Will you be done within a week, asked a reporter?

"No", Trump said. But "soon".

The press conference Donald Trump gave in the White House didn't exactly clear things up on when the conflict in the Middle East might wind down, from an American perspective at least. But it did give a lot of clues as to Trump's thinking.

A necessary condition, he said, would be a situation: "Where they're not going to be starting the following day to develop a nuclear weapon." But last year, he had already "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities. That was the successful outcome of 2025's operation Midnight Hammer.

He was asked about his promise to help the Iranian people .

"I'd like to," he replied. "If they can behave. But they've been very menacing. You know, they're great people. They have an amazing population . It's amazing. Smart, brilliant, energetic. They have a great population. I'd love to help them, but they have to be in a system that allows them to be helped. And right now, they're in a system that only allows failure."

The early calls for regime change seem to have been dropped as the Iranian government shows no sign of loosening its grip on power. Trump indicated that he wanted an arrangement like the one he enjoys with Venezuela, whose new leader is cooperating closely with the US. But he also held back from pledging to replace Iran’s new Supreme Leader, who represents complete continuity from his predecessor and father Ali Khamenei.

Israel's views on the matter seem to differ. They have promised to kill Iran's new leader and overthrow the government , and Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is not done.

The most uncomfortable moment in the Miami press conference came when the US president was pressed on his claim that Iran had been responsible for hitting a primary school and killing more than 170 of its own citizens, many of them children. Video analysis shows a missile identified as a US-made Tomahawk striking an adjacent military base.

Trump claimed, unfeasibly, that Iran might have obtained one of the US's most prized missiles, together with the skills and systems required to fire it, but finished up promising to accept the results of a US report into the incident.

Overall, the message to the world is that Trump is feeling the impact from surging oil prices and is ready to end the conflict if it starts seriously hurting popularity at home. His message to Tehran, which had been "unconditional surrender or death", now appears to be: hold tight, calm things down and we can get back to business as usual.

World Reframed episode 33 

World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

What happened

Why it matters

Context

Aftermath

The embassy said the aid came from the People ’s Republic of China and framed it as a sign that Cuba was not alone as it faced mounting external and domestic pressures.

The shipment comes as Cuba has been plunged into crisis following a collapse of its national power grid, which left the country of about 10 million people without electricity.

Cuba’s state power utility, Union Nacional Electrica de Cuba, said the country suffered a “ complete shutdown of the national grid ,” while the Ministry of Energy and Mines reported a “complete disconnection” of the national electrical system and said it was investigating the cause.

State media later said power had been restored to about 5% of Havana’s residents, or roughly 42,000 customers, as well as several hospitals, although officials warned that the small circuits restored so far could fail again. It was Cuba’s third major blackout in the past four months.

The blackout unfolded against the backdrop of what Chinese and Cuban officials have described as continued U.S. pressure on the island.

Trump, speaking at the White House on Monday, said he believed he would have “the honour of taking Cuba.”

“Whether I free it, take it — think I could do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth. They’re a very weakened nation right now,” he said.

China has repeatedly said it will continue its “ support and assistance ” to Cuba and has condemned Washington’s pressure, saying it undermines regional peace and stability.

The Chinese ambassador to Cuba, Hua Xin, recently denounced the impact of the U.S. blockade on the Cuban people and said Beijing would continue backing Cuba’s sovereignty and national security while deepening cooperation in areas such as energy and food.

Chinese-backed projects cited by the ambassador included solar parks donated by China, solar energy systems for isolated homes and community centres, and food assistance, including shipments of rice.

Japan is unlikely to send forces to the Strait of Hormuz

At the centre of the meeting is Trump’s push for allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil route effectively disrupted amid the Iran conflict .

Washington has urged partners, including Japan, to contribute naval assets such as minesweepers to protect shipping. But Tokyo has drawn a firm line. Takaichi has repeatedly signalled that deploying the Self-Defense Forces would be “legally difficult,” constrained by Japan’s pacifist constitution and the risks of engaging in a state-to-state conflict.

This makes direct military involvement highly unlikely, setting up what could be the summit’s most sensitive point of friction.

Takaichi will try to balance alliance pressure with domestic limits

The meeting is widely viewed as a diplomatic test for Takaichi, who must navigate competing pressures: maintaining strong ties with Washington while adhering to legal and political constraints at home.

Public support for involvement in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran remains low, and any move towards deployment could trigger backlash. Yet Japan’s dependence on Middle Eastern oil — most of which passes through Hormuz — leaves it deeply exposed to prolonged disruption.

Takaichi is expected to clearly outline “what Japan can and cannot do,” seeking to reassure Trump without overstepping constitutional boundaries.

Japan is expected to offer non-military support instead

While ruling out combat roles, Tokyo is likely to propose alternative contributions.

These could include intelligence-sharing, logistical coordination, evacuation support and diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilising the region. Officials have also hinted at possible limited deployments for surveillance or research purposes, particularly after any ceasefire.

Such measures would allow Japan to demonstrate alignment with the U.S. without becoming directly entangled in the conflict.

Broader security and economic cooperation will remain on the agenda

Despite the dominance of the Iran crisis, both sides are expected to advance discussions on other strategic priorities.

These include China’s growing military activity, risks surrounding Taiwan , and North Korea’s weapons programmes. Economic and technological cooperation — from missile defence to energy diversification — is also likely to feature, even as immediate geopolitical tensions take precedence.

The alliance will be tested but likely held together

Trump and Takaichi have had warm ties since the latter rose to power in October 2025.

But their summit comes at a volatile moment, with Trump signalling frustration at allies and raising expectations for burden-sharing.

For Takaichi, the challenge will be to show Japan remains a reliable partner while avoiding commitments that could breach its legal framework or inflame domestic opinion.

How both leaders manage these tensions may shape not only Japan’s role in the Middle East crisis, but also the future tone of one of the region’s most important alliances.

According to the New York Post, sources familiar with the briefing said the president laughed aloud when hearing the claim, while others in the room reportedly reacted with amusement as well.

Three sources cited by the newspaper said the allegation is viewed within parts of the U.S. intelligence community as credible rather than a disinformation attempt aimed at undermining the Iranian leader. 

Khamenei became Iran’s Supreme Leader on 8 March after the death of his father, who had ruled the country since 1989. Prior to assuming the role, Mojtaba Khamenei was widely described by analysts as a powerful behind-the-scenes figure within Iran’s political establishment.

