Global Pulse

分类： politics

  • France will build a new aircraft carrier as it increases defense spending

    France will build a new aircraft carrier as it increases defense spending

    French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled ambitious plans for a next-generation nuclear aircraft carrier during his address to French troops stationed in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The monumental defense project represents France’s strategic response to evolving global security challenges and reinforces its commitment to maritime superiority.

    The new vessel, scheduled for completion by 2038, will serve as the replacement for France’s current flagship, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier that entered service in 2001. With specifications showcasing significant technological advancement, the future carrier will displace approximately 78,000 tons and extend 310 meters (1,017 feet) in length—marking a substantial increase from the Charles de Gaulle’s 42,000-ton displacement and 261-meter frame.

    While the French carrier will remain smaller than the United States’ USS Gerald Ford—the world’s largest warship at over 100,000 tons—it will maintain France’s distinctive nuclear propulsion capability and deploy advanced Rafale M fighter jets. The vessel is designed to accommodate up to 30 aircraft and support a crew of 2,000 personnel, enabling extended operational deployments with enhanced combat readiness.

    President Macron characterized the initiative as ‘the display of our nation’s power in the service of freedom on the seas,’ emphasizing that ‘in an age of predators, we must be strong in order to be feared, and especially strong at sea.’ The project aligns with France’s broader military modernization strategy, which includes increasing defense spending to 64 billion euros by 2027—doubling the budget from Macron’s initial term in 2017.

    The defense ministry confirms the carrier will provide rapid response capabilities for heavily armed, long-range missions with minimal preparation time. Economically, the program is expected to benefit hundreds of suppliers, predominantly small- and medium-sized enterprises, with Macron personally committing to oversee industrial partnerships during a scheduled shipyard visit in February.

    Financial projections from former Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu (now Prime Minister) estimated the project cost at approximately 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion). This investment occurs alongside Macron’s announcement of an additional 6.5 billion euros ($7.6 billion) in military expenditures over the next two years, reinforcing France’s position as the European Union’s second-largest military force behind Poland.

  • Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon blast ‘Israel First’ at fractious Maga conference

    Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon blast ‘Israel First’ at fractious Maga conference

    A prominent conservative convention in the United States has erupted in internal conflict as leading figures within the Make America Great Again movement clash sharply over American foreign policy toward Israel.

    The Turning Point USA organization is currently hosting its America Fest event, marking its first major assembly since the passing of founder Charlie Kirk earlier this year. The gathering has become a stage for increasingly public divisions among right-wing commentators regarding the extent of U.S. support for Israel.

    During his address, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro launched a vehement attack against former Fox News host Tucker Carlson for his recent interview with right-wing influencer Nick Fuentes. Shapiro characterized Fuentes as ‘a Hitler apologist, Nazi-loving, anti-American piece of refuse’ and condemned Carlson’s decision to platform him as ‘an act of moral imbecility.’

    Carlson responded forcefully in his own speech, criticizing what he described as attempts to suppress legitimate criticism of Israel. ‘Most Americans have more in common with each other than they disagree on,’ Carlson asserted. ‘And almost everybody agrees on that. And almost everybody is willing to tolerate a good-faith argument about how to get there.’

    The former television host directly challenged Israel’s military actions, stating: ‘If a man commits a crime, do we kill his kids? I don’t care if it’s in Minneapolis or Gaza City. No, we don’t.’ He further emphasized that ‘God is not on any country’s side’ and condemned anti-Muslim bigotry as ‘disgusting.’

    Adding to the controversy, former White House strategist Steve Bannon declared that the late Charlie Kirk had opposed ‘this concept of greater Israel and Israel first.’ Bannon launched his own attack against Shapiro, describing him as ‘like a cancer, and that cancer spreads.’ In remarks that drew cheers from the audience, Bannon controversially claimed that ‘the number one enemy to the people in Israel are American Jews that do not support Israel and do not support Maga.’

    Broadcaster Megan Kelly observed that ‘there was a rift within the Maga movement even before we lost Charlie… and it revolves around Israel,’ indicating these divisions predate the current conflict.

    The event also featured political endorsements, with Charlie Kirk’s widow Erica Kirk, now leading Turning Point USA, publicly supporting US Vice President JD Vance for a potential 2028 presidential run.

