标签： North America

The Trump administration has announced a significant reduction of federal immigration personnel in Minneapolis, withdrawing approximately 700 agents from the controversial “Operation Metro Surge” enforcement initiative. The operation, which began in December, has faced substantial public scrutiny following the fatal shootings of two American citizens and widespread protests across the nation.

Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar, confirmed Wednesday that the drawdown would commence immediately and affect personnel from both Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. While 2,000 agents will remain stationed in the area, Homan stated the ultimate objective is to return the federal immigration presence to pre-operation levels.

In a notable policy shift, Homan revealed that the government is prioritizing the equipping of all Minneapolis-based officers with body-worn cameras, with plans to eventually expand this equipment deployment to federal agents nationwide. Despite the operational changes, Homan characterized the Minneapolis initiative as successful during his press briefing, acknowledging however that it was “not a perfect operation.”

The operation has resulted in numerous arrests, including 14 homicide suspects, 139 assault charges, 87 registered sex offenders, and 28 alleged gang members, though these figures remain unverified by independent sources. Homan assumed control of the operation in late January, having previously indicated that agent levels would be adjusted based on the degree of cooperation from state and local authorities. He cited “unprecedented” cooperation from local entities as the rationale behind the current reduction of approximately one-third of federal personnel.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered a powerful plea for national cohesion during the unveiling ceremony of his official portrait in Ottawa this week. Serving as Canada’s Conservative leader from 2006 to 2015, Harper emphasized the urgent need for political collaboration between opposing parties to safeguard the nation’s future.

Addressing attendees at the parliamentary ceremony, Harper declared, ‘We must make any sacrifice necessary to preserve the independence and the unity of this blessed land.’ His remarks highlighted concerns about both external pressures and internal divisions, specifically referencing the strained Canada-US relationship under President Donald Trump and the growing separatist movement in Alberta.

The former prime minister specifically called for cooperation between Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative party. ‘That will require that in these perilous times, both parties, whatever their other differences, come together against external forces that threaten our independence and against domestic policies that threaten our union,’ Harper stated.

Current Prime Minister Mark Carney, who previously served as central banker under Harper’s administration, praised his predecessor’s ‘composure, intellect and decisiveness’ during the tribute ceremony. Harper also participated in a fireside chat with former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, where both leaders acknowledged the surge of Canadian patriotism in response to Trump’s administration and emphasized the importance of national solidarity.

The portrait itself, created by renowned Toronto artist Phil Richards—known for his official Diamond Jubilee portrait of Queen Elizabeth II—incorporates symbolic elements from Harper’s personal and political life. These include his cat Stanley, a French-English dictionary representing his bilingual accomplishment, and the skyline of his hometown Calgary.

Harper’s nine-year tenure is remembered for his focus on Arctic sovereignty, his government’s handling of the 2008 financial crisis, and his success in unifying Canada’s conservative movement. However, his administration faced criticism for its approach to climate change and allegations of restricting scientific communication.

The portrait unveiling forms part of a week-long series of events commemorating the 20th anniversary of Harper’s premiership, concluding with an evening gala on Wednesday.

The expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) on Thursday signals a critical juncture in international security, terminating the final nuclear weapons control agreement between the United States and Russia. This development raises profound concerns about the potential acceleration of a new global arms race.

Established in 2010 during the Obama administration and signed by then-President Dmitry Medvedev, New START represented the culmination of decades of bilateral arms control efforts. The treaty imposed verifiable limits of 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads for each nation while implementing comprehensive transparency measures including data exchanges, notifications, and on-site inspections.

The collapse follows Russia’s suspension of the treaty three years ago amid escalating tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict, though both nations were believed to be maintaining compliance until recently. This expiration continues a disturbing pattern of disintegrating arms control frameworks, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Agreement, the Open Skies Treaty, and the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty.

International responses reflect growing apprehension. Pope Leo recently urged treaty renewal, emphasizing the necessity of preventing renewed nuclear competition. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Britain’s former armed forces head, warned that the foundational architecture of global security now risks complete unraveling.

Current modernization programs underscore the emerging arms race dynamics. Both nations are actively enhancing their nuclear capabilities, with Russia developing innovative systems like the Poseidon nuclear-powered autonomous torpedo and Burevestnik nuclear cruise missile. Concurrently, the United States, Russia, and China are advancing hypersonic missile technology capable of exceeding 4,000 mph, presenting unprecedented defense challenges.

The diplomatic landscape appears increasingly complex. Washington insists future agreements must include China’s expanding nuclear arsenal, while Moscow demands inclusion of European nuclear powers France and United Kingdom. Darya Dolzikova of RUSI’s Proliferation and Nuclear Policy Programme notes that evolving military technologies and growing nuclear weapon salience complicate future negotiations.

Despite brief discussion during the recent Alaska summit between Presidents Putin and Trump, no substantive progress emerged. The current administration’s stance remains ambiguous, with President Trump suggesting willingness to pursue “a better agreement” while demonstrating limited urgency.

This treaty termination marks the end of a stabilizing era in nuclear diplomacy, potentially ushering in a more volatile and dangerous period of great power competition with global implications for security and non-proliferation efforts.