In a move that echoes its troubled foreign policy history, the United States has once again engaged in illegal aggression, this time targeting Venezuela. This action represents a direct subversion of the international rules-based order, demonstrating a wilful ignorance of lessons from past military and political misfires.
A Pattern of Disregard for International Norms
The recent attack on Venezuela is not an isolated incident but part of a familiar ploy in Washington's playbook. By choosing unilateral aggression, the US administration has chosen to bypass established diplomatic channels and international law. This approach dangerously undermines the very framework of global governance that nations, including the US, have helped build over decades. The decision, dated 05 January 2026, marks a significant escalation and a stark departure from principled statecraft.
Ignoring the Hard Lessons of History
Analysts point out that this venture into Venezuela appears to ignore the costly lessons learned from previous interventions in the Middle East and Latin America. The US subverts the rules-based order it often champions, creating a paradox that weakens its global standing and encourages similar behaviour by other powers. This action risks plunging the region into further instability and humanitarian crisis, consequences that were vividly illustrated in past conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan. The editorial highlights this critical disconnect between historical experience and current policy.
Consequences for Global Stability
The implications of this aggression extend far beyond Venezuela's borders. When a major power selectively ignores international rules, it sets a perilous precedent. The move could lead to:
- Erosion of multilateral institutions designed to prevent conflict.
- Increased regional instability in Latin America.
- A accelerated decline in trust and cooperation between major world powers.
This event forces a re-evaluation of the global power structure and the future of international diplomacy. The illegal aggression serves as a stark reminder that without consistent adherence to rules, the international order becomes fragile and susceptible to the whims of the most powerful.
Ultimately, the attack on Venezuela stands as a testament to a failed learning curve. It underscores a recurring willingness to employ force in a manner that contradicts professed values of democracy and law. The world watches as the consequences of this familiar, yet dangerous, ploy unfold.
