The Alliance Targeting Europe, the UK, and Norway
US President Donald Trump operates as a Russian resource and has formed an alliance with Vladimir Putin targeting Europe, the UK, and Norway.
That is the assessment of Luke Harding, author, journalist, and Russia expert, in a blunt interview with Dagbladet.
Inside the New Book on Trump, Putin, and Conquest
British writer Luke Harding published his tenth nonfiction book, titled Betrayal: Trump, Putin and The New Age of Conquest. Harding stated to Dagbladet that two primary developments prompted the book: Donald Trump’s return to the presidency as an imperialist leader and the deployment of North Korean troops to fight against the Ukrainians.
The book’s title reflects what Harding describes as a dark chapter in international relations. Harding noted that Trump hosted a historic meeting with Putin in Alaska last year, where Putin stood on a red carpet and Trump applauded.
Greed, Ideology, and KGB Archives from the 1970s
Harding argued that Donald Trump functions as a Russian resource within American politics. According to the author, four primary factors explain Trump’s alignment with Moscow: greed, ideology, kompromat, and envy of autocratic power.
The Guardian's review of my book Betrayal. The headline asks: "Is Trump a #Russian asset? My answer, broadly, is yes. (Most seem to agree; the piece has generated 5K FB comments; typically "Duh"!) "If he were a Russian agent, what would he do differently?” https://t.co/RCLl8r3DC0
Harding suggested that Trump envies Putin’s immense wealth, as well as his authority to imprison, poison, or eliminate political rivals. Furthermore, Harding pointed to historical intelligence records, noting that he viewed Czechoslovakian KGB archives from the 1970s containing files on Trump. According to Harding, these records show Soviet intelligence monitored Trump decades ago, searching for traits such as poor analytical skills, susceptibility to bribery, and marital infidelity.
Intelligence Warnings and the Four-Month NATO Window
European intelligence leaders warned this autumn that Russia might test NATO’s resolve through intelligence, sabotage, or limited military actions. Harding agreed with these assessments, telling Dagbladet that Russia could test the alliance within the next four to five months.
Harding explained that Putin likely recognizes a narrow window for escalation because he believes Trump will likely lose the election in the autumn. To counter ongoing Russian aggression in Europe, Harding advocated for robust military responses rather than standard diplomacy, suggesting measures such as a no-fly zone over Ukraine enforced by NATO aircraft to intercept Russian drones and missiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific event prompted Luke Harding to write his latest book?
Harding stated he wrote Betrayal primarily due to Donald Trump’s return to the presidency and witnessing North Korean troops enter combat against the Ukrainians.
What does the term kompromat mean in the context of Russian intelligence?
Kompromat refers to compromising material gathered by intelligence agencies to be used against a person.
What military measure did Harding suggest European nations take regarding Ukraine?
Harding proposed establishing a no-fly zone over Ukraine that would involve NATO aircraft shooting down incoming Russian missiles, drones, and aircraft.