By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump has made the decision to withdraw the U.S. from UNESCO, citing its support for “woke, divisive cultural and social causes” as the primary reason. This marks a reversal of the Biden administration’s 2021 decision to rejoin the organization after the U.S. had previously withdrawn during Trump’s first term. The withdrawal follows a 90-day review requested by Trump in February, which included a focus on potential anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment within UNESCO. This move continues a pattern of the Trump administration distancing itself from global entities, including the World Health Organization.
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Trump pulling U.S. out of UNESCO, the U.N. scientific and cultural agency, 2 years after Biden rejoined, is a story that sadly repeats a familiar pattern of political whiplash. It’s like the U.S. can’t decide if it wants to be part of the global community or to isolate itself. Two years after President Biden, in a move to re-engage with international organizations, decided to rejoin UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Trump’s reemergence has once again cast the U.S.’s commitment to such entities into doubt. This constant flip-flopping, this apparent disregard for long-term goals, undermines the U.S.’s credibility on the world stage.
This inconsistency, sadly, has become a hallmark of our political landscape. It’s difficult to understand how the U.S. can ever hope to be taken seriously by other nations when its policies shift so dramatically with each change in administration. International organizations operate on long-term plans, decades-long projects that require consistent support and commitment. This sort of on-again, off-again approach makes it incredibly difficult for them to function effectively, and it damages the U.S.’s ability to influence global initiatives. The constant shifts make us look fickle, unreliable, and ultimately, like a country that doesn’t know what it wants.
The reasons for Trump’s actions often seem to be rooted in a desire to undo anything his predecessors did. This pattern of behavior isn’t about saving money, nor is it about making America greater. Instead, the decision appears to be based on a pure opposition to Biden’s actions, a reaction to the previous administration’s policies. This lack of strategic vision doesn’t benefit anyone.
The core issue appears to be UNESCO’s recognition of Palestine. This contentious issue has long been a point of disagreement for American administrations. Obama withdrew funding from UNESCO in 2011 over this issue, then Trump decided to leave entirely. Biden’s decision to rejoin, two years before Trump’s potential re-election, was a bold move, and a rebuke of Obama’s decision.
So, what are the practical consequences of this kind of withdrawal? For the average American, this means losing out on the ability to compare and understand America’s cultural and historical significance compared to the rest of the world. We limit our ability to learn from other cultures, to participate in international collaborations on issues like education, science, and cultural preservation. This ultimately hurts our ability to understand our own place in the world.
And let’s not forget the bigger picture. International collaboration on education, science, and cultural preservation – these are essential to global progress. UNESCO, for all its flaws, plays a significant role in this, from promoting literacy to protecting cultural heritage sites. By withdrawing, the U.S. forfeits its influence on these issues, allowing others to shape the global narrative. It’s a shortsighted move, one that isolates us and diminishes our role as a global leader.
Ultimately, this constant cycle of withdrawal and rejoining is not helpful. It’s a frustrating pattern that demonstrates a lack of any real interest in making America truly great, on a global scale. It makes the U.S. seem unreliable, unpredictable, and, frankly, childish. It’s hard to see how this is beneficial for anyone, other than those who want to dismantle the very idea of international cooperation.