The Sharm El Sheikh Reckoning: Trump’s Protocol Meltdown and the Future of US Global Influence

 

A Stark Warning from Sharm El Sheikh: The Perils of Trumpian Diplomacy

The appearance of President Donald Trump at the Sharm El Sheikh summit offered a jarring spectacle, leaving astute observers of geopolitics profoundly concerned. What was displayed was a remarkable, perhaps unprecedented, disregard for diplomatic protocol and international decorum, replaced by what many perceived as a crass performance of self-aggrandizement.

The incident stands out for the sheer number of public insults directed at heads of government on a single platform in a single day. This is a critical departure from established norms and signals a profound instability in diplomatic engagement.

One shudders to consider the domestic political fallout had Prime Minister Modi been drawn into this "circus." The potential for an acutely embarrassing incident was high, capable of igniting a political storm back home that might have led to unprecedented calls for resignation. This hypothetical scenario underscores the sheer danger inherent in the incumbent President's transactional and self-obsessed approach to foreign policy.

The incumbent President's desire for personal accolades, such as the Nobel Peace Prize, seems to have overridden any respect for the deep, sensitive histories and geopolitical realities between nations. His purported willingness to compel PM Modi to shake hands with Shahbaz Sharif illustrates a willingness to cross every red line in international relations, demonstrating scant respect for the carefully managed positions of other world leaders.

It is no longer a matter of mere stylistic difference but a profound risk assessment. Every global leader must now exercise extreme caution and strategic prudence in their dealings with the incumbent President, prioritizing the national interest above any fear of causing offense. The unpredictable nature of this behavior—the question of who will be insulted, on which platform, and on what occasion—demands a guarded and deliberate international response. The world cannot afford to treat this as mere entertainment; it is a serious cautionary tale for the future of global stability. A Stark and Calculated Warning: The Repercussions of Theatrical Diplomacy

The recent signing event at Sharm El Sheikh, characterized by the conspicuous absence of both principal protagonists, represents a fundamental flaw in peace craft. It is an act akin to solemnizing a marriage where the bride and groom are noticeably missing from their own ceremony. The core query remains: what substantial diplomatic outcome was achieved beyond the spectacle, and the public insult to several attending heads of government?

For any peace to be more than a temporary pause, two existential questions demand a clear, actionable roadmap:

1.    Disarmament: How will the military capability of Hamas be verifiably and comprehensively dismantled?

2.    Security Guarantee: How can the State of Israel be fundamentally convinced that its existence is not under constant, imminent threat, thereby preventing a recurrence of the horrific 7th October 2023-style attack?

Without robust, detailed answers to these questions, a lasting, long-term peace is unattainable, rendering the current agreement symbolically potent but substantively vacuous.

While the praise offered by certain world figures, such as Shahbaz Sharif's purported "swan song" for the former President, may gratify one individual's ambition, the cold reality of the event's grossly crass conduct is being subjected to minute and severe scrutiny in global capitals.

This is not mere political theater; it is a profound erosion of diplomatic capital. It would surprise no serious observer if, in the future, nations begin to shun multilateral convenings either hosted by or known to feature the presence of Donald J. Trump. The risk profile of attending such events is now demonstrably high.

Furthermore, one cannot discount the distinct possibility of a world leader, emboldened by necessity and principle, choosing to publicly rebuff the incumbent President on an international stage, with the world media as witness.

The message to Donald J. Trump is clear: the mad rush for a Nobel Peace Prize, achieved through the trampling of other world leaders and a wholesale disregard for diplomatic norms, is a strategy laden with risk.

 

Continued unacceptable conduct on the world stage presents a real and present danger of complete and total isolation, the ultimate catastrophic outcome not just for an incumbent President, but for the credibility and long-term geopolitical influence of the United States of America. The repercussions of a breakdown in global trust will be borne by the nation, not just the individual.

America's dare called out by Bharat

 

It is a rueful and profound truth that success, whether individual or communal, carries within it the seed of its own danger. Envy is the initial, insidious tribute to achievement, quickly transmuting into corrosive jealousy, and ultimately metastasizing into open hostility—a tragedy indifferent to ethnicity or creed.

To witness this ancient virus of division deliberately injected into the modern body politic, as is the case with the MAGA movement in the United States, is deeply disquieting. When those with the ear of the administration's apex are perceived as the carriers, the infection spreads with terrifying velocity. The inevitable climax of such an epidemic is the blurring of all lines, where the contagion of anger and fear makes it impossible to discern any true difference between the fevered supporter and the panicked opposer. In such a climate, the very notion of a civil society is forfeit.