Is homosexuality allowed in Iran?

Any discussion of sexual orientation carries particular sensitivity in Iran, where same-sex relations are illegal. Under Iran’s penal code, based largely on Islamic law, same-sex sexual activity between men or women can carry severe penalties, including the death sentence.

Human rights organisations say these laws continue to be enforced. According to the Human Dignity Trust , LGBT people in Iran face arrest, discrimination and violence, with cases of executions for same-sex relations reported in recent years.

Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad famously claimed in 2007 that the country did not have homosexuals, a statement widely criticised internationally.

Where does Trump stand on homosexuality?

Trump’s reaction to the intelligence briefing also comes against the backdrop of his record on LGBT policy in the United States.

During his presidency and political campaigns, Trump has supported measures restricting gender-affirming care for minors and has proposed defining gender in federal law strictly as male or female.

His administration also introduced policies that rolled back several Obama-era protections for LGBT people. In 2017, the administration announced a ban on transgender individuals serving openly in the U.S. military, a policy later implemented by the Department of Defence.

Advocacy groups also criticised the administration for removing references to LGBT rights and information from several federal government websites shortly after Trump took office in 2017.

Trump has also opposed the Equality Act, legislation designed to expand federal civil rights protections to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Data from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries shows Venezuela holds the world’s biggest proven reserves, estimated at more than 303 billion barrels. Iran ranks third with about 208 billion barrels, behind only Saudi Arabia.

On paper, the U.S. military actions against these two countries were justified differently.

In Venezuela , Washington accused President Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug cartel and repeatedly portrayed the country as a source of deadly narcotics entering the U.S. Officials also described Maduro as responsible for mass migration into the U.S. and accused his government of exploiting American oil interests.

Iran , meanwhile, was framed as a security threat. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington knew Israeli action was imminent and that the U.S. had to act “pre-emptively” against expected Iranian attacks on American forces.

But both countries also sit on vast oil reserves at a time when the U.S. remains heavily dependent on crude.

The U.S. consumes about 20.6 million barrels of oil a day. Roughly 40 percent of that — about 9.1 million barrels — is used to power motor vehicles. The country imports around half of its daily crude supply, more than 10 million barrels a day.

Will Trump do to Iran what he did with Venezuela?

In late February, U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered the most serious regional crisis in years. The attacks killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and targeted military and strategic sites across the country, drawing Tehran into direct confrontation with Washington and its allies.

Iran is not only a regional power but also one of the world’s largest oil producers. Any disruption to its energy sector reverberates through global markets.

At the same time, Washington has moved to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry with the help of American firms.

The U.S. Department of State said the Trump administration has issued a series of licences allowing U.S. companies to market Venezuelan oil, supply essential production inputs and repair the country’s ageing oil infrastructure.

One licence authorises firms incorporated in the U.S. to market Venezuelan crude to buyers around the world, including largely in the U.S. Payments must be made on commercial terms and deposited into accounts in the U.S. overseen by the State and Treasury departments.

Other licences allow U.S. companies to sell diluent needed to produce Venezuela’s heavy crude and to provide equipment and services for the oil and gas sector. Additional authorisations permit negotiations on new upstream investment projects.

Washington has said the measures are designed to rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector after years of instability and mismanagement.

The State Department said revenues from the oil trade will be handled transparently and used for the benefit of the Venezuelan people, while the investments are intended to help modernise the country’s energy infrastructure.

U.S. officials have also framed the policy in terms of energy security.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Venezuela — once heavily sanctioned — is becoming a “ strategic ally ” with the world’s largest oil reserves. Venezuelan crude, he said, could help stabilise fuel prices in the U.S. and reduce vulnerability to disruptions elsewhere.

Venezuela’s state oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., has already signed new contracts to supply crude and refined products to refineries along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Taken together, the developments place the world’s largest oil consumer closer to two of the biggest oil reserves on earth — one through renewed energy ties in its own hemisphere, the other amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Some analysts have even drawn comparisons with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The comparison should be treated with caution. Iran is not a superpower on the scale of the former USSR. It does not command a formal bloc of allied states comparable to the Warsaw Pact, nor does it possess the same global military reach.

Yet the Islamic Republic is more than simply a state. Since the revolution of 1979, it has represented an ideological project supported by a network of regional allies and non-state actors. If that system were to collapse, the geopolitical map surrounding Iran would inevitably change.

The collapse of a regional influence network

For decades, Tehran has projected influence across the Middle East through a network of partners and proxy forces. These include Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq and Syria, the Houthis in Yemen and various political and religious networks throughout the Gulf region.

This model of indirect influence has allowed Iran to exert pressure on adversaries while avoiding direct confrontation. It has also created a complex web of regional dependencies.

Should the Iranian regime lose the capacity or the will to sustain these networks, a significant portion of the region’s existing power structure could weaken. Hezbollah would face reduced support. The Houthis would become more isolated. Iran-aligned militias in Iraq and Syria could lose their central sponsor.

In such a scenario, the immediate geopolitical beneficiaries would likely be the United States and Israel.

Implications for Arab–Israeli relations

A weakening of Iran’s regional influence could also reshape relations between Israel and several Arab states.

The Abraham Accords - which normalised relations between Israel and a number of Arab countries - might expand if Iran’s perceived threat diminished. For several governments in the region, opposition to Iran has been a major factor shaping their strategic calculations.

If that pressure were removed, further diplomatic normalisation with Israel could become more politically feasible.

The emergence of new regional alignments

However, the regional balance of power would not simply shift in Israel’s favour.

Another potential consequence would be the emergence of new alignments among Sunni powers. Saudi Arabia could move beyond its traditional role as an energy power and become a central geopolitical actor shaping regional alliances.

One possibility often discussed by analysts is the formation of a strategic partnership linking Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.

Each of these states possesses different forms of influence. Saudi Arabia offers financial resources and investment power. Turkey brings industrial capacity and an increasingly sophisticated defence sector. Pakistan provides nuclear expertise and extensive military experience.

Taken together, such a combination could form a powerful regional bloc capable of reshaping Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Why Iran is not the Soviet Union

Despite occasional comparisons, the collapse of the Islamic Republic would not replicate the fall of the Soviet Union.

The USSR possessed a vast military machine, a global ideological movement and a network of formal alliances. Iran’s influence, by contrast, is largely informal and regional.

Its military capabilities remain limited compared with those of major powers, and much of its defence industry relies on adapting or reproducing foreign technologies.

The end of the Islamic Republic would therefore not lead to the sudden fragmentation of a global superpower. Iran itself would likely remain territorially intact.

Yet the comparison with the Soviet collapse remains relevant in one important sense - the collapse of an ideological symbol.

The end of a revolutionary myth

For many political movements around the world , particularly those defined by anti-imperialist narratives, the Iranian revolution has long served as a symbolic example of resistance to Western power.

In this narrative, the Islamic Republic demonstrated that a state could confront the United States and survive outside the orbit of either Washington or Moscow.

If the regime were to fall, that symbolic role would be deeply weakened. It would also prompt uncomfortable questions among those who viewed Tehran primarily through the lens of its opposition to Western influence while overlooking the realities experienced by many Iranians themselves.

These include decades of political repression, economic hardship and strict social controls.

The role of Russia and China

The consequences would also extend to Iran’s relationships with major powers such as Russia and China.

Despite frequent references to a strategic axis linking the three countries, Iran remains the weakest member of this informal grouping.

Russia’s reliance on Iranian support has already diminished as Moscow expands its own military production. China’s relationship with Tehran is largely economic, focused on energy supplies and trade rather than deep strategic alignment.

Neither power is likely to intervene directly to preserve Iran’s leadership. If the Islamic Republic were to collapse, the broader alignment between Moscow, Beijing and Tehran would not necessarily collapse with it. Instead, it would simply lose one of its more fragile elements.

The uncertainty of what comes next

Perhaps the most unpredictable question concerns Iran itself.

A power struggle within the country is not hypothetical. It is embedded in the structure of the state.

The Revolutionary Guards hold immense political and economic power and control a parallel military structure. The regular army represents a separate institutional tradition. Meanwhile, significant parts of Iranian society - including commercial networks and urban populations - have repeatedly demonstrated dissatisfaction with the current political system.

If the regime were to weaken or collapse, several outcomes would be possible.

Iran could experience a military consolidation of power. It could face a turbulent and chaotic transition. Or it could move towards a more secular and democratic political order.

A transformation with global implications

The stakes extend far beyond Iran itself.

A transition towards a secular democratic system in a large Muslim-majority country would challenge long-standing assumptions about governance and political development in the region. It could reshape the political imagination of neighbouring societies.

For this reason, the potential collapse of the Islamic Republic would represent more than the fall of a single regime.

It would weaken a decades-old network of proxy influence, alter regional alliances, disrupt ideological narratives and force global powers to adjust to a new strategic environment .

Iran would not become the next Soviet Union.

Yet the end of the Islamic Republic could still mark the end of an era - and the beginning of a new geopolitical chapter.

She also offered condolences to the families of U.S. service members killed in recent events, though she did not reference specific operations. “Their bravery and dedication will always be remembered,” she said , adding that she wished a swift recovery to those injured.

During the session, Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, warned that children are among those most severely affected when conflicts erupt. She noted that schools in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman had shifted to remote learning due to ongoing military operations in the region. She also referenced reports from Iran of a strike on an elementary school in Minab.

Iranian officials say the strike killed more than 150 people, including children, and have blamed the United States and Israel . The U.S. military’s Central Command stated that it was reviewing the reports, while Israel’s military reported that it was not aware of any operations in the area.

Ahead of the meeting, Iran ’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, criticised Washington, calling it “deeply shameful and hypocritical” for convening a session on protecting children while military actions continue.

For international audiences, the message was clear. America First remains firmly in place.

Back to Plan A

Trump not only defended the use of import duties after the Supreme Court ruled that he had exceeded his authority in imposing sweeping across-the-board raises, he promised more.

"So despite the disappointing ruling, it's saving our country ... many of the wars I've settled was because of the threat of tariffs , I wouldn't have been able to settle them without. [They] will remain in place under fully approved and tested alternative legal statutes."

Although the ruling insisted that revenue-raising was a matter for Congress, Trump told the chamber he wouldn't be needing their consent for the new measures.

For trading partners, this was intended to be a clear signal that legal obstacles at home will not soften Washington’s trade stance. Trump went further, reviving a long-held claim that tariffs could replace income tax revenue altogether. "I believe the tariffs paid for by foreign countries will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax."

Economists dispute that foreign countries bear the full cost of tariffs, but the political message was blunt: the era of predictable US trade policy is not returning any time soon.

Iran and the magic words

The sharpest foreign policy focus was Iran. The United States has built up its largest regional military presence since the Iraq war, amid rising tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme and missile development.

Trump framed Iran as an existential threat. "For decades, it had been the policy of the United States never to allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Many decades. Since they seized control of that proud nation 47 years ago, the regime and its murderous proxies have spread nothing but terrorism and death and hate. They've killed and maimed thousands of American service members and hundreds of thousands and even millions of people… this is some terrible people. They've already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they're working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America."

While expressing a preference for diplomacy, he drew a firm red line. "My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon."

Immigration and crime

Immigration remains central to Trump’s domestic and international messaging. He declared: "After four years in which millions and millions of illegal aliens poured across our borders totally unvetted and unchecked, we now have the strongest and most secure border in American history by far. In the past nine months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States. But we will always allow people to come in legally, people that will love our country and will work hard to maintain our country."

He also linked immigration to crime and social disorder, inviting into the chamber families who had become victims.

And he didn't forget to mention his favourite theme, frauds perpetrated by some members of the Somali community: "The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption, and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception."

For many countries, particularly in Africa and Latin America , such rhetoric reinforces the perception of a United States that sees migration primarily through a lens of threat rather than opportunity. Trump insisted that he was ready to welcome in people who love the US, although in the past he has indicated that the ones he would like to see coming are from Norway, Sweden or white South Africans.

Military prowess

Trump balanced his hard-line positions with repeated praise for the armed forces. "Our military and police are stacked." "We have the most powerful military on Earth." "we love our military."

At the same time, he renewed sweeping claims about his role as a peacemaker. "In my first 10 months, I ended eight wars, including Cambodia and Thailand; Pakistan and India - would have been a nuclear war - 35 million people, said the Prime Minister of Pakistan, would have died if it were not for my involvement; Kosovo and Serbia; Israel and Iran; Egypt and Ethiopia; Armenia and Azerbaijan; the Congo and Rwanda; and of course the war in Gaza which proceeds at a very low level."

