Era of American Unilateralism and Its Erosive Consequences for Global Order

According to Taghrib News Agency(TNA), the recent U.S. incursion into Venezuela and the arrest of that country’s legitimate president once again revealed a face of Washington that sees itself above international norms and rules. This behavior is not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of a long‑standing pattern that has threatened global stability for decades. In an increasingly multipolar world—where emerging powers demand a greater role in international decision‑making—such actions can produce deep and cascading consequences for global security, diplomacy, and the international order.

The Collapse of Security Red Lines and Its Dangerous Implications

When a major power allows itself to target or detain the leader of a sovereign nation beyond its own borders, it effectively institutionalizes a “dangerous precedent” in the international system. This sends a message to other actors that such behavior is repeatable and unconstrained. The result is the erosion of personal security for leaders, diplomats, and senior officials worldwide—an issue that can further undermine the foundations of diplomatic relations.

During the Cold War, even at the height of rivalry, powers avoided crossing these red lines because they understood the destabilizing chain reactions such actions could provoke. Today, however, this historical deterrence—especially under the Trump administration—is weakening, increasing the risk of ushering in a new era of instability.
Unilateralism Rooted in Hard Power
For decades, the United States has repeatedly demonstrated that when its interests conflict with international norms, it prioritizes military and intelligence power to assert its will. From Panama and Iraq to covert operations across various countries, this pattern has been repeated many times. What distinguishes the present moment is that the world is no longer the unipolar landscape of the 1990s. Emerging powers, regional blocs, and independent actors now possess greater capacity to resist, respond, or even retaliate.
As a result, any unilateral U.S. action can produce unpredictable consequences:
1-declining trust among allies,
2-increased alignment among opposing powers,
3-intensified geopolitical competition, and
4-weakened international institutions that have underpinned the global order since 1945.
Strengthening the Global South’s Cohesion
One significant outcome of such behavior is the growing convergence among countries that perceive themselves as vulnerable to unpredictable U.S. actions. These nations have long criticized Washington’s double standards in international law. With this pattern becoming more pronounced, they are increasingly motivated to form independent alliances, develop new security partnerships, and reduce their reliance on the United States.
This trend may weaken America’s influence in international organizations and elevate the political weight of alternative blocs emerging across Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
A Threat to Global Diplomacy
If world leaders feel that political immunity is no longer guaranteed, participation in international summits will be approached with hesitation. Such an atmosphere could lead to the emergence of a “fear‑based international system,” where diplomacy is replaced by caution, mistrust, and isolation. This not only diminishes the effectiveness of the United Nations but also heightens the risk of miscalculation and sudden crises.
A World More Complex Than Ever
In a world with more powerful actors and multilayered rivalries, any unilateral action can produce consequences far beyond initial expectations. Continuing this pattern not only undermines the existing order but also exposes the United States itself to reactions that may be difficult to control. In an environment where norms are eroding, any move outside established frameworks can trigger a domino effect of crises.
The Paradox of “America First”
There is little doubt that Donald Trump sees himself as tasked with restoring America to the “pinnacle of global power.” Yet his hasty decisions and erratic behavior do not advance the “America First” agenda. Instead, they accelerate the decline of the United States’ international standing, pushing the country further toward global isolation and a steep downward trajectory.
Trump may achieve short‑term, superficial gains when dealing with weak or fragile governments—gains that lack legitimacy and offer no lasting benefit to the United States. But in confronting emerging powers and influential actors in the international system, his approach imposes heavy and long‑term costs on his administration. Ultimately, the result is not the realization of “America First,” but its transformation into “America Last” on the global stage.