Originally published at: Venezuela Fallout, Tensions in Iran, Vaccine Thrombosis Findings, and Digital IDs for Newborns – Peak Prosperity
Geopolitics
Some geopolitical assessments posit that the U.S. intervention in Venezuela is fundamentally driven by oil and strategic raw materials, aligning with longstanding realpolitik and the Monroe Doctrine. This view dismisses Maduro as an illegitimate dictator who falsified elections and impoverished the nation, rendering him unprotected by international norms that have been selectively enforced historically. It frames the action within Trump’s “America First” policy, accepting a multipolar world order where spheres of influence are delineated through tacit agreements with Russia and China—ceding Ukraine to Russian influence while securing South America for the U.S. The operation is seen not as an occupation but as a catalyst for a democratic revolution, ultimately aiming to revitalize Venezuela’s economy as a strong ally, with broader implications for regime changes in Cuba, Brazil, and even Europe.
However, other analysts posit that the Trump administration’s interest in Venezuela may be driven more by minerals than oil. According to analysis, China has control over Venezuelan minerals like coltan and rare earths, which are essential for U.S. weapons. It also followed reports of Iranian drone facilities within range of Florida and Russian military advisers training Venezuelan forces. The strike targeted regime infrastructure rather than oil assets, despite reported U.S. emphasis on securing Venezuela’s reserves. Analysts have noted the operation’s focus on disrupting Chinese resource extraction and Iranian drone production, with oil infrastructure reportedly spared.
Regarding public reactions, protests supporting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro occurred in more than 100 U.S. cities on January 3, organized by groups including the ANSWER Coalition and The People’s Forum. Organizers described the mobilization as a response to what they called an imperialist action, with events expanding through collaborations among anti-Trump and pro-Palestine groups. Opposing viewpoints have raised questions about the protests’ funding, suggesting possible ties to international leftist networks rather than purely grassroots efforts.
Meanwhile, some Chinese social media users have drawn parallels between the Venezuela operation and a potential approach for Beijing’s efforts on Taiwan reunification, citing it as a precedent for U.S. actions against a smaller adversary amid South China Sea tensions. China’s foreign ministry stated it was deeply shocked by the use of force against a sovereign state and demanded Maduro’s release, according to Reuters.
Following the operation, U.S. President Trump designated Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president and a figure involved in oil sanctions negotiations, as interim leader. She has reportedly expressed willingness to cooperate on a democratic transition. Trump also warned Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba, referring to them as “cocaine mills” contributing to U.S. drug inflows, and linked Colombian President Gustavo Petro to Maduro’s networks. In a state television address, Rodríguez rejected claims of her ascension to full presidency and demanded Maduro’s release, calling the capture an attack, per Al Jazeera.
Following his administration’s actions in Venezuela, Trump recently made statements relating to interest in acquiring Greenland, which Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has rejected, stating that such discussions disregard sovereignty and international norms. Trump has described Greenland as essential for U.S. security interests due to its Arctic location.
Turning to other news, Israel’s IDF has reportedly developed a four-year plan for potential multi-front conflict, including strikes on Tehran, space-based attacks on satellites, and operations against Lebanon and the West Bank. This anticipates possible Iranian retaliation to support its regime. U.S. President Trump warned of military intervention if Tehran targets protesters, following reported joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Trump’s threats as reckless and denied nuclear escalation, framing the protests as driven by sanctions rather than external orchestration, according to The Times of Israel.
In Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, has reportedly become more reclusive since last year’s reported war with Israel. Reports indicate he has prepared an escape plan to Moscow with up to 20 aides and family members, modeled on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s 2024 flight. Nationwide protests over hyperinflation and economic sanctions have reportedly intensified into clashes, with some demanding a return to monarchy. These are described as the worst unrest in years. Iranian state media has dismissed reports of an escape plan as foreign propaganda aimed at inciting riots, while emphasizing security deployments to contain the demonstrations, as noted in Iran International updates. Meanwhile, a U.S. military buildup in Europe, similar to pre-Iran war deployments, is reportedly en route to Israel as regional tensions rise.
