FT News Briefing Swamp Notes: Why Trump wants to ‘run’ other countries
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Jan 10, 2026 
In this discussion, Amy Mackinnon, Foreign Affairs Correspondent for the Financial Times, shares her insights on Donald Trump's foreign intervention strategies. They delve into the recent military operation in Venezuela and its motives, linking it to oil interests and historical precedents. The conversation highlights Trump's fixation on acquiring Greenland and assesses the legality of these interventions. Mackinnon also explores the implications of a ‘regime-change light’ strategy, revealing the complexities of modern U.S. foreign policy.
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Months-Long Co-Ordinated Operation
- The Maduro operation was months in the making with CIA and large military buildup shaping the plan.
- The strike required timing to minimize civilian casualties and relied on over 150 flights.
Multiple Motives Behind Ousting Maduro
- The administration framed multiple rationales: negotiations, oil access, anti-narcotics and a hemispheric security claim.
- The Monroe-Doctrinelike approach aims to remove foreign influence and secure resources in the Western Hemisphere.
Pronouncements Then Policy Framing
- Trump's public pronouncements often precede more detailed frameworks offered by advisers like Marco Rubio.
- Rubio frames post-action steps as stabilization, recovery and transition, implying longer U.S. involvement.