AT the moment, polls show Messrs. Biden and Trump in a neck and neck race. This showing was before President Biden’s faux pas at his press conference in Hanoi a few days ago. If a poll is taken today, Trump may jump significant points ahead.

The press conference fiasco was disturbing in the context of Mr. Trump’s staying power. Just in case you missed it, the Press Secretary had to abruptly stop the process because Mr. Biden became incoherent. It appears that Mr. Biden was not aware that the meeting would be curtailed.

I have said to friends over and over if Mr. Biden falls down during the campaign or just ramble on senselessly during a campaign meeting, Trump is going to win the presidency and I think that is going to be the end of US global power and the end of global stability.

Mr. Trump has emerged as the strangest and most unhinged personality in the politics of the West the past 200 years. No leader in any of the world’s most powerful, democratic countries the past 200 years was as eccentric and dangerous as Donald Trump. His eccentricity and chancy mind are a lethal combination that could severely affect the world if Mr. Trump is re-elected.

First, I believe Mr. Trump is going to rule the US with a vendetta attitude. He is going to do harsh things to prove to US society and other countries in the world that did not embrace him during his first term that he is a unique, unbeatable human.

Secondly, he is going to rule the US with disregard for the finer points of democracy and the rule of law. Mr. Trump has an authoritarian mind and such minds in the past never cared about the values of democracy and fundamental freedoms.

Thirdly, Trump is going to practise the policy of racist politics and such an attitude will be transferred to his foreign policy. Trump is essentially a White- oriented American politician who believes other ethnic communities should be subordinate to the White race in the US.

Fourthly, if Trump had won a second term, he would have sought to invade both Iran and Venezuela. To start a war, Congress has to approve it and Trump did not have that support during his first term. If the Republicans take both chambers next year, that party will give Trump permission to commit the US to go to war.

Fifthly, going to war with Iran or any middle country with the kind of military resources and population Iran has, will create an unprecedented crisis that will eventually wipe out the global hegemony the US currently enjoys. Three consequences will result. One is Israel will join the US in attacking Iran and that will lead to huge upheavals in every part of the Middle East.

The second is that China will invade Taiwan once the US is at war in any part of the world (and the US will be so hard-pressed in its war with Iran) it will not have the resources to enter into a confrontation with China. If the US is at war, it will provide Russia with cover to invade former USSR republics that it feels might jeopardise its security in the future. The third consequence is the economy of the entire world will be disrupted causing immense suffering in developing countries.

Mr. Trump appears to be an unsteady man. He has no place in domestic politics in the US much less international affairs. The re-election of Trump could sap the energy and character of American society leading to the unbelievable decline of the US. It is my firm conviction that the US will not survive as a great power if it has to endure four more years of Trump.
Only one man stands between global peace and unprecedented international disaster and that is President Biden. Mr. Biden’s performance at his Vietnam press conference is likely to worsen over the coming months. That should be the conclusion of anyone who watched with sad eyes at what happened. Mr. Biden is not mentally sharp at the moment. Things are not likely to improve as the gruelling campaign begins next year.

The 2024 presidential campaign is going to be the most volcanic of all US elections. It does not look good for President Biden. An alternative candidate is going to beat Trump because he will appear as a more suitable candidate than Mr. Biden. Age takes its toll on all humans. It has on Mr. Biden. The Democratic Party must persuade Mr. Biden to give way. If he refuses, the world will not survive.