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An oft-heard prediction in Kyiv a year ago held that when Trump realised Putin was not serious about peace, he would pivot to backing Ukraine fully, disregarding the Biden administration’s red lines and fear of escalation.

On Friday, Zelenskyy appointed his longstanding military intelligence head, Kyrylo Budanov, to be his chief of staff, after the resignation several weeks ago of Andrii Yermak, his closest advisor, in a corruption scandal.

Budanov, a mercurial and charismatic figure known for planning audacious operations against Russia, has good contacts with western intelligence agencies and also maintains contacts with Russia over prisoner exchanges. His appointment could signal a new approach to security and negotiations from Kyiv.

The coming year may also prove a challenging one for Zelenskyy politically, as the five-year presidential term to which he was elected in spring 2019 nears the seven-year mark.

Martial law in Ukraine prevents the holding of elections, and while there is widespread criticism of Zelensky’s leadership on a range of factors, the impossibility of a wartime election is one point on which there is a broad consensus across the Ukrainian political spectrum.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the former commander of Ukraine’s army and current ambassador to London, is widely seen as the most viable electoral challenger to Zelensky.

Zaluzhnyi has turned down previous offers to join Zelensky’s electoral team and is biding his time, having been sold on the idea of a political run but aware of the damage a competitive election could cause to Ukraine’s fragile wartime society.

“He’s not making any active preparations for a campaign, and his public position is that while the war continues he is not thinking about elections and not preparing for them,” said a source close to Zaluzhnyi. “Time will tell whether he goes into politics.”

The year ended with Russia claiming Ukraine had launched a massive drone attack on Putin’s residence, an act it said would be met with a tough response.

Moscow provided no evidence to back up the claim, with Kyiv insisting the whole story was fabricated, and the CIA reaching the same conclusion, according to US media outlets.

It was a reminder of how easy it would be, even if a ceasefire was agreed around elections or as part of a deal, for Russia to invent a thin pretext to relaunch its war.

#trump #peace #plan #setbacks #zelensky #russia

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📰 Saudi Arabia’s Booze Ban: The Quiet Revolution

Saudi Arabia is quietly lifting its decades-old ban on alcohol—no fanfare, no press release, just a discreet nod to modernization. In Riyadh, non-Muslim residents with premium status can now buy beer, wine, and spirits at a single, unmarked store.

This isn’t just about booze. It’s about image, money, and the kingdom’s bid to attract wealthy expats and tourists. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has spent years transforming Saudi Arabia: women drive, concerts happen, and bars are built—even if they were empty until now.

The process is low-key. At the liquor store, buyers show their residency card, prove they’re not Muslim, and stash their phones before browsing. The selection is decent, prices are high, but it’s still cheaper than the black market.

Analysts say the change is just the start. Expect alcohol at luxury resorts and hotels along the Red Sea, following Dubai’s playbook. The kingdom needs foreign cash, and relaxing moral rules is part of the pitch.

But it’s not a free-for-all. Alcohol will stay banned in religious cities like Mecca and Medina. The government is treading carefully, aware that most Saudis remain conservative.

As one longtime expat put it:

“It’s exciting. No more dangerous homemade liquor or overpriced smuggled bottles.”

So while Saudi Arabia still executes dissenters and bans homosexuality, it’s learning to serve a cocktail.

#SaudiArabia #alcohol #modernization #MBS #DubaiModel

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📰 Mar-a-Lago: Where Power, Marble, and Ice Sculptures Collide

President Trump’s presidency has become a permanent residency at Mar-a-Lago—where official governance, private business, and personal relationships converge in a swirl of marble, ice sculptures, and political optics.

This week, Trump’s motorcade pulled into an industrial shopping center to inspect samples of marble and onyx for a proposed White House ballroom. The purchase is “at his own expense,” a White House official said, but the timing is suspicious: construction can’t begin until federal review, and the ballroom project has already attracted scrutiny over donor influence and potential payoffs.

Trump has hosted foreign leaders, conducted diplomacy, and even overseen a military strike on Venezuela—all from his Florida estate. His social calendar is just as packed: 12 golf outings in two weeks, a New Year’s Eve party where guests bid $2.75 million on a live-painted portrait of Jesus, and a caviar station with a “2026” ice sculpture.

