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. The Trump gang’s Venezuelan adventure though is particularly brazen and comes at a precarious time in international relations. What’s to stop Russia, China? But this is where Trump’s America is again gifting China an opportunity. 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