Category: Geopolitics

The chessboard of nations: Strategic alliances, territorial disputes, and the shifting balance of power between the West and emerging blocs (China, Russia, Global South)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Velvet Glove Comes Off: Unmasking American Unilateralism and the Crisis of World Order

From Venezuela to the Levant, the consequences of hegemony demand a new, collective response from the sovereign world.

For decades, the United States has presented itself to the world wrapped in the mantle of freedom and human rights, its Statue of Liberty a global symbol. This image, however, has proven to be a classic case of the “iron fist in a velvet glove.” Today, that glove is slipping, and the bare knuckles of raw power are visible for global public opinion to see.

The facade cracks most blatantly where international law meets imperial interest. Consider the recent assault on Venezuela: a sovereign nation subjected to destabilization, the destruction of its infrastructure, and the shocking spectacle of its elected president being kidnapped and transported to a foreign country. No legal or humanitarian logic can justify such an act. This is not diplomacy; it is state terrorism. It is open brutality and a blatant disruption of the very international rules America claims to uphold. The attack on Venezuela is not an anomaly but a stark symptom of a system that places itself above all others.

The 'catastrophic' state of Venezuela's oil facilities
The ‘catastrophic’ state of Venezuela’s oil facilities. The cost of unilateralism: Destroyed infrastructure in Venezuela stands as a monument to a world order where power trumps law

The Blowback of Manufactured Chaos

This pattern of creating chaos is not new. Western powers, now gripped by fear over the spread of Takfiri extremism like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, are reaping what they sowed. These monstrous currents are not spontaneous eruptions but the direct progeny of Western interventionist policies. American officials themselves—from Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump—have at times acknowledged their government’s role in the creation and arming of these groups. The West lit a fire in the heart of the Middle East, providing the financial, weaponry, and political kindling. Now, the flames threaten their own borders and security. The “war on terror” has revealed itself as a cycle of terror, with the architect often funding the very menace it claims to fight.

ISIS using 'significant quantities' of U.S. arms
The boomerang effect: The fires of extremism, lit by foreign intervention, now threaten the hearths of their creators

The Abdication of the UN and the Imperative for a New Order

The United Nations, conceived as a bulwark against world wars and genocide, stands neutered in the face of this reality. It has become an institution whose authority is routinely vetoed or ignored by the very power that hosts its headquarters. When one nation can militarily intervene from Iraq and Afghanistan to Syria and Venezuela with impunity, considering itself bound by no boundaries, the post-war order is dead.

Therefore, the central question of our time is not how to reform a broken system, but how to build a new one. The world must move decisively beyond the era of domination and towards an order founded on justice for all nations, not the interests of one.

General Assembly | United Nations
The empty chamber: The stage for global dialogue stands silent in the face of unilateral power

A Call for Sovereign Collective Action

The moment for passive lament is over. The time has come for decisive, collective action by sovereign states, particularly those within the Non-Aligned Movement and the emerging Global South. They must define and activate a new mechanism to counter American unilateralism. This is not a call for alliance against a nation, but for solidarity in defense of a principle: the irreducible right to national sovereignty and a multipolar world.

Even traditional American allies in Europe now find their civilizations and social fabric under strain from the consequences of Washington’s policies and the pressure of its bullying. Europe, too, must seriously reconsider its path. The future of human society depends on breaking free from this atmosphere of brutality.

The choice is clear: continue under a dying hegemony that breeds violence and instability, or forge a new consensus where nations engage not as master and vassal, but with mutual respect. The unraveling of the old order is not a crisis, but an opportunity—an urgent summons for the world to finally grow up and govern itself.

What does the BRICS expansion mean? | Oban International
Seeds of a new order? The flags of the emerging multipolar world represent the collective search for sovereignty and justice
twitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail
Posted on by — Leave a comment

From Caracas to the Monroe Doctrine: State Kidnapping as Superpower Policy

The pre-dawn kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on January 3rd was not a covert “operation.” It was a state-sponsored terrorist act, a public demonstration of raw imperial power. This event marks the explicit return of the Monroe Doctrine as active U.S. policy, where the Western Hemisphere is treated as a backyard to be policed through militarism, disruption, and brute force. Framed within a fabricated “war on drugs,” this action reveals a superpower logic that has abandoned all pretense of international law, offering only the stark choice between obedience and destruction.

Power from the current American Administration rarely arrives empty handed.
Those who claim to help are often drawn by what lies beneath the soil, the water, the oil, the gold, the soul of a nation. History has taught us this lesson more than once.

The Blueprint of a Bully: From “Drug War” to State Kidnapping
The operation followed a familiar, sinister blueprint: electronic warfare, systemic paralysis, and a precision military strike—not on a battlefield, but in a private residence. This was the culmination of months of escalated U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, reconnaissance flights, and blockades, all laundered under the hollow label of “fighting drug trafficking.” As even U.S. congressional critics noted, the official narrative was a pretext. The real target was never drugs; it was sovereignty.

