Trump sounds Napoleon Bonaparte

Fears that the United States is in the midst of a constitutional crisis—or something significantly worse ‑ intensified Saturday after President Donald Trump wrote in a social media post, "He who saves his country does not violate any law," a variation of a quote attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte.

If Trump successfully defies the courts, the only remaining obstacle to dictatorship will be public revulsion, national popular protest, and the hope that such a reaction would cause Trump to retreat and, at long last, recall some fraction of the Republican Party to its constitutional duty.

Trump's post on X—the platform owned by billionaire shadow government leader Elon Musk—came as his administration continued its sweeping and destructive assault on the federal government and workforce, running roughshod over the law in the process.

Trump's post Saturday was the latest brazen signal that the president doesn't recognize limits on his authority to impose his far-right agenda.

New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie called Trump's message "the single most un-American and anti-constitutional statement ever uttered by an American president."

Since taking office less than a month ago, Trump and Musk have moved aggressively to dismantle federal agencies and remove any officials who could shine light on or obstruct their efforts.

Trump, his handpicked Cabinet officials, and Musk have also disregarded or openly attacked the other two co-equal branches of government, accusing judges who have moved to halt or limit the new administration's actions of being Democratic partisans.

In some cases, the Trump administration has actively defied rulings from federal courts, an alarming indication of what's to come.

Yasmin Abusaif and Douglas Keith of the Brennan Center for Justice noted Friday, "The last time the United States saw widespread open defiance of court orders by elected officials was when governors in Southern states refused to integrate their schools after the Supreme Court ruled against segregation in public education in Brown v. Board of Education."

"President Dwight Eisenhower—though he was no fan of the court's decision—ultimately dispatched troops to the South to help enforce the ruling, saying, “The Supreme Court has spoken and I am sworn to uphold the constitutional process in this country, and I will obey,” Abusaif and Keith continued.

"The governors' efforts to defy court orders are widely acknowledged as one of the most shameful periods in US history."

Frank Bowman, a law professor and former federal and state prosecutor, wrote for Slate last week. "With each passing day, the practical ability of the courts to stop, or even materially hinder, the catastrophe diminishes."

Courtesy: Common Dreams

Trump an accomplice of Netanyahu in Gaza genocide

After US president Donald Trump announced to “Takeover” Gaza, the suspicion started developing that he is a partner of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu in the Gaza genocide. The most substantial evidence came on Sunday, February 16, 2025 when a shipment of MK-84 2,000 bombs arrived in Israel.

The arrival of shipment in Israel was confirmed by the Defense Ministry, officially ending an approximate nine-month freeze by the Biden administration, which the Trump administration reversed upon entering office.

Reportedly, the shipment came in as the IDF was considering renewing the war in Gaza in the coming two weeks should Hamas cease delivering hostages according to the Phase I deal schedule or should the sides fail to reach a deal for continuing hostage releases in Phase II.

The MK-84 is an unguided 2,000 pound bomb, which can rip through thick concrete and metal, creating a wide blast radius.

It may be recalled that the Biden administration declined to clear them for export to Israel out of concern about the impact on densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip.

The Biden administration has sent thousands of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel after the October 07, 2023 but later held up one of the shipments. The hold was lifted by Trump last month.

"The munitions shipment that arrived in Israel tonight, released by the Trump Administration, represents a significant asset for the Air Force and the IDF and serves as further evidence of the strong alliance between Israel and the United States," Defence Minister Israel Katz said late on Saturday.

Washington has delivered lethal arms to Israel worth billions of dollars since Israeli incursion started in Gaza in October 2023.

India-US Relations: Implications for Pakistan

The evolving relationship between the United States and India under the leadership of President Donald Trump demands closer attention of Pakistan’s ruling junta. This developing alliance raises concerns in Islamabad, as the strengthening ties between the two countries may deepen the already strained relations between the US and Pakistan.

Recent developments prompted Pakistan’s foreign office to publicly express its concerns following a meeting between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A major point of contention was Trump’s offer to sell advanced military technologies, including F-35 jets, to India. This could have serious implications for Pakistan’s defense capabilities.

The joint communiqué issued after the meeting highlighted concerns about Pakistan's role in terrorism, calling for Pakistan to “expeditiously bring to justice” those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2016 Pathankot incident. It further emphasized the need to prevent Pakistani territory from being used for cross-border terrorism.

Additionally, the appointment of S. Paul Kapur, a scholar of Indian origin known for his hawkish stance on Pakistan, as the US representative for South and Central Asia is seen as another sign of Washington’s increasingly critical view of Islamabad. His nomination adds to a growing list of individuals in the new US administration who are vocal critics of Pakistan’s policies.

Some vocal Pakistani expatriates in the United States, who supported Trump during his campaign, have been pushing for a tougher stance on Islamabad. This situation places the Pakistani government in a difficult position, it will once again have to prove its strategic value to US policymakers.

Meanwhile, New Delhi appears to be using its growing economic influence to deflect international scrutiny over its involvement in global assassination and terrorism networks, while simultaneously shifting the blame onto Pakistan.

In light of these challenges, Pakistan must adopt a more proactive approach in diplomacy, actively establish its credibility and strengthen its global position. Despite Pakistan’s long-standing engagement in the global war on terrorism and its ongoing counterterrorism cooperation with the US, the heavy toll on its people in social and economic terms remains largely unrecognized and underappreciated.

Moving forward, Pakistan needs to reassess its foreign and security policies, aligning them more closely with the expectations of its international allies while safeguarding its national interests.

 

Lebanon: Saad Hariri’s promising return

In February 2005, the young man, Saad Hariri, who was grieving the loss of his father, Rafik Hariri was not knowledgeable enough in the muzzy maze of Lebanese politics; by capitalizing on his experiences, he has now reemerged seriously to lead the Sunni public and is approaching his fellow compatriots.

Upon Hariri’s instructions, Martyrs Square in the center of Beirut was overcrowded with his supporters who waved the national flag without the Future Movement’s flag, the largest Sunni movement.

“I will remain with you. Everything will be fine in its time,” he said, hinting at his intention to contest the municipal elections scheduled for May 2025 and the parliamentary elections in May 2026.

“I bow before all the martyrs from our people in the South, the Bekaa, Beirut, the southern suburb and all the regions,” Hariri said, describing the recent US-backed Israeli war on Lebanon as “crazy and criminal” targeting “our country”. 

He said, “It killed our people. It destroyed their homes, institutions, crops and society.”

Hariri’s rational speech has foiled the relentless efforts to put Sunnis and Shiites against each other; he also praised his popular base’s solidarity with the displaced as they confirmed – in action and not in words – that “Lebanon is one and the Lebanese are one body.” 

During the recent September-October 2024 Israeli war on Lebanon, the mainstream Arab media refused to say how those Sunnis welcomed the displaced Shiites in their own homes. Instead, they repeated the claim driven by Israel’s secretive cyber warfare unit 8200 that Hezbollah was involved in the assassination of his Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. 

Further, Hariri pointed to the responsibility of rebuilding the destroyed areas. “This is everyone’s responsibility, just as it is their responsibility to solve the economic crisis and restore development in all regions. Today, after electing a new president and a prime minister, we have a golden opportunity,” he stressed.

Hariri addressed his “partner”, the Shiite duo, without explicitly naming it, saying: “You are partners in this opportunity, and without you it cannot be achieved.”

“You are partners in opening bridges of relations with our Arab brothers and partners in reconstruction. Most importantly, you are strong partners in restoring the prestige of the state, which alone, with its army, security forces and institutions, protects all Lebanese,” he maintained.

Saad Hariri, who served as the prime minister of Lebanon from 2009 to 2011 and 2016 to 2020, added, “We are with the state and our national army. We support every effort they make to impose the implementation of the ceasefire and Resolution 1701 in full, with the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation from all the villages it still occupies.”

Besides, Hariri announced his support for the choices of the Syrian people and his rejection of the settlement of Palestinian refugees.

Since Hariri’s absence, the active role of the Sunni component has declined in favor of rogues selected and oriented by the US embassy in Beirut and suspicious NGOs funded by George Soros.

Those have neither a popular base nor a comprehensive national discourse that is keen on Lebanon’s sovereignty, which contributed to the dispersion of the Sunnis as reflected during the formation of the current government, as Nawaf Salam was imposed from the outside and does not represent the Sunnis’ national agenda.

Relentlessly, those pro-US renegades have spared no efforts to pave the way for the decentralization of Sunni leadership, separating the premiership from the leadership of the Sunni component.

It is worth noting that 3 out of 27 Sunni MPs are affiliated with the Shiite duo. The rest are distributed among the National Consensus Bloc, headed by MP Faisal Karami, and the National Moderation Bloc, which was absent from the new government for the first time since the 1990s.

Hariri’s national speech reconfirmed that there is no victor or vanquished in Lebanon, but rather a crucible with diverse identities that requires concessions, cooperation, and thwarting the Israeli conspiracy threatening the people and the state.

Amid the sensitive situation that Lebanon is going through, activating the moderate Sunni presence is an urgent Lebanese need, given Hariri’s extensive relations both regionally and internationally. 

 

Trump policy rattles European allies

Vice President Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday made separate speeches that rattled European leaders. US officials said Europeans cannot expect American troops to be on the continent forever.

Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw, Poland, Hegseth said that US force levels in Europe are important but must be scrutinized.

"What happens five, 10, 15 years from now is part of a larger discussion that reflects the threat level, America’s posture, our needs around the globe, but most importantly the capability of European countries to step up," he said.

"That’s why our message is so stark to our European allies — now is the time to invest because you can’t make an assumption that America’s presence will last forever."

His comments come on the end of a week-long trip through Europe that included stops in Germany to visit US Africa Command and Brussels for a two-day meeting of NATO defense ministers. While at the alliance headquarters, he hinted that Europeans would have to step up conventional deterrence against Russia.

Hegseth also sparked fears as to whether the US would largely abandon investment in NATO moving forward after he expressed “that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe.”

No decision has yet been made on changing US force presence in Europe, though the Trump administration has said it is reviewing where it puts troops globally.

Vance, meanwhile, in remarks at the Munich Security Conference, argued the biggest threats facing Europe were not China or Russia, but the issue of mass migration and laws that restrict free speech.

“While the Trump administration is very concerned with European security and believes we can come to a reasonable settlement between Russia and Ukraine … the threat that I worry the most about vis-à-vis Europe is not Russia, it’s not China, it’s not any other external actor,” Vance said.

“And what I worry about is the threat from within,” he continued. “The retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America.”

Vance’s remarks did not delve into the conflict in Ukraine, where the Trump administration is pushing for a ceasefire negotiation, nor did he discuss at length President Trump’s desire for Europe to commit more to defense spending.

Instead, Vance accused European officials of using laws meant to minimize misinformation and disinformation to marginalize populist voices and voters, which garnered a tepid reception in the room. 

 

Yemen vows to confront Trump's Gaza plan

The leader of Yemen’s Ansarallah, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, has warned United States regarding the plan to displace the Palestinian people from their homeland. 