Health
In a recent Brownstone report, a cohort analysis of 46 million English adults found unadjusted incidence rates of arterial thrombotic events, like myocardial infarction, nearly doubling after first doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines compared to unvaccinated groups. Adjustments for confounders estimated over 56,000 additional serious cardiac events. Booster doses reportedly increased risks for Pfizer, while Moderna showed lower rates, possibly due to renin-angiotensin system effects from spike protein exposure compounding infection risks. However, according to the American Heart Association, studies indicate that COVID-19 infection itself causes higher rates of myocarditis and thrombosis than vaccination, with overall cardiovascular benefits from shots in high-risk groups.
A report by Midwestern Doctors dives deep into selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), commonly prescribed for depression. In the report, SSRIs and SNRIs are linked to emotional numbness in 40-60% of users, sexual dysfunction in up to 62%, agitation in 47%, and suicidal ideation in 39%. Surveys indicate 56% of users discontinue within four months due to side effects, which are sometimes attributed to the underlying illness. These drugs are described as addictive, with withdrawal symptoms in half of users, including brain zaps and psychosis. Research associates them with triggering mania and bipolar disorder, with rates rising from 1 in 13,000 before 1955 to 1 in 20-50 today. Additional risks include birth defects and persistent issues after discontinuation. However, per the mainstream news, other accounts describe benefits like improved mood and relational stability for certain users when properly managed. Reported alternatives include psychedelic-assisted therapy, hormonal balancing, and slow tapering.
Privacy & Surveillance
In the UK, government plans call for digital IDs assigned to newborns alongside health records, modeled on Estonia’s system. These would integrate with services like social media age verification. Critics describe it as an expansion of surveillance unrelated to immigration goals, with rollout planned for 2028 at a cost of £1.8 billion. Officials have called for public debate. The government has described the scheme as voluntary for most uses and focused on efficient public services, with ongoing public consultation, per GOV.UK announcements.
Technology
AI-generated deepfakes targeting analysts like Yanis Varoufakis and Pepe Escobar have appeared on YouTube. These videos clone voices and images to spread fabricated commentary on global events, reportedly gaining millions of views despite disclaimers in descriptions. Platforms like YouTube are facing pressure to label and remove such content, with detection tools emerging to identify fakes. Varoufakis, former Greek finance minister, identified fakes attributing pro-Russia views to him, which he opposes. Observers note this erodes trust in online political discourse. Some discussions suggest the deepfakes may primarily serve monetization through viral trends rather than deliberate political sabotage.
Economy
The U.S. Department of Defense reportedly plans to invest $1.4 billion for a 40% stake in a $7.4 billion non-ferrous metals smelter in Clarksville, Tennessee. The project, developed by Korea Zinc with JPMorgan financing and $210 million in Commerce Department support under the CHIPS Act, will be the first U.S. zinc refinery in over 50 years. Korea Zinc has revised its share issuance amid shareholder concerns over dilution risks, as reported by MINING.COM.
The facility is expected to process 1.1 million tons of raw materials annually, producing critical minerals including zinc, gold, silver, and rare earths for defense, electronics, and energy. It is projected to create 750 jobs and reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains. Despite reported shareholder concerns over dilution risks, construction is set to begin in 2026, with operations in 2029, using local infrastructure to address geopolitical resource competition.
US Politics
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expected to announce he will not seek reelection amid a scandal involving alleged fraud in the state’s Somali community. Federal officials describe it as the largest theft of taxpayer dollars in U.S. history, totaling up to $9 billion from Medicaid since 2018 and hundreds of millions from pandemic food-aid programs like Feeding Our Future. Walz’s office has stated that the administration has strengthened oversight through investigations and audits to recover funds, as noted in The Hill. Democratic insiders, comparing Walz’s situation to Joe Biden’s 2024 campaign, have suggested Senator Amy Klobuchar as a potential replacement.
