PDB Situation Report | January 10th, 2026: Former CIA Caracas Chief Explains What’s Next For Venezuela & Iran’s Regime On The Brink

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report:

• First up—less than a week after a United States special operations mission removed Nicolás Maduro from power, new details are emerging about how the operation unfolded and what comes next for Venezuela. We’re joined by Rick de la Torre, retired Central Intelligence Agency operations officer and former Station Chief in Caracas, with insight into both the mission itself and Washington’s long game in the region.

  
  

• Later in the show—nationwide demonstrations in Iran continue to escalate, shifting from economic grievances to open defiance of the regime’s legitimacy. Behnam Ben Taleblu from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies joins us to break down what this moment means for Tehran, how the regime may respond, and where the protests could be headed next.

  
  

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