About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of American special forces capturing Venezuela's president and the potential geopolitical consequences for Iran and other nations.

American special forces capture Venezuela’s president and his wife in a daring nighttime operation, returning the deposed first couple to the US to stand trial for alleged narcoterrorism. Meanwhile, protests in Iran over worsening living conditions, coupled with a cratered economy, threaten that theocracy’s future. GoodFellows regulars Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane, and H.R. McMaster kick off 2026 by discussing both the precedent and the consequences of the move on Maduro, whether other nations (i.e. China) will invoke their own “Monroe Doctrines” to justify regional power grabs, plus the chances of similar fates awaiting Greenland, Colombia, or Cuba. After that: the panel’s thoughts on whether Iran’s regime is in its dying days as conditions on the ground deteriorate; and the chances of political transformation spreading worldwide in 2026—a là the end of the first Cold War—potential signposts of freedom as America celebrates 250 years of individual liberty. Finally, the fellows send their best wishes to a pair of GoodFellows guests—former Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse and Hoover’s Victor Davis Hanson—as the two gentlemen do battle with cancer. Subscribe to GoodFellows for clarity…

People in this episode

Hosts: Niall Ferguson, John Cochrane, H.R. McMaster

Topics covered

• coercive diplomacy
• geopolitics
• Venezuela
• Iran
• political transformation
• global freedom
• narcoterrorism

Keywords

• Venezuela
• Iran
• geopolitics
• narcoterrorism
• protests
• political transformation
• Cold War
• freedom
• China
• Greenland

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Venezuela, Iran, China

Places: Greenland, Colombia, Cuba

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