When I was younger, I experienced a moment of mental defeat during a discussion with a friend. He wasn’t particularly well-versed in global politics, but he was an academically educated generalist – the kind of person who knows a little about everything. We were talking about the United States and its role in the world. At that time, I had a tendency to defend American foreign policy, often without thinking too deeply about it, even though much of what they did around the world was, to say the least, questionable. But somehow, if you’re supporting Team A, it feels like you must always defend Team A. It’s an unwritten rule that many people seem to follow.
My friend picked up on this weakness and asked me plainly: why do you always defend the U.S.? The CIA has had a hand in nearly every coup and shady operation across the globe since the Second World War – from Korea and Vietnam to the Middle East, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. Right?
And I couldn’t honestly answer his question. Perhaps I should have said: despite all its flaws, the U.S. and the Western world remain the best option – if we must choose. Instead, I said something stupid, like I don’t care about the CIA… or something along those lines.
Utterly foolish. I know. But I hope I learn something new every day, and that life slowly makes me a wiser person.
Of course, I can now appreciate the Western world’s values – its freedom, democratic systems, and economic model – without feeling the need to defend questionable American covert operations around the world. Perhaps, when I was younger, I should have reflected more from a European perspective. Anyone who’s spent time in the U.S. knows that Americans are different from us – even if, on the surface, they appear similar. Their values differ, and they often embrace a form of evangelical conservatism that to a European can feel shallow and superficial. Many neglect their health, consume unhealthy food, and suffer from obesity, as well as the bleating accent that echoes everywhere. After a while, all the smiling, jokes, and small talk begin to feel insincere and exhausting. And then there are the ever-present uniformed police officers and security guards with large pistols on their hips – authoritarian men, often with small, neatly trimmed moustaches. Of course, not all Americans fit this image – but enough do to make one notice.
I genuinely don’t know why we always have to relate everything to the United States. Perhaps it’s because of all the films and TV shows we’ve been fed since childhood. We’ve been made to feel like we’re part of American culture – even though we’re really not.
The West is not just the United States. We Europeans have our own heritage – something to be proud of. The U.S. did not invent democracy or the free world, even if they sometimes act as if they did. Many foundational ideas and innovations come from Europe. We are the cradle of Western civilisation.
When a person is elected, they may have some ideas. Then people with briefcases arrive, wearing dark suits. These people start explaining how things are done and instantly everything changes.
/Vladimir Putin
Donald Trump – whom I followed even before he became a presidential candidate – once gave me hope for a different kind of America. A new America that wouldn’t wage pointless wars around the world, but instead focus on improving life for the average citizen. Trump criticised the endless military ventures and wanted to cut the budgets for them. And when he was elected, it seemed like he might actually deliver on those promises. He truly became a president who started fewer wars and questioned the waste of taxpayer money.
That is, until Israel attacked Iran.
The U.S. has not yet entered the war, but Trump has promised support to Netanyahu, and both aircraft carriers and fighter jets are now en route to the region. His once peace-driven speeches have turned into aggressive war rhetoric. He’s repeatedly declared: Iran must not have nuclear weapons. But no investigations suggest that Iran does, and no credible evidence has been presented. The situation reminds me of the so-called weapons of mass destruction in neighbouring Iraq – the justification for a costly and bloody war – which turned out to be unfounded. Likely fabricated, some would say, to benefit the U.S. arms industry. Deeply cynical and wholly disgraceful.
Israel has repeatedly bombed Iran’s nuclear research facilities, in clear violation of the Geneva Conventions. The same applies to attacks on TV and radio stations, hospitals, and civilians. Iran has now responded in kind – but in this case, it was Israel who initiated the bombings and broke international agreements.
Some would argue that in war against a dictatorship, conventions can be set aside – especially when that regime sponsors terrorism across the region. But the same could be said about Israel. The fact that it’s a democracy doesn’t excuse its actions. Non-Jews are often degraded and mistreated, and Mossad, alongside the Israeli military, carries out operations across neighbouring nations. Yes, one could say it’s about survival – that the small Israeli state must sometimes strike preemptively to protect itself. But lately, there’s been an overwhelming amount of such dirty work. And the world is growing weary.
The U.S. maintains friendships with countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, where religious oppression is far more severe than in Iran. And as we know, Pakistan has long possessed nuclear weapons. Yet they are seemingly permitted to have them – despite their fanaticism and unpredictability.
Ultimately, it appears to be about taming vast Persia, installing a new pro-Western government, and tying the country into the American economic system. And all this is unfolding just as Iran joins BRICS and completes new trade routes from China, while Russia constructs two new nuclear reactors within its borders. Putin has demanded guarantees that the Russian personnel won’t be targeted – and so far, the Israelis seem to comply. It all feels like the prelude to something ominous – but let’s not speculate too far.
Let me finally return to the question of Trump and America.
Freedom-loving and righteous on paper – but cunning and mafia-like in practice? Why has Trump become a warmonger? Has the Israeli lobby donated vast sums to his campaign and now expect a return on investment? Have the men in black suits finally paid him a visit for a serious conversation? Is he featured in Epstein’s infamous photo collection? Is he perhaps slipping into senility, like his predecessor? Or is he simply a snake, changing stance whenever it suits him?
My sympathies for Trump are waning, I’ll admit that freely. But I’ll hold off on final judgement for now. The aircraft carriers and bombers haven’t yet arrived – let’s give it a few more days.
