International Affairs, Diplomacy & Geopolitics, Foreign Policy, Strategic Affairs

While internal governance failures play a significant role, the persistence and severity of Iran’s inflationary crisis cannot be understood without recognising the central role of U.S. and Western economic sanctions, which have systematically eroded the state’s capacity to regulate prices, stabilise currency, and deliver welfare.

Following the U.S. strikes and the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, U.S. authorities confirmed that they have been transported to U.S. custody and are expected to face criminal charges, particularly related to narcoterrorism and drug trafficking, in the Southern District of New York. The move marks an unprecedented escalation in U.S. action against a sitting head of state and raises profound legal, diplomatic, and normative questions regarding sovereignty and international jurisdiction.

The U.S. strikes on Venezuela reflect a convergence of historical interventionism, geopolitical rivalry, and contested security narratives. While Washington presents its actions as necessary for counter-narcotics enforcement and regional security, much of the international community views the operation as a breach of sovereignty and a serious challenge to international law.