The dollar is a weapon: How the US controls countries with financial colonialism episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 17, 2026 · 29 MIN

The dollar is a weapon: How the US controls countries with financial colonialism

from Geopolitical Economy Report · host Ben Norton

The USA uses the dollar as a weapon to control countries, by imposing sanctions; cutting governments, banks, and companies out of the US-dominated financial system; and taking over the oil revenue of nations like Iraq and Venezuela. Ben Norton explains how US financial colonialism works. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkza5cRBuG4 Topics 0:00 US empire 1:16 CIA-backed coups 1:42 US sanctions one-third of world 2:23 Why sanctions are so destructive 4:23 US financial attacks blow back 4:49 BRICS seeks alternatives 5:56 Petrodollar system in crisis 7:02 How USA controls Iraq's oil revenue 10:26 USA threatens Iraq over Iran 12:12 Economic difficulties for Iraqis 13:34 US colonial scheme in Venezuela 14:39 China, world's biggest oil importer 15:18 Iraqi plans to sell oil in yuan 17:07 US attacks China-built schools 18:34 Trump attack on Iraq in 2020 20:08 US military occupation of Iraq 21:00 Iran attacks US military bases 21:49 Petrodollar system is breaking 25:30 US bond market problems 27:15 Iran war fuels inflation 27:50 US aggression is backfiring 29:16 Outro

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