West Asia on the Edge

[Trump] is not trying to preserve the post-Cold War system; he has concluded that system has already collapsed.

By any measure, the brief, yet highly effective U.S. operation in Venezuela was an audacious act.

When the hegemon leaves legitimacy behind, only strength remains. And that ... is not a sign of power.

[N]egotiations to end the bloodshed in Ukraine have recently gained momentum. However, tangible results are not in sight.

Trump might triumph in Venezuela. He may also come to greatly regret his decision.

[T]here can be no justification for arbitrarily attacking a sovereign nation and capturing a leader.

Venezuela is likely to become another wasted crisis, resembling events that followed when the U.S. forced regime changes in Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq.

We are faced with a "scenario" in which Washington's exclusive and absolute dominance over the entire hemisphere, from Greenland and Canada in the north to the southern reaches of Argentina and Chile.