The is from UK reported decision Limiting intelligence sharing with the Pentagon about ships suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean is a modest but symbolic act of resistance to Donald Trump's policies. imperialist revival. Britain reportedly objected to repeated deadly US airstrikes against suspected smugglers off the coast of Venezuela, which were widely condemned as illegal extrajudicial executions tantamount to murder.
The strikes seem to foreshadow direct US attacks on Venezuela myself. Trump has made no secret of his desire to overthrow the authoritarian, supposedly leftist regime of Nicolas Maduro. Most Venezuelans support this goal, but not the means. Regime change forcibly imposed by a foreign power is contrary to international law unless it is sanctioned by the UN or undertaken in self-defense as a last resort. Legal or not, it never ends well.
USA is not enough convincing justification to war, despite Trump's bizarre portrayal of Maduro and Latin American cartel bosses, “narco-terrorists” with which, in his opinion, the United States is at war. But Trump doesn't care. He believes that he and his country are above the law, that might makes right. Call it by its name: this is exactly the type of brash monarchical imperialism that the colonists of the New World are known to have rebelled against.
The self-aggrandizement and regional expansion of the second Trump administration is the most striking recent manifestation of the new era. state lawlessness which has spread throughout the world. The concept of a common set of rules and joint action to solve common global problems was rejected. In Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has taken state lawlessness to new extremes – and no one seems able or willing to stop him.
Two rapidly developing conflicts may soon reveal dangers. One is the expected US attack on Venezuela, which Trump, as arrogant as any pith-helmeted 19th-century empire builder, could provoke at any moment. Another is the proposed resumption of the summer season. unfinished Israeli-Iranian war coinciding with the renewed Israeli offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon – fires that could be much worse this time.
Trump, as usual, has no plans for the future. Venezuelano thoughts about the day after tomorrow. Like George W. Bush in Iraq in 2003, he seems to think that a functioning democracy will somehow magically materialize after the coup in Caracas. In any case, he does not value representative government as such. – nor the security and prosperity of Venezuelans. Of greater interest are the country's oil, gas and mineral resources, as well as an easy win.
The dubious precedent that is being talked about in Washington is 1989 US invasion who overthrew Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, also accused of drug trafficking. Trump should watch out. Operation Just Cause was not simple. Several hundred civilians and several American military personnel were killed. Venezuela is a much larger country that is more difficult to subjugate.
I reported first-hand on the Panama crisis for the Guardian. A lot went wrong then for the “piranhas” – Noriega's name for the invaders – and could do it again. As always, this is political. In 1989, newly elected George H. W. Bush needed victory in his signature presidential “war on drugs.” Noriega, a former CIA informant, knew too much; Bush, the former director of the CIA, wanted to silence him. Demonizing Maduro helps Trump claim that he, too, is defeating the drug lords. And limited military operations in Venezuela could distract attention from his own skeleton in the closet: Jeffrey Epstein.
The problems of state lawlessness in the Middle East focus mainly on Israel and Iran. Forced into a ceasefire in Gaza (which it does not respect), Benjamin Netanyahu's violence-ridden, peace-averse regime is looking for new targets. A record number of virtually uncontrolled and unpunished Attacks by Jewish settlers on West Bank Palestinians, especially for food and water reservesRemember Israel's genocidal actions in the Gaza Strip.
Israel is bombing southern Lebanon again, claiming that the Lebanese army had failed to disarm Hezbollah after last year's truce and that Iran-backed militants were regrouping. “The result of this reality is the growing likelihood that at some point in the coming weeks, Israeli attacks on Lebanon will again escalate into full-scale war,” the minister said. Haaretz newspaper – warned commentator Amir Tibon.
The renewed direct war between Israel and Iran is of greatest concern. In June, Trump said Iran's nuclear facilities had been destroyed. “erased”. He lied. Notably, both he and Netanyahu have since threatened to strike again. Analysts have suggested that another Israeli attack is inevitable given persistent suspicions about Iran's actions. nuclear potentialthe failure of UN negotiations and inspections, and the reimposition of tougher sanctions.
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In political turmoil, amid economic crisis and social unrest, and amid the abandonment of key allies such as Syria, whose leader met with Trump last weekA weakened Iran is a tempting target for Netanyahu, who insists Iran remains a real threat. But their very vulnerability may make Tehran's mullahs more dangerous. Iran is reported to be building thousands of missiles. If he is attacked, he can hit back much harder next time.
A repeat bout of unprovoked Israeli aggression, backed by the United States, would be yet another example of extreme state lawlessness. But who will stop it? Not the UN. Not international courts. Neither a frightened Europe nor the Arab states appeasing Trump. An equally unfortunate saga of helplessness, indifference and impotence could unfold if, say, China were to invade Taiwan. Or if Russia invaded Moldovaor even NATO member Estonia.
This is the world as it is now. Rampant state lawlessness finds ultimate expression in an accelerating global nuclear arms race, unchecked by arms control treaties or common sense. Trump resumption of nuclear testing; Putin is following suit. Xi Jinping boasts of China's nuclear arsenal; Netanyahu hides Israel's position. The leaders of India and Pakistan are threatening mutual destruction. North Korea's Kim Jong-un is building nuclear weapons like there's no tomorrow.
Which, at this rate, may not happen. Now they are all rogue states. How previously noted: These people can kill us all.
