When I was a child, I was part of a team playing a game against a team which was stronger than us. Each player from one team had to take turns taking the attack to the opponent's team. Every player in our team put themselves forward thinking they can do better, only to be slapped down.

The current administration's approach is something similar. They think that because they have managed to take over American politics and do as they please in the US, they think they can do anything they want outside the US as well. Previous administrations had more awareness of their limitations - but I guess we are in the FA of the FAFO phase.