberg Coalition's 'The Deal of the Century: Middle East Solution' report, for instance, outlines a hawkish roadmap advocating for increased arms to Israel and a fundamentally altered policy towards Iran, explicitly labeling China as a 'core adversary.' This agenda appears designed to steer Trump's isolationist campaign promises towards a more interventionist stance.

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This document is a 'neo-con manifesto' targeting Trump's second term, arguing that the U.S. must provide more weapons to Israel and adopt a fundamentally different policy toward Iran.

From a South Korean perspective, the emphasis on countering China and Iran, while also linking security strategies with allies like Israel and potentially South Korea itself, reflects a broader geopolitical realignment. The article highlights how figures like Abrams, with his history in the Reagan administration and his focus on establishing pro-American regimes, are attempting to re-energize a fragmented neo-conservative movement. The network includes prominent figures in Trump's orbit, signaling a potential shift towards a more aggressive and unpredictable foreign policy model, framed as 'Destroy and deal.' This approach contrasts sharply with the more measured diplomatic strategies often favored in East Asian security dialogues.

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The report's strategic focus is ultimately on checking China. It is believed that by keeping the Venezuelan regime within the U.S. sphere of influence, China's influence in the Western Hemisphere, which it has cultivated from Venezuela as a base, can be hit.