Our Friday News Analysis | What the World Reads Now!

President Donald Trump addresses the Saudi-US Investment Forum at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

EDITORIAL | Are World Leaders Dumb, Stupid, Sociopaths, or Psychopaths, or All of the Above (Part 15)?

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By Abraham A. van Kempen
12 September 2025

Does the ‘Deep State Compromise – Threaten – the U.S. Presidency’?

In previous editorials, I’ve alerted my readers that President Trump appears to be walking on thin ice with a sword hanging over his head by a thin thread in a swamp of global heavyweights (Neocolonialists) and domestic big guns (Neocons). Is he the master of illusions, relying on smoke and mirrors to help divergent parties find common ground, enchantingly guiding them into the fold? Clearly, he seems to put everyone in a centrifuge of ambiguities, spinning them into a whirlwind of uncertainty and confusion. I honestly don’t know for sure. Still, I believe President Trump is cunning, even Machiavellian, and borderline genius —a combination of a high IQ and a high EQ.

Take a look at the summary of President Trump’s speech at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2025. The world called it a game-changer, saying that "Trump’s address will be remembered in history books as a turning point — not just for Saudi-US relations, but for the entire region as well." But it was a punch to the gut, a declaration of war, a slap in the face to European and Israeli dominance, reshaping the geopolitical landscape.

Mr. Trump’s pivotal speech in Saudi Arabia, along with President Putin’s speeches in Berlin (2001) and Munich (2007), foreshadow the world we live in today. They draw attention to the evolving landscape of a multi-polar world order, which former US Ambassador Chas Freeman describes in his videotaped interview as “The Old World is Dying, the New World Struggles to Be Born.” When you delve into President Trump’s speech, you will find building blocks that offer a path to help unite the American people and unify the world.

               “We're witnessing the most significant global power shift in centuries, but its full impact isn't always clear from a Western viewpoint.

               How can we make sense of this unprecedented change?”

In this insightful talk, Former UN Security Council Ambassador, Kishore Mahbubani—a seasoned diplomat and one of Asia's most respected strategic thinkers—shares a crucial insider's perspective. With striking, undeniable data, he exposes the massive rebalancing of power from the West to the East. He then examines why the world's core institutions, such as the UN and the IMF, are struggling to adjust to this new reality.”

Please watch Professor Kishore Mahbubani’s 25-minute lecture videotaped in Hong Kong below.

Prof. Mahbubani’s speech is more than just an analysis; it's a masterclass in grasping the remarkable transformation that will shape our future. It offers a unique perspective that's essential for navigating the complex world ahead. Peace through strength has become passé.

I’m seriously considering petitioning the world to nominate President Donald J. Trump, President Vladimir V. Putin, President Xi Jinping, and President Narendra Modi to share the Nobel Peace Prize. It aligns with the Building the Bridge Foundation's mission of helping to heal a broken humanity, grounded in the principles of Peace Through Building Bridges and Reciprocity with Deterrence.

I’m still thinking—hope each leader finds a way to overcome their weaknesses, especially those tough domestic challenges at home.

And will Oslo respond to a billion signatories by awarding the coveted Nobel Peace Prize to four world leaders who are so detested by the Western elites? The Deep State still holds power. The Deep State still holds considerable sway. Its ongoing influence makes us wonder if these leaders will ever receive recognition from Oslo, hinting that the existing power networks might still be in control of the outcome.

No problem! We’ll take care of it ourselves, honoring the Building the Bridge Noble Pursuit of Peace Prize for leaders who resonate with our vision. Plus, we’re good at signing bank drafts to pay the prize money, as long as it is covered by those who care.

Multipolarity is a key part of the world today. Whether we like it, want it, or not, this shift is a natural part of the world’s ongoing changes. The fast-paced nature of international relations means that multiple centers of power are rising and shaping the global landscape.

The United States as a Key Participant

Amid these changes, it is essential to acknowledge the significant role held by the United States. Through the actions and efforts of its people, the United States has secured its status as a major contributor to the developments shaping the world today. The nation's active involvement and accomplishments have positioned it to play a leading role in this era of multipolarity.

Enjoy your weekend.

Abraham A. van Kempen
Senior Editor

Building the Bridge Foundation
A Way to Get to Know Each Other and the Other

DECODING TRUMP’S HISTORIC RIYADH SPEECH

“Trump’s address will go down in the history books as a turning point — not just for Saudi-US relations, but for the whole region as well.”

