# Why Twitter Was Open During the Maduro Raid? Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNU9yDwvUDU Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/WNU9yDwvUDU Generated: 2026-01-06T20:33:53.75+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Twitter/X was open during Operation Absolute Resolve because the operation's goal was driven by the desire for internet attention and memes, rather than genuine geopolitical action, which is exemplified by the presence of a screen showing the X interface during the raid planning. **Key Points:** - The operation to capture the leader of Venezuela, referenced as Operation Absolute Resolve, was allegedly driven by the desire to create content that looked good on the internet, or for memes. - The video shows an image of individuals in a room, presumably planning the operation, with a large screen displaying the X (formerly Twitter) interface. - The presenter argues that the power of these actors comes from their ability to gain attention on the internet and convert that attention into corrupt money or patronage jobs. - The speaker critiques the action as being driven by 'likership' and social media performance rather than statesmanship, contrasting it with the 1993 Motorola cell phone and the 2001 Black Hawk Down incident. - The video uses examples like the Black Hawk Down rescue mission (02:10) and the use of ISR technology (00:54) to contrast real-world operational needs with what the speaker perceives as meme-driven political actions. - The speaker mentions that open-source information (OSINT) from social media posts, like those showing gunfire in Caracas (01:48), can provide valuable intelligence for locating downed pilots or targets. - The creator, Ryan McBeth, who describes himself as researching digital history and culture (00:43), promotes his book, 'Lies to Rule Men: Book Two of the Deseret Series' (03:56). ![Screenshot at 00:00: The host, Ryan McBeth, begins the video in front of a wall covered in military patches, setting the context for a discussion that bridges military/intelligence topics with digital culture.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WNU9yDwvUDU/00-00-00.jpg) **Context:** The video features Ryan McBeth, who identifies himself as a software engineer specializing in C4ISR and Cyber Intelligence (CybINT), discussing a political operation allegedly aimed at capturing the leader of Venezuela, referencing a photo of individuals in a room with a large screen displaying X/Twitter. McBeth contrasts this event with historical military operations, like the 2001 Black Hawk Down incident, to argue that modern political actions are often motivated by social media performance and the pursuit of online attention rather than serious statecraft or immediate necessity. ## Detailed Analysis The video argues that the operation depicted in the photo—purportedly involving the capture of the leader of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, referenced as Operation Absolute Resolve—was primarily motivated by the desire for social media attention and memes, rather than genuine geopolitical necessity or statesmanship. The central piece of visual evidence cited is the presence of a large screen in the operations room displaying the X (Twitter) interface (00:19), suggesting the platform's activity was being monitored or was central to the operation's goals. McBeth asserts that the actors involved are "influencers, not public servants," whose power derives from their ability to capture internet attention and convert it into corrupt wealth or patronage. He contrasts this with genuine military intelligence needs, referencing how open-source intelligence (OSINT) from social media images (01:48) is used to locate downed pilots, contrasting that with the current situation. He also contrasts the modern reliance on 'likership' with historical military professionalism, using footage from 'Black Hawk Down' (02:10) and showing a 1993 Motorola cell phone (02:17) to illustrate the technological and operational gap. McBeth concludes by stating that this specific event was not a genuine case of statesmanship but rather an exercise in generating content, implying the operation's primary deliverable was social media engagement. ### Operation Context and Critique - Operation Absolute Resolve to capture Venezuela's leader was allegedly for memes and internet attention - The operation room featured a large screen displaying X/Twitter, indicating a focus on online presence. ### The Nature of Modern Power - Actors are influencers, not public servants, deriving power from internet attention converted into corruption and patronage jobs - This is contrasted with genuine statesmanship. ### Intelligence Applications - OSINT from social media posts (like reports of gunfire in Caracas at 01:48) provides valuable real-time intelligence for tactical operations like locating downed pilots (02:38). ### Historical and Technological Contrast - The video contrasts current events with the 1993 Motorola cell phone (02:17) and the 2001 Black Hawk Down rescue (02:10) to highlight a perceived decline in seriousness. ### Promotional Segment - The creator, Ryan McBeth, promotes his book, 'Lies to Rule Men: Book Two of the Deseret Series,' available on Amazon and Audible (03:56). ![Screenshot at 00:05: A scene from what appears to be a staging room for the operation, showing several men in suits standing around a table with former President Trump, while a large screen displays the X social media interface.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WNU9yDwvUDU/00-00-05.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:02: A clip showing a person, presumably the leader of Venezuela, being escorted in handcuffs by agents on a rug marked 'DEA NYD'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WNU9yDwvUDU/00-01-02.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:07: An unmanned aerial vehicle \(drone\) firing a missile against a clear blue sky over a desert landscape, illustrating military surveillance/reconnaissance \(ISR\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WNU9yDwvUDU/00-01-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 02:55: An animated graphic displaying facial recognition technology overlaying a silhouette, representing the ability to identify individuals via digital metadata.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WNU9yDwvUDU/00-02-55.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:36: A BBC News headline reading, 'We need Greenland': Trump repeats threat to annex Danish territory, used as an example of attention-seeking behavior.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/WNU9yDwvUDU/00-03-36.jpg)