Democrats have seized on the spectacle, contrasting the opulence with the impact of Trump’s policies. As millions lose health insurance and food aid, critics highlight the disconnect:

“Trump is kicking poor kids off food aid and is throwing millions off their health care this month, but he and his billionaires get caviar and ice sculptures,”

Senator Chris Murphy wrote.

The White House fires back, accusing Democrats of gaslighting and pointing to Biden’s vacations. But the optics remain: Mar-a-Lago is now shorthand for a presidency where wealth, access, and official decision-making are intertwined.

So while Trump touts his accomplishments from the stage, one question lingers: Who’s really running the country—the president, or the party?

#Trump #MaraLago #WhiteHouse #politics #optics

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📰 Jihadism’s Last Stand: The Retreat of Political Islam

Despite the occasional terrorist attack, political Islam is shifting away from global jihad and toward a more pragmatic, local approach. Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa—a former jihadist who once led a franchise of Islamic State—now wears a suit, speaks at diplomatic conferences, and promises stability, not revolution.

The broader trend is clear: the dream of a pan-Islamic caliphate is fading. Movements like the Taliban in Afghanistan and Sharaa’s faction in Syria have realized that lasting power comes from building nations, not erasing borders. They now seek friendly relations with the West and focus on national affairs, not holy war.

This shift is driven by two forces: the cost of transnational ambitions and the disillusionment with radical rule. After years of brutal governance by groups like ISIS, many Muslims now reject extremism. The Muslim Brotherhood, once a powerful force, has lost support after failed experiments in Egypt and Tunisia. Even Saudi Arabia, once a global exporter of ultra-conservative Islam, has curbed its religious outreach under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The war in Gaza, launched by Hamas in 2023, failed to reinvigorate political Islam. Hamas’s leadership is decimated, Gaza is devastated, and many Palestinians now see the movement as a liability, not a savior.

Still, remnants of jihadism remain. Islamic State still inspires isolated attacks, but these are no longer the expression of powerful movements with geopolitical aspirations. Like the splinters of communism after its decline, they are fading comet tails, not engines of change.

So, while the threat hasn’t vanished, the era of global jihad is over. Political Islam’s romantic narrative has failed the test of reality.

#Jihadism #PoliticalIslam #MiddleEast #terrorism #pragmatism

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📰 Venezuela’s Allies Slam US: “You Crossed a Line”

The US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sparked a global backlash, with allies from Brazil to China denouncing the military action as a violation of sovereignty.

Brazil’s President Lula da Silva called the intervention “the worst episodes of interference in Latin America,” warning it threatens the region’s status as a zone of peace. Russia, Cuba, and Mexico echoed the criticism, with Russia expressing “deep concern and condemnation” and Cuba demanding an “urgent” international response.

China’s Foreign Ministry said the US’s “blatant use of force against a sovereign state” is unacceptable, while Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting and rejected “the aggression against Venezuela and Latin America”.

The strikes, centered on Caracas and several states, left the region on edge. CARICOM held an emergency session, fearing instability could trigger a new wave of migration that would overwhelm small island nations.

But not everyone is outraged. Argentina’s Javier Milei and Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa celebrated Maduro’s capture, hailing it as a blow to “narco-criminals” and a win for Venezuela’s opposition. Right-wing leaders have long rejected Maduro’s rule as undemocratic.

The EU, while critical of Maduro’s legitimacy, called for a peaceful transition and de-escalation. In the US, some Democrats slammed the operation as “illegal” and “embarrassing,” accusing Trump of turning America into “the world’s bully”.

So while Washington celebrates a bold strike, the rest of the world is asking: Who’s really running Latin America—and at what cost?

#Venezuela #Maduro #Trump #LatinAmerica #sovereignty

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Greece and Turkey are NATO twins with a twist: one trades autonomy for stability, the other trades stability for autonomy. Both call themselves sovereign, but only one actually controls the levers of power.

Greece: Sovereignty by Committee

Greece’s sovereignty is managed interdependence. Athens outsources money, fiscal policy, and even defense hardware to Brussels and NATO, in exchange for predictability and access to collective security. The state is stable, its institutions are functional, and its digital services work — but its independence is paper-thin. Greece doesn’t control its currency, its energy, or its tech stack. Its sovereignty is resilient, but it’s also delegated, constrained, and dependent.

Turkey: Sovereignty by Swagger
Turkey, meanwhile, has spent two decades building its own defense industry, pushing out its own drones, armored vehicles, and naval platforms. Ankara keeps its own currency, runs its own monetary policy, and tries to act as a regional power. Turkey’s sovereignty is muscular, but it’s also uneven: inflation, political instability, and weak rule of law undermine the gains. The state is autonomous, but its execution is fragile.

