Global Pulse

分类： politics

  • Unrest under total control, claims Iran

    Unrest under total control, claims Iran

    Iranian authorities have declared the nationwide civil unrest that erupted in late December is now ‘under total control,’ despite mounting casualties and continued tensions. The protests, triggered by the collapse of Iran’s national currency and soaring living costs, have entered their third week with significant fatalities among both security forces and civilians.

    Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted to diplomats in Tehran that the demonstrations had been deliberately manipulated to turn ‘violent and bloody’ specifically to justify American intervention. This accusation comes as US President Donald Trump escalates threats of potential military action, stating Iran was ‘starting to cross US red lines’ and that he was considering ‘strong options.’

    The Iranian government has declared three days of national mourning for those killed in the clashes, with semiofficial Tasnim News Agency reporting at least 111 security force members dead. President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a broadcast interview, acknowledged economic grievances while blaming the same ‘forces that struck this country’ during the June conflict with Israel for orchestrating the current destabilization.

    China has entered the diplomatic fray with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning expressing hope that Iran could overcome its difficulties while reaffirming China’s opposition to foreign interference. Mao emphasized that China consistently opposes intervention in other nations’ internal affairs and advocates for protecting national sovereignty through international law.

    The crisis unfolds against a backdrop of increasingly assertive US foreign policy, including the recent forced abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and threats to annex Greenland. According to Reuters, Trump is scheduled to meet senior advisers to discuss options ranging from military strikes and cyber operations to expanded sanctions and support for anti-government elements.

    Regional tensions have escalated dramatically, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warning that all US military bases in the Middle East and Israel would become ‘legitimate targets’ if Iran is attacked. Meanwhile, some US lawmakers including Republican Senator Rand Paul have questioned the wisdom of military action, suggesting it could unite Iranians against external aggression rather than undermine the government.

  • Hamas signals readiness to hand over Gaza governance

    Hamas signals readiness to hand over Gaza governance

    In a significant geopolitical development, Hamas has declared its willingness to relinquish governmental control over the Gaza Strip to an independent technocratic administration. This strategic shift emerges amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations mediated by Arab nations, Türkiye, and the United States.

    The announcement follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent meeting with former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov in Jerusalem. Netanyahu’s office confirmed Mladenov is being considered to lead a proposed executive body for Gaza, reiterating Israel’s fundamental demand for Hamas to disarm and demilitarize the Palestinian enclave.

    Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem stated the organization has made a definitive decision to transfer all governmental responsibilities to a technocratic committee following agreements with other Palestinian factions. The group now awaits formal establishment of this administrative body to manage Gaza’s various sectors, with Qassem emphasizing the urgency of implementation.

    The militant organization has maintained governmental institutions in Gaza since 2007, when violent clashes with Fatah resulted in separate administrations for Gaza and the West Bank.

    Academic analyst Jawaid Iqbal of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University interpreted Hamas’s offer as a tactical maneuver to pressure Israel into advancing ceasefire negotiations. “Continuation of the ceasefire serves Hamas’s interest by providing crucial breathing space to regroup and reorganize its battered military strength,” Iqbal noted.

    This development occurs against the backdrop of persistent violence despite the ceasefire. Israel’s military campaign since October 2023 has resulted in approximately 71,000 Palestinian casualties according to reports.

    Concurrently, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation convened in Jeddah, where foreign ministers adopted resolutions condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence and its policies toward Palestinian territories.

    Regional expert Khaldoon Abdulla suggested Israel’s recognition of Somaliland serves multiple strategic purposes: enhancing international legitimacy, capitalizing on Red Sea fragmentation, and expanding diplomatic partnerships to strengthen regional positioning.

  • Iranians agree more on regime change than on what might come next

    Iranians agree more on regime change than on what might come next

    New research reveals a profound transformation in Iranian society, with citizens demonstrating remarkable willingness to endure severe consequences in their pursuit of political change. Since the December 28 protests, estimates indicate over 500 fatalities and more than 10,000 arrests, though actual figures are believed to be substantially higher according to incoming reports.

