Global Pulse

分类： politics

  • Trump following Netanyahu playbook with new Iran threat: critics

    Trump following Netanyahu playbook with new Iran threat: critics

    Former U.S. President Donald Trump escalated geopolitical tensions on Friday by issuing a direct military threat against Iran through his Truth Social platform. The controversial statement warned that American forces stand “locked and loaded” to intervene if Iranian authorities intensify their crackdown on ongoing domestic protests.

    Trump’s social media post explicitly stated: “If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.” This declaration came shortly after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which Trump reportedly expressed openness to supporting additional military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.

    The Iranian government responded swiftly through Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, who cautioned that American interference would “destroy America’s interests” and create “chaos in the entire region.”

    Policy experts from the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) expressed grave concerns about Trump’s rhetoric. President Jamal Abdi characterized Netanyahu’s visit as strategically aimed at “moving the goalposts for military action on Iran” and warned that Trump’s comments represent “a dangerous signal” that could lead the United States into another Middle Eastern conflict.

    The current protests in Iran originated from economic grievances, particularly the catastrophic collapse of the national currency. What began as strikes by technology merchants in Tehran has evolved into widespread demonstrations incorporating overt anti-government sentiments. Reports indicate several protesters have been killed by security forces during the unrest.

    NIAC analysts Etan Mabourakh and Ehsan Zahedani emphasized that the Iranian people’s struggle for economic justice and freedom deserves genuine solidarity rather than Western “salvation” through military intervention. They cautioned against external actors co-opting legitimate domestic grievances to advance agendas of militarism and regime change.

  • Trump promise to intervene over Iran protests ‘reckless’ says foreign minister

    Trump promise to intervene over Iran protests ‘reckless’ says foreign minister

    Iranian officials have issued a stern rebuke of former US President Donald Trump’s offer to intervene in ongoing domestic protests, labeling his statements as dangerously irresponsible. The diplomatic clash emerged after Trump posted on social media that US forces were “locked and loaded and ready to go” should Iranian authorities move against peaceful demonstrators.

    Iran’s Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi responded via social media platform X, asserting that “Iran will forcefully reject any interference in their internal affairs.” Drawing parallels to US domestic policy, Araghchi noted that Trump should understand from his own deployment of National Guard troops that attacks on public property cannot be tolerated.

    The exchange occurs against a backdrop of significant civil unrest that has spread across multiple Iranian cities. According to various reports, at least eight fatalities have occurred during week-long demonstrations that began with shopkeepers protesting the Iranian currency’s sharp devaluation against the US dollar. The protests have since expanded to include university students and citizens chanting against the country’s clerical leadership.

    Iranian police spokesman General Saeed Montazerolmahdi stated that security forces would prevent “enemies” from transforming “unrest into chaos,” while President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged he would listen to “legitimate demands” of protesters. Simultaneously, Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad warned that instability attempts would meet a “decisive response.”

    In a significant diplomatic move, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani formally requested the UN Security Council condemn Trump’s statements, warning that the US would bear “full responsibility for any consequences arising from these unlawful threats.” The current protests represent the most widespread demonstrations since the 2022 uprising sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death in custody, though on a smaller scale.

  • What to know about the Ukrainian general picked by Zelenskyy to be his new chief of staff

    What to know about the Ukrainian general picked by Zelenskyy to be his new chief of staff

    In a strategic reshuffle at the highest level of Ukraine’s government, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed General Kyrylo Budanov, the nation’s military intelligence director, to serve as his new chief of staff. This pivotal transition occurs during an exceptionally delicate phase of Russia’s prolonged invasion, now approaching its fourth year.

    General Budanov assumes the role previously held by Andrii Yermak, Zelenskyy’s longstanding principal aide who resigned in November following anti-corruption authorities searching his residence. This investigation centered on alleged graft within Ukraine’s energy sector, delivering a significant blow to the presidential administration and potentially disrupting diplomatic strategies during ongoing U.S.-mediated peace initiatives.

