The U.S. has been blessed with leaders who inspired us and the world with their vision, their purpose, their sense of history and commitment to international rules.

In the cauldron of the Cold War, John F. Kennedy stood in Berlin and declared "I am a Berliner" in a compelling speech that let the Soviet Union know that the United States and the Western democracies would not be cowed by Soviet threats and tanks.

Ronald Reagan spoke eloquently about America as a shining city on a hill, challenging us to set an example for democracies and dictatorships, daring Soviet leaders to "tear down" the Berlin Wall.

George H.W. Bush oversaw the potentially explosive collapse of the Soviet Union and its empire with restraint, and shrewdly negotiated German reunification. Franklin Roosevelt reminded the country in the midst of the Great Depression that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Despite facing partisan gridlock, President Barack Obama regularly appealed to our better nature.

With exceptions, we have been fortunate to have leaders who inspired us to new heights and led a partnership of nations in a troubled world. They spoke of American exceptionalism, of America as the "indispensable nation." American presidents generally observed the Declaration of Independence plea to "respect the opinions of mankind."

Today, we have in Donald J. Trump a rude, reckless and thin-skinned president who, with both tweet-driven comments and decisions, is doing his best to turn this great country into what former Irish president Mary Robinson views as " a rogue state."

A few examples of Trump's erratic behavior suggest the U.S., under a Trumpian administration, no longer intends to remain within the network of rules and norms that define relationships among the democracies of the world.

Rejection of the Paris climate accord, a voluntary agreement that joined the U.S. with virtually all nations to tackle global warming, a widely recognized phenomenon Trump calls a "Chinese hoax."

Abuse of European allies and the NATO alliance, which has helped secure peace for 70 years. Trump ignored the advice of key foreign policy advisers to express American commitment to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which pledges support for all members if one is attacked. The only time the article has been invoked was after 9/11 when all other members stood by the United States.

While insulting German leaders whose companies produce thousands of jobs in the southern U.S., Trump embraces authoritarian leaders in countries like Russia and the Philippines. He repeatedly expresses admiration for Russia's Vladimir Putin, the invader of Crimea and Ukraine, whose country sent hackers to disrupt the last presidential election.

Trump has shown little interest in the critical issue of nuclear proliferation. If anything, he has talked about acquiring more weapons, ignored Russian violations of existing treaties and been willing to subcontract nuclear diplomacy in Asia to a reluctant China.

Herewith a few modest suggestions to restore confidence in the U.S. commitment to international leadership and democratic values.

1. Trump appointed competent individuals to lead his national security team. Yet, time and again, as in the Article 5 commitment, he repeatedly ignores their advice.

2. Stop the tweeting. Trump's impulsive, humorless reactions embarrass him and the country, as in his charge that Obama tapped his phones and his criticism of the mayor of London (a Muslim) after the latest terrorist attack. The presidency is not a TV-reality show.

3. Open the books, disclose all contacts with Russia. Release tax returns. The investigation(s) will continue.

4. Revise the message conveyed by a recent Wall Street Journal article by Gary Cohn and Gen. H.R. McMaster on the intent of the president's strategy. To say nations have only interests and national motives may explain why Trump admires Putin and withdraws from the Paris accord, but it rejects the vision and shared values that have been the centerpiece of the Western alliance since World War II.

What are the characteristics of a rogue state? It is a nation that refuses to join other nations as stewards of the planet, as the United Nations Charter set out; a nation that favors disruption and threats of violence over diplomacy as the primary way to solve complex challenges; and a nation for which every relationship is based on win or lose, profit or loss.

In an increasingly globalizing world, where nuclear proliferation, terrorism and environmental disaster demand truly international cooperation, such narrow, selfish mind-sets speak of a fascistlike, me-first mentality and gravely weaken efforts to address them effectively.

Frederic B. Hill is a former foreign correspondent for The Baltimore Sun who conducted war games and conferences on security issues for the Department of State and other agencies. Email: fhill207@gmail.com

James E. Goodby was vice-chair of the U.S. delegation to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) talks in 1982-83 and ambassador to Finland. He is a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy.

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