  • Look: UAE President receives French counterpart in Zayed National Museum for working visit

    Look: UAE President receives French counterpart in Zayed National Museum for working visit

    In a significant diplomatic engagement, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi on Sunday for a comprehensive working visit. The meeting marked a strengthening of bilateral relations between the two nations, with both leaders exchanging New Year greetings and expressing mutual wishes for continued progress and prosperity.

    The high-level discussions focused on enhancing the historical and strategic partnership between the UAE and France, with particular emphasis on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. Key areas of mutual interest included economic development, investment opportunities, cultural exchange, renewable energy initiatives, advanced technology integration, artificial intelligence development, and sustainability projects. These collaborative efforts align with both countries’ shared vision for long-term development and prosperity.

    The diplomatic gathering was attended by prominent UAE officials including Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs. The French delegation included multiple ministers and senior officials, reflecting the importance both nations place on this strategic partnership.

    President Sheikh Mohamed hosted an official luncheon in honor of President Macron and his accompanying delegation, following the productive working discussions. Macron’s arrival earlier in the day at the Presidential Flight in Abu Dhabi was formally received by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan alongside several senior UAE officials, demonstrating the high protocol extended to the visiting French leader.

  • Vice-chairman of CPPCC Jiangxi Provincial Committee placed under investigation

    Vice-chairman of CPPCC Jiangxi Provincial Committee placed under investigation

    The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and National Supervisory Commission announced on Sunday the initiation of a disciplinary probe into Yin Jianye, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Jiangxi Provincial Committee. The investigation concerns alleged serious violations of Party discipline and laws, marking another high-profile case in China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

    Yin Jianye, 62, a member of the Bai ethnic group and native of Yunnan province, has maintained a long political career since joining the Communist Party of China in 1985. His professional journey began in 1986, culminating in his transfer to Jiangxi province in October 2015 after extensive service in Yunnan.

    During his tenure in Yunnan, Yin held several significant positions including Director of the Provincial Audit Department, Party Chief of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and Vice Governor of Yunnan. Following his relocation to Jiangxi, he ascended through provincial leadership roles serving as Vice Governor, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee, and Head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs. He assumed his current position as CPPCC Vice-Chairman in 2022.

    This investigation continues a pattern of disciplinary actions against senior Jiangxi political figures. In June 2025, former CPPCC Jiangxi Vice-Chairman Hu Youtao faced similar scrutiny, resulting in his expulsion from the Party by December of that year, with his bribery case subsequently transferred to judicial authorities.

    Another former vice-chairman, Hu Qiang, underwent investigation in February 2024, leading to his expulsion from the Party in August that year. By September 2025, he received a 13-year prison sentence for bribery in his first trial, demonstrating the serious consequences for such violations.

  • Coast Guard is pursuing another tanker helping Venezuela skirt sanctions, US official says

    Coast Guard is pursuing another tanker helping Venezuela skirt sanctions, US official says

    The United States Coast Guard has initiated pursuit operations against another sanctioned oil tanker in Caribbean waters, marking the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s intensified campaign targeting Venezuelan energy shipments. This development follows Saturday’s predawn seizure of the Panama-flagged tanker ‘Centuries,’ which authorities identified as operating under false registration as part of Venezuela’s shadow fleet for illicit oil transportation.

    According to a U.S. official familiar with the ongoing operation, Sunday’s pursuit involves a sanctioned vessel from the ‘dark fleet’ that facilitates Venezuela’s sanctions evasion efforts. The official, speaking anonymously due to operational sensitivities, confirmed the target vessel was flying false colors and subject to a judicial seizure order. This represents the third such action in under two weeks, following the December 10th interception of the unflagged tanker ‘Skipper’ with U.S. Navy support.

    The maritime enforcement surge coincides with President Trump’s increasingly confrontational rhetoric toward Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump has vowed to implement a full naval ‘blockade’ against Venezuela and warned that Maduro’s tenure faces imminent conclusion. Administration officials justify these measures as necessary to recover assets seized from American oil companies during Venezuela’s industry nationalization, citing a 2014 international arbitration ruling that ordered $1.6 billion in compensation to ExxonMobil.

    These interdiction operations form part of broader regional security initiatives that include narcotics enforcement. Since September, the Defense Department has conducted at least 28 documented strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling fentanyl and other illegal drugs through Caribbean and Eastern Pacific corridors, resulting in over 100 casualties. The coordinated maritime strategy reflects the administration’s multi-front approach to pressuring Venezuela’s socialist government while combating transnational narcotics trafficking.

