Swamp Notes: Why Trump wants to ‘run’ other countries

This is a repeat of an episode published on Swamp Notes, a sister podcast of the FT News Briefing on January 9, 2026. Subscribe to Swamp Notes on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.After a military operation to capture Venezuela's leader, the Trump administration is seeking influence over other regions across the western hemisphere. The FT’s national editor Edward Luce and US-Europe foreign affairs correspondent Amy Mackinnon share their insights on how Trump and his cabinet have come to embrace the idea of foreign intervention.Mentioned in this podcast:Trump really wants GreenlandUS says using military is among ‘options’ to acquire GreenlandHow the US’s audacious operation to capture Nicolás Maduro unfoldedSign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter hereSwamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino, and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.CREDIT: Roll Call, CNN, Democracy Now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glencore and Rio Tinto resume mining megamerger talks, protests in Iran over economic conditions are the largest in years, and the US trade deficit narrowed to its lowest level since 2009. Plus, is there a right way for chief executives to exit a company? Mentioned in this podcast:Glencore and Rio Tinto resume talks on mining megadealIran protests spread to neglected hinterlandsUS trade deficit slides to lowest level since 2009 in OctoberArt of the exit: is there a right way for CEOs to quit?CREDIT: Reuters Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig, and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US wants to control Venezuelan oil sales ‘indefinitely’ but the ‘catastrophic’ state of the Latin American nation’s crude facilities presents several hurdles. Plus, President Donald Trump banned institutional investors from buying single-family homes, and the UK and France pledged to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of sweeping US-backed security guarantees.Mentioned in this podcast:US seeks to control sales of Venezuelan oil ‘indefinitely’The ‘catastrophic’ state of Venezuela’s oil facilitiesDonald Trump moves to ban institutional investors from buying single-family homesFrance and UK commit to deploying troops under proposed Ukraine peace dealCredit: CNBC TelevisionNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leading asset managers are positioning for a sharp sell-off in US technology stocks, Venezuela’s government has launched a crackdown after the US captured Nicolás Maduro, and the Trump administration is meeting with executives from US oil majors to discuss its strategy for Venezuela. Plus, the FT’s Joe Leahy explains how US involvement in Venezuela could affect China. Mentioned in this podcast:Fund managers prepare for ‘reckoning’ in US tech sectorVenezuela launches wave of repression after US seizure of Nicolás MaduroUS oil tankers sail towards Venezuela as risk of production ‘collapse’ loomsChina’s influence in US backyard tested by Nicolás Maduro’s downfallNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts  Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael Lello.The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco trafficking charges, and smaller private investors are eager to invest in Venezuelan oil. Plus, Chinese carmarkers are expected to increase exports this year, and we’ll look at how south-east Asia has been riding out Trump’s tariff storm. Mentioned in this podcast:Maduro pleads not guilty to drug-trafficking charges in New York courtWhat is Trump’s plan for Venezuelan oil?Ex-Chevron executive seeks $2bn for Venezuelan oil projectsChinese car exports set to jump as domestic sales coolHow south-east Asia is riding out Trump’s tariff stormNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Kaye Wiggins, Gavin Kallmann, and Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump has warned Venezuela’s defacto leader she must meet America’s demands following Nicolas Maduro’s capture. We explore what Trump hopes to achieve in the Latin American country, and the challenges ahead for its people and resource-rich oil industry. Mentioned in this podcast:Trump topples Maduro and vows to ‘run’ Venezuela in stark display of US powerDonald Trump warns Venezuelan rulers as Washington prepares to dictate policyWashington plans to put oil at the heart of Venezuela’s futureNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig and produced by Julia Webster and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Emily Goldberg. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comSource: White House, NBC, CNN Espanol Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Financial Times columnist Gillian Tett predicted that the Magnificent 7 tech stocks were not going to fall, but they wouldn’t ride a lot higher either in 2025. What actually happened was a bit of a mixed bag, and Gillian says that sets these companies up for diverging paths in 2026. The era of an artificial intelligence tide lifting all boats seems to be drawing to an end. Mentioned in this podcast:Forecasting the World in 2025 Forecasting the world in 2026Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Victoria Craig and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe’s banking industry could shed 10 per cent of its workforce by 2030. Plus, the FT’s US national editor and columnist Edward Luce predicted America’s president would not fall out with one-time “first buddy”, billionaire Elon Musk in 2025. He explains why they could form a new kind of alliance in 2026.  Mentioned in this podcast:AI forecast to put 200,000 European banking jobs at risk by 2030Forecasting the World in 2025 Forecasting the world in 2026Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippinio. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Credits: The White House, Fox News, CBS, APRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FT’s Europe editor Ben Hall thought there would be a Ukraine peace deal in 2025. Despite lots of back and forth over ceasefire proposals, an agreement has yet to materialise. The negotiations reveal a lot about the relationship between the west and Russia. Can the countries come to an agreement in 2026?Mentioned in this podcast:Forecasting the World in 2025 Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for 50-year US security guarantee for UkraineNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Victoria Craig and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump hosted Ukraine’s leader at Mar-a-Lago for high-stakes peace talks but failed to reach a breakthrough. Plus, FT markets columnist Katie Martin predicted that in 2025, the bond market would creak but not break. She explains why it held up and whether that will continue in 2026. Mentioned in this podcast:Trump and Zelenskyy talks fail to deliver breakthrough on Ukraine peace dealForecasting the World in 2025 Unhedged podcastNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippinio. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Adam Samson and Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. Credit: White HouseRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.