The Bulwark Podcast Jonathan Blitzer: The Stars Aligned Against Venezuela
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Jan 6, 2026 
Jonathan Blitzer, a Staff writer at The New Yorker, discusses the chaotic U.S. intervention in Venezuela, analyzing internal political factions and the flawed justifications behind military actions. He explores the humanitarian collapse in Venezuela and the complexities of anti-American sentiment. Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, shares insights on his legal battle against a state travel ban and the challenges his organization faces in combating online hate and misinformation. Together, they highlight the urgent need for thoughtful policy and accountability.
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Policies Aligned By Personal Agendas
- Multiple administration factions converged on Venezuela for different reasons, from Rubio's regime-change ideology to Stephen Miller's immigration-driven aggression.
- Blitzer argues this alignment, not coherent strategy, propelled action against Venezuela.
Immigration Aggrievement Fueled Militarism
- Stephen Miller pushed military strikes as a way to demonize migrants and claim mass migration was an invasion.
- Blitzer links Miller's immigration obsessions to the administration's willingness to use force abroad.
Venezuela Chosen As An 'Easy' Target
- The administration treated Venezuela as an easier target because it seemed isolated and noncontiguous to the U.S.
- That perceived convenience helped override legal and diplomatic concerns, Blitzer says.
