Did Trump shake Europe or strengthen it at the Davos speech?
A senior European official attending the World Economic Forum in Davos last week described President Donald Trump’s approach toward Europe as “shock therapy.” After absorbing repeated jolts during the first year of Trump’s second term—over Ukraine, tariffs, accusations of Europe’s “civilizational erasure,” and even Greenland—the official said Europe is shaken but stronger. The treatment has […]
Xi’s control over PLA faces another test as top general is investigated
The most senior uniformed official in China’s billion-man army is being investigated, in what looks like the most recent move in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s prolonged campaign of purging the People’s Liberation Army, China’s ground force. The Defense Ministry announced that China’s Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, is being investigated over […]
Is the UK supporting Sudan’s war through indirect partnerships?
In December, as the conflict between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensified, the British government publicly urged accountability, expressing alarm at the scale of civilian deaths and destruction. Yet internal reports and leaked documents reveal that the UK rejected more ambitious plans designed to prevent atrocities — even as violence surged in […]
Is Middle East heading toward another Israel–Iran war?
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is warning that Israel now looks actively to be seeking an opportunity to initiate another military strike against Iran, a move that he says could further destabilize an already volatile Middle East. “I hope they find a different path, but the reality is that Israel, in particular, is looking for […]
Trump’s NATO doubts: Rhetoric, reality, and cost of undermining alliances
While addressing the nation in Davos, Switzerland, U.S. President Donald Trump appears to raise anew the clouds of skepticism over the basic beliefs that formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization regarding defense cooperation agreements, rhetorically inquiring if in case of crisis, U.S. allies will be willing to help their ally. Mr. Trump stated that NATO […]
Why is Israel turning to privatisation to fund its war spending?
Israel is preparing to sell stakes in some of its largest state-owned weapons manufacturers as it looks for ways to plug a widening fiscal gap caused by two years of sustained conflict. Senior government officials say the move is driven by the sharp rise in defence expenditure since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, […]
Why are ISIS prisoners in Syria suddenly a global crisis again?
Thousands of ISIS prisoners being held in the northeastern part of the country have made the news again as Syrian governmental forces seized territory previously controlled by the Kurds. The Syrian Democratic Forces, who until now were the main allies of the United States in the war against the ISIS terrorist organization, were in control […]
Syria and SDF reach ceasefire amid growing security and political tensions
The government of Syria declared a ceasefire with Kurdish-led forces known as the Syrian Democratic Forces following a withdrawal of the militia alliance in al-Hol camp, which houses thousands of people alleged to have ties with Islamic State. The development represents a significant shift in the course of a long-running civil war in Syria. Why […]
India–UAE $3 Billion LNG deal signals deepening energy and strategic alignment
India and the United Arab Emirates have moved further down the path of a strategic relationship with the signing of a $3 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) energy deal that came on the heels of a commitment from both the Indian and UAE governments to very significant future trade and defense partnerships. The signing of […]
What Denmark’s troop deployment in Greenland signals to Washington
Denmark has deployed additional troops to Greenland in a visible show of resolve after US President Donald Trump refused to rule out using military force to seize control of the vast Arctic territory. The move underscores growing alarm in Copenhagen and across Europe that Washington’s rhetoric is crossing from diplomatic provocation into direct security risk. […]