The Globalist – January 6, 2026

Host: Georgina Godwin
Podcast: The Globalist by Monocle
Main Focus: The arrest and U.S. court appearance of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, global responses to Trump’s “law enforcement interventions,” protests in Iran, and a roundup of key international news.

Episode Overview

This episode examines the geopolitical shockwaves triggered by the U.S. capture and indictment of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, along with Donald Trump’s threats of intervention in Iran amidst mounting protests. The episode features expert analysis on the legal, diplomatic, and strategic precedents set by these actions, touching on responses at the UN and among U.S. allies. The show also reviews other global stories, including the Portuguese presidential campaign, environmental movements, European headlines, and upcoming fashion events.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• [01:09] Main headlines and show preview
• [03:32] Maduro’s U.S. court appearance & UN reaction (with Guraana Gurgic)
• [13:06] Analysis of Iran’s protests and Trump’s interventionist statements (with Benoit Foucault)
• [22:10] Review of the European front pages (with Inge Thordo)
• [32:43] Portuguese presidential campaign (with Carlotta Rebelo)
• [37:58] Global river undamming movement (with Ash Bardwaj)
• [45:25] France/Italy current affairs (with Anita Riota)
• [54:00] Upcoming fashion season and Pitti Uomo preview (with Grace Charlton)

1. Maduro’s Arrest & International Fallout

(Starting ~[03:32])

Legal Proceedings

• Maduro and wife Julia Flores plead not guilty to narcotics charges in New York.
  • Next court date is March 17; trial may take years. [03:32]
  • Maduro’s claim: "He's an innocent man who's been kidnapped.” [03:32, paraphrased by Guraana Gurgic]
  • He remains in custody; bail not discussed. [04:34]

United Nations Response

• Emergency Security Council session called by Colombia, backed by China and Russia.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls the U.S. action “deeply troubling,” warning it "sets a dangerous precedent." [04:41–06:00]
  • Quote: “Sets a dangerous precedent.” – Georgina Godwin referencing Guterres [09:26]
• China & Russia accuse the U.S. of violating international law and the UN Charter.
• U.S. insists the seizure is “a law enforcement operation,” not military intervention.
  • US Ambassador Mike Waltz repeats this line. [06:00]

Limited Power of the UN

• US veto power on the Security Council blocks any binding action. [06:30]
• General Assembly might issue non-binding recommendations.
  • “There is just going to be a lot of this diplomatic grandstanding… there is very little we can expect from that front.” — Guraana Gurgic [07:57]

International Diplomatic Reaction

• Most allies exhibit “diplomatic caution.”
  • Strongest European criticism: Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez.
  • Others urge legal scrutiny but avoid “unequivocally” condemning U.S. action.
  • “Everyone else basically is trying to walk this kind of very challenging diplomatic tightrope…” – Guraana Gurgic [08:05]

Precedent & Strategic Concerns

• Is Venezuela a one-off or template for further U.S. actions?
  • Trump’s rhetoric: U.S. sphere of influence should extend across the Western Hemisphere (“from Cuba, Colombia to Greenland… Panama to Canada”). [09:39]
  • “Whether this is a sort of model he could emulate…” – Guraana Gurgic [10:49]
• Reference to Monroe Doctrine and its expansion in current US National Security Strategy.

Broader Implications

• “When the world’s policeman goes rogue?”
  • Erodes multilateral norms and emboldens other major powers.
  • “If a dominant security actor... ignores legal constraints, what can smaller states expect?” – Guraana Gurgic [11:49]
  • “A loss of credibility because [the UN] simply cannot check powerful actors.” [12:31]

2. Protests in Iran & Trump’s Threats

(Starting [13:06])

Guest: Benoit Foucault, Wall Street Journal Middle East Correspondent

Origins and Escalation of Iranian Protests

• Triggered by “traders in central Tehran,” in response to inflation and currency devaluation. [14:01]
  • “You buy a good from a foreign country, and then you sell it at a loss, because by the time you sell it, the value of the currency has fallen.” – Benoit Foucault [14:01]
• Initial government response conciliatory – seen as economic, not directly political.
• Protest escalates: Students join, regime change slogans emerge, call to restore Pahlavi dynasty. [14:44]
  • “Became a call to topple the regime. Became a call to restore the Pahlavi dynasty…” – Benoit Foucault [14:44]
• Crackdown: Over 20 dead, “at least 1200 detentions,” harsher repression of political protest. [16:14]

Prospects for Regime Change

• “No sign” of imminent regime collapse: protests widespread but not mass in Tehran, no high-level defections, and the Supreme Leader has ideological incentive to stay. [16:28]
• Possibility of return for the Shah’s son is premised on elections: “He may return... but he would be coming in power for elections, not just another autocratic regime.” – Benoit Foucault [17:40]

Trump’s Threats of Intervention

• Trump warns Iran that further protestor deaths would prompt action.
  • “Hasn't said [what], but... the calculus has changed since Maduro... That demonstrates [U.S.] capability, but also the decision to really cross what are typical red lines.” – Benoit Foucault [18:27]
  • Physical/geographical difficulties of repeating a Venezuela-style operation in Iran.

The Endgame

• For the U.S. and large parts of the Iranian population: a new nuclear agreement and end to uranium enrichment.
• For the regime: Survival as an Islamic republic, likely means more repression.
  • “The way to survive if your population doesn’t agree... is really more repression.” – Benoit Foucault [20:01]

3. European Front Pages Roundup

(Starting [22:10])

Guest: Inge Thordo (Chief Catalyst Officer, Kanaloa)

Denmark, Greenland, and Nordic Reactions

• Trump pushes renewed interest in “taking” Greenland, sparking alarm in Danish/Greenlandic press.
  • Quote: “Nobody’s laughing now… I think people are extremely worried about what’s happening.” – Inge Thordo [23:11]
• Greenland PM calls for direct dialogue, stresses NATO status, urges de-escalation.
• Iceland officially opposes using its territory for any military action against Greenland.

