Donald Trump has made contradictory claims regarding his stance on nation building. He's taken a stance that is firmly opposed to ISIS, and is highly critical of Obama's role in "creating the vacuum". There is some truth about the Islamic State's rise to power, and the U.S. quick withdrawal from Iraq.
Problems caused by the Islamic State are a result of the U.S. failure to properly nation build following the Iraq War, and the deposition of Saddam Hussein. Inherently, nation building requires consistent presence of political and military personnel in the country. In addition to active participation in reforming the political process. However, troops were withdrawn shortly after Obama came into office.
We've experienced similar struggles in Afghanistan, where the government remains one of the most corrupt and dysfunctional in the world. President Trump's platform to stay out of nation building is in direct conflict with his goals to eliminate ISIS. His plans to redistribute funding towards a higher defense budget are to some extent necessary, but further contradict his hopes to focus on domestic issues.
The departments of Education, Housing, Health, and especially the EPA will all suffer huge cuts as a part of this budget plan. This negates any attempt at focusing on domestic improvement, besides perhaps infrastructure spending and veteran affairs.
One would hope that increases to the defense budget would include nation building, and a stronger worldwide presence. However, the state department will suffer a 29% decrease in funding. This department is vital to ensuring national security through diplomacy, and foreign aid. Nation building is an investment in building stability worldwide, in turn preventing future threats to our national security.
The U.S. has a long history of taking half measures in their foreign interventions, and it would be a shame to see that trend continue. President Trump's proposed budget changes will greatly harm both domestic programs, and foreign relations.