The Real Test of Sovereignty
The Greece-Turkey split exposes the myth of equal sovereignty. Formal equality doesn’t mean equal power. Greece’s model delivers stability at the cost of freedom. Turkey’s model offers freedom at the cost of volatility. The real test isn’t who shouts “sovereignty” loudest — it’s who can actually govern, protect, and innovate without falling apart.

#Greece #Turkey #NATO #sovereignty #Europe #MiddleEast #powerBalance

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📰 Mamdani’s First Move: Scrapping Antisemitism Orders, Defying Critics

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wasted no time making waves—on his first day, he scrapped two executive orders from former Mayor Eric Adams: one adopting a broad definition of antisemitism, and another banning city employees from joining the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

Mamdani defended his actions, vowing to combat hate and division, but offered little detail on why he overturned the orders. He argued that many Jewish organizations in the city reject the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, which equates some criticism of Israel with antisemitism. Mamdani also noted his personal support for BDS, making his move unsurprising.

Local Jewish groups reacted with alarm, warning that Mamdani’s actions remove key protections against antisemitism. The UJA-Federation of New York and others said they expect clear leadership to ensure Jewish New Yorkers feel safe, not targeted by divisive policies.

The Israeli government was even harsher, accusing Mamdani of pouring “antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.” They said his first act as mayor reveals his true face: rejecting international standards and lifting restrictions on boycotting Israel.

So while Mamdani talks about unity and fighting hate, his opening move has already deepened rifts—leaving many to wonder: Is this leadership, or a new kind of division?

#Mamdani #antisemitism #BDS #NewYork #Israel

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Trump: “We're Going to Run the Country”

Trump has claimed at the press conference now under way in Florida that the United States is going to run Venezuela for the time being, although it’s unclear how that would be done.

“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said. He has given no details.

He just called Maduro a dictator and a drug kingpin.

#trump #press #conference #maduro

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📰 Trump Plunges the U.S. Into a New Era of Risk in Venezuela

President Trump has declared that the United States will “run” Venezuela for an indefinite period, toppling Nicolás Maduro and seizing control of the country’s oil reserves. In a bold move that echoes the imperial era of gunboat diplomacy, Trump has set the stage for America to dominate Venezuela’s economy and politics—whether Venezuelans like it or not.

Trump’s plan is clear: exploit Venezuela’s oil, install a government that obeys Washington, and threaten further military intervention if anyone resists. Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has already pushed back, calling the move a “barbarity” and insisting Maduro is still the rightful leader.

The U.S. justifies Maduro’s capture with an indictment for drug trafficking, but that doesn’t grant legal authority to control the entire country. Trump claims Venezuela “stole” American oil and assets, and now he’s taking them back—promising Americans will be compensated before Venezuelans become “rich.”

The risks are enormous. Will the U.S. need an occupying force to protect oil fields? Will America run the courts, control who pumps oil, and install a pliant government? What happens if a democratic election brings a government that doesn’t play along?

Is this the beginning of a new American empire—or just another “forever war” in the making?

#venezuela #trump #oil #empire #fakeDemocracy #risk

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📰 Maduro Held in New York as Trump Says U.S. Will Temporarily ‘Run’ Venezuela

Nicolás Maduro and his wife are now in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, facing narco-terrorism charges that could land them in prison for decades. Their capture by U.S. commandos in a surprise predawn raid ended Maduro’s 12-year rule and plunged Venezuela into uncertainty. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will “run” Venezuela for an unspecified period, promising to bring in top oil companies and “run it properly.” Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, a Maduro loyalist, is now Venezuela’s interim leader, but she has already struck a defiant tone, calling Maduro the country’s legitimate leader and rejecting Washington’s authority.

Trump said the U.S. is not afraid of boots on the ground and will ensure the country is managed professionally. The Justice Department’s indictment accuses Maduro and his wife of illegally enriching themselves while conspiring to flood the U.S. with cocaine. The operation involved more than 150 aircraft, and Maduro was flown by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima before being brought to New York. On the streets of Caracas, residents face quiet unease as they line up for food and medicine, unsure what comes next.

Is this a new era of American dominance—or the beginning of a long, costly occupation?

