Venezuela, Iran, and the Emerging US Strategy Toward China

How Washington may be dismantling China’s distraction network.

An Iranian vessel sails in False Bay near the Simon's Town naval base on the last day of the BRICS Plus naval exercises with China and Russia, in South Africa's waters, in Cape Town, South Africa, on Jan. 16, 2026. Esa Alexander/Reuters

Commentary

On Jan. 3, the United States did something it almost never does in the modern era: it removed a sitting leader from power by force—directly, personally, and decisively.