Sources
Rapid Mobilization: Leftist Networks Behind Pro-Maduro Protests After Alleged U.S. Strike on Caracas
by three thirty, four o’clock this morning, we put out the call for demonstrations to happen today, Saturday, January 3rd, less than 12 hours after the bombing and kidnapping of the president of Venezuela.
Source | Submitted by Mysterymet
Yanis Varoufakis vs. His Deepfake Army: The Perils of AI Impersonation
how do you know that I am actually Freddy Sayers of Unheard not an AI deep fake broadcasting in my plumby British accent to you from an imaginary studio?
Source | Submitted by jhughes1973
U.S. DoD Stakes Claim in $7.4B Tennessee Smelter to Secure Critical Minerals Supply
Under the plan, the U.S. Department of Defense will hold a 40% stake in the JPM Financed smelter joint-venture.
Source | Submitted by Barry Silverthorn
AI Deepfakes Hijack Political Voices: Escobar on the Techno-Feudal Assault
There are several channels on YouTube manipulated by A.I., stealing the image and voice by some of us, independent political analysts.
Source | Submitted by Mike from Jersey
Decoding Venezuela: Maduro’s Illegitimacy and Trump’s Multipolar Monroe Doctrine
Trump wants to ensure that, since the U.S. can no longer enforce unipolarity, it will at least play first violin in the concert of future multipolarity—ahead of China, if possible.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
The Venezuelan Oil Narrative: Pure Theater for Critical Mineral Wars
The oil is secondary. Breaking Chinese supply chain dominance, eliminating Iranian manufacturing capability, and expelling Russian military presence are primary.
Source | Submitted by westcoastjan
Trump Brands Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba “Cocaine Mills” in Post-Venezuela Warnings
He has cocaine mills, he has factories where he makes cocaine and they’re sending it into the United States
Who Is Delcy Rodríguez, the Woman Trump Calls Venezuela’s New President?
Venezuela’s former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez is now president of the country, U.S. President Donald Trump said, hours after a U.S. military operation captured former leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Jan. 3.
Chinese Social Media Sees US Venezuela Raid as Blueprint for Taiwan Invasion
The US imperialists’ lightning raid on Venezuela to capture Maduro and his wife provides a perfect blueprint for our military to launch a surprise attack on Frog Island and seize [Taiwanese President] Lai Ching-te
UK’s Sinister Push: Digital IDs for Newborns Usher in Cradle-to-Grave Surveillance
UK Goes Full Cradle-To-Grave With ‘Sinister’ Plan For Newborn Baby Digital IDs
Iran’s Khamenei Eyes Moscow Escape as Unrest Threatens Regime
“Khamenei, 86, plans to escape Tehran with a close circle of up to 20 aides and family, should he see that the army and security called on to quell the unrest are deserting, defecting or failing to follow orders.”
Tim Walz Bows Out of Reelection Race Amid Somali Fraud Scandal
Tim Walz is expected not to seek reelection as governor of Minnesota as anger at Somali fraud in the state, and the possibility of federal legal action, grows.
IDF Prepares for Multi-Front War as Iranian Protests Threaten Regime Collapse
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been ordered to prepare for a possible simultaneous war against Iran, Lebanon, and the West Bank
The Hidden Harms of SSRIs: Emotional Numbness, Addiction, and Paths to Safer Healing
SSRI antidepressants are one of the most harmful medications on the market
Unveiling the Cardiac Perils: How Covid-19 Vaccine Studies Mask the Risks
This is a whitewash. Their unadjusted data show the reverse – most Covid-19 vaccinations increased cardiac risks.
Denmark’s Frederiksen to Trump: US Takeover of Greenland Makes No Sense
It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland.
U.S. Military Buildup in Europe Mirrors Pre-Iran War Moves, En Route to Israel as Tensions Escalate
BREAKING: A significant buildup of U.S. military assets has arrived in Europe — and is reportedly en route to Israel.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Reuters, BBC News, Atlantic Council, Al Jazeera, The Times of Israel, Axios, The Conversation, GOV.UK, MINING.COM, The Hill, Metro News, and American Heart Association.