The Oxford dictionary announced this week that its word of the year is ‘post truth’ – facts defeated by often-repeated slogans emotional in character. It will not surprise anyone to find out that the term has its origins in the American presidential campaign and in the Brexit referendum.
What will American foreign policy look like under President-elect Trump? Will it follow the post-truth logic of his election campaign? Early signs suggest so.
During the campaign, in the topsy turvy world of our times, enemies became friends and friends were put on notice not to take America for granted. Russia-US relations have been hostile during the Obama presidencies, yet Trump and Putin believe that they can do business. President Assad of Syria, demonised by American leaders for the last five years, can now look forward to working with the 45th President of the United States, whom Assad believes a ‘natural ally’.
