The US War Secretary Hegseth is finally in the spotlight, but with fame comes headaches. He was set to give a speech to 800 generals, only for President Trump to show up last minute and steal the show. Anyway, Hegseth started off as a nobody, but now he’s got tons of attention; many say he was caught off guard by the sudden fame.
The McNamara Comparison: Not Just Military, But Political Trust
Let’s talk about an American icon: McNamara. In 1943, he joined the US Army Air Corps as a math whiz, rising to captain. His job? Using statistical models to make air force bombing more effective. Post-war, he joined Ford, revamped their management, and by 45, became Ford’s president—second only to Henry Ford II. In 1961, Kennedy tapped him to be Secretary of Defense. Hegseth? He’s been in various wars, earned medals like the Bronze Star, served as an Afghanistan instructor in 2012, moving up to major.
Here’s the thing: as Defense Secretaries, Hegseth and McNamara had similar military creds. Critics say Hegseth’s just a junior officer and can’t be preaching to star generals. But back in 1965, General Westmoreland, the top Vietnam commander, had to report to McNamara. Big military moves had to get Johnson’s nod. So why bash Hegseth but not McNamara? Both started low in rank—what really matters is presidential trust. Without that, no one’s fit for the job.
Kennedy’s “Best and Brightest” — Then and Now
Speaking of McNamara, let’s not forget Kennedy. At 43, he was America’s youngest president ever, seeing himself as a fresh, new-gen leader. His cabinet was full of America’s brightest young minds, called “The Best and the Brightest.” In his inaugural, Kennedy said, “The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans” to lead the nation onward. He promised a “New Frontier”: ending segregation, reforming civil rights, pursuing peace, and taking humanity to space.
McNamara was the poster boy for Kennedy’s “Best and Brightest.” Plus, he held a Harvard MBA and made major WWII contributions, earning his spot among the “Blue Blood Ten,” America’s academic elite. Today, President Trump, a famous TV host by background, probably thinks Hegseth deserves a spot among the Best and Brightest too—he’s one of America’s top TV personalities.
The Flaws of the “Best and Brightest”
But here’s what you can question—the actual capability of America’s “Best and Brightest.” McNamara made grave strategic missteps in Vietnam, known in management circles as the “McNamara Fallacy.” This was his obsession with relying solely on quantitative data, which led to serious errors. He backed Westmoreland’s “carpet bombing” strategy—using B-52 Stratofortress bombers to relentlessly bomb North Vietnam. The flaw? Viet Cong often evacuated before strikes. McNamara still supported it, saying the goal wasn’t necessarily to destroy targets but to psychologically intimidate the enemy. The result? A humiliating US withdrawal after a decade.
So far, no “Hegseth Fallacy” has popped up, but calling Hegseth “The Best and the Brightest” feels off. It reminds me of the Western classic, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Not that Hegseth has Clint Eastwood’s style, but more like two of the three character types in that film—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Deep Blue
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When reporters asked about French President Macron refusing to join the Gaza Peace Commission, Trump didn't miss a beat: "Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon." He added: "I'll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he'll join, but he doesn't have to join." Translation: If even bros get no face, you’re really nobody. Classic Trump.
France represents Europe's core values and has consistently railed against China's so-called "overcapacity." Last year, when Sino-European trade tensions peaked, France's Les Échos quoted the American think tank Rhodium Group: "China’s overcapacity may have an impact on Western economies. In fact, the real losers are countries in the Global South." The analysis attacked both sides—so why did Europe find it music to their ears? Because they never forgot 2013, when the EU sanctioned Chinese solar panels under the banner of anti-dumping. Now those same solar panels, wind turbines, and domestically produced EVs have roared back with a vengeance, hammering European manufacturing.
Trump's "Gaza Peace Commission" Power Play
So what's this Peace Commission all about? The United States has sent invitations to leaders of over 60 countries and international organizations. Yesterday it was confirmed that Putin made the guest list. According to multiple foreign media reports, the White House is demanding that countries pony up over $1 billion in exchange for permanent seats on the “Gaza Peace Commission." Trump, as US President, becomes the Commission's inaugural chairman with personal authority to decide who gets invited. Pay attention—all decisions will be made by majority vote, but must ultimately be approved by the chairman. What does that mean? Dictatorship, plain and simple.
Moreover, the White House will soon announce the membership list. The Commission will be composed of US Secretary of State Rubio, Special Envoy Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law, and others—a cozy family affair with global ambitions.
Don't waste time asking whether the Commission is reasonable, appropriate, or constitutional under US law—that's beside the point. At least the United Nations hasn't issued any statement opposing it so far. You can only ask: "Would Putin really play along with this?" Or: "Has Beijing received an invitation?" Global Times reported: "At the moment, Russia is looking at all the details of this proposal, and hopes to discuss all of the nuances with the Americans."
Some observers believe that "turning the so-called Peace Commission into an institution parallel to the United Nations will undermine the UN's authority and working mechanisms."
The American Genius Complex
Taiwan foreign affairs expert and commentator Jieh Wen-chieh nailed it: if Trump dares to create this Commission, he could later lead America to the moon or Mars—nothing would be surprising! This is 100% what an American genius should do.
Jieh Wen-chieh identifies the key point: Europe is a resource-poor region. When European immigrants discovered that America was a land without boundaries, they found a whole new world. American culture was forged this way: as long as you have "guts," as long as you have "dreams" and dare to do what no one before has done, you are an American hero—the very embodiment of "the American way".
Trump’s hammer falls wherever he pleases: plots to swallow Greenland, and threatens military action against Iran. In the minds of Americans, this is no different from "Apple guru" Steve Jobs launching the iPhone—it's all "just do it." Sum it up in one sentence: the America led by Trump truly embodies a phenomenon of "power overcapacity." Don’t you agree?
Trump's Next Move: Weaponizing Peace
Whether you agree or not, Trump has new initiatives—he sent a letter to the Norwegian Prime Minister, stating that given Norway's decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize to recognize his prevention of "eight wars PLUS," therefore, "I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace..., but can now think about what is good and proper' for the US." At this rate, America’s about to claim the whole universe as its own!
Looking back, Trump's bubble is closely tied to those allies who previously pandered to America by slapping the "overcapacity" label on China—they are the kingmakers. They dismantled Huawei's 5G communications, banned lithography machine exports to China, then called Trump "Daddy," thinking the world would become more beautiful. Now they're about to learn it the hard way.
P.S.: Europe will face 100% tariffs from America. Here’s to a roaring Year of the Horse—may you charge ahead and lead the pack!
