PRC Anti-US Rhetoric: The PRC is using the capture of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro to portray the US negatively and present itself as a responsible actor and leader of the “Global South.”
PRC-Venezuela Relations: The PRC may take efforts to de-risk its relationship with Venezuela economically, while continuing to support it rhetorically. The PRC will likely protect its economic and energy interests in Venezuela amid a possible regime change.
PRC Lessons Learned from US Operation in Venezuela: The PRC may learn operational lessons from the US capture of Maduro to use in its war planning against Taiwan. It has very likely already considered the requirements for a “decapitation” strike against Taiwan, however, so this is unlikely to change the PRC’s strategy.
Taiwanese Constitutional Crises: Taiwan is currently undergoing two constitutional crises following the Constitutional Court’s overturning of regulations paralyzing the Court from issuing rulings and opposition legislators pushing for the impeachment of Lai administration officials. Continued domestic political crises may lead to distrust in Taiwanese institutions and reduced government effectiveness.
China & Taiwan Update, January 9, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War)
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