Recent posts

#31

Off the Record / Re: Trump's Venezuela Vendetta

Last post by mongers - January 03, 2026, 05:58:21 PM

I think there's a significant chance trump will do this, try to topple Maduro.

My reasoning is, trumps in love with all things 1980s, when he felt he was in his prime, so he's deluded enough to think he can go one better than G.H.W.Bush and repeat an operation like the 1989 Panama invasion.

Incidentally the 36th anniversary of which is in about 48 hours time. 

Well I was little bit off on the timing, but as Otto also mentioned it's useful to compare this adventure to Panama.

I guess there hasn't been much 'post-conflict' planning and they're just assuming a compliant state government will just appear in a similar way to Panama.

#32

Off the Record / Re: Trump's Venezuela Vendetta

Last post by Bauer - January 03, 2026, 05:30:54 PM

Why would Russia even be in a position to bargain on Venezuela?  I think it's more likely this is an (attempted) return to America using Latin America as its backyard.

Trump's just-issued National Security Policy statement has this goal. MAGA wants to withdraw from the Indo-Pacific and NATO and focus on the Monroe Doctrine and overturning democracy in Europe.

That sounds like confirmation of what people have been saying about Trumps world view.  A return to a regional sphere of influence world.  Russia over Ukraine? China over Taiwan?

#33

Off the Record / Re: Trump's Venezuela Vendetta

Last post by OttoVonBismarck - January 03, 2026, 04:57:11 PM

Yeah, the VP's comments put to rest the theory that she was in on this. It's still possible someone in the military broke and gave intel / helped facilitate Maduro being lightly defended. But unlikely there's going to be some quick Venezuelan capitulation to U.S. demands, which largely puts us back to where were before.

Trump could simply consider the arrest of Maduro his "win" and move on, but if he doesn't--there's not really an off ramp where he won't lose face if he keeps making demands and the VP / new government continue to defy him.

#34

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by mongers - January 03, 2026, 04:50:44 PM

How seriously do you think should we take the US administration's messages regarding Mexico and Cuba in the wake of the attack on Venezuela?

As always. it's impossible to really tell.  The administration spews so much shit that it's possible that there might be a pony in there somewhere.

Yep, might as well auger the future with your hands in bird's entrails.

#35

Off the Record / Re: Trump's Venezuela Vendetta

Last post by Syt - January 03, 2026, 04:43:18 PM

Except the press conference said she has agreed to run the country as US proxy. Who knows what's true. Most likely is that she IS in Russia and Trump and Putin are going to divide up the country.

AP says the vice president said on TV that she doesn't intend to take over since there's only one president, i.e. Maduro, and demanded his return. TV seems to show pro-Maduro content. There's reports of pro and anti Maduro protests.

So as of yet unclear how US intends to "run the country" for the moment.

#36

Gaming HQ / Re: The everything miniatures ...

Last post by The Brain - January 03, 2026, 04:30:56 PM

For LOTR you can't have too many orcs. So I painted some Goblins, from Ragnarok. Very simple paintjob, no drybrushing or highlighting. Both because they're essentially extras, and because they're "dirty and evil".

#37

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Tonitrus - January 03, 2026, 04:22:18 PM

How seriously do you think should we take the US administration's messages regarding Mexico and Cuba in the wake of the attack on Venezuela?

As always. it's impossible to really tell.  The administration spews so much shit that it's possible that there might be a pony in there somewhere.

Indeed...there's even a non-zero chance that we convict Maduro and then Trump pardons him.

#38

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by The Brain - January 03, 2026, 04:19:23 PM

It has to be assumed that the US is serious about attacking Canada and Denmark. A lesson of the 1930s is that countries don't joke.

#39

Off the Record / Re: Trump's Venezuela Vendetta

Last post by Jacob - January 03, 2026, 04:10:42 PM

The Taiwanese chip industry is pretty firmly rigged to self destruct and I believe they are already working to replicate it elsewhere too.
Though yes, would be a disaster.

I wonder how susceptible to subversion the "rigged to self destruct" set-up is.

#40

Off the Record / Re: Trump's Venezuela Vendetta

Last post by Josquius - January 03, 2026, 04:05:06 PM

The Taiwanese chip industry is pretty firmly rigged to self destruct and I believe they are already working to replicate it elsewhere too.
Though yes, would be a disaster.