FInal Military Options on Venezuela - Land Strikes? /Lt Col Daniel Davis & Matt Hoh

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The discussion criticizes President Trump’s foreign policy, arguing that despite branding himself as a “peace president,” he is preparing for potential military action against Venezuela while continuing support for conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Analyst Matthew Hoh contends that Trump, like previous U.S. presidents, still operates as an imperial leader pursuing American dominance—just with a different style.

Hoh suggests Trump’s emerging “grand strategy” is to consolidate U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere rather than maintain global unipolar dominance, which he and his advisers see as no longer realistic. Venezuela fits into this strategy due to its vast oil reserves and longstanding neoconservative interest in regime change. Domestic political narratives—such as false claims that Venezuela is a “narco-terror” state shipping fentanyl—are also being used to justify strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels.

The conversation notes serious concerns: the U.S. has killed around 80 alleged smugglers at sea without presenting evidence, has misidentified targets (including fishermen), and cannot even name many of those killed. Critics, including some Republicans, say the administration has provided no verifiable intelligence to support the operations. Hoh argues this amounts to extrajudicial killings enabled by decades of bipartisan lack of accountability for U.S. foreign policy abuses.

Finally, the hosts point out the contradiction in the U.S. claiming Venezuela’s government is illegitimate while Venezuelan President Maduro has reportedly signaled willingness to give the U.S. access to oil resources—yet the Trump administration appears uninterested, implying motives beyond simply oil.