Net Assessment Whither Venezuela?
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Nov 13, 2025 The discussion dives into the U.S. military's increasing presence in the Caribbean and the implications for Venezuela's Maduro regime. Experts evaluate whether counter-narcotics efforts justify military action and ponder the motivations behind tougher U.S. policies, including stemming migration. They debate the resilience of Maduro and potential outcomes post-regime change, while expressing concerns about the consequences of foreign-imposed interventions. Additionally, grievances about research censorship, government dysfunction, and cybersecurity risks in Chinese EVs are aired.
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Mixed Rationales Driving Venezuela Policy
- The Trump administration's Venezuela push blends counter-narcotics, migration, and hemispheric influence arguments into one policy stew.
- Those rationales appeal politically but do not add up to a coherent long-term strategy according to the hosts.
Counter-Narcotics Can't Fix Demand
- Military strikes on drug boats disrupt routes but cannot solve U.S. demand-driven overdose deaths.
- Hosts argue naval force is a blunt tool that risks precedent without addressing root causes.
Migration Is A Political, Not Quick, Fix
- Migration and refugee flows partly motivate U.S. interest, but border enforcement has already driven overall migration down.
- The panelists see source-country fixes as long-term and politically inconsistent with current administration choices.