Bluff and Barbarism: Trump's Threats and the Impasse of the Imperialist System - V.U. Arslan

Donald Trump has already taken on the role of a conquering emperor before he even started his duty in the White House. Making Canada the 51st state of the USA, taking over the Panama Canal, buying Greenland... All these nonsense, at first glance, seems like the scenario of an absurd comedy movie, but what we have seen so far and what we will see is no joke.

This approach to international affairs, which sees Canada as a "slightly colder province", Panama as "the space at the head of a canal belonging to us", and Greenland as "a land to be bought by printing money", indicates that we have entered an era in which the capitalist barbarism does not even consider international law as a necessary sugar coating.  

These "real estate adventures" of real estate tycoon Trump are not just a megalomaniacal enthusiasm, but a sign that the crisis of capitalism and bourgeois democracy has reached the point of collapse. Putin's Russia's invasion of Ukraine to swallow it up was an indication that the deepening crisis of the imperialist capitalist system and the associated emergencies had increased in size. Israel's bloodshed in Gaza and the massacre of tens of thousands of civilians in front of the eyes of the whole world caused a disgusting indifference that was considered normal.

The fact that imperialist vultures are rolling up their sleeves to re-share the world map immediately brings to mind the sharing wars of the 20th century and the great tragedies that marked human history. As the prospect of a nuclear third world war looms on the horizon, possible deadly global destruction is considered only as a risk to be taken by the insatiable capitalist classes. The specter of a world ruled by thieving dictators, where the far right and fascism are making a breakthrough, and where human rights and freedoms are put away, is spreading all over the world. These scenarios, triggered by imperialist ambitions, bring the possibility of a hellish world to the agenda and force humanity to make a critical choice between civilization and barbarism.

What is Trump Trying to Do?

Trump put up a spectacle at his mansion, Mar a Lago, on Tuesday, January 7. He stated hat he does not rule out the use of military force to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, will use economic bullying to annex Canada, will try to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and if Hamas doesn’t release the hostages before he comes to power on January 20, he would “open the gates of hell in the Middle East”. When the US president is saying this, we have to take it seriously. All of this is not the ravings of a madman, it expresses the general tendency of the imperialist capitalist system. All these plans are about undermining democratic rights in the United States and radically changing the international order that emerged after World War II.

The press all over the world is discussing whether Trump's statements are realistic or not. Trump the Merchant is trying the tactic of showing the stick and getting as much of his interlocutors as possible with his threats. Moves such as occupation, acquisition, annexation or threats resemble the "tough bargaining" tactics he frequently used in his brutal past in the business world. This strategy is based on putting excessive demands at the negotiation table at the beginning, psychologically pressuring the other party, and then extracting smaller but still self-interested concessions. “I am crazy, I am very strong, I can crush you…” Thus, take away economic privileges from the EU, which puts the burden of all military expenditures on the USA under the umbrella of NATO; Obtain new military and economic positions in Greenland, which has great geostrategic importance; Bring dubious partners such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia into line in the Middle East, bring Iran into line; Sign new trade agreements with Canada and Mexico that are advantageous to US monopolies; Put commercial and diplomatic pressure on Panama to prevent Chinese investments and strategic influence, pressure Chinese technology giants, make gains from trade wars, intimidate those doing business with China, put pressure on the Taiwan issue…These are just some of the targets. Trump had wrested the concessions he wanted from Erdoğan in the past with his threats regarding Pastor Brunson and the operation in Syria. Now how can Erdoğan dare to fight with the USA in the face of Trump's madness!

Something Beyond the Bluff

Although Trump's policy of bluff and "crazy" negotiations relies on risky moves to achieve short-term gains, this strategy has an inherent tendency to escalate military conflicts. Trump has generally used the threat as a trump card in negotiation processes and aimed to corner the other party. However, this approach not only leads to diplomatic tensions but also to the ignition of military responses and conflicts. For example, threats of harsh sanctions and military intervention against Iran indicate more than bluffing. It is obvious that Israel does not want to miss the historical opportunity to attack Iran. The threats made to Palestine through Hamas are also beyond bluff. Because Palestine has no room left for compromise, they only have their lives. The US-Israel bloc wants exactly that, they are determined to commit ethnic cleansing and genocide both in Gaza and the West Bank.

Trump's "unique" understanding of negotiation does not recognize bourgeois international law. This approach creates the possibility of escalation of military conflicts and tends to produce unpredictable and dangerous consequences. In this sense, the possibility of World War III is not a possibility that can be disregarded quickly.

Organized Struggle of the Working Classes and the Revolutionary Way Out

The devastation caused by imperialist wars, combined with the aggressive policies of authoritarian and dictator-oriented leaders such as Trump, poses a serious threat to democratic rights and freedoms around the world. The rising danger of fascism targets not only individual rights and freedoms, but also the historical achievements of the working class. In these conditions, creating a tendency against imperialist war and defending the rights of the working classes is the only way out.

However, this struggle cannot be limited to passive defense. In this period when the contradictions of the capitalist system deepen, the only way out is the organized struggle of the working class and the struggle program of revolutionary Marxism based on class foundations. Without the international solidarity and organized movement of the working class, a lasting victory over imperialist barbarism and fascist threats cannot be achieved. The revolutionary perspective of Marxism is indispensable to defend the internationalist unity of workers against wars and dictators, and equality against exploitation.

Today, the working classes standing up against the capitalist system, which is the source of wars and crises, will be a decisive step not only for their own freedom, but also for the future of humanity. Revolutionary Marxism continues to be a guiding compass in this struggle.