分类: politics

  • US scholar: United States violating UN Charter

    US scholar: United States violating UN Charter

    In a striking address to the United Nations Security Council, renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs delivered a forceful condemnation of United States foreign policy during an emergency session concerning Venezuela. The Columbia University professor and president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network asserted that Washington stands in serious breach of fundamental international law principles.

    Sachs presented a comprehensive critique of decades-long American foreign policy approaches, characterizing them as systematically employing military force, covert operations, and political manipulation to achieve regime change objectives. These practices, he argued, represent direct violations of the United Nations Charter that governs international conduct among sovereign states.

    During his briefing, the sustainable development expert called for immediate cessation of all illegal military actions and threats against Venezuela, emphasizing that such conduct undermines global governance structures. Sachs’s testimony before the Security Council marks a significant moment of scholarly criticism regarding interventionist policies from within the halls of international diplomacy.

    The emergency meeting provided a platform for examining the broader implications of power projection in international relations, with Sachs’s analysis extending beyond the immediate Venezuela situation to address systemic patterns in great power behavior. His remarks highlighted the tension between unilateral actions and multilateral governance frameworks established in the post-World War II international order.

  • Central African Republic President Touadéra wins third term

    Central African Republic President Touadéra wins third term

    Provisional election results confirm Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has secured a decisive third term with approximately 76% of the vote. The 68-year-old former mathematics professor achieved this overwhelming majority following a widespread opposition boycott of the December 28 general election.

    The election occurred against a backdrop of significant political controversy, particularly regarding constitutional amendments in 2023 that eliminated presidential term limits. The main opposition coalition, known as BRDC, refused to participate in the electoral process, citing fundamental concerns about fairness and transparency.

    Touadéra’s principal challengers, former prime ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé (15%) and Henri-Marie Dondra (3%), have both demanded the annulment of election results. They allege systematic electoral manipulation and widespread irregularities, with Dologuélé characterizing the process as “a methodical attempt to manipulate” the outcome.

    The government has categorically denied these allegations. The Constitutional Court must rule on any formal challenges by January 20 before certifying final results.

    Touadéra’s campaign emphasized his security record in the chronically unstable nation. Since rebels seized power in 2013, the government has enlisted Russian mercenaries and Rwandan soldiers to maintain stability. This security partnership has drawn international attention, with analysts suggesting Touadéra’s victory may strengthen Russia’s strategic interests in accessing the country’s substantial mineral resources, including diamonds and uranium.

    Despite being one of Africa’s most resource-rich nations, CAR remains among its poorest, with approximately half the population dependent on humanitarian assistance according to UN estimates. The 2019 peace agreement between the government and armed groups initially reduced tensions, though six groups subsequently withdrew from the arrangement.

    International observers noted the election was largely peaceful despite logistical challenges including delayed polling materials and issues with voter registration affecting over 2.4 million registered voters.

  • Mexico’s statement at a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

    Mexico’s statement at a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

    In a forceful address to the United Nations Security Council, Mexico’s Ambassador to the UN, Héctor Enrique Vasconcelos y Cruz, delivered a stern condemnation of recent military operations against Venezuela. The emergency session, convened on January 5, 2026, at UN headquarters in New York, addressed the escalating situation following military strikes and the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

    Ambassador Vasconcelos articulated Mexico’s official position, characterizing the January 3rd military intervention as an act of aggression that blatantly violates Article 2 of the UN Charter. The Mexican diplomat asserted that such operations represent not merely isolated incidents but a fundamental assault on international law and the principles of multilateral diplomacy.

    The ambassador issued a grave warning regarding rhetoric suggesting potential expansion of military operations to other nations within the Latin American region, emphasizing that such discourse poses a direct threat to regional stability and security frameworks. He further challenged the concept of externally imposed regime change, describing extraterritorial measures as historically counterproductive actions that typically exacerbate conflicts and weaken national social and political structures.

