Tag: Regional Politics

Close-up of a smiling man with a mustache wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a light blue shirt.

Venezuela’s Maduro: How Regional Isolation Preceded His Downfall

In January 2026, the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces stands as the ultimate consequence of a leader who gambled on regional aggression and lost. While Operation Absolute Resolve was the kinetic end, Maduro’s downfall was structurally prepared by his systematic alienation of every neighbor that once formed his “Bolivarian” shield.

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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani speaking at a green podium with a construction crane logo, surrounded by officials.

Iraq Government Formation: US-Iran Competition Over Militia Influence

As Prime Minister Al-Sudani navigates a fractured parliament following the November 2025 elections, Iraq has become the ultimate battleground for US and Iranian influence. With the Trump administration demanding the exclusion of sanctioned militias and Tehran leveraging its strategic assets, the race for the premiership—featuring figures like Nouri al-Maliki and Qasim al-Araji—will determine whether Iraq can maintain its sovereignty or fall deeper into a high-stakes geopolitical confrontation.

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