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From Slogan to Strategy: The MAGA Lineage

The question of the catchphrase's lineage is almost comically simple:

●      The Ancestor: The idea was first championed by Ronald Reagan in his 1980 campaign, often as "Let's Make America Great Again."

●      The Modern Coinage: The specific, concise phrase "Make America Great Again" was reportedly coined by Donald Trump himself in November 2012, and subsequently trademarked.

The lineage is less mystical oracle and more a successful piece of American political marketing mythology.

 

The Original Occupants: A Stark Economic Reality

A far more profound inquiry is the fate of the Native American tribes, the founding families of this land. Where are they today? How are they faring economically and socially in the grand American narrative?

The original Natives of America are still here, but their socioeconomic reality is grim:

●      They tragically still rank at or near the bottom of nearly every indicator.

●      They suffer from poverty rates that are nearly double the national average.

Yet, the fight is far from over. Native-owned enterprises are major economic forces, and individuals like T. David Petite—who invented "smart meter" technology—prove their intellectual contributions are vital and modern, even as they fight for mainstream recognition. While the country debates how to make itself "great again," the struggle for greatness has been a continuous, difficult, and innovative battle for the land's original people.

The Imperative of Civilizational Identity: From India to Bharat

The proposed, defensive counter-acronym of MIGA (Make Indians Go Away) serves as a grave reminder of the hostility successful communities invariably face, necessitating a serious consideration of how a civilization defines and defends itself.

The critical anomaly lies in the very name of the land. The term 'India' is a geographical and political convenience, a Western construct formalized in 1947. Our civilization, however, predates this nomenclature by millennia. The true, civilizational name of this land is Bharat.

To reclaim Bharat as the singular, foundational name is to achieve a necessary strategic advantage. It is a unifying act that grounds our widespread diaspora in an unbroken civilizational lineage, offering an anchor against the shifting winds of foreign resentment and providing a profound and secure sense of self. 

The Art of Confident Assimilation

The global diaspora of the people of Bharat thrives by deliberate integration: Education, hard work, assimilation, meaningful contribution, and respect for the laws of the land.

Assimilation into the host country is highly desirable, but it must be one of addition, not subtraction. While embracing the new environment, we must take care never to undermine our own identity, culture, and customs.

Our charge is to be the courteous, confident ambassadors of our civilizational home. This means having the courage to politely correct any misconstrued notion about our people, our society, or Bharat itself:

●      When a name or festival is mispronounced, gently correct it.

●      When a significance is oversimplified, politely explain its profound meaning.

A powerful and effective form of cultural diplomacy is to invite colleagues and associates to participate in our festivities. This unique act allows them to experience our civilization firsthand. Furthermore, our self-confidence must be a quiet, dignified assurance that never descends into self-flagellation. The goal is to ensure our presence and identity are recognized as a stable, formidable asset to the host country, creating a factor of respect and gravity rather than a reason for confrontation.

The Stark Reality of American Decline, Revisited

The truth is undeniable: the United States is an empire in an accelerating, self-inflicted decline. This catastrophic descent has been supercharged by the rise of MAGA, a movement whose followers have swallowed a politician's fabricated narrative whole, accepting it as the sole, sacred reality. This acceptance is not merely political; it is a profound national delusion.

Decades of American innovation are utterly insufficient to ensure national prosperity. Innovation on its own is a dead-end street. It must be brutally and efficiently converted into mass-produced products to generate the necessary revenue and create tangible wealth. The core reality, which the current state refuses to acknowledge, is that the U.S. has always relied on imported skilled labor to bridge the gap between invention and massive production. Without it, the engine stalls.

It is a complete waste of time to try and convince the MAGA base of this essential economic fact. They are incapable of digesting it. This movement is nothing more than a desperate turf war, a self-serving attempt by the descendants of earlier immigrants to wall themselves off from the newcomers who are currently driving the economy and striving for prosperity.

Their fear is irrational; their stance is economically illiterate. The only path forward is to let the current economic and social forces play out. When the inevitable consequences of their isolationist ideology become undeniable, the MAGA delusion will dissolve into thin air, finally extinguished, never to be resurrected by a desperate political protagonist again.

 

" The H1B Fee Hike: A Paradox of Progress and a Path Forward”

 Some believe a new future can only be built by purging the past. Like a developer's ruthless ambition, this logic argues for razing decaying structures to erect a gleaming monument that mocks what came before. This "architect's reckoning" is a brutal act of creation, a violent rebirth that leaves only dust where history once stood.

