United States Allegedly Being "Killed" from Within: Why?
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The United States (US) is said to be “being killed”. The “killer” is even a figure from within.
This is at least contained in The Guardian’s analysis on Sunday. The analysis was written by US columnist Rebecca Solnit, who is also the author of the book “The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change”.
According to her, there is systemic weakening in the federal government’s body. This has the potential to drag in broad impacts on the global economy.
Initially, she mentions various crucial state functions that are under pressure due to budget cuts and restructuring. From nuclear weapons oversight, cybersecurity, to counter-terrorism.
This condition is seen as weakening the state’s capacity to maintain domestic and international stability. Not only that, public service sectors such as health, vaccination programmes, food security, and environmental protection are also said to be affected.
“The federal government serving the public is being weakened, while budget priorities shift to other sectors,” the report writes, quoted on Monday (13/4/2026).
The main spotlight is directed at policies from the Donald Trump era, which are seen as significantly changing the direction of state spending. Cuts to several social and environmental programmes are said to have occurred amid increases in defence and domestic security spending.
Business figure Elon Musk is also mentioned in relation to efficiency policies that impact US foreign aid agency USAID, when he was appointed as head of Trump’s efficiency agency, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), though he later stepped down. That move is seen as worsening humanitarian crises in several developing countries.
At the same time, geopolitical tensions, including conflicts with Iran, are exacerbating global economic pressures. Supply chain disruptions, particularly for important commodities like fertiliser, risk triggering food crises in various regions.
Furthermore, changing import tariff policies are also said to create uncertainty for global business players. The business world is seen as struggling to draw up long-term plans amid fluctuating policy directions.
“The US used to lead the world in scientific research, including medical research, which has produced important breakthroughs in disease treatment and health, but all that has been slashed to pieces. This is murder,” she asserts.
“The consequences could last in the long term, including on the economy and environment,” the report writes.
Finally, the report emphasises the importance of structural reforms in the US to restore trust and stability. Without fundamental improvements, the impacts of this internal weakening are seen as continuing to spread and burden the world economy.