Jeffrey Sachs is not holding back. Seriously. If you’ve followed the Columbia University professor over the last few decades, you know he’s transitioned from the architect of "shock therapy" economics to one of the most blistering critics of American foreign policy. But his latest moves in early 2026 have taken things to a whole new level of intensity.
While most of the world was processing the shocking news of the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, Sachs headed straight to the United Nations. On January 5, 2026, he delivered a briefing to the UN Security Council that basically set the room on fire. He didn't just criticize the move; he called it "thuggish" and a "power grab" that threatens the very fabric of international law.
He’s angry. You can hear it in his voice during recent interviews with NDTV and Al Jazeera. He isn’t just talking about one country either. Sachs is looking at the bigger picture—what he calls the "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine—and he’s warning that we are heading toward a period of global anarchy if something doesn't change fast.
The UN Security Council Showdown
So, what exactly happened at the UN? Sachs was invited to brief the Council following "Operation Absolute Resolve," the U.S. raid that toppled the Venezuelan government. Most economists stay in their lane of GDP and interest rates. Not Sachs. He spent his time arguing that the U.S. is currently violating Article 2, Section 4 of the UN Charter, which is the rule that says you can't use force against the territorial integrity of another state.
It’s kinda wild to hear a world-renowned economist use words like "military mafia" and "imperialism masquerading as a peace process." But that’s where he is right now. He told the council members that the issue isn't whether Maduro was a good leader. The issue is whether any single country has the right to decide another nation’s political future through "economic strangulation" or bombs.
💡 You might also like: 39 Carl St and Kevin Lau: What Actually Happened at the Cole Valley Property
He specifically pointed out that:
- The U.S. has carried out bombing operations in seven countries in the last year alone.
- None of these were authorized by the Security Council.
- This includes actions in Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and now Venezuela.
Honestly, it’s a lot to take in. Sachs is essentially saying the U.S. is acting like a rogue superpower. He’s calling for an immediate end to the naval quarantine around Venezuela and the withdrawal of military forces. He thinks we're playing a dangerous game in the nuclear age where one wrong move could mean the end of everything. No third chances.
Greenland, Trump, and "Imperialist Playthings"
If you thought the Venezuela news was the only thing on his plate, think again. Sachs has also jumped into the middle of the brewing crisis over Greenland. With the White House making noise about annexing the territory—and not ruling out force—Sachs has been a vocal defender of Danish and European sovereignty.
In a recent chat with Al Jazeera, he described the attempt to negotiate directly with Greenlanders as an "affront." He thinks Trump believes he can buy the island "on the cheap," ignoring its massive geostrategic value and its importance to European security. "Europe should tell the US imperialists to go away," he said. He even made the provocative claim that, today, Europe is more likely to be "invaded from the West than from the East."
📖 Related: Effingham County Jail Bookings 72 Hours: What Really Happened
Why the "Asia-Pacific Century" Matters Now
While he's busy fighting fires in the West, Sachs is also looking East. He’s been spending a lot of time in Hong Kong and Shenzhen lately. Why? Because he believes China is now "unequivocally the world's climate power."
Basically, he thinks the U.S. is too focused on "preserving primacy" and fighting old-school wars, while the real future is being built in Asia through green technology and infrastructure. During the Eco-Business Podcast in mid-January 2026, he argued that China’s financial strength is the only thing that can actually fund the energy transition in the Global South.
He’s frustrated that the West sees China’s rise as a threat to be stopped rather than a partner to work with. He references a 2015 Council on Foreign Relations report often, claiming it framed preventing China's rise as "essential." To Sachs, that's a recipe for disaster.
The "Military Mafia" Argument
You’ve probably seen the headlines about his "Military Mafia" speech. It’s a recurring theme in his 2025 and 2026 lectures. Sachs argues that the U.S. foreign policy isn't actually run by the President or the people, but by a "security state" that has attempted around 100 regime changes since World War II.
👉 See also: Joseph Stalin Political Party: What Most People Get Wrong
He’s become a bit of a hero to the anti-war movement, appearing on shows like "Judging Freedom" and speaking at conferences like the Ron Paul "Blueprint for Peace." Whether you agree with him or not, his shift from the ultimate "insider" at Harvard and the UN to a "dissident" academic is one of the most interesting arcs in modern politics.
What This Means for You
It’s easy to tune out "geopolitics," but what Sachs is saying actually hits home for everyone. If the global rules break down, we see it in:
- Energy Prices: Conflicts in oil-rich regions like Venezuela lead to massive spikes at the pump.
- Economic Stability: Fragmentation of trade between the West and Asia makes everything more expensive.
- Climate Change: If the U.S. and China are at each other's throats, the "Green Transition" stalls out.
Sachs isn't just complaining; he’s pushing a specific 20-point peace plan. He wants a return to "indivisible security," where no country tries to make itself safer at the expense of another.
Actionable Insights to Follow:
- Watch the UN Security Council: The response to Sachs’ briefing will tell you if international law still has teeth in 2026. Keep an eye on the "Special Envoy" proposal he put forward.
- Track the "Trump Corollary": If the U.S. continues to move into the Caribbean or pressures Denmark over Greenland, expect Sachs to be the loudest voice in opposition.
- Diversify Your Perspective: Sachs often says the Western media has a "false narrative." Regardless of your politics, reading his transcripts at jeffsachs.org gives you the "other side" of the argument that rarely makes it into mainstream US news.
- Follow the Money in Asia: Watch how China’s "GBA-Asean Initiative" moves forward. Sachs believes this is where the real economic growth of the 2030s is being decided right now.
Jeffrey Sachs has essentially declared war on the current direction of American power. He's betting his entire reputation on the idea that diplomacy and the UN Charter are the only things standing between us and a very dark future.