Donald Trump's Monroe doctrine means 'we are all in danger' of WW3, expert warns

With President Trump openly threatening military action against Iran, alongside escalating tensions with China and Russia, global concerns about a potential large-scale conflict are growing.

Recent events have intensified these worries. Trump's dramatic move to seize Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sent shockwaves around the world. Experts, particularly in Europe, are sounding alarms about the broader implications of this action. Professor Anthony Glees, a security and defense analyst at the University of Buckingham, has described the situation as deeply troubling, warning that “no one in Europe is safe from a strategic perspective.”

Maduro, a committed socialist leader, was captured in a move that many view as a significant escalation of U.S. intervention abroad. Glees emphasizes that Trump's approach represents a clear departure from traditional diplomacy and international norms. He explains, “This is not just a policy disagreement it’s a direct challenge to the rules-based international order that leaders like Roosevelt and Churchill helped establish. That system has preserved global stability for decades.”

The professor warns that Trump’s actions risk emboldening authoritarian regimes around the world. “What he has done is unacceptable from every serious standpoint. It sends a green light to global bullies and could encourage repression everywhere,” he says.

Europe, in particular, faces a critical juncture in its relationship with the United States. Glees argues that Trump's aggressive posture, reminiscent of a “colonial mindset,” undermines decades of diplomatic effort and threatens regional security. He notes, “Trump has essentially abandoned the path of peaceful negotiation. From Europe to South America, the risks are real and immediate.”

The situation has also put other major powers on edge. Russia and China have reportedly advised Trump to back off from Venezuela, yet experts are skeptical that either will intervene directly, beyond perhaps offering Maduro safe haven. Glees compares Trump’s intervention to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and warns that China’s ongoing military preparations near Taiwan further complicate global stability.

According to Glees, the overarching concern is Europe’s vulnerability. “Putin will not stop at Ukraine if European nations fail to support Ukraine effectively,” he says. “If Europe does not rise to the challenge, he may target us next.”

While Glees stops short of predicting a global war, he stresses that the risk of conventional conflict in Europe has increased. He also critiques the UK’s reliance on U.S. security guarantees, pointing out that assuming America will always provide protection is dangerously naive. “We are in deep trouble if we continue to depend entirely on someone else’s umbrella,” he warns.

In summary, Trump’s aggressive foreign policy, combined with rising tensions among global powers, has created a volatile international landscape. While a full-scale world war may not be inevitable, the risks to Europe, South America, and broader global stability are unmistakable.