Faisal J. Abbas | Editor-in-Chief

US President Donald Trump speaks during the Saudi-US Investment Forum. (AFP)

By Faisal J. Abbas
Editor-in-Chief
https://www.arabnews.com/authors/faisal-j-abbas

14 May 2025

Terms like “historic” and “groundbreaking” are likely overused by pundits. They're often misapplied, as seen in contexts like former US President Barack Obama’s 2009 Cairo speech.

However, there is no doubt that President Donald Trump’s Riyadh speech of May 13, 2025, will go down in the history books as a turning point — not just for Saudi-US relations, but for the whole region as well.

In fact, Trump’s Riyadh speech generated so much energy that it was almost like he received a rock star’s welcome. His words struck a chord, marking a critical moment in US-Arab relations.

Three key moments made the speech historic:

• Trump’s statesmanlike overture
• His recognition of past US mistakes
• His tribute to regional successes, especially in Saudi Arabia.

First, Trump made overtures to Iran, possibly indicating a shift in the region’s power dynamics. He addressed the Syrian crisis by easing US sanctions on Damascus and pledged to work on enhancing conditions for Palestinians. Furthermore, he committed to assisting with Lebanon's rebuilding efforts, adopting a more comprehensive approach to regional stability. He also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its role in mediating between Russia and Ukraine.

Second, Trump also made a candid admission, acknowledging the mistakes of past US foreign policy. He criticized the interventionist approaches of both neoconservatives, like George W. Bush, and liberal administrations, including Obama’s, for creating more problems in the region.

• From Bush’s 2003 invasion of Iraq, which Saudi Arabia strongly opposed, to the disastrous fallout from the so-called Arab Spring, which Obama’s “mis-adviser” Ben Rhodes and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton enthusiastically backed, he accurately pinpointed the mistakes America made in its Middle East policy this century.
• As the US prepared to invade Iraq, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal voiced strong concerns. He asked, “What’s going to happen to Iraqi soldiers and officials, especially since the army was disbanded and the government was overthrown? And who’s going to take charge of Iraq if you remove them?” Prince Saud also pointed out that Saddam Hussein had around 2 million people under his control, while the US and its allies had just 150,000 troops. “How do you make that work?”

The debate at the time was not over whether or not Saddam’s regime was evil, but whether or not the US had a plan for the day after — as it turned out, it didn’t, yet the invasion went ahead anyway.

               “In the end, the so-called nation-builders wrecked far more nations than they built, and the interventionists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves. They told you how to do it, but they had no idea how to do it themselves,” Trump said.

               “Peace, prosperity, and progress ultimately came not from a radical rejection of your heritage, but rather from embracing your national traditions and embracing that same heritage that you love so dearly.”

Trump paved the way for a prosperous new era, collaborating with forward-thinking countries in the Middle East.

               “Before our eyes,” he said, “a new generation of leaders is transcending the ancient conflicts and tired divisions of the past and forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce, not chaos, where it exports technology, not terrorism, where people of different nations, religions and creeds are building cities together, not bombing each other out of existence.”

               “And it is crucial for the wider world to note this great transformation has not come from Western interventionists, flying people in beautiful planes, giving you lectures on how to live and how to govern your own affairs. No. The gleaming marvels of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were not created by the so-called nation-builders, neocons or liberal nonprofits, like those who spent trillions and trillions of dollars failing to develop Kabul and Baghdad, so many other cities.”

Third, Trump praised the Gulf Cooperation Council's accomplishments, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. He reaffirmed the US's support for these countries' ongoing reforms. The Kingdom, in particular, has seen a significant transformation in the nine years since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman introduced the Vision 2030 plan, which is revolutionizing every aspect of the Saudi economy and society.

               “The people of the region themselves have brought the birth of a modern Middle East; the people that are right here, the people that have lived here all their lives, developing your own sovereign countries, pursuing your own unique visions and charting your own destinies, in your own way,” Trump said.

               “It is really incredible what you have done.”

He also reaffirmed the 80-year US pledge to defend Saudi Arabia. At the same time, he made it clear that the relationship extends far beyond security concerns and that the US strongly supports the Kingdom’s leadership.

               “The transformation that has occurred under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed has been truly extraordinary,” he said.

               “I’ve never seen anything at that scale happen before.”

Of the crown prince, he added, “I really believe we like each other a lot,” telling him, “You achieved a modern miracle the Arabian way.”

Please read the full transcript here.