Yet, this cold logic falters when applied to a nation's soul. An economy, an industry—these are not mere bricks and mortar to be demolished at a whim. They are the very sinews of a country, woven over generations. Each thread of this intricate tapestry is a scar, a triumph, and a quiet decay. No ruler can simply burn the loom and expect a new, glorious fabric to appear.

To "make a country great again" by dismantling what exists is a paradox—it's sawing off the branch while yearning for the fruit. A nation's greatness isn't a sudden, gleaming edifice; it's a slow-growing tree, its roots deep in the soil of its past. The call to tear it all down is not an act of creation, but a whisper of a void, demanding a sacrifice of its own foundation. The United States is currently a stage for a saga of self-inflicted wounds that threatens the very foundation of American industry. When figures like Howard Lutnick align with Donald Trump, it is a stark visual of the forces at play. It's as if a wrecking ball is being pulled to its limit by fervent supporters, their chants of "MAGA" echoing as it swings through the air. The inevitable crash is the sound of that wrecking ball striking the edifice of American industry.

The question isn't whether damage is being done, but how much more the structure can endure. How many more of these catastrophic impacts will it take before this centuries-old edifice comes crashing down? The resulting dust would not just signify a collapse but the complete destruction of American industrial might. The damage from policies like tariffs and increased H1B visa fees may be so profound that it could take generations to even begin the process of resurrection. This is the depth of the crisis we face, and we still have years left to see what else will unfold under the guise of "making America great again."

The recent increase in H1B visa fees may feel like a sudden and disappointing blow, but it's not a reason to panic. Instead, consider this an unexpected opportunity to re-evaluate your journey.

Reframe Your Value and Opportunity

Your core value is your expertise, which is a rare and valuable asset. When a company truly needs your specific skills, a logistical hurdle like a visa fee won't get in the way. A company willing to invest in your long-term presence is one that understands your worth.

Furthermore, the global nature of work means that if a company can't bring you to them, they may be open to you working remotely. This isn't a compromise; it's a testament to the future of work where talent, not location, dictates opportunity. You are no longer just an employee; you are a solution provider.

Embrace the Entrepreneurial Spirit

This moment offers a chance to shift your mindset from that of an employee to an entrepreneur. As a contractor, you are no longer constrained by a fixed salary. You have the freedom to set your own rates and cultivate a diverse portfolio of clients, giving you greater control over your career trajectory. You are no longer just selling your time; you are selling your expertise and the profound solutions you deliver.

Understand the Broader Demand for Your Skills

Look at the bigger picture. Trends like fewer native students pursuing STEM fields and the growing skills gap highlight a profound and expanding demand for your qualifications. This isn't a problem; it's a massive opportunity. Your skills are not only relevant but essential. The market for your expertise is expanding, and you are positioned to fill a critical void. This isn't about competing for a few jobs; it's about being a vital part of the solution to a global challenge.

Remember the Impermanence of Obstacles

Political administrations, like seasons, change. The policies of today are not the policies of tomorrow. Your skills and knowledge are a timeless asset that will carry you through every political and economic shift. Your focus should remain on your own professional and personal growth, knowing your talents will always be in demand, regardless of who holds office. This is not the end of the road, but a potential detour leading to a new and exciting destination.  

The Promise of ‘Make America Great Again’From Exuberant Hope to Despondent Reality

 

There is a captivating, almost magnetic quality to a simple, powerful slogan. It has the potential to distill a nation’s complex anxieties and soaring aspirations into a single, resonant phrase. Such was the electrifying effect of “Make America Great Again.” When it first reverberated across the American political landscape, it was more than just a tagline; it was an incantation. It spoke to a deep-seated nostalgia, a collective yearning for a perceived golden age, promising not just a better future, but a restoration of a lost identity. It was a jubilant call to action, a banner under which millions rallied with a fervor and hope that seemed boundless, convinced that the simple act of repeating the phrase would somehow, magically, set the country on the right course once again.

However, behind the exuberant and powerful emotion of the slogan, lies a fundamental truth: "MAGA" was and is, an emotive slogan with the sole purpose of fulfilling a personal political ambition to occupy the White House once again. It never was, nor is it, about the often-stated objective of a national renewal. The appeal was, and remains, an emotional one, not a rational one, much like the “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty) slogan of the Congress party in India since the 1970s. Most of us in this country can readily relate to how a political slogan, however grand its promise, can function as a potent tool for winning elections without a substantive plan to back it up. The slogan acts as a vessel for popular discontent and frustration, a powerful symbol that feels like a solution in itself.

