The Next U.S.–Ukraine Breakdown Is Already Underway

Zelensky’s $50 Billion Offer — and Trump’s Silence

Can an anti-democratic movement work closely with the world’s bravest democratic resistance? Reflexively, the answer is no. Of course not. But in the world of politics, anything is possible.

Macron and Scholz can loathe each other behind closed doors but still stand shoulder-to-shoulder announcing billion-euro projects. Erdogan can strike a deal with Moscow before lunch and spend his evening plotting ways to destabilize Putin’s pet project next door.

Unnatural alliances. Enemies cooperating. Nothing is off the table.

It’s a sick world — but even in a sick world, a basic level of competence is required. And if we’re judging by how U.S. stock and bond markets are responding to Trump’s policies, there’s no mistaking the signal: incompetence is back, and the markets are already adjusting to it.

If that’s the case with the economy, can foreign policy and national security be far behind? Sadly, yes — they’re lagging even further.

• Did Putin agree to Trump’s ceasefire proposal? No.
• Did Trump call him out after a missile strike on Sumy? No. He covered for him — again.