Part 5/10:
Mearsheimer, a proponent of realist theory in international relations, highlighted that effective foreign policy must rest on understanding the distribution of power and interests among nations. Trump's rhetoric and actions raised questions regarding whether they could be classified as realist. While Mearsheimer acknowledged that Trump possesses some realist instincts—like rejecting endless wars and moving towards a containment strategy with China—he emphasized that the chaos and contradictions inherent in Trump’s approach often undermine these principles.