    Conventional polling methods in Iran’s repressive environment have historically presented a distorted image of societal homogeneity. However, the Group for Analysing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran (Gamaan) has pioneered anonymous internet-based surveying techniques that provide unprecedented insight into genuine public sentiment. By collaborating with Psiphon VPN services—utilized by approximately 90% of Iranian internet users to bypass government restrictions—Gamaan has collected representative samples ranging from tens of thousands to over 100,000 respondents.

    The research demonstrates that approximately 70-80% of Iranians across all demographics—including provincial, rural, urban, age, and gender divisions—express no support for the Islamic Republic. This sentiment crystallized during the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, where 70% of respondents rejected compulsory hijab laws.

    Recent developments have significantly altered the political landscape. Iran’s military capabilities were substantially weakened during the September 2025 12-day conflict with Israel, which resulted in numerous senior commander casualties. Concurrently, the regime has experienced cultural deterioration—evidenced by its diminished capacity to enforce religious dress codes—and economic collapse characterized by currency devaluation.

    The surveys indicate that most Iranians view protests, international pressure, and external intervention as more effective mechanisms for change than electoral processes or internal reforms. This perspective intensified following unprecedented statements from a US president threatening intervention should protesters face lethal force, coupled with the military abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a key Iranian ally.

    Regarding political alternatives, 89% of respondents support establishing a democratic system, though support for political liberalism remains more nuanced. Notably, 2025 witnessed increased monarchist sentiment, with Reza Pahlavi attracting approximately one-third strong support, one-third strong opposition, and one-third moderate or undecided respondents. His popularity varies significantly across ethnic minority regions.

    The research concludes that while nationalist sentiments may provide revolutionary momentum, sustainable stability post-regime change will require embracing Iran’s inherent cultural and ideological diversity within a genuinely free nation.

  • French farmers drive 350 tractors to Parliament to protest low incomes and EU trade deal

    French farmers drive 350 tractors to Parliament to protest low incomes and EU trade deal

    PARIS — Hundreds of French farmers mobilized approximately 350 tractors in a dramatic protest through central Paris on Tuesday, converging toward the National Assembly to voice vehement opposition to the impending EU-Mercosur trade agreement and demand urgent government action on declining agricultural incomes.

    The convoy of agricultural vehicles, escorted by police units, created significant traffic disruptions along iconic Parisian thoroughfares including the Champs-Elysees before crossing the Seine River. The carefully coordinated demonstration targeted lawmakers during critical legislative sessions, emphasizing farmers’ growing frustration with economic pressures they attribute to both domestic policy failures and international trade negotiations.

    Agricultural unions organizing the protest issued explicit demands for “concrete and immediate action” to protect France’s food sovereignty. The movement reflects escalating tensions across European farming communities facing multiple challenges including rising production costs, environmental regulations, and competition from imported goods.

    Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon acknowledged the concerns during a national television appearance, promising imminent policy announcements to address the agricultural crisis. Despite the French government’s official opposition to the EU-Mercosur pact, the agreement appears poised for ratification during Saturday’s signing ceremony in Paraguay, supported by majority consensus within the European Union.

    The controversial trade deal with Mercosur nations (Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay) has drawn sustained criticism from European agricultural sectors who argue it would undermine local producers through increased market penetration of cheaper imported goods produced under different environmental and quality standards.

  • Le Pen’s political fate rests on appeal trial opening in France

    Le Pen’s political fate rests on appeal trial opening in France

    French far-right leader Marine Le Pen commenced a high-stakes legal battle on Tuesday as her appeal against a five-year ban from public office began in Paris. The 57-year-old politician, who has contested the French presidency on three previous occasions, faces potential exclusion from the 2027 presidential election if the appellate court upholds last year’s conviction for EU funds embezzlement.

    The case centers on allegations that Le Pen and more than 20 other National Rally (RN) party officials employed parliamentary assistants who primarily worked on party matters rather than European Parliament duties, despite being compensated by EU funds. Trial judge Bénédicte de Perthuis previously characterized Le Pen as the central figure in a system that misappropriated €2.9 million in European funds.

