Is America still a force for good? Donald Trump is slapping down allies and wooing Vladimir Putin. For some Americans it is more than just bad politics: it is an identity crisis.
Shockwaves after White House meltdown
Schoolyard bullies?: Trump and Vance accused Zelensky of "gambling with World War Three", but he pointed out that Ukraine had signed a ceasefire deal in 2019, before Russia's invasion. The mockup above was created by The Day's artist Cheryl Mackay. Glossary
Shining city upon a hill - A phrase used frequently by 1980s US president Ronald Reagan. It came from a 17th Century Puritan sermon, but Reagan used it to discuss America as a beacon of light and hope for the world.
Pete Hegseth - The US secretary of defence under Donald Trump's second presidency.
Cyberoperations - Actions made to secure computer networks, systems and information.
Oval Office - The president's main office in the White House.
White House - The official residence of the US president, in Washington DC. Burnt by British troops in 1814, it was rebuilt and painted white to hide the smoke stains.
Democracy - A system of government based on the idea of rule by the people.
Dictators - Rulers with total power over a country.
Amoral - Not concerned whether something is right or wrong. Lacking moral senses.
Joe Biden - An American politician who was the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2025.
Pique - A feeling of irritation that results from a perceived wrong, especially to one's pride.
Incorruptibility - Being honest and having good moral principles.
Fascists - Following fascism, a set of ideologies that advocates dictatorial power, political violence, suppression of opposition, traditional gender roles, and official racism.
Nicaragua - A country in Central America with a population of 6.8 million.
Genocides - The annihilation of a people, either through killing of its members, or through the suppression of its culture.
Palestine - An area located in the Southern Levant region of Western Asia.
Global South - A term increasingly used to describe less-developed countries, most of which are south of a line that separates, on different continents, the USA from Mexico, Europe from Africa, and Russia from central Asia and China.
Ally - A country that has agreed to support another one.