  • Trump did shock and awe in 2025. Reality may bite in 2026

    Trump did shock and awe in 2025. Reality may bite in 2026

    As President Donald Trump concludes his first year back in the Oval Office, his administration confronts mounting political challenges that threaten to undermine his disruptive agenda. The 79-year-old leader’s unconventional approach—symbolized by the physical demolition of part of the White House to construct a grand ballroom—has defined a presidency that began with what observers describe as a “political wrecking ball” strategy.

    Following an aggressive initial nine months marked by sweeping executive actions, immigration crackdowns, and confrontations with domestic institutions, the administration now faces the reality of governing beyond the shock-and-awe phase. Senior Fellow William Galston of the Brookings Institution notes that while Trump’s tactics initially sent opponents reeling, the effect appears to be diminishing as practical governing demands take precedence.

    The upcoming midterm elections in November 2026 represent a critical juncture for the Trump presidency, with Democrats poised to capitalize on growing discontent over cost-of-living pressures and the president’s declining approval ratings. White House officials indicate Trump is shifting focus toward economic concerns, planning increased domestic travel and campaign-style events to address voter anxieties about affordability and healthcare.

    Internationally, Trump continues his disruptive diplomacy, implementing tariffs that have created global economic uncertainty, engaging unpredictably with Russian and Chinese leaders, and achieving fragile peace in Gaza while potentially escalating tensions with Venezuela. The Supreme Court’s upcoming rulings on tariff legality and internal Republican tensions over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal further complicate the administration’s trajectory.

    Adding to the political landscape is the emerging battle for succession within the Republican Party, with Vice President JD Vance and MAGA figure Marjorie Taylor Greene positioning themselves for a post-Trump era. Speculation persists that Trump might test constitutional limits by hinting at a third-term bid despite explicit prohibitions, setting the stage for what experts predict could be an “explosive” political confrontation following the midterms.

  • President Trump: A year of ruling by executive order

    President Trump: A year of ruling by executive order

    In an extraordinary demonstration of presidential authority, Donald Trump has now signed more executive orders during his current term’s first year than throughout his entire previous presidency. The 221st executive order, designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, marks the latest in a rapid succession of presidential directives that analysts describe as one of the most significant displays of executive power in modern American history.

    According to Federal Register data analyzed by AFP, Trump’s current pace of executive actions exceeds the annual averages of his immediate predecessors—Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush—by approximately five to seven times. Only Franklin D. Roosevelt, who governed during the Great Depression and World War II, maintained a comparable rate of executive orders across his four terms.

    Political science professor John Woolley of the University of California, Santa Barbara, characterizes these orders as strategic communication tools. “They serve as signals to crucial constituent groups that the administration is actively advancing their causes,” noted Woolley, who co-directs the American Presidency Project.

    An analysis of the orders reveals distinctive patterns: nearly 60% address domestic matters, while fewer than 10% focus exclusively on foreign policy. Social issues—encompassing culture, civil rights, education, and health—constitute approximately 30% of all orders, surpassing economic matters (20%) and government reform (18%). Immigration and security, central to Trump’s 2024 campaign, account for roughly 10%.

    The content frequently reflects ideological positions, including an July directive prohibiting AI models that emphasize diversity and inclusion, and an August order establishing classical architecture as the preferred style for federal buildings.

    However, the efficiency of governing through executive orders remains questionable. Just Security, a legal analysis website affiliated with New York University, reports that over 20% of Trump’s orders have faced legal challenges, with more than 20 being partially or fully blocked by courts. Recent appellate rulings have deemed significant portions of Trump’s tariff policies illegal, and the Supreme Court has shown skepticism regarding the legality of certain trade measures during November hearings.

    Despite these challenges, Woolley suggests Trump is deliberately testing legal boundaries: “He’s wagering that the Supreme Court, with its conservative majority strengthened during his first term, will largely endorse his interpretation of executive power.”

    The language within these orders also distinguishes Trump’s approach. Analysis reveals he employs the verb “impose” five times more frequently than his predecessors and references the “nation” and “American people” at notably higher rates. Additionally, over 15% of orders contain elements of political retaliation, explicitly criticizing previous administrations and opponents—a departure from historical norms according to presidential scholars.

  • Victims, lawmakers criticize partial release of Epstein files; Trump seen nowhere

    Victims, lawmakers criticize partial release of Epstein files; Trump seen nowhere

    A heavily redacted release of court documents pertaining to the Jeffrey Epstein case has ignited fierce criticism from victims and lawmakers, raising serious questions about transparency within the Trump administration. The long-anticipated cache, made public by the U.S. Justice Department, contained numerous blacked-out pages and censored photographs, fueling allegations of an orchestrated high-level cover-up.

