Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration for his second term in January 2025, the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East has undergone profound changes. The administration’s renewed assertiveness has reignited longstanding disputes and strategic rivalries, most notably among Iran, Israel, and the United States. This article provides a comprehensive, practical analysis of these developments—detailing U.S. military engagements, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel’s strategic recalculations, and the broader regional and international ramifications.
Tag: United States
The Hinge in American Transatlantic Defence
Over the past three years, the transatlantic alliance has demonstrated considerable cohesion in evolving geopolitical dynamics and shifting domestic priorities. The alliance has demonstrated considerable cohesion by delivering substantial military aid, enforcing strict economic sanctions, and contributing over €185 billion in support of Ukraine. Yet, as Russian aggression persists and public support in parts of Europe diminishes, the strategic landscape has changed with a potential return of a Trump. Under this emerging paradigm, the U.S. strategy has anticipated a pivot away from military engagement and extensive financial assistance to Ukraine and press European partners to assume a larger share of the defence burden.
Book Review: “Does the Elephant Dance?”
Does the Elephant Dance? Contemporary Indian Foreign Policy is a study of Indian foreign policy and its evaluation on various parameters. The author of this book, David M. Malone, a diplomat, author, and former Rector (leader) of the United Nations University, has witnessed the firsthand development of Indian foreign policy and held discussions with the key decision-makers. Throughout ‘Does the Elephant Dance?’ Malone exercises this confluence of diplomatic and scholarly authority artfully, tracing the key tenets of Indian foreign policy from its independence, till 2011.
The Price of Europe’s Support for Ukraine
The war’s origins trace back to 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea following pro-EU protests in Kyiv, which led to conflict between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces in Donetsk and Luhansk. Tensions escalated in late 2021 as Russia massed troops near Ukraine’s borders, demanding security guarantees from NATO. When diplomatic efforts failed, Russia launched a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, citing security concerns and alleged persecution of Russian speakers. Initial assaults targeted Kyiv, but after failing to seize the capital, Russian forces withdrew in April, refocusing their offensive on eastern and southern Ukraine, where as of 2024, they occupy around 20% of Ukraine, having gained over 4,000 square kilometres.
H-1B Visa Politics: US Immigration Policy and its Impact on India
The triumph of the Republican leader Donald Trump as the President of the United States has brought the political focus on immigration issues and the H-1B visa programme to the forefront. The tough posture on the H-1B programme in his first tenure has softened his stance in his second tenure with courtesy of his Silicon Valley ally and supporter Elon Musk whose company thrives on a global talent pool for whom he says “we cannot do without them…go to war for visa issue if necessary”. With Musk appointed as the head of the New Government Efficiency Commission tasked with cutting down the federal budget from US$6.75 trillion to US$2 trillion, Trump intends to make the US into a manufacturing superpower to accomplish his mega project of ‘MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN (MAGA).
United States under Trump 2.0 wants the Panama Canal
Donald Trump recently claimed that the United States is being “ripped off” by the Panama Canal’s administrators and alleged that “Chinese soldiers” are operating the canal. He has threatened to “demand the return of the Panama Canal” to the United States. On December 23rd, Panama’s president, José Raúl Mulino, responded by asserting that “every square metre of the Panama Canal” is the country’s property, a stance supported by opposition parties. Trump’s actual objectives might be less extreme, but their specifics remain unclear
Justin Trudeau Resigns as Canada’s Prime Minister
On January 6th Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, announced his resignation. Over the past year he has became an isloated and deeply polarising figure as supporters have abondoned his Liberal Party, angry that it has failed to tackle inflation, housing costs and the strains from high immigration. In the coming weeks the Liberals will be gripped by a leadership struggle. Potential replacements include Mark Carney, who ran the Bank of England, and before that the Bank of Canada; Chrystia Freeland, whose surprise resignation as finance minister precipitated the crisis that forced Trudeau out; and Dominic Leblanc, who succeeded Freeland as finance minister.
Trump to Mediate Peace between Russia and Ukraine
Nobody expects Donald Trump to end the Ukraine war in 24 hours, as he has claimed he could in the past. However, the new administration, which takes office on January 20th, is highly invested in bringing both sides to the negotiating a peace deal. But even that may prove difficult. In an Interview on December 30th the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, slammed leaked proposals from Trump’s team for a peace deal. Putin, who believes Russia is winning, has given no sign of retreating from his maximalist goals.
Islamic State is back in the United States
On New Year’s Day Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old American, rammed a pickup truck into a crowd in New Orleans, killing at least 14 and injuring 35. The FBI says it was terrorism; Jabbar had an Islamic State flag. If Jabbar was inspired by the ISIS, the Jihadist group can add the attack to its recent successes. Exactly a year ago, an ISIS terrorist killed 95 civilians in Iran during a ceremony to commemorate Qassam Soleimani, a top general assassinated by America.
African Economies will Flourish in 2025
In October the IMF described a “two-track growth pattern” in sub-Saharan Africa. On one track are most of the 23 countries with sizeable exports of non-renewable commodities such as oil, gold or diamonds. These include Angola, Nigeria and South Africa. As prices for their exports sagged, their GDPs per person have dropped in the past decade. Most resource-rich countries have also been focused more on dividing the spoils of the boom years than on using the proceeds to build resilient economies.