Disclaimer: I have been Christian Zionist since becoming mature enough to understand its importance. I am aware that attacks on Israel, still God's chosen people for a purpose still yet to be fulfilled, ultimately are Satanic regardless of who is involved in their instigation. Anti-Semitic attacks will not stop, and are ultimately prophesied to culminate with Antichrist achieving a fleeting peace for Israel only to betray the Jews and attempt to finish what Hitler started before God directly intervenes once again.
At the same time, I used to be one of those types who saw prophecy in headlines. During the Obama & Biden (really Obama 3.0) administrations I knew things were getting worse, but accepted that they must since America has no distinct role in prophecy thus has to at some point face a diminishing from its role as sole leader of the Free World. While I quit that perspective because 1) the whole matter has become too complex to be worth mental energy sorting through it and 2) recent historical events have shifted to looking up rather than down, I never lose sight that God's Word is destined to fulfill even though trying to draw a timetable for it is futile.
For sure, these are interesting times for those of us who found Trump 1.0 disappointing but excited that 2.0 is getting serious...even if there is only so much that can be accomplished (particularly on executive orders and court rulings alone since Congress continues to prove disappointing). The balance of world order is shifting and President Trump appears to be among the few leaders adopting a pragmatic over an idealistic approach (but where he leads, as of this writing the UK & France seem accepting to follow). Those of us who have followed his ways a while are accustomed to the fact that he drives hard bargains, but when push comes to shove he will not leave the "good guys" high-and-dry [even as he refuses to deliver what they want for themselves at America's expense].
History often parallels, a fact no one is denying about present times though which parallel applies could depend on who one asks. For a few months I have become a commenter on RealClearPolitics (which I have followed for years because I find their polling data and commentary more relatively balanced than other sources) proclaiming [among other important matters] my view that this new era we are entering is a rehash of the Classic Age of Imperialism: not Classical Antiquity of Greco-Roman times, but European post-Renaissance colonial expansion and balance of alliances. Pax Americana, the end of which was just a matter of time (though President Biden brought about its sudden premature collapse via the bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021), held the post-Cold War world in relative stability...but there is no nation that can sustain such a tremendous burden indefinitely.
This perspective makes sense of not only Donald Trump's foreign policy, but that of Vladimir Putin & Xi Jinping as well. As the United States can no longer afford to be the world's protector, it will once again fall on individual nations to shoulder their own. The forming and shifting of alliances, that age-old chess game of politics, can be just as valid an approach as it has always been (thanks to France for supporting American independence, but it is no secret they did so chiefly to hurt their rival Britain), but there could be less fortunate results for the smaller countries formed under the previous world order who remain too weak to uphold their own sovereignty.
Russia
This former superpower (a fact many in its ranks are still bitter about) remains a great empire, vast in land and resources...but is not stronger for it since the present regime seems little better at managing those resources than its Soviet Union predecessor that was defeated virtually by economic competition alone. Since its aggressions for conquest against Ukraine could only be peripherally at best for resources, it is logical that Vlad Putin pines for lost Russian imperial glory [which most Russian people seem to be on-board with]. Unfortunately for Russia, success has proven elusive and incremental at best, earning small swaths of Ukraine [which were dominantly Russian to begin with] alongside pariah status in the world for their predatory belligerence and alliance with other such rogue nations like North Korea.
That their Ukrainian war has stalemated is both fortunate and not. If left to continue to its logical end, it would clearly favor Russia who simply has more to throw into the fight over time than Ukraine ever could. This means that now, when neither side shows a decisive edge over the other, is the time to bargain for peace. I believe President Trump understands this, even if Ukrainian President Zelenskyy does not, and the hard fact is that peace is only going to be possible by both sides giving up on something they want.
What is more unfortunate in the longer term is how Russia has been treated in the greater context. For whatever cause (different factions have their different reasons), Russia has been over-vilified for decades as if many believe the Cold War with them never ended. The collapse of the Soviet Union opened up a window for overtures with the former rival which stayed open for some time. Now, unless Trump is able to implement a plan pull them back in the process of bargaining over terms for peace in Ukraine, that window may now be closed as the sum of this Western vilification has driven Russia into an alliance with the fellow rogue factions of China, Iran & North Korea...a nightmare scenario for Western alliances since these combined forces may be enough to, if not overwhelm, then certainly present a specter over world peace and stability like the Cold War once did.
China
America's economic and military rivalry with China is so well known no elaboration should be necessary. While similar to the Soviet Union in that China believes itself ultimately destined to rule the world, unlike the Soviets they function as an empire with regional aspirations first and a world superpower second. Of course, Taiwan is the key target of those aspirations (and both governments consider it destined for all of China to be reunited someday), but that is by no means the limit since China can rightfully claim to be the cradle of Oriental Civilization and aspire to take its cultural progeny (Korea, Indochina, Japan) back.