He threatened if the US attempts to implement this plan, Yemen “will intervene militarily to stop it and act within its holy war duty and will not remain idle.”

Al-Houthi described US President Donald Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians as a “confiscation of their rights.”

He added Trump is a “criminal accustomed to making ridiculous and absurd statements,” describing the plan as “a joke and naïve talk coming from a president of a country that presents itself as civilized with false titles.”

According to al-Houthi, Trump’s repeated promotion of the displacement plan “reflects his persistence in a criminal project that denies justice and truth.”

Al-Houthi emphasized that Trump’s plan is “illegitimate and unjust” and noted that the US president “seems serious about promoting it and pressuring some Arab states to accept it.”

He added, "We are not surprised by this plan from an American president whose policies reflect tyranny and a history of criminality. There are no limits to Trump’s ambitions, as he supports the aggressive Zionist project and seeks to implement it.”

He explained that Trump's first-term project under the so-called “Deal of the Century” has now evolved in his second term into what he described as the “Crime of the Century.” 

Trump’s plan, he said, aims to achieve what the Israeli invasion of Gaza could not: displacing Palestinians from their land.

Al-Houthi stated that when the US discusses displacing Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank, it “seeks to completely liquidate the Palestinian cause.”

The Ansarallah leader highlighted that US deceit has been exposed in every stage of the peace process, and the Americans themselves “betrayed all agreements made between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli enemy regarding the two-state solution, which they supervised.”

Al-Houthi noted that the US “did not respect or consider the Arab states that betrayed Gaza during the aggression” and “supports Israeli expansion across Arab territories.”

Therefore, he stressed the importance of awareness about what comes before and after the displacement plan, as it is “part of the Zionist project aimed at expanding and targeting holy sites, foremost among them the al-Aqsa Mosque. Its success depends on Arab acceptance.”

He affirmed that "Trump’s plan can only succeed if the Arabs accept it, especially the neighboring Arab countries.”

“There is a significant responsibility on the part of the Arab countries that declared a clear stance rejecting Trump’s plan. This is crucial, but the most important thing is maintaining this stance,” he added.

Al-Houthi emphasized that “it is unacceptable for Arabs to accept Trump’s plan; doing so would mean complicity in a terrible crime of displacement.” 

He warned the U.S. is seeking to trap the Arabs, calling for unity in rejecting Trump’s plan and supporting the Palestinian people.

According to al-Houthi, any approval of Trump’s plan will have dangerous repercussions for the region.

Regarding Yemen’s position on threats to resume the war on Gaz, al-Houthi reiterated that Yemen “firmly and principally supports the Palestinian people and their fighters and will stand by them with all available means.”

Al-Houthi vowed that Yemen “will move militarily to target both Israeli and American enemies if they launch an aggression on Gaza.” 

He called on the Yemeni armed forces to maintain full readiness in anticipation of any US aggression.

He added, “We will not hesitate to target the Israeli and American enemies together, monitoring the implementation of the agreement. Our people, through their massive demonstration tomorrow (Friday), will send a warning message to Israel and the US not to break the agreement.”

Al-Houthi concluded his speech by affirming that Yemen “will maintain continuous coordination with the fighters in Palestine and the resistance axis,” addressing them: “You are not alone; we are with you and will remain with you until Palestine is liberated and these evil plans are defeated.”

 

US exports 1.91 billion gallons ethanol in 2024

The United States exported 194.42 million gallons ethanol in December, taking export volumes for the full year 2024 to a record 1.91 billion gallons, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on February 05, 2025. Distillers grains exports were at 1.06 million metric tons in December, to a total 12.23 million metric tons for the full year.

The 194.42 million gallons of ethanol exported in December was up from both the 187.6 million gallons exported the previous month and the 155.4 million gallons exported in December 2023.

The US exported ethanol to approximately three dozen countries in December. Canada was the top destination for US ethanol exports at 62.82 million gallons, followed by the Netherlands at 32.07 million gallons and the Britain at 27.06 million gallons. 

The value of US ethanol exports reached US$421.66 million in December, up from both US$398.46 million in November and US$365.93 million in December of the previous year. 

Total US ethanol exports for 2024 reached 1.91 billion gallons at a value of US$4.31 billion, as compared to 1.4 billion gallons exported in 2023 at a value of US$3.81 billion. Canada was the top destination for US ethanol exports last year, at 674.6 million gallons, followed by the Britain at 243.84 million gallons and India at 187.03 million gallons.  

The 1.06 million metric tons of distillers grains exported in December was up from both the 946,804 metric tons exported the previous month and the 1.02 million metric tons exported in December 2023. 

The US exported distillers grains to nearly three dozen countries in December. Mexico was the top destination for US distillers grains exports at 195,409 metric tons, followed by Colombia at 118,765 metric tons and Vietnam at 104,626 metric tons. 

The value of US distillers grains exports was US$282.97 million in December, as compared to US$228.98 million in November and US$288.41 million in December of the previous year. 

Total US distillers grains exports for 2024 reached 12.23 million metric tons at a value of US$3.2 billion, as compared to 10.78 million metric tons exported in 2023 at a value of US$3.29 billion. Mexico was the top destination for US distillers grains exports last year at 2.54 million metric tons, followed by South Korea at 1.49 million metric tons and Vietnam at 1.02 million metric tons. 

 

Iran demands OIC meeting to thwart Trump’s nefarious plan

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has demanded the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the disgraceful US-Israeli plan to forcibly displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

Islamic countries now have a responsibility to defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, especially their right to self-determination, Araghchi told OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha in a phone call.

“The plan to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza is not only a major crime and tantamount to genocide, but will also have dangerous implications for regional and global stability and peace,” Araghchi added.

The Iranian foreign minister emphasized the need for a coordinated and unified stance from the Muslim world to thwart this “nefarious scheme”.

The minister said Islamic countries have a crucial responsibility to support the legitimate and fundamental rights of the oppressed Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination and a secure life in their homeland.

For his part, OIC chief Taha welcomed Iran's proposal for holding an extraordinary meeting of OIC foreign ministers for the purpose, saying he would consult with member states regarding the matter.

 

“I am committed to buying and owning Gaza”, says Trump

US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his plan to take control of Gaza, and said that he could allow other states in the Middle East to rebuild parts of the war-ravaged enclave.

“I’m committed to buying and owning Gaza. As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it," Trump told reporters onboard Air Force One as he traveled to the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday.

"Other people may do it through our auspices. But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back. There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site. The remainder will be demolished," he added.

Trump described the enclave as "the most dangerous site anywhere in the world to live in," but said "we'll make it into a very good site for future development by somebody".

"We'll let other countries develop parts of it. It'll be beautiful. People can come from all over the world and live there," he told reporters.

"But we're going to take care of the Palestinians. We're going to make sure they live beautifully and in harmony and in peace, and that they're not murdered."

The US president announced his plan to take over Gaza almost a week ago, following a meeting at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

At the time, he said that displaced Palestinians would not want to go back to Gaza. On Sunday, Trump told reporters that Arab nations would agree to take in Palestinians after speaking with him and insisted Palestinians would leave Gaza if they had a choice.

“They don’t want to return to Gaza. If we could give them a home in a safer area — the only reason they’re talking about returning to Gaza is they don’t have an alternative," Trump said. "When they have an alternative, they don’t want to return to Gaza."

Trump's plan to resettle Palestinians and turn the enclave into the "Riviera of the Middle East" drew widespread international condemnation from leaders and officials worldwide.

Countries including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, France, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Türkiye, Iran, and Brazil voiced their opposition to any forced displacement. Australia, Russia and China said a two-state solution is the only way forward. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said "it is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing".

 

Can Trump impose tariffs on Chinese drugs?

According to The Hill, President Trump’s tariffs on China are in place and hitting all products imported from the country — including a number of pharmaceuticals that Americans rely upon.

Chinese imports account for a significant proportion of US prescriptions and over the counter drugs. Many of the Chinese-produced medicines are generics, which account for 91 percent of prescriptions dispensed in the United States.

“The Chinese market is a key supplier for key starting materials and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) to the generic supply chain,” said John Murphy, president and CEO of the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM). 

“I will say they’re sort of less important any longer for the actual finished fill and final manufacturing,” Murphy noted. “But really, it’s the rare minerals, the key starting materials which are obviously critical to the supply chain.” 

Stakeholders were hopeful that medications would be spared from tariffs. Some noted that the US is a signatory to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 1994 Agreement on Trade in Pharmaceutical Products which calls for the elimination of tariffs on many pharmaceutical products. China has vowed to sue over the 10 percent tariffs, which it says are in violation of WTO rules. 

But a White House official said no exceptions are planned, and the administration will not be recognizing the WTO agreement. 

The country’s dependence on China to maintain pharmaceutical supply chains has long been an issue that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have sought to address.

In 2018, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission noted that the country was “heavily dependent” on drugs and API originating from China.

A 2023 analysis from the Atlantic Council found that the value of Chinese-imported APIs has continued to grow in recent years. 

According to Monica de Bolle, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the US isn’t unique in its dependence on China for drugs, noting that the European Union is similarly reliant.   

De Bolle said China’s dominance in the market grew as it sought to enhance its drug producing capacity while US pharmaceutical companies turned to other manufacturing pursuits. 

“What happened is that we developed this huge biotech sector where we have a lot of stuff going on,” said de Bolle. “The manufacturing market just turned to producing these more sophisticated drugs; the stuff that’s used in treatments, the stuff that’s going through clinical trials.” 

“That’s why we went from, you know, producing a lot of these things to not producing many of these things and buying them from elsewhere. And elsewhere eventually became China,” she added. 

The margins for manufacturing generic drugs are razor-thin, and any disruptions to the supply chain are apt to cause shortages or delays. 

“That additional 10 percent tariff is going to have a fairly significant impact on the cost of goods for the generic and by a similar supply chain,” said Murphy. “We don’t hold massive stockpiles of generic drugs in the United States. It’s a fairly just-in-time inventory.” 

According to Murphy, some manufacturers may find it economically unviable to produce generic drugs, resulting in shortages. 

Across all industries, analysts have warned that increased costs brought on by tariffs will be passed to consumers. But some manufacturers may instead drop out of the market entirely rather than pass on costs, partly due to a key provision in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

As part of its cost-cutting measures, the IRA included a provision that requires drug makers to pay Medicaid a rebate if the price of their drugs rises faster than the rate of inflation.  

Tom Kraus, vice president of government relations at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, said incurring that penalty on top of tariffs could mean more than just shortages. 

“You’ve got to sort of factor in paying that penalty, which is going to make you less profitable or you’re going to have to drop out of the market,” said Kraus. 

He noted that group purchasing organizations, companies that help hospitals and pharmacies buy drugs and save money, may decide that manufacturers whose products originate from China are too expensive and turn away from them entirely. 

