In recent years, the actions of the US-led West have raised concerns about a possible large-scale destabilization of international systems. This has led to the gradual dismantling of international law and institutions, the disruption of maritime freedoms, and heightened conflicts worldwide. As a result, we are witnessing a global crisis in energy and food, leading to a surge in inflation and financial strain.
Regardless of whether these events stem from deliberate actions or miscalculations, one thing is clear: global destabilization is advancing rapidly, potentially dwarfing the Arab Spring in magnitude. In the ensuing chaos, it is likely that imperial interests will seek to exploit the situation.
This article aims to outline the current global landscape, the turbulence that governments are set to encounter, and how the United States may attempt to leverage these challenges.
Destabilization of Energy and Food Systems
In its ongoing conflicts with Iran and Russia, the U.S. has triggered significant disruptions:
- Severe damage to fertilizer supplies.
- Natural gas shortages crucial for fertilizer production.
- Diesel shortages leading to reduced agricultural outputs.
The severe restrictions on global trade routes and choke points are making it increasingly difficult and expensive to transport agricultural products. As a result, prices are rising sharply. The U.S. and Europe seem to think they can outbid poorer countries, and while they might succeed momentarily, they will not escape unscathed. The current disruptions are awakening Europeans to the reality of a future filled with conflict and declining living standards, a realization that is causing widespread discontent.
The elites in the so-called “West” may believe that their surveillance states can manage any ensuing unrest, but that will soon be put to the test. Meanwhile, the threat of famine, social destabilization, mass migrations, and heightened conflict looms larger. A combination of droughts, the El Niño phenomenon, and fertilizer shortages is expected to lead to widespread suffering starting next year.
Attempts to coerce non-compliant states into submission through starvation are not unprecedented, but this new phase of distress will be unprecedented in scope, affecting not just foreign nations but even the people within the empire—symbolizing a departure from the notions of traditional nation-states. It is the Nation of Davos pitted against everyone else.
A Civilizational Shock Therapy
Are we witnessing shock therapy on a civilizational scale, or is it merely an outcome of massive incompetence? At this stage, the pain is already being felt, making it hard to differentiate one from the other.
Here’s a perspective from Satyajit Das on how unprepared many emerging market nations are:
Many nations possess alarmingly low buffer stocks or reserves, which is troubling given their history of energy dependence. Their economies are typically tightly structured, lacking industrial diversification. Efforts to increase energy independence through conservation or alternative sources have been minimal. Even investment in renewable energy solutions—such as solar, wind, and biofuels—remains insufficient; plans to rapidly upscale alternative fossil fuel options like coal are largely absent.
Michael Hudson provides an overview of what lies ahead for the global economic order:
As costs for energy, fertilizer, and food imports escalate, many businesses, farmers, and laborers will struggle to meet their debt obligations. This will likely trigger defaults and a rise in bankruptcy rates, intensifying the conflict between creditor and debtor nations. Many countries will find themselves turning to the IMF for loans, desperate to avoid currency devaluation, but these loans often come with strings attached—such as reduced fiscal support for families grappling with the crisis.
Meanwhile, there are no significant shifts on the horizon from China or the BRICS nations to counter this narrative. While Beijing may extend financial support to secure allies, or Russia might provide assistance in food and energy, a new economic paradigm remains elusive.
In short, we are likely facing an era more similar to what we have already experienced.
America as the Kingmaker
The United States appears poised to exploit the crisis it has helped to create, compelling nations into compliance under the threat of sanctions. Those who align with U.S. demands will receive financial aid via IMF loans or currency swap agreements, while those who resist could face regime change efforts.
Let’s examine a few recent instances as examples of what may unfold:
Pakistan
Pakistan’s recent request for $10 billion to stabilize its currency came shortly after engaging in “peace” talks with Iran and aligning with the Mecca Defense Alliance, which includes Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Issues surrounding its armament of Ukraine might further entangle Pakistan, as highlighted by Andrew Korybko:
According to The Intercept, reports suggest that Pakistan sold $900 million worth of arms to Ukraine soon after the 2022 coup that ousted former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Allegations persist, with claims of arms deliveries to Ukraine surfacing publicly, though the Pakistani government continues to deny these accusations.
As Washington deliberates on Pakistan’s request, it appears that further compliance may be a prerequisite for financial approval. However, this dynamic also illustrates how U.S. support flows to nations that prioritize American economic and strategic interests.
Moreover, a 2025 study by Yumi Park and Sujeong Shim found that recipients of Federal Reserve swap announcements often enjoy an increase in governmental approval, likely due to expanded opportunities for fiscal intervention that these agreements facilitate.
The Rise of Color Revolutions
In countries denied U.S. assistance—where government support is waning—efforts to establish pro-imperial governance models are nearly guaranteed to arise.
Kit Klarenberg recently provided a historical review of color revolutions, underscoring how Milosevic’s fall has set a precedent for future efforts:
Milosevic’s downfall has become a template for color revolutions, characterized by the use of colors in branding. U.S. officials have historically embraced these upheavals, with mainstream media often unveiling the financial and tactical support provided by Washington.
Despite previous transparency, today’s endeavors by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) appear more covert. After recently purging its grant records, the NED now offers vague regional summaries that obscure the flow of funds.
The Case of Nepal
In September 2025, riots in Nepal culminated in a change of government, raising questions about NED’s involvement in the movement. Klarenberg elaborates:
Evidence suggests the “Gen Z” protests were closely linked to organizations funded by NED. Leaked documents reveal substantial financial support directed toward training locals on how to mobilize, including efforts targeting those now in power in Kathmandu.
This governmental overthrow occurred shortly after the ousting of Imran Khan in Pakistan, who continues to face repression, as well as following the fall of regimes in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, all attributed at least in part to foreign intervention.
What unites these nations is their geographical proximity to India, a country currently facing its own social movements amidst severe challenges compounded by the food and energy crises. India’s gradual compliance with U.S. demands places it in a precarious position, making it a crucial watchpoint as these events unfold.
While the empire may gain temporary advantages from instigating global crises, there are countless instances where this strategy has backfired, leading to instability even within its most loyal ally nations in Europe. The U.S. could find itself grappling with repercussions from an increasingly restless populace, and there’s little concern among the permanent governing entities about electoral fallout, banking instead on their militarized systems to maintain order.
In Latin America, widespread economic distress poses a challenge to the advances of the Monroe Doctrine, suggesting that the area may witness significant unrest. Additionally, a growing number of nations are starting to clamp down on Western NGOs, which, while providing vital financial aid, may also enable groups that promote regime change.
The true impact of these organizations and foreign intelligence efforts in these revolutions remains a matter of considerable debate. However, the root grievances of protesters—corruption, unemployment, and state censorship—are clear.
Ultimately, the promises of regime change rarely fulfill their lofty claims. Instead of better living standards, they often precipitate further austerity, corruption, foreign exploitation, domestic strife, and sometimes even war.
The forthcoming crises appear designed as a global regime change operation, capable of reshaping the geopolitical landscape, but if an empire’s strategy revolves around widespread suffering, it may find itself living on borrowed time.
Historically, policies of starvation have been common within colonial empires, sparking a resolve among the oppressed to resist and pursue self-determination.
