Donald Trump is never confronted with a lack of surprises. This has been controversial since he decided to change the name of the defense department to the department of war. Pentagon is not an ordinary office. The brain and muscular strength of global power of America is its brain and muscle. Changing its name is not an artistic gesture. It is a statement of intent. Words have power and Trump has ensured that this one has landed.
History Revisited
Department of War is not a new term. America used it until 1949. It was then referred to the gentler title of Department of Defense. The change was about image. War sounded aggressive. Defense sounded protective. The turnover by Trump takes the U.S. back to more primitive thinking. The punchline is obvious he wants America to be thought of as a fighter rather than a defender.
Message to the World
This renaming targets people beyond the Americans. It is aimed at rivals abroad. The signal will be heard by Russia, China and Iran. The U.S. is no longer covering behind pleasant speech. It is recovering open confrontation. To allies it can be a source of unease. For enemies, it is a warning. Trump is aware that power is perception as well.
The fact that it is called the Department of War informs the world that America is not going to sit back and rest.
Domestic Ripples
The move is divided at home. Supporters see honesty. They say the U.S. military has been fighting wars decades long. Why pretend otherwise? Critics see danger. In their opinion, the very word war spreads fear and aggression. To them Trump is adding insult to an injury. The gap is representative of the politics in America. One side craves bluntness. The other party cherishes diplomacy.
Impact on Soldiers
To the army the renaming would have two sides to it. Certain forces can be energized. Their reality is associated with the word war. They do not battle speeches but fight. Others may feel burdened. War sounds endless and grim. At least the defense connoted intent. This change in psychology is not trivial. In the barracks the title is weighty as in Congress.
In the US and UK, African Students Under Scrutiny
The Political Play
Critics believe that renaming is a campaign gimmick. Trump thrives on headlines. Rebranding the Pentagon assures them. Still, it is politically calculated as well. It makes him fodder to his strong man image. It fits with his doctrine of America First. In his base it resembles truth telling. To the critics, it appears irresponsible. Anyhow, it leaves him in the limelight.
According to the Defense Department to the Department of War is more than mere semantics. It reflects the Trump style oratory bombastic, blunt and offensive. It recreates the past, rattles foreign policy and divides. It can bring crowds on side or terrify opponents. Yet there is one thing that is definite the punchline has hit. Trump America is not merely in defense. It is declaring war.
