The recent military intervention in Venezuela by the United States, leading to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, has sent shockwaves across the globe. This decisive action, ordered by President Donald Trump, was followed by a suggestion that the US would 'run' the South American nation for the foreseeable future.
A Departure from 'President of Peace'?
For a leader who has frequently positioned himself as a 'president of peace', the strikes represent a potentially significant shift in rhetoric and action. The move prompts a critical question: should the world be shocked by this aggressive intervention, or does it simply represent an extension of Washington's long-established approach to foreign policy over the past two centuries?
The Sky News Daily podcast, released on Monday 5 January 2026, delves into this very issue. Host Niall is joined by Dr Stephen Tuffnell, an associate professor of modern US history at St Peter's College, Oxford, to unpack the historical precedents and potential future implications.
Historical Patterns of US Intervention
Dr Tuffnell's analysis provides crucial context, examining how this latest action fits into a persistent pattern of US interventionism that has shaped international relations for decades. The discussion moves beyond the immediate headlines to consider the deeper historical currents that may have informed the decision.
Key areas of exploration in the podcast include:
- The alignment of Trump's Venezuela strategy with traditional US foreign policy doctrines.
- The potential consequences for the region and for global geopolitics.
- Which nations or regions could be affected by similar actions in the future.
Broader Implications and Future Projections
The conversation on the Sky News Daily podcast goes beyond the capture of Nicolas Maduro to consider the broader statement made by the US administration. By proposing to directly administer Venezuela, the move challenges contemporary norms of sovereignty and raises profound questions about the future of international law and diplomatic engagement.
Producer Tom Gillespie and Editor Mike Bovill present a timely analysis that connects current events to their historical roots. For listeners seeking to understand not just what happened, but why it happened and what might come next, this episode offers essential insight into a defining moment in modern geopolitics.