 

 

Pakistan on a path of implosion

It was what one may safely describe as a ‘memorable’ occasion. Exactly a year ago today, adult-aged Pakistanis from all faiths, cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic classes had headed to their assigned polling stations to cast their ballots in a much-delayed general election.

 was remarkable how many expectations they ended up defying that day. One recalls the unannounced blackout of all mobile communication services, enforced by the authorities shortly before polls opened, which had left people without access to vital election-related information and unable to contact their friends and families.

It was not enough to deter the over 59 million citizens’ intent on having their voices heard that day. One also recalls the smug predictions of television pundits and the surveys fed to the media in the run-up to Election Day. None of them prepared the nation for the coup ordinary Pakistanis pulled off merely with the help of a stamp and a ballot paper.

No observer can honestly deny that the last election’s results were highly unexpected.

Considerable effort was made to keep one party out of the race. The party’s leadership was jailed, its workers picked up, its electoral symbol withdrawn, and its candidates, even after being forced to declare themselves independents, not allowed to campaign.

If the previous elections were manipulated — perhaps by the same elements — to bring the PTI to power, they went out of their way to ensure that it did not have any chance this time around.

Despite all their machinations, however, the PTI ended up winning an unexpectedly large chunk of the popular vote.

The results announced two things: one, that Pakistan’s youth had finally arrived on the political scene, and two, that ordinary voters had overwhelmingly rejected the narratives set by the powers of the day. In this sense, the 2024 election was indeed a historic one.

Much went wrong after February 08, 2024, mainly because responsible individuals within the Pakistani state refused to come to terms with the country’s changed realities.

However, though the injustices that followed the last general election cannot be forgotten, it is equally important to start thinking about what must now be done to mitigate their effects.

The country has continued to march on a path of implosion, unable to contain the dissonance created by a conflict between what those controlling the state want and what the people want for themselves. Unless this fundamental conflict is resolved, the country will not be at peace with itself.

A war of egos has been fought between a handfuls of individuals at the cost of the well-being of millions of ordinary Pakistanis. This unnecessary war must be called to an end. The people of Pakistan have been wronged for too long. They need a change.

Dawn Editorial, February 08, 2025

Aman-25 focuses regional cooperation

The picturesque seafront of the Pakistan Navy Dockyard with windsurfers, sailboats and Navy boats painted a beautiful backdrop for the flagpoles from which fluttered the flags of 60 nations participating in the ninth Multinational Maritime Exercise ‘Aman-25’ on Friday morning.

The biennial exercise commenced with a formal flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by the cutting of a cake by senior representatives of the participating navies.

A message from the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, was read by Commodore Omar Farooq during the ceremony.

The naval chief welcomed the participants and highlighted that the exercise, which began in 2007, has now become a regular biennial feature, bringing together regional and ex­tra-regional navies to foster a secure and conducive maritime environment.

He emphasized the Pakistan Navy’s role as a key stakeholder in the Arabian Sea and its initiatives to enhance regional maritime security, including Regional Maritime Security Patrols.

He further stated that in recognition of the international community’s trust in its efforts to promote peace and stability at sea, Pakistan Navy has introduced the Aman Dialogue this year as an adjunct to the exercise.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Abdul Munib underscored the force’s contributions to collaborative maritime security and the exercise’s significance in enhancing interoperability among the participants.

Rear Admiral Munib praised the participating countries for supporting Pakistan’s commitment to peace and maritime security and expressed the hope that the friendships fostered during the exercise would continue and grow.

The ninth edition of the exercise will see the participation of 12 naval ships, some of which have already arrived at the Karachi port while others are on their way.

China, with its Plans Baotou-133 and Plans Gaoyouhu, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with its HMS Jazan and HMS Hail ships, are the nations participating with two vessels each.

The other vessels include UAE’s Abu Dhabi (CVT) P-191, Malaysia’s KD Terengganu-174, Japan’s JS Murasame, Sri Lanka’s SLNS Vijayabahu, Indonesia’s KRI Bung Tomo-357, Iran’s Jamaran, Bangladesh’s BNS Somdura Joy, USA’s Lewis B. Puller and Oman’s RNOV Sadh. Meanwhile, Turkiye is participating with one aircraft.

There are also a number of special operation forces and observers taking part in the inaugural Aman Dialogue scheduled for February 09 to 10.

Bangladesh’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nazmul Hassan, who arrived with his naval fleet, held meetings with Pakistan’s top military leadership on Friday in another sign of the improved bilateral ties between the two nations.

Admiral Hassan, who will also attend the inaugural Aman Dialogue on maritime security, called on the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir.

He also held a bilateral meeting with Admiral Ashraf at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.

The meetings focused on the evolving regional security landscape and mutual strategic interests, particularly in maritime collaboration.

Both militaries explored avenues to strengthen defence ties, including joint naval exercises, training programs, and exchange visits.

Adm Hassan’s visit marks the second high-level engagement between the Bangladeshi Armed Forces and Pakistani military leadership in recent months.

On January 14, Lt Gen S.M. Kamrul Hassan, the principal staff officer of Bangladesh’s Armed Forces Division, led a military delegation to Pakistan, where both sides agreed to bolster defence cooperation and collaborate on regional peace efforts.

Observers see these developments as a shift in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations after years of estrangement.

Bangladesh’s participation in Pakistan’s multilateral naval exercise is considered a major step forward in military cooperation.

 

Trump announces to takeover Gaza Strip

President Donald Trump said the United States would take over the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and develop it economically after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere. This announcement shattered decades of US policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A question arises, how and under what authority the US can take over and occupy Gaza, a coastal strip 25 miles (45 km) long and at most 6 miles (10 km) wide, with a violent history. Successive US administrations, including Trump in his first term, had avoided deploying US troops there.

