US and Iran resume backchannel diplomacy at UN amid war and threats
Iran and the United States have resumed contacts through mediators on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as the war between the two countries continues. The renewed messaging comes alongside sharply contrasting public speeches from President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The talks are taking place in a highly charged setting, with both sides using the UN stage to press their case.According to the supplied material, Iran has exchanged messages with US officials via Qatari mediators, although it has not confirmed Trump's claim that the two sides held a direct meeting at the... [Continue Reading]
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Australia warns China and the US the Indo-Pacific is not their 'chessboard' as Albanese deepens Ukraine support
In a major foreign policy speech in New York, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to say the post-1945 world order is no longer fit for purpose. He will also warn China and the United States that the Indo-Pacific is not a chessboard for global superpowers. The remarks come as he has launched Australia's campaign for a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council.The speech follows Albanese's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where the two leaders signed a decade-long security agreement. Australia also announced an additional $60 million in support for Ukraine, adding to its existing assistance... [Continue Reading]
Board of Peace unveils $2.45bn Gaza reconstruction plan amid funding gap
The US-backed Board of Peace has announced a $2.45 billion Gaza recovery plan at a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The six-month programme covers 66 projects and is aimed at housing, diesel generation, waste removal and other urgent needs. It is being presented as the first stage of a wider reconstruction effort in the war-damaged territory.Board members said the plan is intended to show commitment to recovery, but they also acknowledged that financing remains incomplete. The board said $18 billion has been pledged so far, while only $280 million has actually been... [Continue Reading]
UN General Assembly in New York faces fresh pressure as leaders clash over Gaza, Ukraine and Iran
World leaders gathering in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly are using the platform to press some of the most divisive conflicts in global politics. The latest speeches and analysis describe an institution under strain, with questions growing over funding, relevance and the ability of the Security Council to act. The debate is being shaped by wars in Gaza and Ukraine, tensions involving Iran, and wider concerns that major powers are increasingly acting outside the UN framework.One of the clearest examples came from Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who addressed the assembly for the fifth time since Russia's... [Continue Reading]
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Syria's al-Sharaa warns Israeli attacks endanger post-war recovery amid UN speech
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to warn that Israeli military activity is undermining Syria's fragile post-war recovery. He called for Israel to withdraw from internationally recognised Syrian territory and said the occupied Golan Heights would remain Syrian territory. The remarks came as Damascus seeks to present itself as moving from conflict toward reconstruction.Al-Sharaa said there had been 500 air strikes, more than 1,200 incursions and 300 detentions in Syria by Israel, and accused it of trying to impose a fait accompli. He said the attacks were damaging peace and security and... [Continue Reading]
Day News Recap: UN diplomacy intensifies as Iran, Gaza and Xi talks dominate a crowded global agenda
Iran dominated the United Nations General Assembly as President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the world body, defended Tehran and pushed back against accusations over the war fallout, while Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric and said he faced a big decision on whether to strike Iran. ๐ ๐Diplomacy continued in parallel, with Iran's foreign minister meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff in the first reported talks between the two sides since the June ceasefire unravelled, and later shuttle talks in New York described as productive and a possible opening. ๐ ๐The wider UN week also brought warnings about the risks of artificial intelligence,... [Continue Reading]
Security Council debates Ukraine war as UN experts cite over 1,000 sexual violence cases
Today, the Security Council once again debates a path to peace , though any resolution still runs up against the veto of Russia, one of its own permanent members, whose objections have repeatedly stalled any consensus. As world leaders take the floor, the gap between diplomatic process and battlefield reality appears to be stark. Today, the Security Council once again debates a path to peace , though any resolution still runs up against the veto of Russia, one of its own permanent members, whose objections have repeatedly stalled any consensus. As world leaders take the floor, the gap between diplomatic... [Continue Reading]
US and Iran hold productive shuttle talks at UN as diplomatic opening emerges
US and Iranian officials have held mediated shuttle talks in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, marking the first such contacts between the two sides in months. The discussions were described by President Donald Trump as productive, with both sides signalling that there may be room for further engagement. The talks took place in the same diplomatic setting where tensions over the war in the Middle East, sanctions and regional security have dominated the agenda.According to officials and public remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner communicated through... [Continue Reading]