If the goal were genuinely to “Make America Great Again,” it would have been anchored by a tangible roadmap, a multi-decade plan that would have been spoken about more extensively than the slogan itself. We would have heard of plans for the next five decades, not just the immediate future, which focused more on reducing expenditure or imposing tariffs. A serious agenda to reverse decades of economic globalization and voluntarily outsourced manufacturing would be a monumental undertaking. It would require a detailed, painful discussion about how to rebuild domestic supply chains, re-skill a generation of workers, and re-invest in infrastructure. Instead of such a detailed plan, the discourse was dominated by short-term, often contradictory, actions that were politically expedient but lacked the long-term vision necessary for such a profound transformation.

Furthermore, if the slogan truly represented a shared national project, the entire Republican Party would have owned the “MAGA” agenda. We would have heard elected officials and party leaders across the board speaking about the immense work required to bring manufacturing back onshore, not just one individual. Bringing manufacturing that was voluntarily outsourced for over two decades cannot return overnight. It is a slow, painstaking process that requires bipartisan commitment and a willingness to confront difficult realities. The fact that the entire party did not embrace this as a core, long-term policy objective provides enough evidence of its hollowness as a political brand rather than a true national movement.

Finally, a genuine policy of reshoring manufacturing would necessitate sensitizing the consumer base to the harsh realities of the transition. The public would need to be prepared for the higher prices, temporary disruptions, and short supply of products of daily use that would inevitably follow a large-scale shift in global supply chains. This vital step was not taken, because the narrative was not about sacrifice for a greater good; it was about painless victories and instant gratification. The entire exercise serves as overwhelming evidence of the claim's hollowness—just another slogan to win an election, made possible by political illiteracy. The roots of this belief have now gone so deep that it has become incredibly difficult to wean its fans back to the reality of harsh facts. The promise, once so bright and full of hope, now feels like a hollow echo, leaving a lingering sense of despondency.  

Factory owners and operators evaluate prospective employees based on their skill sets, age, and wage expectations. Their primary goal is to minimize costs, maximize production, and generate profits for corporate shareholders. It is not their responsibility to provide immigration screening services at their facilities.

The Genie Is Out: Tariffs and the Inevitable Fall

The genie of tariffs, once released, cannot be returned to its bottle. Its effects, both profound and rueful, will be felt not just by the intended targets, but will confound logic and ripple across economies, societies, and international relations. It is a venture into a field where sanity is abandoned, for it is a field where logic dictates a thorough study of the profound impact on all involved - the target, the collaterals, and oneself - not merely in economic terms, but also in the delicate fabric of social, political, and foreign relations. Ah, yes. The profound economic wisdom of a real estate agent, a true beacon of hope in our complex world. It appears this veritable genius, having spent years perfecting the delicate art of staging homes and convincing people that a "cozy" one-bedroom is actually a "charming" studio, has now turned their formidable intellect to the trifling matter of a nation's economy.

I'm told the specific Ivy League school where this guru acquired such "profound knowledge" is located just past the rainbow bridge, in the mythical land of "Simple Solutions." This fabled institution, which I'm sure is a rival to Hogwarts, offers a singular, life-changing course: ECON 101: The One-Policy Fix. The professors, a dream team of economic visionaries—Mr. Bubble, Mr. Trickle-Down, Ms. Austerity, and Dr. Free Lunch—teach a

curriculum so revolutionary it completely bypasses messy things like historical data, human behavior, or inconvenient global markets. Their final exam is likely just a pop quiz on how to balance a nation's budget using nothing but a single, catchy slogan.

This realtor's masterful plan to solve a $37 trillion national debt is, as you might have guessed, a shocking revelation. It's a two-pronged strategy so simple, so elegant, that it has eluded every Nobel laureate and policymaker for generations. Step one: spend less. Yes, it's that easy. Who knew that a nation's fiscal problems could be solved by simply "tightening the belt," as if the entire country were a pair of ill-fitting trousers? Step two: attract business. Because, of course, businesses are like squirrels; they simply need a few nuts and a kind word to set up a new manufacturing plant and bring widespread prosperity. The idea that global supply chains, labor costs, and technological advancements are deeply entrenched issues that take decades to shift is, quite frankly, an inconvenient truth best left ignored.

So, while the rest of the world grapples with the messy realities of trade-offs and complex policy, we can all rest easy knowing a real estate agent has the key to our economic salvation. The only thing they can't seem to conjure is the prosperity, which, it turns out, can't be listed and sold like a suburban bungalow. Well, if you've looked around lately, from East to West and North to South, you've probably noticed it's not exactly a postcard-perfect world out there. It's more like a toddler's birthday party after someone discovered the sugar bowl and let's just say, the entire "system" has done less crumbling and more of a spectacular, face-first dive off a cliff. The grand palace? It's less of a stately ruin and more of a cosmic shrug, leaving the King scrambling to find a hiding spot—probably in the closet next to the emergency snacks.