Security Posture

• Denmark to increase defense of Greenland.
• “No real reason to think defenses… aren't adequate. But of course, that could… change.” – Inge Thordo [25:15]

Ukraine Peace Talks

• Paris summit for Ukraine, but Trump disengagement casts doubt on U.S. security guarantees.
• Zelenskyy reshuffles cabinet, appoints Christia Freeland as economic adviser.

Notable Quotes

• On Iceland’s folklore: “Why take the risk if it’s their home? We might as well build the roads around them.” – Inge Thordo [22:49]

4. Portuguese Presidential Campaign

(Starting [32:43])

Guest: Carlotta Rebelo

• Official campaign just started, but candidates already active; dominated Christmas news cycle.
• 11 candidates; Antonio Jose Seguro (Socialist Party) leads marginally, with right-leaning independent Henrique Gouvelo and far-right Andreventure just behind.
  • Polls: “The top four… are all within less than 1 percentage point margin.” – Carlotta Rebelo [33:29]
• Parliament shifted right; a rightist president could more easily pass controversial legislation (e.g., citizenship, labor laws).
• Presidential powers: can veto bills, dissolve Parliament, call snap elections.

5. River ‘Undamming’ Movement

(Starting [37:58])

Reporter: Ash Bardwaj

• Focus on the Klamath River in Oregon: Four dams removed after a century, restoring river flow.
• Ecological and cultural rejuvenation for Native Americans; rapid return of salmon, eagles, bears.
• “The trend is to dam rivers, not undam them. And this was the biggest dam removal project in U.S. history.” – Michael O. Petrillo, Raft Guide [39:00]
• “This is the first time ever that I’m getting onto an undammed river, which is great. And I hope every river in the world gets undammed, because that’s how rivers should be.” – Vikram Joshi, Raft Guide [40:25]
• New tourism, ecological hope: “In the future, there will be salmon running all the way up into Klamath Lake. And it’s a pretty different thing to think about… the community and the economy when we have that asset as well.” – Tay, Travel Southern Oregon [43:31]

6. France & Italy Regional News

(Starting [45:25])

Guest: Anita Riota

Paris Mayoral Election

• Anne Hidalgo stepping down after 12 years. Election seen as a “litmus test” before the presidential race.
• Leading candidates: Emmanuel Grégoire (left, not backed by Hidalgo), and Rashida Dati (right, known for confrontational style).
• “It just will be interesting in March… if the city has swung one way or another.” – Anita Riota [48:54]

Youth & Social Media

• French Parliament to debate banning social media for under-15s and introducing a "digital curfew" for ages 15–18. Law could go into effect September.

High Museum Attendance

• Olympic tourism boosts museum and castle attendance to record highs in 2025; 44% of Louvre visitors under 26.

Italy Consumer Trends

• Italians delaying big expenses, but food spending remains untouchable: “If it means getting that better cut of meat… Italians just are going to continue to enjoy into 2026.” – Anita Riota [52:09]

7. Fashion Season Preview

(Starting [54:00])

Guest: Grace Charlton (Monocle design/fashion editor)

• Major Japanese influence expected at Pitti Uomo in Florence.
• Menswear intersecting with niche perfumes in new "High Beauty" section.
• In Milan and Paris, several big fashion houses sitting out; trend toward combining men’s and women’s fashion weeks.
• "All eyes will really be on Paris, where Véronique Nichanian is doing her final collection for Hermès before Grace Wales Bonner takes over. She’s been at the house for a record-breaking 37 year tenure.” – Grace Charlton [55:31]
• Uncertainty about men’s fashion week future; economic reality possibly reducing events.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On precedent of U.S. action:
“Yet again, a stab into the multilateral system, further erosion of norms and rules.” — Guraana Gurgic [11:49]

On European diplomatic responses:
“Everyone else basically is trying to walk this kind of very challenging diplomatic tightrope.” — Guraana Gurgic [08:05]

On food and cultural resilience in Italy:
“If it means getting that better cut of meat... Italians just are going to continue to enjoy into 2026.” – Anita Riota [52:09]

On the undamming of rivers:
“This was the biggest dam removal project in US history, at least. And so it’s really hopeful...” — Michael O. Petrillo [39:00]

Overall Tone

The episode is incisive and analytical, balancing measured concern for the international order with knowledgeable, sometimes wry, commentary on unfolding events. The tone reflects both the seriousness of unprecedented U.S. global actions and the world’s cautious, often uneasy, response.

Summary Table of Key Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Time | |-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|---------| | Headlines/Preview | Episode introduction & agenda | 01:09 | | Maduro Arrest, UN | Legal, political reactions to Maduro's detention | 03:32 | | Iran Protests | Unrest in Iran, risk of U.S. intervention | 13:06 | | European Press | Europe/Nordic reaction, Ukraine, Greenland | 22:10 | | Portuguese Election | Presidential campaign analysis | 32:43 | | Undamming Rivers | Oregon's Klamath River, global relevance | 37:58 | | Paris/Italy News | Regional news, social media ban, museum attendance, Italy | 45:25 | | Fashion Preview | Pitti Uomo, Milan & Paris Men’s Fashion Weeks | 54:00 |

This episode of The Globalist offers a thorough, nuanced analysis of world events as the rules-based global order faces new and unpredictable tests in 2026.