Episode Summary:

In this special emergency episode of Explaining History, Nick reacts to the breaking news of US military action in Venezuela. Reports indicate Apache gunships over Caracas and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro by American forces.

We explore the profound historical implications of this event. While Maduro may be a "gangster," his removal by a foreign power shatters centuries of diplomatic norms dating back to the Treaty of Westphalia. Nick argues that 2026 marks the definitive end of the "Pax Americana" and the rules-based international order established in 1945.

From the echoes of the Monroe Doctrine to the collapse of American soft power, we discuss how the Trump administration’s "gangster state" tactics are reshaping the world into naked power blocs. Is this a strategic masterstroke to secure oil resources, or a reckless gamble that will accelerate America's isolation?

Key Topics:

• The Attack on Caracas: Assessing the reports of US intervention and the kidnapping of a head of state.
• The End of International Law: Why pre-emptive regime change destroys the post-WWII consensus.
• Trump’s "Gangster State": The shift from soft power to raw, transactional force.
• Geopolitical Fallout: How Russia, China, and the Global South will react to this flagrant breach of sovereignty.

Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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