Trump unveiled his surprise plan, without providing specifics, at a joint press conference on Tuesday with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The announcement followed Trump's proposal earlier on Tuesday for the permanent resettlement of the more than two million Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, calling the enclave - where the first phase of a fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release deal is in effect - a "demolition site."

Trump can expect allies and foes alike to strongly oppose any US takeover of Gaza, and his proposal raises questions whether Saudi Arabia would be willing to join a renewed US-brokered push for a historic normalization of relations with US ally Israel.

The US taking a direct stake in Gaza would run counter to longtime policy in Washington and for much of the international community, which has held that Gaza would be part of a future Palestinian state that includes the occupied West Bank.

"The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too," Trump told reporters. "We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site."

"We're going to develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs, and it'll be something that the entire Middle East can be very proud of," Trump said. "I do see a long-term ownership position and I see it bringing great stability to that part of the Middle East."

Asked who would live there, Trump said it could become a home to "the world's people." Trump touted the narrow strip, where Israel's military assault in response to Hamas' October 07, 2023, cross-border attack has leveled large swaths, as having the potential to be “The Riviera of the Middle East.”

A question arises, how and under what authority the US can take over and occupy Gaza, a coastal strip 25 miles (45 km) long and at most 6 miles (10 km) wide, with a violent history. Successive US administrations, including Trump in his first term, had avoided deploying US troops there.

Several Democratic lawmakers quickly condemned the Republican president's Gaza proposals.

Netanyahu, referred to a few times by Trump by his nickname, “Bibi,” would not be drawn into discussing the proposal in depth other than to praise Trump for trying a new approach.

The Israeli leader, whose military had engaged in more than a year of fierce fighting with Hamas militants in Gaza, said Trump was "thinking outside the box with fresh ideas" and was "showing willingness to puncture conventional thinking."

Netanyahu may have been relieved that Trump, who forged close ties with the Israeli leader during his first term in the White House, did not pressure him publicly to maintain the ceasefire. He faces threats from far-right members of his coalition to topple his government unless he restarts the fighting in Gaza to destroy Iran-backed Hamas.

Some experts have suggested Trump sometimes takes an extreme position internationally to set the parameters for future negotiations. In his first term, Trump at times issued what were seen as over-the-top foreign policy pronouncements, many of which he never implemented.

A UN damage assessment released in January showed that clearing over 50 million tons of rubble left in Gaza in the aftermath of Israel's bombardment could take 21 years and cost up to US$1.2 billion.

 

 

Trump announces to end Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that his administration has already engaged in "very serious" discussions with Russia regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, hinting that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin could soon take "significant" steps toward ending the conflict, reports the Saudi Gazette.

“We will be speaking, and I think we will perhaps do something significant,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We want to end that war. That war would have not started if I was president.”

While Trump did not disclose which members of his administration have been in contact with Russia, he insisted that "talks are already happening."

When asked whether he had personally spoken with Putin, he remained evasive, stating, “I don’t want to say that.”

Since his return to the White House, Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, arguing that he should have negotiated with Putin to prevent the war.

In a Fox News interview earlier in January, Trump ridiculed Zelenskyy, stating, “They were brave, but we gave them billions of dollars,” in reference to the extensive US military and economic aid sent to Kyiv.

Putin, for his part, recently praised Trump in an interview with Russian state television, describing him as a "clever and pragmatic man" who prioritizes US interests.

The Russian leader claimed that if Trump had remained in office, the war in Ukraine might have been avoided. “We always had a business-like, pragmatic but also trusting relationship,” Putin remarked.

The Russian president also echoed Trump’s unsubstantiated claims about the 2020 US election, saying that the Ukraine crisis might never have happened had Trump not been "robbed" of victory.

However, multiple courts, federal and local officials, former campaign staffers, and even Trump's former attorney general have all dismissed any claims of election fraud.

Trump has frequently promised a swift resolution to the war if re-elected, while criticizing President Joe Biden’s administration for its financial and military support of Ukraine. His relationship with Putin has been under scrutiny since his 2016 presidential campaign when he publicly called on Russia to release missing emails belonging to his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

Trump has also been criticized for siding with Putin over US intelligence officials regarding Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and has previously described the Russian president as “pretty smart” for his invasion of Ukraine.

New tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China

According to Saudi Gazette, US President Donald Trump will impose new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China starting Saturday, marking a significant escalation in global trade tensions.

The tariffs will include a 25% duty on Mexican and Canadian imports and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods.

However, Trump stated on Friday that Canadian oil would face a reduced tariff of 10%, set to take effect on February 18.

Trump also signaled potential future tariffs on the European Union, accusing the bloc of unfair treatment toward the United States.

"These are promises made and promises kept by the President," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, justifying the Mexico and Canada tariffs as a response to what she described as their role in the distribution of illegal fentanyl in the United States.

The president has frequently cited undocumented migration and trade imbalances with neighboring countries as key reasons for the tariffs.

During his campaign, Trump had threatened to impose tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese goods but has so far held off on immediate action, instead directing his administration to conduct further analysis.

US imports from China have remained flat since 2018, following a series of tariffs imposed during Trump’s first term.

However, concerns are mounting that renewed trade restrictions could trigger a wider trade conflict and drive up costs for American consumers.

In response to the tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned that Canada would retaliate if the US moves forward with the new levies.

"It's not what we want, but if he moves forward, we will also act," Trudeau said.

Both Canada and Mexico have indicated they will implement countermeasures while also working to reassure Washington that they are addressing US border concerns.

Chinese officials have also urged against protectionist measures, with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang calling for a "win-win" approach to trade during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. While he did not mention the US by name, his comments underscored China's concerns about a renewed trade war under Trump's presidency.

