Trump Regime Wars on Multiple Fronts

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Reckless endangerment defines Washington's geopolitical agenda under both right wings of its war party — Trump regime hardliners taking things to an unprecedented level.

It's waging hot wars in multiple theaters, wars by other means against nations unwilling to subordinate their sovereignty to US interests — notable Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.

It's waging environmental war at home and abroad though its GMO and other hazardous to human health exports, along with where its military footprint is implanted.

An earlier Project Censored report called the US Defense Department the world's worst polluter, saying:

"The US military is responsible for the most egregious and widespread pollution of the planet, yet this information and accompanying documentation goes almost entirely unreported."

Its toxic record "includes uninhibited use of fossil fuels, massive creation of greenhouse gases, and extensive release of radioactive and chemical contaminants into the air, water, and soil" — enormous harm felt globally, exacerbated by NATO involvement, risking ecocide. 

Do Trump regime hardliners intend hot war on Venezuela and Iran, even North Korea for refusing to accept their one-sided demands — unconditional surrender by any standard?

On Friday, Kim Jong-un ordered the DPRK's military to boost its strike capability because of summit failures with the US, fearing possible Pentagon aggression.

He "stressed the need to further increase the capability of the defense units in the forefront area and on the western front to carry out combat tasks and keep full combat posture to cope with any emergency," according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA)," adding:

"(G)enuine peace and security of the country are guaranteed only by the strong physical force capable of defending its sovereignty."

DPRK missile tests were conducted for the first time since halting them in November 2017 — breaking no deal because no deal exists to break.

Separately, the US illegally seized a North Korean vessel reportedly carrying coal, an act of maritime piracy on the pretext of violating sanctions that never should have been imposed in the first place.

Hostile US actions toward Venezuela and Iran are escalating things toward possible Trump regime proxy or direct war against these countries.

Following the arrest and detention of deputy Venezuelan National Assembly speaker/Guaido henchman Edgar Zambrano on multiple charges related to the April 30 coup plot, Pompeo threatened retaliation.

The Trump regime has a "full-scale set of options," he roared, calling military action against Venezuela "lawful" if ordered, a bald-faced Big Lie.

He heightened the threat of US naked aggression on the Bolivarian Republic, wanting its social democracy eliminated, the country returned to US client state status.

On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order, illegally imposing sanctions on Iranian iron, steel, aluminum, and copper exports, accounting for about 10% of the nation's economy.

DJL and other Trump regime officials warned world community nations not to do business with Iran.

The Islamic Republic's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Moussavi responded, saying unilateral US actions against his country breach "the basic principles and regulations of international relations," adding:

"(R)responsibility for repairing the damages (caused) lies on the US."

The Trump regime is going all out to push things toward war with Iran, wanting its ruling authorities to withdraw from the JCPOA nuclear deal as a possible pretext for attacking the country.

Applying maximum pressure to crush its economy continues its war by other means. Is the EU in cahoots with the Trump regime against Iran, pursuing a a good-cop/bad cop agenda?

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed EU actions toward his country, tweeting: "(T)he US has bullied Europe—and rest of world—for a year, and (Brussels) can only express 'regret.' "

"Instead of demanding that Iran unilaterally abide by a multilateral accord, EU should uphold obligations — incl normalization of economic ties," what it refused to do for the past year, suggesting no change in its policies ahead, partnering with hostile Trump regime actions against Iran instead of opposing them.

Tehran remains in full compliance with the JCPOA. So are Russia and China. The US illegally pulled out. Britain, France and Germany failed to fulfill their commitments, the actions of these four countries breaching international law.

Will US proxy or direct war against the Islamic Republic happen on Trump's watch, against Venezuela as well? Will Russia intervene as it did against US-supported terrorists in Syria if things go this far?

World peace hangs in the balance because of US imperial rage to dominate other nations, war and other hostile actions its favored strategies?

US trade war against Beijing is heating up. Chinese Vice-Premier Liu's talks with Trump regime trade representative Robert  Lighthizer ended Thursday after 90 minutes, to continue on Friday.

Effective midnight last evening, the US increased tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports from 10 - 25%. Beijing's Commerce Ministry responded, saying:

"China deeply regrets that the US has decided to increase the tariffs from 10 per cent to 25 per cent on US $200 billion worth of China goods exported to the United States. We'll have no choice but to take the necessary countermeasures," no further elaboration added so far.

Trump announced the move last Sunday if his unacceptable demands weren't met before Friday.

Ahead of Thursday talks, Beijing vowed not to "bow to US pressure," refusing to make major concessions on core (structural) issues, saying it's "ready to fight to the end" if the Trump regime escalates trade war.

A People's Daily commentary warned the US to "not even think about" concessions. Other Chinese media reports included similar remarks.

On Thursday, China's Global Times headlined: "China won't flinch in face of tough-talking US," saying:

"Washington has lit the fuse on escalating China-US trade tensions. (Its) imprudent move is clearly an extreme means of sending an alarming message to China," adding:

Unacceptable US actions "set a new precedent in the history of trade talks." Both countries want a deal, "fighting and talking" at the same time.

Beijing "turned down the US demands at the final stage of negotiation." What's next if current talks fail?

China no doubt will impose countermeasures in response to US tariff hikes. Talks will continue in Beijing and Washington.

Accommodation will likely be reached between both countries in the months ahead through compromise. The alternative is protracted trade war harming the global economy — what leaders of both nations want avoided.

Whatever agreement is reached will likely be tenuous at best, given Washington's history of deal-breaking.

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