This Is How Great Powers Act

By Matthew Clark

I spent 33 years and four months in active service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for big business, for wall street and the bankers. In short I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank Boys to collect revenue in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American Republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicarauga for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I bought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on it's way unmolested. Looking back on it I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents. (United States Major General Smedley Butler, 1881-1940).

This speech by the much decorated (for valour) Major General Smedley Butler was not an address bragging of his life's exploits. It was rather a confession, filled with lamentation and warning. As a young man he, like so many young men who joined the miltary to serve their nation, aimed to be a force for good. Instead he often ended up serving very malevolent special interests, interests whose benefits to the citizens of the United States were dubious at best.Wisely this very brave soldier attempted to right wrongs by admitting his culpability, and warning others not to follow his path. Hopefully by addressing his sins on earth the greatest judge of all saw this as justification to allow General Butlers' soul into paradise.

What Smedley Butler experienced in the U.S. military is typical of the behaviour of Great Powers! Warriors of Great Britain slaughtered the "Fuzzy Wuzzies" for breaking the British square. Napleon's troops pillaged the riches of Moscow because the Russians refused to make peace with the invaders of their homeland. Poles who have knowledge of their country's history will tell any listener that on 3 occasions in the last 250 years Germans (Prussians), Austrians, and Russians divided up Poland between them. On a fourth instance (Nazi) Germany and the Soviet Union (with a majority Russian population) split that unfortunate nation between themselves once again. Communist Chinese forces invaded Tibet in 1950. Since that occurance Han Chinese have flooded Tibet to such an extent that they now comprise twelve per cent of the population within Tibet, while also controlling all the most important political offices within the jurisdiction. These examples are just a few among many of how great powers commonly act.

President Trumps' recent authorization of military action in Venezuela, including the capture of Venezuelan's President, is a continuation of American geopolitical behaviour since the beginning of the Spanish American War (1898). A quick glance at the last 40 years reveals President Biden waging war in Yemen, Africa, and the Middle east. President O Bama unleashed the nations military against Libya, similarly President Bush (junior) did the same against Iraq. President Clinton authorized the U.S. Air Force's destruction of Serbia. President Bush (senior) ordered American troops against Panama in an action eerily similar to what has recently transpired in Venezuela!

If one was to argue that the United States government policy towards Venezuela was egregious that arguement is, based on established morality, accurate. Nevertheless if one was to argue that U.S. government behaviour toward Venezuela is without precedent, or the reintroduction of very old malignant policies, that arguement is inaccurate. In fact the recent actions by the United States military in Venezuela is completely consistant with the actions of the past 5 political administrations ruling America. President Trump is cruder than those previous Presidents yet he is no more, or less, malevolent than they were!

What has changed under the present United States political administration is that it has expanded who could experience the wrath of their forces if they become unhappy with certain geopolitical situations. Last November (2025) the Trump administration released a new Foreign Affairs Security policy paper. In the document severe criticism was issued against the Europeans. New U.S. policy regarding Europe is that the continents nations are of no vital interest to America. Europe will be left to it's own means, it's special political relationship with the United States is now over. This infers that United States forces would not hesitate to take actions which might harm country's in Europe but would be of benefit to the U.S.A.

Another jurisdiction which finds itself in the United States crosshairs, in this case for the first time in centuries, is Canada. As part of the British Empire Canada was protected by the British from aggressive actions that America performed against their other neighbours. After a failed attempt (thanks to the British) to conquer Canada 1812-1814, the United States pursued a benign economic policy toward Canada, usually devoid of harsh geopolitical considerations. With the exception of some bellicose statements by some ineffective lawmakers, U.S. administrations treated Canada, and Canadians, fairly and responsibly.

After WWII Canadian governments sought a strategic, and economic, alliance with the United States. This policy was advantageous with the commencement of the cold war. Both nations military's integrated substantially, while trade agreements such as the Auto Pact, created a healthy economic relationship between the two North American allies. So what has now changed vis-a-vis Canada and the United States?

The new Security Policy adopted by the United States government places the Western Hemisphere within America's sphere of influence. This means that United States interests will be paramount throughout North, Central, and South America, regardless of the interests of any other nation. Nowhere in the document is an exception given to Canada. President Trump is going to treat his Northern Neighbour in the same way as he deals with all other jurisdictions.Since there is now no British Empire to protect Canada this means the Great White North will face the true nature of international relations, something the citizens of the Northern Kingdom have only experienced during the World Wars.

Canada will almost certainly be subject to the United States quest for the accumulation of natural resources (another primary objective mentioned in the security documents). First and foremost expect a demand from Washington for access to, and distribution of, water in Canada. Although safeguarded by treaty, given the desperation many American communities now experience for water, that treaty will not hold. Furthermore access to Canadian water is a bi-partisan issue in the U.S.. Democratic Party California leads the charge on the issue of acquiring Canadian water. This charge is cheered on by midwest Republicans. Since no other national government is likely to challenge the United States in it's own backyard almost certainly Canadian interests will have to acquiesce to American demands.

Canadian federal lawmakers face a further dilema with the Trump administrations apparent seizure of oil in Venezuela. America has rid itself of dependency on Canadian oil. Premier Danielle Smith (Alberta) and Scott Moe (Saskatchewan), political leaders of the provinces with Canada's highest oil production, must realize how emasculated federal Canadian politicians are now on this issue when they negotiate with U.S. agencies. Canadian oil is very heavy, it needs a high degree of refining, so it's appeal internationally is limited. Other nations will purchase it, yet not at a high price. This means Canadian politician will have to travel to Washington and negotiate hat in hand. Moe and Smith, if they are to fulfill their positions responsibly, will have to ask the question(s). Are our provinces better off in Canada, or as a separate nation, or within the United States Republic itself. Smith and Moe will have to address this question if for no other reason than the fact their constituents will be asking it!

Meanwhile in Quebec separatist politicians will be wondering if, once they achieve political power, can they get a U.S. political endorsement of their cause in exchange for a sweetheart deal on Quebec's resources?

The capture of Venezuelan President Maduro is how great powers act. The future fragmentation of Canada is one of the consequences of those actions. It has always been ever thus. How this latest round of realpolitik will play out is anyones guess. Odds indicate that for the nations of the Western Hemisphere, including Canada, it will not be good!