While the Chinese military presents as at least as formidable as Soviet Russia ever was, there are good reasons why they have yet to activate this supposedly-overwhelming force toward fulfilling its ambitions. It is true that strong Western ties to Japan, South Korea & Taiwan function as a deterrent, but the bigger matters lie within China itself. To summarize: while Western investment in China as the manufacturing center of the world went far to sustain that nation's communist regime for longer than the Soviet Union lived, it remains an inherently anti-growth socioeconomic system and China is not in as tidy a position as they would like the world to believe...hence why they stand to be greatly hurt by increased US tariffs.
Militarily, if anything, they could be even more precarious. One can look at how the mighty Russians got bogged down in Ukraine (like they got bogged down in Finland in 1940) and consider how China, while able to wield even greater manpower and advanced weapons, probably lacks the strategic wherewithal to use those forces effectively as the country has not been involved in anything like a full-scale war since their invasion of Vietnam in 1979 (which turned into an abortive blunder against the smaller but combat-hardened Vietnamese while ensuring perpetual mistrust between the two countries). Aside from rogue nations it shares borders with, China also finds itself virtually friendless on the military front.
This is why China's inroads as a superpower are chiefly on the economic front (via Belt & Road) and not [primarily] enabling revolutionary factions which was the typical Soviet approach (since the Soviets never quite had the economic clout 21st century China enjoys). Yet even as the US national debt signaled the inability to sustain Pax Americana China is, if anything, in an even worse position as the foundations of their economic strength start showing cracks. President Trump is aware that by compelling Third World countries like Panama & Mexico to reconsider their business relations with China he can hit our nation's rival in this 21st century Cold War where it hurts them the most...without the expensive military build-up approach that proved necessary to defeat the Soviet Union.
India
The world's most populous country and promising potential superpower candidate is, fortunately for the West [at this time anyway] no friend of either China or the Islamic world. Even more fortunate for those involved, India came down on the side of Israel following the 10/7 attacks. Yet they are most definitely their own independent entity, making them probably chief among the wildcards.
As a Hindu nation, India's government exhibits hostility to Christianity which is policy that has historically proven a straining point for Western relations (even secular ones). For the longest time they were cozy with Russia (to the point of buying Russian military equipment), but one good thing about Russia going rogue [allying with China may also have something to do with it] is that it has prompted India to consider greater normalizations with the West. India has had a long-standing border dispute with China, and may become a valuable ally should rivalry escalate into war since they have had every interest in maintaining a military to match [if not exceed] that of China.
But much of this is recent change and it is conceivable things could just as quickly change again. India has a population, economy and military powerful enough to advance to superpower status by the end of the 21st century, yet for the time being they seem content to maintain their territorial integrity (though they could have designs on taking back Pakistan and/or Bangladesh if chaos among their allies presents a chance) while many of its people integrate within the advanced education and economic opportunities of the First World. It also bears noting that India stands among the world's nuclear powers, as does its chief Islamic rival and nominal Western ally Pakistan.
Iran
Chief among the rogue Islamic nations and supporter of terrorism around the world is present successor to the ancient Persian Empire. If there is any state today worthy of being considered like a reincarnated Nazi Germany, this is it. Special attention needs to be paid to whomever forms any kind of alliance with Iran: they are that bad.
Yet the regime has, if anything, a more precarious hold over its population than the Nazis over Germans. Despite deadly hostility, Iran is among the fastest-growing crucibles of Christianity in the world today. With the love of Jesus Christ comes, to put it mildly, a much more respectful regard for Israel & America than the Ayatollah would condone.
As the roguest of rogue nations, sustainer of numerous terrorist groups, and cause backed by religious fanaticism, Iran at present cannot be trusted with even low-yield nuclear capability. President Trump is not the only one who understands this, and has been able to drive Arab fears of Persian hostility for the Abraham Accords. Nevertheless, regardless of what America and allies do or do not in the Middle East, it is a certain bet that Israel, Iran's express primary target, will take whatever actions necessary to ensure Iranian nuclear capability will not be achieved...and such a strike may be enough to weaken the regime in Tehran to the point that its people finally succeed in overthrowing it, which would change the entire equation for the Middle East in ways that cannot be predicted (but happen to jive with Biblical prophesy that Persia is a friend to the Jews in the End Times).
Europe
There are two sides to the European equation, neither of them very good: 1) the European Union, that economic alliance which has been losing its legitimacy since Brexit, and 2) NATO, the Cold War-vintage military alliance sustained chiefly by the United States and accordingly due for a reckoning since it has grown well beyond its founding purpose and the US is no longer able to keep paying the lion's share of those bills. As a body for trade relations, non-EU states like Britain are considered separate (it is worth noting that, unlike with Europe at large, the US does not have a trade deficit with the UK). While terms regarding NATO seem simple and non-controversial enough on the surface, the Russo-Ukrainian war has brought into contrast the purpose for NATO in the 21st century plus what involvement in what conflict(s) by member nations.
Like many shifts in history, the signs were there well before the shooting started. At debate is the extent of NATO's growth and the purpose thereof, which until recently had culminated in the admission of such nations as Montenegro that clearly lack the capacity to contribute proportional to how they benefit from such an alliance. Russian aggression has driven further growth, a nice parallel to the fact that NATO was originally formed as a buffer against Soviet aggression, but ends remain unclear since (as written above) expressly treating Russia as even a potential enemy is liable to be doing more harm than good.
