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If you didn’t get a chance to listen to Sunday’s Midrats Podcast with Mark and me, give it a listen to hear a broader discussion with some additional detail thrown in. Today is going to be a bit different. We are still just ~72-hours from the events, so there is an order of magnitude more of what we don’t know than we do, but some items are breaking out from the fog. On yesterday’s podcast, I briefly mentioned a framework for discussion that I think is helpful to flesh out here—an addendum to my comments on the podcast, so to speak. As we stand here the Monday after the events of Friday night/Saturday morning, what are some clear items of consideration at the Tactical, Operational, Strategic, and Political levels? Let’s do Top-3s at D+3: Tactical:No other military on the planet has the Joint/Combined Arms/Interagency capability to successfully execute this mission. None. This is a unique national capability that we should carefully nurture, steward, and improve on. The death of rotary wing (RW) aircraft has been greatly exaggerated. As I have written often over the last two decades, one has to examine closely the lessons of small and medium sized wars, as they will inform you what will be needed in the next large war. That is the gold standard…but you have to be careful. Some lessons look to have broader implications, but they may be muted or amplified by the location and venue you are looking at. Yes, flying large groups of RW in the Ukraine theater is a questionable proposition, but that is because they are Ukrainian and Russian RW being flown by Ukrainians and Russians. American RW aircraft have training, equipment, and capabilities that others do not have. It was not by luck that none of our RW operating deep in Venezuela were shot down. Make no mistake, without a diverse, robust, and numerous RW capabilities, the Maduro Raid would not have been possible. Unmanned systems are A tool, not THE tool. I agree, the use and utility of unmanned systems in the Russo-Ukrainian War has expanded at an astronomical rate, but in spite of what some may be trying to sell you, the future is not “All U_V All the Time”. Unmanned systems are like aircraft, submarines, and body armor—they get added to the tool box. The more diverse the toolbox, the more capable your military. That last comment refers to a lot more than unmanned systems. Operational: Sovereign Bases Matter: While we have seen other friendly nations let us use their facilities, the reanimation of Roosevelt Roads and the general Guamification of Puerto Rico over the last few months is a wake-up call to everyone. Serious policy makers need to put their accountants in the back of the room where they belong. A global power rides along support structures few see and understand at peace until they are needed at war but gone. Having a wide variety of inefficient and underutilized bases and facilities scattered around is a feature, not a bug. The future is unknown and an impatient lover. Do not test, taunt, or take her for granted. Reactivate more bases. Play hard ball with the UK about Diego Garcia. Pray for peace. America Must be the Dominate Maritime & Aerospace Power in Order to be a Global Power: I don’t mind saying, “I told you so.” so I will happily say, I told you so. Yes, we need land power, but most of it should be light, expeditionary and exemplary. The balance of heavy maneuver forces should be based on US territory and the balance in the Reserve and National Guard. Everyone who went feet dry in Venezuela came back home because the U.S.A. dominated the air, electromagnetic spectrum, and the sea to such a degree that any challenge to that dominance was a death sentence to the challenger. Few Things are More Useful Than a Large Deck Amphib: Let any person who poo-poos the USMC demanding more amphibious ships, or worse, bleats out how they are obsolete, be tarred, feathered, and run out on a rail. All hail the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). IYKYK. Strategic:Punitive Expeditions Make Peace: Rightfully, coming on the back of the bombing of the Iranian nuclear program earlier this year, this decisive action has put bad faith actors on notice that the U.S.A. has the ability to act on her words, and will. All the usual suspects on the fail bus and the faculty lounge of The Smartest People in the Room™ will make the usual noises against taking firm action, or even a whiff of punitive expeditions being valid in the 21st Century. I’m sorry, we tried their methods, measured them, and found them wanting. We wanted punitive expeditions for Afghanistan and Iraq, but instead we wasted trillions of dollars borrowed in the name of children yet unborn and expended the lives, bodies, and blood of tens of thousands of America’s sons and daughters in the pursuit of a vanity driven mirage of no benefit to the nation. No more. America is a nation of action when she so desires. Sometimes our show of force is more than a show and just because we break it does not mean we will buy it. Clearing Out Our Backyard of Pests: Venezuela was allowed to be a basing point of China, Russia, Iran and their proxies in our hemisphere—and became a source of destabilization through narcotics, organized crime, and political bad actors. None of it promoted peace, prosperity, freedom, or the free flow of goods at market prices—just authoritarianism, terror, poverty, misery, corruption, and strife. She externalized her dysfunction to our shores, and so it became our business. America Must be Ready to Go Alone: Yes, some nations voiced support for our actions. The usual leftists did not. Many simply hedged their bets, but there are some things a nation must do for itself, by itself. It isn’t just operational security for us, or the question of capability by others to help. No, it is simply, will to take action and take risk. Sure, we have had some U.S. administrations who would never do what was done, but that’s part of being a democratic republic. However, we have one who will now. Let’s just hope that will is leavened with wisdom. Political:Who is Running Venezuela?: We have given the Venezuelan people an opportunity to put their nation on track to benefit its people. It is incredibly rich, large, and blessed with superb geography, but has spent the last few decades in socialist self-destruction. Will they go the way of Norway and Argentina, or Nigeria and Turkmenistan? Bad Neighbors are Negative Help: At the moment at least, Venezuela’s largest neighbors, Brazil and Colombia, are run by leftist governments led by Marxists. Will they help or hurt Venezuela during this time where governance is in flux? Friends Foreign and Domestic: All over the world where you see large concentration of Venezuelan expats, there have been outpourings of celebrations. Likewise, there have been those being unusually upset that South America’s worst despot is gone. From the UN to your local politicians, look at where they stand, and who they are standing with. Such events are clarifying. For the U.S.A., we should also look at the response to our “friends” to this event and take careful note of that as well. That’s the 72-hour quick look. A week, a month, a year from now, things may change…but there is great opportunity for the U.S.A., Venezuela, the Western Hemisphere, and the cause of responsible democratic self-governance. Are there the right people in the right place to take advantage of this opportunity in a positive manner? Known unknown. Leave a comment Share This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. View the full article

