Consequences Of Exceptionalism

Somehow, the United States has muscled its way to claiming exceptionalism for others to comply with. Iraq and Afghanistan are the two recent examples, among the numerous before and after in the past eight decades since the end of World War II. Shemour Hersh’s report was skittled, shunted aside by mainstream media in the US and its close allies. The pipeline across Germany and Russia was bombed by American and Norwegian-trained deep-sea divers. Not Volodymyr Zelensky, or else he would have been the first to loudly announce his exploits, much to Washington’s commendation and approval of many European capitals not affected by the resultant costly price spike that has hurt their economies.

It is not an ICC non-member but uses some of its member nations among allies to invoke the regulations. 850 military stations in over 80 countries, including Australia, Japan, South Korea and Qatar, which pay for the privilege of hosting the foreign superpower troops. Trump’s is a torrid tale of exceptionalism exhibited regularly at formal functions and in the presence of the international press. Zelensky was shabbily treated a few weeks after Trump’s inauguration in January. Trump’s Vice-President JD Vance joined in the blatantly ugly display of diplomatic slight using a superpower's might.

In an oblique reference to the United Kingdom in March, Vance vented his anger against “Random countries that have not fought a war in 30 to 40 years.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer tried to remind Washington of his country having fought side with the US on different occasions. The once venerable American press has been treated maliciously. The pool system broke the precedent that prioritised the major media for maximum accommodation in terms of seat allocation. During his first term, he rejected the White House press corps’ annual function reception that was traditionally attended by the president of the day. 

Spelling jitters

A key thrust of Washington’s complaint is that the free rider does not drive and steer a course. Hence, a massive wakeup call from US action in Europe. Pay for your own security. Political pimping by war mongers among regional powers contributes to bigger powers treating smaller states like puppets on a chain of pliant targets. The cavalier attitude has eroded confidence in Washington’s leadership. Alternatives are being searched for. Four-time German Chancellor Merkel said so during Trump’s first term in office. Others have endorsed her statement in action. 

Kissinger did not make his analysis purely as an analyst but based on his and his country’s worst fighting tool, if need be. The change was clearly coming since the 2010s. The West’s reaction to the Ukraine war boosted the trend. And Donald Trump has accelerated it in a cavalier way. There is now only looking back in regret in a blame game ten years hence. The menu will be different and the agenda more participatory in a multipolar world. The clash of interests will compel the powers to exercise flexibility to a greater measure than during the West’s dominance.

Local resources in poor countries were exploited for the massive profits of foreign businesses and governments. As much as 90 per cent of the profits are funnelled to former colonial powers and existing hegemons. Their defence is “foreign investment” and “job creation”. A long-standing strategy has been to engineer military coups, sponsor rebel groups and exaggerate the scale of corruption. Government members are disparaged at first before being them to denigration and downfall through black propaganda.

In the name of democracy and fair play? Iraq and Afghanistan … other advanced democracies with better governance records thought it better to keep mum. They would have made lusty remarks if others had done so. Hence, are they cheerleaders for Washington’s actions and permanent critics of the latter’s rivals? Even as the US keeps making big demands of its allies, Western media complain that almost all South American countries trade with China more than with the US. Major powers whose global status is dimming pretend as if business is as usual for a veneer of tough posture. This will stem the steep erosion in their influence and strength. 

Aid stoppage, sanctions and weaponisation of human rights… proposals from pawns get shot down if they threaten the sponsors’ interests. They can now be left to bemoan the factors that led to their decline. It might take time for them to do this, having been the lords of all they surveyed and wished. 

Stark division

Ukraine divided Europe and NATO. In fact, the international community stands divided to an extent not in the eight decades since the end of World War II. Western governments learn “lessons” not from the wrong cause but from the defeat in their former colonies and the nightmare in Afghanistan. Zelensky’s fate at the White House in March 2025 showed how dependence invites intimidation and complete dependence invites overwhelming intimidation. The consequent vulnerability is aggravated when the “benefactor’s” allies keep silent or back the big bully.

Election, though essential, is not everything.  It is but one of the multiple key prerequisites for proactive participatory democracy. Public pledges from popular representatives and the expectations of the voting public need to match what they deliver. Money siphoned into shadowy deals to line the pockets of politicians and their cronies. The black money lands in foreign bank vaults and accounts as funds for their children and their future lifestyle in foreign lands. 

Oil, gas, and rare earth materials seem to preoccupy many powers, who make it their primary objective to extract, if not extort, in easy terms for supply or export their specific items. Rulers who refuse to meet the “critical interests” of big powers and strong neighbours risk raids and sponsored protest movements, portrayed as a spontaneous wave by partisan press and the obliging section of the intelligentsia.

Whereas spontaneous protests based on conviction are well within democratic definition, no society should allow itself to be hoodwinked by extraneous forces and nefarious sources. Protests represent popular manifestations against sponsored activity perpetrated by willing pawns.   

 (Professor Kharel specialises in political communication.)