    Vasconcelos concluded with a poignant observation that the current violation of international norms dangerously jeopardizes the political equilibrium of the region while simultaneously disregarding the hard-won independent history of Latin American and Caribbean nations. The address positioned Mexico as a vocal defender of sovereignty principles within international governance structures.

  • Israeli media and US lawmakers signal Iran intervention after Venezuela attack

    Israeli media and US lawmakers signal Iran intervention after Venezuela attack

    Recent developments suggest a significant shift in U.S. foreign intervention policy under President Donald Trump, with the operation against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro potentially serving as a blueprint for future actions. Following the high-risk abduction of Maduro from Caracas, which involved U.S. special forces and airstrikes on military installations, attention has turned toward Iran as a possible next target.

    Israeli media outlets, including The Jerusalem Post, have reported that Washington is actively considering intervention options regarding Iran’s ongoing domestic protests. The publication suggested that the Venezuela operation demonstrates a new American threshold for military engagement, a development closely monitored by Israeli security analysts.

    This perspective gained traction when Republican Senator Lindsey Graham appeared on Fox News wearing a ‘Make Iran Great Again’ cap, explicitly expressing hope that 2026 would mark Iran’s transformation under American influence. The symbolism echoed Trump’s own social media threat that the U.S. stands ‘locked and loaded’ to ‘rescue’ Iranian protesters if their government responds violently to demonstrations.

    The Iranian protests, triggered by a severe cost-of-living crisis and the collapse of the national currency under U.S. sanctions, have already claimed at least sixteen lives. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a staunch Israel supporter, drew direct parallels between Maduro’s situation and Iran’s leadership, suggesting similar outcomes might await Iranian officials.

    The Venezuela operation has caused international concern, with indications that Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico might also be considered for future interventions. This apprehension was amplified when Katie Miller, spouse of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, shared an image of Greenland covered by an American flag with the caption ‘SOON.’

    Meanwhile, Maduro appeared in a U.S. court facing charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, maintaining his innocence while identifying as a ‘decent man’ and legitimate president. Venezuelan officials reported the death toll from the U.S. operation has reached 80, including civilians and security personnel, with numbers potentially rising.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was visiting Trump in Florida prior to the Venezuela operation, expressed solidarity with Iranian protesters, stating: ‘We identify with the struggle of the Iranian people, with their aspirations for freedom, liberty and justice. It is quite possible that we are at a moment when the Iranian people are taking their fate into their own hands.’

  • Brazil statement at a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

    Brazil statement at a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

    In a forceful address to the United Nations Security Council, Brazil’s Ambassador to the UN Sergio Franca Danese delivered a scathing condemnation of recent military actions against Venezuela. The emergency session, convened on January 5, 2026, addressed the unprecedented capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores following military strikes on Venezuelan territory.

    Ambassador Danese characterized the intervention as a ‘flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and international law,’ emphasizing that the bombings and presidential capture represent an unacceptable breach of Venezuelan sovereignty. The Brazilian diplomat warned that these actions establish an ‘extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.’

    Highlighting the geographical significance, Danese noted this marks the first instance of external armed aggression in South America involving troop deployments and aerial bombings in a country sharing a 2,000-kilometer border with Brazil. The ambassador stressed that governing norms between states are ‘mandatory and universal,’ not subject to exceptions based on ideological, geopolitical, or economic interests.

    Brazil’s position maintains that neither natural resource exploitation nor economic considerations justify the use of force or illegal government changes. Danese called upon the Security Council to ‘assume its responsibility and react with determination, clarity, and obedience to international law’ to prevent the ‘law of force from prevailing over the force of law.’

    The ambassador concluded by affirming Brazil’s belief that Venezuela’s future should be determined exclusively by the Venezuelan people through dialogue, without external interference and within established international legal frameworks.

  • Chile’s statement at a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

    Chile’s statement at a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

    In a forceful diplomatic statement at the United Nations Security Council, Chile’s representative Paula Narvaez Ojeda delivered a stern condemnation of United States military operations within Venezuelan territory. The emergency session, convened to address escalating tensions in the region, became a platform for Chile’s vehement opposition to unilateral armed intervention.

    Speaking before the international body on Monday, Narvaez articulated Chile’s position that Latin America and the Caribbean must maintain their status as a ‘zone of peace’—a concept she emphasized benefits not only regional stability but global security as a whole. The Chilean diplomat warned that military confrontation would precipitate devastating humanitarian consequences, exacerbating civilian suffering while intensifying existing patterns of displacement, insecurity, and vulnerability throughout Venezuela and neighboring nations.

    Narvaez reiterated Chile’s firm conviction that international disputes must be resolved exclusively through peaceful mechanisms that respect established legal frameworks. She emphasized the fundamental principles of state sovereignty and the prohibition against using or threatening force—cornerstones of international law that she argued were being undermined by recent military actions.

    Echoing concerns previously voiced by the leaders of Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain, the Chilean representative expressed apprehension about any attempts to control governmental administration or establish foreign ownership over strategic national assets. Such actions, she contended, would violate international legal standards while jeopardizing the political, economic, and social stability of the entire Latin American region.

  • Spain’s statement at a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

    Spain’s statement at a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

    At an emergency session of the UN Security Council convened to address the escalating situation in Venezuela, Spain’s ambassador to the United Nations delivered a stern warning about the potential global ramifications. Ambassador Hector Gomez Hernandez articulated Spain’s position during the Monday meeting held at UN headquarters in New York, characterizing recent developments in the South American nation as deeply troubling.

    The Spanish representative emphasized that the unfolding events establish ‘a very worrying precedent’ with significant implications extending beyond Venezuela’s borders to affect regional stability and international security frameworks. This assessment aligned with concerns previously raised by the United Nations Secretary-General regarding the gravity of the situation.

    Ambassador Hernandez underscored the principle of national sovereignty regarding natural resources while simultaneously expressing apprehension about how recent actions might undermine regional peace and security architectures. The Spanish diplomat further addressed the complex challenge of organized crime in the region, acknowledging its priority status while insisting that effective countermeasures must be pursued exclusively through established international cooperation mechanisms rather than unilateral actions that might compromise broader stability.

    The emergency session reflected growing international apprehension about Venezuela’s political and economic trajectory, with Spain’s statement representing a significant European perspective on the crisis. The ambassador’s remarks highlighted the delicate balance between respecting national sovereignty and addressing security concerns that transcend national boundaries, positioning the Venezuela situation as a test case for international diplomatic response protocols.

  • South Korea’s Lee snaps Xi selfie with Chinese ‘backdoor’ phone

    South Korea’s Lee snaps Xi selfie with Chinese ‘backdoor’ phone

    In a striking display of diplomatic camaraderie, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung captured a historic selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping using a controversial Xiaomi smartphone gifted by the Chinese leader. The moment occurred following an official dinner at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on January 5, 2026, where both leaders appeared alongside their wives in the spontaneously taken photograph.

    President Lee subsequently shared the image on social media platform X, accompanied by a caption expressing gratitude for what he termed “the shot of a lifetime.” The South Korean leader further pledged enhanced communication and closer collaboration with China in future bilateral relations.

    This symbolic gesture follows previous lighthearted exchanges between the two leaders regarding the smartphone’s security features. During November’s APEC summit in South Korea, President Xi had jocularly suggested Lee should “check if there is a backdoor” when questioned about the device’s communication security, referencing potential surveillance vulnerabilities through pre-installed software.

    The cordial interaction represents a significant departure from Xi’s typically reserved diplomatic demeanor and coincides with substantial geopolitical developments. The meeting occurred against the backdrop of recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro—actions strongly condemned by both China and North Korea.

