Trump's UN Speech: Iran War, Greenland Deal, Houthis

The Rhetorical Joust

The speech at the center of the video is Donald Trump’s address at the 2020 United Nations General Assembly. It’s not notable for its eloquence or persuasive power, but for its stark assertion of U.S. military might. Trump told global leaders gathered in New York last fall that he defends his decision to go to war with Iran. Trump says the war was justified because Iran was the "bully of the Middle East." But the U.N. charter bans countries from threatening the use of force except in self-defense.

The Army President

The speech is a classic example of Trump’s bombastic and polarizing style. It is pure, unfiltered rhetoric that is characteristic of Trump's presiding over his administration and the country. The speech is notable for avoiding softening language and political niceties. Trump delivered a series of stark choices, using threats of annihilation and destruction, and is unapologetic about the U.S. military invasion.

Trump lays out the election-year Iran deal dilemma

The most central part of the speech is a sharply defined decision. Trump asks the question of his audience: "Will a deal be made?" In Trump’s framing, it’s a choice between rebuilding Iran or annihilating it. Or Trump might decide to attack Iran "quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again." Trump suggests that Iran might prefer destruction over a deal. Trump previews a post-election deal for Iran that he believes will be accepted "because it doesn’t make sense for them not to."

Trump’s U.S. dealings with allied states

The speech includes a mention that Trump was also trading with Middle Eastern allies. This contrasts with the U.S. focus on trade wars and military conflicts. Trump offers one of his periodic proposals based on his belief that the U.S. can impose changes on another country's political and economic structure. When considering Iran, Trump's speech references an agreement — a deal "that can last forever" — between the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland. Greenland, the world’s largest island, would permanently ban Chinese and Russian investment. Trump frames this deal as a "win-win," beneficial for the U.S., Greenland, Denmark, the NATO Alliance, and therefore Europe. The deal is couched in terms of "liveliness" and "development of country."

Trump's Permanent Greenland Deal

• Trump frames the U.S.-Denmark-Greenland pact in terms of increased U.S. power and control over Greenland.
• Trump says the deal is about a "tremendous relationship" and a "secure relationship" with Denmark and Greenland.
• Trump also mentions the need for sovereignty: Denmark and Greenland are not giving up sovereignty, but the U.S. wants full "ownership" of Greenland to "defend" it.

The Reasons We Care

The conversation around Trump’s speech at the 2020 U.N. General Assembly matters because how leaders like Trump speak can alter the ways in which we think about global geopolitics. Trump's rhetoric touched on the delicate balance of military force and diplomacy in the Middle East, particularly with Iran. His comments on foreign policy, particularly his approach to Iran, have real-world consequences. It reflects a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump, emphasizing unilateral action and military force.

The Short End of a Long Truck

If the U.S. or Iran go to war, the full consequences of Trump's rhetoric are perhaps best seen in his offer to help the Houthis. Trump made this offer to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who wanted U.S. airstrikes on the Houthis. But senior U.S. officials told Nick Schifrin that it’s not on the table. The war in Yemen is ongoing, and the Saudis believe there has to be a deal with the Houthis to keep the strife in check. The U.S. could be facing another major conflict in the Middle East. The Houthis have shown they are willing to escalate their conflict with Saudi Arabia, Iran and the U.S., withdrawing from deals and attacking targets. The Houthis have also made their own demands, which they believe Saudi Arabia will accept. This is certainly a different kind of military leadership than what we’ve seen from the U.S. in the past. Considering the Houthis' push into Yemen, Trump's speech highlights a growing threat and potential for instability in the Middle East.