Turkey has completed the acceptance test firing for a SİPER-1 air defense battery, confirming readiness of the nationally developed long-range air and missile defense system, according to official information released after the test conducted at the Sinop Test Center in northern Türkiye. The battery-level acceptance firing was carried out under a demanding operational scenario that […]View the full article

Elbit Systems Ltd. has been awarded new contracts worth a combined total of approximately $150 million to supply its Directed Infrared Countermeasures systems to European aircraft fleets, the company announced on January 5, 2026. According to a press release from Elbit Systems, the contracts include equipping the aircraft fleet of an unnamed European country with […]View the full article

China’s state broadcaster has revealed new footage showing People’s Liberation Army ground forces training with the Type 19 8×8 wheeled fighting vehicles, confirming their operational deployment within frontline units of the Western Theater Command. The footage was released by China Central Television and shows training activities conducted by the 149th Medium Combined Brigade of the […]View the full article

Japan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that Chinese military aircraft, including H-6 bombers, J-16 fighters, and a Y-9 intelligence-gathering aircraft, flew between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island into the Pacific Ocean on December 29, prompting an emergency response by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. According to a statement released by the Japan Ministry of Defense through […]View the full article

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for Turkish re-entry into the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program, saying the move would strengthen NATO security and help repair ties with Washington, according to written comments provided to Bloomberg. Erdogan said he raised the issue directly with Donald Trump during a White House meeting in September, describing Turkey’s […]View the full article

Russia’s Aerospace Forces received two modernized Tu-160M Blackjack strategic missile-carrying bombers in late 2025, ending a multi-year delay in the program, according to a statement by Russia’s defense minister reported by Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi. The delivery was disclosed during a year-end meeting of the Russian defense ministry, where Defense Minister Andrey Belousov confirmed the handover […]View the full article

North Korea has launched serial production of a new generation of high-precision guided missiles, according to a statement published by state media, confirming the start of large-scale manufacturing for a modern anti-tank missile complex. The announcement was released by Korean Central News Agency, which said the guided missiles are now entering mass production and form […]View the full article

Ukrainian military have found a Russian Shahed-type one-way attack drone equipped with a man-portable air-defense system, marking the first confirmed observation of such a configuration. Serhii Beskrestnov, known by the call sign “Flash,” said the modified drone was identified on January 4. He reported that Russian forces mounted the portable surface-to-air missile system on the […]View the full article

With a few days now behind us, most of the general facts are in on our raid into Caracas, Venezuela to capture Nicolás Maduro and, it appears, his wife as well. Now that Maduro is a guest of the Southern District of New York, it is time to not just look at some of the details of the buildup and execution of this raid, but the initial lessons we can take from it, and what it means in the larger strategic environment. You can listen at this link or at the Spotify widget below. SummaryIn this episode of Midrats, Mark and Sal discuss the recent military operation in Venezuela, reflecting on its execution and implications for national security. They explore the potential for Venezuela’s recovery, the role of governance, and the international reactions to the operation. The conversation also touches on the economic impact of Venezuelan oil, China’s influence in the region, and the effectiveness of international organizations like the UN. TakeawaysThe military operation in Venezuela was well-planned and executed. The ages of service members involved ranged from 20 to 49. Venezuela has the potential for economic recovery if governance improves. China’s influence in Latin America poses challenges for U.S. interests. The UN’s effectiveness in international law is questioned. Venezuelan oil could impact global energy prices. The operation sends a strong signal to adversaries. Governance and rule of law are crucial for Venezuela’s future. The U.S. military’s capabilities are unmatched globally. The situation in Venezuela is a test for U.S. foreign policy. Chapters00:00: New Year, New Beginnings 02:11: Operation in Venezuela: A Military Success 09:36: Venezuela’s Future: Opportunities and Challenges 16:25: International Reactions and Implications 23:08: The Role of Governance in Venezuela’s Recovery 28:16: The Economic Impact of Venezuelan Oil 36:38: China’s Influence and Global Fishing Rights 43:17: The UN and International Law: A Critical View 48:38: Looking Ahead: The Path for Venezuela Leave a comment Share This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. View the full article