    President Lee, who assumed office in June following his predecessor’s impeachment, has actively pursued improved relations with Beijing after years of diplomatic stagnation. The ninety-minute summit addressed strategic cooperation in what both leaders characterized as an increasingly complex global landscape, with Xi emphasizing the importance of making “right strategic choices” amid international turbulence.

    The viral social media post garnered significant online engagement, being shared over 3,400 times within hours and generating both diplomatic analysis and public commentary regarding its geopolitical implications.

  • A rare ‘thank you’ to the media from the Trump administration

    A rare ‘thank you’ to the media from the Trump administration

    In an unusual departure from its typically adversarial relationship with the press, the Trump administration has publicly thanked major news organizations for exercising restraint in reporting sensitive military information. The gratitude follows last weekend’s successful U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio specifically acknowledged that several prominent media outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, had obtained advance knowledge of the planned strike but deliberately withheld publication to prevent compromising operational security and endangering American lives. This recognition marks a significant moment in the administration’s frequently contentious relationship with the press corps.

    The administration’s appreciation emerges against the backdrop of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s implementation of restrictive press regulations at the Pentagon, which have prompted most mainstream news organizations to vacate their assigned positions rather than comply with what they consider excessive constraints. Hegseth has consistently cited concerns about journalists’ handling of classified information as justification for these measures.

    According to reports from Semafor, administration officials engaged in direct communications with news organizations regarding the Venezuela operation. Veteran national security reporter Dana Priest, now a professor at the University of Maryland, emphasized that such discretion represents standard practice for reputable news organizations when lives are at stake.

    The complex dynamics of national security reporting were further illustrated by incidents such as The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg’s accidental inclusion in a text chain revealing details about a Yemen operation last spring. Goldberg waited until all personnel were safe and information was verified before publishing.

    Historical precedents include President John F. Kennedy’s successful persuasion of The New York Times to withhold information about the Bay of Pigs invasion—a decision later regretted when the mission failed spectacularly. This tension between national security interests and the public’s right to knowledge continues to define the delicate balance media organizations must maintain.

    Despite administrative pressures, journalists remain committed to their fundamental mission of informing the public while exercising appropriate judgment regarding operational security, according to Priest, who characterized the Pentagon’s current rules as ‘ridiculously broad censorship.’

  • Progress for Ukraine talks in Paris uncertain with US focus shifting to Venezuela

    Progress for Ukraine talks in Paris uncertain with US focus shifting to Venezuela

    PARIS — A critical gathering of Ukrainian allies convened in Paris on Tuesday to deliberate post-ceasefire security arrangements, though the proceedings encountered unexpected complications due to shifting American geopolitical priorities. The summit, orchestrated by French President Emmanuel Macron, assembled an unprecedented delegation of 35 participants including 27 heads of state and government, all dedicated to formulating concrete security guarantees for Ukraine against potential future Russian aggression.

    The original American delegation, initially slated to be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underwent last-minute restructuring following Washington’s heightened engagement with Venezuelan affairs. The United States instead dispatched envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to represent President Trump’s administration. This diplomatic rearrangement occurred despite prior indications of substantive progress in multilateral discussions regarding Ukrainian security frameworks.

    Central to the negotiations were five pivotal security priorities: ceasefire monitoring mechanisms, sustained support for Ukraine’s armed forces, potential deployment of multinational forces across various domains, contingency plans for renewed Russian aggression, and long-term defense cooperation agreements. European leadership, particularly France and Britain, have championed a comprehensive approach that would strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities through advanced weaponry, specialized training, and intelligence sharing.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed cautious optimism while acknowledging implementation challenges, noting that parliamentary approvals across multiple nations might complicate military commitments. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that meaningful participation from nuclear-capable European powers would be essential for the coalition’s credibility, suggesting that alternative support mechanisms including sanctions and financial assistance could supplement defense arrangements.

    The Paris meeting represents the culmination of months of diplomatic efforts by the so-called ‘coalition of the willing,’ though the ultimate effectiveness of these security guarantees remains contingent on sustained international engagement and resolution of critical operational details.