Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy #1750 "America's Backyard" - The War on Terror Meets the War on Drugs
7 snips
Nov 7, 2025 Jeffrey Stein, an ACLU National Security Project staff attorney, dives into the controversial use of military strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in Venezuela. He argues these actions, framed as part of the war on drugs, violate both U.S. and international laws, amounting to extrajudicial killings. The discussion also critiques Trump's narrative linking Venezuelan officials to drug cartels, revealing the shaky evidence behind such claims. Stein emphasizes the need for transparency in the legal justifications for such lethal strikes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Strategic Motive: Regime Change And Resources
- The boat strikes serve geopolitical aims beyond drugs: regime delegitimization and access to resources like oil.
- Right-wing figures publicly link Venezuelan leadership to cartels to justify intervention and rewards like bounties.
Push For Legal Transparency Now
- Demand transparency: FOIA requests seek the legal memos authorizing strikes and OLC reasoning.
- Publicize and contest those documents to hold officials accountable before further illegal strikes occur.
Argentina Bailout Serves Ideological Ends
- Trump's $20B support for Argentina isn't pure economics but ideological: propping up a like‑minded leader to validate right‑wing policy.
- The bailout risks American taxpayers and undermines 'America First' rhetoric.
