Trust is good, but being suspicious is better

Alberto Mudjadju"

A very important expression in the geopolitical context, it means that, although trust is important in International Relations, it is fundamental to maintain a degree of distrust to protect national interests, as this is fundamental for any country. This can be guaranteed by adhering to the following: Diplomatic Representation; International Negotiations; National Defense; Economic Policy; International Cooperation; Intelligence and Security; Protection of Citizens. In Geopolitics, trust can be a risk, as countries have different objectives and interests, and cooperation can be used as a strategy to gain an advantage. For example, a country may agree to cooperate with another country on a specific issue, but at the same time be working to undermine the other country's position in other areas (the US and Russia cooperate in cyber defense, but simultaneously undermine each other in other fields, leaving them as their greatest rivals ever). Therefore, cooperation can be an effective strategy to gain an advantage over national interests, as it allows countries to work together to achieve common goals and promote stability and prosperity. Cooperation can lead to increased trade between countries, which can benefit the economies of all involved, as well as help reduce production and transaction costs, making companies more competitive in the global market. It also promotes security and stability in a region, which is essential for economic growth, and can allow countries to diversify their partnerships and reduce their dependence on a single partner. The European Union is an example of regional cooperation aimed at promoting economic and political integration among member countries, as is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), another example of regional cooperation aimed at promoting economic and political cooperation among member countries. Finally, we have the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), an international cooperation aimed at promoting economic and political cooperation among member countries. In short, cooperation can be an effective strategy to gain an advantage over national interests, as it allows countries to work together to achieve common goals and promote stability and development of nations. Everything must be done to protect the national interests of each nation, and these interests can be divided into: Vital Interests; Strategic Interests (Regional Integration); Economic Interests (Exploitation of Natural Resources); Political Interests (Economic, Social and Cultural Development); Humanitarian Interests (Environmental Protection). Furthermore, national interests can also be classified as short-term interests, those that are important in a short period of time, such as resolving an economic crisis or responding to an immediate threat....and also long-term interests, which are important over a long period of time, such as the promotion of sustainable development and the protection of the environment. In the specific case of Mozambique, security in Cabo Delgado can be framed within vital interests because it jeopardizes the very existence of the Mozambican state, since it is known that states are not eternal (Gaza State, Songhai, Ottoman Empire, etc.), so the defense of these interests must be carried out with all force and using all available resources. 

Trust is good, but distrust is better, because distrust allows countries to be more cautious and protect their interests. This doesn't mean countries should be hostile or aggressive, but rather that they should be prudent and carefully assess the intentions and actions of other countries. Distrust in the geopolitical context is nothing new, as the following examples illustrate: the Cold War, where the rivalry between the US and the USSR was marked by a great deal of distrust, with both sides seeking to protect their interests and prevent the expansion of the other; the Cuban Missile Crisis, where the installation of Soviet missiles in Cuba generated great distrust in the US, which saw it as a threat to national security; and China's security policy, where the Chinese have been criticized for their security plan, which includes the construction of military bases in the South China Sea, generating distrust in neighboring countries. Trust is good, but distrust is better is very relevant to geopolitics, as it highlights the importance of prudence and caution in international relations.

2025/12/3