New Delhi, Feb. 16 -- In less than a month, the Trump administration in the US has taken actions that could fill this column for a year. Presidential orders with massive implications have come at dizzying speed. The Democrats and the rest of the world seem shell shocked. Is this the anarchy and arbitrariness of a Caligula or Nero, or are these the opening salvoes of an authoritarian attempt at state capture?

Let's begin with things we can be sure about. I believe that at least three indisputable trends have been revealed so far. First, a deep antipathy for expert knowledge. Second, blatant racism. Third, a drive for territorial expansion. These features affect not just America, but the world.

Consider the disdain for expertise. There is...