Going Underground Hosted by Afshin Rattansi 2026 Begins in Crisis: Tariq Ali on Venezuela Regime Change, Looming War on Iran, Greenland, Ukraine
Jan 24, 2026
Tariq Ali, writer, filmmaker and long-time New Left Review editor, reflects on imperialism and geopolitics. He dissects Davos as a fading elite symbol. He discusses alleged US moves against Venezuela, oil-linked deals, and regional shifts. He also tackles Trump’s Greenland interest, the Ukraine war dynamics and far-right risks, plus protests and repression across Europe and Iran.
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Davos As A Symbol Of Elite Power
- Davos symbolizes concentrated money, politics and power that the media amplifies to keep it alive.
- Tariq Ali argues if politicians and media ignore Davos, the institution could quickly wither.
Maduro Refused U.S. Offers Before Capture
- Tariq Ali recounts prior warnings that Trump promised to seize Maduro and that U.S. forces targeted small vessels beforehand.
- He says Maduro refused U.S. offers like money, mansions, or exile locations, which preceded his capture and jailing in New York.
Sanctions And Isolation Weakened Venezuela
- Tariq Ali links Venezuela's political weakness to sanctions, election disputes, and external pressure including frozen assets in the Bank of England.
- He argues these factors eroded the government and opened the door to U.S. intervention for oil control.