PROF. KISHORE MAHBUBANI: THE GREATEST POWER SHIFT IN CENTURIES — THE END OF WESTERN DOMINANCE

We're witnessing the most significant global power shift in centuries, but its full impact isn't always clear from a Western viewpoint. How can we make sense of this unprecedented change?

In this insightful talk, Former UN Security Council Ambassador, Kishore Mahbubani—a seasoned diplomat and one of Asia's most respected strategic thinkers—shares a crucial insider's perspective. With striking, undeniable data, he exposes the massive rebalancing of power from the West to the East. He then examines why the world's core institutions, such as the UN and the IMF, are struggling to adjust to this new reality.

This speech is more than just an analysis; it's a masterclass in grasping the remarkable transformation that will shape our future. It offers a unique perspective that's essential for navigating the complex world ahead.

View the Video Here (23 minutes, 54 seconds)

Global Insight Hub
9 March 2025

THE GREAT TRANSFORMATION: GEOPOLITICAL POWER SHIFTS AND WESTERN RESISTANCE

Geopolitics is often described as the cruelest game in the world. Today, we are witnessing an era marked by dramatic geopolitical shifts in power—changes that are more profound and rapid than at any other time in history. Countries, even those known for their diplomacy and kindness, such as Canada, must recognize that being nice is no longer enough. To survive and thrive, nations must become geopolitically shrewd and cunning.

A Warning from Professor Kishor Mahbubani

This section is based on a lecture delivered by Professor Kishor Mahbubani in Hong Kong on August 27, 2025.

Mahbubani is not merely a theorist; he is a seasoned diplomat who has served on the UN Security Council and is recognized globally as one of Asia's foremost strategic thinkers.

He contends that we are living through an unprecedented global transformation. The world order, long dominated by the West, now faces a fundamental and irreversible challenge. Through compelling data and insider observations, Mahbubani illustrates the great rebalancing: the East is rising as the West declines. He asks the West a piercing question: "Are you ready for a world where you are no longer the undisputed center of the stage?"

Global Shifts and the Obligation to Adapt

We live in a time of extraordinary change. This imposes an obligation on all of us to stay up-to-date with developments and consider how best to adapt to them. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, it is evident that the post-1945 world order has led to unprecedented prosperity, particularly in East Asia. However, this world order is now under threat. Mahbubani’s remarks are divided into three parts: first, an exploration of how the world has changed; second, an analysis of where resistance to this change originates; and third, a discussion of why it is wiser to embrace—rather than resist—these changes.

Part One: Dramatic Shifts in Global Power

Mahbubani illustrates the scale of power shifts with three examples:

• European Union and China: In 1980, the EU’s economy was ten times larger than China’s. Today, they are roughly equal, and by 2050, the EU is projected to be half the size of China.
• United Kingdom and India: A century ago, a small British elite ruled India. As recently as 1990, the UK’s GDP was four times greater than India’s. Last year, India surpassed the UK, and by 2050, India’s economy is expected to be four times larger than the UK’s.
• Germany and ASEAN: In 2000, Germany’s economy was three times larger than ASEAN’s. Today, they are about equal, and by 2050, Germany will be half the size of ASEAN.

Such massive structural shifts are rare and create intense pressure for change. The logical response is to adapt global institutions and the world order to reflect these new realities. Yet, this adaptation is not occurring as needed.

Part Two: Resistance to Change

The principal resistance to adapting the world order comes from the West, and particularly from Europe. While the United States has maintained its share of global GDP at around 25%, Europe has seen a marked decline. Despite this, European countries employ sophisticated tactics to retain their privileged positions in international organizations.

Two key examples illustrate this resistance:

• International Monetary Fund (IMF): Although the IMF states that voting power should reflect countries' economic positions, the EU holds 26% of voting power, despite having only 17% of the global GDP, while China holds 6%, despite representing 17% of the worldwide GDP.
• UN Security Council: The five permanent members reflect the great powers of 1945, not those of today. The UK and France, whose economies have shrunk relative to emerging powers like India, still retain permanent seats and resist meaningful reform.

Behind public statements supporting change, European countries often introduce “poison pill” amendments or use other tactics to block real reform. The contradiction is stark: the West advocates democracy at home but resists representative change internationally.

Part Three: The Paradox and Future of the West

With only 12% of the world’s population, the West is now a minority in a global village dominated by the remaining 88%. For stability and credibility, it is in the West’s interest to ensure international bodies are truly representative. Yet, the West’s resistance to change creates a central paradox: it preaches democracy domestically but clings to privileges abroad. This unsustainable contradiction sows seeds for future trouble and risks rendering Western institutions irrelevant.

