Prelude to World War 3
How Trump's Russian-Captured White House Is Bringing Us to the Brink of the Unthinkable.
Europe is rearming to the tune of €800 billion. Macron is offering nuclear deterrence. China warns it's "ready for any type of war." And at the center of this march toward global conflict: a Trump administration wholly captured by Russian interests.
What we're witnessing isn't just a geopolitical realignment — it's the deliberate dismantling of the global order that has prevented major power wars since 1945. Once dismantled, and all its protections eviscerated, the odds of a catastrophic global conflict increase exponentially.
A White House Captured by Russia
Let's call it what it is: Trump is aligned with an axis of autocrats, and he is maneuvering his entire administration into the arms of our adversary - Russia. His self-admitted numerous contacts with Vladimir Putin are happening under a shroud of secrecy and we are receiving no readouts about their agenda and content. We must assume the worst case scenario - Putin and Trump are executing a strategy to weaken America and to align its militaristic interests with an axis of evil.
Recent reports reveal Trump is now considering a fundamental change to America's NATO commitments - potentially refusing to defend NATO allies who don't meet specific defense spending thresholds. This would effectively gut Article 5, the alliance's mutual defense clause that has maintained European security for over 70 years. Trump is also weighing repositioning U.S. troops to focus only on countries meeting spending goals and prioritizing military exercises with them. While official statements claim "commitment to NATO and Article 5," these potential policy shifts align perfectly with Putin's long-standing objective to fracture the Western alliance.
His criticism of Zelensky and sidelining of Ukraine isn't just a geopolitical pivot - it's the implementation of Putin's strategic objectives. When Trump undermines NATO while praising Putin's "genius," he's not just shifting policy — he's breaking the world order - he's marching us to the brink of war.
Europe's €800 Billion Answer
Macron's recent address marks a seismic shift in European defense policy. By suggesting France might extend its nuclear deterrence to protect European allies, he's acknowledging what many fear but few will say aloud: America under Trump can no longer be counted on.
The European Union's "ReArm Europe" initiative represents the continent's largest rearmament since World War 2. This ambitious €800 billion ($841 billion) plan over the next four years isn't merely supplementing NATO — it's replacing American security guarantees that have become worthless under a Russian-captured White House.
The scale of this undertaking is unprecedented. The EU proposes €150 billion in new joint borrowing for defense, while allowing member states to increase defense spending by up to 1.5% of GDP outside normal budget constraints, potentially freeing up €650 billion. These funds will develop pan-European defense capabilities including air and missile defense systems, artillery, missiles, ammunition, drones, and cyber defense.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's assessment is stark: Europe faces "a clear and present danger on a scale that none of us have seen in our adult lifetime." This isn't hyperbole — it's the rational response to an emerging reality where America can no longer be trusted.
If you listen closely to European leaders - they are not talking about Ukraine's conflict anymore - they are preparing for war with Russia and potentially the US.
China Waits and Watches
China has issued stern warnings to the United States over tariffs, stating its readiness for "any type of war" in response to escalating trade tensions.
Make no mistake, while China likes to frame itself as being reasonable and measured, any notion the Trump administration has that they can drive a wedge between Russia and China is sleepwalking through reality.
The Russia-China strategic alliance has fundamentally altered the global balance of power. Their partnership extends beyond rhetoric into substantive military cooperation, joint Arctic resource exploitation, and coordinated opposition to Western institutions. China invests heavily in Russian energy while gaining access to the Northern Sea Route for its "Polar Silk Road." Their military exercises grow increasingly sophisticated as China's modernization complements Russia's capabilities. Together, they're reshaping global governance through alternative institutions like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, while providing each other economic buffers against Western sanctions. This alliance doesn't just challenge American hegemony—it's creating an entirely new multipolar world order where Western influence is systematically diminished.
But the Russia-China axis still faces one critical obstacle: America's nuclear deterrent. By capturing the Trump White House, Putin removes the final counterbalance to autocratic ambitions. With America's nuclear arsenal effectively neutralized or potentially aligned with Russia, the math fundamentally shifts in favor of the autocrats. This isn't just about regional influence—it's about removing the last significant obstacle to their global ambitions.
Xi has the world exactly where he wants it. His alliance with Putin runs deep and they must be privately celebrating their success with Trump and Musk. Suddenly the world seems to favor China's geopolitical ambitions - with its most ardent competitor now captured and being driven into chaos.
The Gathering Storm
The conditions that preceded previous world wars are eerily present today:
The capture of a significant world power
Installation of an extremist puppet regime
Traditional alliances fracturing
Autocratic regimes beating war drums
Democratic nations scrambling to rearm with hundreds of billions
Economic tensions exacerbating geopolitical conflicts
When Macron warns that "Europe is under threat" and commits to massive rearmament, he's responding to a geopolitical reality that is difficult to avoid. A captured White House and an America aligned with an axis of autocrats means the world is on the brink of multinational global conflict.
What Comes Next
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Narativ with Zev Shalev to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.