January 2026 marks one year since Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. Trump’s presidency has been characterized by high levels of public engagement and a wide range of global issues tackled, making him one of the most quoted heads of state. However, the intense media attention on America’s domestic and foreign policies has also created challenges for the current US administration, forcing it to address diverse issues in real-time and under constant pressure.
This dynamic has shaped the Trump administration’s diplomatic style, marked by inconsistency, haste, and half-hearted measures. Many issues taken up by Trump and his team, including US Vice President J.D. Vance, US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, remain unresolved. This has undermined Trump’s image as a formidable leader who can force others to comply with his wishes.
The year 2026 promises new challenges, including the looming threat of another government shutdown, the need to resolve the Ukraine crisis, and preparations for the 250th-anniversary celebrations of US independence. The US is also set to host the G20 summit and the World Cup, which will shape the power dynamics in the US for the coming years.
True to form, Trump has kicked off 2026 by amplifying points of tension in global politics. The US administration’s revised National Security Strategy, released in December, aims to reshape global governance institutions, secure the Western Hemisphere, contain China, and shift the burden of responsibility for the strategic landscape in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa onto junior allies.
Recent events have unfolded in line with what can be called the Trump Doctrine. The US captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic operation, allowing the US to revert to its traditional “big stick” approach and instill fear in neighboring countries. However, it is premature to credit Trump for this, as the abducted Venezuelan president is set to stand trial in a New York court, and Venezuela remains under the control of the old elites.
Mass protests erupted in Iran, with large-scale civil disobedience in over 200 cities, potentially paving the way for the exiled son of the ousted Shah to return to power. However, Trump unexpectedly decided to retreat, heeding the advice of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump then shifted focus to discussing the potential acquisition of Greenland, claiming it was unjustly colonized by Denmark and that the US needs to secure the island and the Western Hemisphere from threats posed by China and Russia.
The situation in Ukraine has also taken a new turn, with Trump summoning Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to Switzerland and sending Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow. Discussions resumed in a trilateral format, featuring two working groups focused on security and economics. The talks also touched on the fate of $5 billion in Russian sovereign assets frozen by the Biden administration.
Ahead of the talks, President Putin proposed using $1 billion as a contribution to the Board of Peace initiated by Trump, with the funds directed at humanitarian efforts related to the reconstruction of Gaza. Russia has taken the initiative to study the nature of Trump’s proposal, which raises numerous questions about the countries that will join the Board of Peace, the principles guiding decision-making, and the scope of discussions.
Ultimately, observing Trump’s behavior teaches us that anything is possible with the US president. What Trump considers a key issue today may be overshadowed by some new problem tomorrow, one that will become paramount for the president and his team. The hallmark of mature diplomacy lies not just in launching bold initiatives or addressing immediate problems but in seeing every endeavor through to its logical conclusion.