Following the kidnapping, Donald Trump spoke not as a head of state, but as a colonial proprietor. He declared Venezuela must be “governed” by the United States, its resources “used correctly” for America’s share. The Monroe Doctrine was invoked not as history, but as a program for today: a divided world where security is synonymous with submission, and humanity is eliminated by softened force.Cyber Warfare: How Nations Are Preparing for Digital BattlesCyber Warfare: How Nations Are Preparing for Digital BattlesExploration conducted for this edition was supported by web searches, insights from open-source papers, and assistance from AI language modelsExploration conducted for this edition was supported by web searches, insights from open-source papers, and assistance from AI language models

Cyber warfare can be state-sponsored or carried out by non-state actors, such as terrorists or hacktivist groups, and often aims to achieve political, economic, or military objectives. The ambiguity surrounding the attribution of such attacks complicates international relations and raises concerns about how to respond appropriately to cyber threats.

The Hollow Pretext: Security as a Synonym for Militarism
The advertised framework—narco-terrorism, security, limited operations—is a manufactured cover. U.S. data itself confirms the primary drug routes run through Mexico and Central America, not Venezuela. For Trumpism, reality is irrelevant; the political label is sufficient. “War on drugs” has become the ideological camouflage for state terrorism and kidnapping. In this logic, “security” is stripped of any meaning beyond the institutionalization of bullying and the right of a superpower to eliminate any society that is not aligned or obedient.

Drug Trafficking routes within the Caribbean. Source: The Economist (2014, 24th May. Full Circle—An Old Route Regains Popularity with Drug Gangs).

The Multipolar Trap: Desperation, Escalation, and the Crushing of Sovereignty
But this policy isn’t just simple, one-sided bullying. It is the desperate reaction of a fading hegemon in an emerging multipolar world. When the U.S., feeling its unilateral dominance slip, resorts to state kidnapping as a tool of politics, it does more than violate sovereignty—it lowers the threshold for global conflict and provides a template for other powers. In a world with multiple centers of power, every act of aggression by the American superpower creates a moral and political justification for rivals to ask: “If the hegemon can abandon all rules, why should we restrain ourselves?”

The reactions from Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran were predictable condemnations. But beyond the statements, a more dangerous dynamic is set in motion: competitive destabilization. Every military shock creates a counter-shock. Every normalization of state violence sets a new, brutal standard. The world is not simply splitting into two camps; it is fracturing into a volatile arena where multiple powers, including a rising Global South, may feel empowered or compelled to use force to secure their interests, sacrificing law and human security in the process.

Within Venezuela as well, the outcome is clear: the militarization of political space. External bullying becomes the fuel for internal repression. This is the enduring rule: militarism and external aggression serve to justify oppressive domestic governance, crushing society between the twin forces of foreign intervention and state crackdown.

The engine of escalation: one act of aggression justifies the next, locking the world in a cycle of mirrored militarism.

Against the Inhuman Blocs, For a Crushed Society
The kidnapping in Caracas brought no liberation, only a clearer exposure of the bullying empire’s face. It underscores a world where capital blocs harden, and war becomes a routine tool for adjusting power. The masses are crushed between sanctions, proxy wars, and normalized aggression.

This moment demands a clear stance: alignment with power blocs is a dead end. Not with the desperate, repressive American empire, nor with the authoritarian powers of Beijing or Moscow that pose as counter-hegemons while oppressing their own people. The promise of a multipolar world is hollow if it merely replaces one master with several. True emancipation will not come from state kidnapping, imperial bombings, or the cynical projects of competing powers. Our place is alongside the people and societies being crushed under the wheels of this transition—in the Global South and within the heart of the empires themselves. The path forward is built in opposition to a world order that sacrifices humanity on the altars of hegemony and multipolar rivalry.

Trump's Appointments Reflect a More Openly Hawkish Face of US Empire | Truthout
Trump’s Appointments Reflect a More Openly Hawkish Face of US Empire | Source: Truthout
twitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail
Posted on by — Leave a comment

A Cold Christmas: The West’s Deepening Poverty & Economic Crisis

While the festive lights of the West twinkle, a different, harsher reality darkens the holiday season for millions. This is not a temporary downturn but a deep structural crisis marked by stubborn inflation, soaring household debt, and stagnating growth. From the UK to Germany, the data reveals a “Cold Christmas” where covering basic expenses is a struggle, food bank reliance is surging, and economic pressures are reshaping the social contract.

Service users queue at Green Lanes food bank in north London
Service users queue at Green Lanes food bank in north London (Jeremy Selwyn)

The British Case: A Microcosm of Crisis
The United Kingdom exemplifies the continent-wide distress:

May be a graphic of map and text that says 'TOP 15 COUNTRIES AT RISK OF POVERTY OR SOCIAL EXCLUSION IN EUROPE Turkiye Bulgaria 30% Romania 30% Greece 28% 土 Lithuania 27% Spain Latvia 26% 26% Italy 24% Estonia 23% Croatia 22% Germany 22% France 21% Hungary 21% Luxembourg 20% Portugal 20% 20% 00 Source: Source:Eurostat Eurostat 0/0 10% 00 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% VM™ VISUAL ZED WORLD VISUALZE'
Europe is one of the world’s wealthiest regions, yet millions still face poverty or social exclusion. The EU measures vulnerability through three criteria: earning less than 60% of the national median income, lacking at least seven of 13 basic needs such as heating or internet, or living in households with very low work intensity.

A Continental Disease: Poverty Across the EU
This crisis is not confined to Britain. Across the European Union:

  • 21% of the population (nearly 95 million people) are at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

  • Germany, the traditional economic engine, has a poverty rate (21.1%) higher than the EU average.

