Eric's Insight: U.S. pulls the world back to law of jungle

Having struck Venezuela and kidnapped President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, the United States is increasingly displaying a warmongering posture to the international community.

An activist holds a poster that reads 'Condemns Donald Trump's military aggression in Venezuela', during an anti-US protest, after the US struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, outside the US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, January 6, 2026. [Photo/Agencies]

On January 5, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said during a speech that the U.S. must be on high alert—prepared for deterrence, for war readiness, and if necessary, for a decisive battle.

He also mentioned that whoever dares to fire the first shot at an American warship might not live to see tomorrow, as the U.S. will defend its interests and the security of its allies with overwhelming force.

On January 7, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed on Truth Social to increase the U.S. military budget for the 2027 fiscal year from his previously envisioned $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, reaching 5% of the U.S. GDP.

By publicly mongering the theories of war, confrontation among great powers and increases in military budget, the U.S. politicians are driving the world back to the law of jungle, where might makes right and the winner takes all.

Writing by Wang Shixue (The article represents the author's personal view and does not necessarily reflect the stance of Mekong News Network, YICC.)