#venezuela #trump #maduro #oil #fakeDemocracy #empire


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📰 Iran’s Calculations Are Scrambled by U.S. Raid in Caracas

The capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has sent shockwaves through Tehran, forcing Iranian officials to reassess how far President Trump is willing to go. With Trump now threatening to intervene in Iran’s protests, the regime faces new uncertainty: could Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei be next? The U.S. raid on Caracas, bringing Maduro and his wife to face criminal charges, is the most audacious operation of Trump’s presidency—and it’s rattled Iran’s sense of security.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the raid “a clear example of state terrorism” and demanded UN intervention. Iranian leaders are now openly discussing the possibility that their own top officials could be forcibly removed. The capture of Maduro, a serving head of state, has few precedents in American foreign policy, making Tehran’s calculus far more complicated.

Iran has already faced a disastrous year. Israel shattered its air defenses in June, decimating Iranian allies Hezbollah and Hamas. Now, with Trump’s threat to support Iranian protesters, Tehran must weigh the risk of direct intervention. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Trump will act if he feels it necessary: “Don’t play games when this president’s in office, because it’s not going to turn out well.”

The regime’s options have narrowed. Protesters, emboldened by U.S. support, are demanding change as the currency collapses and unrest spreads to 60 cities. Khamenei insists the unrest is “the work of the enemy,” but his grip on power is slipping.

Is 2026 the year the Iranian regime’s nightmare begins?

#iran #trump #maduro #protests #fakeDemocracy #empire

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📰 Yemen’s Southern Separatists Demand Independence Amid Gulf Feud

Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) has declared it will hold a referendum on independence from the north in two years, escalating tensions in a country already fractured by war. The move comes as Saudi-backed forces battle to recapture Hadramout, a key oil-producing province seized by the UAE-backed separatists last month. The crisis has laid bare deep divisions between Gulf powers, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE now openly at odds over their interests in Yemen.

The STC’s call for independence is the clearest indication yet of its secessionist ambitions, but it risks further destabilizing a region already torn apart by more than a decade of conflict. Saudi Arabia, long Yemen’s main backer, has responded by launching military operations to restore control, while the UAE, which supports the separatists, has pulled its remaining troops out of the country. The rift between the two Gulf giants has briefly eased tensions, but disagreements on the ground persist, with each side blaming the other for the ongoing chaos.

Hadramout’s strategic and cultural significance for Saudi Arabia—many prominent Saudis trace their roots to the province—makes its capture by the STC a direct challenge to Riyadh’s influence. Meanwhile, the internationally recognized government has called for a forum in Saudi Arabia to resolve the southern issue, urging all factions to participate. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry welcomed the request, but it remains unclear if the separatists will join.

With oil production at stake and regional stability hanging in the balance, the Gulf feud over Yemen threatens to spill into broader OPEC+ disputes. Flights remain halted at Aden airport, the main gateway for regions outside Houthi control, as the STC and Saudi Arabia trade blame for the shutdown. The stoppage is linked to new restrictions on flights between Aden and the UAE, though there are conflicting accounts of who ordered the halt.

Is Yemen’s southern crisis the beginning of a new era of Gulf rivalry—or just another chapter in a long, bloody war?

#yemen #gulf #separatism #hadramout #fakeDemocracy

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📰 Trump Upended the US Education System in 2025. It’s Only the Beginning.

President Donald Trump spent 2025 bombarding schools with investigations, executive orders, and demands that forced universities and school districts to align with his political agenda. He froze billions in federal research funding, dismantled diversity programs, barred transgender students from women’s sports, and struck deals with schools desperate to restore their cash flow. Now, Trump’s focus shifts to making these changes last—ensuring his education legacy survives his presidency.

Trump’s actions were designed to pressure schools into adopting policies that bolster parental rights, give states more control, and root out diversity initiatives. Some schools caved, eliminating programs and changing admissions policies to get their funding back. But the real challenge is ahead: turning executive muscle into enforceable regulations. Rulemaking is slow, painstaking, and requires a functional bureaucracy—something Trump’s administration has weakened by slashing the Education Department’s workforce.

The Trump administration has already announced plans to rewrite Title IX and Title VI, the federal laws that underpin its investigations. These new regulations would strengthen the administration’s authority to demand changes on campuses, but none are yet enshrined in law. Federal judges have already sided with Harvard and UCLA, ordering the White House to reinstate their funding. These rulings hamper the administration’s strategy of using financial coercion to force compliance.