To maintain credibility, especially in bodies like the UN Security Council, the West must embrace reform and make room for rising powers. The rational and logical step is to adapt, but entrenched interests have so far prevented meaningful change.

Alternative Institutions and the Shifting Landscape

Given the difficulties in reforming established institutions like the UN and IMF, new organizations are emerging. The G7, once a powerful and balanced organization, now appears diminished in comparison to emerging organizations like the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and the G20, which are increasingly significant. The dynamism of these groups reflects the broader shift in global power.

Asia’s Rise and the Multipolar World

Asia’s ascent is underway, with China, India, and ASEAN playing pivotal roles in this process. For an “Asian century” to materialize, peace and stability in the region are essential. The multipolar world—already a reality—is a fluid one, with new powers emerging and old ones waning. This diversity offers more balancing forces and opportunities for collaboration and competition.

Conclusion

Professor Mahbubani’s analysis presents a grand portrait of our era: an unprecedented reshuffling of global power, the rise of the East, and the decline of the West. His most profound critique targets Western resistance to change and the contradiction between its democratic ideals and its actions on the global stage. As a minority in the worldwide population, the West must decide: will it continue to resist change and risk irrelevance, or will it embrace transformation and find a respected place in a multipolar world?

These questions invite us to reflect deeply on the future of global governance, representation, and the sustainability of the international order.

LEGAL SCHOLAR EINAR TANGEN: CHINA, RUSSIA, AND INDIA BUILD NEW ECONOMIC WORLD ORDER

As the Western-dominated global economy crumbles, a new financial framework is emerging in the East. Einar Tangen, a senior fellow at Taihe Institute in Beijing and the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) in Canada, weighs in on the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting. Three of the world's four largest economies, by purchasing power parity (PPP), China, Russia, and India, are leading the way.

Watch the Video Here (55 minutes, 15 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
5 September 2025

Shifting Global Dynamics: A Conversation on the Post-Western World

The conversation begins with an introduction to legal scholar Einar Tangen, a senior fellow at the Taihe Institute and the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), who was born in Norway and holds US citizenship. The discussion centers on the significant global shifts underway, particularly the rise of a post-Western global order. As the US and its European allies struggle with economic challenges and unsustainable debt, the conversation suggests that a new, multipolar economic system is emerging, primarily led by non-Western powers—especially China, India, and Russia.

The Decline of Western Hegemony

Our conversation explores the decline of a world dominated by a single power, one centered around Western liberal values. The guests all agree that policies such as tariffs and economic sanctions, especially under the Trump administration, have accelerated this shift. These actions have compelled countries around the world to seek alternatives, leading to a more divided and multipolar world.

The Role of Leadership and Policy Decisions

Donald Trump’s administration is often cited as a key driver, accelerating trends that were already underway. However, other leaders, including President Biden, have also played a role in this shift. Instead of building on strengths such as innovation and education, Western countries have focused on traditional manufacturing, which has made them less competitive globally. As a result, countries like China are taking the lead in high-margin sectors, particularly the digital economy.

Changing Global Alliances

Many countries are moving away from relying solely on the US-EU/Centric system, shifting investments and forming new economic alliances. The conversation shows that old models of empire, based on exploitation and control, are no longer viable. There's a consensus that Trump has sped up these changes, but the underlying shifts have been underway for years.

China's Growing Influence

China is portrayed as a leader in development, emphasizing a “shared future” and focusing on security, development, and respect for sovereignty. These principles provide a compelling alternative for countries seeking autonomy and mutual benefit, especially in the face of Western pressure.

Western Responses and Internal Divisions

Western responses to these changes have mostly been defensive or aggressive. European leaders and the media often portray alternative summits as a threat to the status quo. The discussion examines how internal political divisions and a lack of innovative ideas among Western elites hinder their ability to adapt, with the center-right making inroads in many countries.

The Case of India and Shifting Dependencies

India's stance underscores the complexities of this evolving global landscape. US policies, including higher tariffs and demands to align with American interests, have driven India closer to Russia and China, despite its initial goal of balancing relationships among competing great powers. The conversation explores how economic and political pressures from the US have had unintended consequences, prompting India to reevaluate its strategic alliances.

Energy, Economics, and the Future

Major deals, such as rerouting Russian gas to China, mark significant changes in global energy flows and economic ties. These developments have lasting effects on Europe and the US, indicating a future where the West’s influence wanes unless it adopts new economic frameworks.

