The Trump administration’s naked demonstration of international lawlessness over Venezuela invites other rogue states to follow suit, but Michael Pascoe argues it also provides an opportunity for China to go high. There’s nothing new about the United States replacing governments it doesn’t like, especially in Latin America. The United States Government saying otherwise is just making shit up, however much media stenographers repeat it. What’s to stop Russia, China? A war that trashes China’s rising international standing, well, that’s the sort of stupidity a Trump might indulge in.

Source: International New York Times January 04, 2026 11:08 UTC