  • France has seen its poverty rate climb to 21%, nearing its highest level since the 1990s.

The combination of persistent inflation, zero growth, and mounting personal debt is turning winter into a season of hardship for a significant part of the continent’s citizens.

Hard winter for a significant part of the continent’s citizens

Root Causes: Why the West is in This Hole
The current misery has deep, interlinked roots:

  1. The Inflation Hangover: Post-pandemic price spikes, though slowing, have permanently raised the cost of living. Wages have not kept pace.

  2. Infographic: Who Has Donated Military Hardware to Ukraine? | Statista
    Source: https://www.statista.com/chart/33514/military-hardware-allocated-to-ukraine/?srsltid=AfmBOopfiCRKc-CRgNVn136stAWG7X3JF5xeitA-wn9Iw7NdLfJUEO71

    The Cost of Foreign Wars: Hundreds of billions spent on the war in Ukraine, and continued military aid to Israel, have ballooned deficits, diverting funds from social services and forcing increased borrowing.

  3. Geopolitical Shockwaves: The wars have disrupted energy markets and critical trade routes (like the Red Sea), raising costs for fuel, transport, and goods—inflation that is passed directly to consumers.

    Red Sea crisis: Rising insurance costs, inflation surge and containership detours - CGTN
    Rising insurance costs, inflation surge and containership detours Source: https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2024-01-17/Web-Headline-Red-Sea-crisis-Rising-insurance-costs-inflation-surge-and-containership-detours-1qqvYAySjOE/p.html

  4. Failed Tariff Policies: Trump’s trade wars have increased import costs, disrupted supply chains, and created business uncertainty, stifling investment and hiring.

    rubber stamp over cardboard background with the words made in China and tariff
    Concern Over Tariff Increases On Chinese Imports Source: https://www.cleanlink.com/news/article/Concern-Over-Tariff-Increases-On-Chinese-Imports–23900

  5. Chronic Neglect: Crumbling infrastructure, from UK roads to rail networks, represents decades of underinvestment, now imposing massive costs and inefficiencies on the economy.

A Structural Crisis, Not a Seasonal Slump
The data points to a grim truth: this is not a short-term recession but a structural and long-term crisis. The IMF now calls for “deep cuts” to Europe’s social model to fund military spending and bank bailouts, while predicting meager growth.

The social consequences—vanishing purchasing power, exploding household debt, and reliance on charity—reveal a deep fissure between political rhetoric and daily reality. For millions, Christmas 2025 is not a celebration of abundance but a stark reminder of a failing system. The “Cold Christmas” is more than a seasonal metaphor; it is the forecast for the West’s economic future unless these foundational flaws are addressed. The celebration has ended, and the bill has come due.

Christmas Ornaments Lying in Snow Beneath Pine Tree Branches Outdoors 58091037 Stock Photo at Vecteezy
The “Cold Christmas” is more than a seasonal metaphor; it is the forecast for the West’s economic future
twitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail
Posted on by — Leave a comment

A Geopolitical Tool, Not a State: Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland

Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland is not a benign diplomatic gesture. It is a calculated move in a long-term strategy of regional destabilization. This analysis argues that Tel Aviv’s action should be seen as a deliberate attempt to weaken national structures, create new crisis points, and extend its geopolitical reach into the strategically vital Horn of Africa and Red Sea corridor, all while disregarding the fundamental principles of international law.

Members of the IDF General Staff look over a map during the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War on October 17, 1973. (Micky Astel/Bamahane/Defense Ministry Archives)
An archival image of Israeli intelligence officials Members of the IDF General Staff look over a map during the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War on October 17, 1973. (Micky Astel/Bamahane/Defense Ministry Archives)

The Strategic Logic: Security Through Instability

Historically, Israel has often pursued a security doctrine that favors a fragmented and unstable neighborhood over strong, unified regional states. Recognizing Somaliland fits this pattern perfectly. It is not about supporting a nascent democracy but about engineering a geopolitical tool.

From a strategic viewpoint, this move is part of Israel’s effort to shift its confrontation with the Axis of Resistance (Iran and its allies) to more distant, less costly battlegrounds. The Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait have become critical pressure points. By gaining a foothold in Somaliland, Israel seeks future intelligence and operational access in a region that could be decisive in containing Iranian influence and securing vital shipping lanes for its allies, primarily the United States.

The UN Charter is outdated and unfit for purpose
UN Charter: 80 years of guiding principles (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter)

[/caption]The Political Message: Normalizing DisintegrationBeyond strategy, the recognition sends a profound political message: the complete disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. For Israel, principles like non-interference and territorial unity—cornerstones of the UN Charter—are subordinate to its immediate interests.

Just as the occupation of Palestinian territories and the violation of UN resolutions have become routine, supporting the disintegration of sovereign nations is now being normalized as a legitimate tool of Israeli foreign policy. Recognizing Somaliland is an attempt to legitimize fragmentation itself as a geopolitical tactic.

The Backfire: Isolation Instead of Legitimacy
Contrary to any hopes in Tel Aviv, this move has not bought Israel international goodwill or legitimacy. Instead, it has triggered widespread condemnation from Arab, Islamic, and African states, along with concern from international actors. The reaction underscores a critical consensus: unilateral acts of disintegration threaten regional security for all.