Military Developments and Historical Context

China's military modernization is a key theme in the dialogue, as seen in parades celebrating the anniversary of Japan’s World War II defeat. This display of strength is seen as a clear message that China is no longer open to foreign control, but instead is prepared to defend itself and its interests.

Opportunities Amidst Challenges

Although the conversation highlights some significant challenges, it also reveals substantial opportunities for creativity and innovation, particularly in areas such as human capital and the digital economy. The idea is that if Western societies focus on opportunities rather than obstacles, they can continue to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Conclusion

As the discussion concludes, it highlights the importance of acknowledging and adapting to the evolving landscape of a multipolar world. The keys to achieving peace and prosperity in the 21st century are collaboration, flexibility, and innovative thinking.

SCOTT RITTER AND ALEX CHRISTOFOROU ON THE ISRAEL-QATAR STRIKES

Who benefits or loses from Israel’s attack and invasion of Qatar?

View the Video Here (52 minutes, 29 seconds)

Mario Nawfal
Mario Nawfal's Interviews
9 March 2025

Chapters:

00:00 Breaking News: Israeli Strike on Hamas Negotiators in Qatar

03:00 Scott Ritter: The US Greenlit This Attack, Betraying an "Ally"

07:00 Why Would the US Do This? Primacy, Hegemony, or a Deeper Plan?

10:15 Will the Arab World Respond? Scott Ritter's Grim Prediction

13:10 A Shocking Theory: Is the US Trying to Let Israel "Commit Suicide"?

16:00 How Will Hamas Retaliate After the Attack on Its Negotiators?

18:10 Was Trump's Peace Proposal a Deliberate Trap?

20:45 Reports Emerge: Hamas Leadership Survived the Airstrike

24:45 No More Red Lines: The Danger of Targeting Negotiators & Leaders

27:15 "Man-Child Leadership": A Scathing Critique of the Trump Administration

29:30 Is Israel Actually Winning? A Breakdown of Every Front

35:30 The New US/Israel Doctrine: The Era of Decapitation Strikes

40:30 Can There Still Be Peace in the Middle East?

What is the Side of the Story that is Not Yet Decisive? Edited and annotated by Abraham A. van Kempen

London-based, pan-Arab daily Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, like most of the Middle East press, featured the Israeli attack on Qatar prominently on its front page, with a large photograph of the damage sustained in Tuesday’s strikes on the country’s capital.

Israel reportedly aimed to strike senior Hamas leaders in Doha, figures the IDF said were “directly responsible” for the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.

Qatar’s emir condemned the attack as “reckless,” adding that five Hamas members were killed in the airstrike, though its team negotiating a truce in Gaza survived the attack.

ISRAEL’S QATAR STRIKE IS THE FIRST BLOW IN THE NEXT PHASE OF ITS WAR ON IRAN

Qatar is one of the richest countries on the planet, but its strategic value goes well beyond money. It hosts the largest U.S. base in the Middle East, just a few kilometers from Doha, as well as a significant Turkish military presence, it runs a massive shared gas field with Iran, runs the most powerful soft power in the Arab world — the Al-Jazeera network — and wields a bottomless treasury to buy sports franchises and influence business worldwide.

Thus for years, while missiles flew overhead in a conflict-plagued Middle East, Qatar sat in the middle of the Gulf in a tower of ivory and steel, able to expand its interests and influence with utter serenity.

Three months ago, the spell was already broken. On June 23, the war between Israel and Iran broke this precious neutrality, as Tehran targeted the U.S. base at Al-Udeid, though not without first notifying the Qatari authorities and the White House.

A mostly symbolic warning, but still the end of immunity.

On Tuesday, Doha itself was struck by the Israelis — and not just as a pretense. Qatar has become a new battlefield in an endless proxy war: the stage for the dismantling of Hamas, a direct attack on the mediators and on the peace negotiations themselves. It can only be seen as the final word erasing the possibility of a truce.

But behind the explicit and immediate message there is a deeper one. The end of immunity means the end of ambiguity. The Jewish state has been working against the “Axis of Evil” for some 20 years. And it has in fact dismantled it, almost completely. The list of states to be “taken down” — literally — was given more than two decades ago by U.S. General Wesley Clark in a famous interview about the “Wolfowitz plan.” [...]

— Read the full article by Giordano Stabile for La Stampa, translated from Italian and adapted by Worldcrunch.

GUEST EDITORIAL | WITH DOHA STRIKE, ISRAEL SIGNALS A STRATEGIC SHIFT AND AN INDIFFERENCE TO CONSEQUENCES

Israel's airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders escalates tensions, risking the lives of Gaza hostages and raising doubts about future talks. Israeli defense chiefs seem to favor a hostage deal over more military action.

Protesters calling for the release of hostages in front of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel, on Tuesday morning. Credit: Noam Revkin-Fenton

Amos Harel

Haaretz Israel News
9 March 2025

Israel appears to be escalating its conflict with Hamas and possibly the entire Middle East. On Tuesday in Doha, the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet targeted Hamas' senior leadership outside Gaza in a joint operation.

Within Netanyahu's circle, the strike is hailed as a significant achievement, both militarily and strategically, bringing Israel closer to its objectives.

As always, such promises deserve skepticism, and attention should focus on how this offensive impacts Gaza hostages. Their lives are at immediate risk, and it's uncertain if Hamas will yield under pressure.

Related Articles 

• A 'unilateral' Israeli strike on a U.S. ally left the White House tongue-tied, Ben Samuels.
• Israel's strike in Doha raises a question: Who will mediate a Gaza deal now? Jonathan Lis
• Netanyahu is splitting legal hairs, but Qatargate symbolizes his rotten regime, Sami Peretz.

Israel's strike targeted a Hamas negotiating team led by Khalil al-Hayya in Doha, who were discussing the U.S. cease-fire proposal amid ongoing hostage talks.

Building targeted in Tuesday's strike in Doha, Qatar. Credit: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/REUTERS

Early assessments report al-Hayya was killed, with other senior figures possibly wounded or killed. Hamas remains vague, but the identities of those impacted will likely become clear soon.

Netanyahu said the decision to authorize the strike was in response to the Monday Jerusalem shooting that killed six Israelis. The operational window opened on Tuesday, and the IDF and Shin Bet were ordered to act immediately.

The strike, far from Israel, no longer seems extraordinary after June's war with Iran and Israeli attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen. What’s different is the location: Qatari soil, in a country Netanyahu calls having "complex" ties with Israel.

When Mossad assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's former top political leader, in July 2024, the operation was carried out in Iran, even though Haniyeh had spent most of his time in Qatar.

Until now, Israel has avoided action in Doha to maintain diplomatic ties with Qatar. However, after the October 7 massacre, celebrated by Hamas leaders abroad with a public prayer of gratitude, Israel decided to target Hamas leadership outside Gaza. That policy is now being carried out.

Khalil al-Hayya, one of the targets of the strike, was killed last year. Credit: Khalil Hamra / AP

The key concerns now focus on how this affects future negotiations and the war's course. Qatar has indicated that it is stepping back from mediation, citing a lack of progress and Netanyahu's repeated reversals on U.S.-backed proposals for partial or complete agreements.

A strike on Hamas' leadership could shift the power dynamics in Gaza, where Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the last senior military leader, remains hidden and committed to continuing the war. The leadership outside Gaza isn't necessarily tougher than him.

Decisions within Hamas are made collectively, involving leadership in the West Bank and imprisoned members in Israel. Ironically, the West Bank leadership – less targeted by Israel in this war – may gain more influence.

All of Israel's top defense chiefs, including IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, told the security cabinet last month that advancing a hostage deal should be a priority. Zamir is cautious about recent moves, suggesting Israel should first exhaust negotiations before launching a ground incursion into Gaza City, which Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz want. Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, head of the IDF's Missing and Captive Soldiers Division, warned that a large-scale ground operation could endanger the hostages' lives.

Einav Zangauker speaking at a protest in Jerusalem last week. Credit: Naama Grynbaum

Initial leaks after the strike in Doha indicated Israel shared its plans with the U.S. It's unclear if President Trump approved or if Netanyahu acted independently, as the attack was already underway. It's unlikely Israel would proceed against a U.S. veto.

Trump recently renewed threats of destruction against Hamas via Israel if it doesn't accept his cease-fire terms. However, Hamas, led by a determined cadre, doesn't bend easily under pressure.

On Tuesday, Israel escalated its offensive campaign and shattered a longstanding taboo against directly striking in Qatar's sovereign territory. This may corner Hamas, but it won't necessarily break the resolve of its remaining leadership.

Einav Zangauker and other hostage parents understandably express anguish as their children's lives are in danger from the IDF's incursion and Hamas retaliation.

GUEST EDITORIAL | THE WORLD AS WE KNEW IT IS GONE – AND WE MUST ADAPT WITH IT

The world order is rapidly changing – Australia must shift with it.