Some of those conflicts - Serbia and Kosovo, Ethiopia and Egypt - were either long-running diplomatic tensions or disputes that had not escalated into full-scale wars. For Trump, it didn't matter. He was the bringer or war or peace.

The broader message

Taken together, the speech offered a message of continuity rather than change. Whether that will be enough to revive the president's flagging approval ratings remains to be seen. And if it doesn't, the world may experience a new phase of America First.

World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

Trump said the projects would “revitalise the industrial base”, create “hundreds of thousands of great American jobs”, and strengthen the U.S. national and economic security “like never before.” 

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce , three major energy and industrial projects have been confirmed as part of the opening wave of investment.

Where Japan’s money will go

The largest is a $33 billion natural gas power facility near Portsmouth, Ohio. With a planned capacity of 9.2 gigawatts, the Portsmouth Powered Land project would rank among the biggest gas-fired generation developments in the world.

The plant will be operated by SB Energy, a subsidiary of Japan’s SoftBank. The project is designed to provide large-scale, dispatchable electricity to support industrial expansion and grid reliability.

Trump highlighted the Ohio development in his post, describing it as the largest gas power plant “in history” and crediting tariffs as central to unlocking projects of such scale.

In Texas, a separate $2.1 billion deepwater crude oil export terminal is planned in Brazoria County and the Gulf of America. The Texas GulfLink facility will be operated by Sentinel Midstream.

At full capacity, the terminal is expected to generate between $20 billion and $30 billion in annual US crude exports, potentially totalling $400 billion to $600 billion over 20 years, the Commerce Department said. 

The third investment is an approximately $600 million high-pressure, high-temperature synthetic diamond grit facility in Georgia, to be operated by Element Six.

Diamond grit and powder are essential in semiconductor, automotive and oil and gas manufacturing, valued for their extreme hardness and durability. US officials say boosting domestic supply is strategically important for advanced manufacturing and national security .

Together, the projects signal Japan’s financial commitment to anchoring capital in key American energy and industrial sectors, as Washington and Tokyo — and Takaichi and Trump — deepen ties.

The scale of the win clears the way for Takaichi to push through legislation with minimal resistance, after she called a snap election just weeks into her premiership. It also allows her to override the upper house, which remains outside LDP control.

Market reaction was almost instantaneous. 

Japan’s Nikkei index hit a fresh record, rising nearly 4% to close above 56,000 points, as investors welcomed the prospect of political stability and faster policy decisions.

The rally spread across Asia, with gains in South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia , underscoring the regional impact of Japan’s election outcome.

Takaichi has promised a ¥21 trillion ($134 billion) stimulus package and a two-year suspension of Japan’s food sales tax, measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures but which have raised concerns about funding.

The election result also drew praise from U.S. President Donald Trump, who congratulated Takaichi on what he called a “historic” victory and applauded her conservative leadership.

Trump said Japan’s voters had delivered a clear mandate, adding that he looked forward to working with Takaichi on security and economic issues.

“She is a highly respected and very popular Leader. Sanae’s bold and wise decision to call for an Election paid off big time,” the U.S. president wrote on Truth Social.

“Sanae: It was my Honor to Endorse you and your Coalition,” he added. 

How the regional drug trade works

Colombia remains the world's largest producer and exporter of cocaine, with an estimated 80% of the global supply originating within its borders.

The nature of the illicit industry has evolved over the years, challenging the efforts of local and international law enforcement

Fentanyl vs. cocaine

Another key point missing in the discussions, and especially Donald Trump's misleading claim that each drug boat destroyed saves 25,000 American lives, is that the drugs causing America's crisis are not coming from South America. Fentanyl, produced mainly in Mexico, not cocaine, originating in Colombia and Venezuela, is the most lethal substance.

And indeed, the crisis did not begin with drug gangs. Americans were hooked by their own big businesses as pharmaceutical companies co-opted doctors to prescribe highly addictive opiates. As Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, put it: "If they (the USA) want to bomb something, they should bomb the headquarters of Perdue Pharma."

Maduro and the "Cartel of the Suns"

The Trump administration has labelled President Maduro the "drug dealer in chief," alleging he heads an organisation known as the "Cartel of the Suns." While the Maduro government certainly has links to the drug trade, describing it as a centrally commanded, organised cartel is misleading.

The Venezuelan state is characterised by extensive corruption, with local officials and governors taking cuts from the trade. And the links between the Venezuelan government and transnational crime groups are well documented.

However, the US government's actions - such as the recent pardoning of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted of drug trafficking in the US- underscore that the real issue is that Maduro is an ideological foe of the administration, not necessarily a unique threat in the drug trade.

Drugs as a livelihood

Much of the debate around the attacks on boats has centred around the question of whether those on board were drug traffickers or simple fishermen. It's impossible to know, but the difference is also not as stark as it might seem. In poor coastal regions, the drug trade is a significant part of the economy, along with agriculture and fishing.

Under most legal codes, a drug dealer or a fisherman would have the same status in law unless convicted in court: innocent.

This is where Colombian president Gustavo Petro, not a natural ally of Maduro, meets his neighbour ideologically. Both argue that the law is being ignored, and their citizens have lost their right to a trial.

Next steps

The US seizure of an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast marks a significant escalation in the pressure exerted on Maduro. And while the Venezuelan president has already offered to resign, his terms were clearly not acceptable in Washington. Tensions are set to rise, and the people of Colombia and Venezuela, regardless of any links to the drug trade, will feel more pain.

Click here to watch our previous episodes

World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

ISSN 2978-4891

“We’ll be involved. We’re sending some of our biggest and greatest companies over to the two countries, and we’re going to take out some of the rare earth and take out some of the assets and pay, and everybody’s going to make a lot of money,” he said.

The ceremony was held at the newly-renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace , with a sign installed the day before. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed on behalf of their countries.

The agreement builds on a deal originally signed by the foreign ministers of each country in June. Both government s have previously accused each other of failing to uphold the terms of the agreement. Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda remain, with ongoing fighting between government forces and militants that Rwanda backs, Kinshasa claims, an allegation Kigali denies.

