Canada redirects foreign policy toward EU, India and China as US approach changes

François Picard announced the arrival of Anne Applebaum, a staff writer for The Atlantic and author of *Autocracy, Inc.*, to discuss recent shifts in United States foreign policy. Applebaum, whose analysis spans multiple administrations, framed the current upheaval in American diplomacy as a systemic transformation rather than the product of any single presidential term.

In her remarks, Applebaum described a move away from the United States’ traditional role as the leader of a democratic alliance toward a more transactional approach that she likened to “mafia‑style” politics. According to her, this new model blends ideological goals with private economic interests, personal relationships, and geopolitical leverage, reshaping how American power is exercised on the global stage. The discussion highlighted concerns about the implications of this shift for both allies and adversaries, underscoring a broader reorientation of U.S. international strategy.