Photo: Pexels

By Amy Remeikis

Contributor Editor
The New Daily Australia
10 September 2025

Watching all the handwringing over Daniel Andrews’ appearance in a group photo taken at a Beijing military parade makes one thing exceptionally clear: China is winning, and we haven’t worked out how to deal with that.

It’s not just the outrageous pearl-clutching over Andrews’ – a former state premier most world leaders would never have heard of - showing up in the photo, which also featured former New Zealand leaders John Key and Helen Clark. What's more concerning is who was standing with them and who wasn’t.

Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia's president, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attended, representing two key Australian Pacific relations.

China is strengthening ties with Thailand, absent during the 80th V-Day but previously meeting to agree on speeding up a rail bridge connecting Thailand, Laos, and China.

The emerging new world order with China, Russia, Indonesia, India, and Brazil was on display, but Australia, clinging to the post-World War II order, was not part of the conversation. We sent a delegation, but no executive was included.

Sticking our head in the sand and pretending the shift isn’t happening is not just costing us opportunities for self-directed sovereignty, it’s actively tying us to a dying empire led by a panicked tyrant who is madly pissing up against every tree in a desperate display of “strength”.

For a prime example, look no further than Anthony Albanese’s trip to Vanuatu. Whether it was poor advice or overconfidence, Albanese showed up to a meeting to sign an agreement that was never actually on the table.

Many believe Australia is well-liked in the Pacific, but it's not. Broken promises, top-down diplomacy, and actions misaligned with words foster skepticism and cynicism among its closest neighbors.

While the Albanese government has prioritized the Pacific and recognized the need for effort, Australia’s weak climate ambitions and refusal to acknowledge the changing geopolitical landscape mean many in the Pacific are no longer willing to accept crumbs.

Vanuatu’s refusal to sign a $500 million agreement, which restricts acceptable infrastructure funding sources without firm promises from Australia about the future, highlights the risk of being left behind.

Since the end of World War II, Australia has relied on a rules-based order, but that's no longer the case – largely due to America’s decline. There's been a major shift in the global system's underlying structure, much of which has happened over the past century. In the new setup, China now holds the top spot, both economically and strategically.

Instead of pretending this isn’t happening, Australia has a chance – one it's so far missed – to take a closer look at its own place in the world.

That doesn’t mean we have to align ourselves with China and completely abandon the US. But it does mean stepping back, reassessing our role, our future, and our values, and charting a course toward self-directed sovereignty.

That’s a somewhat wanky way of saying we don’t commit to any one nation, but instead choose what works for us and when. We set our own course in strategic and defensive matters that prioritize Australian interests, rather than just following the US where it’s heading.

It would involve keeping the lines of communication open with China and the US, and then deciding on a course of action from there.

While most of Australia’s media, political, and defense circles were up in arms about Andrews’ appearance in the Beijing photo and what it might or might not have legitimized, the bigger issue is that the leaders in that photo are setting the course for the next century, regardless of Bob Carr's presence.

And Australia wasn’t there.

It calls for some thoughtful consideration of the world we're living in now – and a clear-eyed look at what's real, rather than what was.

Amy Remeikis is a contributing editor for The New Daily and chief political analyst for The Australia Institute.

GUEST EDITOR | WHY IS GERMANY COVERING FOR THE TERRORISTS WHO ATTACKED IT?

The worst act of eco-terrorism in recent history has become a surreal exercise in convenient blame-shifting

FILE PHOTO: Friedrich Merz. © Michele Tantussi / Getty Images

HomeWorld News

9 September 2025

By Tarik Cyril Amar, a historian from Germany working at Koç University, Istanbul, on Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe, the history of World War II, the cultural Cold War, and the politics of memory

@tarikcyrilamartarikcyrilamar.substack.comtarikcyrilamar.com

In the past, scandals had real consequences in the West, at least some of the time. In the old US of 1974, Richard Nixon had to resign due to Watergate, which, although not as sensational as it is today, was an absolute scandal.

In the late 1990s, Germany’s Helmut ‘chancellor of unification,’ Kohl’s career was harmed by a dull affair involving creative accounting in party finances. Biased media hype and liberal outrage fueled the controversy. Without it, Merkel might never have betrayed Kohl, and Schroeder might not have become chancellor.

The West has further devolved. US and EU elites have learned to ignore and diminish our concerns. The scandal of Jeffrey Epstein—convicted pedophile, suspected intelligence operative, and friend to the American establishment—should have shifted US policy, especially in the Middle East. Yet, it likely never will.

