In a dramatic display of power, the US has brushed aside centuries-old rules and institutions, casting a long shadow over its former allies. The kidnapping of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro by Donald Trump's forces is not an isolated incident but rather the culmination of years of unapologetic assertion of American power.
As the world struggles to comprehend these seismic shifts, many are left floundering in their attempts to respond. The UK and Europe, once pillars of the rules-based order, now find themselves bewildered by the US's sheer audacity. But rather than standing idly by, Britain must take charge and forge its own path.
The debate has long been mired in "fine words" and histrionics, but it's time for a grown-up conversation about international direction. The question is no longer whether we should follow the US or lead from the front; it's how to adapt to this new world order and protect our interests without sacrificing our values.
Peter Mandelson's blunt assessment that Europe has become "politically impotent" may be an exaggeration, but his call for collective action in deploying "hard power and hard cash" rings true. It's time for Britain to stop wondering what the US will do next and start charting its own course.
The old rules are gone, and it's not possible to wish them back into existence. What's left is a complex web of economic and technological adaptations that require careful consideration. The stakes are high, but so too are the opportunities for growth and reform.
As John Bew notes, history unfolds in flashes and bangs, and the US's actions have already changed the landscape irrevocably. Britain can no longer cling to the status quo; it must forge a new path that balances security with international cooperation and values its place in the world without delusion.
The time for debate is now, not later. All voices should be heard, from policymakers to ordinary citizens, as we navigate this treacherous terrain together.
As the world struggles to comprehend these seismic shifts, many are left floundering in their attempts to respond. The UK and Europe, once pillars of the rules-based order, now find themselves bewildered by the US's sheer audacity. But rather than standing idly by, Britain must take charge and forge its own path.
The debate has long been mired in "fine words" and histrionics, but it's time for a grown-up conversation about international direction. The question is no longer whether we should follow the US or lead from the front; it's how to adapt to this new world order and protect our interests without sacrificing our values.
Peter Mandelson's blunt assessment that Europe has become "politically impotent" may be an exaggeration, but his call for collective action in deploying "hard power and hard cash" rings true. It's time for Britain to stop wondering what the US will do next and start charting its own course.
The old rules are gone, and it's not possible to wish them back into existence. What's left is a complex web of economic and technological adaptations that require careful consideration. The stakes are high, but so too are the opportunities for growth and reform.
As John Bew notes, history unfolds in flashes and bangs, and the US's actions have already changed the landscape irrevocably. Britain can no longer cling to the status quo; it must forge a new path that balances security with international cooperation and values its place in the world without delusion.
The time for debate is now, not later. All voices should be heard, from policymakers to ordinary citizens, as we navigate this treacherous terrain together.
it's like they think they can just do whatever they want and every1 else has to follow 
. but seriously tho, britain needs to step up its game and stop being so wishy washy 
. peter mandelson is pretty much right on point tho - europe needs to band together and use some "hard power" 
. i mean we cant keep relying on the us to do everything for us 
. it's time to take charge and create our own destiny 
.
They're basically saying "we'll do what we want" and expecting everyone else to just roll with it. Newsflash: that's not how international relations work 
We need some accountability here.
It feels like they've been sleeping on the job while the US was making all these moves. When's it going to be their turn to step up and lead? 
this whole thing feels like something out of a bad 80s action movie - all that posturing and power plays... what's next, is Trump gonna send his troops to "save" Europe from itself? 
... time for Britain to take charge and show it can stand on its own two feet 
This whole Venezuela thing is super worrying, but I think the bigger concern is how the rest of the world will react if other countries start taking matters into their own hands 
. And yeah, I'm all for a grown-up conversation about global direction – it's time we stopped messing around and started making some real decisions 
. We've been pretty quiet for too long, just letting the US dictate what we should be doing. It's time we took charge and started making our own decisions.
!
. I mean, I get that they wanna stand up for themselves, but not in a violent way... it's just gonna make things worse 
.
. We can't just sit back and wait for the US to tell us what to do; that's not how it works anymore 
.
. We need to find a balance between security and cooperation, and not forget about our values in the process 
. I mean, we're all in this together, right? 
. It's time for some real discussion and planning, not just reaction 
This whole thing is super worrying. I mean, Trump's forces just went and kidnapped Maduro? It's like, what's next? Is the US really going to start making its own rules and expecting everyone else to follow? 
The US's actions are like, totally out of control 
. And don't even get me started on the kidnapping thing... what's next? 
? Like, seriously, who thought it was a good idea for the US to just do its own thing? 
. Can't we just have a simple "what's going on" thread instead of all these complex discussions 
... can't just stick our heads in the sand and hope everything goes back to normal 
... we gotta have an honest conversation about where we're headed 
It's time for the UK to step up and show some leadership, not just sit on their hands waiting for someone else to do it. 
The old rules are gone, and it's time to adapt to a new world order. Let's get some real conversations happening about how to grow our economy and reform without sacrificing our values 
. Can't they just take some time to figure out their own stance instead of trying to be the new boss? 
. Let's focus on finding our own way, rather than trying to keep up with America's antics 