Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: “An Impossible Mission. Mike Lyons Talks to A&G.”
Date: January 6, 2026
Guest: Mike Lyons, Military Analyst
Host: Armstrong & Getty (iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the U.S. Special Operations raid that resulted in the successful apprehension of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Military analyst Mike Lyons joins Armstrong & Getty to break down the complexity, risk, and geopolitical implications of the mission, reflecting on the demonstration of American military power and what the operation signals for the future of Venezuela and global energy politics.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Raid on Maduro: Complexity & Execution

• The hosts replay General Kane’s vivid description of the raid’s climactic moments, emphasizing how Maduro was apprehended in his compound by U.S. Special Forces with speed and surprise ([02:04–03:04]).
• Mike Lyons highlights the sophistication and difficulty of infiltrating Venezuela, referencing past doubts about the feasibility of such a mission due to operational risk and history of failures (such as Desert One):

  “For months I’d been talking to former special operators... We all thought that this mission was going to be impossible... The level of, from an operational perspective, was so complex and just, just incredible.” ([03:49])

• The scale of the mission:

  “150 aircraft, no casualties, in and out, two and a half hours. You couldn’t write a script that said it would go as easy as that.” ([03:49])

2. How the Mission Worked: Joint Operations Explained

• Lyons details the elements involved:

  “Aircraft that took out their air defense systems, drones monitoring, surveillance helicopters shuttling in the 75th Rangers... Delta guys that go in and extract people like this, this is their mission.” ([05:05])

• Importance of U.S. “joint force” capability, in contrast to Russian military limitations:

  “This is why the Russians are wallowing a novocaine in Ukraine. They can’t jointly bring all their forces together... in this case, the United States is able to... bring them together and create this incredible... that can take anybody out that we choose to.” ([05:05])

• The element of surprise and extreme risk, despite flawless execution:

  “That alone was a factor that just was incredible... this does, too, shows once again the total crap of Russian military equipment... the United States just blew right by it.” ([06:44])

3. Training, Planning, and Contingency—Why It Worked

• Repeated rehearsals were critical:

  “We rehearsed this over and over and over again, not so that we could get it right, but so that it couldn’t go wrong.” ([08:00], quoting Gen. Kane)

• Lyons calls this approach essential post-Desert One, referencing the “playbook checklist mentality”:

  “You plan for every one of those contingencies, rehearse them... so you know exactly what to do.” ([08:20])

• On command culture:

  “Everybody got the mission... commander's intent. And that's what makes our military work better than everybody else’s.” ([08:52])

4. Strategic & Geopolitical Consequences

• Lyons argues this is not regime change or an occupation:

  “This is not Iraq... not regime change. Their Constitution... put their vice president, Delsey Rodriguez, now in charge... we've given her the message, you’re either going to play ball or not. And if you’re not... you might find yourself in... a Special Forces helicopter.” ([09:20])

• The broader significance:

  “We’re taking control of 300 billion barrels of reserve crude oil in our hemisphere and not allowing the Chinese... the Chinese are taking their oil, the Russians and their military. This is long overdue to take care of this situation right now.” ([09:20])

• Potential long-term effects on global energy and power balances, and leverage over China:

  “The fact that we have this control now over their oil puts Canada on notice, China on notice. China might not be able to invade Taiwan now... There’s so much leverage that was gained by this operation that without even a casualty being gone, I just can’t talk about it so much.” ([11:44])

5. Outcomes and Uncertainties Ahead

• The U.S. will “let this thing stew” and pressure the interim leader:

  “We’re going to give this person Rodriguez a chance because she does control the military and the oil. We’re going to cut a deal... move this down the road.” ([11:44])

• If Rodriguez fails, consequences remain direct:

  “If this gal doesn’t come around, we snatch her up and then the person after her, and before long, it’s like being the head of ISIS. You know, the first thing you do when you get the job is you write your will.” ([12:41])

• Legal authority of the mission:

  “It’s all done legally, too, which is really why we go in there in the first place. Under this guise of, you know, getting him from legally, from a drug perspective, you can’t argue against it.” ([12:50])

6. Reflections on Service and Sacrifice

• The hosts and Lyons close with mutual admiration for the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, underscoring the importance of remembering past sacrifices:

  “A lot of presence there and just the sacrifices made, and we just should never forget. And we’re getting further from that generation, but it’s just incredible. I would advise everybody to go there.” ([13:51])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Mission Complexity:

  “The only thing I can think of is like, you’re sitting on a desert island, you got a can without a can opener and you’re not going to eat. And then all of a sudden, the next day the cans open and now you’re going to be able to eat.”
  — Mike Lyons ([03:49])

• On American Military Power:

  “This is for grownups. This is not for, you know, theoretical people that are running the government. She’s got no legitimacy, unfortunately. I hate to say it like that, but she doesn’t.”
  — Mike Lyons ([11:44])

• On Legal Authority:

  “It’s all done legally, too, which is really why we go in there in the first place.”
  — Mike Lyons ([12:50])

• On Operation Risks:

  “To say that you wouldn’t expect a casualty or you wouldn’t expect something to go wrong, very unlikely. In this case, 8 out of 10 times something else would go wrong.”
  — Mike Lyons ([06:44])

• Command Culture:

  “Everybody got the mission. Everybody knew what the mission was... and that’s what makes our military work better than everyone else.”
  — Mike Lyons ([08:52])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:04] – Recap of raid on Maduro by General Kane
• [03:37] – Mike Lyons joins, offers initial analysis
• [04:55] – Scope of air assets and operational complexity
• [06:44] – Discussing risk, Russian technology, and success factors
• [08:00] – Importance of rehearsal and contingency planning
• [09:20] – Strategic aftermath: Venezuela’s future, oil and geopolitics
• [11:44] – New regime dynamics and pressure options
• [13:39] – Reflections on the National WWII Museum
• [14:16] – Episode close

Closing Thoughts

Through incisive analysis and candid reflection, Mike Lyons illuminates the magnitude and implications of the Maduro raid—a mission many deemed “impossible.” The discussion explores not only military prowess but also the shifting landscape of global power and energy. For those wanting context, color, and deeper understanding behind the headlines, this episode offers a clear, brisk, and compelling examination.