Producer's note: Apologies for the long absence from the show. As I explain in the first few minutes of this episode, I have been busy launching some new shows in addition to this special episode, currently only available on the YouTube channel. More great content for the main feed and bonus feed coming soon! Max Ajl returns to the show to reflect on some of the wider historical contexts that laid the groundwork for the calamity that was 2025. This was recorded 2 days before the flagrant kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro Watch the video edition on The East is a Podcast YouTube channel Consider supporting the show www.patreon.com/east_podcast