In the first year of Donald Trump's new term, his personal wealth increased by $1.4 billion, marking a noteworthy aspect of his presidency. However, the article emphasizes that, despite mixed results during his tenure, there are key lessons that can be learned. Trump's presidency inadvertently pushed Europe into a critical reflection on its reliance on international systems, highlighting the necessity of strategic autonomy in ensuring political control.

The author outlines three fundamental insights that emerged from Trump's presidency: First, without strategic autonomy, political control is compromised. Second, effective defense is essential for maintaining that strategic autonomy. Third, only through strategic autonomy can nations ensure they maintain control over their affairs. These points may seem obvious but have often been overlooked in a post-war world that relied heavily on international laws, agreements, and organizations to mediate relationships.

The article concludes by reflecting on the historical context of the Cold War, where the binary confrontation of Good versus Evil defined international relations. The collapse of the Evil side left many believing in a world order stabilized by legal and organizational frameworks, but Trump's presidency challenges that notion, suggesting that countries must rethink their defenses and autonomy in the current geopolitical landscape.