The new tariffs come as the US relies heavily on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, which together accounted for 40% of all goods brought into the country last year. If tariffs on Canadian and Mexican oil imports are enforced, they could undermine Trump’s promise to lower the cost of living, potentially raising prices on fuel and consumer goods.

Trump acknowledged on Friday that tariffs could lead to short-term economic disruption, as costs are often passed along to businesses and consumers. 

Iran foreign policy must not be dictated by US

Iran’s Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif, stated, "I do not see the United States as an opportunity for Iran's foreign policy. I consider the US a nuisance or a shackle that must be removed from Iran's foreign policy."

In his speech at a recent conference on international relations and geopolitics, Zarif referenced discussions from the 55th World Economic Forum (Davos 2025).

He noted that the theme of "the return of hard power," with a focus on Donald Trump's re-election as President of the United States, dominated many discussions.

Zarif highlighted a common sentiment among attendees, "Take Donald Trump, the new President of the United States, seriously but not literally."

“The 47th US President seeks to revive American hard power using economic leverage rather than military tools,” he noted.

Zarif also addressed the notion that a polarized world requires loyalty.

He mentioned that some attendees believed Trump divides the world into smaller countries and peer countries.

"Trump expects loyalty from smaller countries but not from those on par with the United States," Zarif said.

Discussing the post-polar world, the former foreign minister noted that some attendees believed Europe desires relative American hegemony, but Trump does not.

Others emphasized that loyalty is not a consistent factor in Trump's calculations, raising serious doubts about its stability.

Zarif added that a new international polarization would not emerge soon.

Some view this situation as a form of chaos, but Zarif argued that it signifies a new international condition where "temporary issue-based coalitions" replace "permanent polarizations."

He explained that the absence of loyalty could be interpreted within these temporary coalitions, which might last longer depending on their purpose and goals.

The official emphasized that Iran has an opportunity in this situation that must be seized.

He stated that some outside Iran, including Zionists and certain Iranian opposition groups, aim to solidify the perception that Iran is at its weakest and most dangerous.

This perception was so ingrained that a high-ranking European official repeatedly claimed during a Davos session that Iran “has been weakened.”

Zarif responded, "Assuming your statement is correct and Iran has weakened, you and your like-minded colleagues can no longer claim that Iran disrupts West Asia’s peace because, according to you, we lack the power to do so."

Zarif insisted that the reason for the lack of harmony in West Asia is not Iran but the unresolved Palestinian issue.

Zarif continued, "The second point they emphasize is that Iran, allegedly 'weakened,' now faces fewer options, with the only remaining option for Tehran being nuclear weapons.”

“They argue that before Iran can move towards production, we must prevent it with military action,” he added.

However, Zarif noted that Trump's recent statements suggest he is not entirely convinced by these arguments. 

In response to questions, Zarif agreed that Iran's foreign policy should start regionally but stressed the need to remove the US as an obstacle.

"I do not see the US as an opportunity for Iran's foreign policy. I consider the US a nuisance or a shackle that must be removed from Iran's foreign policy," he reiterated.

"We do not need to establish friendly relations with the US Instead, we must ensure that others do not feel they must fight the US when they engage with us, as this will deter them from choosing us," he concluded.

 

Trump dancing to Zionist drumbeat

US President Donald Trump's insistence on the proposal to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip evidently reflects his alignment with the expansionist aspirations of Zionist ideologies. Trump reiterated his suggestion while trying to initiate a charm offensive directed at the Palestinian people. He added that Cairo and Amman will comply with his request to take in Palestinians. 

“I want them to live in a place without violence. Gaza has been hell for so many years. They can live in much better and more comfortable areas,” Trump said while referring to Israel’s devastating war on the Palestinian territory. 

On Saturday, Trump floated the idea of transferring Gazans to Egypt and Jordan to “clean out” the enclave. 

 “It is literally a demolition site right now, almost everything is demolished and people are dying there. So, I would rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing in a different location, where they can maybe live in peace for a change,” he said. 

Jordan and Egypt have issued official statements rejecting the removal of Palestinians from Gaza.

Trump’s idea is in line with those Israeli politicians who have consistently supported the mass relocation of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the reestablishment of Jewish settlements in the territory.

In October 2024, former National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for reestablishing settlements in Gaza and “encouraging emigration” of the strip’s 2.3 million population. 

“If we want to we can renew settlement in Gaza…We can [also] do something else – encourage emigration. Israel is giving them (Palestinians) the option of going to other countries,” the far-right minister, who resigned following the establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza said.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on January 19 after Israel failed to “destroy” the Palestinian resistance groups following more than a 15-month conflict.  

Israel launched a genocidal war on Gaza on October 07, 2023, killing more than 47,000 Palestinians including some 17,000 children. 

Israeli intentions extend beyond the reoccupation of Gaza to include the annexation of the occupied West Bank.

Following Trump’s reelection as the US president in the November 2024 election, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggested the regime would look to annex the West Bank in 2025. 

“2025: the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria,” the far-right minister said, using the biblical name by which Israel refers to the West Bank.

Days after the US presidential election, Smotrich hoped that the Trump administration would recognize Israel’s push for “sovereignty” over the occupied territory.

"I am convinced that we will be able to work closely together with President-elect Trump and all members of the incoming administration, to promote the common values and interests of the two countries, to strengthen the strength and security of the State of Israel, to expand the circle of peace and stability in the Middle East out of strength and faith and on the basis of recognition in the unquestionable historical belonging of the whole Land of Israel to the people of Israel," Smotrich said.

