The Trump administration confronted multiple international crises this week as Iranian security forces killed between 1,000 and 12,000 protesters while Iraqi Shia militias deployed up to 5,000 fighters to suppress demonstrations in Tehran, Hamedan, and Mashhad. The United States consolidated control over Venezuelan oil following Nicolás Maduro’s seizure, completing $500 million in initial sales and seizing the sixth tanker in the Caribbean, while Vice President JD Vance broke a Senate tie to defeat congressional war powers restrictions. President Trump demanded Greenland acquisition for the planned $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense system despite 85 percent of Greenlanders opposing American ownership and Denmark rejecting the proposal as “totally unacceptable.” Gulf states actively lobbied Washington against Iran military intervention, with Saudi Arabia refusing use of its airspace for strikes. Trump leads the largest American delegation in World Economic Forum history to Davos next week, where experts ranked his trade policy the greatest threat to global stability after tariffs dragged real GDP down 1.1 percent in 2025.
Iran Protests
Amnesty International verified footage from a Kahrizak morgue showing at least 205 body bags. The regime shut down internet access January 8.
Iraqi Shia militias crossed through border points disguised as religious pilgrims before deploying to suppress protests. Treasury sanctioned Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani and provincial IRGC commanders on January 15. Trump threatened military action and claimed Iran cancelled 800 scheduled executions after US pressure.
Saudi Arabia told Washington it will not allow US use of Saudi airspace for strikes, while Qatar’s former Prime Minister declared military action would not serve America’s regional friends.
Venezuela Control
Trump and acting president Delcy Rodriguez held their first phone call January 14, discussing oil infrastructure rebuilding. Rodriguez announced oil sector reforms pledging changes to the Hydrocarbons Law limiting foreign involvement.
The Department of Energy announced completion of the first oil sales as part of a $2 billion deal. Coast Guard forces seized the sixth oil tanker on January 16. Vice President Vance broke a 50-50 Senate tie January 15 to defeat a war powers resolution requiring congressional approval for future operations.
Greenland Dispute
Trump declared anything less than American control “unacceptable,” citing the territory’s role in missile defense. Denmark announced a €5.6 billion Arctic defense package after Trump’s threats.
The January 14 White House meeting between Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Danish officials ended without resolution. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called American ownership “totally unacceptable.”
Rep. Randy Fine introduced the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act on January 13, authorizing Trump to take necessary steps to acquire the territory.
Davos Summit
The forum’s 2026 Global Risks Report ranks geoeconomic confrontation—sanctions and tariffs—as the top global threat. Oxford Economics estimates Trump’s tariffs will impose a 1.4 percent GDP drag in 2026. Trump’s delegation includes Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Support Independent Local Journalism — High Country Advocate was created as a real alternative to regional media that too often silences dissenting voices while taking sides in the political struggle. Producing in-depth, unflinching reporting like this series and others is expensive: servers, editing, research time, and legal review all add up quickly. If these articles have informed you or given you new perspective, please consider supporting HCA with a paid subscription — every subscriber helps keep this reporting strong and independent. 