分类： politics

Laila Cunningham, Reform UK’s newly announced candidate for London mayor, has ignited significant controversy with allegations against Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and endorsements of contentious statements by former US President Donald Trump.

In an interview with YouTuber Andrew Gold, Cunningham accused Mahmood of refusing to impose visa restrictions on Pakistan as punishment for not accepting Pakistani grooming gang offenders from Britain. She suggested this decision was politically motivated to protect a “Pakistani voter base” rather than based on national interest. When questioned about potential electoral considerations behind Mahmood’s position, Cunningham stated, “That is the assumption, or else you’d crack down on it.”

The former Conservative councillor, who recently defected to Reform UK, further claimed the Home Secretary prioritizes her religious beliefs over her nationality in decision-making. This criticism references Mahmood’s previous statements about her Muslim faith being “the absolute driver of everything that I do,” though she has never explicitly stated religion takes precedence over national duty.

In additional controversial remarks published in the Daily Mail, Cunningham endorsed Donald Trump’s widely criticized assertion that London under Mayor Sadiq Khan was moving toward implementing Sharia law. She argued that Britain has permitted “a shadow system to exist alongside our own courts,” specifically referencing Sharia councils operating throughout the country.

Cunningham, who identifies as Egyptian-British, has faced significant online abuse from far-right accounts since her appointment. She has distanced herself from specific Muslim communities, stating, “I’m not part of a Muslim community, I’m part of a British community,” while simultaneously criticizing certain groups for “bringing shame on the rest of the Muslims.”

The political context includes Reform leader Nigel Farage’s pledge to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, which Cunningham supports by referencing Egypt’s prohibition of the organization. Recent revelations indicate Farage traveled to Abu Dhabi funded by the United Arab Emirates, which shares Reform’s opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Neither Mahmood’s office nor the Labour Party has responded to requests for comment regarding Cunningham’s allegations. The next London mayoral election is scheduled for 2028.

The South Pacific nation of Samoa has announced plans to establish its diplomatic embassy in Jerusalem, aligning with Israel’s contested claim to the city as its capital. Prime Minister Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt made the declaration during a special prayer service for Israel, instructing foreign affairs officials to begin preparations for the Jerusalem office opening this year.

This decision places Samoa among a small group of only eight nations that have relocated their Israeli embassies to Jerusalem, following the United States’ controversial move in 2018 under the Trump administration. The announcement has triggered significant domestic criticism from Samoan activists who view the move as contradicting their nation’s historical struggle against colonial rule.

The embassy relocation represents a deeply symbolic gesture, with Schmidt emphasizing religious and cultural ties to Israel, stating: “Our forefathers decided Samoa adopt the God of Israel and the Biblical account that God blesses those who protect and pray for his people.” This theological alignment reflects Samoa’s identity as a Christian state, where many equate the modern state of Israel with biblical references.

However, the move contradicts international consensus, as most countries maintain embassies in Tel Aviv pending final status negotiations between Israel and Palestinians. East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since 1967, is claimed by Palestinians as their future capital. The decision has exposed generational divides within Samoan society, with younger activists increasingly critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians while older generations maintain religious solidarity.

The controversy emerges against the backdrop of Pacific Island nations’ complex voting patterns at the United Nations, where several have frequently supported Israel despite global criticism. The embassy decision highlights the ongoing tension between religious diplomacy and international human rights concerns in foreign policy decisions.

Aden has witnessed a dramatic political transformation as Yemen’s national flag now flies over government buildings for the first time in years, replacing the separatist banner of the Southern Transitional Council (STC). The blue triangle and red star flag representing the former South Yemen has been removed from public display following a swift military reversal that saw STC fighters replaced by Salafist Giants Forces pledging allegiance to the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).

The strategic port city, which had served as the envisioned capital for the STC’s proposed independent state of South Arabia, has experienced a remarkable shift in territorial control. Saudi-backed Homeland Shield Forces (HSF), operating with air support from Riyadh, have rapidly reversed the stunning gains the separatists made last month in Hadhramaut and al-Mahrah provinces.

STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi faces accusations from Saudi authorities of having fled to the United Arab Emirates via Somaliland. Meanwhile, residents of Aden report a sense of relief and normalization after years of conflict. Local shopkeeper Saif al-Maqtari expressed cautious optimism, stating: “I’m happy this morning, not necessarily because of the new forces, but because I see Aden is safe and life is normal.”

The transition has been facilitated by significant defections from within the STC ranks, with many soldiers now patrolling the city under the command of Abu Zaraa al-Mahrami—a PLC member and Zubaidi’s former deputy. This change in military alignment occurred despite the STC’s substantial popular support in al-Dhale governorate, Zubaidi’s hometown, which remains the last stronghold for loyalists.

The recent escalation began on January 2nd when Saudi air strikes targeted STC positions across southern and eastern Yemen, accompanied by ground offensives from HSF fighters. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties over the past week, with Saudi-backed forces entering Aden governorate on Wednesday.

Political undercurrents continue to influence the situation, as some residents expressed dissatisfaction with the STC’s governance approach. Alaa, an accountant from Aden, described feelings of regional marginalization: “I felt neglected by the STC. They appointed management from al-Dhale governorate in almost all public institutions.”

The political dimension expanded earlier this month when Saudi Arabia invited southern separatists to a “southern forum” in Riyadh. While the STC initially agreed to participate, Zubaidi ultimately sent a delegation of over 50 members instead of attending personally. This delegation has reportedly been out of contact since arriving in the Saudi capital, with senior STC official Amr al-Bidh suggesting their phones were confiscated.

Despite the apparent setback, some STC supporters maintain their allegiance, with one anonymous source praising Zubaidi’s “refusal to surrender to Saudi pressure” and insisting the leader remains in Yemen preparing for his eventual return to prominence.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage accepted a fully-funded trip to Abu Dhabi in early December, with expenses covered by the United Arab Emirates government. The visit, valued at approximately £1,000 and documented in the parliamentary register of interests, included accommodation and premium access to a Formula 1 event. During his two-day stay, Farage engaged in high-level discussions with senior Emirati officials.

The Financial Times revealed that the UAE’s outreach to Reform UK stemmed from mutual opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood. This alignment was publicly demonstrated at Reform’s September conference, where Farage pledged to proscribe the organization as a terrorist entity if elected, criticizing both Conservative and Labour parties for their perceived inaction.

Founded in Cairo in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood represents one of the world’s most prominent political Islam groups. While it maintains a commitment to peaceful political participation, numerous Middle Eastern autocratic regimes, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE, have banned the organization due to its electoral successes in limited democratic processes within the region.

The relationship has drawn criticism from academic experts. Dr. Andreas Krieg of King’s College London characterized Farage as a ‘useful idiot’ for the UAE’s political influence operations in Europe, noting Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a hub for far-right European politicians.

This development occurs alongside the UAE’s January 2025 designation of eight British organizations as terrorist groups over alleged Muslim Brotherhood connections—none of which have violated UK laws. Reform MP Richard Tice subsequently pressured the Labour government to take action against these groups.

The controversy extends to Farage’s recent appointments, including senior advisor James Orr, who faced racism allegations in 2023 for comments about Arab immigration, and Matthew Goodwin, accused of promoting racist views regarding immigrant assimilation. The party also appointed Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society, a neoconservative think tank with internal criticism regarding its racial stance.

Farage’s historical comments about British Muslims have further complicated the narrative. In a Sky News interview, he explicitly linked his concerns about un-British values to Muslim communities, drawing criticism from advocacy groups like the Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding, which highlighted his ‘entrenched aversion to Muslims generally.’

A severe economic crisis has triggered significant civil unrest across Iran, with protests spreading to dozens of cities in the most substantial challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 2022-23 Women, Life, Freedom movement. The demonstrations originated from public fury over hyperinflation and the rial’s historic depreciation but have rapidly evolved into broader expressions of political dissent.

Iranians from diverse backgrounds report an increasingly unmanageable economic reality where basic commodity prices fluctuate dramatically within days. “In just a few days, prices have multiplied. How can it be this disastrous?” questioned Mani, a 27-year-old demonstrator from Mashhad. This sentiment echoes throughout the country as routine purchases become financial uncertainties, with one Tehran resident reporting sunflower oil prices more than doubling within 72 hours.

Government response has been characterized by suppression and attribution of blame to external forces. Security forces have employed firearms and teargas against protesters, resulting in violent clashes. Rights organizations estimate between 25-38 fatalities, including minors, with thousands detained. Iranian authorities acknowledge two security force casualties and numerous injuries.

The political establishment has framed the unrest as foreign-instigated violence. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that “rioters must be put back in their place,” while Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei accused external forces of exploiting economic grievances, specifically referencing statements from Israel and the United States.

Protesters uniformly reject these allegations. “Every time we get tired of this situation and come out to the streets, we are suddenly called Israelis or CIA agents,” Mani countered. For many, official warnings have reinforced rather than deterred dissent. “Our lives and our youth have been wasted under the Islamic Republic. Now they threaten us. What do we really have left to lose?” expressed Mehdi, a 31-year-old from Isfahan province.

The protests have revealed emerging political divisions regarding Iran’s future. Supporters of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, have become visible at demonstrations, while others express wariness about replacing religious rule with monarchy. Despite these differences, most protesters currently prioritize immediate economic survival and opposition to the current system over specific political alternatives.

Political observers note that while these demonstrations are generally smaller than the 2022 uprising, their geographic scope and intensity raise concerns within the establishment. The government has historically combined limited concessions with repression to weather protest waves, but some analysts warn that these scattered protests across multiple cities might coalesce into a more substantial movement capable of systemic challenge.