UN General Assembly in New York: Donald Trump between warmonger and peacemaker

From election campaigns to lectures to small glimmers of hope. All of this was contained in US President Donald Trump's speech to this year's UN General Assembly in New York. The spotlight was his alone as he stepped onto the world stage early Tuesday morning local time. And yet the now 80-year-old seemed less energetic than usual. Things aren't going particularly well for him at the moment, neither domestically nor beyond.

After he launched a major global scolding last year, he adopted a somewhat friendlier tone this year. Nevertheless, he could not resist his criticism of the UN and other multilateral organizations.

"While others talked, I acted. While others spoke of peace, I created it. While others ignored threats, I faced them. While others spoke of courage, America demonstrated it. While others promised strength, I used it to make America the most powerful nation in the world," Trump said.

This year, the UN summit will once again be dominated by the ongoing conflicts taking place around the world. Above all, the war in Iran, which the United States launched together with Israel more than six months ago.

Despite the negative impact on the global economy and the failed diplomacy so far, Trump announced that he would continue to hold the reins.

"I'm facing an important decision. Will there be an agreement with Iran [...]? Or will I destroy the Islamic Republic [...]?" Trump threatened. Observers were surprised that the US president did not shy away from raising the prospect of a possible war crime from the podium at the United Nations.

The decision as to how things should proceed depends, of course, on the regime in Tehran. A subsequent meeting between representatives of the Trump administration and the Iranian delegation reportedly went well, according to Trump. However, according to the US President, the chances that the war could end before the upcoming American congressional elections in November are rather slim. “They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterms,” Trump said.

The Iranian delegation left the hall during Trump's speech, with only one person remaining seated.

On the sidelines of the summit, Trump also met a delegation from the Gulf states and other Arab countries, including Syria's interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Trump largely ignored the domestic political pressure on Trump and his Republican Party because of the Iran conflict, among other things. Rather, he applauded his own economic policy. And the well-known criticism of his predecessor Joe Biden could not be missed.

"Our economy is the envy of the world. Our military is the most powerful on Earth. Our technology is unmatched, and we are leaders in virtually every field. Our energy powers the planet. America is rising. Our nation is growing. Our power is increasing. Our country is doing better than ever, and our future is extremely bright," Trump said.

For many Americans, such campaign statements are unrealistic, as surveys repeatedly confirm. New high prices for diesel and other fuels put a huge strain on agriculture and other industries.

He also makes it clear that the USA wants to further emphasize its claim to ownership of the Western Hemisphere. The military action that led to the overthrow of former Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro may have been just the beginning.

"To the victor belongs the spoils. [...] Our actions in Venezuela demonstrate that the United States will no longer tolerate threats gaining a foothold anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. And if necessary, we will use our unparalleled military strength to protect the vital national interests of the United States," Trump said.

When it came to Ukraine, Trump was extremely confident. His government would work closely with Russia and Ukraine to finally end Moscow's war of aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said after his meeting with Trump that his country would be ready to stop attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure if Moscow also agreed to do so. Zelensky was also open to trilateral talks.

Still, few expect a breakthrough. In his nearly 38-minute speech, Trump made it clear that under his leadership, US interests will always come first, no matter what the UN or other international organizations say.

“The United Nations has enormous potential […] but it must stop pushing the left-wing agenda of globalist bureaucrats who were never elected by anyone,” Trump complained.

America's allies have recognized that the current administration in Washington thinks little of multilateral alliances. For now, new alliances appear to be the solution to circumvent this US isolation. Canada's rapprochement with the EU and other nations is an example of this.

Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian, among others, is scheduled to speak at the UN on Wednesday.