But hold on to your hats, because a plucky little group of nations has decided they're not going to be part of this hot mess. They've huddled up like a bunch of nervous penguins and decided that rebuilding is for suckers. No, they're not putting Humpty Dumpty back together again. They're building a whole new Humpty, one that's shock-proof, crumble-resistant, and hopefully, less prone to dramatic falls. It's an entire system of their own, a little "no chaos here, thank you very much" bubble, designed to withstand the epic tantrums of the old world.

So, while everyone else is still trying to figure out if the sky is actually falling, this little band of international architects is busy putting together their own little utopia. All they need now is a "do not disturb" sign and a good lock on the front gate. He stands on the crumbling lip of a precipice, a figure of silent, desperate stillness. He is the realtor, and his footing is not merely tenuous—it is a betrayal of solid ground. Below him yawns a deep, lightless chasm, a maw of unknown depth waiting to consume him. Yet, his peril is not his alone. His every breath, his every muscle's tension, holds the fate of the entire industry. Should he falter, should he tilt forward even a hair’s breadth, the fall will not be solitary. He will drag the whole edifice of global commerce, the very pillars of prosperity and exchange, down into the abyss with him.

 

  

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Video of the blog  The Genie Is Out Tariffs and the Inevitable Fall https://youtu.be/uv-gZDk_R8M?si=XOaS8qnAAjJwsz-8 via @YouTube

TheTempestuous rodeo of Donald Trump's presidency comes to an abrupt halt.

 

once a spectacle of audacious bravado, has abruptly reached its denouement. The bull, untamed and defiant, has thrown its rider, and the arena gates have slammed shut, denying re-entry.

Trump's approach, a relentless sprint towards an imagined finish line, lacked the essential rhythm and nuanced understanding of the geopolitical steed. He mistook momentum for mastery, opening too many fronts with a reckless abandon, now facing the Sisyphean task of containing the chaos he unleashed. The genie, once uncorked, refuses to be confined, leaving behind a trail of damaged relationships, compromised institutions, and a fractured national landscape.

The tariff gambit, a weapon wielded with theatrical flourish, has backfired, its repercussions echoing through the American heartland. The economic frostbite necessitates a permanent entombment of these policies, lest they inflict irreparable harm upon the nation's commerce and its citizens' livelihoods.

The initial euphoria of electoral victory spawned a series of decisions divorced from pragmatic geopolitics, resembling impulsive volleys from the hip and lip, both perilous in the delicate dance of international relations. The cardinal sin of embarrassing allies before their domestic audiences has sown seeds of distrust, a harvest of inevitable pushback.

The grandiose arms deal with Saudi Arabia, a mirage of immediate gratification, will likely yield only a fraction of its promised bounty in the foreseeable future. The labyrinthine processes of arms procurement, steeped in protracted negotiations and meticulous scrutiny, defy such hasty projections. Similarly, the Qatar deal, a fantastical figure of $1.2 trillion against a $240 billion GDP, smacks of delusion, a flight of fancy untethered to economic reality. Even the smaller component of the deal, the Boeing jetliner order, faces logistical hurdles, questioning the recipient's absorptive capacity and infrastructural readiness.

The future of US-China trade hangs precariously in the balance. The tariff regime, if sustained, will inflict a self-inflicted wound upon the American consumer, who faces the stark reality of limited alternatives and inflated prices.

The most egregious transgression, however, lies in the public embrace of a proscribed individual, a figure with a $10 million bounty on his head. This act, a profound betrayal of stated anti-terrorism policies, shatters the remnants of credibility, both at home and abroad. How can a president, who came to power after a coup, be considered legitimate? How can the world reconcile the rhetoric of combating Islamist terror with the handshakes of a designated terrorist?

The tapestry of trust, painstakingly woven, now lies in tatters. How will this administration navigate the treacherous terrain ahead? How will it repair the fractured alliances, restore the nation's standing, and salvage the remnants of its political capital? Will the American people, the very constituents who placed their faith in this leader, turn a blind eye to such glaring contradictions between words and deeds?

The dream of "MAGA," once a rallying cry, now echoes as a hollow promise, a phantom limb of a bygone era. The post-presidency will be a long, desolate expanse for a man forced to confront the wreckage of his own making, a tragic symphony that began with a thunderous crescendo but ended in a muted, melancholic whimper, a flower nipped in the bud.

Read the news item here US Court blocks Trump's Tariffs

Credit for this Screenshot : RishiBagree