Did I say I was willing to relinquish American leadership? In my opinion, Trump exercised real leadership everywhere he went last week. That is something we have not seen for a very long time now.
McMaster and Cohn said it best in the WSJ yesterday and you don't get this kind of reporting from the MSM:
We are asking a lot of our allies and partners. But in return the U.S. will once again be a true friend. . . .
. . .America First does not mean America alone. It is a commitment to protecting and advancing our vital interests while also fostering cooperation and strengthening relationships with our allies and partners. A determination to stand up for our people and our way of life deepens our friends’ respect for America.
The president is unequivocal in declaring that America’s primary interest is the safety and security of our citizens. In discussions overseas, Mr. Trump encouraged others to join the U.S. in doing more to defeat the terrorist organizations that threaten peaceful nations around the world. He challenged leaders of more than 50 Muslim-majority countries to stand together “against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians.” . . .
. . .Strong alliances and economically thriving partners are a third vital American interest. As the president stated in Brussels, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is rooted in “the courage of our people, the strength of our resolve, and the commitments that bind us together as one.” While reconfirming America’s commitment to NATO and Article 5, the president challenged our allies to share equitably the responsibility for our mutual defense. We came away with new outcomes for the first time in decades: More allies are stepping up to meet their defense commitments. By asking for more buy-in, we have deepened our relationships. That is not surprising. Alliances based on mutual respect and shared responsibility are strong. And strong alliances bolster American power. . . .
. . .We are asking a lot of our allies and partners. But in return America will once again be a true friend to our partners and the worst foe to our enemies. The president’s visit showed the power of both competing to advance interests and engaging to develop relationships and foster cooperation. We have a vital interest in taking the lead internationally to advance American military, political and economic strength.
We engage with the world not to impose our way of life but to “secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.” That means identifying the interests and principles that make America uncommon and advancing them in the Middle East, with our NATO allies, with the G-7 nations and beyond. . .
https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-first-doesnt-mean-america-alone-1496187426
There is a lot more in this piece re what was accomplished last week.
I honestly cannot see how anybody who is an American can find serious fault with this. But the MSM is mostly putting out the same talking points you are: Trump insulted our allies, refuses to cooperate, is burning bridges yadda yadda. All fake news.