The Academy of Ideas team – Alastair Donald, Claire Fox, Rob Lyons and Jacob Reynolds – offer their thoughts on the immediate fallout from President Trump’s decision to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
While it is early days and much is unclear, Trump’s actions clearly mark an important moment in world affairs.
Why did Trump act? Is it about narcotics, oil, democracy or his desire to create a ‘Don-roe doctrine’ of US dominance in the Americas?
What has been the role of domestic politics – is this the culture wars by other means?
For those who believe that sovereignty is a vital right for nation states, should we make an exception here given the appalling nature of Maduro’s regime or must sovereignty be defended at all times?
What’s left of the ‘rules-based international order’ when Trump is not only intervening in Venezuela but threatening Denmark’s control of Greenland, too?
Will the reaction against Trump’s actions weaken the hand of populist forces elsewhere?
Listen to this episode by clicking on the player above or find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.
Around the web
Marine Le Pen is right about Venezuela
Brendan O’Neill, spiked, 5 January 2026
It was right to rip up the rulebook on Venezuela
Melanie Phillips, The Times, 5 January 2026
Maduro’s capture wasn’t about oil
Doug Stokes, The Spectator, 5 January 2026
Europe’s Venezuela Dilemma: Sovereignty, Law, and the Right’s Moment of Truth
Juan Soto, The Conservative, 6 January 2026
Trump Now Has His Very Own Oil Empire
Javier Blas, Bloomberg, 5 January 2026
Europe must stop pretending there was ever a truly rules-based international order
Henrik Dahl, Euronews, 5 January 2026
Venezuela: What’s Happening and Why With Daniel Di Martino
Triggernometry, YouTube, 24 December 2025
