In a week that saw the capture of Nicolas Maduro, Operation Absolute Resolve played out in just two hours and 28 minutes. The combined military precision and tactical deception by U.S. land, sea, and air forces led to Maduro and his wife, Cecilia Flores, being snatched from a fortress-like compound in Caracas. They were cuffed, blindfolded, and flown to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Stunned world leaders barely had time to react before President Trump declared that he was running the country—by remote control—and that Maduro’s replacement, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, would have to dance to his tune, starting with oil flowing toward Washington. It’s been a week of renewed U.S. rhetoric on seizing Greenland. Just hours after the Venezuela operation, President Trump reiterated his desire to acquire the Danish territory, citing security concerns: "Russian and Chinese ships all over the place, and Denmark not able to secure it." Copenhagen initially called the idea fantasy, but, in light of U.S. maneuvers in Caracas and murmurs within the administration that force might not be ruled out, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the threats should be taken seriously. It’s also been a second week of protests in Iran, reportedly the largest opposition movement in over a decade, calling for the overthrow of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. British and U.S. intelligence sources have quoted that the country's Supreme Leader is exploring options in case the Iranian Revolutionary Guard turns against him, including fleeing to Moscow. Authorities have imposed an internet blackout, statues of the regime have been toppled, and many demonstrators have been chanting the name of the exiled son of the former Shah, Reza Pahlavi. All of this was triggered by a currency collapse, which made life even less bearable, as hyperinflation has made everyday staples like bread, rice, eggs, and cooking oil unaffordable for many. One anonymous protestor spoke to Channel 4 News... And it’s been a week of anger and division in the U.S. after a 37-year-old mother of three was shot dead by an immigration agent in Minneapolis. The incident was recorded on video, and the interpretation of what happened has split opinion largely along party lines. Thousands of demonstrators have protested in the aftermath, chanting the name of Renee Good, the woman who was killed, alongside shouts of "murder" directed at officials. In contrast, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen (likely meant to refer to Kirstjen Nielsen, though Noem is a different official) called it an act of domestic terrorism against law enforcement. Produced by Gavin Lee, Rhea Smircic, Daniel Whittington and Laura Burloux
