Judging Freedom

Matt Hoh : Trump and Military Adventurism

Jan 6, 2026
Matt Hoh, a former U.S. Marine and foreign policy analyst, discusses America's role as a rogue empire, emphasizing its military interventions driven by profit and cronyism. He critiques Trump's military rhetoric, arguing it reflects an alarming shift towards foreign-policy triumphalism. The conversation dives into the risks of prolonged occupations and the legal fallouts from violating the UN Charter. Hoh also addresses mainstream media reactions and the troubling persistence of imperial semantics in political discourse.
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INSIGHT

Empire Without Apology

  • The U.S. now acts as an unapologetic empire pursuing resources rather than lofty ideals.
  • Matt Hoh says recent actions in Venezuela reveal raw power politics focused on oil and control.
INSIGHT

Running A Country Means Force

  • Running another country may mean perpetual military presence and coercion rather than benign administration.
  • Hoh warns 'running' Venezuela likely entails ships, drones, blockades, and force to secure corporate interests.
INSIGHT

Early Wins Often Unravel

  • Early victory narratives can hide long-term chaos and unintended consequences.
  • Hoh points out regime-change operations often unravel after initial success, risking insurgency and political fragmentation.
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