In addition to addressing the peace process, the agreement includes an economic component to increase trade between the two African nations and the United States .

The remarks came shortly after Trump held an overnight call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reportedly focused on the conflict in Ukraine , fentanyl trafficking and tensions over Taiwan. Trump later described US–China relations as “extremely strong” in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Takaichi confirmed that her discussions with Trump touched on his call with Xi but declined to provide specifics, citing diplomatic sensitivity.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara also stressed that Tokyo’s approach toward China remains unchanged.“Based on the strong relationship of trust with our ally, the United States, Japan will continue to urge China to fulfil its responsibilities commensurate with its position,” he said.

The reaffirmation of US–Japan ties follows heightened tensions earlier this month after Takaichi said the use of force against Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo — comments she has declined to retract. The government later clarified that her statement did not signal any shift in Japan’s long-standing policy toward Taiwan.

The 43-day shutdown, marked by deep partisan division, left key government services in crisis mode. Republicans had pushed to maintain existing funding levels, while Democrats sought to link the deal to healthcare provisions.

The newly approved funding bill will keep the government running only until January 30, leaving lawmakers with limited time to negotiate a longer-term solution.

“Surely this confession will be used as clear evidence of America ’s participation in this act of aggression in any court,” Baqaei stated, adding that Tehran was documenting what it calls joint military aggression by Israel and the United States. He said Iran was reviewing “all possible international legal avenues to seek justice and file a lawsuit against the United States.”

Trump, speaking to reporters last Thursday, said he “took charge” of the Israeli operation.

“Israel attacked first… that attack was very, very powerful. I was very much in charge of that when Israel attacked Iran first,” he said, describing the strike as a “great day for Israel.”

The comments contradict previous statements by US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had insisted Israel acted independently.

Iran has since sent a formal letter to the UN Security Council condemning Trump’s comments as “clear and unambiguous proof of US involvement,” saying they invalidate earlier US denials.

The proposed measure would have required explicit congressional approval before the use of US armed forces “within or against Venezuela”. Supporters of the resolution argued it was vital to reassert Congress’s constitutional role in decisions of war and peace. Opponents, however, claimed such restrictions could limit the president’s ability to act swiftly in response to emerging security threats.

The Trump administration has defended its position, citing legal guidance from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel to justify potential strikes. Earlier this week, Trump denied reports of imminent military action in Venezuela, though his comments left ambiguity over whether such operations remain under consideration.

In Caracas, officials have condemned recent US strikes on alleged “narco-boats” in international waters, accusing Washington of imperialism and of using anti-drug operations as a pretext for regime change. The Senate’s narrow vote underscores the ongoing division within the United States over the limits of presidential war powers — and the broader global implications of Washington’s military reach.

“ America will just use these Christians as a scapegoat to attack Nigeria — not necessarily to salvage Christians but rather an attempt to harness the resources in Nigeria,” said Idris Salisu Rogo, a public affairs analyst and lecturer at Bayero University Kano.

Civil society voices also questioned Washington’s approach, insisting support should come through partnership, not force. “If they want to support Nigeria, it is not necessary to come through an invasion or through the American military,” argued activist Salisu Yusuf. “They could provide training to Nigerian security forces.”

Trump made the remarks at a rally in Florida , citing attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria’s northern and central regions.

His comments have drawn swift pushback from Nigerian officials and added fresh strain to already sensitive geopolitical relations, with many Nigerians insisting that internal challenges require domestic solutions — not foreign troops.

Pelosi, a dominant force in Democratic politics for decades, has frequently clashed with Trump. In response to his latest remarks, she described him as a “vile creature, the worst thing on the face of the earth.”

Pelosi served two historic terms as Speaker, from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023, making her the first woman to hold the position.

Her retirement marks the end of an era in U.S. politics, closing a career defined by deep partisan battles, landmark legislative victories and her position as a central figure in Trump-era confrontations on Capitol Hill.

Petro went further, condemning Trump’s calls for increased military spending in Europe and arguing that climate change, not geopolitical rivals, represents the most urgent threat. “The President of the United States , Donald Trump, is 100% wrong… It is not a matter of defence and security, it is not Russia the enemy, the climate crisis is the enemy,” he said.

Trump, who has repeatedly downplayed the climate crisis, is not attending COP30 and has previously traded barbs with Petro, at one point calling the Colombian leader a “thug” and “drug trafficker.”

The two-day gathering in the heart of the Amazon brings together world leaders, ministers, and representatives from international organisations to set the tone for COP30 negotiations.

Discussions are centred on accelerating decarbonisation, protecting forests and biodiversity, and advancing climate justice for vulnerable nations.

“Of course, we’ve seen these election results, but it does not, of course, undermine the incredible, enormous relationship the Prime Minister has with President Trump, and the accomplishments that we have been able to get to because of this relationship that they have forged together,” said Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian.

“We have a bond that is stronger than ever between Israel and the United States right now, and of course, it’s based on our shared democratic values and dedication to our security and peace for countries in the entire free world,” Bedrosian added.

Mamdani won more than 50% of the votes to become New York’s first Muslim mayor and first mayor born in Africa , as well as the youngest mayor since 1892. 

During his campaign, Mamdani was tough on Israel, asserting that the country was committing genocide in Gaza, where nearly 70,000 have been killed in a dragging battle between Israeli forces and the Palestinian group Hamas. 

Mamdani had also labeled Netanyahu a “ war criminal.”

For his part, Trump, who had endorsed the No. 2 candidate for New York City mayor, Andrew Cuomo, said any Jew who voted for Mamdani is a “proven and self-professed JEW HATER, is a stupid person!!!”

“China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries' internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force,” Mao said.

Trump made the remarks during a rally in Florida, citing reports of violence against Christian groups in northern and central Nigeria. Abuja swiftly rejected the comments, insisting the country upholds constitutional protections for religious freedom and denouncing what it called unwarranted external interference. Analysts also note that many victims of violence in northern Nigeria are Muslims.

During the briefing, Mao extended condolences to North Korea following the death of Kim Yong-nam, former president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly.

Both leaders departed the South Korean air force base adjacent to Gimhae International Airport in Busan mum on the outcome. Though, Trump leaned in to whisper something to Xi before boarding his motorcade.