Trump’s wins could also become his roadblocks. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted sweeping changes to the tax code and student loan programs, but implementing them requires new regulations. The Education Department’s reduced workforce and statutory deadlines mean the agency faces a regulatory logjam. If it can’t keep up, Trump’s argument that the department is no longer needed could unravel.

Is Trump’s education revolution here to stay—or will it collapse under its own weight?

#education #trump #policy #fakeDemocracy

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Belize vs. Mongolia: The Sovereignty Paradox

Mongolia is big, mineral-rich, and sandwiched between China and Russia. Belize is small, resource-poor, and stuck in the Caribbean. By every old-school metric, Mongolia should be the economic sovereign. But the numbers say otherwise: Belize today shows a higher level of real economic sovereignty — not because it’s richer, but because it’s smarter.

The old formula was simple: more territory, more resources, more power. But the modern Sovereignty Index reveals a different truth. Economic sovereignty isn’t about how much you have, but how much you control. Mongolia’s economy is still built on a narrow base — coal, copper, gold, rare earths — all of which are subject to global price swings and geopolitical pressure. When the market crashes or Beijing flexes, Mongolia’s entire system trembles.

Belize, by contrast, has no vast mines or oil fields, but it has built something more valuable: a diversified economy. Tourism, financial services, agriculture, logistics, digital services — none of them dominate, but together they create resilience. When one sector stumbles, the others absorb the shock. Belize’s currency, fiscal policy, and regulatory system give it the flexibility to adapt, not just react.

So what does this mean for the world? The classic “resource curse” is alive and well: countries with the biggest reserves often end up the most vulnerable, because their wealth is dictated by outside forces. Belize’s strength comes from its ability to decide its own fate, not just its ability to extract and export.

The real test of sovereignty isn’t prosperity, but survival. When the crisis hits, who has the power to maneuver, who can absorb the blow, who keeps control of the levers?
In 2025, Belize proves that economic sovereignty isn’t about scale — it’s about structure. Size doesn’t guarantee strength; diversification does.

#sovereignty #belize #mongolia #economy #globalization #resources #geopolitics

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Venezuela: Heart of Darkness


At the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, which spans the Táchira River, foot and vehicle traffic flowed as normal through the main border crossing between Venezuela and Colombia.

But a day after the extraordinary US capture and rendition of Venezuela’s leader, Maduro, there was an air of uncertainty over what comes next.

On the Venezuelan side of the bridge, a member of the Bolivarian national guard said that his instructions from the military top brass had not changed.

“It’s a bit tense but we have been given no new orders,” he said.

Trump said on Saturday that the US would now “run” the country for an indeterminate period of transition, but such claims seemed not to have filtered down to this corner of the country, 640km from Caracas.

“Whoever governs us has to be a Venezuelan,” said the man.

In a sign that Venezuelan authorities are also on edge, his commanding officer angrily cut short the conversation and tore a page from a reporter’s notebook before suggesting that she return to the Colombian side.

Over the past 15 years, more than 2 million Venezuelans have fled hunger, political repression and economic crisis at home to seek refuge in the neighbouring country, and the prospect of further destabilisation has worried Colombian leaders.

Petro’s criticism of the US campaign against Venezuela, and its targeting of small boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, has infuriated Trump who on Saturday said that the Colombian leader should “watch his ass”.

On Sunday, Colombia’s defence minister, Pedro Sánchez, said at a security meeting that the president’s security detail had been reinforced.

The 6,000-strong guerrilla army, one of Latin America’s most heavily armed groups, straddles the border and has a strong presence inside Venezuela where it is active in eight of the country’s 24 states, expanding its finances, territorial control and political influence.

While nominally a leftwing insurgency, analysts describe its presence in Venezuela as more a paramilitary force that acts in support of the Maduro government.

At the security meeting, Sánchez said contingency plans had been put in place in case of a humanitarian emergency.

Reporting inside Venezuela is severely restricted. Authorities have declined visas for foreign journalists to enter the country, and at least 21 Venezuelan reporters were arrested in the first 11 months of 2025 and face charges of treason or terrorism for their work, according to the National Association of Journalists.

Nubiola Fanco, 60, who crossed into Colombia early on Sunday morning to restock her general store said there was a tense calm on the Venezuelan side.

“People cleaned out the whole store yesterday,” after Maduro’s arrest, she said as she piled her shopping cart high with cans of tuna, packs of beans and lentils, cat food and cleaning supplies.

