Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in Arabic This article was originally published in Arabic
US President Donald Trump is reshaping foreign policy with radical decisions, including withdrawals from international organisations and defunding key programmes, sparking widespread debate between supporters and opponents.
ADVERTISEMENTSince returning to the White House on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has initiated sweeping changes that have reshaped the landscape of U.S. foreign policy. In what appeared to be a redefinition of America’s role on the global stage, Trump introduced a series of decisions that withdrew the US from several UN organisations and halted funding for major international programs, sparking a range of reactions from support to sharp criticism.Withdrawal from the World Health Organisation: A major breakupAt the start of his second term, Trump wasted no time delivering his first major blow to the World Health Organisation (WHO), signing an executive order to initiate the United States withdrawal from the agency. This move came as no surprise, given that he had criticised the organisation throughout his first term, accusing it of mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic and succumbing to political pressure. Trump argued that the US had only suffered losses from its involvement with the WHO, prompting him to cut ties entirely and announce a reallocation of US funding toward other health initiatives, away from the international body’s oversight.A double blow: Human Rights Council and UNRWA fundingIn another bold move, the White House announced on 4 February, 2025, that the US would withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, accusing it of adopting biased policies against Israel — a claim that Trump had repeatedly used to criticise the council. But his actions didn’t stop there; Trump also decided to halt all US funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), citing its alleged links to Hamas. The agency strongly rejected these accusations, insisting that its programs were focused on supporting refugees in the most needy regions.Dismantling the aid network: Reducing the role of the US agencyAs part of his policy to reduce US involvement in international affairs, Trump delivered a strong blow to global development efforts. By withdrawing most US Agency for International Development (USAID) staff from their global assignments.Trump’s decision led to the suspension of dozens of vital programs in areas such as health, education, and epidemic control across more than 120 countries. The decision had both local and international repercussions, sparking a wave of global warnings.Development experts viewed it as a significant setback for humanitarian efforts, especially in countries that rely heavily on US funding.WTO in the crosshairs: Delayed withdrawal or pressure tactic?Despite his quick withdrawals, Trump has yet to formally exit the World Trade Organisation (WTO), though he has repeatedly threatened to do so. In several past statements, the US president expressed dissatisfaction with the organisation’s structure, claiming it favoured other economic powers at the expense of the US. In a 2018 interview with Fox News, Trump said, “If they don’t improve, I’ll pull out of the WTO.” He reiterated this threat in a later interview with Bloomberg, calling the organisation was “created to benefit everyone except us”. While no official decision has been made, observers believe the Trump administration may use the threat of withdrawal as leverage to reshape global trade rules according to its vision.Anticipating the impact of US decisionsThese withdrawals have sparked global debate, with some viewing them as a strategic shift to refocus on national interests, while others see them as a systematic dismantling of the US’s leadership role in the international system. International experts have quickly raised alarms about the potential consequences of these decisions, particularly for efforts to combat epidemics, human rights, and development aid.Amid these rapid changes, the most pressing question remains: Is the US reshaping its global role in line with Trump’s vision, or will internal and external pressures force a reassessment of these decisions?