It was only aboard Air Force One that the home-bound Trump disclosed details of their discussion, revealing that both sides had agreed to ease trade tensions, though no formal deal was signed. 

Trump described the talks as a “12 out of 10” and said an agreement could come soon, with plans for reciprocal visits in 2026.

He also announced a cut in fentanyl-related tariffs from 20% to 10%, saying he trusted Xi to curb the export of chemicals used to make the deadly opioid. 

China also agreed to resume large-scale US soybean purchases, a move welcomed by American farmers.

Xi further offered a one-year suspension of rare earth export curbs, helping calm global supply concerns. Both leaders also said they would “work together” to seek a resolution to the war in Ukraine .

Takaichi’s decision to nominate Trump was revealed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

During Trump’s visit to Japan, it was clear that, at least in front of the cameras, he and Takaichi met eye to eye on a lot of things. Parallels have been drawn between the two as conservative firebrands and formidable right-wing politicians.

Takaichi herself heaped high praises on Trump, commending his efforts to broker peace in Japan’s Asian neighbours, Thailand and Cambodia, and in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire was effectively broken when Israel launched another deadly strike on the Strip while Trump was in Tokyo.

"In such a short period of time the world started to enjoy more peace," Takaichi said on Tuesday "I myself was so impressed and inspired by you, Mr. President.”

Since returning to the White House, Trump has been relentless in his talk of winning the Nobel, claiming to have ended eight wars — including the “unendable” one in Gaza — an achievement he believes could also bring him to heaven.

According to the White House, seven countries had nominated Trump before Japan: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Gabon, Israel, Pakistan and Rwanda.

The irony in Takaichi’s endorsement is not lost, given that during the Second World War , the United States and Japan were among the fiercest of adversaries — their clashes epitomised by the attack on Pearl Harbor and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Now, under Takaichi, Japan appears to be charting a different course. The country’s first female prime minister has vowed to usher in a “new golden age” in relations with Washington, even as tensions rise in the region amid Chinese provocations.

That goal may not be far-fetched. Trump has already had high praise for Takaichi despite her being only a week into the job, touting her potential to be “one of the greatest prime ministers.”

The remarks came during a stop at Yokosuka Naval Base as part of Trump’s ongoing Asia tour. Earlier in the day, he held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, focusing on regional security, defence cooperation, and trade ties.

The visit to Japan follows Trump’s attendance at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend. The president is expected to continue his trip with a visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in what is anticipated to be one of the most closely watched encounters of his tour.

The U.S. President expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s hospitality, calling his visit to Kuala Lumpur “an amazing experience.” He added that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had gone to great lengths to showcase the country’s achievements during the visit.

“I’ve been here for a day, but it’s been an amazing experience to see some of the things that you’ve done,” Trump said. “The Prime Minister made sure I saw everything — every single thing.”

Trump also praised ASEAN leaders as “spectacular leaders” and “incredible people,” applauding what he described as their “energy and genius.”

“I say it truly — everything you touch turns to gold, and you can be very proud of it,” he said. “Other parts of the world are not like this. You’re very special people, and it’s a very, very special place.”

The 47th ASEAN Summit, taking place from October 26 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur, brings together leaders from ASEAN member states and key partners, including China, Japan, and the United States .

The president said he expects Democrats will eventually support the Continuation Resolution (CR), a temporary measure to keep the government funded, citing strong economic performance under his administration.

“I think they’re going to have no choice but to go along, because the country is setting records in every way, and people want it to continue that way,” Trump added. “So we’re hoping the Democrats become much less deranged, and that we will get the vote pretty soon.”

The remarks come as the ceasefire implemented earlier this month as phase one of a wider peace plan signed in Sharm El-Sheikh has been strained by fresh exchanges of fire, with both Israel and Hamas accusing the other of violating the truce.

US and regional diplomats have been urgently trying to shore up the agreement.

The president’s remarks come amid heightened US operations near Venezuelan waters, which have sparked concern in Colombia over the safety of small fishing communities. Petro called on international human rights organisations to investigate.

“We know that two fishermen from Trinidad and Tobago were killed by a missile,” Petro said. “This is a war crime — an act of international aggression against a peace zone, the Caribbean.”

Linking the incident to broader geopolitical violence , Petro compared the situation in the Caribbean to the devastation in Gaza, asserting that “today’s struggles are struggles for life, and they are revolutionary.” He reiterated his government’s decision to suspend coal exports to Israel in protest of what he has called a “genocidal regime.”

Petro concluded his address with an appeal for vigilance among Caribbean governments and human rights defenders, urging them to “monitor and set alerts” against any future acts of foreign aggression, and to protect vulnerable coastal and island communities that remain without effective defence systems.

The summit marked the continuation of a complicated diplomatic relationship that has spanned years and several countries.

The map of their meetings tells a story of evolving political theatre. Their first face-to-face encounter took place at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, in July 2017, followed by the APEC Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, later that year.

They met again during the Helsinki Summit in Finland in June 2018 and at the WWI Armistice centenary in Paris that November. The G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019 rounded out the early chapter of their encounters, before geopolitical realities and Trump’s departure from office paused direct talks.

The Anchorage Summit reignited global attention. According to CBS News , discussions focused heavily on the ongoing war in Ukraine, sanctions, and global energy prices.

However, much like their previous meetings, the summit produced more symbolism than substance, with no significant breakthroughs on ceasefire agreements or troop withdrawals. Reuters described the talks as “cordial but inconclusive.”

Now, attention is turning toward Budapest, Hungary, as the potential venue for their next meeting. Following a phone call between Trump and Putin on October 16, both sides signalled openness to further negotiations in the Hungarian capital, a move widely supported by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

In remarks quoted by AP News , Orbán said Hungary was proud to serve as neutral ground, calling his country “the only place in Europe” capable of hosting such high-stakes diplomacy.

For Ukraine, the timing couldn’t be more sensitive. Just days after Trump and Putin’s call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington to push for advanced U.S. weapons and reaffirm support for Kyiv.

Still, expectations remain cautious. Analysts cited by AP News and The Kyiv Independent note that previous summits between the two leaders, often long on photo ops and short on policy outcomes, suggest the upcoming Budapest meeting may not deliver sweeping results either.

The map released in connection with the deal shows Israeli-held zones along coastal areas and key border regions, while portions of Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Deir el-Balah, and North Gaza revert to Palestinian control.