The fear is of a contagious “separatist pattern” that could destabilize the entire Red Sea region. Far from being a diplomatic masterstroke, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has proven to be a costly strategic gamble that has increased its political isolation.

The dispute over Israel’s observer status to the bloc was set in motion in July 2021 when then-chair of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, accepted unilaterally the country’s accreditation [Tiksa Negeri/Reuters]
A Risky Gambit in a Fragile Region
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is a stark illustration of a foreign policy built on the principle of “divide and influence.” It seeks short-term tactical advantage by undermining the sovereignty of Somalia and fueling regional fragmentation. However, this gambit carries significant long-term risks. By openly treating the disintegration of states as a policy tool, Israel further erodes its own standing under international law and galvanizes opposition among nations that see their own territorial integrity potentially under threat. In the fragile ecosystem of the Horn of Africa, such a move does not create a reliable ally in Somaliland; it sows the seeds for broader, unpredictable instability that ultimately threatens the security of all actors in the region.Loose Woven Stock Illustrations – 999 Loose Woven Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - DreamstimeIsrael’s recognition of Somaliland is the deliberate act of pulling at the threads of national unity

twitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ice, Minerals, and Power: What Trump Really Wants in Greenland

The sudden reappearance of Greenland on the U.S. foreign policy agenda is more than a bizarre headline. It is a stark symbol of the return of 19th-century expansionist logic to 21st-century geopolitics. Donald Trump’s revival of the idea to “purchase” or dominate the world’s largest island is not a personal whim, but a structural view that subordinates sovereignty and the foundational principles of the UN Charter to the interests of great powers. This move has triggered a transatlantic diplomatic crisis, revealing a deep clash between unilateral ambition and the established international legal order.

A map showing Greenland's location on the globe.
Greenland hosts Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, a U.S. military installation key to missile early warning and defense as well as space surveillance.

From Frozen Frontier to Geopolitical Prize
Once a remote, frozen periphery, Greenland has been thrust into the center of global power competition. Climate change is unlocking new shipping routes and, crucially, exposing vast reserves of rare earth elements and strategic minerals vital for advanced technology, renewable energy, and defense industries. This transformation has made the island a key geopolitical node, and the U.S., under Trump, is seeking to secure direct access, bypassing traditional diplomatic norms.

Geopolitical Interests Stock Photos - Free & Royalty-Free Stock Photos from Dreamstime
Trump, is seeking to secure direct access, bypassing traditional diplomatic norms.

The Tool: “Special Representative” or Agent of Pressure?
The appointment of a U.S. “Special Representative to Greenland”—a diplomatic tool typically reserved for crisis zones—was a provocative act. Denmark rightly condemned it as unacceptable intervention. Public musings about Greenland “joining” the U.S. stripped away any pretense, revealing an ambition that goes far beyond security cooperation. This move directly challenges Danish sovereignty and signals to allies and adversaries alike that Washington is willing to exert pressure wherever it identifies a strategic interest.

860+ Eu And Danish Flags Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images - iStock
Denmark alongside with the other EU countries shaping a united frontier.

Europe’s Response: A Line in the Ice
Denmark’s swift and firm response—”Greenland is not for sale”—represents a defense of a fundamental European principle: respect for territorial sovereignty. For the EU, this is a precedent-setting case. If pressure is accepted today on a European territory, it could target any member tomorrow. The Greenland crisis has thus become a rallying point for European resistance against a U.S. policy driven purely by a “power right” doctrine, reviving fears of a modern Monroe Doctrine applied to allies.

No photo description available.
Greenland holds vast, largely untapped mineral resources, including rare earth elements, graphite, lithium, and other critical minerals. 🪨⚡ These resources could play a key role in the future of green energy, technology, and global supply chains — making Greenland a potential hotspot for strategic development.  Source:https://www.facebook.com/groups/3623312684642776 Photo: Wall Street Journal

The True Prize and the Transatlantic Rift
Beyond the sensational headlines lies the cold reality: Greenland’s immense mineral wealth is the hidden driver of this crisis. Trump’s policy seeks a blend of resource dominance, strategic positioning, and political influence, treating an ally’s territory as a geopolitical chess piece.

This crisis exposes a foundational rift in transatlantic relations. Europe’s security is built on a framework of respected international law and multilateral cooperation, as embodied in the UN system, while Trump’s America operates on a logic of unilateral power and transactional gain. The aggressive pursuit of Greenland may offer Washington short-term strategic advantages, but it comes at a devastating long-term cost: eroding trust, fracturing alliances, and pushing Europe toward strategic independence. In the frozen waters of the Arctic, a new, colder chapter in U.S.-Europe relations is being written.

Crystal Clear Ice Cube Melting Dark Surface Water Droplets Stock Photos - Free & Royalty-Free Stock Photos from Dreamstime
The transient political cooperation is melting away to reveal hard, enduring interests. 
twitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail
Posted on by — Leave a comment

A Nation Sacrificed: How Sudan Became a Graveyard of Hope and Geopolitical Games

A Nation Sacrificed: How Sudan Became a Graveyard of Hope and Geopolitical Games

Sudan, a land rich in gold and oil, is dying. Caught in the grip of a catastrophic civil war, the nation is paralyzed. The clash between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced millions, turned cities into graveyards, and unleashed one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. This is not merely a conflict; it is the systematic unraveling of a nation.

