The Monocle Daily — November 6, 2025

Where will Trump's fight with Venezuela go next?

Episode Overview

In this episode, Andrew Muller is joined by Marta Lorimer (lecturer in politics at Cardiff University) and Andrew Thompson (Latin America specialist and contributor to Latin News). The trio tackles pressing global issues: the US military buildup off Venezuela and Trump's evolving intentions, the state of French politics amid harsh criticism of Emmanuel Macron, the lessons for European left parties from New York’s mayoral race, resting eternally among legends in Paris, and the massive World Travel Market event in London. The discussion combines sharp analysis, dry wit, and memorable moments, making tough topics palatable and engaging.

Main Segment: US Policy and Military Activity Toward Venezuela

Timestamps: 04:10–11:14

Key Discussion Points

• US Naval Presence Off Venezuela

  • The US has deployed 18 Navy vessels, including a large aircraft carrier, off Venezuela’s coast.
  • While significant, Andrew Thompson notes this is "not enough to invade Venezuela" (05:33), requiring "hundreds of thousands" of troops for a full-scale invasion versus the current ~50,000 involved.

• Trump’s Shifting Rhetoric and Intentions

  • Trump has sent mixed messages: at times backing off military action, then appearing to consider intervention (even shifting focus to Nigeria at one point, humorously noted by Muller).
  • The likely aim is not outright regime change, but rather ongoing "destabilization and tension," with expanded operations against alleged drug cartel targets.
  • Thompson suggests: “The United States…is making the situation more and more difficult for President Nicolas Maduro in the hope that the regime will eventually cave in…” (06:17).

• Historical Lessons and Trump’s Motivations

  • Recent US-led regime changes haven’t been "great success stories,” Lorimer notes (06:48), and she questions Trump’s interest in entanglements given his stated “America First” policy.
  • Both panelists doubt the US public has any “appetite for another Afghanistan” (07:18).
  • There is some support inside Venezuela for intervention, but “that will always be…a temporary arrangement,” warns Thompson (08:03), risking yet another US military quagmire.

• Why the Obsession with Venezuela?

  • Muller and Lorimer debate why Trump is fixated on Venezuela, positing oil as a probable motive: “Venezuela actually has oil and…this is a bit of a kleptocracy at this point" (09:51).
  • However, any US motive is complicated by the country's deep oil sector mismanagement.

Notable Quotes

• Thompson (Military Limitations):
  "That is not enough to invade Venezuela, which is actually quite a decent sized country with jungles and mountains…and so Trump's promise of never repeating the so-called forever wars…would eventually fall apart because he would be getting stuck into Venezuela." (05:33, 08:23)

• Lorimer (On Regime Change):
  "The last couple of decades of American-sponsored regime change haven't really given us some great success stories… it does seem more likely that he would try to… do enough to encourage someone else on the ground rather than intervene." (06:48)

France: Macron’s Legacy and Political Turmoil

Timestamps: 11:14–18:35

Key Discussion Points

• Macron Under Fire

  • Former advisor Alain Minc denounces Macron as "the worst president of the Fifth Republic," calling him a "narcissist” (11:50).
  • Lorimer counters, “At least Macron can say, look, my first mandate went well enough that people were willing to give me a second chance. … He is not, as of this broadcast, in prison.” (12:01–12:28)
  • Macron faces criticism for failing the rise of the National Rally and for a lack of institutional reform.

• Splintered Political Landscape

  • France's parliament is fractured between irreconcilable blocs.
  • Lorimer argues Macron is responsible for not building coalitions, especially with the left, and for centralizing selections and power (14:56–15:58).
  • Both guests acknowledge the broader European trend of splintered party systems and weak inter-party cooperation.

• Leadership Style & Narcissism

  • Thompson observes, “They [Macron, Trump] are too narcissistic and they should tone it down a bit and think about other people and coalition building and other such things as a different form of leadership” (18:35).

Notable Quotes

• Lorimer (On Macron’s Claim to Legacy):
  "We are now in a situation where, last week, for the first time in French history, the parliament voted for a motion that was proposed by the radical right… this is unprecedented territory." (12:47)

• Thompson (On Leadership):
  "I think in general narcissism is a bad thing. But…they have to have some degree of narcissism to motivate them." (18:35)

Lessons from New York: Can the Left Copy Mamdani’s Model?

