Paul Craig Roberts: The U.S. Is Failing Everywhere (And It’s Getting Worse)
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The alleged 'kidnapping' of Venezuela's president by the Trump administration in January 2026 is described as a lawless act aimed at re-nationalizing Venezuelan oil and resources for US benefit.
- ❖US foreign policy is shifting towards coercing existing governments to serve American interests, rather than direct regime change, exemplified by actions in Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico.
- ❖Stephen Miller's declaration that Greenland belongs to the US is seen as a direct violation of NATO principles and a potential catalyst for Europe to align with Russia for protection.
- ❖The guest suggests Israel's influence is pushing the US towards militarism, particularly against Iran, with a controversial theory that Israel aims to undermine the US.
- ❖Russia, China, and Iran are criticized for their 'self-delusion' and failure to take decisive action against continuous US provocations, which Roberts believes guarantees a future world war.
- ❖The US is accused of using propaganda, such as linking Venezuela to Russia, China, and Iran, to justify its aggressive actions to the American public.
Insights
1US Seizure of Venezuelan Resources and Coercive Regime Change
Paul Craig Roberts asserts that the Trump administration's actions in Venezuela, including the alleged 'kidnapping' of its president in early 2026, constitute a lawless act aimed at 'stealing back' Venezuelan oil and other natural resources. He frames this not as a traditional regime change but as a strategy to intimidate and coerce the new government into operating under Washington's direction, potentially through widespread bribery of Venezuelan officials.
Trump publicly announced 'we're going there to take back our oil' (). The plan involves bribing generals, military, courts with 'hundreds of millions of dollars' to ensure cooperation ().
2US Threat to NATO and Potential European-Russian Realignment
The guest highlights Stephen Miller's declaration that Greenland belongs to the United States and that no nation can prevent its annexation. Roberts argues this is a direct violation of NATO's commitment to defend Denmark's integrity, potentially destroying the alliance. He suggests this could lead European nations, including the UK, to realize the US intends to 'loot Europe as well' and consequently ally with Russia for protection against the US.
Steven Miller, 'the primary spokesman in the Trump regime for American foreign policy,' stated 'it was the official position of the United States government that Greenland belongs to the United States' (). This could 'destroy NATO' and cause 'Europe to ally with Russia' (, ).
3Criticism of Adversaries' Strategic Inaction
Roberts criticizes Russia, China, and Iran for their 'self-delusion' and consistent failure to take decisive action or seize initiative against escalating US provocations. He argues that Russia's prolonged conflict in Ukraine, Iran's reactive posture to Israeli attacks, and China's inaction regarding Taiwan's militarization demonstrate an inability to comprehend reality, which only emboldens the US and guarantees a future world war.
Putin's 'tolerating a neverending conflict that Russia could have ended in a week' (). Iran 'only acts in response to attacks' (). China 'had to see that was coming' regarding Taiwan (). 'Neither Russia, China, nor Iran accepts that it's happening' ().
Bottom Line
The US strategy of 'regime change' has evolved from direct overthrow (e.g., Ukraine) to leaving existing leaders in power but coercing them to act as US agents through bribery and economic control (e.g., Venezuela, potentially Argentina via debt purchase).
This signifies a more insidious form of control, where nations appear sovereign but are de facto run from Washington. It makes resistance harder as it's not an overt invasion but a corruption from within.
For other nations, understanding this shift means developing resilience against economic coercion and internal subversion, rather than solely preparing for military invasion. It also highlights the importance of financial independence and anti-corruption measures.
A controversial argument suggests Israel's long-term goal is to 'destroy the United States' by systematically undermining American society (e.g., removing Christian symbols, promoting pornography, controlling media/universities) to prevent it from becoming a future obstacle to Israeli domination.
This highly provocative claim, if believed, suggests a deep-seated, covert geopolitical strategy that goes beyond immediate regional conflicts, implying a long-term, existential threat to US internal cohesion and power.
For those who subscribe to this view, it implies a need to critically examine internal cultural and media narratives, and to be wary of foreign influence that appears to erode national identity or social structures.
Key Concepts
Hegemony Through Coercion and Debt
The US is shifting from overt military regime change to controlling nations by coercing existing governments through threats, bribery, or economic leverage (e.g., purchasing national debt), ensuring they serve American interests while remaining nominally in power. This maintains a facade of sovereignty while achieving de facto control.
Strategic Inaction's Peril
When a nation faces escalating provocations but consistently fails to respond decisively or take initiative, it emboldens the aggressor and allows the conflict to intensify. This 'inaction' or 'self-delusion' ultimately leads to a more severe and unavoidable confrontation, as seen in the guest's critique of Russia, China, and Iran.
Lessons
- Recognize that US foreign policy, as of early 2026, is characterized by aggressive unilateralism and a disregard for international law, moving beyond traditional diplomacy.
- Understand that 'regime change' tactics have evolved to include economic coercion and internal subversion (e.g., bribery of officials) rather than just overt military intervention.
- Consider the potential for major geopolitical realignments, such as European nations seeking alliances with Russia, if US actions continue to threaten the integrity of its traditional allies.
Notable Moments
The host asks about the Israeli role in Venezuela, prompting a controversial discussion about Israel's alleged long-term goals.
This moment introduces a highly speculative and provocative theory about Israeli influence and intentions, adding a layer of deep-seated geopolitical conspiracy to the discussion.
Roberts criticizes Russia, China, and Iran for their 'self-delusion' and 'inaction' in the face of US provocations.
This highlights a core argument that the lack of decisive counter-action from US adversaries is a critical factor enabling continued US aggression and pushing the world towards conflict.
Quotes
"This sort of assertion that Washington makes that every country on earth is subject to Washington's law is it's nonsensical and no other country has ever made such an assertion."
"Trump publicly announced that we're going there to take back our oil, in other words, he believes that Venezuela's national assets belong to him or to the United States."
"People have argued that the Israel have systematically undermined American society."
"It was the official position of the United States government that Greenland belongs to the United States and that no nation can do anything to prevent American annexation of Greenland."
"The entire world is faced with conflict being the main foreign policy purpose of the United States."
"The absence of this security agreement guarantees a world war."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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