    At 39 years old, Budanov has commanded Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) since 2020, establishing himself as both a popular public figure and architect of numerous successful operations against Russian military assets. His career trajectory accelerated following Russia’s unlawful annexation of Crimea in 2014, with subsequent participation in special operations against Moscow-backed separatist forces. His hands-on battlefield experience includes surviving combat injuries and evading multiple assassination attempts by Russian security services.

    Under Budanov’s leadership, the GUR dramatically expanded its operational scope, coordinating sophisticated intelligence, sabotage, and special missions targeting Russian command structures, logistical networks, energy infrastructure, and naval assets—often deep within Russian territory and occupied Ukrainian regions. His frequent media appearances blended strategic messaging with psychological operations against Russian forces.

    Budanov’s appointment signals a pronounced shift toward prioritizing foreign policy, defense, and security within the presidential administration. This reorganization coincides with intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, with Zelenskyy recently indicating that a peace agreement is approximately 90% finalized—though acknowledging the remaining 10% involving territorial disputes will ultimately determine Ukraine’s sovereign future.

    Having previously participated in diplomatic delegations collaborating with U.S. negotiators and facilitating prisoner exchanges with Russian counterparts, Budanov’s exact role in future peace processes remains undefined. In his initial response to the appointment, Budanov expressed gratitude for Zelenskyy’s confidence, declaring on Telegram: ‘I continue to serve Ukraine. This represents both an honor and a responsibility—at this historic juncture for our nation—to concentrate on critically important issues of strategic state security.’

  • UAE-backed southern Yemen separatists to hold independence referendum

    UAE-backed southern Yemen separatists to hold independence referendum

    Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), a secessionist faction with backing from the United Arab Emirates, has declared plans to conduct a referendum on independence within two years, escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia and its allied Yemeni government forces. The announcement comes amid intensified military confrontations that have exposed deepening fractures between the Gulf powerhouses.

    STC President Aidaros Alzubidi proclaimed the commencement of a transitional period in a televised address Friday, urging international mediation for north-south dialogue while threatening immediate independence declaration if southern territories face further military aggression. “This constitutional declaration shall be considered immediately and directly effective if the people of the south, their land, or their forces are subjected to any military attacks,” Alzubidi warned.

    The political maneuver coincides with lethal battlefield exchanges across southern Yemen. Saudi airstrikes targeted STC positions in Hadhramaut province Friday, resulting in 29 separatist fatalities according to STC officials. These operations supported government-aligned National Shield forces attempting to reclaim territory lost to the separatists in December.

    The conflict reveals deteriorating Saudi-Emirati coordination in Yemen, where both nations initially intervened against Houthi rebels a decade ago. Recent divergences extend beyond Yemen to include contrasting approaches toward Israel’s Gaza operations and Syrian normalization efforts. Notably, the UAE abstained from condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland independence—another breakaway region with Abu Dhabi ties—potentially establishing precedent for the STC’s self-determination push.

    Yemen’s internationally recognized government, backed by Riyadh, maintains opposition to southern secession. Hadhramaut Governor Salem al-Khanbashi echoed calls for peaceful dialogue Friday, stating: “We renew the emphasis on the justice of the southern cause, while rejecting the path of military control and confrontation.” The STC nevertheless asserts their constitutional declaration aligns with international law, as spokesperson Anwar al-Tamimi emphasized to Al Jazeera.

  • ‘Locked and loaded’: Trump threatens Iran over protester deaths

    ‘Locked and loaded’: Trump threatens Iran over protester deaths

    Former US President Donald Trump has issued a direct threat of military intervention against Iran, warning that American forces stand ready to “rescue” Iranian citizens if their government continues its violent suppression of ongoing protests. The declaration came via Trump’s TruthSocial platform, where he stated: “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.

    The protests have emerged in response to a severe economic crisis that has seen Iran’s currency effectively collapse under the weight of US sanctions. Current exchange rates show one US dollar equivalent to over 42,000 Iranian Rial (IRR), with the unofficial daily currency, the Toman (equivalent to 10 IRR), driving basic living costs to unsustainable levels. A traditional meal now costs approximately 600 Toman, highlighting the economic pressure on citizens.

    Iran’s leadership responded swiftly to Trump’s threats. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned on social media platform X that US intervention “corresponds to chaos in the entire region and the destruction of US interests,” likely referencing Iran’s capability to target US military bases in the region. Larijani further cautioned American citizens to “take care of their own soldiers,” accusing Trump of initiating “adventurism.”

    The exchange occurs against the backdrop of recent meetings between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Iran’s nuclear program featured prominently on their agenda. Trump claimed that US and Israeli actions had previously “obliterated” Iranian nuclear sites, though Iran disputes this assertion. The former president added that if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear capabilities, “we’re going to have to knock them down… We’ll knock the hell out of them,” while leaving open the possibility of diplomatic resolution.

    Netanyahu, during his US visit, continued his longstanding advocacy for military action against Iran, alleging Tehran’s involvement in “exporting terrorism” throughout the Middle East and even to Venezuela. His comments aligned with the Trump administration’s concurrent threats against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, including multiple strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea that the US claims are drug boats originating from Venezuela.

  • Four challenges facing New York City Mayor Mamdani

    Four challenges facing New York City Mayor Mamdani

    On a frigid January morning in 2026, Zohran Mamdani assumed leadership of America’s largest city amidst thousands of cheering supporters, pledging to fundamentally reshape New York’s governance. The 34-year-old democratic socialist, whose unexpected electoral victory stunned political establishments, promised to deliver an unprecedented agenda centered on safety, affordability, and governmental representation that mirrors the city’s diverse population.

    Mamdani’s progressive platform includes revolutionary proposals: universal childcare, completely free public bus transportation, and municipally-operated grocery stores. His administration immediately faces the complex reality of implementing these ambitious policies within New York’s intricate political ecosystem. According to political analysts, while some objectives like rent freezes for subsidized housing can be achieved through strategic appointments to city boards, the more financially demanding promises encounter significant obstacles.

    Professor Robert Shapiro of Columbia University notes the fundamental challenge: ‘Initiatives like free bus service and universal childcare require substantial funding. The primary constraints will be New York State’s financial capacity and Governor Hochul’s political willingness to support Mamdani’s proposed tax increases.’ The mayor’s plan to raise corporate taxes from 7.25% to 11.5% and generate $9 billion through wealth taxes requires state legislative approval—a potential stumbling block given Hochul’s moderate stance and her own reelection considerations.

    The new administration must also navigate relationships with federal authorities and business leaders. Despite President Trump’s pre-election characterization of Mamdani as a ‘communist’ threat and warnings about withholding federal funds, their initial November meeting surprisingly yielded mutual praise. However, immigration policy remains a potential flashpoint between the progressive mayor and conservative president.

    Wall Street’s initial apprehension toward Mamdani has gradually evolved into cautious engagement. After his primary victory sparked concerns among business leaders—some threatening relocation, others funding opposition campaigns—the mayor has actively sought dialogue with influential figures including JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and real estate developer Jeffrey Gural. While describing Mamdani as ‘personable’ and ‘smart,’ business leaders continue expressing concerns about his limited executive experience and potential tax policies driving corporations from the city.

    Public safety presents another critical challenge. Despite homicide and shooting rates reaching near-record lows in 2025, maintaining security remains paramount. Mamdani proposes establishing a Department of Community Safety focusing on mental health programs, crisis response, and subway outreach workers—building upon but aiming to improve similar initiatives from the Adams administration that critics found inadequate.

    Political analyst Patrick Egan observes that reduced crime rates provide ‘wiggle room to think creatively’ about public safety, though Democratic strategist Howard Wolfson emphasizes that policing effectiveness and quality-of-life crime management will ultimately define the administration’s perceived success or failure. Mamdani’s decision to retain Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch from the previous administration has been widely interpreted as a pragmatic move signaling continuity in public safety approaches.

  • Former Israeli prime minister accuses government of backing ‘murderous’ settler violence

    Former Israeli prime minister accuses government of backing ‘murderous’ settler violence

    In a scathing indictment of current Israeli leadership, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has characterized settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank as a government-enabled campaign amounting to “violent, murderous war.” Writing in Haaretz newspaper, Olmert rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s characterization of the violence as the work of marginalized youth, instead describing it as a systematic effort toward “ethnic cleansing and mass expulsion.”

    The timing of Olmert’s article follows Netanyahu’s recent attempt to downplay the surge in attacks amid increasing international scrutiny, particularly from the United States. According to UN data, October witnessed over 260 settler attacks—the highest monthly tally since record-keeping began in 2006—with more than 3,200 Palestinians forcibly displaced as a result.

    Olmert, who himself authorized settlement expansion during his 2006-2009 premiership, asserted that armed settler groups operate with near-total impunity, often under the direct observation of Israeli security forces. He identified the government’s decision to halt administrative detention for Jewish suspects as a pivotal moment that emboldened violent actors, creating what he called a “comprehensive, coordinated and well-financed campaign” supported by political leaders and local authorities.

    The former leader specifically rejected the notion that violence stems from fringe elements, stating: “This isn’t the ‘hilltop youth’ or a small group of delinquents… it’s a military, terrorist, violent militia that murders, torches, beats, shoots, and in a systematic, planned and organised manner destroys everything in the territories that isn’t Jewish.”

    Olmert further warned of escalating internal political strife, accusing far-right ministers of creating conditions conducive to political assassination. He drew parallels between Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s rhetoric toward Supreme Court President Isaac Amit and the inflammatory language that preceded the 1995 murder of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Despite Smotrich’s aides claiming his “run him over” comment was metaphorical, Olmert dismissed this as disingenuous, calling it “an invitation to murder, to physical elimination.”

    The article portrays a government systematically dismantling institutional checks through intimidation of judicial figures, with Olmert concluding that current leadership has abandoned the rule of law in favor of violent expansionism.

  • How Israel’s recognition of Somaliland risks destabilising the region

    How Israel’s recognition of Somaliland risks destabilising the region

    A seismic shift in Horn of Africa geopolitics unfolded as Israel’s unilateral recognition of Somaliland’s independence triggered widespread protests and heightened security alerts across the region. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s December announcement formally acknowledging Somaliland’s sovereignty has drawn immediate condemnation from Somalia and raised alarms among international observers.

    The strategic significance of this move cannot be overstated. Somaliland occupies critical coastline along the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea maritime corridors that facilitate approximately 30% of global trade. This positioning has transformed the territory into a geopolitical prize amid escalating regional competitions.

    Security analysts warn that Israel’s endorsement has effectively inserted Somaliland into Middle Eastern power rivalries. Samira Gaid, a Horn of Africa security specialist, notes the development positions Somaliland within a broader contest involving Israel versus Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states—a dangerous geopolitical realignment.

    The recognition has exposed Somaliland’s internal vulnerabilities. Former Somali intelligence chief Fahad Yasin revealed that Hargeisa exercises limited control over extensive territories, particularly in northeastern regions and Awdal province where separatist movements have gained momentum. These areas have witnessed violent clashes and declarations of alternative regional states aligned with Somalia’s federal government.

    Regional armed groups including al-Shabab and Yemen’s Houthi movement have declared Israeli presence in Somaliland legitimate military targets. Abdul Malik al-Houthi specifically warned that any Israeli facilities would face immediate retaliation, potentially transforming the strategic waterways into conflict zones.

    Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud identified three primary motivations behind Israel’s move: potential Somaliland accession to the Abraham Accords, relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, and establishment of an Israeli military base along the Gulf of Aden. This latter objective particularly unsettles Red Sea states that perceive Israeli proximity as a national security threat.

    The recognition faces procedural challenges within Israel itself. Opposition leader Yair Lapid revealed that Netanyahu’s decision bypassed both government and security cabinet approval, raising questions about its legal validity under Israeli domestic governance procedures.

    International law experts note the move contravenes United Nations and African Union charters emphasizing respect for member states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. This unilateral action may establish a destabilizing precedent for separatist movements across conflict-prone regions, potentially encouraging similar claims in Ethiopia and other nations facing internal self-determination disputes.

    The development represents the latest manifestation of Middle Eastern powers projecting their rivalries into the Horn of Africa through port development, military bases, financial leverage, and political patronage networks—with Somaliland now becoming an unexpected flashpoint in this expanding strategic competition.

  • Israel’s arms manufacturers benefit from EU funding for cutting edge civilian research

    Israel’s arms manufacturers benefit from EU funding for cutting edge civilian research

    The European Union has systematically channeled millions in civilian research funding to Israeli defense manufacturers despite explicit prohibitions against military and dual-use applications, according to financial records and policy analysis. Public documentation reveals that Israeli military contractors have consistently participated in EU-backed research initiatives, including the Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 programs, which are ostensibly dedicated to civilian innovation.

    Between 2014 and 2025, these programs allocated over $15 million to projects involving Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a state-owned defense conglomerate manufacturing drones, missile systems, and surveillance technology deployed in Gaza and the West Bank. The EU’s Framework Programmes, which pool research funding from member states, have historically maintained strict restrictions against research that could be repurposed for military applications. However, Israel’s research ecosystem operates without such civilian-military separation, creating structural vulnerabilities in the funding system.

    The scale of involvement is substantial: EU databases indicate approximately 2,500 projects with Israeli partners receiving roughly $2.55 billion in total funding. Even seemingly benign research in data analysis, pharmaceuticals, or environmental technology risks being utilized by Israel’s defense sector due to this institutional integration.

    In a significant policy shift, the European Commission has recently dismantled long-standing dual-use restrictions that were foundational to previous Framework Programmes. High-level policy reviews in 2024 argued that European research should more directly serve defense objectives, leading to the abandonment of the civilian-only ethos. When the next Framework Programme launches in 2028, an entire pillar will be dedicated to military research, while remaining sectors will no longer exclude projects based on potential dual-use applications.

    European Parliament members have raised serious concerns about this trajectory. A parliamentary question revealed that between October 2023 and October 2024 alone, Horizon Europe funded 130 Israeli-involved projects worth approximately $147 million, without adequate screening for military implications. The Commission has declined to disclose how many projects have direct or indirect military applications or whether screening procedures were enhanced during the Gaza conflict.

    The policy shift contrasts sharply with the EU’s treatment of Russia, whose research participation was immediately frozen following the invasion of Ukraine. Critics argue the changes effectively accommodate Israel’s integrated military-civilian research model while creating complicity in human rights abuses. As the EU moves toward normalizing dual-use research, academics may lose control over how their work is ultimately deployed in military contexts, with Israel positioned to disproportionately benefit from the blurred distinctions between civilian and military innovation.

  • Understanding Xi’s vision of China and the world through New Year message

    Understanding Xi’s vision of China and the world through New Year message

    In his annual New Year’s address delivered from Beijing on December 31, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping articulated a comprehensive vision for China’s domestic development and international role in the coming year. The televised message, presented against the symbolic backdrop of the Great Wall representing China’s enduring civilization, served as both a retrospective on national achievements and a forward-looking policy statement.

    President Xi highlighted the successful completion of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, characterizing 2025 as a year of substantial progress in the nation’s modernization journey. With characteristic optimism, he detailed how China had met its economic and social development targets while advancing what he termed ‘Chinese modernization’ – a distinct development model balancing economic growth with socialist principles.

    Looking toward the future, Xi emphasized that 2026 would inaugurate the 15th Five-Year Plan period, calling for intensified efforts in high-quality development, deepened reforms, and expanded opening-up policies. The address positioned innovation as the central driver of China’s economic transformation, aiming to evolve the country into a global technological powerhouse.

    Beyond domestic affairs, Xi’s message conveyed China’s aspirations on the world stage, presenting the nation as both a stable development model and a responsible international stakeholder. The speech implicitly positioned China’s governance approach as an alternative paradigm in global affairs, particularly emphasizing South-South cooperation and multilateral engagement.

    The annual address, a established tradition in Chinese political communication, effectively blended nationalist symbolism with policy direction, creating a narrative bridge between China’s historical legacy and its contemporary ambitions. Xi’s delivery, marked by his characteristic rhetorical style, balanced solemnity with encouragement, projecting confidence in China’s developmental path amid global uncertainties.