The partial pullback comes as part of the Trump-brokered 20-point peace plan signed that same day in Sharm el-Sheikh. Under that agreement, Israel’s forces are to reposition within 24 hours, and Hamas is expected to return all living hostages and the remains of deceased ones within 72 hours.

Israel’s decision to retain over half of Gaza highlights the delicate balance struck in the ceasefire: a withdrawal significant enough to signal de-escalation, yet limited enough to maintain leverage. The held zones include buffer strips along the coast and border crossings, likely critical for security, monitoring, and aid control.

The new arrangement takes effect amid bleak humanitarian conditions. Gaza’s population faces severe food insecurity, and United Nations agencies are poised to escalate aid deliveries, contingent on continued troop pullbacks. Broader Stakes & Unresolved Questions

This pause in hostilities brings cautious relief. Earlier in the day, the Israeli cabinet approved the agreement, formalising a ceasefire and setting in motion plans to free hostages and swap hundreds of prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed his vow to disarm Hamas and warned of renewed military options if violations occur. Hamas, meanwhile, agreed to the terms but faces internal pressures over governance, disarmament, and long-term stability.

International oversight will play a pivotal role. The first phase calls for a joint task force involving the U.S., Egypt , Qatar, Turkey, and others to monitor compliance. The Rafah crossing (Egypt–Gaza) is also slated to reopen under EU monitoring, a symbolic and functional milestone for civilian movement and aid flows.

For now, the world watches to see if this withdrawal will become the start of a sustained peace or a temporary lull in a longer struggle.

Without mentioning names, Lukashenko referenced previous laureates, saying, “Remember the case with the U.S. President who did nothing at all, became President, and received this prize.”

Calling the decision “shortsighted” and a “disservice to the peace process,” Lukashenko warned that snubbing Trump could damage future diplomatic efforts. “Trump has done quite a bit for peace... I am absolutely convinced that he should have been tied to the peaceful process with this prize.”

He also dismissed Machado, saying, “I don’t know this Venezuelan person and don’t want to speak about him,” adding that the Nobel Committee had chosen someone “not interested in peace.”

"I think the attack was very important on Iran, because let's say that didn't happen, they'd probably by now have a nuclear weapon, numerous nuclear weapons," Trump said. "And therefore, even if we signed a deal, there'd be a big, dark cloud over it, and it wouldn't be the same thing."

Trump said that Iran had since shown a willingness to engage in diplomacy. "Iran is different. But Iran wants to work on peace now," he added. "They've informed us, and they've acknowledged that they are totally in favour of this deal. They think it's a great thing. So we appreciate that. And we'll work with Iran."

In response, Petro doubled down on his criticism, accusing Donald Trump of being “an accomplice to genocide” in Gaza and declaring that the US president “deserves nothing but prison.” Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio and Finance Minister Germán Ávila announced they had voluntarily given up their visas in solidarity with the president, while Mining Minister Edwin Palma and senior adviser Angie Rodríguez confirmed theirs had been cancelled by US authorities.

Petro took to social media to frame the cancellations as a badge of honour, writing: “It fills us with pride not to have the visa of a country whose government supports genocide.” Other cabinet members, including Interior Minister Armando Benedetti, suggested more resignations could follow, noting that his own visa had already been revoked twice in the past.

The fallout comes amid a series of confrontations between Bogotá and Washington. Petro has long clashed with Trump over migration, trade and drug policy, while Colombia broke diplomatic ties with Israel in 2024 over the war in Gaza. During Monday’s cabinet meeting, the president announced an end to the free trade agreement with Israel and highlighted plans for Colombia to manufacture its own assault rifles, replacing Israeli imports.

Despite the strain, the US continues to provide Colombia with significant economic and military aid, even after withdrawing its certification as a reliable ally in anti-narcotics efforts earlier this month. With Petro now barred from the United States but holding Italian citizenship, analysts warn that the visa dispute could further complicate already fraught relations between the two countries.

Petro, who has previously confirmed he holds Italian nationality, noted that under the Visa Waiver Programme, he would only require an ESTA authorisation to enter the United States.

The move to revoke his visa came after Petro addressed pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday. He urged US soldiers to defy orders from President Donald Trump , saying they should “obey humanity” instead. The State Department later described his comments as “reckless and incendiary.”

“It is not a crime ,” Petro reiterated on Saturday, “to call on armies not to fire on humanity.”

Despite the escalating row, the Colombian leader said Trump was welcome in his country, though he drew a sharp line: “No war criminal, let alone a criminal against humanity, will be allowed to enter Colombia.”

Petro had travelled to New York to address the UN General Assembly, where he accused Trump of being “complicit in genocide” in Gaza. His remarks followed a recent UN investigation which concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians – a finding strongly denied by the Israeli government.

The comments reflect escalating tensions between Caracas and Washington, following recent US military deployments in the Caribbean . Gil’s statement underscores Venezuela’s rejection of accusations that have been used to justify foreign military presence near its borders.

The 80th session of the UN General Assembly, which began on 23 September, brings together leaders from 193 member states to discuss issues including peace, development, and human rights .

In a post on X, the State Department condemned Petro’s remarks as “reckless and incendiary”, confirming his visa would be cancelled.

During his UN General Assembly address, Petro also accused Trump of being an “accomplice to genocide” in Gaza, following an independent UN investigation that concluded Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians — a claim Israel denies.

Colombian outlet Caracol Radio reported Petro had already departed the U.S. when the announcement was made. His trip comes amid rising tensions with Washington, following disputes over migration, counternarcotics operations, and U.S. military activities in the region.

In an interview on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Trump said the war, now approaching its fourth year, had defied early predictions of a swift Russian victory. Trump said Ukraine had “a lot of courage, a lot of guts” and deserved credit for stopping what he described as a “very large army.”

The comments mark a notable departure from Trump’s earlier criticism of Kyiv's ability to withstand Russia's military power. Just in February, he criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for doing a "terrible job" in navigating the invasion.

Asked whether NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace, Trump replied, “Yes I do.” He later added that any U.S. response would depend on circumstances, but insisted the alliance had grown stronger under his leadership.

Trump also pointed to rising defence spending among NATO members, claiming that contributions had risen from 2% to 5% of output. He said the shift represented “great unity” and stressed that many countries were now buying weapons directly from the United States.

