Latest news for 16 October 2025

VENEZUELA

Trump approves CIA ops.

Building on recent maritime deployments and airstrikes billed as counternarcotic efforts, President Trump has now told reporters he’s authorised covert CIA operations — and is considering strikes — on Venezuelan territory. (Guardian)

Comment: Trump’s aim — particularly publicising something that’s ordinarily covert — is clearly to put pressure on the Maduro regime, already rattled by the Nobel Peace Prize going to a pro-democracy opposition figure (Corina). What’s less clear is whether this US pressure will destabilise Maduro’s grip on power, or entrench him even further as the nation’s defender against the gringos.

RUSSIA

Poor showing.

Putin was supposed to host his big Russia-Arab summit in Moscow yesterday (Wednesday), but instead issued a last-minute postponement after only a handful of his 22 invitees confirmed. (Bloomberg $)

Comment: First, lmao. Second, this was supposed to showcase his support and influence across the Middle East, but it did the opposite as the region instead works with the US to cement the Gaza peace plan. Third, the region’s leaders will be aware that, while schlepping to Moscow would be a big gift to Putin, there’s not a whole lot Putin can offer in return while he languishes in Ukraine. Still, Putin did meet Syria’s new leader (al-Sharaa), who suggested Russia might keep its bases in Syria — we just wonder if al-Sharaa wants Putin to hand over Syria’s ex-dictator (Assad) for trial first.

PAKISTAN

Ceasefire.

Pakistan has agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire with neighbouring Afghanistan after their deadliest border clashes in years. Most crossings remain closed. (Al Jazeera)

Comment: We wrote about the sudden escalation on Monday.

CAMBODIA

Scammy business.

British and US authorities have seized $15B in bitcoin and sanctioned Cambodian conglomerate Prince Group and its founder, Chen Zhi, alleging he was running “one of the largest investment fraud operations in history.” (Independent)

Comment: Phnom Penh (ruled by the Hun political dynasty) has been a little defensive if cautious in its comments about this case: that aligns with reports it enjoys close ties with the Prince Group, but is wary of running afoul of the US and UK.

ARGENTINA

Strings attached.

President Trump has suggested his administration’s $20B financial lifeline for Buenos Aires could be contingent on political ally and Argentine counterpart, Javier Milei, doing well at next weekend’s mid-term elections. (BA Times)

Comment: The US president denies trying to help Milei at the ballot box, but his blunt framing could still have the opposite effect. Currency markets certainly shuddered.

KENYA

Legendary politician dies.

Former PM, perennial presidential candidate, and influential statesman Raila Odinga (80) has died of a heart attack during a trip to India. He’d recently signed a pact to bring his opposition party into a kind of unity government with Kenya’s embattled president, William Ruto. (Africa News)