According to most recent figures available in an expeditious internet search, Poland and Greece are the only NATO members aside from the US who contribute at least the standardized 3% of GDP to defense (Poland exceeds at 4%, in all likelihood because of threat of Russian aggression which is something they have endured more than once in their recent history). Percentages only tell part of the story: in general, European economies generate a tiny fraction of the wealth America does, an astounding fact when not that long ago it was Europe that was the center of world power and prosperity. Like Russia, China and other such places, the issue for Europe would seem to not be lack of means but willing capacity to use them.
Militarily and economically, the school of thought of the Trump administration towards Europe parallels the pragmatism that has risen in paleoconservative circles since the ill-executed expeditions and inroads of the George W. Bush administration sullied the neoconservative faction of the Republican Party (which still exists but has found an alliance of convenience with Democrats since MAGA is their mutual political opposition). It will be difficult, and hot situations like Ukraine may require a heavier hand to control, but in the long term compelling Europe to once again assert responsibility for its own strength ought to be at least as good for them as it would be for America no longer having to carry such a heavy burden. The complacency of relying primarily on American strength has gone on for too long, and complaining that pushing such a policy change amounts to abandonment of allies is the worst kind of disingenuity.
Africa
If we are in fact fighting a Cold War with China, then Third World regions like in Africa are its fronts (just like the last Cold War). Previously, the effective end of European colonialism led to a new era of national self-determination...but only to a certain extent since the First and Second Worlds would freely involve themselves into pushing for their favored regimes regardless of legal sovereignty. Today, as mentioned above, it is more of an economic rivalry between China and those of us with no interest in seeing China extend its reach around the globe.
But that is not to say the shooting and revolting have stopped. Quite the opposite, in fact: with "self-determination" too often came a renewing of tribal hostilities, not infrequently predicated by the extra brutality of religious fanaticism (since Christianity is growing abundantly in Africa, leading to clashes with Islamic factions that have enjoyed occupation of much of the continent for centuries). Africa has such potential to be a land of opportunity, with vast resources already exploited over the centuries and many more to be had, but until the disparate nations there begin exhibiting greater peace and cooperation it will remain only a fact of note for the foreseeable future.
Latin America
The former Hispanic & Portuguese Empires, aside from those areas that fall into the First World (such as Texas), bear much similarity to Africa with one key difference: being in the Western Hemisphere they are by default under the American sphere of influence, a fact the second Trump administration embraces in full [starting with the Gulf of America]. Another difference that may or may not be a factor in the future is that their populations, owing to their centuries-old imperial influence, are chiefly Roman Catholic...the old kind of nominal Christianity that has historically borne remarkable resemblance to Islam in terms of its fanaticism for followers and brutality to infidels. Despite shared language and heritage, nations south of the US border seem to bask more in their differences than their commonalities, necessitating for each to be addressed on an individual basis.
If the end of of Pax Americana necessitates the rise of a new American Empire it will necessarily involve exertion of influence over the entire hemisphere, including Greenland & Canada. What form that could take remains to be seen, but nations acting first in their own best interest is both the logical expectation and historical norm. Mexico, Argentina & Brazil have strong economies of particular interest (the latter, if they become more consistent in better managing their affairs, could grow into a superpower someday) which makes it pressing to draw them away from Chinese influence that could be used as a means of threatening the US directly.
Israel
For the Christian who understands the shared heritage with Christ, there is no question of the blessings that come from God if we bless His special people the Jews. While Judaism fails to lead to Heaven and the existing nation of Israel is not always going to act in ways that are condonable, keeping perspective is important. Professing Christians who embrace an anti-Israel stance prove themselves ignorant of the true source of such attacks.
Remember that regardless of their special status in His eyes, God has often allowed tragedy to befall the Hebrews for failing to follow Him as they promised under the Mosaic covenant. Yet God always keeps His promises, and it should come as no surprise that Jews are some of the most blessed people in the world despite that demographic having been the most persecuted in history [and despite many ethic Jews still not being faithful to God]. They are a unique people and nation, and we can be assured that we are on the right side of history if we are with Israel.
The USA
But what of America, who has been blessed by God yet is losing its place? There is one thing wonderful about American liberty: we ought to be free to manage our own lives so that the whims of governments ought not affect our prosperity that comes with making wise decisions. America is, above all, a concept of liberty, and that is something that can sustain at the individual, familial & communal levels even if the present national borders and place of influence in the world do not.
God is to be Master of our destinies, not any government or international body. It is ultimately God who originally envisioned and continues to sustain human government, and blessings inherently come to the people and nations who follow Him over their own counsel not just through divine intervention (though He is free to exert that as He wishes) but because His ways are inherently better. The Founding Fathers, predominantly Christian (on an individual rather than religious basis), understood this, which is why that truth permeates the foundations of this nation they gave us...or more correctly, that God gave them for all of us.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen..." Psalm 33:12
"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it..." Psalm 127:1, quoted by Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention
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