    Le Pen maintains her complete innocence, asserting she committed ‘not the slightest irregularity.’ Her political ally, RN president Jordan Bardella, characterized the potential ban as ‘deeply worrying for democracy,’ arguing that preventing a twice-qualified second-round presidential candidate from running would undermine democratic principles. Bardella confirmed he would not seek the presidency himself but would instead pursue the prime ministerial position.

    The appellate proceedings, scheduled to continue through February 12th, will not deliver a verdict before summer 2026, creating a tense timeline ahead of the anticipated April 2027 presidential election. Legal experts outline four potential outcomes: complete acquittal, maintained conviction without immediate effect allowing her candidacy, reduced ban duration permitting 2027 registration, or upheld original judgment effectively blocking her presidential ambitions.

    Le Pen previously received a four-year prison sentence (two years suspended, two with electronic monitoring), a €100,000 fine, and the immediate public office ban. Should her appeal fail, she could face an extended prison term. Eleven RN colleagues join her appeal, while twelve others—including her sister Yann Le Pen—have accepted their sentences.

    The final determination rests with the Paris Court of Appeal, though further recourse to France’s highest judicial authority, the Court of Cassation, remains possible regardless of outcome. The timing and substance of these judicial decisions will significantly impact France’s political landscape as the 2027 election approaches.

  • Minnesota sues Trump administration over surge of federal immigration enforcement

    Minnesota sues Trump administration over surge of federal immigration enforcement

    The state of Minnesota, alongside the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, has initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration in response to what they characterize as an alarming escalation in federal immigration enforcement activities. This legal challenge emerges in the wake of a tragic incident where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good during an operation in Minneapolis on January 12, 2026.

    The lawsuit, filed on Monday, contends that the administration’s intensified enforcement tactics have created an environment of fear within immigrant communities while straining local law enforcement resources. The legal action specifically targets what plaintiffs describe as unconstitutional enforcement methods that violate state sovereignty and endanger public safety.

    Photographic evidence from the incident scene depicts federal agents armed with crowd-control weapons following the shooting, which occurred when a civilian vehicle was struck by ICE operatives. The confrontation has ignited widespread community outrage and intensified the ongoing national debate regarding immigration enforcement methodologies.

    This legal confrontation represents the latest chapter in the ongoing tension between state authorities and federal immigration agencies, highlighting the deepening divide between local governance preferences and federal enforcement priorities. The case is expected to raise significant constitutional questions regarding the limits of federal immigration enforcement power and states’ rights to protect their residents.

  • Former Apple Daily staff plead for lighter sentences in landmark Hong Kong national security case

    Former Apple Daily staff plead for lighter sentences in landmark Hong Kong national security case

    In a pivotal courtroom proceeding that has drawn international scrutiny, former executives of the defunct pro-democracy publication Apple Daily appealed for reduced sentences on Tuesday. The case represents a critical juncture for assessing media freedoms in Hong Kong, once celebrated as Asia’s premier bastion of press liberty.

    The defendants, who entered guilty pleas in 2022 to conspiracy charges involving collusion with foreign entities, acknowledged participating in coordinated efforts with former media magnate Jimmy Lai to solicit international sanctions and hostile actions against Hong Kong and China. While Lai maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, his December conviction heightened global concerns regarding the erosion of press freedoms under the national security framework.

    Government representatives have consistently reframed the narrative, asserting that the case fundamentally concerns national security violations rather than media suppression. Officials contend that the defendants systematically exploited journalistic activities as cover for actions detrimental to Chinese and Hong Kong interests.

    Six former Apple Daily executives face sentencing determinations, including publisher Cheung Kim-hung, associate publisher Chan Pui-man, and editor-in-chief Ryan Law. Several provided testimony during the extensive 156-day trial proceedings. The national security legislation stipulates penalties ranging from three years to life imprisonment for collusion convictions, though cooperative defendants may receive sentence reductions.