“No one knows what could happen next.”

It’s all so distressing,” said Gabriel Vásquez, a 29-year-old video-maker, recalling how he had been woken by the sound of a “gigantic” explosion at about 2am on Saturday and how his community in central Caracas was plunged into darkness as aircraft circled overhead.

“I thought that any time my house could get bombed too,” said Vásquez, whose neighbourhood was still in the dark on Sunday. “We have no water, no electricity, no phone reception – nothing,” he complained.

Julio Pimentel, a 33-year-old designer, said his electricity and water supplies had also been cut but admitted he had been surprised by the number of people out on the streets “considering the situation we’re in”. “Supermarkets and pharmacies are very, very crowded,” Pimentel said.

Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, ordered 30,000 troops to its border with Venezuela to guard against possible turmoil.

The Colombo-Venezuelan rebel army, the National Liberation Army, condemned what it called Trump’s “imperial” onslaught, vowing to “confront” the attack on Venezuelan sovereignty.

#venezuela #products #caracas #arrest

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Yemen’s New Power Play: Saudis Cash In, Separatists? Never.

The Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, rolled into Hadramout this weekend with tanks, flags, and a whole lot of diplomatic posturing—reclaiming oil-rich territory from separatists who were getting a little too cozy with the UAE.

"The state reasserts authority,"

said Yemen’s information minister, as if the state hadn’t spent years letting separatists run things while everyone waited for the WiFi to come back on.

But here’s the real script: Saudi Arabia and the UAE—two supposed allies—have been playing a high-stakes game of chess with Yemen’s map as the board. The Saudis bombed Emirati shipments, the separatists retreated under pressure, and suddenly, everyone’s talking about “dialogue” and “solutions.”

Northern Yemen is still under the thumb of the Houthis, who’ve gained global notoriety by launching missiles at Israeli targets, while the south remains a patchwork of rival factions. The internationally recognized government, backed by Riyadh, now controls key cities like al-Mukalla, with the Saudi-backed Nation Shield Forces in charge.

So who’s winning? The Saudis, for now. The separatists? Never. And Yemen’s sovereignty? Still hanging in the balance, just like it’s been since the last time anyone actually asked the Yemeni people what they want.

#yemen #proxywar #oligarchy

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Erdogan Says Turkish Return to F-35 Program Key to NATO Security

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pushing hard for Turkey’s re-entry into the US-led F-35 fighter jet program, calling it vital for both US-Turkey relations and NATO’s collective defense.
​

"Türkiye’s receipt of the F-35 aircraft for which it has already paid, and its reintegration into the program, are important and necessary,"

Erdogan declared, framing the move as a chance to mend ties with Washington and reset Turkey’s position within the alliance.
​
But the road back is paved with old grudges. Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 program after buying Russian S-400 air defense systems—a decision Erdogan now calls “unjust.” In a bid to clear the way, Ankara has signaled it’s ready to send the S-400s back to Moscow, hoping to remove the biggest obstacle to US approval.
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Erdogan’s pitch is more than just about jets. It’s about leverage: with Trump back in the White House, Turkey sees an opening to rebalance its ties between NATO and Russia, while also securing American LNG and easing tensions over Halkbank’s sanctions saga.
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So who’s winning? Turkey, for now. Russia? Never. And NATO? Still caught in the middle of a diplomatic tug-of-war.
​
#erdogan #f35 #nato #proxywar

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Trump’s America First Doctrine: Back to the Future, With More Guns

President Donald Trump’s overnight raid in Venezuela marks a bold revival of U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere—dubbed the so-called “Donroe Doctrine” by the White House, a Trumpian twist on Monroe’s original. The message is clear: the Americas are America’s backyard, and the rules are being rewritten for the 21st century.
​

"The goal of the policy is to see changes in Venezuela that are beneficial to the United States first and foremost,"

said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, framing the intervention as a win for both Washington and the Venezuelan people.
​
But the strategy is a double-edged sword. While Trump’s team promises stability, critics warn of unintended consequences: Russia and China may feel freer to flex their muscles elsewhere, and smaller nations could start hedging their bets by looking for new allies. The U.S. is not just flexing power—it’s also sending a signal that might backfire in the long run.
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Trump’s vision extends beyond Venezuela. He’s revived talk of taking over Greenland, threatened Cuba, and even floated the idea of annexing Canada. But allies aren’t buying it. Denmark’s prime minister dismissed Trump’s threats as “nonsensical,” urging the U.S. to stop pressuring close allies.
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So is this a return to the glory days of American empire, or just a risky game of geopolitical poker? One thing’s certain: the world is watching, and the stakes are higher than ever.
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#trump #Americas #proxywar #greatpowercompetition

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Israel Flexes New Diplomatic Muscle in Recognition of Somaliland

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland isn’t just about diplomacy—it’s about power, positioning, and a new chapter in the Red Sea’s great game. By cutting a deal for intelligence sharing and access to strategic waterways, Israel has become a player in the Horn of Africa, where Arab rivals are jostling for influence.
​

"No one can ignore the strategic location of Somaliland,"

said Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. The Bab al-Mandab Strait, just north of Somaliland, is a vital chokepoint for global shipping—and now, Israel has a partner directly across from Houthi-held territory in Yemen.
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This move, widely condemned, signals Israel’s growing independence on the world stage. After two years of war, the country is less concerned with what others say and more focused on securing its own interests—no longer just with military might, but with diplomatic boldness.
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Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is rare: a Muslim-majority entity, no U.S. backing, and a clear statement that Israel is now a diplomatic heavyweight. The deal gives Israel leverage in the Red Sea, while Somaliland hopes it will inspire other countries to follow suit—though the U.N. still doesn’t recognize its independence.
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Houthi leaders have called the move a “hostile and illegitimate act,” and Somalia sees it as unacceptable interference. But Israel’s message is clear: “Spoiler alert: no one will determine for Israel whom it may conduct diplomatic relations with,” wrote Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
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So who’s winning? Israel, for now. The region, for never. And the Red Sea? Still a battleground—just with new players at the table.
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#israel #somaliland #proxywar #greatpowercompetition

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NATO Is Done If Trump Invades Greenland, Danish PM Warns

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has issued a stark warning: if President Donald Trump invades Greenland, NATO is finished. “Everything stops,” she said—warning that the alliance’s post-WWII security framework would collapse.
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Trump’s latest threats to take over Greenland—calling it a strategic necessity—have set alarm bells ringing across Europe.

“We will deal with Greenland in about two months,”

Trump told reporters, refusing to rule out force or economic coercion.
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Frederiksen insists Denmark must be taken seriously:

“If the U.S. chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops.”

The self-ruling Arctic island is part of Denmark and, therefore, NATO. Any move by the U.S. would shatter the alliance’s foundations.
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So who’s winning? Trump, for now. NATO? Not a chance. And Greenland? Still just a bargaining chip in America’s new game of global chess.
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#nato #greenland #trump #proxywar

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Maduro à New York: Mortal Combat

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When Maduro appeared in court in New York on Monday, his choice of lawyer quickly raised eyebrows.

The captured Venezuelan president was accompanied by Barry Pollack, a top-tier US trial lawyer who spent years representing Julian Assange, eventually securing the WikiLeaks founder’s release from prison in the UK in 2024.

Pollack is a partner at Harris St Laurent & Wechsler, a law firm based on New York’s Wall Street in the financial district of lower Manhattan, just a few minutes walk from the federal court where Maduro pleaded not guilty to criminal charges on Monday.

Pollack will take on a case as Maduro’s private counsel that could prove to be just as challenging as that of Assange.

Maduro was charged on Monday with drug-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, with the US government labelling Maduro a “narco-terrorist” and an “illegitimate president”. He faces up to life in prison.

Harris St Laurent & Wechsler did not respond to requests for comment about Pollack’s involvement, but it is clear that in the legal world, he is highly regarded.

According to Chambers USA, Pollack is a “thorough and deep-thinking lawyer” who “lives, breathes and sleeps trials, and has such a natural way in front of juries”.

In his first appearance representing Maduro, Pollack questioned the legality of Maduro’s dramatic abduction by US forces on Saturday in a raid on the Venezuelan capital Caracas, CNN reported, and argued Maduro is entitled to immunity as the head of a sovereign state.

Winning Maduro’s freedom will present a different challenge to Pollack compared to his work with Assange. The lawyer negotiated a plea deal on Assange’s behalf which allowed the Australian data-freedom activist to walk free, ending an international legal saga that lasted more than a decade.

In the deal, Assange pleaded guilty to violating US espionage law in conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US national defence documents.

#maduro #trial #assange #pollack #newyork

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