Mike Pompeo on Trump's Strategy for Venezuela and Iran Protests

Trump's Strategy for Venezuela

• 💡 Mike Pompeo argues that the current administration should not believe that Venezuelan officials will do anything more than stall for time while securing their positions.
• 🎯 He emphasizes that Maduro's cronies are committed to continuing their system of theft and plunder, and power should be returned to democratically elected leaders.
• 🔑 Pompeo supports reopening the US embassy in Venezuela to begin building a democratic opportunity for its people.

Iran Protests and Regime Instability

• ⚠️ Pompeo views the protests in Iran as signs of a death spiral for the regime, exacerbated by economic hardship and military setbacks.
• 🇺🇸 He commends President Trump's strategy of supporting the Iranian people by keeping the internet accessible and reminding them of American support.
• ⚡ The former Secretary of State believes the regime is at its weakest point due to the dismantling of its proxies and the widespread nature of the current protests.

Potential Triggers for Regime Change

• 💥 Pompeo suggests that the fall of IRGC leadership and their diminished capacity to control and repress could be a trigger for larger demonstrations.
• 🤝 He anticipates that some within the regime will seek to align with the opposition, claiming to have always been supportive of the people.
• 🇺🇸 President Trump has warned the Iranian leadership that the US will take significant action if they resort to mass killings of protesters, signaling a readiness to use American power.
• ⚖️ The crucial trigger may involve the regular army (Artesh) refusing to attack their own citizens, creating a window for the Iranian people to act.