American Prestige News – U.S. Plan for Venezuela’s Oil, Gaza Ceasefire Phase Two, Iran Protests w/ Matt Lech and Negar Mortazavi
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Jan 16, 2026 Negar Mortazavi, an award-winning journalist and host of The Iran Podcast, shares insights on the ongoing protests in Iran. She discusses the effects of a communications blackout and severe state crackdowns. Economic drivers like currency devaluation and corruption fuel unrest, although predictions of regime collapse may be premature. Negar also highlights the risks of U.S. military intervention, arguing it could harm civilians. The conversation digs into the role of exiles and regional dynamics, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of foreign involvement.
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UK Palestine Action Hunger Strike
- Prisoners affiliated with Palestine Action staged a rolling hunger strike across UK prisons to press five demands including ending censorship and deprescribing the group.
- Several strikers ended their strikes after the UK denied Elbit Systems a £2 billion defense contract, seen as a partial victory.
Sudan Military Reasserts Control
- Sudan's military government plans to return to Khartoum and launch major operations against the RSF in Darfur and Kordofan.
- The move signals an attempt to reassert legitimacy and prevent de facto partition of Sudan.
China's Record Surplus Undermines Tariff Goals
- China's $1.2 trillion trade surplus shows tariffs haven't stopped exports; firms found other markets or relocated production.
- That surplus complicates Beijing's goal to rebalance toward domestic consumption.