Who is the greatest menace to world peace today? Who has triggered major tensions throughout the world, putting millions in danger of being killed, starved, or irreparably harmed?
Who is forcing a friendly neighbouring nation to become a state of the US, has threatened to invade territory belonging to a staunch Nato ally, abducted the president of a foreign country and his wife, cut off supplies to a country which did it no harm, and threatened former US presidents?
Who has put the world oil markets spinning in a tizzy, upended world trade by imposing ridiculous tariffs, is taking criminal action against the Federal Reserve chairperson, has set up a brutal force to track down immigrants, and takes delight in bombing foreign ports and oil installations “just for fun”?
Who has caused panic at home and abroad by over-reaching himself to help the agenda of a person wanted for war crimes and has a warrant of arrest over his head, in the process causing an oil supply squeeze which threatens the world economy and forcing prices up in the US?
Who has made brazen illegal invasions and attacks across the globe and threatened more, not seen since the days of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany, when tanks and troops rolled into Poland, and when others kept quiet, into the rest of Europe, triggering World War II?
Who rules the world’s most powerful economy and has the levers of destruction at his fingertips, using them like a child that might be given too much, despite being a convicted felon, having instigated a march on Capitol Hill and having numerous allegations of sexual misconduct made against him?
The answer, if you need one: Donald Trump in every single case, amply demonstrating the need for regime change - but in the United States, no less - where a person who should not have become president is wreaking havoc at home and abroad.
Unchecked power threatens global peace
When is the world going to realise that you have to push back against a megalomaniac intent on shaping the world according to his narrow, narcissistic desires to see the return of imperialism and all its untramelled effects?
A world where naked power rules without check or balance, against the norms of behaviour established through international treaties and groupings among nations post World War II to maintain relative peace and equity in a world previously torn asunder by conflict.
Instead, most major countries are bowing to the infantile demands of a spoiled child who has suddenly realised the power he holds in his hands and, instead of using it with great restraint and calm, is taking delight in its irresponsible, irreverent use.
After boasting that he hit Iran’s Kharg Island, which holds many of its key oil facilities, Trump crowed, “We may hit it a few more times just for fun,” demonstrating crass insensitivity, extreme idiocy, and a total lack of sympathy for the needless suffering he imposes on the innocent.
The world should remember that Trump and his good friend, the cruel and heartless Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court for genocide in Palestine, struck Iran and killed its top leadership with a sneak attack during negotiations for nuclear disarmament.
Trump-Netanyahu duo flouts global law
Can anyone trust this devious, destructive duo after such a flagrant violation of international norms, law, and order, clearly against United Nations protocol and common human decency, to engage in negotiations or enter into any agreements with them again?
Won’t those affected swear eternal revenge against them instead?
The Independent described the Israeli attack on Iran’s energy installations as a possible war crime and a move taken straight out of Vladimir Putin’s playbook in Ukraine. Now, who believes Israel would have done this without US support, despite what Trump says? No one decent trusts him anyway.
The response from the so-called civilised West - the United Kingdom, Germany, and France - was muted, instead of calling Trump to account, expressed mere regret and reiterated that Iran must not have nuclear weapons. There is no evidence they have.
This follows the same kind of reaction when the Venezuelan president and his wife were abducted at gunpoint and whisked away to New York to stand trial. Ahead of this, the US torpedoed boats off Venezuela’s coast on a mere suspicion of being engaged in the drug trade - no evidence needed.
US blockade deepens crisis
With Venezuela falling, the US has blockaded oil to Cuba, a country which has not harmed the US in any way, resulting in considerable hardship to its citizens. The West remained mute, giving courage to Trump to venture forth even more outrageously.
There could be more than a touch of racism here - most of the decisions of the West have always been considered behind racist lenses, and it seems clear that black, brown, and yellow lives matter less than white ones.
But if the history of Hitler and Nazi Germany is to be learnt, it is that despots and demented people need to be put in their place before they get out of hand, and everyone becomes a victim. Who is to know what Trump does next, if Iran does capitulate, or if they don’t?
And what would the West do - indeed, what can they do - if the US moves against Greenland or Canada or if they demand that they want to control the EU? What are they going to do to resist?
The only way is if the rest of the world collectively stood up to the US and its main allies, the way they did against Nazi Germany and Japan - remember the Soviet Union fought with great effect on the side of the allies, as did the Chinese under Mao Tse Tung against Japanese occupation.
If they allow Trump to get too strong, it may be too late to avert a catastrophe - a full-blown war, in other words.
What would happen if the US strongarmed its way into Greenland, for instance? This is not unjustified speculation. Jonas Gahr Store, Norway’s leader, received a text message from Trump in January, according to the New York Times:
“Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States.”
That’s from a person who is so embroiled in embellishing his own credentials and an unhealthy penchant for the Nobel prize during an international crisis, he has lost all sense of perspective, making him unfit for the presidency and a menace to world peace.
The West needs to push back hard against Trump and, if necessary, act in concert with the rest of the world to do so. Trump cannot simply act as he pleases, and the sooner he is stopped, the better.
Regime change starts with global pushback
Considerable opposition to Trump is building up against him at home, especially about allowing Israel to drag the US into the Iran war at the height of the Epstein scandal, which has also tainted Trump. Some even postulate that the war was to divert attention from that.
If the rest of the world is brave enough to confront Trump, it will also send a message to US voters who will decide who controls the House of Representatives in the November polls. If the Republicans lose that round, Trump’s powers will be considerably curtailed.
The majority party post-election decides the legislative direction of the House, which is responsible for initiating revenue bills, acting on impeachment, and voting on federal law. It may not be regime change yet, but it’s definitely the first step - it will limit presidential power substantially.
The rest of the world needs to show what kind of person Trump is and why he is not fit to lead the US. He will take the US into the gutter, not “Make America Great Again”. The sooner the US public realises it, the sooner regime change in the US will happen. - Mkini
P GUNASEGARAM thinks all aspiring leaders should be required to take tests of intelligence, knowledge, mental and physical fitness, ability, integrity, and honesty - and pass - before holding public office. Perhaps Malaysia can set an example by starting!
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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