In the early hours of January 3, 2026, more than 150 U.S. military aircraft launched from bases across the Western Hemisphere, converging on Caracas. By dawn, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was aboard the USS Iwo Jima, bound for New York to face narcoterrorism charges. The operation, codenamed “Absolute Resolve,” represented the most audacious military action against a foreign head of state since the 1989 Panama invasion. But unlike traditional warfare, this operation unfolded under a different legal banner entirely: law enforcement.
Category: The Americas
The Caracas Raid, State Criminalisation, and America’s Domestic Calculus
In the early hours of January 3, 2026, U.S. Special Forces carried out a daring raid in Caracas, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. This significant military operation involved over 150 aircraft neutralising Venezuelan air defences to extract the couple. It marked a major shift in U.S. foreign policy. The raid was not spontaneous; it was the result of a long-term effort by the U.S. to oust Maduro, an authoritarian leader accused of serious corruption and drug-related crimes. President Donald Trump defended the action by labelling Maduro a criminal instead of a statesman, stating that the U.S. would manage Venezuela to help with a government transition.
The Caribbean Powder Keg: A Formula for an Unwanted War
Global attention is fixed on the tense standoff between the US and Venezuela, marked by military posturing and combative language. This situation does not resemble a conventional war; rather, it is a precarious confrontation that could escalate into widespread conflict with a single misstep. The Trump administration has deployed an impressive naval fleet to the Caribbean – a collection of destroyers and amphibious assault vessels executing operations against ships labeled as drug traffickers. Officially aimed at addressing narcotics issues, the real motivation appears to be a high-stakes geopolitical manoeuvre that threatens to unsettle Latin America and involve foreign powers.
Tariffs ≠ Collapse: India’s Trade Journey through Trump-Era Tariffs
When the “America First” trade policy was declared by U.S. President Donald Trump in his previous term, he framed it as a move to protect U.S. workers from what he labeled unfair foreign competition. India, even as a long-time U.S. ally, found itself squarely in the crosshairs. Trump claimed that India charged high tariffs on American products while gaining preferential entry into U.S. markets. Such a disparity, he said, required a corrective measure. The tariffs did not come as a blanket measure initially but were developed incrementally through a series of increments.
Trump’s Big Bet: Is the US becoming the Crypto Capital or Risking it All?
In a world already buzzing with geopolitical chaos – be it the Middle East conflict, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the reopened Epstein investigation, or the constant backdoor economic deals – President Donald Trump, now back in the White House in 2025, has dropped another headline-maker. This July, his administration introduced three landmark bills in the House that have already begun stirring debates across party lines and public spheres. As expected, controversy wasn’t far behind.
Trade Truce of Trump with China: Tactical Withdrawal or Strategic Rebalancing?
In May of 2025, President Donald Trump had a significant announcement on his administration’s long-running trade conflict with China: a temporary agreement that reverses part of the high tariffs that have been levied over the last two years and provides a 90-day period for negotiations. Described by the White House as a “strategic recalibration” and by Beijing as a “welcome but cautious step,” the agreement is the first concrete easing of a battle that has broken global supply lines, shaken financial markets, and transformed geopolitical alignments.
The US Strategic Pivot Towards India and Saudi Arabia
During the recent POLITICO Security Summit, US Representative Mike Lawler presented a forceful argument for reshaping America’s strategic alliances. Focusing on India and Saudi Arabia as fundamentally important to US security interests for the coming decade, Lawler sketched out a policy direction that does not merely seek to deepen bilateral relationships but also rebalance world power in reaction to the intensifying assertiveness of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Trump’s Tariffs Impact on the Auto Sector and Global Supply Chains
Starting on March 4, President Trump’s significant tariffs will take effect. These tariffs include a 20% levy on Chinese imports, a substantial 25% tariff on products from its North American neighbours, Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on Canadian oil and energy imports. This radical shift will have far-reaching implications for the U.S. automotive industry, potentially leading to increased costs for manufacturers and consumers and potentially reshaping global trade dynamics in the automotive sector. The auto industry is one of the most heavily affected by international trade policies in the US, with substantial volumes of finished vehicles and auto parts coming from Mexico and Canada.
The Vital Role of Cultural Diplomacy in International Relations
Apart from the traditional notion of hard power that involves quantifiable military and economic might, soft power as a facet of power has found political resonance in the realm of international relations in recent decades. Pioneered by Harvard scholar Joseph Nye, soft power is a non-coercive facet of power that has become increasingly important in maintaining hegemony in the world. Soft power entails the art of subtly influencing outcomes by shaping the preferences of other countries and actors outside your own country via the tactics of attraction, appeal, and persuasion.
Trump’s Middle East Gamble
Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration for his second term in January 2025, the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East has undergone profound changes. The administration’s renewed assertiveness has reignited longstanding disputes and strategic rivalries, most notably among Iran, Israel, and the United States. This article provides a comprehensive, practical analysis of these developments—detailing U.S. military engagements, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel’s strategic recalculations, and the broader regional and international ramifications.