In 2019, a revolution swept Sudan. Its symbol was Alaa Salah, a woman in a white dress standing on a car, leading chants of “Thawra!” (Revolution). Her image became a global icon of hope. But critics now see it as a symbol of a movement strong on emotion but fatally weak on strategy—a cry of anger with no clear road map for what came next.

Prologue: The Roots of a Monster

For three decades, Omar al-Bashir ruled Sudan with an iron fist. His regime was built on violence, most infamously in Darfur. There, in the early 2000s, he unleashed the Janjaweed—nomadic militias known for burning villages and mass killings—to crush dissent. This campaign of terror left hundreds of thousands dead.

In 2013, al-Bashir formalized these militias into the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), under the command of Mohamed “Hemedti” Hamdan Dagalo. Meanwhile, the traditional army, the SAF, remained under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The two forces existed in a tense alliance, a powder keg waiting for a spark.

Sudan military ousts President Omar al-Bashir, takes over - ABC News
Omar al-Bashir

Act I: The Revolution of Good Intentions, The Coup of Cold Reality

 

In 2019, a revolution swept Sudan. Its symbol was Alaa Salah, a woman in a white dress standing on a car, leading chants of “Thawra!” (Revolution). Her image became a global icon of hope. But critics now see it as a symbol of a movement strong on emotion but fatally weak on strategy—a cry of anger with no clear road map for what came next.

The revolution succeeded in ousting al-Bashir, but it created a dangerous power vacuum. A fragile civilian-military government was formed, only to be shattered in 2021 by a coup led by General al-Burhan. The facade of unity between the army and the RSF crumbled. The core dispute was simple: the army wanted to absorb the RSF, and Hemedti, enriched by gold mines and commanding a powerful private army, refused. The stage was set for war.

Explainer: tracing the history of Sudan's Janjaweed militia
Janjaweed militias in Darfur

Act II: The Descent into Hell

 

In April 2023, the battle for Sudan erupted in the heart of Khartoum. The streets, once full of life, became killing fields. Schools and hospitals were destroyed. Millions fled with nothing, their homes reduced to rubble.

The war then returned to its birthplace: Darfur. In El Fasher, a 500-day siege pushed a city to the brink of madness. When the city finally fell to the RSF, a new wave of genocide began. Massacres, street executions, and the burning of entire neighborhoods were documented. Satellite analysis from Yale University has identified mass graves. Men were “disappeared,” and families were buried alive in their homes.

Today, Sudan is a silent hell. The UN warns that 18 million people face famine. Parents watch their children die of hunger. People eat dirt and grass to survive. A haunting video captures the essence of this despair: a man, moments from being executed, finds solace only in his faith, while a woman cradles her starved, lifeless children, begging a silent world for help.

Today, Sudan is a silent hell

Act III: The World Looks Away—And Fuels the Fire

 

As Sudan burns, the world stands by. But this is not mere inaction; it is complicity. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been identified as a key backer of the RSF, funneling weapons, drones, and money through clandestine networks to Hemedti’s forces. While claiming to support peace, the UAE’s actions pour gasoline on the fire, prioritizing geopolitical influence over human life.

Over 150,000 people have been killed. Over 12 million are displaced, flooding into overcrowded camps in Chad and South Sudan, where aid is a cruel mirage. The world’s silence has written the bitterest chapter in Sudan’s story: a season where oil dollars and gold were valued more highly than human blood.

Conclusion: A Autumn of Leaves

Sudan is in its autumn. Its people, like leaves, are falling one by one—shot, starved, or forgotten. The hopeful chants of the revolution have been replaced by the whimpers of starving children and the silence of mass graves. The story of Sudan is a devastating lesson in how quickly hope can be betrayed, and how the world can watch a nation become a graveyard.

twitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Checkmate in the Caribbean: How China’s Shadow Complicates Trump’s Venezuela Gambit

Playing with Fire: Chinese Military Presence in the Caribbean Complicates Trump’s Venezuela Calculus

The announcement of Donald Trump’s “final decision” on Venezuela hangs in the air, but any potential military action in the Caribbean is a path strewn with complexity and risk. Washington finds itself in a vulnerable position, its calculations complicated by the specter of China’s expanding military influence, the unpredictable reaction of Caracas, and the looming shadow of domestic elections. Every move risks setting off a chain of events that could be difficult to control, potentially ceding regional influence and inviting a rival power to America’s doorstep.

🇺🇲🇨🇳💥 Chinese Navy is just 120 miles away from US SOUTHCOM in Carribbean Sea and China's largest Naval vessels visits Nicaragua, Columbia and #Venezuela as regional tensions remain high with US army.
Chinese Navy is just 120 miles away from US SOUTHCOM in Carribbean Sea and China’s largest Naval vessels visits Nicaragua, Columbia and #Venezuela as regional tensions remain high with US army.

The Geopolitical Chessboard

While the Trump administration frames its increased military presence in Latin America as a “combat against drug trafficking” operation, the tightening grip has raised alarms about a wider conflict. The situation presents a host of contradictory and costly options. According to a U.S. diplomat close to the Democratic Party, the most significant threat is that China could leverage the Venezuelan crisis as a direct bargaining chip.

