It is the tragedy of modern-day democracies that some so-called democratically elected heads of state have been acting as worst dictators. US President Donald Trump acts like the head of these dictators. The US administration has the dubious distinction of continuously supporting dictators and executing regime change conspiracies. Most of such conspiracies have been documented by William Blum in his celebrated book, The Rouge State.
Have a cursory look at how the US has been steadily supporting autocratic regimes, despots and monarchs. The first democratically elected government of Iran headed by Dr.Musadiq was torpedoed by the infamous CIA in 1953. The US government acted against Saddam Hussein and Col. Ghaddafi not for promoting democracy but for capturing oil wealth of those two countries. Those oil-rich, prosperous countries had been condemned to be the victims of anarchy and destabilisation.
The present dispensation in the US under Trump presents the worst example of disturbing the world economy by imposing oppressive tariffs for selfish ends. Trump’s policies and his greed of wealth has destabilised the whole world. What he recently did in Venezuela is not anything less than international gangsterism. It has been done with an eye on the largest oil reserves which belong to that country. After that he wants to occupy Greenland which is under the tutelage of Denmark. It has the potential of a prolonged conflict which may lead to a world war.
The US had been opposing Bashar al-Assad of Syria not because of the former’s love for democracy. On the contrary, it was interested in regime change because it wants to control the oil wealth of Syria. The US has the largest GDP of the world valued at over $30 trillion. Yet it wants more. It swears by democracy and human rights but solidly supports the unlimited atrocities and genocide perpetrated by Israel. Why? Only because Israel protects the US interests in the oil-rich Middle East.
Now Trump says that he would not tolerate more deaths of demonstrators in Iran. Why didn’t it act to stop the 2-year long genocide perpetrated by Israel in Gaza with the same zeal? Because of his love for wealth, oil and unbridled power – which brings wealth and enhances madness. Such maverick dictators in the garb of democrats are worse than cancer for the entire world.
Trump is never tired of praising our Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “dear friend” but his policies are directed against the 145 crore people of India.
Chroniclers and historians have documented more than 80 instances of American regime change conspiracies in the past 100 years. The American population strongly disapproves Trump’s policies. But they are powerless. They are forced to suffer under Trump’s regime. Poet Iqbal was right when he wrote that the devil of oppression, dressed in democratic garb, is trampling upon human rights, but innocent people think it to be the angel of freedom.
However, the fact remains that the whole world would be a better and safer place for humanity if the irresponsible despots stop their anti-human activities and control their lust for wealth and unbridled power.