In this short essay, we argue that countries that belong to the US-led ‘mafia’ – and therefore owe fealty to the don in Washington DC (at present, Donald Trump) – will be subject to what we call ‘the Hotel California effect’. Her response was frank – “none at all”.’What chance then lesser gang members like Australia? Clearly, gang members must simply to do as they are told – ‘if the don gives you orders, the guy down below doesn’t kid around’ ( Chomsky, 2011 ). Collective guilt of this sort strengthens the commitment of gang members. The ‘Hotel California Effect’‘We are all just prisoners here of our own device…You can check out any time you like but you can never leave’.