Trump moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem (al-Quds) during his first term (January 20, 2017 – January 20, 2021). He also proposed a plan that would have cemented Israeli control over al-Quds and protected settlements in the West Bank. This is while all Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. 

From now on, it seems that Trump will likely align his objectives with those of Smotrich and similar figures.

Mike Huckabee, Trump's nominee to be the next US ambassador to Israel, is a strong advocate for the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.

Huckabee told the Associated Press when he was running to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2015 that if elected, his administration would formally recognize the West Bank as part of Israel.

The Israeli army attempted to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza, but it failed to do so amid rising resistance. 

Meanwhile, Israel has intensified deadly assaults on the West Bank as it seeks to implement its malevolent plans in the occupied territory.  

But Palestinians have shown that they will fight tooth and nail against the Israeli army that is armed to the teeth. 

 

Pete Hegseth to become US defense secretary

According to Reuters, Pete Hegseth narrowly secured enough votes on Friday to become the next US defense secretary, a major victory for President Donald Trump after fierce opposition from Democrats and even some Republicans to his controversial nominee.

Hegseth was confirmed after a 50-50 vote in the Senate, when Vice President JD Vance came to the chamber to break the tie in his role as president of the Senate, after three Republicans joined every Democrat and independent in voting no.

Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and decorated veteran, is promising to bring major changes to the Pentagon. But his leadership will be under intense scrutiny after a bruising confirmation review that raised serious questions about his qualifications, temperament and views about women in combat.

"We have not had a secretary of defense like Hegseth before," said Jeremi Suri, a University of Texas, Austin, history professor and presidential scholar.

Hegseth is the most divisive candidate to clinch the US military's top job, a position that has historically gone to candidates with deep experience running large organizations and who enjoy broad bipartisan support.

It was only the second time in history a cabinet nominee needed a tie-break to be confirmed. The first was also a Trump nominee, Betsy DeVos, who became secretary of education in 2017.

The three Republican senators who voted against Hegseth were Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell, was the party's leader in the chamber until this month.

McConnell said Hegseth had failed to demonstrate that he had the ability to effectively manage an organization as large and complex as the military. "Mere desire to be a ‘change agent’ is not enough to fill these shoes," McConnell said in a statement.

Hegseth will lead 1.3 million active-duty service members and the nearly one million civilians who work for the US military, which has a nearly US$ one trillion annual budget.

Hegseth told lawmakers that, up until this point, the largest group he had managed was 100 people and the largest budget was US$16 million.

His nomination was rocked by a series of accusations, including one this week by his former sister-in-law, who said he abused his second wife to the extent that she hid in a closet and had a code word to use with friends if she had to be rescued. Hegseth strongly denied the accusations and his wife had previously denied any physical abuse.

 

Saudi Arabia promises US$600 billion to Trump

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told President Donald Trump that the kingdom wants to put US$600 billion into expanded investment and trade with the United States over the next four years, the Saudi State news agency said early on Thursday.

In a phone call between the two leaders, the crown prince said the Trump administration's expected reforms could create "unprecedented economic prosperity", the state news agency reported.

The report said Saudi Arabia wants its investments to capitalize on these conditions. It did not detail the source of the US$600 billion, whether it would be public or private spending nor how the money would be deployed.

The investment "could increase further if additional opportunities arise", the agency quoted Bin Salman as telling Trump.

Trump fostered close ties with Gulf states including Saudi Arabia during his first term. The country invested US$2 billion in a firm formed by Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former aide, after Trump left office.

Trump said following his inauguration on Monday that he would consider making Saudi Arabia his first destination for a foreign visit if Riyadh agreed to buy US$500 billion worth of American products, similar to what he did in his first term.

"I did it with Saudi Arabia last time because they agreed to buy US$450 billion worth of our product. I said I'll do it but you have to buy American product, and they agreed to do that," Trump said, referring to his 2017 visit to the Gulf kingdom

 

 

Trump fires Biden appointees and Hook

According to The Hill, US President Donald Trump announced the firing of four high-profile presidential appointees just after midnight Tuesday. These include a top envoy to Iran during his first term, Brian Hook, and retired Gen. Mark Milley, whom Trump tapped as Joint Chiefs chair in 2018.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that fired Hook from the Wilson Center; Milley from the National Infrastructure Advisory Council; celebrity chef and humanitarian José Andrés from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition; and Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, from the President’s Export Council.

“Our first day in the White House is not over yet! My Presidential Personnel Office is actively in the process of identifying and removing over a thousand Presidential Appointees from the previous Administration, who are not aligned with our vision to Make America Great Again,” Trump posted on Truth Social just past midnight Tuesday. 

“Let this serve as Official Notice of Dismissal for these 4 individuals, with many more, coming soon,” Trump said before listing off the four officials in the post that ended with “YOU’RE FIRED!” 

Milley, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was given a preemptive pardon by former President Biden in the final hours of his presidency. Milley has at times forcefully criticized Trump, and Trump has suggested he should be court-martialed and executed.

The retired general’s portrait at the Pentagon, hung in the Joint Chiefs hallway, was taken down Monday less than two weeks after it was put up.

Hook, who served under former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during Trump’s first term, was an Iran hawk who supported sanctions the Trump administration imposed on Iran. 

Bottoms was a senior adviser on Biden’s reelection campaign, after deciding against running for a second term as Atlanta’s mayor.

Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen, has questioned whether Trump can carry out his ambitious deportation plans, and seems to be considering a future in politics himself.

In a flurry of executive orders Trump signed Monday, he also ordered federal workers return to the office five days a week.