    During Tuesday’s hearing, defense counsel Marco Li advocated for Chan Pui-man’s sentence to be halved, citing her limited involvement, prompt guilty plea, and prosecutorial cooperation. The court learned that Chan remained professionally constrained due to health complications and financial pressures despite ethical reservations about certain organizational practices.

    The proceedings unfolded amid poignant personal circumstances, with Chan’s husband Chung Pui-kuen—a former senior editor at the shuttered Stand News—observing from the public gallery while serving a 21-month sentence for sedition.

    Apple Daily’s historical context reveals its evolution from a 1995 founding through its rise as an influential publication known for investigative reporting and animated video content. The newspaper’s openly critical stance toward Hong Kong and Chinese authorities garnered substantial pro-democracy readership, particularly during the 2019 anti-government protests when it published content supporting demonstration movements.

    Beijing’s implementation of the national security law triggered a series of enforcement actions against the publication, including arrests of key figures, asset freezes, and police operations that culminated in Apple Daily’s June 2021 closure. Its final edition achieved unprecedented circulation of one million copies.

    In their December ruling, three government-appointed justices determined that Lai had instrumentalized the newspaper as a vehicle for advancing his political objectives both before and after the security law’s enactment. Concurrent sentencing arguments for Lai, Cheung, and two non-Apple Daily activists proceeded Monday, with Lai exchanging emotional gestures with supporters during Tuesday’s courtroom appearance.

  • Gaza ‘board of peace’ will hold first meeting at Davos, Palestinian American intermediary says

    Gaza ‘board of peace’ will hold first meeting at Davos, Palestinian American intermediary says

    A US-mediated Gaza peace initiative is poised for formal unveiling next week, with its inaugural session scheduled during the Davos Economic Forum. According to Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian-American mediator with established connections to the Trump administration, the newly formed ‘Gaza Peace Council’ will convene on the sidelines of the international gathering in Switzerland later this month.

    Bahbah, who previously facilitated communications between Hamas and the White House and led the ‘Arab Americans for Trump’ coalition, disclosed these developments via social media. His instrumental role included negotiating the release of US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander in May 2025.

    This diplomatic movement occurs alongside signs of progress for President Trump’s previously stalled peace initiative. The initiative has gained momentum with the appointment of Nickolay Mladenov, former United Nations Middle East envoy and Bulgarian diplomat, as the board’s executive director. Currently based in the UAE, Mladenov recently engaged in high-level discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh.

    The peace board’s structure will feature President Trump alongside other global leaders at its helm, operating in coordination with a committee of Palestinian technocrats in Gaza. Bahbah indicated that foundational entities responsible for overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction are expected to be established within thirty days, with Palestinian factions anticipated to meet in Cairo to announce an independent technocratic committee.

    Despite a ceasefire agreement brokered in October, the situation remains precarious with documented Israeli violations resulting in hundreds of Palestinian casualties. The UN Security Council’s November mandate for an international stabilization force faces implementation challenges, as potential contributing nations express reluctance to operate between Hamas and the Israeli military.

    Complicating matters further, Israel has moved to withdraw recognition from international aid organizations operating in Gaza, alleging hostility. This contradicts the US-guaranteed ceasefire agreement, which specifically ensured unimpeded aid delivery through UN agencies and the reopening of the Rafah border crossing—a commitment that remains unfulfilled.

  • Decision time for Trump on Iran but what does he ultimately want?

    Decision time for Trump on Iran but what does he ultimately want?

    The Trump administration faces a critical juncture in determining its response to Iran’s violent suppression of domestic protests, with military, cyber, and diplomatic options under consideration. President Trump, who previously declared the U.S. “locked and loaded” to assist Iranian protesters, now confronts the full scale of Tehran’s crackdown amid emerging evidence of widespread violence.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the unpredictability of Trump’s decision-making, stating, “Nobody knows what President Trump is going to do except for President Trump.” Senior officials are scheduled to brief the president on Tuesday regarding potential courses of action, which reportedly include targeted strikes, cyber operations, and psychological campaigns aimed at disrupting Iran’s command structures.