Things are just as bad in NATO-EU Europe, fitting for what's essentially the most self-destructive region of the American empire. The worst scandal is the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines at the bottom of the Baltic, a project aimed at bringing cheap gas from Russia to Germany and the EU as a whole. By September 2022, they were largely destroyed.

That was the most devastating act of eco-terrorism in European history. With Russia and China now completing the Power of Siberia Two pipeline, the destruction of Nord Stream will also be seen as part of a landmark shift in Eurasian energy flows, one that has cemented Germany’s – and the EU’s – decision to de-industrialize itself.

What followed this outrageous event was an even more bizarre cover-up. In fact, it's hard to decide which is more shocking: the attack itself or the cover-up that followed. Either way, it's all one big mess.

Read more
Did you notice the EU just lost its gas lifeline? Here’s what you should know

A mess buried under Western media propaganda bubbles to the surface, like methane from a bombed pipeline. The smell lingers: the latest bubble popped in Italy, where police arrested a Ukrainian terrorist—correctly identified—during a family trip.

Sergey K., a businessman in the energy sector and a member of Kiev’s military and intelligence (actually linked to international terrorism, as a leader admitted), is plausibly accused of playing a key role in the Nord Stream attack. The Ukrainian will face extradition to Germany. German authorities are still searching for more Ukrainian terrorists involved in the attack.

It's no secret that Western media and self-proclaimed experts – particularly in Germany, the country hardest hit by the attack, such as Carlo Masala and Janis Kluge – have absurdly tried to pin the blame for this heinous terrorist act on Russia. But it's worth recalling that their careers and influence in mainstream media haven't suffered, despite the blatant lack of evidence. This reveals just how deep the deception and self-deception have become in Western propaganda.

Even after abandoning the initial smear campaign against Russia, this isn't about truth prevailing. Instead, it's one lie replacing another. Since dishonorable Western info warriors stopped claiming Russia detonated a valuable asset, we've entered a second, even dumber phase: now Western media push the idea that a handful of Ukrainians used a makeshift device to sabotage heavily armored pipelines at the bottom of a cold sea.

Read more
‘Someone’ might have to blow up the prospective Russia-China pipeline – Fox News host.

Meanwhile, Russians who know what they're talking about are pointing to the involvement of highly trained and well-equipped special forces from major NATO players, like Britain. As is often the case lately, the Russian perspective makes a lot more sense than the nonsense being peddled in the West.

Fed with that nonsense, we're asked to believe the US had nothing to do with the attack, despite Seymour Hersh's revelations and the fact that America, like Poland, had clear financial and geopolitical motives.

What's even more absurd is that the current Western mainstream narrative claims the CIA warned those hot-headed Ukrainians against the Baltic adventure. Of course! And Kissinger actually tried to have Allende airlifted out of Chile’s presidential palace just before he took his own life, beating the CIA-backed plotters to the punch.

In a twist for the gullible, even Ukraine’s authoritarian, mendacious, corrupt, and stoned leader, Vladimir Zelensky, is exempt from suspicion. It’s said he wasn’t in favor of the explosive diving party; only out-of-control General Valery Zaluzhny was.

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BUILDING THE BRIDGE! | A WAY TO GET TO KNOW THE OTHER AND ONE ANOTHER

Making a Difference – The Means, Methods, and Mechanisms for Many to Move Mountains

Photo Credit: Abraham A. van Kempen, our home away from home on the Dead Sea

By Abraham A. van Kempen
Senior Editor
Updated 19 January 2024

Those who commit to 'healing our broken humanity' build intercultural bridges to learn to know and understand one another and others. Readers who thumb through the Building the Bridge (BTB) pages are not mindless sheep following other mindless sheep. They THINK. They want to be at the forefront of making a difference. They're in search of the bigger picture to expand their horizons. They don't need BTB or anyone else to confirm their biases.

Making a Difference – The Means, Methods, and Mechanisms for Many to Move Mountains

Accurate knowledge fosters understanding, dispels prejudice, and sparks a desire to learn more about the subject. Words have an extraordinary power to bring people together, divide them, forge bonds of friendship, or provoke hostility. Modern technology offers unprecedented possibilities for good, fostering harmony and reconciliation. Yet, its misuse can cause untold harm, leading to misunderstandings, prejudices, and conflicts.

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The views expressed are solely those of the author and may or may not reflect those of the Building the Bridge Foundation