Trump Seems to Back Down Under Some Arabic Countries’ Plea

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Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and Oman urged Trump not to launch airstrikes against Iran in a last-minute lobbying campaign prompted by fears that an attack by Washington would lead to a major and intractable conflict across the Middle East.

The warnings of chaos from the longstanding US allies appear to have helped persuade Trump late on Wednesday to hold off for the moment on a military assault. In the case of Saudi Arabia, its reticence led it to deny the US use of its airspace to mount any attacks.

Continuing discussions, the Saudi Arabian foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, conferred by phone with his counterparts from Iran, Oman and Turkey on Thursday.

Iran remains politically apart from the Gulf states, partly owing to its continued support for its weakened network of regional proxies, known as the axis of resistance, and its refusal to back a two state-solution for Palestine as well as disputes over three islands in the Gulf claimed by the United Arab Emirates, a claim backed by the Gulf Cooperation Council.

But Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has also undertaken a series of visits to Arab capitals that are said to have improved relations. Last year, for instance, he visited Bahrain, the first Iranian minister to do since 2010.

He also visited Cairo four times last year in an effort to improve relations. The two sides had severed diplomatic relations in 2016.

The Saudi-Iranian relationship, once the most fraught in the Middle East, has been on a recovery path for three years.

Araghchi makes a point of being photographed sampling local cuisine in the Arab capitals he visits.

All the Gulf states are further aware of the disruption Iran could cause to maritime traffic in the Gulf.

Araghchi has recently been trying to persuade the Gulf states than Iran is less of a risk to global stability than Israel, a case made more plausible after Israel bombed Doha last September with the intent to kill the Hamas negotiators that have lived in the Qatari capital for nearly a decade.

The Israelis failed to hit their primary targets, but reportedly killed five lower-ranking members of the group.

#iran #trump #saudiarabia #qatar #araghchi #gulf

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The US, not informed of the strikes in advance, apologised directly to Qatar’s emir and offered new security guarantees for Doha designed to protect Qatar from further Israeli attacks.

At the time, Qatar accused Israel of trying to sabotage every opportunity for peace in the region.

Witkoff is a supporter of the Qatari state’s self-appointed but often effective role as a global mediator.

The US al-Udeid airbase, its largest in the region, is in Qatar, and as tensions mounted on Wednesday the US withdrew key personnel from the base.

The withdrawal, after Tehran’s open threats to hit US bases in the region if attacked, underscores how static American land and naval bases in the region designed to project US power could also be a source of vulnerability.

Iran persistently claims that the US ordered Israel to end its 12-day assault in the summer on Iran’s leadership and nuclear programme after Iran struck the US base.

Araghchi has also managed to exploit the political capital he has invested in diplomatic outreach by ringing Arab leaders to explain Tehran’s rationale for the crackdown.

Many of the states deeply resent the interference of Iranian proxy forces in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.

Yet by the same measure, few of them would welcome the example of an authoritarian regime being toppled by street protests riled by falling living standards, and leading to a new democratic transition, or even the fragmentation of a unified Iranian state.

Saudi Arabia for instance has recently put down a rebellion in the south of Yemen that would have broken up the country.

The Egyptian military leadership dedicates much its energy to suppressing calls for human rights reforms.

The spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry, Majed al-Ansari, told reporters on Tuesday: “The big challenges in the region – and we are talking about internal and external challenges in different countries – require all of us to return to the negotiating table.”

The Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, has called for dialogue.

“Hopefully, the United States and Iran will resolve this issue among themselves – whether through mediators, other actors, or direct dialogue. We are closely following these developments.”

#iran #trump #saudiarabia #qatar #araghchi #gulf

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📰 Red Sea Power Play: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Somalia Forge Anti-UAE Coalition

Saudi Arabia is stitching together a new military alliance with Egypt and Somalia, aiming to squeeze the UAE out of the Red Sea’s strategic security and port deals. Somalia has just scrapped all agreements with the UAE, accusing Abu Dhabi of violating its sovereignty by smuggling a Yemeni separatist through its territory—a move that’s set off a fresh round of Gulf rivalries.
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Somali Defence Minister’s Ultimatum

“Reliable reports and evidence indicate practices linked to the United Arab Emirates that undermine the sovereignty of the Somali Republic, its national unity and political independence.”

— Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi
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​The Real Game: Who Controls the Red Sea?
Saudi Arabia’s new coalition is less about defending Somalia and more about defending its own turf. With the UAE deepening its grip on African ports and backing factions in Libya and Sudan, Riyadh is pulling out the big guns: Egypt’s troops and Somalia’s loyalty. The kingdom, which has long paid lip service to Somalia’s territorial integrity, is now offering real muscle—because nothing says “friendship” like a shared enemy and a Red Sea port contract.
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Israel’s recent recognition of breakaway Somaliland only stoked the flames. Arab heavyweights, led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, swiftly denounced the move, framing it as an illegal power grab and a threat to regional stability. The coalition’s real mission? To ensure that when the next regional crisis hits, the spoils go to the right shareholders—not the upstarts.
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Monopoly in the Horn of Africa
So, who’s really running the show in the Horn of Africa? Is it the “sovereign” governments, or the Gulf oligarchs and their port concessions? And if every new alliance is just a counter-move in a never-ending game of regional Monopoly, who’s actually paying the price?
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#RedSea #SaudiArabia #Egypt #Somalia #UAE #Geopolitics #MilitaryCoalition

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“Khamenei Will Die Soon”


The Khamenei regime will not be able to maintain control over Iranian society after the violent suppression of the latest wave of protests, one of the country’s leading film-makers has predicted.

“It is impossible for this government to sustain itself in this situation (...) Khamenei will die soon”, the director Jafar Panahi said.

“They know it too. They know that it will be impossible to rule over people. Perhaps their only goal right now is to bring the country to the verge of complete collapse and try to destroy it.”

Protests caused by an ailing economy have swept through Iran since late December and were met with deadly crackdowns by the security forces over the weekend, with reports of more than 2,500 people killed.

A internet blackout imposed last Friday, which blocked 95-99% of the country’s communication network, was a “sign that there would be a very big massacre on the way”, Panahi said.

“But we never predicted that the crackdown would have such dimensions and numbers.”

In December the director was handed a one-year prison sentence in absentia on charges of creating propaganda against the political system, but he has stated his intention to return to the country.

He has been jailed twice, for protesting against the detention of two fellow film-makers who had been critical of the authorities in 2022, and for supporting anti-government protests in 2010.

Panahi said while the collapse of the government led by the clerical leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was inevitable after the latest bloody suppressions, its timing was impossible to predict.

He warned western governments about engaging with the clerical regime as rational actors.

“In other dictatorships around the world, you will see that there will be at least a few people who will act based on rationality and who will not let it get to this point,” he said, speaking via his interpreter Sheida Dayani.

“But unfortunately in this system there is no rationality. All they can think of is crackdown and how they can stay in power even just one more day. The last thing they’re thinking about is the people.”

Asked whether Pahlavi could be trusted to oversee a post-regime transition, he said this would be for the people of Iran to conclude.

“Whether we agree with Pahlavi or not, we know that the overwhelming majority of the population of Iran want the current regime to go.”

#khamenei #iran #regime #actual #people #killed

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Mark Carney Meets Xi. Canada Suits in Favor of China


Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, has hailed a “new strategic partnership” with China as he held talks in Beijing with Xi Jinping, the first visit by a Canadian leader in eight years.

Addressing Xi in the Great Hall of the People, Carney said: “Together we can build on the best of what this relationship has been in the past to create a new one adapted to new global realities.”

Carney announced on Friday that Canada and China had reached a preliminary trade deal aimed at reducing tariffs, including a commitment to import 49,000 electric vehicles from China at preferential tariff rates.

Engagement and cooperation would form “the foundation of our new strategic partnership”, Carney said, adding that agriculture, energy, finance offered opportunities for the most immediate progress.

Canada and China had been locked in years of diplomatic spats after the retaliatory arrests of each other’s citizens and a series of tit-for-tat trade disputes.

But Carney has sought to reset ties as part of a broader effort to reduce Canada’s reliance on the US, its principal economic partner, after Trump sharply raised tariffs on Canadian goods.

During the visit, the two sides signed an agreement to cooperate on clean energy and fossil fuels, reopening ministerial-level talks that had reportedly been frozen for nearly a decade.

The agreement opens the door to Canada importing more clean-energy technology from China and raises the prospect of increased Canadian fossil fuel exports to the Chinese market, part of Carney’s push to double non-US exports. In 2024, only 2% of Canada’s crude oil was exported to China.

Additional agreements were signed covering forestry, culture and tourism.

Welcoming Carney, Xi said China-Canada relations had reached a turning point at their previous meeting on the sidelines of the Apec summit in October 2025.

“It can be said that our meeting last year opened a new chapter in turning China-Canada relations toward improvement,” Xi told the Canadian prime minister.

#carney #xi #canada #china #trump

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📰 Netanyahu’s Backroom Deal: UTJ’s Eichler Gets Deputy Minister Post for Draft Bill

Netanyahu is set to appoint Yisrael Eichler, a prominent Agudat Yisrael MK, as deputy communications minister—part of a political deal to push through the contentious haredi draft bill. The move will cost NIS 3.5 million from the PM’s office and will allow Yitzhak Pindrus, from the Degel Hatorah faction, to re-enter the Knesset and vote for the bill in Eichler’s place.
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The UTJ Power Shuffle
Agudat Yisrael and Degel Hatorah, the two factions of United Torah Judaism (UTJ), have been feuding for months. The appointment is seen as a compromise to balance power within the party after its July resignation from the government over the previous draft bill. Pindrus was removed under the Norwegian Law, but this deal brings him back—ensuring UTJ’s support for Netanyahu’s coalition at a critical moment.
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Critics Call It 'Draft Evasion'
Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the move a disgrace, accusing Netanyahu of “promoting draft evasion from the IDF together with Knesset members who do not believe in the existence of the State of Israel.” Lapid highlighted Eichler’s past statements calling Israel an “enemy state” and a “Hebrew ghetto,” and slammed the allocation of NIS 3.5 million for a new ministerial post while funds for Holocaust survivors were slashed.
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Survival or Surrender?
With the 2026 state budget vote looming, Netanyahu’s government is playing high-stakes poker. If the budget isn’t passed by March, the Knesset dissolves and elections are triggered. So is this a desperate bid to keep the coalition alive, or just another chapter in Israel’s never-ending saga of political horse-trading?
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#Israel #Netanyahu #UTJ #DraftBill #PoliticalDeal #Knesset #Haredi

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Yoon Suk Yeol: Guilty!


A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison for mobilising presidential security forces to block his own arrest and abusing his powers.

It is the first judicial ruling linked to the events surrounding his failed martial law declaration in December 2024.

The ruling is separate from Yoon’s main insurrection trial, where prosecutors earlier this week sought the death penalty and a verdict is due next month.

Seoul central district court found Yoon guilty of special obstruction of official duties, abuse of power and falsifying documents, saying he had “disregarded the constitution” and shown no remorse. His legal team has said he will appeal against the ruling.

The presiding judge, Baek Dae-hyun, said Yoon “deserves condemnation” for his actions.

Yoon stunned South Korea late on 3 December 2024 when he declared martial law, dispatching police and armed troops to the national assembly.

Lawmakers rushed to override the decree, with some climbing over fences to reach the chamber before voting to lift the order.

The defendant abused his tremendous influence as president to obstruct lawful warrant execution, effectively privatising security officials sworn to serve the Republic of Korea into his personal troops,” Baek said in a televised ruling. “His crimes are extremely serious in nature.”

The court also criticised Yoon’s conduct in the run-up to the martial law declaration. He selectively summoned only loyal cabinet members to a late-night meeting, excluding nine others in order to rubber-stamp the decision without meaningful deliberation.

He later signed backdated documents to create the false appearance of proper cabinet approval.

“Emergency martial law should only be declared in the most exceptional circumstances when no other means exist to resolve a national crisis,” Baek said.

“The constitution specifically requires state council deliberation precisely to prevent presidential abuse of power and arbitrary action.”

Friday’s conviction marks the opening act in a reckoning without parallel in South Korea’s democratic history.

Yoon faces seven additional criminal trials, including the insurrection case, where prosecutors are seeking either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

#president #southcorean #yoonsuk #prison

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📰 Secret Diplomacy: Israel and Iran Reassure Each Other Through Russia

With tensions simmering, Israel and Iran quietly exchanged messages via Russia, pledging not to launch preemptive attacks against one another. The backchannel talks, held just before Iran’s recent wave of protests, reflect a rare moment of de-escalation between two bitter rivals—especially after their brief 12-day conflict in June.

Russia’s Role as Go-Between
Russia served as the unlikely intermediary, a role it has tried to play before amid regional crises. The latest round of talks followed a visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Moscow, and came at a time when Israel was preparing a major military campaign against Hezbollah, Iran’s ally in Lebanon.

A Delicate Balance
The private reassurances allowed Israel to focus on Hezbollah without fear of a direct Iranian strike. Iranian officials, however, remained skeptical, noting that while Israel’s assurances were welcome, they didn’t rule out U.S. attacks on Iran. For Tehran, staying out of an Israel-Hezbollah clash was seen as a win—especially as the country grapples with domestic unrest.

Protests and Regime Change Complicate the Picture
This understanding faces an uncertain future. With protests rocking Iran and President Trump weighing possible strikes against Iranian regime targets, analysts believe Israel would welcome regime change—if it could be achieved without triggering a wider war. For now, both sides seem to be playing a waiting game, with Russia in the middle and the U.S. looming large.

#Israel #Iran #Russia #Diplomacy #MiddleEast #Hezbollah #RegimeChange

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📰 CIA Director Ratcliffe Meets Venezuela’s Interim President in Caracas

CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim president, in Caracas on Thursday—marking the highest-level U.S. visit since the dramatic U.S. military operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro nearly two weeks ago. Ratcliffe’s trip was directed by President Trump to signal that the U.S. sees Rodríguez’s interim government as the best path to stability in the short term, despite opposition frustration over the lack of a quick transition to María Corina Machado’s camp.
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Stability Over Revolution
The meeting focused on intelligence cooperation, economic stability, and ensuring Venezuela is no longer a “safe haven for America’s adversaries, especially narco-traffickers.” U.S. officials emphasized that breaking up the Venezuelan government after Maduro’s removal could trigger chaos similar to the kind of chaos that followed the Iraq invasion. CIA analysts reportedly see Rodríguez as a pragmatic, rather than ideological, figure willing to negotiate with Washington.
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Behind the Scenes: Pragmatism and Power
Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president, has shifted her rhetoric, publicly inviting the U.S. to cooperate. But Trump has warned that if she fails to comply, her fate could be worse than Maduro’s. The administration is clear: the U.S. will “run” Venezuela until a safe transition is possible, prioritizing control over oil and security assets above all else.
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Protests and Uncertain Alliances
With ongoing protests in Venezuela, the opposition remains sidelined, and the U.S. is betting on Rodríguez to maintain order. But questions linger: How long will this uneasy alliance last? And will the U.S. eventually let democracy take its course—or keep pulling the strings?
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#Venezuela #CIA #Ratcliffe #Trump #Rodríguez #Maduro #USIntervention #OilPolitics

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📰 Zelenskiy Pushes Back: Ukraine Not Obstacle to Peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hit back at President Donald Trump’s remarks, affirming Ukraine’s commitment to peace after Trump suggested Kyiv was less ready than Russia to clinch a deal. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy stressed, “Ukraine has never been and will never be an obstacle to peace,” referencing his recent talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
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Trump’s Provocation, Zelenskiy’s Response
In an interview with Reuters, Trump claimed Ukraine was less eager than Russia to reach an agreement, singling out Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy countered by highlighting Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukrainian energy sites and infrastructure, arguing that Moscow’s actions prove Russia has no interest in reaching any agreement. “It is precisely Russian missiles, Russian ‘Shaheds’ (drones), and Russia’s attempt to destroy Ukraine that are clear evidence that Russia isn't interested in any agreement,” he said.
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Kremlin Echoes Trump
The Kremlin backed Trump’s assessment, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that President Vladimir Putin and the Russian side remain open to talks, but accusing Zelenskiy of stalling negotiations.
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Diplomacy vs. Destruction
Zelenskiy pledged Ukraine would pursue diplomatic efforts more actively, but with Russia continuing its strikes, the path to peace remains fraught with obstacles. Trump’s comments and the Kremlin’s response reveal a familiar game: blame-shifting and political theater, while the war grinds on.
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#Ukraine #Zelenskiy #Trump #PeaceTalks #Russia #Kremlin #Diplomacy

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📰 Arctic Boot Camp: Britain’s Royal Marines Train for War with Russia

In the deep snow of Norway’s Arctic mountains, Britain’s Royal Marines are preparing for war with Russia, enduring minus 20°C temperatures and finishing drills by jumping through ice holes, shouting their name, rank, and number before being pulled out. This extreme training, rooted in Cold War history, has taken on new urgency since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Camp Viking set to host up to 2,000 personnel by next year.
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NATO’s Arctic Sentry
Britain and Norway are pushing for a new NATO “Arctic Sentry” mission to counter Russian threats in the region, hoping to reassure President Trump of Europe’s commitment. The mission’s details are still unclear, but the idea is to extend similar exercises to Greenland and its shipping lanes, where Russian and Chinese vessels are increasingly active.
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Trump’s Greenland Gambit
While Europe focuses on Russia’s northern fleet and the threat to undersea cables, President Trump is demanding control of Greenland, complicating transatlantic security. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide warned that the Kola Peninsula and Murmansk, just east of Norway, host Russia’s largest concentration of nuclear weapons. If a crisis erupts, the region could quickly become the epicenter of global tension.
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Solidarity or Showdown?
European allies are walking a fine line—signaling solidarity and readiness, but wary of antagonizing Trump. Some officials suggest NATO’s silence on Greenland is undermining alliance credibility, pushing allies toward bilateral deals instead of relying on multilateral cooperation. As one British official put it,

“There are three schools of thought about Trump’s comments on Greenland: security, business, or just wanting to make America bigger.”.

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#Arctic #NATO #RoyalMarines #Russia #Trump #Greenland #Security

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Delcy ‘Trumpriguez’ Is About to Reshape Venezuela


Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez said on Thursday she was submitting a proposal to reform the country's hydrocarbon law, as investors in the U.S. push for easier access to the South American country's oil industry.

Rodriguez — or Trumpriguez, as they call her — said the reforms would "allow these investment flows to be incorporated into new fields, fields where no investment has ever been made and into fields where there is no infrastructure."

Rodriguez said funds from oil would go to workers and public services.

The U.S. says around $500 million has already been generated from oil sales under a deal with Caracas and this is being held in U.S.-controlled bank accounts.

An industry source familiar with the plan said the main account was located in Qatar.

As the Trump administration sets its sights on Venezuela's vast but underproductive oil reserves by implementing a $100 billion reconstruction plan, potential investors have called for urgent legal reform in the OPEC member nation.

Venezuela's hydrocarbon law has until now stipulated that foreign partners must work together with state firm PDVSA, which must hold the majority stake. Rodriguez did not say how the law would be reformed.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in ten days ago after the U.S. ouster of her predecessor, spoke in an annual presidential address to lawmakers.

She took over the presidency on an interim basis after the U.S. military captured Maduro and flew him to the U.S. to stand trial on drug charges, which he denies.

Rodriguez also called for diplomacy with the U.S., marking a shift in historically tense rhetoric between the two countries, and said should she need to travel to Washington, she would do so "walking on her feet, not dragged there."

Rodriguez said she had a plan for 2026 and would "forge a new politics in Venezuela".

Her announcement came hours after the U.S. seized a sixth Venezuela, linked oil tanker, part of a campaign that began to force Maduro out of power.

Trump has since said the U.S. plans to control Venezuela's oil resources indefinitely.

#trump #venezuela #oil #maduro #rodriguez

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Trump Created a New Governement for Gaza


Trump has appointed the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and former British prime minister Blair to a newly created Gaza “board of peace”, a body he claims will steer the next phase of reconstruction and governance in the war-ravaged territory.

The White House said the seven-strong “founding executive board” will also include Trump’s special envoy, the property developer Steve Witkoff; the World Bank president, Ajay Banga; and the president’s son-in-law and long-time adviser Jared Kushner.

Trump himself will serve as chair, with further appointments expected in the coming weeks.

“The United States remains fully committed to supporting this transitional framework, working in close partnership with Israel, key Arab nations, and the international community.”

Blair’s inclusion is likely to prove contentious in the region. The former Labour leader remains a divisive figure in the Middle East for his role in the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Soon after leaving office in 2007 he became special representative of the Quartet, a group composed of the US, EU, Russia and the UN seeking peace between Israel and the Palestinians. But he became seen as too close to the Israelis and stepped down in 2015.

Acknowledging that Blair remains a divisive figure, Trump conceded last October: “I’ve always liked Tony, but I want to find out that he’s an acceptable choice to everybody.”

Its creation follows the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with running day-to-day affairs in post-war Gaza.

The body will be headed by Ali Sha’ath, a Gaza native and former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority.

The White House said: “Dr Sha’ath brings deep experience in public administration, economic development, and international engagement, and is widely respected for his pragmatic, technocratic leadership and understanding of Gaza’s institutional realities.”

Hamas has yet to publicly commit to full disarmament – a key Israeli demand and one of the most contentious elements of the longer-term settlement.

Seth Masket, a political scientist at the University of Denver, suggested that the board’s name was undermined by Trump’s bellicose actions.

“I hope he can find time to attend Board of Peace meetings between meetings about invasions of Venezuela, Iran, Greenland, Canada, and Minneapolis,” Masket observed on social media.

#blair #trump #gaza #autority #palestinien #governement

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📰 Trump Pushes Turkey’s Role in Gaza, Despite Israel’s Objections

The U.S. administration is pushing for Turkey to play a bigger role in the Gaza peace process, according to U.S. media, despite Israel’s protests. Axios reported that U.S. officials believe Hamas is now ready to disarm, and President Donald Trump wants this to move forward. Officials say Hamas has sent positive signals and is willing to surrender its weapons—though they stress it must be real, not just for show.
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Hamas: Ready to Lay Down Arms?
U.S. officials claim Hamas has been in contact with mediators, signaling readiness to give up its weapons. One official said, “We have a plan. The president wants this to move forward. Hamas is signaling readiness. We believe we can achieve it.” However, the U.S. insists the disarmament must be genuine, not a tactical maneuver.
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Turkey’s Crucial Role
The Trump administration wants Turkey involved in the Gaza process, saying Turkey has influence over Hamas. Officials stressed, “We think it’s important that Turkey is involved because it has influence over them.” The White House also wants Turkey and Israel to rebuild their relationship, urging both sides to tone down their rhetoric and work together.
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Who Calls the Shots?
As the U.S. pushes for Turkey’s inclusion and Hamas’s disarmament, Israel’s objections are being sidelined. Is this a new era of regional diplomacy—or just another round of power plays, with Washington pulling the strings and everyone else adjusting their moves?
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#Gaza #Trump #Turkey #Hamas #Israel #PeaceProcess #Diplomacy

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📰 Beijing Orders Firms to Ditch US, Israeli Cybersecurity Software

Chinese authorities have told domestic companies to stop using cybersecurity software from more than a dozen U.S. and Israeli firms, citing national security concerns. The ban includes products from Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, Check Point, Mandiant, Wiz, SentinelOne, Rapid7, and others, as Beijing seeks to replace Western-made tech with domestic alternatives amid escalating trade and diplomatic tensions with the U.S.
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Why the Crackdown?
Chinese officials are worried that Western cybersecurity software could collect and transmit confidential data abroad, making it a potential threat to national security. The move is part of a broader effort to cut reliance on foreign technology and boost homegrown cybersecurity providers like 360 Security Technology and Neusoft.
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Who’s Affected?
Some of the banned companies, like Recorded Future and McAfee, say they don’t do business in China. Others, including Fortinet, Check Point, Broadcom, and Palo Alto, have significant operations and offices in the country. The ban could hit their revenue streams and force Chinese firms to scramble for alternatives.
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Tech War or Just Paranoia?
As the U.S. and China prepare for President Trump’s visit to Beijing, this move underscores China’s growing distrust of Western tech. But is it a legitimate security measure—or just another round in the global tech war, with both sides accusing each other of hacking and espionage?
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#China #Cybersecurity #US #Israel #TechWar #Trump #TradeTensions

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📰 Trump Slaps Tariffs on Europe Over Greenland Standoff

President Trump has escalated his campaign to seize control of Greenland, announcing a 10 percent tariff on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland—NATO allies who have backed Denmark in rejecting his demands. The tariff will rise to 25 percent on June 1 if the countries don’t agree to negotiate the sale of Greenland, according to Trump’s social media post.
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Tariff Threats and Legal Uncertainty
The move marks a sharp escalation in Trump’s pressure campaign, targeting European allies with economic measures. The Supreme Court is currently weighing whether Trump can legally use emergency powers to impose such tariffs, and if it rules against him, he may be forced to seek other legal avenues.
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Trump’s Justification
Trump claims the U.S. has long subsidized Europe and is now demanding payback.

“Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!”

he wrote, echoing his longstanding worldview that America has been taken advantage of for decades.
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Allies Under Fire
Trump’s threats come as European countries, including France, send troops to Greenland for joint military exercises with Denmark. With tensions rising, the question is whether economic coercion will break the deadlock—or just deepen the rift between the U.S. and its closest allies.
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#Trump #Greenland #Tariffs #Denmark #Europe #NATO #TradeWar

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📰 Federal Agencies Drown Americans With Unreleased Regulatory ‘Guidance’

While the federal government issued fewer new rules in 2025 than any year since the 1970s, the regulatory state has simply shifted its tactics. Instead of formal rules, agencies increasingly rely on “guidance” documents—memorandums, notices, bulletins, and even blog posts—that carry the weight of policy but often fly under the radar of public scrutiny.

The Rise of Regulatory ‘Dark Matter’
Agencies have found that issuing guidance is easier than going through the formal rulemaking process, which requires public notice, comment periods, and legal review. The result is a growing body of regulatory “dark matter”—documents that shape policy but aren’t always published in a single, accessible place.

The Good Act: Transparency or Window Dressing?
A bill called the Guidance Out Of Darkness Act (Good Act) passed the House in 2025 and would require agencies to compile all guidance documents in one public repository. While some guidance is already public, the Good Act would ensure that Americans can find everything in one place, much like laws are compiled in the U.S. Code and rules in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Who Controls the Rules?
As agencies regulate more through guidance than formal rules, the need for transparency grows. But will the Good Act actually make a difference, or will agencies just find new ways to operate in the shadows?

#Regulation #Guidance #GoodAct #Transparency #FederalGovernment #DarkMatter

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📰 Syria’s Kurds Fold: Government Absorbs Militia After Clashes

After weeks of sporadic fighting, Syria’s government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (S.D.F.) have agreed to a cease-fire and full merger of the militia into the national military. The deal hands the government control of most of the S.D.F.’s former territory, including key dams, oil fields, and border crossings, leaving only Hasakah under Kurdish authority.
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End of Autonomy
The Kurds, Syria’s largest ethnic minority, have long fought for autonomy, establishing their own administration and legal system in the northeast. But recent battlefield losses left them in a weak position, forcing concessions. The government will now run all prisons, including Al-Hol, which holds thousands of Islamic State detainees and their families—a major concern for the U.S.-led coalition.
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U.S. Caught in the Middle
The U.S. has backed both the government and the S.D.F., making this merger a diplomatic headache. While U.S. officials welcome the cease-fire, they worry about losing influence and the fate of the Islamic State prisoners. The new agreement means S.D.F. fighters will join the military as individuals, not as a unified force, further weakening Kurdish leverage.
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Who Really Wins?
For the interim government, the deal consolidates control and access to Syria’s resources. For the Kurds, it’s a major retreat from autonomy. But with ethnic minorities still uneasy and the U.S. watching closely, can this uneasy peace hold—or is it just another chapter in Syria’s endless cycle of power struggles?
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#Syria #Kurds #SDF #Ceasefire #Damascus #USPolicy #MiddleEast

