ZIONCONS

GER—Donald Trump claims he will “run” Venezuela, after he bombed it and abducted President Nicolás Maduro. However, his plan makes no sense — and will likely blow back on the USA. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez is still independent, and not cutting off China. US sanctions devastated Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, and its heavy crude is expensive to produce — and not profitable, amid a global supply glut. Ben Norton explains.

LARRY C JOHNSON—On January 6, Russia launched three major missile strikes against US-owned facilities in Ukraine. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian ballistic missiles decimated  the Oleina oil extraction plant, which is owned by the American Bunge company from  Saint Louis. Its official name is the Dnipropetrovsk Oil Extraction Plant, located in Dnipro (formerly Dnipropetrovsk), central Ukraine. It is a major sunflower seed processing facility specializing in crushing, refining, and bottling sunflower oil.

R. WOLFF—Beyond military and economic considerations, Venezuela’s alliance with Russia symbolises a broader ideological challenge to neoliberal capitalism and Western political models. By choosing partners outside the Western bloc, Venezuela asserts its right to pursue social welfare, state control, and national sovereignty on its own terms. This defiance resonates with many nations seeking alternatives to the austerity, privatisation, and poverty often associated with IMF and World Bank programs.

DW—Lebanese Military’s Limited Capacity and the Risk of Renewed Conflict: The Lebanese army is structurally designed more as an internal policing force than a conventional military capable of repelling invasions or militant incursions. This weakness was starkly revealed during past attacks by extremist groups like ISIS and HTS, when Hezbollah and allied militias had to assume frontline defense. This dynamic raises the stakes of the current disarmament push and suggests that any attempt to forcibly disarm Hezbollah could provoke civil war or military mutiny.

BP—Anthony Aguilar’s detailed testimony sheds light on the deeply troubling realities behind a privately contracted humanitarian mission in Gaza, revealing legal breaches, operational failures, and a profound humanitarian crisis exacerbated by militarized oversight and lack of accountability. His personal experiences and professional military background provide a compelling and credible lens through which to understand the complexities and moral challenges of the current conflict in Gaza. Aguilar’s call to defund the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and support established, professional humanitarian agencies like the United Nations underscores the urgent need for reforms in how aid is delivered in conflict zones, ensuring that it serves vulnerable populations without complicity in violence or war crimes.