President Trump is applying stiff sanctions against Venezuela and demanding that Nicholas Maduro give up power, but Maduro isn't leaving and the tough U.S. stance may actually be helping China, Russia, and Iran gain a foothold in the Americas.

The Trump administration wants to see Maduro go in favor of Juan Guaido, but instead of folding under the pressure of U.S.-led diplomacy, Maduro is now cozying up to some of our greatest adversaries.

American Foreign Policy Council Senior Fellow Larry Haas, a former Clinton administration official, says the U.S. demand for Maduro to go is futile and that Trump doesn't have other leverage - much like President Obama's demand for Bashar al-Assad to give up power in Syria back in 2013.

Listen to the full podcast to hear Haas explain why he believes the Trump administration is weakening its position on Venezuela through actions taken on other issues.  He also explain what policy positions might be more effective and why China, Russia, and Iran are so interested in helping Maduro.