The Powers That Be: Daily The Making of an Interventionist
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Jan 7, 2026 Julia Ioffe, a seasoned journalist and foreign policy commentator, joins Peter to discuss Trump's striking shift from isolationism to interventionism, particularly following the Venezuela raid. They explore how earlier risk-free strikes, like the Soleimani killing, emboldened Trump to engage in targeted attacks without the fear of major backlash. Ioffe highlights how MAGA culture glamorizes military action, and they analyze the international reaction to these developments, warning that repeated strikes could lead to unintended consequences.
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Targeted Strikes Teach Risk-Free Power
- Trump learned during his first term that targeted military strikes can project strength without triggering full-scale war.
- That feedback loop has made him more willing to use force frequently and broadly.
Soleimani Strike That Didn’t Trigger War
- The killing of Qasem Soleimani in January 2020 sparked fears of all-out war that never materialized.
- Subsequent strikes on Iran's nuclear program in 2025 also produced limited retaliation and no broader conflict.
Consequence-Free Action Breeds More Aggression
- Repeated consequence-free strikes create political incentives for more aggression rather than restraint.
- MAGA messaging has shifted from non-intervention to celebration of violent displays of strength.