The recent weeks, just like the recent years, have been momentous, as the US administration abducted Venezuelan president Maduro, declared its intention to annex Greenland, and threatened to attack Iran then appeared to back off. What are some key takeaways that can help us grasp what is happening, and affect what the US administration is planning?

First, it’s not just about Trump. Although much of the attention has been centered on him and his unusual personality, one person seldom affects the political scene. Just like in any other state or administration, political scene is shaped by the balance of power imposed by capital and organized groups such as the media, lobbies or syndicates. Trump can manoeuvre, and choose certain groups’ interests over others, but only within these overall constraints. Focusing on his person can shift away the attention from the capitalist and colonial system that enabled his ascent to power and the major actors that are interested in —or even behind— the kind of decisions the US administration is taking.

Which brings us to the second point, that it’s also not just about resources—actually, primarily not so. Of course, the US administration is interested in putting its hand on other societies’ oil and precious metals. But there’s a reason why it is now targeting Venezuela and Greenland, two countries on the American continent, and it mentions it explicitly in its Nov 2025 National Security Strategy. The strategy takes note of China’s growing economic hegemony and presents it as a threat to the US. It focuses on “reindustralizing the US” —hence the tariffs— and containing China.

READ: Iran must not resume its nuclear program: Trump

This marks a turning point from its over thirty-years-old........

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