The potential scenario is a strategic nightmare for Washington: military action against the Maduro government could provide Beijing with the perfect pretext to officially deploy military assets to the Caribbean, ostensibly to support its ally. In practice, this would grant China a “great strategic advantage”—a permanent military foothold in America’s backyard, achieved inadvertently through U.S. policy.

China, Venezuela upgrade ties to 'all-weather strategic partnership,' state media report | Reuters
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping, during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China September 13, 2023. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

The Taiwan Dilemma and Internal Divisions

The stakes are raised even higher by the Taiwan issue. The same diplomat revealed serious disagreements within the Republican administration, with some officials fearing that any move against Venezuela would “open China’s hand to dealing with Taiwan.” This direct threat to U.S. national security creates a paralyzing dilemma: action in Caracas could trigger a crisis in Taipei.

Domestically, the Democrats are poised to weaponize any military action. They intend to make a Venezuelan intervention the centerpiece of their electoral attacks against Republicans in the midterm elections, turning foreign policy into a potent campaign issue.

Any move against Venezuela would “open China’s hand to dealing with Taiwan

The Narrowing Field of Options

Hasan Elzin, an expert on Latin American affairs, outlines several scenarios for Washington, each with its own perils:

  1. Direct Military Attack (Iraq Model): This faces three major obstacles: a crippling shortage of manpower compared to the Iraq war, strong public opposition to a new foreign conflict, and significant political and legal hurdles in Congress.

  2. Arming the Opposition: A previously attempted strategy that was partially thwarted by Caracas. Without defections from the Venezuelan military, this option has limited impact.

  3. A Decapitation Strike: A repeat of the failed 2020 attempt to capture Maduro, which would require massive and risky airstrikes.

  4. Maximum Pressure: A continued campaign of political, economic, and military pressure to force Caracas into concessions on energy and security.

Mediation by Brazil presents another uncertain path, complicated by Washington’s own pressure on the Brazilian government.

Venezuela holds military drills after US threat
Training exercises across country come at the heels of new US sanctions and Trump’s warning of military action

Containment: The Ultimate Goal

At its core, Washington’s strategy is driven by the desire to curb China’s growing influence in Latin America. The Trump administration seeks to prevent Beijing from using cheap Venezuelan oil as a strategic resource. The confrontation is a high-stakes “chess game” aimed at fundamentally altering the behavior of the Caracas government or even changing its regime.

The final, unpredictable variable is Venezuela’s response. The consequences of military action could range from the United States becoming bogged down in a Vietnam-like quagmire to widespread civil unrest in Venezuela escalating into a full-blown civil war—a blowback that would shatter regional stability and achieve the exact opposite of Washington’s stated goals.

The Trump administration seeks to prevent Beijing from using cheap Venezuelan oil as a strategic resource. The confrontation is a high-stakes “chess game” aimed at fundamentally altering the behavior of the Caracas government or even changing its regime

twitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The American Playbook: How the US Engineered Imran Khan’s Ouster to Control South Asia

Leaked cables reveal Washington pressured Pakistan to remove its prime minister for pursuing independence. This isn’t diplomacy—it’s imperial manipulation.

When Imran Khan visited Moscow on the very day Russia invaded Ukraine, it wasn’t just a diplomatic snub to Washington—it was an act of defiance. For that, he would pay the ultimate political price. Recently leaked diplomatic cables confirm what many suspected: the United States pressured Pakistani officials in 2022 to remove their prime minister. Within months, Khan was out of office, then arrested, while Pakistan signed a new defense agreement with the United States. This isn’t coincidence—it’s the modern imperial playbook in action.

The Coup That Wasn’t Secret
The leaked cables reveal a systematic campaign to undermine Khan’s government. Why? His foreign policy vision directly challenged American hegemony. While previous Pakistani leaders had balanced between Washington and Beijing, Khan unequivocally pivoted toward China and Russia. He embraced China’ Belt and Road Initiative, pursued energy deals with Moscow, and most provocatively, maintained Pakistan’s neutrality in the Ukraine conflict—a stance Washington viewed as alignment with its adversaries.

Khan’s removal followed a familiar pattern: political instability engineered, a pliable successor installed, and then—crucially—a new defense pact signed that locked Pakistan deeper into America’s security architecture. The entire operation took less than a year.

This document, known as a cipher, is a clandestine piece of correspondence that has now emerged as a focal point within Pakistan’s political landscape due to the tumultuous removal of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In a development that has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s political sphere, The Intercept, an American news organization, has unveiled a copy of the notorious cipher. This document sheds light on what the publication describes as unequivocal interference, vested interests, and the active role played by the United States in orchestrating the downfall of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government. The news agency claims that Imran Khan’s foreign policy goals were the main reason behind his ouster, for example strengthening bilateral relations with China and Russia.

The Great Game 2.0: Playing India Against Pakistan
Washington’s strategy in South Asia is a masterclass in “divide and rule.” On one hand, the US cultivates India as a counterweight to China, supplying advanced weapons and intelligence. On the other, it maintains Pakistan as a check on Indian power—a nuclear-armed rival that ensures Delhi never becomes too independent.

This balancing act serves multiple purposes:

  • It keeps both nations dependent on American military equipment

  • It prevents the emergence of a united South Asian bloc

  • It ensures Washington remains the ultimate arbiter of regional disputes

The US doesn’t want India to win—it wants both countries to remain perpetually engaged in managed conflict, forever needing American mediation.