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Ethiopia rebel alliance forms as Tigray fighting escalates
Seven Ethiopian armed groups have announced a new alliance aimed at removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, while fighting in the north has intensified with reported drone strikes and the seizure of a key airport in Mekelle. The grouping, called the Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival, was announced on Sunday and brings together movements with different histories, territorial claims and enemies. The developments have raised fresh concern that separate conflicts in Ethiopia could become more closely linked.According to the supporting report, the alliance includes the Amhara Fano National Movement, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the Oromo Liberation Army, the Ogaden... [Continue Reading]
South Sudan dissolves transitional government as election security tightens in Juba
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has dissolved the transitional government, parliament and national and state administrations as the country moves closer to its first national election since independence. The decision was taken under an amended law signed on Monday, and it comes three months before the vote scheduled for 22 December. Heavy security was reported in the capital, Juba, ahead of the announcement, with soldiers blocking access to government ministries and patrolling parts of the city.Under the new arrangement, Kiir removed the country's five vice-presidents and reappointed some ministers and governors in caretaker roles. A senior government official said staff... [Continue Reading]
Qatar emir urges Gulf diplomacy and collective security at UN amid Iran war
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has used his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to press for a diplomatic response to the regional crisis linked to the Iran war. The Qatari emir said the Gulf was going through one of the most dangerous phases in its recent history and warned that vital facilities could be attacked and important waterways closed if tensions continue to escalate. He said the crisis could still be resolved through diplomacy and that Qatar was doing everything in its power to help address it.The emir called for a regional system of... [Continue Reading]
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on September 23, 2026 September 23, 2026
CCTV: The 48th WorldSkills Competition is being held in Shanghai. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the event. This morning, Premier Li Qiang attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the WorldSkills Conference. The WorldSkills Expo is also being held at the same time. Can you provide more information on these events? Guo Jiakun: The 48th WorldSkills Competition has kicked off in Shanghai, bringing together a record number of nearly 1,400 competitors from 68 countries and regions. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the WorldSkills Competition. He noted that a new round of scientific and technological... [Continue Reading]
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Erdoฤan calls for UN Security Council veto power to be abolished at General Assembly
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoฤan has called for the United Nations Security Council's veto power to be abolished, using the opening days of the UN General Assembly in New York to press for a major overhaul of the world body. In a published opinion piece, he argued that the current structure of the Council no longer fits today's crises and should be replaced with a system without permanent seats. Under his proposal, members would be elected by the General Assembly for fixed terms.Erdoฤan said reform should begin with ending the veto privilege held by the five permanent members of the... [Continue Reading]
US and Iran hold first talks since June ceasefire unravelled amid Trump threat
Iran's foreign minister has met US envoy Steve Witkoff at the United Nations in the first reported talks between the two sides since the June ceasefire unravelled. The discussions were arranged by Qatar, according to the supplied material, and no breakthrough has been reported. The meeting came on the same day Donald Trump said he could "annihilate" Iran if the conflict is not resolved.Witkoff said a round of discussions had been completed that he hoped would prove "constructive and promising". Iran repeated its demand for the United States to end what it called its "acts of aggression". The talks took... [Continue Reading]
Canada pledges aid for Palestinians and signals trade restrictions over West Bank settlements at UNGA
Canada has announced C$100 million in new assistance for Palestinians and said it is considering trade restrictions on goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The announcement came on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where several Western leaders have used their speeches to press for action on Gaza and the wider conflict. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the funding is intended to help preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.Carney said 80% of the money will go to direct humanitarian aid, while the remaining 20% will support peace and security,... [Continue Reading]
Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Iran at UN as diplomacy continues in New York
President Donald Trump has escalated his language on Iran at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying he faces a "big decision" on whether to strike the country again or pursue a peace deal. He told delegates he could "annihilate" the Islamic Republic if the conflict is not resolved, putting the threat at the centre of his address. The remarks came during a day of high-level diplomacy on the sidelines of the assembly, where he was meeting more than a dozen world leaders.Trump spoke before a standing-room-only audience, with a member of Iran's delegation present in the chamber.... [Continue Reading]
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Costa, Lula, Ruto and Carney unveil P4M multilateralism initiative ahead of UN week
As world leaders head to the UN General Assembly in New York this week, we confront a paradox. The global community is more interdependent than ever, even as it becomes more fragmented and polarized. Our economies are deeply intertwined. Technology links billions of people across borders, while capital, goods, data and ideas move at speeds that would have been unimaginable when the United Nations was founded in 1945. Global trade reached a record $35 trillion last year and six billion people -almost three-quarters of humanity- are connected to the internet. However, geopolitics is moving the other way. 2025 saw 65... [Continue Reading]
Canada joins P4M summit declaration backing multilateral reform and international law
Initial co-sponsors: Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, India and Kenya. Signatories: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Guatemala, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, Norway, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Tรผrkiye and Uruguay. We come together at a time of profound global transformation. The escalating pace and scale of global change are reshaping our present and will define our collective future. We are concerned by growing polarisation, the spread of conflict, violations of international law and the increasing resort to power politics, protectionism, coercion and the threat or use of force. These trends are a threat to international peace and security... [Continue Reading]
EU raises support for Djibouti Armed Forces to EUR 20 million
The Council has agreed to strengthen EU support for the Djibouti Armed Forces under an existing assistance measure adopted in 2025 through the European Peace Facility. The financial reference amount will increase from EUR 10 million to EUR 20 million. According to the Council, the amendment reflects a deeper EU-Djibouti partnership in security and defence. The support is tied to Djibouti's efforts to enhance maritime security in the region and is intended to reinforce the operational readiness of the Djiboutian Navy. The Council said the decision also forms part of broader EU efforts to respond to the deteriorating security situation... [Continue Reading]
Seven armed groups form alliance in Ethiopia, raising fears of renewed civil war
Seven armed groups in Ethiopia have announced an alliance aimed at toppling the government in Addis Ababa, according to the supplied report. The development has raised fresh concern that the country could be moving towards another period of large-scale conflict. The groups, described as former rivals, say they are acting together despite long-standing political and ideological differences.The announcement comes against a backdrop of repeated peace deals and ceasefires that have not ended armed confrontation in the country. The report says armed groups in Ethiopia have continued to fight one another as well as the military over many years. It also... [Continue Reading]
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Finland's Stubb urges UN reform and cooperation in General Assembly speech
Finnish President Alexander Stubb used his General Debate speech at the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on 22 September 2026 to argue that the world is facing a choice between cooperation and conflict. He opened by citing Kofi Annan's warning that "whatever our differences, we stand or fall together," and said disorder follows when that lesson is forgotten. Stubb said foreign policy rests on values, interests, and power, but said this year he wanted to focus on a simpler choice: cooperation or conflict. Stubb said co-operation is being undermined by a lack of trust, disregard... [Continue Reading]
Iran delegation heads to UNGA to press grievances over war with the United States
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where Tehran says it will press its grievances over the war with the United States and look for diplomatic openings. Pezeshkian departed Tehran on Tuesday morning local time and is scheduled to address the 193-member assembly on Wednesday. The delegation is expected to remain in New York for five days before returning to Tehran on Saturday.Before leaving, Pezeshkian said the issues raised at the UN would include what he described as the plight of the Iranian people, the crimes committed against... [Continue Reading]
EU budget talks intensify in Brussels as ministers split over spending priorities
European affairs ministers met in Brussels on Tuesday as negotiations over the European Union's next seven-year budget gathered pace under Ireland's rotating Council presidency. The talks are focused on the bloc's spending framework for 2028 to 2034, with member states divided over how large the budget should be and which priorities should be protected. Agriculture and regional support are at the centre of the dispute, alongside wider questions about the EU's expanding responsibilities.Speaking as he arrived at the meeting, Ireland's Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne said many member states wanted to safeguard Common Agricultural Policy funding despite pressure from... [Continue Reading]
North Korea says Kim Jong-un oversaw test of new weapon after recent missile launches
North Korea says leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the test of a new-type weapon system, in a move state media described as evidence of the country's advancing military technology. The announcement came days after South Korea and Japan said Pyongyang had launched two short-range ballistic missiles into waters off its east coast. The sequence of events adds to regional concern over North Korea's missile activity and its repeated assertions about the permanence of its nuclear status.According to the official report, the missile bureau successfully tested the new weapon on Sunday in the presence of Kim Jong-un. The report did not specify... [Continue Reading]
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Walid Jumblatt backs armistice talks if they lead to Israeli withdrawal
President Joseph Aoun on Monday received former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt at Baabda Palace, according to NNA. Jumblatt attended with his son, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Teymour Jumblatt, and MP Wael Abou Faour. The meeting was held this afternoon and focused on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region in light of the current situation. During the visit, Jumblatt presented Aoun with a copy of his memoir, published under the title "A Destiny in This Levant: From the Civil War to the Impossible Peace." No further details were provided on the content of the discussion beyond... [Continue Reading]
China Briefs on Xi Visit, GDI Anniversary, Japan Typhon Deployment, and Pakistan Attack
This Foreign Ministry press conference in Beijing on September 21, 2026, covered a series of China's positions on the United States, the United Nations, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, and Pakistan. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun answered questions on bilateral diplomacy, regional security, trade controls, and a reported terrorist attack in Pakistan. On China-U.S. ties, Guo said President Xi Jinping will soon pay a state visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald J. He said Xi will hold an in-depth exchange of views with Trump on major issues concerning bilateral ties and world peace and development. Guo said head-of-state... [Continue Reading]
Sudan humanitarian truce efforts keep failing as fighting worsens
Efforts to secure a humanitarian truce in Sudan are continuing to fail as fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces intensifies. The latest push, backed by the United States, is aimed at a 90-day pause to allow aid deliveries, but the warring sides have continued to prioritise battlefield gains. The result is a deepening crisis for civilians already facing severe shortages and displacement.According to the supplied material, renewed mediation efforts have repeatedly hit a dead end. The United Nations has warned that Sudan's humanitarian system is on the brink of collapse, while aid groups are urging... [Continue Reading]
Russia parliamentary election results point to United Russia landslide
Preliminary results from Russia's parliamentary election point to a dominant victory for United Russia, the party of President Vladimir Putin. With more than 90% of ballots counted, the ruling party was leading comfortably in the vote for the State Duma, the lower house of parliament. The election ran from Friday to Sunday and took place amid the war in Ukraine, economic hardship and tight limits on opposition campaigning.The Central Election Commission said 90.43% of ballots had been counted, according to figures reported on Monday. It said turnout stood just below 57% as of Sunday night. United Russia was on 57.86%... [Continue Reading]
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Seven Ethiopian rebel groups form alliance against government as tensions rise
The announcement of a new anti-government alliance by seven Ethiopian rebel groups has added to concerns about widening instability across several regions of the country. The coalition, called the Alliance for Survival, brings together armed groups active in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and three other regions. It says its aim is to remove the government in Addis Ababa.The groups accuse Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's administration of presiding over war, genocide, mass destruction and poverty. They say Ethiopia is at risk of disintegration, and their statement presents the alliance as a response to what they describe as worsening national conditions. The coalition... [Continue Reading]
Three South Korean officers wounded in DMZ explosion as cause remains unclear
The South Korean military says three officers were injured in an explosion during an operation south of the Military Demarcation Line inside the Demilitarised Zone, the heavily fortified border area separating South Korea and North Korea. The incident took place on Monday, and the cause has not yet been established. Officials said it is still unclear whether the blast was triggered by a North Korean mine, a South Korean mine or another explosive device.According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, two of the injured officers were evacuated by helicopter, while a third was due to be moved by road before... [Continue Reading]
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North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, prompting protest