    Despite recent success in Venezuela with the capture of Nicolas Maduro, administration officials recognize Iran presents a fundamentally different challenge. As a battle-hardened regime with significant ballistic capabilities and regional proxies, Iran cannot be compared to Venezuela’s weakened state. Pentagon officials caution that any military action would likely avoid ground operations, recalling the disastrous 1980 hostage rescue attempt that contributed to President Carter’s electoral defeat.

    Analysts suggest Trump’s primary objective may be influencing regime behavior rather than pursuing regime change. Will Todman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted, “The risks of regime change are so great that I don’t yet believe that is his primary objective here.” Potential goals include securing concessions in nuclear talks, ending the crackdown, or implementing reforms leading to sanctions relief.

    Diplomatic channels remain active, with administration officials receiving private messages from elements within the Iranian regime anxious to maintain dialogue about their nuclear program. Vice-President JD Vance is among those advocating for diplomatic solutions first, emphasizing the need for “real negotiation” regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

    However, continued violence in Iran creates pressure for demonstrative action. Some analysts argue limited strikes could embolden protesters while cautioning that symbolic actions might strengthen regime resolve through rally-around-the-flag effects. The administration must also consider Iran’s threatened retaliation and the ongoing capabilities of its regional proxies, including Yemen’s Houthis and Iraqi Shiite militias.

    Exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi has urged swift intervention, claiming earlier action would ultimately save lives. Yet White House officials recognize the situation’s complexity, balancing diplomatic possibilities against the risks of military escalation and the moral imperative to respond to state violence against civilians.

  • French far-right leader Le Pen faces appeal trial that could decide her 2027 presidential run

    French far-right leader Le Pen faces appeal trial that could decide her 2027 presidential run

    PARIS — France’s prominent far-right figure Marine Le Pen appeared before an appeals court on Tuesday in a pivotal legal battle that could ultimately determine her eligibility for the 2027 presidential election. The 57-year-old political leader is challenging her March conviction for misappropriating European Parliament funds, a verdict that currently carries a five-year prohibition from elected office, two years of electronic monitoring house arrest, an additional suspended sentence, and a €100,000 ($116,800) penalty.

    Addressing journalists on Monday, Le Pen expressed optimism about demonstrating her innocence to the judicial panel, noting that ‘It’s a new court with new judges. The case will be reset, to some extent.’ This appeal represents a crucial juncture for Le Pen, who had emerged as the probable frontrunner to succeed President Emmanuel Macron until last year’s conviction sent tremors through France’s political landscape—a decision she vehemently condemned as ‘a democratic scandal.’

    The legal proceedings, expected to span five weeks and involve Le Pen alongside eleven co-defendants, center on allegations that between 2004 and 2016, European parliamentary funds designated for assistants were improperly diverted to support domestic political activities of her party, then known as the National Front. Judicial authorities maintained that Le Pen orchestrated a systematic scheme to channel EU resources, including allocations for her security detail and chief of staff, though the court acknowledged no personal enrichment occurred.

    This case originated from a 2015 alert raised by Martin Schulz, then-president of the European Parliament, to French authorities. The outcome carries profound implications for Le Pen’s political trajectory following her extensive efforts to mainstream far-right politics in France. Since assuming leadership from her father Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2011, she has systematically worked to distance the party from its historical associations with racism and antisemitism—rebranding it as the National Rally, expelling her father, and moderating both policy positions and public rhetoric.

    These strategic shifts have yielded significant political dividends, with the National Rally now constituting the largest singular bloc in France’s National Assembly and establishing an extensive network of local representatives nationwide. Should the appeal fail and Le Pen face electoral disqualification, leadership would likely transfer to 30-year-old Jordan Bardella, whose popularity has surged particularly among younger demographics despite internal party questions regarding his leadership capabilities.

    The appeals court’s three-judge panel is anticipated to deliver its ruling before summer, with potential outcomes ranging from full acquittal to reinforced conviction that might include up to a decade imprisonment and €1 million fine. Bardella characterized the potential conviction as ‘deeply worrying for French democracy’ during his New Year address, reflecting the high-stakes nature of this judicial proceeding for France’s political future.