NEWSCLIPS
1. Imperial fantasy ABC News (Laura Tingle), 6-7 January 2026 The kidnapping of the Maduras from Venezuala "has ripped up the final vestiges of expectations that nation states will act in a way which recognises international and legal and international norms. It reflects a view of the world which is carved up by great powers within an implicit agreement that they will not intervene in each other's backyards: In Russia's case, Ukraine, and in China's, Taiwan." America's President Trump "is seeking to run not just Venezuala but the broader 'Western Hemisphere' by threat of further action" on punitive tariffs, marine asset seizures, or sanctions ... This revisionist policy "was formalised in the release of the U.S national security strategy last month. At the heart of the strategy ... is a focus on controlling the Western Hemisphere ― the broader Americas ― that it says is there to serve U.S. purposes." The United Stat...