November 10, 2024
By Abiodun Adeleke
With the election victory of Donald Trump, the world is watching the beginning of a new era for the United States. The result may have brought hope anew to some and concern to others. Wherever anyone may be in this seeming continuum, one has to appreciate that America’s footprint on global affairs is huge. To that extent, the world has a vested interest in the path that America takes, more so in peace and stability.
The ideal of peace transcends political lines and national borders. As each presidency ushers in new policies and priorities, the pursuit of global harmony, security, and cooperation must remain a constant. It is well understood that the challenges of today, such as climate change, security threats, economic crises, and humanitarian issues, all require collaboration. World peace is less about avoiding conflict altogether; it is more about proactive understanding-building, ensuring mutual respect, and upholding human rights.
Trump’s past term in office has seen a uniquely individual approach to foreign policy: he emphasized “America First” while maintaining a pragmatic, often transactional approach to international relations. To some, this represented a turn away from America’s traditional role of upholding collective global efforts; for others, though, it reflected an emphasis on direct, results-oriented diplomacy. Going forward, a balanced approach that reassures America’s allies, respects diversity, and encourages diplomatic engagement with both allies and rivals can foster the peace that the world desperately needs.
For the international community, turning a new page involves accepting differences but also promoting common objectives. From NATO relations to the easing of tensions in the Middle East and managing trade competition with China, a peaceful path requires calculated, controlled steps toward dialogue and easing rather than separation.
Peace is not an easy thing in our shrinking world. Yet with goodwill, open minds, and a spirit of compromise, a path toward peace remains possible. It is up to the United States and its global partners to cultivate the diplomatic respect, resilience, and shared purpose needed to make it a reality. Let this be a moment to recapture the spirit of global cooperation, and let the future be one not troubled by discord, but by joint endeavors toward peace.