Bill Kristol: A Stupid and Insane Foreign Intervention

What It Covers

Bill Kristol and Tim Miller analyze Trump's Venezuela operation to remove Maduro, examining the lack of planning, abandonment of democratic opposition leader Machado, and potential expansion to Colombia, Mexico, and Greenland under nationalist doctrine.

Key Questions Answered

• •Military Operation Without Strategy: The US successfully extracted Maduro but immediately abandoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado and the democratically elected opposition, instead negotiating with Maduro's vice president who has Russian ties and was part of the corrupt regime, eliminating any path to democratic transition.
• •Economic Justification Falls Apart: Trump claims Venezuelan oil will benefit the US, but Venezuela represents only 1-2% of global oil production. US drilling already at historic highs under Biden makes Venezuelan extraction with decaying equipment and political instability economically irrational compared to domestic production in places like Midland, Texas.
• •Regional Backlash Strengthens Adversaries: Trump's threats against Colombia and Mexico create rally-around-the-flag effects that strengthen left-wing leaders like Mexico's Sheinbaum and Colombia's Petro, potentially pushing them toward China while undermining decades of cooperation on drug trafficking and trade through NAFTA and regional partnerships.
• •Intimidation Campaign Expands Domestically: Secretary of Defense Hegseth reduced retired astronaut Senator Mark Kelly's military rank and pension for criticizing unlawful orders, establishing precedent for punishing dissent among thousands of retired military personnel who depend on benefits and consulting work, creating chilling effect on opposition.
• •Historical Precedent Misapplied: The 1989 Panama operation removed Noriega with 27,000 troops, clear justification through the Panama Canal relationship, and installed democratically elected leaders, resulting in stable democracy. Venezuela operation lacks congressional authorization, allied support, transition plan, or legitimate successor government, making failure likely.