India and pakistan flag print screen on paw chess.now both countries have economic tariff trade war and patriotic conflict. | Premium Photo
Washington’s strategy in South Asia is a masterclass in “divide and rule.” On one hand, the US cultivates India as a counterweight to China, supplying advanced weapons and intelligence. On the other, it maintains Pakistan as a check on Indian power—a nuclear-armed rival that ensures Delhi never becomes too independent.

Pakistan’s Strategic Value: More Than Just Real Estate
With over 200 million people and nuclear weapons, Pakistan represents the ultimate “swing state” in Asia. Its location offers access to Central Asia, the Middle East, and critically—the Indian Ocean. China recognized this years ago, investing heavily in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The US now seeks to counter that influence by drawing Pakistan back into its orbit.

But Washington’s interest isn’t in Pakistan’s development—it’s in Pakistan’s utility. As one analyst noted, “The US wants to have its cake and eat it too: use India against China, while using Pakistan against India.”

CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (CPEC): THE MARITIME-STRATEGIC DIMENSION
CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (CPEC): THE MARITIME-STRATEGIC DIMENSION
US Military Bases and Facilities in the Middle East | ASP American Security Project
US Military Bases and Facilities in the Middle East | ASP American Security Project

The Inevitable Next Target
If the US succeeds in containing China, India will inevitably become Washington’s next “problem.” A nation of 1.4 billion people with its own civilizational ambitions cannot permanently serve as another country’s lieutenant. American strategists understand this—which is why they work to ensure no regional power becomes strong enough to challenge US primacy.

The same playbook used against Pakistan—strengthening neighbors, planting narratives of aggression, economic pressure—will eventually be deployed against India once it outlives its usefulness as a Chinese counterweight.

India Is Trump's Next Tariff Target
“Next Target?”

Conclusion: Sovereignty as the Ultimate Rebellion
Imran Khan’s real crime wasn’t corruption or incompetence—it was asserting Pakistan’s right to an independent foreign policy. In today’s unipolar world, that remains the ultimate rebellion. The leaked cables exposing US interference should serve as a warning to all nations seeking strategic autonomy: Washington still believes it has the right to choose other countries’ leaders. IndependenceIndependence

But the era of American unipolarity is ending. As China rises and regional powers assert themselves, the US will find it increasingly difficult to manipulate nations like chess pieces. The people of South Asia—whether in Islamabad or Delhi—are waking up to the reality that their conflicts often serve interests an ocean away. True sovereignty begins when they recognize the manipulator behind the mediation.

The people of South Asia—whether in Islamabad or Delhi—are waking up to the reality that their conflicts often serve interests an ocean away. True sovereignty begins when they recognize the manipulator behind the mediation.

IndependenceIndependenceIndependenceIndependence

Independence

twitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Dollar, Ballots & Debt: How Trump Installed His Man in Argentina to Fight China

Dollar, Ballots & Debt: How Trump Installed His Man in Argentina to Fight China

When far-right economist Javier Milei swept to victory in Argentina’s parliamentary by-election on October 26, 2025, the world saw more than just another swing to the right in Latin America. They witnessed the opening move in Donald Trump’s new Cold War—fought not in the South China Sea, but in the streets of Buenos Aires.

The “Made in Washington” Victory
Milei’s win didn’t happen in a vacuum. Voter turnout was low. Opposition parties were divided. But behind the scenes, a more powerful force was at work: the direct involvement of the United States. Trump, publicly and privately, threw his weight behind Milei, framing his support as a financial and strategic necessity. The message was clear: a Milei victory meant American money. A loss meant isolation.

For Washington, Milei isn’t just an ideological ally—he is a geopolitical tool. His commitment to dollarizing Argentina’s economy, slashing public spending, and aligning foreign policy with the U.S. makes him the perfect vehicle to roll back years of Chinese expansion in the region.


The election is seen as a test of Washington’s new policies in South America, where Trump made clear his support for Milley as a way to counter Chinese influence in the region

Trump’s Real Fear: China’s Silk Road Reaches the Andes
Over the past decade, China has become a critical partner for Argentina—funding infrastructure, buying soybeans, and offering loans without the political lectures that often come from Washington or the IMF. From space stations in Patagonia to port projects near Buenos Aires, Beijing’s presence has grown steadily. To Trump, this isn’t trade—it is trespassing.

Milei’s victory represents a U.S. counterattack. By installing a pro-Washington leader in one of South America’s largest economies, Trump hopes to:

  • Push Argentina out of China’s Belt and Road Initiative

  • Force the renegotiation of Chinese-backed projects

  • Pull the region back into the U.S. sphere of influence

    Chinese infrastructure projects in Latin America

A Nation Caught Between Empires
Not all Argentinians are celebrating. Milei’s radical austerity policies—wage cuts, privatization, and deregulation—have already sparked mass protests. Many see his alignment with the U.S. not as liberation, but as subordination. As one Argentine political thinker noted: “Milei doesn’t serve Argentina—he serves Washington’s geostrategic interests.”

The risk for Argentina is becoming a pawn in a game it cannot control. If Milei’s economic shock therapy fails, the social backlash could be severe. And if he succeeds in alienating China, where will the investment and buyers for Argentine goods come from?

