To understand the direction of U.S. foreign and domestic policy under Donald Trump’s current administration, one must look beyond daily politics to the intellectual foundations shaping its leaders. One key text is American Crusade: Our Fight to Stay Free (2020) by Pete Hegseth, former Army officer, media personality, and now U.S. Secretary of Defense.
Hegseth is more than a political loyalist; his career in Iraq and Afghanistan, his outspoken commentary, and his deep ties to Trump make his book a revealing guide to the strategic worldview dominating Washington today. American Crusade presents a militant cultural and political vision—one that aligns closely with Trump’s agenda and should concern policymakers across the Arab world.
The Structure of the Book
Spanning 352 pages (Center Street, 2020), American Crusade is divided into three main parts:
- Domestic Foundations – A critique of U.S. society, Trump’s leadership, and Hegseth’s call for a renewed “American crusade.”
- Global Forces (Chapters 4–12) – A classification of ideological threats, from leftism and globalization to Islamism.
- Frontlines: Education and Israel (Chapter 13) – A section particularly relevant for Middle Eastern observers.
The book’s central thrust is clear: America faces an existential war against ideological enemies at home and abroad, and victory requires a militant defense of its Christian and nationalist identity.
Core Themes of American Crusade
1. The Left and Globalism as Existential Enemies
Hegseth paints Democrats, progressives, and globalists as internal foes bent on destroying American capitalism, traditions, and constitutional freedom. In his narrative, there is no room for compromise—only perpetual struggle.
He denounces democracy itself as a leftist tool, even encouraging Republican lawmakers to undermine fair elections if they benefit Democrats. In apocalyptic tones, he warns that if Trump were to lose in 2020, America would face national collapse, civil war, and global defeat at the hands of China and Islamists.
2. Islam as a Threat, Israel as Sacred Ally
Hegseth’s treatment of Islam is stark: “Islam is not a religion of peace and never has been,” he declares. He describes Muslim immigration to the West as a demographic invasion and casts mosques and Islamic schools in the U.S. as instruments of cultural takeover.
He likens today’s struggle to the medieval Crusades, urging Americans to adopt the same militant spirit—even if armed conflict becomes necessary. In parallel, he champions Israel as America’s indispensable partner, glorifies Benjamin Netanyahu, and demands defunding of the United Nations for its “anti-Israel” stance.
3. NATO as a Liability, Not an Asset
Echoing Trump, Hegseth views NATO as a burden, not a defense alliance. He calls for its dismantling and replacement, blaming Europe for free-riding on U.S. power. His criticism extends to Turkey’s membership, which he frames as part of Erdoğan’s supposed ambition to revive the Ottoman Empire under an Islamist banner.
Why the Book Matters
American Crusade is not merely a campaign-era polemic. Its author now holds one of the most powerful positions in the U.S. government. The book’s ideas—cultural war at home, hostility toward Islam, unwavering support for Israel, and skepticism toward NATO—are no longer just rhetoric but part of the policy DNA of Trump’s second administration.
For Arab policymakers, the implications are clear:
- U.S. foreign policy is being framed as a civilizational struggle, not just a geopolitical contest.
- Israel is elevated to near-sacred status in Washington’s worldview.
- Islam, migration, and even multilateral institutions like the UN are cast as threats to America’s survival.
- Transatlantic relations may weaken further, with NATO downgraded in U.S. strategic priorities.
Conclusion
Pete Hegseth’s American Crusade offers a window into the ideological backbone of Trump’s America. It envisions politics as war, compromise as betrayal, and history as a cycle of crusades—past and future.
For Arab and Muslim audiences, the message is sobering: U.S. policy today is guided not by pragmatic diplomacy but by a militant worldview that sees Islam as an existential rival and Israel as a divine ally. Understanding this book is not just an academic exercise—it is essential to anticipating the direction of Washington’s next moves.
