The Global Story The US ran a war game on the aftermath of Maduro’s fall – it predicted chaos
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Jan 7, 2026 Douglas Farah, a former Washington Post journalist turned national security consultant, shares his insights on the tumultuous scenarios following a potential ousting of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. He discusses the chaos predicted by U.S. war games, highlighting military dynamics, involvement of organized crime, and the challenges of mass migration. Farah warns that regime resilience remains likely, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy to disrupt the elite's financial networks. His expert analysis paints a gripping picture of instability and the complexity of intervention.
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War Games Reveal Realistic Actor Responses
- War games assign teams to simulate actors and map plausible political, military, and economic responses.
- Douglas Farah says role-playing reveals likely reactions and interplays before real decisions are made.
Economic Collapse Drives Mass Migration
- Economic collapse was a central scenario and drove massive migration from Venezuela.
- Farah notes hyperinflation and food scarcity made millions flee, stressing the region.
Decapitation Would Not Secure The Country
- Simulations found that removing Maduro would not yield centralized control across Venezuela.
- Farah warns fragmented armed actors and terrain make holding the interior extremely costly.