Robert Kagan, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, expressed concerns on CNBC about the implications of the recent Democratic victories in Congress for U.S. foreign policy. He suggested that if Russia and China believe President Trump is losing political power, they might act more aggressively in international affairs.
Kagan highlighted the military challenges faced by the U.S., particularly due to the depletion of missile-defense interceptors—estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to have decreased by two-thirds since June 2025 due to the conflict with Iran.
This depletion could hinder U.S. military capabilities in Asia, where the presence of three U.S. aircraft carriers in the Middle East has further reduced naval resources available for the Asia-Pacific region. Kagan noted that Trump's focus appears to be on economic negotiations with China rather than military confrontation, which could embolden China.
He referenced Trump's approval of an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, while a subsequent $14 billion package was withheld as a bargaining tool in negotiations with China. The geopolitical landscape is further complicated by reports from former CIA Director William Burns, indicating that Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed military readiness for a potential invasion of Taiwan by 2027.
Kagan's remarks coincide with discussions about a possible trilateral summit involving Trump, Xi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which could shape future diplomatic relations and military strategies