While Starmer's decision about what to say about Venezuela matters, what perhaps matters event more is the UK's strategic response. Now is the time to decrease our reliance on the US - building relationships with a wider set of countries who share our values and are more reliable partners.

Starmer is under pressure after refusing to denounce Trump over Venezuela. This is a tricky tight rope for the PM who wants to keep relations with the US positive while also standing up for international law and sovereignty.

And with most of Venezuela's oil currently going to China this opens up another front for US/China competition. Natural resources seem likely to drive increased tension in this new year and beyond.

Donald Trump has vowed to tap into Venezuela's oil reserves. This conflict / natural resources playbook is starting to feel familiar: the US has also sought to use its role in the Russia/Ukraine conflict to secure access to critical minerals.

🌎 Jon Garvie is former chief of staff to the foreign secretary, with deep experience in geopolitics and government. At IPPR, Jon will work on UK foreign and security policy and the energy transition. www.ippr.org/profile/jon-...

📈 Rav Athwal is a former special adviser for economic policy to the prime minister and author of Labour’s 2024 manifesto. Rav joins IPPR to work on our economic growth programme and support our work on the Decade of National Renewal. www.ippr.org/profile/rav-...

🏘️ @rosegrayston.bsky.social is a leading housing policy expert with 15 years’ experience across government and civil society. Rose will work with IPPR on delivering genuinely affordable homes in sustainable, well-designed communities. www.ippr.org/profile/rose...