Bronwen Maddox is joined by Marc Weller, Director of Chatham House's International Law Programme; Laurel Rapp, Director of the US and North America Programme; and Christopher Sabatini, Senior Fellow for Latin America.

They discuss the failure of regional diplomacy that preceded the 3 January 2026 attack by the US on Venezuela, the tentative response of the international community in its aftermath, the domestic impact on American politics, historic precedents like the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and how it is likely to influence Russia and China's actions in their regions.

Read our latest:

The US capture of President Nicolás Maduro – and attacks on Venezuela – have no justification in international law

President Trump's ambition to rebuild Venezuela's oil sector will be challenging, especially if prices continue to fall

Trump's Venezuela attack should serve as a warning even to US allies

US intentions towards Greenland threaten NATO's future. But European countries are not helpless

Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell.

Read the Winter issue of The World Today

Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧

Listen to Africa Aware podcast 🎧

Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts - please listen, review, and subscribe.

Does Venezuela usher in an era of might is right?

Independent Thinking