North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area into the East Sea on Sunday, according to South Korean and Japanese authorities. The launches came in two waves, with the first detected at about 3pm local time and the second at around 5:50pm. Japan said it lodged a stern protest over the tests, while South Korea said it was tracking the launches with the United States and Japan.South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the first missile travelled about 450 kilometres, while the second flew more than 600 kilometres. The military said the exact specifications of the second... [Continue Reading]
Russian drones threaten Kyiv-bound officials as border incidents spread near Poland and Moldova
Russian drone activity near Ukraine's western border has intensified concerns for officials travelling to and from Kyiv, after fresh incidents were reported close to Poland and Moldova. The latest developments include a drone strike on a train locomotive near the Polish border, damage to vehicles at a petrol station nearby, and a separate drone entering Moldovan airspace. Together, the incidents underline how the war is spilling beyond the front line and into routes used by diplomats and other international visitors.According to the supplied reports, the train locomotive was hit on 13 September about 5 kilometres from the Polish border, while... [Continue Reading]
Israeli shelling injures civilians as troops advance in southern Lebanon
Israeli artillery shelling injured two people in southern Lebanon on Friday as Israeli troops separately advanced towards border towns and briefly withdrew after a standoff with Lebanese forces. The incidents were reported in the Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun districts, underscoring how tensions in the south remain active despite recent diplomatic efforts. The Lebanese state-run National News Agency said the wounded were taken to Tebnin hospital after shelling hit Chaqra.The agency also reported shelling in Wadi Nahla on the outskirts of Shuqra, while Israeli forces withdrew from the outskirts of Deir Mimas after advancing earlier in the day towards the town's... [Continue Reading]
Australia Senate committee recommends review of Defence report after Taipan crash inquiry
A Senate committee in Australia has recommended that a Defence report into the 2023 MRH-90 Taipan helicopter crash be reviewed after hearing allegations of corruption, conflict of interest and fabricated evidence. The recommendation follows an inquiry into the crash, which happened during the Talisman Sabre military exercises in the Whitsundays in 2023. The crash killed four Australian service members and has remained the focus of separate official investigations.The committee heard claims that an independent Defence Flight Safety Bureau report had been affected by an obvious conflict of interest. It also heard allegations that evidence in the report had been manipulated... [Continue Reading]
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At least 26 killed in clashes in Sudan-South Sudan border region of Abyei
At least 26 people have been killed and 82 others injured in days of intercommunal fighting in the disputed Abyei region on the border between Sudan and South Sudan. The violence has prompted the United Nations to reinforce its security presence around Abyei town. The clashes are the latest in a long-running dispute over a territory whose status has remained unresolved since South Sudan became independent in 2011.The fighting erupted at Amiet Common Market after separate killings of a Ngok Dinka man on Monday and a Misseriya man on Tuesday, according to the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei. The... [Continue Reading]
Greenpeace says Russia is sabotaging power lines at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Greenpeace has accused Russia of deliberately sabotaging electricity supply lines at the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine. The environmental group said the alleged campaign is being accompanied by claims blaming Ukraine, which it described as an effort to confuse and distract from the risks created by the occupation and the war. The allegation concerns one of Europe's most sensitive nuclear sites, where the loss of external power has repeatedly raised safety concerns.In a report published on Thursday, Greenpeace said it worked with London-based McKenzie Intelligence Services to analyse satellite imagery of the site. The group said the... [Continue Reading]
Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made drones
Serbia has opened a factory to assemble advanced Israeli-made drones, in a move that adds to the country's expanding defence production capacity and its growing military ties with Israel. President Aleksandar Vucic inaugurated the facility on Thursday, according to the supplied report, and said it will supply both the Serbian Armed Forces and armed forces in other countries. The opening comes as Belgrade continues to present military investment as part of a policy of neutrality and deterrence.Vucic said the plant will employ around 100 workers and produce state-of-the-art equipment. He also said at least three more factories will be opened... [Continue Reading]
Kosovo joins US-led Gaza force after Israel approval
Kosovo has signed up to a United States-led framework for Gaza, joining Donald Trump's Board of Peace and the planned International Stabilization Force for Gaza. The move was made after Israel gave its approval, according to the supplied report. The decision places Kosovo in a new international arrangement linked to post-war security planning in Gaza.The proposed force is described as one that would help maintain security, support demilitarisation and train Palestinian police. Its mandate and composition remain unclear, however, and the legitimacy of the wider framework is contested by Palestinian actors and legal experts. Kosovo's participation was presented as part... [Continue Reading]
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Israel Reportedly Uses AI Tools to Speed West Bank Demolitions and Displacement
A report published on 17 September says Israel is using artificial intelligence tools to monitor Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and to help justify demolitions. The report says the technology is being used to identify changes on the ground that can later be treated as evidence of unauthorised construction. It also says the practice is being used to accelerate forced displacement in areas under Israeli control.The report names a system called ImiSight, developed by the Israeli weapons manufacturer Rafael, as one of the tools involved. According to the account, the system can monitor large areas of land and... [Continue Reading]
THE BATTLE FOR ALI AL-TAHER: HOW A SOUTHERN LEBANON AMBUSH SHATTERED TRUMPโS WASHINGTON AGREEMENT
A catastrophic military escalation in Southern Lebanon has successfully disrupted the highest levels of global diplomacy. Just days after the signing of the United States and Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an armoured battlefield clash on the strategic heights of Ali al-Taher has effectively frozen implementation talks scheduled to begin today in Switzerland. The crisis provides an alarming look at how kinetic actions on the ground can instantly sabotage geopolitical blueprints designed in Washington. The Official Statement from Hezbollah Following the midnight clashes, the media wing of Hezbollah issued a formal, comprehensive statement outlining their strategic justification and rejecting accusations... [Continue Reading]
Fear the Shia, Arm the Sunnis: The Uncomfortable Numbers Behind Americaโs War Narrative
โWhen fear is managed carefully enough, a nation can be taught to look away from the blood on the floor and stare instead at the shadow on the wall.โ A friend of mine, whose name I will not reveal because he asked me not to, sat across from me over dinner and placed a question on the table that would not leave me alone. He was born into a Muslim Shia background, and for the angle of this article, that detail matters, not because I wish to reduce a man to a sect, but because sect has become one of... [Continue Reading]
GAS, GOD, AND GUNS: The Secret Agenda Behind the Washington Talks and the Death of the Maritime Border
The mahogany tables of the U.S. State Department are hosting a ghost today. As official delegations from Israel and Lebanon convene for a third round of high-stakes negotiations this Friday, May 8, 2026, the air in Washington is thick with the scent of a "peace" that looks increasingly like a strategic ambush. While the world watches the diplomatic theatre, the reality on the ground in Southern Lebanon tells a story of a predatory recalibration. Prime Minister Netanyahu isnโt just looking for a ceasefire; he is aiming to hit three birds with one single, devastating stone: the annexation of land, the... [Continue Reading]
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The Glass Elevator to Nowhere: A World Trapped in a Chocolate Factory
As a journalist in my mid-fifties, I thought my skin had thickened to the point of being impenetrable. I have covered the rise and fall of regimes, the grinding gears of the Cold War's leftovers, and the digital revolutions that promised to unite us. I thought I had seen every trick in the political playbook. Then came Donald Trumpโs 2026 foreign policy, and I realized I was not watching a statesman; I was watching a child play with a chemistry set he does not understand. The Willy Wonka of the West: Rule by Whim Walking into a press briefing lately... [Continue Reading]
Lessons learned from Dubai โฆ or not?
It might be early to assess the impact of war on Dubai, the self-declared crisis proof planet, but some lessons can be drawn from its magic well, right now. First and foremost, I remember a saying about fairness: No, not the boomerang, and that what goes around comes around (the dark tales related to Lebanon and Gaza), but about a simple rule of thumb. If you expect the world to be fair with you because you are fair, youโre fooling yourself: thatโs like expecting the lion not to eat you because you didnโt eat it. It applies to humans and... [Continue Reading]
The Madness of Power, From Balfour to the Edge of World War Three
A Voice in the Wilderness of War: Who Still Dares to Speak Truth While Empires March There are moments in history when the world suddenly accelerates toward disaster, moments when anyone who has studied history can feel the temperature rising even before the explosions reach their peak. The current escalation in the Middle East is one of those moments. According to the facts we now see unfolding, the United States and Israel made the unilateral decision to attack Iran without the approval of the United Nations, without a global coalition mandate, and without the support of most of the international... [Continue Reading]
There Is Good in Every Bad
Power, Greed, Oil, and the Theater of Modern Geopolitics The Business Model of Power Donald Trump does not govern like a traditional politician. He governs like a negotiator who believes every geopolitical crisis is leverage, every war threat is a bargaining chip, and every market panic is an opportunity. When markets tremble, someone profits. The question is, who? Global markets react instantly to political tension. Gold rises when conflict looms. Oil spikes when instability threatens production. Stock markets collapse on fear, then rebound on reassurance. Volatility is not chaos, it is opportunity. Historically, gold has surged during major geopolitical crises,... [Continue Reading]