    The document trove included previously unseen images featuring prominent figures within Epstein’s social orbit, such as former President Bill Clinton, musician Mick Jagger, and the late Michael Jackson. Notably absent, however, were photographs of former President Donald Trump that had been referenced in prior investigations. This selective redaction prompted immediate condemnation from Democratic leaders, with Senator Chuck Schumer characterizing the situation as potentially “one of the biggest cover ups in American history.”

    Epstein survivors expressed profound disappointment with the release. Victim Jess Michaels reported being unable to locate her original statements and communications with FBI tip lines within the documents. “Is this the best that the government can do? Even an act of Congress isn’t getting us justice,” Michaels stated in a CNN interview.

    The materials did reveal some new details about Epstein’s connections to powerful figures, including dozens of censored images depicting nude or scantily clad individuals. Among these were photographs of disgraced Prince Andrew lying across the legs of five women, and images showing Bill Clinton lounging in a hot tub alongside Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice who is currently serving a 20-year sentence.

    The release complied with recent legislation mandating public disclosure of case files, though officials cited legal constraints and victim privacy concerns as justification for extensive redactions. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche denied any intentional withholding of information to protect Trump, despite the former president’s months-long effort to block the documents’ disclosure. Trump ultimately signed the legislation compelling publication under mounting pressure from Congress, including members of his own party.

  • Brazilian president warns armed intervention in Venezuela would be ‘humanitarian catastrophe’

    Brazilian president warns armed intervention in Venezuela would be ‘humanitarian catastrophe’

    Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva issued a stark warning against potential armed intervention in Venezuela during his address at the 67th Summit of Heads of State of Mercosur and Associated States on Saturday. The Latin American leader characterized military action as potentially triggering “a humanitarian catastrophe” for the hemisphere while establishing a dangerous global precedent.

    President Lula directly referenced recent United States military maneuvers and economic sanctions against Venezuela, including the naval blockade operations intercepting oil tankers bound for Venezuelan ports. The Brazilian leader expressed profound concern over what he described as “the military presence of an extra-regional power” in Latin American affairs, emphasizing that regional prosperity and peace constitute the only acceptable doctrine for South American nations.

    Lula revealed details of a recent diplomatic exchange with US President Donald Trump, during which he advocated for negotiated solutions as fundamentally “more effective and less costly” than military confrontation. This diplomatic overture occurs alongside the Trump administration’s formal designation of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government as “a foreign terrorist organization” and its enforcement of comprehensive oil embargo measures.

    The Brazilian president’s statements reflect growing regional unease, with multiple Latin American nations and regional blocs voicing opposition to unilateral actions against Venezuela. These entities have increasingly called upon the United Nations and broader international community to facilitate diplomatic dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution, challenging the current escalation of military and economic pressure tactics.

  • Russia says talks on US peace plan for Ukraine ‘are proceeding constructively’

    Russia says talks on US peace plan for Ukraine ‘are proceeding constructively’

    Diplomatic efforts to resolve the protracted conflict in Ukraine are advancing constructively, according to a senior Kremlin envoy participating in U.S.-brokered peace negotiations. Kirill Dmitriev, representing Russian interests, confirmed that discussions with Trump administration officials—including presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner—are ongoing in Florida, following earlier consultations with Ukrainian and European representatives in Berlin.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the critical importance of the United States’ diplomatic stance following these engagements with Russian counterparts. This development comes shortly after Ukraine’s negotiation team concluded parallel meetings with American and European partners in the United States.

    Despite the Trump administration’s intensive diplomatic campaign to broker peace, significant obstacles remain due to fundamentally incompatible positions between Moscow and Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently reinforced his maximalist demands regarding Ukraine, even as Russian forces continue incremental territorial advances despite substantial military casualties.

    Putin reiterated confidence on Friday that the Kremlin would ultimately accomplish its military objectives should Ukraine refuse to accept Russia’s terms in peace negotiations. Meanwhile, European Union leaders demonstrated continued support for Ukraine by approving €90 billion ($106 billion) in funding to address the nation’s military and economic requirements over the next two years. While initially considering utilizing frozen Russian assets, the EU ultimately secured these funds through capital market borrowing after failing to resolve legal complications with Belgium.