Timestamps: 19:17–24:48

Key Discussion Points

• Zorah Mamdani’s Victory in NYC

  • European parties are eager to emulate Mamdani, NYC’s new socialist mayor, but Lorimer urges caution: “Your electorate is not New York City… you can’t really extrapolate from what happens locally to the national level.” (20:08)
  • The unique urban diversity and local issues do not necessarily translate to European contexts.

• What Makes a Transferable Campaign?

  • Thompson discusses the importance of candidate charisma, campaign technique (door-knocking, social media), and substantive policy promises.
  • He notes: “His European admirers need to come back in a year's time to check how it's going and whether he's encountered difficulties or not” (21:49).

• Broader Challenges for the European Left

  • Lorimer and Thompson emphasize that European left parties’ bigger problem is substantive: formulating a focus on economic policies that move beyond “neoliberalism written in red” (23:16).
  • Mamdani’s local policies may not scale up due to economic and political realities.

Notable Quotes

• Lorimer (On Lessons for the Left):
  "I think the left generally realizes that we're past 'Third Way.' We've moved into a new era where you need to think about economics differently again, because voters actually still care about economics." (23:27)

• Thompson (On Campaign Techniques):
  "His campaign was both old-fashioned…knocking on doors and, you know, cutting edge in the sense that they were doing a lot on social media, TikTok and so on." (21:49)

Eternity Among the Dead: Paris Cemetery Plots for Sale

Timestamps: 25:31–29:32

Key Discussion Points

• Père Lachaise Offers New Plots

  • New lottery for burial spots among legends (Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, etc.) at €4,000, plus requirement to restore a headstone.
  • Thompson jokes about wanting “flashing lights” or customized poetry on his future tomb (26:17).
  • Lorimer prefers Montmartre or obscure locations in Italy or Shetland for a peaceful resting place, creatively riffing on cultural connections.

• Humorous Banter

  • Muller and Lorimer humorously reflect on obscure family plots and remote burial sites.
  • “Are we both descended from criminals?” asks Muller; "No, my grandfather was a doctor," replies Lorimer (29:32–29:35).

World Travel Market: Global Showcase in London

Timestamps: 30:09–36:33

Key Discussion Points

• Record-Setting Attendance

  • Over 46,000 participants, 4,000 exhibitors from 182 countries.
  • Buyers are up 9%, and meetings up 30%.
  • Major presences include Morocco, Saudi, Egypt (with museum recreation), and technological sector growing fast (travel tech up 55%).

• Major Themes & Economic Impact

  • Theme: “Travel in a Changing World,” seeking to build bridges amid global tensions.
  • Estimated £300 million boost to London’s economy.
  • New features: VIP lounges, TrendFest (experiential adventures), and WTM TV for remote content access.

Notable Quotes

• Chris Carter Chapman (on growth):
  “At last year's World Travel Market, we signed over £2.2 billion worth of deals over the course of the three days… it looks like we're going to surpass that number this year.” (31:16)

• On London as host:
  “It's such a center of global tourism, of global aviation, of global transport…people really look forward to their trip to London every year in November.” (36:04)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Venezuela:
  “The conventional view…is that there are now…18 US Navy vessels in the southern Caribbean and parts of the Pacific…But that is not enough to invade Venezuela.” — Andrew Thompson, (05:06)

• On Macron's Critics:
  “At least Macron…is not, as of this broadcast, in prison.” — Andrew Muller, (12:28)

• On replicating NYC’s mayoral race in Europe:
  “Your electorate is not New York City.” — Marta Lorimer, (20:08)

• On TikTok politicians:
  “Do we…have to brace ourselves as citizens of democracies for lots and lots of excruciating video grabs being made by awkward middle-aged politicians trying to be cool on TikTok?” — Andrew Muller, (24:16)

• On cemetery choices:
  “If I had to pick a cemetery where I would like to be buried, I saw some wonderful places in Shetland where you're just absolutely remote. Sea view, nothing but sheep. I think I would quite like that.” — Marta Lorimer, (27:57)

Summary

This episode of The Monocle Daily blends hard-hitting geopolitical analysis with playful, cosmopolitan banter. Complex issues—Trump's evolving Venezuela policy, French political crises, and the challenges of left-wing resurgence—are dissected with insight and candor, while segments on funerary plots and the frenetic World Travel Market provide lighter, thoughtful perspectives. The panel's broad expertise and wit shine, making international politics, policy, and culture accessible, nuanced, and highly engaging.

For listeners seeking context, clarity, and a dash of irreverence, this episode encapsulates the global mood of late 2025.