标签： Asia

In a decisive move underscoring its America-first foreign policy, the Trump administration formally withdrew from 66 multilateral institutions through an executive order signed Wednesday. Approximately half of these entities operate under the United Nations umbrella, spanning critical areas from climate governance to counterterrorism initiatives.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified the unprecedented withdrawal in an official statement, characterizing these organizations as “redundant, mismanaged, wasteful, and poorly run.” He further asserted that many had been “captured by interests advancing agendas contrary to our own” and posed threats to “our nation’s sovereignty, freedoms, and general prosperity.” The administration declared an end to the era of American taxpayer dollars flowing to foreign interests with minimal tangible returns.

The list of exited organizations reflects established policy priorities, including withdrawals from climate-focused bodies like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact, aligning with the administration’s promotion of traditional energy sources. However, the withdrawal extended beyond predictable targets to include entities with historically bipartisan American support, such as the UN register of conventional arms and the office dedicated to children in armed conflict.

Paolo Von Schirach of the Global Policy Institute interpreted the move as a logical extension of the administration’s preference for bilateral engagement over multilateral forums, which it views as inefficient and ineffective. This action continues a pattern of disengagement from international institutions that began during Trump’s first term with exits from UNESCO, the UN Human Rights Council, and the termination of funding for UNRWA, primarily citing anti-Israel bias.

The implications extend beyond symbolism. Organizations like Civicus, a global civil society alliance, warned the order “poses severe implications for people of the US and the world,” stalling progress on human rights and sustainable development. Analysts noted the withdrawal creates a strategic vacuum, potentially allowing powers like China, which openly champions multilateralism, to exert greater influence within these UN bodies. Daniel Forti of The Crisis Group highlighted the particular significance of abandoning the Peace Building Commission, noting the striking symbolism of a founding architect of the post-WWII order stepping back from the very institutions it helped establish.

The fatal shooting of 37-year-old mother and poet Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during a federal operation in Minneapolis has erupted into a major political controversy, exposing deep divisions in American society. The incident occurred on Wednesday when ICE agents approached Good’s vehicle during what the Department of Homeland Security described as its “largest DHS operation ever.”

Bystander footage circulating on social media shows the tense encounter: one officer approaches Good’s vehicle demanding she open the door while a second agent, positioned in front of the car, suddenly moves to the side and discharges his weapon through the driver’s side window at close range. The vehicle subsequently careens out of control and collides with nearby cars.

The Trump administration immediately defended the shooting, asserting the officer perceived an imminent threat and acted in self-defense. This justification was vehemently challenged by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who dismissed the claims as “bullshit,” and by hundreds of protesters who filled Minneapolis streets on Thursday.

The victim’s background adds layers to the controversy. Good was a creative writing graduate from Old Dominion University, an awarded poet, and according to reports, had just dropped off her six-year-old child at school before the incident. City officials identified her as a legal observer of ICE activities, while her mother described her as “extremely compassionate” and loving.

Vice President JD Vance escalated the political rhetoric, characterizing Good as “part of a broader left-wing network” and accusing her of attempting to ram the officer with her car. During a White House press briefing, Vance condemned media coverage of the incident as “an absolute disgrace” and framed the shooting as necessary defense against what he called “domestic terror techniques” aimed at undermining immigration enforcement.

The operation itself involved up to 2,000 officers targeting what authorities described as “fraudsters, murderers, rapists, and gang members,” with particular focus on Minnesota’s Somali community following allegations of welfare fraud. The killing has reignited contentious debates about ICE’s expanded presence nationwide and accusations of harassment against both citizens and non-citizens alike.

Laila Cunningham, Reform UK’s newly announced candidate for London mayor, has ignited significant controversy with allegations against Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and endorsements of contentious statements by former US President Donald Trump.

In an interview with YouTuber Andrew Gold, Cunningham accused Mahmood of refusing to impose visa restrictions on Pakistan as punishment for not accepting Pakistani grooming gang offenders from Britain. She suggested this decision was politically motivated to protect a “Pakistani voter base” rather than based on national interest. When questioned about potential electoral considerations behind Mahmood’s position, Cunningham stated, “That is the assumption, or else you’d crack down on it.”

The former Conservative councillor, who recently defected to Reform UK, further claimed the Home Secretary prioritizes her religious beliefs over her nationality in decision-making. This criticism references Mahmood’s previous statements about her Muslim faith being “the absolute driver of everything that I do,” though she has never explicitly stated religion takes precedence over national duty.

In additional controversial remarks published in the Daily Mail, Cunningham endorsed Donald Trump’s widely criticized assertion that London under Mayor Sadiq Khan was moving toward implementing Sharia law. She argued that Britain has permitted “a shadow system to exist alongside our own courts,” specifically referencing Sharia councils operating throughout the country.

Cunningham, who identifies as Egyptian-British, has faced significant online abuse from far-right accounts since her appointment. She has distanced herself from specific Muslim communities, stating, “I’m not part of a Muslim community, I’m part of a British community,” while simultaneously criticizing certain groups for “bringing shame on the rest of the Muslims.”

The political context includes Reform leader Nigel Farage’s pledge to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, which Cunningham supports by referencing Egypt’s prohibition of the organization. Recent revelations indicate Farage traveled to Abu Dhabi funded by the United Arab Emirates, which shares Reform’s opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Neither Mahmood’s office nor the Labour Party has responded to requests for comment regarding Cunningham’s allegations. The next London mayoral election is scheduled for 2028.

The South Pacific nation of Samoa has announced plans to establish its diplomatic embassy in Jerusalem, aligning with Israel’s contested claim to the city as its capital. Prime Minister Laʻauli Leuatea Schmidt made the declaration during a special prayer service for Israel, instructing foreign affairs officials to begin preparations for the Jerusalem office opening this year.

This decision places Samoa among a small group of only eight nations that have relocated their Israeli embassies to Jerusalem, following the United States’ controversial move in 2018 under the Trump administration. The announcement has triggered significant domestic criticism from Samoan activists who view the move as contradicting their nation’s historical struggle against colonial rule.

The embassy relocation represents a deeply symbolic gesture, with Schmidt emphasizing religious and cultural ties to Israel, stating: “Our forefathers decided Samoa adopt the God of Israel and the Biblical account that God blesses those who protect and pray for his people.” This theological alignment reflects Samoa’s identity as a Christian state, where many equate the modern state of Israel with biblical references.

However, the move contradicts international consensus, as most countries maintain embassies in Tel Aviv pending final status negotiations between Israel and Palestinians. East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since 1967, is claimed by Palestinians as their future capital. The decision has exposed generational divides within Samoan society, with younger activists increasingly critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians while older generations maintain religious solidarity.

The controversy emerges against the backdrop of Pacific Island nations’ complex voting patterns at the United Nations, where several have frequently supported Israel despite global criticism. The embassy decision highlights the ongoing tension between religious diplomacy and international human rights concerns in foreign policy decisions.