In today’s episode of **What’s going on with BRICS**:
**Top 10**
**Geo Stories**
**Jan 5-7**
**2026**
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### What’s in the News
1. **US Venezuela raid – global shock and oil focus (Jan 5-6)**
- Politico (Jan 5): Trump’s operation enforces “Trump Corollary” to Monroe Doctrine – denies Russia/China access to hemisphere.
- Oil prize highlighted: US aims to replace Russian/Iranian supply with Venezuelan crude.
- Dramatic escalation – shows US willing to act unilaterally in backyard; risks quagmire but secures energy leverage.
- Riff material: Bold assertion of hemispheric dominance; Latin America protests, but US power projection unmatched in region.
2. **Russia loses Venezuela ally but eyes gains (Jan 5)**
- Reuters (Jan 5): Moscow loses key partner but hopes Trump’s focus on Americas frees space in Ukraine/Europe.
- Putin views US bogged down as acceptable – Russia’s sphere less threatened.
- Quid pro quo potential – Russia escalates elsewhere while US tied up; multipolar balancing act.
- Riff material: Moscow plays long game – accepts tactical loss for strategic breathing room.
3. **Shadow tankers evade US blockade (Jan 5-6)**
- Bloomberg/NYT (Jan 5): 4-16 vessels slip quarantine post-raid, carrying millions of barrels using spoofing.
- TankerTrackers.com: Coordinated saturation overwhelmed Navy.
- Blockade effectiveness questioned; oil flows to buyers like China despite embargo.
- Riff material: High-tech cat-and-mouse – shadow fleet proves sanctions hard to enforce at sea.
4. **Investors react to Venezuela chaos (Jan 5-6)**
- Reuters (Jan 5): Markets dip on geopolitical risk; gold surges as safe-haven.
- Short-term disruption fears vs. potential US-controlled supply boost.
- Headline volatility dominates – commodities swing; investors brace for prolonged uncertainty.
- Riff material: Markets hate surprises – Venezuela raid adds to tariff whiplash.
5. **Trump’s Venezuela gambit tests risk appetite (Jan 4-5)**
- Reuters (Jan 4): Raid adds to tariff whiplash – markets weigh short wins vs. long threats.
- Compared to Panama success vs. Iraq failure.
- Bold power play – could stabilize energy or spark wider backlash.
- Riff material: Audacious move signals aggressive US policy; could embolden or isolate.
6. **Greenland dismisses US takeover fears (Jan 5)**
- Reuters (Jan 5): Danish territory rejects Trump’s renewed interest post-Venezuela raid.
- PM: “No fantasies about annexation” – contrasts Venezuela but highlights Arctic tensions.
- Monroe Doctrine revival spooks allies – Europe pushes back on US expansionism.
- Riff material: From Venezuela oil to Greenland minerals – US hemisphere ambitions growing.
7. **European allies criticize US Venezuela action (Jan 6)**
- NYT (Jan 6): France objects as sovereignty violation; muted overall response.
- UN emergency meeting – allies express “concern” but no strong measures.
- Double standards vs. Ukraine – West’s unity cracks under US lead.
- Riff material: Sovereignty rules bend when it’s the big ally acting.
8. **Bella 1/Marinera standoff – Russian escort in Atlantic (Jan 6-7)**
- WSJ/Guardian (Jan 6-7): Tanker reflagged Russia; crew painted flag on hull.
- Russia deploys submarine + surface ships to deter boarding.
- US Poseidon flights track; Coast Guard shadows – empty but symbolic defiance.
- Riff material: Direct Russia-US naval tension – first since Cold War?
9. **Geopolitics dominate 2026 outlook (Jan 5-6)**
- Reuters/GZERO: Venezuela, Ukraine, Middle East – elevated headline risks.
- Investors brace for volatility from great power moves.
- No calm year – multipolar tensions drive everything from oil to stocks.
- Riff material: 2026 starts with bang – great powers testing limits.
10. **Three views on 2026 global risks (Jan 6)**
- NYT (Jan 6): Wars, China public opinion shift, Middle East oil geopolitics.
- Venezuela raid as flashpoint in broader uncertainty.
- 2026 starts hot – great power plays reshape alliances and markets.
- Riff material: No return to calm – multipolar chessboard fully active.
OK team, so what does all this mean? Well, it means early 2026 geopolitics is on fire – US bold plays in Venezuela shake alliances and markets, while rivals watch for openings in a world where power trumps rules.
1. If the US can raid Venezuela and grab oil without real pushback, is the Western Hemisphere officially America’s empire again?
2. Western leaders silent on Venezuela but loud on Ukraine – when will the Global South call out the hypocrisy for good?
3. With shadow tankers slipping blockades and China quietly gaining, is US power projection hitting its limits in 2026?
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