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In reply to the discussion: CIA working to arm Kurdish forces to spark uprising in Iran, sources say [View all]BumRushDaShow
(168,446 posts)23. But there is another reason and it's not the "oil barons" who aren't really interested at the moment
As I posted in another thread - https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=3626230
Recall the reason for invading and taking over Greenland.
Iran�s Rare Earth and Lithium Industries Strategic Development Analysis

It's all about the "tech bros" and making chips.
Iran�s Rare Earth and Lithium Industries Strategic Development Analysis

It's all about the "tech bros" and making chips.
And this applies to Venezuela too -
Link to tweet
The Kobeissi Letter
@KobeissiLetter
What about the rare earths?
Venezuela has significant, yet largely undeveloped, deposits of rare earth elements.
These are some of the same elements that nearly prompted new US 100% tariffs on China on October 10th.
Most of these undeveloped rare earth deposits sit in Venezuela's Orinoco Mining Arc.
Venezuelan government sources historically claimed the Orinoco Mining Arc holds at least ~300,000 metric tons of rare earth elements.
This could be worth well over $200 billion once exploration starts.
As the AI Revolution explodes, the value of these rare earths is skyrocketing.
President Trump has also stated the importance of rare earths to his Administration multiple times, including those held in Ukraine and China.
We think this will soon be the next focus point.
Image
Quote
Square profile picture
The Kobeissi Letter
@KobeissiLetter
·
Jan 4
The Venezuela plot thickens:
While Venezuela holds 303 BILLION barrels of oil reserves, much of this is HEAVY crude oil.
Texas and Louisiana also *happen* to have 6 of the LARGEST HEAVY crude oil refineries in the world.
What does this mean? Let us explain.
(a thread)
Image
1:34 PM · Jan 4, 2026
@KobeissiLetter
What about the rare earths?
Venezuela has significant, yet largely undeveloped, deposits of rare earth elements.
These are some of the same elements that nearly prompted new US 100% tariffs on China on October 10th.
Most of these undeveloped rare earth deposits sit in Venezuela's Orinoco Mining Arc.
Venezuelan government sources historically claimed the Orinoco Mining Arc holds at least ~300,000 metric tons of rare earth elements.
This could be worth well over $200 billion once exploration starts.
As the AI Revolution explodes, the value of these rare earths is skyrocketing.
President Trump has also stated the importance of rare earths to his Administration multiple times, including those held in Ukraine and China.
We think this will soon be the next focus point.
Image
Quote
Square profile picture
The Kobeissi Letter
@KobeissiLetter
·
Jan 4
The Venezuela plot thickens:
While Venezuela holds 303 BILLION barrels of oil reserves, much of this is HEAVY crude oil.
Texas and Louisiana also *happen* to have 6 of the LARGEST HEAVY crude oil refineries in the world.
What does this mean? Let us explain.
(a thread)
Image
1:34 PM · Jan 4, 2026


I suspect the biggest funders of 45's campaign were not the old school "oil barons" or "media barons" but the "tech bros", who need those mineral resources for more chips for their "tech". This is why all that crap with Greenland -

45 is spouting "oil" (because he is still stuck in that era), but some "tech bro"-associated advisor is whispering in his ear to go for other things that THEY need.
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CIA working to arm Kurdish forces to spark uprising in Iran, sources say [View all]
BumRushDaShow
Tuesday
OP
Why after all that has been done to the Kurds and broken promises by US - would the Kurds
Pachamama
Tuesday
#1
Exactly my first thought. IQ45 completely hung them out to dry vs. Turkey and probably burned that bridge
AZJonnie
Tuesday
#4
Trmp abandoned the Kurds on the battlefield last time. I doubt they'll be eager allies after that. nt
eppur_se_muova
Tuesday
#2
These are the same Kurds that we abandoned after the Iraqi war, right? In my opinion the biggest betrayal of an......
FadedMullet
Tuesday
#14
My mistake, it was American Marines who were the last off the embassy roof the morning of April 30th 1975.
FadedMullet
10 hrs ago
#24
The irony of today in this era, is that the U.S. is the LARGEST oil producer IN THE WORLD
BumRushDaShow
Tuesday
#16
But there is another reason and it's not the "oil barons" who aren't really interested at the moment
BumRushDaShow
Yesterday
#23