This is apropos a letter to the Editor “Trump’s war of contradictions” carried by the newspaper on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and yesterday.
Three months into the conflict, the most important issue may no longer be whether America possesses sufficient military or economic power. Few seriously question what it does. The more important question is whether Washington can maintain a coherent strategy long enough to translate power into sustainable political results. Allies require consistency. Adversaries require clarity. Investors require predictability. Diplomatic agreements require trust.
From missed deadlines and contradictory statements to market-moving announcements, shifting negotiation frameworks, and ongoing military tensions, the period between February and May has produced what many now describe as a crisis of credibility. Scott Ritter’s analysis may be controversial, and many of his conclusions remain vigorously disputed. Yet his central warning resonates far beyond his supporters: a superpower’s greatest strength is not merely its military arsenal or economic influence, but the confidence that others place in its word.
In international affairs, power commands attention. Credibility commands trust. And without trust, even the most powerful nation can struggle to achieve its goals.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
The writer is a former Press Secretary to the President, An ex-Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France, a former MD, SRBC Macomb, Detroit, Michigan
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