The Intelligence from The Economist Ven and the art of hemispheric maintenance: America’s national-security posture
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Dec 11, 2025 Explore America's new national-security strategy, emphasizing dominance in the Western Hemisphere, and the implications of seizing a Venezuelan oil tanker. Discover how remote work is reshaping cities, leading to empty offices and changing downtown economics. Learn why Pepsi reigns in the Middle East, tracing its success back to historical boycotts and strategic partnerships. Dive into the contrasts in responses to local markets and the effects of political trends on cola preferences.
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America's Hemispheric Preeminence Shift
- The 2025 US national-security strategy prioritises hemispheric preeminence over global strategic competition.
- That shift signals a willingness to project power in Latin America and influence European politics in line with MAGA thinking.
Less China, More Latin Focus
- The new strategy foregrounds Latin America and tones down explicit framing of China as the top strategic rival.
- That reflects both political priorities and a desire to keep economic ties with China manageable.
Tanker Seizure: Bluff Or Prelude?
- The tanker seizure could be an escalation or a calibrated bluff to topple Nicolás Maduro without full-scale invasion.
- The document's rhetoric may be polemic rather than an operational roadmap, but it could still guide aggressive moves.