President Trump used the United Nations General Assembly platform in September 2026 to openly defend the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, explicitly outlining a foreign policy prepared to use military force to protect what he termed "American interests." This declaration served as a clear statement that the state apparatus stands ready to deploy violence to secure capital accumulation abroad. He framed these actions as a reassertion of American power, a projection of military and economic might designed to ensure compliant governments and access to resources for transnational corporations.
Trump described the state's actions in Venezuela as a "great victory." This "victory" functions as a warning to other nations, signaling that the United States will not permit challenges to its regional dominance to gain a foothold in the Western Hemisphere. Such interventions consistently destabilize regions, creating conditions ripe for further exploitation by foreign capital.
He also detailed the ongoing fight against drug cartels, advocating for extreme measures. Trump stated that some cartel leaders should be killed, exiled, or detained as enemy combatants without the possibility of release. This approach prioritizes state violence against individuals, diverting attention from the systemic poverty and lack of economic opportunity that fuel such illicit economies, while simultaneously expanding the carceral state's reach.
Imperial Interests Defined
The President's address made it clear that "national interests" are synonymous with the interests of accumulated wealth. His willingness to use military means, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, underscores the role of the state as an enforcer for capital. The US-Israeli campaign against Iran, defended by Trump, serves to maintain regional hegemony, securing strategic resources and markets for the imperial garrison.
State Violence Abroad
The rhetoric surrounding Venezuela and drug cartels illustrates the state's readiness to deploy violence against any perceived threat to its economic and political dominance. Labeling actions in Venezuela a "great victory" ignores the human cost of sanctions and interventions, which disproportionately affect the working class and the dispossessed. The call to kill or indefinitely detain individuals involved in drug cartels further normalizes extrajudicial violence, expanding the state's power to suppress any challenge, real or imagined.
Capital's Diplomatic Maneuvers
Regarding Iran, Trump suggested a deal could be reached after the upcoming November 2026 mid-term elections. He posited that Iran was waiting to see his performance before negotiating. This framing presents a transactional approach to international relations, where "diplomacy" becomes another tool to exert pressure and secure favorable terms for capital, rather than a genuine pursuit of peace or mutual respect. The underlying objective remains the integration of Iran into the global capitalist order on terms dictated by imperial powers, ensuring market access and resource control.