India, Jan. 5 -- In the world of realpolitik, nothing is sacrosanct-not even the sovereignty of nations. When the United States attacked Venezuela without any provocation or immediate threat to its own existence, it became clear that little has changed over the years. Power, and the pursuit of self-interest, continues to dictate the conduct of nations. When that power belongs to a superpower, it often feels no obligation to heed global opinion or institutions such as the United Nations.

The United States' attack on Venezuela and the capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, cannot be justified on any grounds. Under the guise of combating "narco-terrorism" and authoritarianism, the intervention represents a blatant violation of internatio...