US foreign policy under President Donald Trump has crossed a threshold, abandoning decades of international norms and treaties. The recent operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power marked a new low point for the administration's disregard for global stability.
Trump's actions represent a brazen assertion of US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. By claiming to be "running" Venezuela and selling its oil, Trump is disregarding international law and the country's sovereignty. The US has long advocated for democracy and human rights in Venezuela, yet this stance seems hollow now that the administration seeks to impose its will through force.
The events surrounding Maduro's abduction serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked presidential power. In just two days, the US had struck multiple targets, including striking at small boats off Central America and seizing Venezuelan oil tankers on the high seas. This brazen aggression has undermined decades of international norms, particularly those related to state sovereignty.
The Maduro operation echoes the 1989 invasion of Panama by the first Bush administration and the younger George Bush's invasion of Iraq in 2003. However, these previous interventions were largely justified as a means to topple authoritarian regimes or combat terrorism. Trump's actions, on the other hand, appear more driven by an imperialist desire for control over Venezuela's oil industry.
This shift towards authoritarianism risks destabilizing global relations and exacerbating regional tensions. As other nations witness this erosion of international norms, concerns about US dominance are growing. The "Putinization" of US foreign policy, as coined by commentator David Rothkopf, suggests that Washington is increasingly embracing a style of leadership reminiscent of Vladimir Putin's approach to international relations.
As the world watches, it becomes increasingly clear that Trump's actions will have far-reaching consequences. The precedent set in Venezuela could embolden other nations with authoritarian regimes or those seeking to expand their influence in regional affairs. The long-term implications for global stability and security remain uncertain.
In this new landscape, the United States must confront its own role as a leader of the free world. Trump's disregard for international norms has exposed deep divisions within the administration and challenged the credibility of US foreign policy under his leadership. As nations around the globe struggle to adapt to these changes, one thing is clear: the international system will never be the same again.
Trump's actions represent a brazen assertion of US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. By claiming to be "running" Venezuela and selling its oil, Trump is disregarding international law and the country's sovereignty. The US has long advocated for democracy and human rights in Venezuela, yet this stance seems hollow now that the administration seeks to impose its will through force.
The events surrounding Maduro's abduction serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked presidential power. In just two days, the US had struck multiple targets, including striking at small boats off Central America and seizing Venezuelan oil tankers on the high seas. This brazen aggression has undermined decades of international norms, particularly those related to state sovereignty.
The Maduro operation echoes the 1989 invasion of Panama by the first Bush administration and the younger George Bush's invasion of Iraq in 2003. However, these previous interventions were largely justified as a means to topple authoritarian regimes or combat terrorism. Trump's actions, on the other hand, appear more driven by an imperialist desire for control over Venezuela's oil industry.
This shift towards authoritarianism risks destabilizing global relations and exacerbating regional tensions. As other nations witness this erosion of international norms, concerns about US dominance are growing. The "Putinization" of US foreign policy, as coined by commentator David Rothkopf, suggests that Washington is increasingly embracing a style of leadership reminiscent of Vladimir Putin's approach to international relations.
As the world watches, it becomes increasingly clear that Trump's actions will have far-reaching consequences. The precedent set in Venezuela could embolden other nations with authoritarian regimes or those seeking to expand their influence in regional affairs. The long-term implications for global stability and security remain uncertain.
In this new landscape, the United States must confront its own role as a leader of the free world. Trump's disregard for international norms has exposed deep divisions within the administration and challenged the credibility of US foreign policy under his leadership. As nations around the globe struggle to adapt to these changes, one thing is clear: the international system will never be the same again.