Bolton's coup revelation typifies Washington's hegemonic ethos

OBSESSION UNCHECKED DESPITE END OF COLD WAR

America's acts of regime change remain unchecked even after the end of the Cold War. Over the past few decades, the US government has fostered political unrest in Latin America, played a part in the "Arab Spring," and instigated "Color Revolutions" in Europe and Asia.

In Latin America, the United States continues to meddle in the domestic affairs of countries in the region under the "Monroe Doctrine".

It is hypocritical for the United States to "insist that we do not accept the principle of 'spheres of influence,'" US Senator Bernie Sanders wrote in an article published earlier this year.

"For the last 200 years our country has operated under the Monroe Doctrine, embracing the premise that as the dominant power in the western hemisphere, the United States has the right to intervene against any country that might threaten our alleged interests," Sanders decried. "Under this doctrine, we have undermined and overthrown at least a dozen governments."

DESPICABLE DEEDS IN MIDDLE EAST, SURROUNDING RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT

Washington has also wantonly interfered with the affairs of the Middle East, waged wars, and imposed unilateral sanctions in the region, leading to massive civilian deaths and displacement of refugees.

As to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it was the United States that has made waves by driving five rounds of NATO's eastward expansion and plotting "Color Revolutions" in Russia's periphery.

The United States has financed non-governmental organizations "that essentially are there to destabilize countries," according to Alfred de Zayas, professor of international law at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and former United Nations independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order.

"But as an American, I must say I feel vicariously responsible for what my government is doing. And I have enormous sympathy, enormous compassion for the people of Ukraine who have been used in this geopolitical game," de Zayas said.

Bolton, 73, was undersecretary of state for arms control and international security affairs before becoming US ambassador to the United Nations in 2005 under then President George W. Bush. He was a major supporter of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Evo Morales, former president of Bolivia, tweeted that the remarks from Bolton showed that the United States was "the worst enemy of democracy and life."

Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry, has called for an international investigation into the comments.