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How to Destroy a Country: Venezuela with Noah Smith

The David McWilliams Podcast

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Chaos Breeds Survival

Amidst political turmoil, regimes often rely on oil revenue and foreign alliances, particularly with nations like Russia and China, to maintain control. The focus shifts from poverty alleviation to appeasing allies and leveraging societal divisions to unify support against perceived external threats. Historical precedents, such as Assad's response to civil unrest, exemplify how a regime can navigate chaos through strategic partnerships and decisive actions to suppress dissent and preserve power, illustrating the lengths entities will go to avoid the fallout of revolution.

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