Former US ambassador to Russia: US influence is declining

A former U.S. ambassador to Russia said on Wednesday that U.S. global influence is declining as the country faces various international issues.

“We are, I think, in the eyes of people overseas, declining,” Thomas Pickering said on CNN’s “New Day.” 

Pickering cited a Pew Research survey from June, showing the U.S.’s global image declining amid President Trump’s first six months in office.

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“That’s not something that I think the United States needs or wants in terms of being able to lead the international community,” he said.

The former ambassador’s comments come as the U.S. faces a slew of international issues, including North Korea’s growing nuclear weapons program, increased tensions with Iran and fallout from Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. 

Trump unveiled a new “America First” national security strategy earlier this month as a means of correcting what the president says were mistakes of former presidents. 

“We will attempt to build a great partnership with those and other countries,” the president said, referring to Russia and China, as long as it “protects our national interest.”

“A nation that does not protect prosperity at home cannot protect its interests abroad,” Trump added.