The US’s unlawful actions in Venezuela, consistent threats to attack Iran, and the offensive foreign policy of Trump 2.0 may be shocking for many, but these actions are a reflection of the foundations on which the US grand strategy stands. History reveals that the US grand strategy originates in fear.

Trump’s offensive and war-mongering foreign policy points towards the US's growing frustration with its declining status and its perception of new fears in the changing global dynamics. These fears have now escalated to such a stage where new vulnerabilities are being created for Washington at an increasing pace. Though it is a fact that nations are driven by fear of losing what they have and gaining what they should, the case is different when it comes to the US.

America was born out of war in 1776 and has continued to engage in the use of force to this day at an increasing frequency. Since its inception, there have been 16–18 years during which the US was not in confrontation. The China Society for Human Rights’ studies claim that the US has initiated 201 of the 248 armed conflicts in more than 150 locations, accounting for 81% of the total armed conflicts in the world since WWII.

The studies further map that these armed conflicts initiated by the US have taken more than 800,000 lives and displaced........

© The Friday Times