Episode 185—Venezuela Armada and the EU’s Ukraine Deal

Today on the Flash Traffic Podcast we talk about the Venezuela Armada, the EU actually doing something, Ukraine strikes Russia, a Suburban SUV with a mini-gun, and more!

Content:

00:00 Venezuela's Oil Crisis and U.S. Military Presence

03:21 Trump's Ignorance and Military Leadership

06:20 Operation Southern Spear and Venezuelan Naval Escorts

09:06 The Real Reasons Behind U.S. Actions in Venezuela

12:04 U.S. Reputation in Latin America

15:04 Ukraine's Strategic Military Developments

18:02 European Support for Ukraine

20:41 Ukraine's Military Innovations and Challenges

23:34 Recent Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Assets

38:39 Analyzing Drone Warfare and Air Defense Systems

44:30 The CIA's Lost Nuclear Device

50:41 The Search for the Missing Nuclear Device

53:36 The Goofy Space Force and Military Innovations

59:15 Graphic Videos and the Absurdity of War

Articles and Videos:

1. Trump Orders Blockade of Some Oil Tankers to and From Venezuela - The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/us/politics/trump-blockade-venezuela-oil-tankers.html?searchResultPosition=1

2. Inside Congress Live — https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/12/17/congress/house-gop-narrowly-defeats-boat-strike-limits-00696784

3. With New E.U. Loan, Ukraine Avoids Budget Crunch and Can Plan War Effort - The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/world/europe/ukraine-russia-frozen-assets-loan.html

4. Ukraine Plan Calls For Enhanced Military, With U.S. and European Backup - The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/world/europe/ukraine-security-guarantees-talks.html?searchResultPosition=1

5. Ukraine ‘blows up £300m Russian submarine’ with underwater drones — https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/15/ukraine-blows-up-300m-russian-submarine-underwater-drones/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

6. Satellite Pix: Russian Missile Sub Hit by Ukraine Undersea Drone Is Stationary, Leaking Oil — https://www.kyivpost.com/post/66611

7. Strike in Belgorod Region Eliminates Two russian S-400 Air Defense Systems (Video) | Defense Express — https://en.defence-ua.com/news/strike_in_belgorod_region_eliminates_two_russian_s_400_air_defense_systems_video-16865.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

8. How Did the C.I.A. Lose a Nuclear Device in the Himalayas? - The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/12/13/world/asia/cia-nuclear-device-himalayas-nanda-devi.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

9. Space Force unveils new themes for weapon systems to boost identity — https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/12/12/space-force-unveils-new-themes-for-weapon-systems-to-boost-identity/

10. DVIDS - Video - Chief of Space Operations Guardian Motion Graphics — https://www.dvidshub.net/video/989521/chief-space-operations-guardian-motion-graphics

11. PATINA RESEARCH on X: "The Dillon Aero Convoy Escort Vehicle CEV offers VIP protection with CNC machined, aerospace grade components, including a concealed Dillon Aero M134D housed within the cabin. While the M134 remains completely undetectable, the system can be fully deployed in under three seconds https://t.co/Qf44cWUZiF" / X — https://x.com/patinaresearch/status/2001731740159635556

12. MAKS 25 🇺🇦👀 on X: "🔥 Impressive fire show! Two Russian "camels" carrying fuel to positions were destroyed using an FPV drone of the operator of the 414th brigade "Birds of Magyar". Pokrovsk direction, Donetsk region. https://t.co/4FJ7MKWcSa" / X — https://x.com/maks_nafo_fella/status/2000524897164874113?s=46