In the space of just one week, President Donald Trump ordered the seizure and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, asserted control over the country’s government, and took over its crude oil industry.
According to Venezuela’s interior minister, 100 people died during the U.S. abduction of Maduro. Since September, the administration has killed at least 115 people in 30 boat strikes in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
These military actions in the region are raising questions about the nature of U.S. intervention abroad. Last week, the Senate advanced a measure limiting Trump’s power to take further military action in Venezuela.
Now, the president is threatening intervention in Iran amid crackdowns on protests across the country. And here in the U.S., federal agents shot three civilians last week, injuring a man and woman in Portland and killing a woman in Minneapolis.
What does President Trump’s military intervention abroad mean for issues at home? And for our allies and enemies abroad?
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The Gist - Séamus McElearney on the End of Omertà as a Business Model
Former FBI agent Séamus McElearney, author of Flipping Capo: How the FBI Dismantled the Real Sopranos, walks through the case that shattered the DeCavalcante crime family. He explains the mob's quiet tax on regular people via unions—no-show jobs, pension skims, and an asbestos local run by guys who couldn't pass the test (so they had someone take it for them). He also gets into the overlap with The Sopranos and contrasts real life with the one premise he says flatly wouldn't happen: a boss talking mob business to a shrink. Plus, the Renee Good shooting and the way "objectively reasonable" ends up riding on an officer's story; and in the Spiel, Iran's protests and "semi-official" media; and how the fake Fed investigation is Trump's own attempt at an autocrat-like crackdown.
Produced by Corey Wara
Coordinated by Lya Yanne
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Consider This from NPR - What do we know about what’s happening in Iran?
What do we know about what's happening in Iran?
The country has been rocked by days of large antigovernment protests. First, sparked by the crippling economy, now anger at the theocratic regime.
More than 500 people have been killed, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. NPR is unable to independently confirm that figure.
And now President Trump is considering whether to weigh in – and how.
Sanctions. Cyber attacks. Military strikes.
President Trump keeps suggesting the United States may get involved. If so, when and how?
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This episode was produced by Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Becky Brown and Josephine Nyounai.
It was edited by Andrew Sussman, Rebekah Metzler and Courtney Dorning.
Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
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Big Technology Podcast - AI’s Steve Jobs?, Big Tech AI Chaos Ladder, 2026 Crystal Ball
M.G. Siegler of Spyglass is back for our monthly tech news discussion. Today we discuss whether AI needs a Steve Jobs, whether the technology lends itself to that type of leader, and who it might be of the current crop. We also discuss which Big Tech companies are actually winning in the AI race and why so few have a standout AI product. Then we look at the year ahead and get some of Siegler's boldest predictions. Tune in for a fun, deep discussion on the current state of AI and what's missing.
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WSJ What’s News - Trump Has Been Complaining About Attorney General Pam Bondi
P.M. Edition for Jan. 12. President Trump has complained to aides repeatedly in recent weeks about Pam Bondi, describing her as weak and an ineffective enforcer of his agenda, according to administration officials and other people familiar with his complaints. Plus, Google parent Alphabet has become the latest company to cross the $4 trillion mark as investors are optimistic about the company’s AI business. And dozens of Silicon Valley elite are part of a Signal chat called “Save California” where they exchange criticism and tips about a proposed wealth tax in the state. WSJ enterprise reporter Emily Glazer takes us inside the group chat. Alex Ossola hosts.
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WSJ Minute Briefing - Stocks Edge Higher While Dollar Weakens
The Fed Chair revived concerns about central bank independence. Plus: Synchrony Financial drops after the President calls for a cap on credit card interest rates. Katherine Sullivan hosts.
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An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor.
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Motley Fool Money - Intel Hits a 52-Week High: Time to Buy?
On Friday, Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) hit a fresh 52-week high. Are higher highs in the forecast? We look at the U.S. government's backing of the business and what it might mean for future returns.
Asit Sharma, Rick Munarriz, and Tim Beyers discuss:
- CEO Lip-Bu Tan's meeting with President Trump.
- Plans for advanced (or even AI) chipmaking on U.S. soil.
- The challenges of growing the foundry business versus the promises cooked into the current share price.
Don’t wait! Be sure to get to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of David’s Gardner’s new book — Rule Breaker Investing: How to Pick the Best Stocks of the Future and Build Lasting Wealth. It’s on shelves now; get it before it’s gone!
Tickers: Companies discussed: INTC, AMD, NVDA, TSM, ASML
Host: Tim Beyers
Guests: Asit Sharma, Rick Munarriz
Producer: Anand Chokkavelu
Engineer: Dan Boyd
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WSJ Tech News Briefing - TNB Tech Minute: Alphabet Joins the $4 Trillion Club
Plus: Apple has selected Google’s Gemini to power a new Siri. And a former Trump advisor joins Meta. Anthony Bansie hosts.
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The Journal. - How to Be an Intelligent Investor in 2026
An AI bubble. Geopolitical turmoil. Inflation and interest rates. These things and more could rock the stock market in 2026, and investors have to be prepared. WSJ’s Jason Zweig, writer of The Intelligent Investor column and newsletter, discusse s how investors can best set up their portfolios for the new year and breaks down his outlook for the year ahead. Ryan Knutson hosts.
Further Listening:
- It's Almost 2026. How’s the Economy?
- Investment Accounts for Babies Are Coming. Wall Street Can’t Wait.
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Global News Podcast - Iran Special: Q&A
In this special edition of the Global News Podcast, BBC correspondents answer your questions about the anti-government protests that spread across Iran. Can the Iranian regime survive? Will Donald Trump intervene? How would regime change affect the world? Matthew Amroliwala speaks to two of the BBC's diplomatic correspondents - Caroline Hawley in London and Paul Adams in Washington - as well as Siavash Ardalan, from BBC Persian.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk