Global tensions unpacked: Venezuela, Iran, China & Australia’s Bondi Commission

Professor Tim Harcourt analyzes Venezuela’s geopolitical shifts post-U.S. military operation, affecting oil markets and global alliances.

Professor Tim Harcourt from UTS breaks down the rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape in 2026, focusing on the dramatic situation in Venezuela and its ripple effects across global power plays. We explore how the United States’ recent military operation and capture of Nicolás Maduro have reshaped Venezuelan politics, oil markets, and strategic alliances, especially with China, Russia, and Iran.

With Venezuela sitting on nearly 20% of the world’s proven oil reserves, the stakes are enormous, and Harcourt helps unpack the economic and political drivers behind U.S. intervention and China’s response.

We also delve into how the U.S. actions in Venezuela tie into broader geopolitical frictions — particularly Washington’s efforts to curb Chinese influence in Latin America, even as Beijing denounces the operation as a violation of sovereignty and frames its position in multilateral fora. The conversation peels back the layers of how energy, economics, and security intersect in one of the most consequential flashpoints this year.

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#Geopolitics #Venezuela #USForeignPolicy #ChinaRelations #OilPolitics #InternationalRelations #TimHarcourt