Thousands protest in Argentina over proposed economic reforms
An aerial view of demonstrators against the Milei’s Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 27, 2023. ( Luciano Gonzalez – Anadolu Agency )

The New Cold War Is Here—And It’s Speaking Spanish
What happens in Argentina no longer stays in Argentina. Milei’s victory signals a new chapter in hemispheric politics—one where local elections are shaped by global rivalries. From Brazil to Chile, Mexico to Peru, the U.S. and China are competing for loyalty, and no ballot is too small to be weaponized.

The era of non-alignment is over. Nations are being forced to choose—and superpowers are making sure they choose correctly.

Scott Bessent, left, gives a thumbs up as Javier Milei hold a blue folder and glass award. Both men are wearing tuxedos against a purple backdrop. A teleprompter is in the foreground.
Argentine President Javier Milei receives an Atlantic Council Global Citizen Award from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the 2025 Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards in New York City on Sept. 24

Conclusion: Sovereignty for Sale
Javier Milei may frame his mission in terms of liberty and free markets. But behind the libertarian rhetoric lies a darker reality: sovereignty is up for auction, and the highest bidder isn’t always the one with the best intentions.

Argentina is now a battlefield in Trump’s war on China. The only question is: who will pay the price?

1+ Thousand Argentina Old Map Royalty-Free Images, Stock Photos & Pictures | Shutterstock
A Geopolitical Auction Block. Argentina finds itself a strategic prize in the escalating rivalry between the United States and China. The rhetoric of liberty masks a fierce struggle for influence, with the Argentine people ultimately holding the bill.
twitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail
Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Scramble for Sudan: How Foreign Powers Are Fueling Africa’s Silent Genocide

Sudan is bleeding. Since April 2023, a brutal civil war has pitted the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia with roots in the Janjaweed, responsible for the Darfur genocide two decades ago. The fall of El Fasher—the capital of North Darfur—on October 26, 2025, marks a grim turning point. But this is not just a Sudanese conflict. It is a proxy war, fueled by foreign money, weapons, and ambition.

The Fall of El Fasher: A City of Suffering
For 18 months, El Fasher was under siege. Then it fell—quickly, brutally. In the first 72 hours, more than 1,500 civilians were killed. Most were from the Masalit tribe, targeted in what survivors describe as systematic ethnic cleansing. Hospitals were bombed, medical staff kidnapped, homes burned. Mass graves dot the outskirts. Those who escaped describe a city of ghosts—a place where the atrocities of the 2000s have returned, this time with more sophisticated weapons and even less global attention.

War in Sudan: Death strikes at every corner in devastated Khartoum
War in Sudan: Death strikes at every corner in devastated Khartoum

Foreign Hands on Sudanese Soil
Behind the RSF’s brutal efficiency lies the shadow of the United Arab Emirates. Multiple reports confirm the UAE has supplied the militia with armored vehicles, drones, and small arms. Why? For gold. For the Red Sea port of Suakin. For regional influence. By backing the RSF, the UAE secures access to Sudan’s vast mineral wealth while undermining the official government in Khartoum. This is not aid—it is outsourcing war. And the world has responded with little more than statements of concern.

UK military equipment used by militia accused of genocide found in Sudan, UN told | Global development | The Guardian
UK military equipment used by militia accused of genocide found in Sudan, UN told

A War Waged on the Helpless
The numbers are staggering, almost beyond comprehension:

  • Over 20,000 dead

  • 13 million displaced—one of the largest internal displacement crises in the world

  • 30 million in need of humanitarian aid

  • 25 million facing severe hunger

In Darfur, the RSF uses starvation as a tactic. Roads are blocked. Aid convoys are turned back. The result is a man-made famine in a land that was once the breadbasket of the region.

Over 25 million people face hunger in Sudan - Hobe News
Over 25 million people face hunger in Sudan

The World Watches—and Waits
International responses have been slow, fragmented, and painfully inadequate. The UN condemns. The African Union deliberates. The EU issues statements. The US sanctions a few RSF commanders. But no one has stopped the flow of weapons. No one has intervened to protect civilians. In the age of live-streamed wars, Sudan’s suffering remains strangely invisible—a silence that suits those who profit from the chaos.

Is Peace Possible?
There are roads to peace, but they are littered with obstacles:

  • A ceasefire that integrates the RSF into the national army

  • A transitional government that includes civilian voices

  • National reconciliation that addresses decades of trauma

But none of this will happen as long as foreign powers treat Sudan as a chessboard. The UAE must end its support for the RSF. The international community must enforce an arms embargo. And Sudan’s leaders—military and civilian—must choose the nation over their own power.

Fires inside a WFP compound in El Fasher

Conclusion: We Have Been Here Before
Two decades ago, the world vowed “never again” after Darfur. Today, we are watching “again” unfold in real time. The fall of El Fasher is not just the loss of a city. It is the failure of humanity. But within Sudan, there is still resistance—local committees documenting crimes, doctors working without supplies, ordinary people sharing what little they have. Their courage is a flicker of light in a very dark night. It is time the world learned to see by it.

Altuma’s children are playing inside their shelter. Displaced by the conflict from their home in Khartoum, the family has had to move several times and is currently living in an old building without a roof over its head

twitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail