The summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska has been met with jubilation in Russia, as Putin secured a meeting with his US counterpart without making any concessions. Despite Trump initially threatening consequences if Moscow refused a ceasefire, the summit yielded no tangible results, and Trump instead embraced Putin’s preferred path of a comprehensive peace agreement. This shift was seen as a victory for Putin, as Trump appeared to shift responsibility to Kyiv and Europe while potentially applying pressure on Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to meet Putin’s demands. Moscow’s confidence is high, with Russian officials openly contradicting Trump and state media celebrating the summit as a sign of Russia’s international standing.
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US military deploying forces to southern Caribbean against drug groups is the current order of business, and it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow. The official word is a deployment of air and naval forces to address threats from Latin American drug cartels. The question that immediately springs to mind is, why now? What’s the specific threat that warrants such a move?
This kind of action often brings a feeling of déjà vu, especially given the history of the “war on drugs.” It’s a conflict we’ve been fighting for decades, with debatable success. Could this be just another iteration of the same old strategies, or is there something more at play?… Continue reading
The Trump administration significantly increased the reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, alleging his involvement in narco-trafficking and collaboration with cartels to flood the US with drugs. Maduro was indicted in 2020 on federal charges, and the US previously offered rewards for his capture. Despite the US’s efforts and the condemnation of his 2024 reelection, Maduro remains in power. Following this announcement, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister criticized the move as propaganda.
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Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, made a historic visit to the Israeli settlement of Ariel in the West Bank, accompanied by Republican members of Congress. Johnson, the highest-ranking US official to visit an Israeli settlement, was photographed planting a tree with the settlement mayor. The visit, organized by a pro-Israel advocacy group, drew condemnation from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, who cited the visit as a violation of international law. This trip follows Johnson’s strong public support for Israel, contrasting the current US stance against settlements that the US considers illegal.
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The article explores the growing divide between the Democratic establishment and its voters regarding US support for Israel, highlighting a significant shift in public opinion, particularly among Democrats, towards greater sympathy for Palestinians. This change contrasts with the Democratic party’s slow response, attributed to the influence of the Israel lobby, particularly groups like AIPAC, which actively works to maintain unwavering US support for Israel. Furthermore, the article acknowledges how groups like the Anti-Defamation League conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Ultimately, the piece posits that despite the changing political landscape, many establishment Democrats are hesitant to fully embrace the evolving views of their voters.
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Following a recent ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, the United States implemented a 19% tariff on imports from both nations, along with Malaysia, which helped broker the deal. This decision came after President Trump threatened trade restrictions due to a border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The new rates are part of a broader plan to maintain minimum global tariff rates at 10%. Thailand had attempted to avoid higher tariffs by offering greater market access to US products and vowing to reduce its trade surplus.
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Senator Bernie Sanders’ attempts to block the sale of American arms to Israel failed in the Senate, with all Republicans and some Democrats voting against the resolutions. Despite the failure, a majority of Senate Democrats supported the resolutions, which aimed to halt the sale of bombs, guidance kits, and assault rifles. The votes garnered significantly more Democratic support than previous efforts, highlighting a shift in sentiment regarding U.S. military aid to Israel. Supporters of the resolutions emphasized the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the growing public disapproval of Israel’s actions.
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The US Treasury Department, under the direction of Donald Trump, imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of human rights abuses and a political “witch-hunt”. Simultaneously, the US announced 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, citing the government’s persecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters. These actions, viewed as a direct attack on Brazilian democracy, were celebrated by Bolsonaro’s allies and condemned by members of President Lula da Silva’s government, who saw them as foreign interference in their justice system. Legal experts and human rights activists have expressed outrage and astonishment at the use of Magnitsky sanctions, typically reserved for severe human rights violators, against a judge in Brazil.
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The United States has lifted sanctions on several entities and individuals linked to Myanmar’s ruling generals, prompting concerns from human rights groups and politicians. These delistings include companies previously sanctioned for their ties to military-owned firms and arms production, such as KT Services & Logistics and Myanmar Chemical and Machinery Company. The US Treasury stated the removals were routine, but critics argue the decision undermines efforts to hold the military regime accountable, especially given the ongoing civil war and the junta’s deadly attacks on civilians. Despite the removals, the US continues to maintain sanctions against key figures and state-owned banks, recognizing that financial restrictions remain a critical tool to limit the regime’s access to foreign currency.
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State Department starts firing more than 1,350 workers in Trumps shake-up of diplomatic corps, and it’s hard not to feel a sense of bewilderment mixed with a dash of… well, something akin to dread, as these things often do. This is a big move, a massive personnel shake-up within the very heart of the nation’s foreign policy apparatus. The implications are vast, and it feels like we’re still trying to fully grasp the scope of the changes.
This whole situation seems to be happening in a swirling vortex of other, equally concerning news. The Epstein files are a hot topic. You know, the ones everyone’s talking about.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood