Global Pulse

分类： politics

  • Boeing to make up to 50 new F-15 fighter jets for Israel

    Boeing to make up to 50 new F-15 fighter jets for Israel

    In a significant defense procurement announcement, the US Department of War has granted Boeing an $8.6 billion contract to manufacture a fleet of F-15IA fighter jets specifically configured for the Israeli Air Force. The revelation came shortly after a joint press conference between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Palm Beach, Florida.

    The comprehensive agreement encompasses the design, integration, instrumentation, testing, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft, with a contractual provision for an additional 25 units. This follows a previous November 2024 agreement valued at $5.2 billion for an equivalent number of aircraft.

    The F-15IA represents a specialized variant of the classic F-15 platform, engineered to meet Israel’s unique operational requirements. This advanced aircraft is intended to replace Israel’s aging ‘Ra’am’ fleet. According to US Air Force specifications, the F-15IA is capable of maintaining air supremacy and outperforming any contemporary adversary aircraft.

    Technical specifications highlight its exceptional capabilities, including a high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing-loading that provide superior maneuverability. The aircraft’s sophisticated radar and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system position it among the world’s most advanced fighter jets, with a maximum speed reaching 1,875 mph.

    Production will be conducted at Boeing’s St. Louis, Missouri facility, with deliveries projected for completion by 2035. The United States continues to dominate as the primary global supplier of tactical fighter jets, having previously customized F-15 variants for Japan, South Korea, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

    The contract announcement coincided with diplomatic discussions between Trump and Netanyahu regarding Gaza ceasefire negotiations. President Trump expressed unequivocal support for Israel’s leadership, describing Netanyahu as a ‘wartime prime minister at the highest level’ and emphasizing that ‘with most other leaders, Israel would not exist.’

    When questioned about Israel’s military actions in Gaza, where over 71,000 casualties have been reported since October 2023 using US-supplied aircraft and weaponry, Trump stated he had no concerns about Israel’s decisions, asserting that Israel had ‘lived up to the plan 100 percent.’

  • Expert: US actions, words don’t match

    Expert: US actions, words don’t match

    A prominent US-China relations expert has identified a fundamental inconsistency in American policy toward Taiwan, noting a significant divergence between official statements and concrete actions. David Firestein, President and CEO of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for US-China Relations, characterized recent US weapons transfers to Taiwan as demonstrating the most pronounced implementation gap in Washington’s approach to the island.

    Firestein observed that while US leadership maintains there has been no change in policy direction, tangible developments tell a contrasting story. ‘The United States has said that nothing has changed in terms of the US approach to Taiwan,’ Firestein noted in an interview. ‘We say that everything’s the way it was, that our policy remains unchanged, that we are still looking at it through the prism of the one-China principle.’

    However, the expert pointed to substantive policy shifts dating back to 2017, including legislative changes such as the Taiwan Travel Act and Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, alongside modifications in official language and digital content. The most recent manifestation of this trend emerged on December 24 with an unprecedented $11.1 billion arms package proposal for Taiwan—the largest in US history—currently awaiting congressional approval.

    Firestein emphasized that former President Trump’s administration delivered more armaments to Taiwan than any previous presidency, contradicting official claims of policy continuity. ‘What we say—what the US says—and what we do don’t line up,’ he concluded, suggesting that America’s actual objective appears to be preventing cross-strait reunification despite public commitments to peaceful resolution.

    In response to these developments, Beijing has announced countermeasures targeting 20 US defense contractors and 10 senior executives involved in recent arms transfers to Taiwan. Simultaneously, China’s Eastern Theater Command conducted large-scale, multi-service military exercises around Taiwan, demonstrating heightened regional tensions.

    Public sentiment on social media platforms reflects growing concern about US involvement, with American citizens questioning the financial and strategic wisdom of Taiwan defense commitments amid domestic economic challenges.

  • Junta leader is declared the winner of Guinea’s presidential election

    Junta leader is declared the winner of Guinea’s presidential election

    CONAKRY, Guinea — General Mamdi Doumbouya, the military leader who seized power in a 2021 coup, has been proclaimed the winner of Guinea’s presidential election according to partial results released Tuesday evening. The electoral authority reported Doumbouya secured 86.72% of tallied votes in the nation’s first electoral process since the military takeover.

    The election, widely perceived as an effort to legitimize Doumbouya’s continued rule, culminated a four-year transition period following his ouster of President Alpha Condé. Pre-election analysis accurately predicted the junta leader’s victory amid a significantly weakened opposition landscape. Critics note the systematic suppression of dissent resulted in the dissolution of over 50 political organizations and the exclusion of major opposition figures through technical disqualifications or forced exile.

    Yéro Baldé, a former education minister under Condé’s administration, trailed distantly with 6.51% of votes. Electoral officials reported substantial voter participation, with 80.95% of the registered 6.7 million electorate casting ballots.

    Doumbouya’s candidacy marked a reversal of his initial post-coup commitment that military officers would abstain from electoral politics. A September referendum facilitated this political U-turn by permitting military participation and extending presidential terms from five to seven years.

    Despite Guinea’s substantial mineral wealth and 15-million population, approximately half of citizens endure poverty and record food insecurity according to World Food Program assessments. The junta has prioritized the Simandou iron ore project—a predominantly Chinese-owned mining initiative at the world’s largest iron deposit—as central to economic revitalization. After decades of delays, production commenced last month, with authorities anticipating thousands of jobs and expanded investments in education and healthcare.

    Guinea joins multiple West African nations experiencing coups or attempted power seizures since 2020, where military leaders have capitalized on public dissatisfaction with security deterioration, economic underperformance, and contested elections. The region witnessed additional military interventions in Guinea-Bissau and Benin since November.

  • Somaliland recognition draws global criticism

    Somaliland recognition draws global criticism

    A diplomatic firestorm has erupted at the United Nations Security Council following Israel’s controversial decision to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent sovereign state. The December 26th announcement has drawn vehement opposition from numerous nations and international organizations, with warnings that this unilateral action threatens to destabilize the already volatile Horn of Africa region.

    Somalia’s government has condemned the recognition as a “flagrant assault” on its territorial unity, asserting its absolute commitment to maintaining national sovereignty. The move has triggered a coordinated international response, with Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Djibouti joining in formal rejections. Major regional blocs including the African Union, European Union, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Arab League have unanimously reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

    UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Khaled Khiari briefed the Security Council, emphasizing that no external actor possesses the authority to alter Somalia’s territorial configuration. He characterized Somalia’s position as “non-negotiable,” with the government declaring any recognition of Somaliland’s independence “null and void” under international law.

    The diplomatic confrontation escalated as Somalia’s representative, speaking for Algeria, Guyana, and Sierra Leone, accused Israel of violating multiple international statutes including the UN Charter and African Union principles. The representative warned that this “act of aggression” aimed to encourage Somalia’s fragmentation and urged universal condemnation from UN member states.

    Beyond official channels, public outrage has manifested in Mogadishu, where hundreds of protesters gathered chanting “Somalia is indivisible” and “Somaliland is Somalia.” The recognition has raised concerns about potential proxy conflicts, with Somalia emphasizing it will not permit foreign military bases that could exacerbate regional tensions.

    Despite declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland has never achieved international recognition, with the global community consistently maintaining that Somalia’s territorial integrity remains essential for regional stability. South Africa joined the criticism, warning that Israel’s move violates the principle of respecting inherited borders and risks creating a “domino effect of instability” across the continent.

  • UAE announces withdrawal of its forces from Yemen following Saudi criticism

    UAE announces withdrawal of its forces from Yemen following Saudi criticism

    In a significant escalation of tensions between Gulf allies, the United Arab Emirates has declared the complete withdrawal of its remaining military personnel from Yemen. This decision comes mere hours after Saudi Arabia conducted airstrikes against UAE-backed forces and issued an unprecedented public condemnation of Abu Dhabi’s activities in the protracted conflict.

    The Emirati Defense Ministry stated formally that ‘in light of recent developments’ it was terminating the presence of its ‘remaining counterterrorism personnel in Yemen of its own volition.’ While emphasizing that the majority of UAE forces had concluded their operational role in 2019, the ministry noted that specialized teams had remained engaged in counter-terrorism efforts alongside international partners until now.

    This dramatic development follows Tuesday morning’s Saudi airstrikes targeting the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the port city of Mukalla. Riyadh justified these strikes by claiming the targeted weapons and vehicles arriving from Fujairah, UAE, ‘constituted an imminent threat.’ STC representatives contested this account, asserting the strikes hit civilian infrastructure instead.

    Subsequently, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry published a strongly worded statement expressing disappointment with UAE actions it claimed were ‘pressuring’ the STC to conduct military operations along Saudi Arabia’s southern border regions. The kingdom explicitly declared such activities a direct threat to its national security and regional stability, emphasizing that ‘any threat to its national security is a red line.’

    Yemen expert Mohammed al-Basha clarified that the UAE had already withdrawn most military hardware six years ago, with current presence consisting primarily of rotating advisory, intelligence, and counter-terrorism personnel rather than large-scale combat forces. The UAE has backed the STC since 2017 through comprehensive support including funding, military assistance, and training, though analysts note Abu Dhabi maintains it doesn’t control the group’s political objectives.

    In response to Saudi actions, the UAE expressed surprise and rejected Riyadh’s account, stating the strike occurred without coalition consultation and that the targeted shipment contained vehicles for UAE forces rather than weapons. Abu Dhabi denounced the Saudi statement as containing ‘fundamental inaccuracies’ and categorically rejected implications of directing Yemeni military operations.

    The escalating rift emerges amid ongoing power struggles within Yemen’s anti-Houthi leadership. Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi called for Emirati forces to withdraw and canceled a joint defense agreement with the UAE, though STC officials immediately challenged his authority to make such decisions unilaterally.

  • Indian FM to attend Bangladesh ex-PM Zia’s state funeral

    Indian FM to attend Bangladesh ex-PM Zia’s state funeral

    India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will travel to Dhaka on Wednesday to attend the state funeral of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, marking the highest-level Indian diplomatic visit since the 2024 political upheaval that transformed bilateral relations between the neighboring nations.

    The funeral ceremony for Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister who passed away Tuesday at age 80, is anticipated to draw massive public gatherings in the capital city. India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed Jaishankar will officially represent both the Indian government and its citizens during the solemn proceedings.

    This diplomatic mission occurs against the backdrop of significantly strained India-Bangladesh relations following the 2024 overthrow of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who sought refuge in India and remains there despite repeated extradition requests from Dhaka. In November, a Bangladeshi court sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for her alleged role in authorizing lethal force against mass protests.

    The geopolitical landscape has been further complicated by India’s expressed concerns regarding minority treatment in Bangladesh and the upcoming February 12, 2026 elections—the first since the widespread uprising. These elections position Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as a potential frontrunner, with her recently returned son Tarique Rahman, ending 17 years of exile, emerging as a probable prime ministerial candidate should the party secure majority control.

    Notably, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences while expressing hope that Zia’s “vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership,” signaling diplomatic outreach despite ongoing tensions. The situation remains delicate as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader, has accused India of exaggerating violence scale during the unrest period.

  • Miners clash with police in Bolivia as protests over fuel subsidies enter second week

    Miners clash with police in Bolivia as protests over fuel subsidies enter second week

    LA PAZ, Bolivia — Bolivia’s political landscape remains volatile as miners and protesters continued their aggressive demonstrations for an eighth consecutive day against President Rodrigo Paz’s sweeping economic reforms. The capital city witnessed dramatic scenes as protesters detonated dynamite sticks and launched fireworks toward police forces, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets to maintain security around the congressional square.

    The core of the discontent stems from Paz’s recent decree eliminating longstanding fuel subsidies, a move that has nearly doubled gasoline prices from 53 cents to $1 per liter. The protests, initially led by state-owned miners, have gained support from teachers’ unions and Indigenous groups, indicating growing opposition from constituencies traditionally aligned with the ousted Movement for Socialism party.

    President Paz, who took office in November after October’s election, has embarked on a significant policy shift characterized by his “capitalism for all” platform. Beyond the subsidy cuts, his reforms include enabling the central bank to borrow without legislative approval and implementing measures to address Bolivia’s severe U.S. dollar shortage.

    Despite the unrest, Paz has moved swiftly to improve international relations, particularly with the United States, by agreeing to exchange ambassadors after a 17-year diplomatic hiatus. The administration maintains these economic measures are necessary to attract foreign investment and stabilize the nation’s economy, though they continue to face staunch resistance from workers’ unions who fear increased national debt and economic hardship for future generations.

  • Judge temporarily halts Trump’s move to end protected status for South Sudanese immigrants

    Judge temporarily halts Trump’s move to end protected status for South Sudanese immigrants

    A federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudanese nationals residing in the United States. U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, preventing the Department of Homeland Security from initiating deportations while the legality of the termination is under judicial review.

    The controversial decision to end TPS for South Sudan was originally scheduled to take effect in January 2026, potentially exposing approximately 300 South Sudanese immigrants to deportation proceedings. Civil rights organizations challenged the termination in a December lawsuit, alleging constitutional violations and administrative procedural failures by DHS.

