Is the US Pivoting to WAR in Latin America? | Ben Norton

Dec 1, 2025

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🚨 Is the supposed "detente" between the US and China just a tactical pause before a bigger confrontation? And why is the Trump administration suddenly cranking up aggression towards Venezuela to eleven? In this dense and urgent episode of the Silk and Steel podcast, Carl Zha is joined by journalist and geopolitical analyst Ben Norton to dissect the shifting strategies of the US empire. They break down the reality behind the "decoupling" narrative, the new Cold War against China, and the alarming escalation in Latin America that could plunge the region into chaos.

Ben Norton's Website: Geopolitical Economy Report

No Detente, Just a Strategy Shift: Ben argues there is no genuine detente with China, but a short-term de-escalation to allow the US to "decouple" its economy and prepare for more severe medium-to-long-term confrontation.

Decoupling is for Escalation: The US push to decouple from China is not about economics, but about minimising blowback to the US when it imposes even harsher sanctions in the future, akin to those on Russia.

Tech War is Protectionism: Tariffs on Chinese EVs (like BYD) and attempts to ban AI models (like DeepSeek) are not about national security but about protecting uncompetitive US tech giants (like Tesla and OpenAI) from superior, cheaper Chinese products.

Latin America is the New Front: With direct confrontation with China too risky, the US is pivoting to solidify hegemony in its "backyard" (the Monroe Doctrine), targeting China's allies and partners to isolate it.

Venezuela is the Immediate Target: The US is using a fabricated "drug cartel" narrative to justify military escalation against Venezuela, a key Chinese partner and the country with the world's largest oil reserves.

Military Action is Likely: Ben assesses there is a high likelihood of US missile or airstrikes on Venezuelan territory. A full-scale invasion is less likely, but special forces operations and attempts to seize oil infrastructure are on the table.

Marco Rubio is a Key Architect: As the simultaneous Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, Marco Rubio holds unprecedented power and is a lifelong hawk dedicated to overthrowing the governments of Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.

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00:00 - Introduction

01:45 - Ben Norton's work and focus

03:20 - Is a US-China "Detente" Really Happening?

08:30 - The Evolution of the US Cold War on China: From Obama to Trump to Biden

15:45 - The Logic of "Decoupling" and Economic War

23:50 - The Real Reason the US is Attacking Chinese Tech (EVs, AI, Huawei)

33:10 - The "Electron Gap": How Silicon Valley Uses the China Threat to Get Money