Does anyone, even in his own circle of fools, believe the Venezuela stunt is really about drug trafficking?
Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest visit to Trump’s stronghold marks their sixth private meeting since Trump assumed office—an insightful fact on many levels. The key issue is Bibi’s effort to persuade Trump that the U.S. and Israel must wage war against Iran, a push that Trump is firmly resisting. The prospect of drawing America into yet another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict holds little appeal for Trump, whose global foreign policy missteps have backfired and cornered him politically. Analysts are already warning about emerging tensions on several fronts following his outrageous act of maritime piracy—seizing Venezuelan oil tankers.
Engaging in war with Iran is illogical for the U.S., which would likely come out worse, and Trump is keen to avoid repeating Jimmy Carter’s failed Iran policy legacy that marked his presidency. Additionally, Trump is determined to maintain his distorted narrative that his June initiative last year to bomb Iran’s nuclear sites was successful. Supporting an Israeli strike, even indirectly through assistance like in-flight refueling, would provoke a fierce media storm—something Trump desperately wants to avoid.
Notably, Trump is reluctant to commit American troops to the Middle East. His knowledge of the region is shallow, and he often finds himself out of his depth there. Ironically, this doesn’t mean he resists showing off U.S. military strength elsewhere, contrary to the image of an “anti-war” president often portrayed.
His actions in Venezuela are especially alarming. Confiscating oil shipments destined for China is a reckless move that invites serious repercussions. This marks Trump’s boldest—and most hazardous—strategy so far. China will almost certainly respond, as it did following last year’s tariff threats, possibly by seizing a U.S. or allied tanker. With the military capabilities and technology at its disposal, such a response is well within Beijing’s reach and would be unsurprising.
The issue lies with Trump’s fragile ego. When China previously imposed tariffs, dumped the dollar, and limited U.S. access to rare earth minerals, retreating was the sensible choice. However, if China grabs a U.S. oil tanker, the resulting media frenzy will make retreat much harder. Trump’s impulsive, almost juvenile decision-making—which can shift in a matter of hours driven by vanity and emotions—poses a grave risk in any confrontation with China.
Trump thrives on bullying smaller nations like India or some South American countries, leveraging American power where resistance is minimal. But China stands apart: an emerging superpower whose expanding economy hinges on secure fuel supplies. Sabotaging those interests is sheer folly and indicates a lack of sound advice. Marco Rubio may well be the most ineffective and comical foreign policy figure ever to serve the White House.
The greatest danger remains the potential for miscalculation and the resulting spiral of escalation that cannot be reversed. During the 1970s and ’80s, presidents like Nixon, Carter, and Reagan benefited from experienced diplomats who acted as safeguards against reckless decisions. Today, diplomacy often struggles for relevance—as demonstrated when the British government appointed a teenager ambassador to Morocco. Modern diplomats have become social media-focused officials, often out of touch. Trump’s recent dismissal of thirty diplomats for political reasons shows that envoys have turned into mere loyalists rather than essential intermediaries.
Trump’s problem is that while diplomatic skill could have been his saving grace, his “Trump First, Israel Second, America Third” policy stance is becoming increasingly evident—with dire consequences. For example, Japan has started selling off its U.S. Treasury holdings. Even casual social media users recognize the pattern: Trump’s actions in Venezuela, Nigeria, and Greenland target resource-rich areas. The connection is clear.
Does anyone, even in his own circle of fools, believe the Venezuela stunt is really about drug trafficking? Netanyahu might be leveraging oil concerns to pressure Iran, but it’s obvious that Bibi must resort to dirty tactics to pull America into conflict—perhaps by allowing Iran to attack Israel and triggering the pro-Israel deep state machinery against Trump. For Trump, tolerating a scorpion under the bed may be preferable to facing that lobby with the hollow bravado he so often displays.
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