America the Fearful

Why It Matters

The raid signals a new, force‑first approach that may destabilize regional alliances and reshape global perceptions of American power. It also highlights how domestic anxieties can drive risky international interventions.

Key Takeaways

• US forces captured Venezuelan leader Maduro in Caracas
• White House frames action as strength amid global instability
• Critics warn aggressive policy fuels perception of American decline
• Fear-driven foreign policy may become self‑fulfilling prophecy
• Regional allies question US unilateral interventions

Pulse Analysis

The Caracas operation represents a dramatic departure from the United States' traditional reliance on sanctions and diplomatic isolation to influence Venezuela. By deploying elite troops to remove a sitting head of state, Washington signals a willingness to use direct military force to achieve geopolitical objectives. This escalation echoes Cold‑War era interventions, yet it occurs in a digital age where information spreads instantly, amplifying both the perceived legitimacy and the backlash of such actions.

Domestically, the narrative championed by Stephen Miller taps into a growing sentiment that America must project strength to deter adversaries. This rhetoric, however, risks reinforcing a self‑fulfilling prophecy of decline: as policymakers act out of fear, they may adopt policies that erode soft power, alienate allies, and invite counter‑measures. The emphasis on "real‑world" power overlooks the nuanced tools of economic statecraft and multilateral diplomacy that have historically underpinned U.S. influence.

Regionally, the raid could strain relationships with Latin American partners who view unilateral interventions as violations of sovereignty. Countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico may recalibrate their diplomatic posture, seeking greater autonomy from U.S. directives. Moreover, adversarial powers could exploit the episode to portray Washington as an aggressor, bolstering their own narratives. For policymakers, balancing decisive action with collaborative strategies will be essential to avoid a spiral of escalation that undermines long‑term stability.

America the Fearful

Visions of Decline Are a Self‑Fulfilling Prophecy

Michael Singh – Managing Director and Lane‑Swig Senior Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy

February 11, 2026

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![The White House, Washington, D.C., January 2021]

The White House, Washington, D.C., January 2021 – Joshua Roberts / Reuters

Shortly after U.S. special forces raided Caracas and captured the Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro in early January, Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, offered a blunt justification for the Trump administration’s actions. “You can talk all you want about international niceties,” he said, “but we live in a world, in the real world… that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power.” Miller’s comments painted the United States as a strong country, anxious about threats in a disordered world, acting aggressively and preemptively to ensure its own …