    Judge Kelley’s ruling emphasized the “significant and far-reaching consequences” of the policy change, noting that premature implementation could cause “irreversible harm” to affected migrants. The court found sufficient merit in the plaintiffs’ claims to warrant comprehensive judicial review before any termination could proceed.

    DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the judicial intervention, characterizing it as “lawless and activist” while defending the administration’s position that South Sudan had achieved “renewed peace” and improved diplomatic relations. These assertions directly contradict United Nations assessments describing continued fragmentation of government forces and widespread humanitarian challenges.

    South Sudan first received TPS designation in 2011 following devastating conflict that displaced millions. The program provides legal residency and work authorization to foreign nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or extraordinary temporary conditions.

    The Trump administration’s efforts to terminate protected status extends beyond South Sudan, encompassing immigrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Afghanistan, and several other nations. Critics argue these actions represent a systematic attempt to reduce non-white immigration, pointing to the administration’s simultaneous willingness to accept white South African refugees.

    Legal experts suggest the case may have implications for thousands of immigrants whose protected status remains under administrative review, potentially setting precedents for judicial oversight of executive immigration decisions.

  • PLA drills show China’s resolve for peace and unity

    PLA drills show China’s resolve for peace and unity

    The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command has initiated comprehensive military exercises designated “Justice Mission 2025” surrounding Taiwan, signaling Beijing’s unwavering commitment to national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The multi-branch operations involving Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force personnel conducted maneuvers across the Taiwan Strait and surrounding maritime territories, implementing sophisticated drills focused on joint combat readiness, strategic superiority acquisition, and comprehensive deterrence capabilities.

    According to theater command spokesperson Shi Yi, the exercises specifically targeted scenarios including sea-air combat patrols, joint superiority operations, strategic blockades of key locations, and multi-dimensional deterrence beyond island chain parameters. The timing of these demonstrations coincides with what regional security experts identify as provocative actions by external powers.

    International analysts contextualize these developments against escalating geopolitical tensions. Warwick Powell, adjunct professor at Queensland University of Technology and former policy adviser to Australian leadership, notes that the drills directly respond to recent historic US arms sales to Taiwan and Washington’s updated National Security Strategy emphasizing the ‘first island chain’ concept. “The PLA is demonstrating its willingness and capacity to defend national sovereignty while simultaneously showing that talk of the ‘first island chain’ represents outdated strategic thinking,” Powell observed.

    Pakistani security analyst Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development, emphasized China’s consistent adherence to peaceful coexistence principles while maintaining firm boundaries against external interference. “Western countries led by the US fail to recognize that China cannot allow foreign interference in its internal matters or endanger its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Ramay stated, referencing recent US-Taiwan engagements that violate established diplomatic agreements.

    Regional security expert Henry Chan from the Cambodian Center for Regional Studies highlighted the technical sophistication of the exercises, noting China’s demonstrated capability to implement comprehensive island blockades across vast areas with minimal preparation time. “The Taiwan question remains strictly China’s internal affair,” Chan reiterated, “and these drills reflect China’s consistent position against separatism while showcasing advanced military readiness.”

  • London activists replace UAE embassy plaque with ‘United Arab Zionists’

    London activists replace UAE embassy plaque with ‘United Arab Zionists’

    In a bold demonstration of dissent, activists in London have transformed the facade of the United Arab Emirates embassy, replacing its official designation with a politically charged placard labeling it the ‘Embassy of the United Arab Zionists’ in both English and Hebrew. The protest, organized by the youth-led movement ‘Deenified’, featured masked participants carrying symbolic props including shrouded toy infants and placards accusing the UAE of ‘Supporting Genocides in Sudan and Gaza’.

    The demonstration reflects escalating frustration toward Arab nations that normalized relations with Israel through the US-brokered Abraham Accords of 2020. The UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan established formal diplomatic and trade ties with Israel, drawing renewed criticism amid Israel’s military actions in Gaza and broader regional conflicts.

    Simultaneously, the UAE faces mounting condemnation for its alleged role in Sudan’s civil war. Activists have launched boycott campaigns and public awareness efforts, including a prominent Oxford Street billboard highlighting the juxtaposition between Dubai’s luxury image and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. According to Middle East Eye reports, the UAE has been supplying weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group through complex transnational networks.

    The Sudan conflict, erupting in April 2023 from power struggles between national armed forces and the RSF, has resulted in catastrophic human losses exceeding 150,000 fatalities and displaced approximately 14 million people, creating one of the world’s most severe humanitarian disasters.