Katie Halper: Former Army Ranger Explains Trump's Venezuela Disaster
Posted by sashimi on January 7, 2026, 12:42 am
Military veterans Greg Stoker and Mike Prysner break down what Trump is really doing in Venezuela. Then Bolivia-based reporter Ollie Vargas discusses what is happening in Venezuela and it impacts the rest of South America. And Chris Gilbert joins us from Caracas.
Greg Stoker is a former United States Army Ranger. He has a background in special operations and human intelligence collection. He conducted 4 combat deployments to Afghanistan during the unfortunately named "Global War On Terror" and is now an anti-war activist, host of the Colonial Outcasts Podcast, and analyst at MintPress News.
Mike Prysner joined the Army 3 months before the 9/11 attacks, and in March 2003 was part of the invasion of Iraq. After 12 months in the occupation he became an outspoken opponent of the war, and became known for speeches, protests, and veterans' organizing against US imperialism. Since 2015 he has been the producer & co-writer for Abby Martin's show The Empire Files, and is also the host of Eyes Left, a socialist anti-war military podcast. Mike is co-director with Abby Martin of the documentary Earth Greatest Enemy.
Ollie Vargas is a Bolivian reporter now based in Beijing.
Chris Gilbert is professor of political studies, Universidad Bolivariana de Venezuela, co-host and co-creator of the Marxist educational podcast and television program Escuela de Cuadros. He's the Author of the book "Commune or Nothing! Venezuela's Communal Movement and Its Socialist Project" and a Contributing editor at Monthly Review Magazine.
of vertical v horizontal. I understand the need to combat the algorithm but it's just pointless minutes. Just as the Stoker Prsyner convo was getting good it gets paywalled. grrThe corporate media are complicit in the Gaza genocide. Never forget what they did. Never forgive them for it.
Unfortunately, I didn't catch it live last night when the entirety was available. (nm)
Just general bitching about the "just as it's getting interesting we're going to make you pay for it". They have to earn to keep doing their good work so I understand it, but it still grates sometimes.
It seems more facts are coming out as time goes on so who knows how the story will change in the coming days.The corporate media are complicit in the Gaza genocide. Never forget what they did. Never forgive them for it.
I didn't imagine it was. I started watching about 40 mins in where the army chaps were still talking
Posted by sashimi on January 7, 2026, 8:12 am, in reply to "Not a dig at you :)"
but I'd just spent four! hours on the phone with a long lost acquaintance and wanted sleep.
BTW, the Maureens carry even less weight on their runs than regular grunts, a holdover from WW2 selection. The RAF Regiment are the absolute dregs but the SFSG intake have to pass Para selection, but their training still leaves a lot to be desired.
Another thing drives me mad with Katy is the fairly regular breakdowns
when they search for a clip or slide or video or whatever. I gather some of the software these type of shows employ sometimes isn't the easiest to use but this almost seems like lack of preparation to me.
Whatever the cause it does reduce the level of show somewhat.
The corporate media are complicit in the Gaza genocide. Never forget what they did. Never forgive them for it.
on January 7, 2026, 12:42 am