The Next Phase: Trump’s Foreign Policy Re-Pivot

With the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, the Trump administration has signaled that Venezuela is only the first “domino” in a broader restructuring of global influence. While the administration maintains a transitional oversight role in Caracas, the President has already redirected his “Maximum Pressure” doctrine toward three primary theaters: Iran, the Mexican Border, and Gaza.

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I. Regional “Pacification” and the Cartel War

Having successfully toppled a primary adversary in the Western Hemisphere, Trump is now turning his sights toward the Mexican Cartels.

• Military Designation: Following Executive Order 14157, the administration is treating cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), justifying the use of special operations within Mexican territory.
• Economic Leverage: The 25% tariff threat remains the administration’s primary tool to force Mexico and Canada into total compliance regarding migrant flows and fentanyl interdiction.

II. The “Gaza Reconstruction” Initiative

In the Middle East, the administration has pivoted from traditional diplomacy to a corporate-style restructuring of the Gaza Strip.

• The Special Economic Zone: The proposed plan treats Gaza as a transitional territory managed by a U.S.-led coalition. The goal is a total overhaul of the infrastructure funded by regional partners, conditional on the total removal of existing political factions.
• Regional Resettlement: A key—and highly controversial—pillar of this project includes negotiating the relocation of Palestinian populations to neighboring states to “reset” the region’s security map.

III. Strategic Escalation with Iran

The ousting of Maduro has emboldened the administration’s stance toward Tehran. Following the June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the current project is the total economic and kinetic isolation of the regime.

• Network Neutralization: By designating various Muslim Brotherhood chapters as terrorists, the U.S. aims to sever the “land bridge” of Iranian influence across Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt.

IV. The “New Realism” in Europe

Trump’s “National Security Strategy 2025” seeks to finalize a “Strategic Stability” deal with Russia.

• The Ukraine Pivot: The administration is pushing for a rapid conclusion to the Russia-Ukraine war, favoring a settlement that includes territorial concessions. The goal is to offload European security costs onto the EU while shifting U.S. military focus toward the Indo-Pacific.

Summary of Trump’s 2026 Foreign Policy Projects

Project	Primary Objective	Status
Venezuela	Stable transition & resource security	In Progress
Mexico	Combatting FTO Cartels via military force	Escalating
Iran	Denuclearization & proxy containment	High Tension
Gaza	Creation of a Special Economic Zone	Proposed