President Trump identified 23 countries, including China, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, as major drug transit or illicit drug-producing nations, citing the threat they pose to the U.S. due to illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking. The “Major’s List” was delivered to Congress, designating these countries as responsible for sourcing and transporting drugs into the U.S. The State Department noted that Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, and Venezuela have notably failed to make substantial efforts in counternarcotics. The listing considers various factors enabling drug transit or production, even if a government has taken counter-drug measures, with specific concerns raised about China’s role in precursor chemicals and Afghanistan’s ongoing drug production.
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Japan will not recognise a Palestinian state for now, and that’s the news according to the Asahi newspaper. It seems that the Land of the Rising Sun is taking a wait-and-see approach, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba even plans to skip a meeting on the subject during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. It’s worth noting that this position puts Japan in a bit of a different camp compared to some of its allies, especially those in the Group of Seven.
Japan’s hesitance places it alongside the United States, Israel’s closest ally, in the non-recognition corner. This stance seems to reflect a more cautious approach, echoing concerns voiced by officials from Germany and Italy, who apparently believe immediate recognition could be “counterproductive.”… Continue reading
During a recent forum sponsored by Beijing at the UN, China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, criticized unnamed countries for hindering developing nations and undermining global institutions. These comments seemed directed at the United States and its recent actions, such as withdrawing from international agreements and weakening alliances. The forum, titled “Vision China,” focused on the importance of multilateralism and peacebuilding in the 21st century, coinciding with the gathering of global leaders at the UN General Assembly. This event followed a significant show of force and nationalist pride earlier in Beijing, where leaders from multiple nations attended events hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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Poland ‘neutralizes’ drone over government buildings in Warsaw, says PM, and the immediate thought is, what exactly does “neutralize” mean in this context? Is it a dramatic, action-movie-esque takedown? Or something far more mundane? The initial reports suggest the latter. We’re talking about a small, remote-controlled drone – the kind you might see capturing aerial shots at a local park or, yes, even your mom might own.
Poland ‘neutralizes’ drone over government buildings in Warsaw, says PM, and the situation quickly veers into spy thriller territory, as it often does. The arrest of two Belarusian nationals adds an extra layer of intrigue.… Continue reading
On Monday, September 15th, American military officers observed the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercise Zapad-2025. Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin welcomed the US officers, offering them access to view any aspect of the exercise, a gesture described as a surprise. The Belarusian Defence Ministry reported the presence of the US officers alongside representatives from 23 other countries, including NATO members. This event signals a potential warming of relations between the United States and Belarus, a close ally of Russia, amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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While it may be easy to blame Donald Trump for global issues, his actions often exacerbate existing conflicts. Trump’s weakness and inability to stand up to leaders like Putin and Netanyahu, whom he appeases, have worsened the crises in Ukraine and Gaza. His lack of leadership skills and hostility towards allies have undermined global cohesion and emboldened authoritarian regimes. Consequently, Trump’s inaction and partiality are hindering peace efforts, making him a significant obstacle to resolution.
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Venezuela says the U.S. intercepted and boarded a Venezuelan tuna vessel in a “hostile” manner, and it’s got a lot of folks talking. It seems a U.S. destroyer, according to Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, intercepted, boarded, and essentially occupied a Venezuelan fishing vessel within Venezuela’s Special Economic Zone. Now, the Venezuelans are calling the whole thing illegal and hostile, adding that the crew consisted of “humble” fishermen and that the vessel posed no threat.
The immediate reaction here is a mix of skepticism and concern. A lot of the discussion immediately goes to the question of legality. Did the U.S. have any right to be doing this in Venezuelan waters?… Continue reading
US joins Western allies to call out Russia over drone incursion in Poland, a phrase that immediately brings a whirlwind of thoughts to mind, doesn’t it? It’s one of those events that feels both expected and, frankly, a little bit late. The fact that the US is standing with its allies in expressing concern is, well, a good thing. However, the comments about the former president being unconcerned about the incident makes the alliance’s stance even more complex. One has to wonder, was this a joint statement made despite a previous stance of downplaying the situation, or did that position shift in response to the undeniable facts?… Continue reading
India to Switzerland: Don’t preach on minorities while ignoring your own. The crux of the matter, distilled from the various opinions swirling around, is a pointed exchange between India and Switzerland at the UN Human Rights Council. Switzerland, in its role as the current UNHRC president, brought up concerns about India’s treatment of minorities and freedom of expression. This prompted a rather unexpected response from India, a response that, frankly, raised eyebrows and set the stage for a broader discussion about hypocrisy and the complexities of international diplomacy.
India, in its reply, wasn’t shy about turning the tables. Instead of directly addressing Switzerland’s concerns, the Indian diplomat delivered a message of sorts, stating that India, as a “vibrant democracy,” was ready to help Switzerland with its own issues, specifically citing racism, systematic discrimination, and xenophobia.… Continue reading
Polish foreign minister says Putin ‘laughs’ at Trump’s peace efforts, and honestly, that’s not surprising. The core sentiment here, repeated almost ad nauseam, is that the world, or at least a significant portion of it, finds Trump’s approach to diplomacy and, specifically, his efforts regarding Putin, to be a source of amusement. It’s a prevailing view, a shared experience of witnessing what many perceive as ineffective posturing.
It seems that the general consensus views Trump’s supposed “peace efforts” as largely performative, lacking substance. The complete absence of any actual listed actions speaks volumes. The overwhelming impression is that these so-called efforts are seen as hollow gestures, generating more laughter than results.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood