Topic: Axios

Reports from Axios indicate the Trump administration is in talks with Venezuela's interim government regarding an ownership stake in the country's oil resources. Matt Long recounts his personal travels to Maracaibo, describing the decay of oil infrastructure after the expulsion of American operators like Chevron.

CBS News confirms Axios reports regarding the U.S. military's protection of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. During a rally, Donald Trump explicitly referred to the Strait of Hormuz as "American territory." The hosts analyze the strategic depth of the Omani side of the strait compared to the Iranian side, which facilitates safer passage for large tankers under U.S. protection.

The United States has initiated a naval blockade of Iran, which President Trump described as "Economic D-Day" in an all-caps post. This economic warfare has contributed to a 30% increase in domestic gas prices as oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped from 20 million to 5 million barrels per day. Reports from Axios suggest the U.S. is conducting stealth operations to transport approximately 10 million barrels a day through the contested region.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg released a 14-page manifesto outlining an optimistic vision for AI and a return to open-source development. The document addresses environmental concerns, job creation, and pushes back against government-imposed "guardrails" that could create a competitive moat for larger firms. The hosts discuss how AI is becoming a tool for non-coders to build functional business applications.