The United States has continued elevated air and maritime military activity in the Caribbean region following Saturday’s U.S. operation in Venezuela, with fighter aircraft and naval assets operating near Venezuelan borders, according to local reports. Residents of Puerto Rico, where one of the United States’ operational military bases in the region is located, reported sustained […]View the full article

The Colombian Army has deployed troops to the Paraguachon border crossing with Venezuela, reinforcing a permanent military presence in the municipality of Maicao in the department of La Guajira, according to an official statement released Sunday. In a post published by the First Division of the National Army, the military said troops from the Medium […]View the full article

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Sunday morning, according to South Korea’s military, marking Pyongyang’s first missile launches of the year. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from an area near Pyongyang at about 7:50 a.m. local time and traveled approximately 900 kilometers before landing […]View the full article

Confirmed imagery released on Saturday shows a Venezuelan-operated Buk-M2E medium-range air defense system destroyed by U.S. airstrikes at Higuerote Air Base, approximately 75 kilometers east of Caracas, marking the second verified loss of the Russian-made system during the U.S. military operation. The newly emerged visual evidence documents the destruction of a Buk-M2E belonging to Venezuela’s […]View the full article

A rare U.S. Air Force RQ-170 “Sentinel” stealth surveillance drone was spotted returning on Saturday morning to Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in eastern Puerto Rico, following U.S. military strikes conducted overnight against targets in Venezuela. Video circulating on social media shows the flying-wing aircraft on approach and landing at the naval air station, now used […]View the full article

A United States Army reconnaissance and attack helicopter squadron stationed in South Korea was deactivated last month as part of a service-wide transformation effort, according to a congressional report released Thursday. The U.S. Army deactivated the 5th Air Cavalry Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment (5-17 ACS) at Camp Humphreys on Dec. 15, according to a recent […]View the full article

France said the military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro violates international law, as Paris reiterated opposition to the use of force and warned of broader consequences for global security. In a statement posted Saturday, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot said Maduro had “confiscated power from […]View the full article

China said it is “deeply shocked” and “strongly condemns” what it described as the United States’ use of force against Venezuela and actions taken against the country’s president, according to an official statement released Saturday. In the statement, China said it “deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a […]View the full article

Newly released footage confirms that at least one Buk-M2E surface-to-air missile system was destroyed during an airstrike on the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base in Caracas. The video shows a Buk-M2E launcher vehicle completely destroyed by a direct hit at the air base named after Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda, one of Venezuela’s key military […]View the full article

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured early Saturday by members of the United States Army’s Delta Force during a U.S. military operation in Venezuela, according to U.S. officials cited by CBS News. The officials said the operation was carried out by Delta Force, the U.S. military’s top special mission unit, and resulted in Maduro being […]View the full article

President Donald Trump said early Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and removed from the country following U.S. military strikes in Venezuela, according to a post on his Truth Social account. “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader,” Trump […]View the full article

The Pakistan Air Force on January 3 conducted a successful flight test of the indigenously developed Taimoor Weapon System, confirming the missile’s performance during an air-launched trial, according to an official statement. The service said the Taimoor Air-Launched Cruise Missile is designed to engage land and sea targets with precision at a range of up […]View the full article

Venezuela accused the United States of carrying out a “very serious military aggression” early Saturday, after explosions were reported in Caracas and surrounding regions, according to an official government statement. In a statement released in the early hours, the Venezuelan government said it “repudiates and denounces to the international community the very serious military aggression” […]View the full article

The United States carried out strikes on multiple Venezuelan military and infrastructure targets on Friday, including air bases and port facilities in and around Caracas, according to local reports. Confirmed targets included Isla Margarita near La Guaira, Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base in Caracas, the port at La Guaira, El Libertador Air Base, Fort […]View the full article

U.S. Marine Corps F-35 fighter jets destroyed Venezuelan Air Force aircraft during precision strikes on air bases across Venezuela, according to local reports describing the operation. The reports said Marine Corps F-35s carried out targeted attacks on Venezuelan fighter aviation bases shortly after missile strikes hit areas hosting long-range air defense systems, including S-300V and […]View the full article