This America First agenda has now culminated in and been codified into the United States' National Security Strategy, launched in November 2025 (NSS 2025). To understand where Mr Trump is going with his America First project, it is necessary to digest and take the NSS 2025 seriously. Doing so requires putting aside Mr Trump's blustery self-absorption while focusing on the nativist and nationalistic movement behind him. Figuring out Mr Trump's mindset and manoeuvres requires analysing underpinnings, drivers, and trends the way they are, rather than the way we want them to be. Mr Trump's nativist camp erected barriers to keep out near-abroad migrants and secured borders in a fortress-like fashion.

Source: Bangkok Post January 22, 2026 23:33 UTC