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📰 Netanyahu Asked Trump to Slow Down: Israel Caught Off Guard by Iran Attack Plans

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called President Donald Trump last week to request a delay in the U.S. attack on Iran. The move came after Israel was caught flat-footed by the rapid shift in Washington’s stance—from apparent hesitation to sudden readiness for action, according to foreign reports.
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Surprise and Uncertainty
Until recently, there was significant uncertainty about what Trump would do. Israeli officials were surprised by the speed of the escalation, especially after Trump had seemed aloof and deliberate in his approach. The sudden pivot to attack mode left Israel scrambling to coordinate its own readiness and assess the potential fallout.
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Behind the Request
The request for a pause likely stemmed from concerns about Israeli air defense readiness, doubts about the effectiveness of a U.S. strike, and worries about the timing and planning of the operation. Israeli officials reportedly felt pressed into an unusual position, forced to directly ask for a delay rather than simply consult and share strategies.
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Who’s in Control?
With both the U.S. and Israel behind the curve on Iran’s unfolding crisis, the question remains: Who’s really driving the action, and who’s just reacting? As protests surged and the situation evolved faster than anyone expected, both sides found themselves playing catch-up, not in control.
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#Israel #Trump #Netanyahu #Iran #Protests #MiddleEast #Diplomacy

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📰 Europe Refuses to Be Blackmailed: Trump’s Tariff Threats Backfire

European leaders are standing firm against President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on eight countries unless they give in to his demands for Greenland. Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson declared, “We will not let ourselves be blackmailed,” while French President Emmanuel Macron said, “No intimidation nor threat will influence us.”

Unity in the Face of Pressure
The eight countries—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland—issued a joint statement affirming their solidarity with Denmark and Greenland. They stressed that tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. European officials warned that such actions could fracture NATO and embolden Moscow and Beijing.

Mixed Reactions, Muted Responses
While most leaders condemned Trump’s threats, Germany’s official response was more cautious, announcing only a brief statement and the withdrawal of its small troop contingent from Greenland. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the tariffs “completely wrong,” and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni described them as “an error”.

Who’s Playing the Game?
Europe’s refusal to be bullied may signal a new era of transatlantic tension. As Trump pushes for Greenland, Europe is rallying behind sovereignty and territorial integrity. But with NATO on the line and Russia and China watching, the question is: Who’s really winning—and who’s being played?

#Europe #Trump #Greenland #Tariffs #NATO #Diplomacy #Transatlantic

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📰 Pentagon Readies 1,500 Troops for Minnesota as Tensions Mount

Military on Standby
The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers from the Eleventh Airborne Division in Alaska to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota. The move comes amid escalating protests and violent confrontations following the fatal shooting of a protester by an ICE agent. While it’s unclear if troops will be sent, the readiness signals Washington’s growing concern over unrest in the state.
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Political Backlash
Minnesota’s governor has mobilized the National Guard, and local leaders warn that military intervention would only inflame tensions. “That would be a shocking step,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “We don’t need more federal agents to keep people safe. We are safe.”
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The Insurrection Act Looms
President Trump has repeatedly threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would allow the use of federal troops to quell civil unrest. The rationale cited includes not only the protests but also a scandal over stolen federal funds in Minnesota, which the administration has used to justify sending in thousands of immigration agents.
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Rising Rhetoric
Federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have called for “peaceful protest zones” to avoid further violence. Critics, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, argue that more troops would “just put another match on the fire.”
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The Stakes
As federal and state authorities square off, the situation in Minnesota has become a flashpoint for broader debates about immigration, executive power, and the limits of federal intervention.

#minnesota #pentagon #insurrectionact #protests #immigration #troops

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