The Good Fight The Good Fight Club: Maduro’s Capture, Trump’s Foreign Policy Vision, and the Future of American Power
Jan 8, 2026
George Packer, a political journalist at The Atlantic, and Amanda Ripley, co-founder of Good Conflict, dive into the implications of Trump's capture of Nicolás Maduro. They discuss the chaotic decision-making behind the operation and its uncertain outcomes for Venezuela. Ripley warns about the dangers of normalizing violence and urges for strategies to denormalize conflict. The duo critiques a foreign policy reliant on brute force and examines the fallout within Trump's base, emphasizing the growing ideological fractures between the U.S. and Europe amid rising political violence.
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Chaotic Force Without A Plan
- The Trump administration acted on Maduro with apparent improvisation and without standard policymaking or public preparation.
- George Packer warns this chaotic approach produced contradictory justifications and little planning for post-capture Venezuela.
Symbolic Victory, Tangible Failure Risk
- Removing Maduro may produce symbolic triumphs but not long-term improvements for Venezuelans.
- Yascha Mounk and George Packer highlight that detention alone won't solve repression, economic collapse, or governance problems.
Might-Makes-Right Mentality
- The Trump team privileges raw force as an 'iron law' believing power and strength will prevail.
- George Packer warns this magical thinking ignores complexities and risks escalation or failures.