He drew a contrast with President Joe Biden, accusing the previous administration of giving Ukraine aid “without getting much in return.” By contrast, he said, NATO members are now paying the United States for weapons, pumping “trillions of dollars” into the alliance’s collective security.

Russia hurting

On the flipside, Trump said Moscow was suffering from the prolonged conflict, which has brought sanctions and isolation.

“The Russian economy is terrible right now,” he said. “As you know, it’s crashing.”

Washington itself had imposed a great deal of sanctions against countries buying oil from Russia, the sales of which Trump said were being used to fund the war in Ukraine.

Trump was also asked about Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s continued purchases of Russian oil. He described Orban as “a friend” and said he had not spoken to him directly. “But I have a feeling if I did, he might stop,” Trump added.

For now, Trump’s sharpest shift was reserved for his remarks on Ukraine’s battlefield performance.

“This was supposed to be quick,” he said. “And so, you know, Russia doesn't look very distinguished. Having taken three and a half years now, three and a half years of very hard fighting. And it looks like it's not going to end for a long time."

Trump claimed that in 2024, the UN allocated $372 million in cash assistance to support an estimated 624,000 migrants “journeying into the United States,” including food, shelter, transportation , and debit cards. “The UN is supposed to stop invasions, not create them and not finance them,” he declared.

The U.S. president argued that the U.S. southern border had been overwhelmed during the Biden administration, with “25 million” crossings in four years, before asserting that migration has now “totally stopped” under his leadership.

A so-called repo loan —where Argentina would provide collateral such as reserves, US Treasury bonds, or future export revenues in exchange for dollars—appears to be gaining traction. The mechanism has been used before in Latin America , notably in Mexico’s 1995 rescue package, but not at this scale in Argentina. The possibility of the US directly buying Argentine bonds is also under consideration, a move that boosted bond prices and lowered the country’s risk index earlier this week.

Bessent has insisted that the support would come “without conditions ”, but experts remain sceptical. Economists believe Washington could impose implicit requirements, such as restricting Argentina’s interventions in the currency market or abandoning its current exchange rate bands in favour of a full float. Others suggest the US could pressure Milei to cancel or avoid renewing Argentina’s existing currency swap with China.

If confirmed, this would be Argentina’s ninth debt operation with the US Treasury in the past four decades. While the measures could bring short-term relief, analysts warn that the credibility of Milei’s government will depend not only on external backing but also on political stability and the country’s ability to implement lasting reforms.

The High-Level General Debate begins Tuesday, September 23, where world leaders deliver keynote addresses.

Tradition and protocol determine who speaks first. By long-standing custom, Brazil opens the General Debate, followed by the United States as host. After those two, the order generally follows the rank of the speaker (heads of state, heads of government, etc.) and the time of registration requests.

This year’s first five speakers include:

These leaders are expected to set the tone for the assembly, highlighting their national priorities and how these align (or clash) with global concerns.

The opening five speakers are not only symbolic because of order—they represent different regions with distinct pressures. Brazil, leading as the first speaker, faces issues such as deforestation, the Amazon, and balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.

The U.S. speech under President Trump will likely underscore immigration, national security, and U.S. views on multilateral cooperation. Indonesia, Turkey, and Peru each bring their own domestic and regional challenges; political stability, human rights, and climate vulnerability that also tie into global debates.

What is driving UNGA80?

UNGA80 is unfolding at a moment of global tensions and accelerating challenges. The war in Gaza and conflict in Ukraine loom large, demanding urgent attention from member states. Climate change , technology ethics (especially around AI), gender equality, and human rights remain high on the agenda.

Another urgent theme is institutional reform of the UN itself. Secretary-General António Guterres is pushing through a wide set of proposals (sometimes referred to as “UN80”) aimed at boosting UN effectiveness in peace, security, and human rights work. These are being closely watched and contested.

Gender equality and the role of women in leadership are also front and centre. UN Women, among other bodies, is hosting events reflecting on gains over the past decades, as well as warning of pushback. The 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration & Platform for Action will be marked.

In the letter, dated September 6 and later published by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro urged Trump to overcome “fake news” damaging bilateral relations, describing them as an obstacle to building a “historic and peaceful” relationship envisioned by Simón Bolívar. The Venezuelan leader also dismissed U.S. accusations of links between his government and drug trafficking , insisting Venezuela is a “territory free of drug production” and not a significant player in narcotics smuggling.

Maduro praised Grenell as a trusted channel of communication, pointing to past cooperation on migrant repatriation issues. However, Trump, when asked by reporters whether he had received the letter, gave a brief and ambiguous response: “We’ll see what happens with Venezuela ”. The U.S. president has recently warned Caracas of “a high price” if it fails to accept deported Venezuelans.

The exchange unfolds as Venezuela’s armed forces conduct nationwide drills, train civilians in weapons handling, and expand border operations in response to the U.S. naval deployment. While Washington says its presence targets drug trafficking, Caracas views the show of force as a threat aimed at regime change. The standoff has further strained ties, with Trump denying any formal plan to oust Maduro even as his administration doubles down on military pressure and sanctions .

What Trump’s new ‘America First’ Global Health Strategy means for Africa

The U.S. State Department’s new “America First Global Health Strategy” refocuses health aid on U.S. interests, citing inefficiency and a “culture of dependency” despite decades of successes like PEPFAR, which has saved 26 million lives. Read more here .

Could Guinea ever return to civilian rule?

Guinea will hold a constitutional referendum on September 21, 2025, that could shape its democratic future. The draft extends presidential terms to seven years, allows two terms, and lifts the ban on junta members, including General Mamady Doumbouya, running for office. Read more here .

In Cameroon elections, anyone but the 42-year Biya regime

Cameroon’s 92-year-old president, Paul Biya, in power for 42 years, is seeking yet another term, a move that could keep him in office until nearly 100, affecting the lives of 29 million citizens. Read more here .

Asia

Why September 21 is significant for the Philippines’ past and future

Thousands of Filipinos are set to protest on September 21, marking 53 years since Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared Martial Law, a period from 1972 to 1981 marked by mass arrests, torture, and thousands of deaths and disappearances. Read more here .

Here’s why Japan is cracking down on tourists

At least 20 Japanese municipalities, including Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Tokyo’s Ota Ward, have introduced ordinances to curb unruly tourist behaviour, according to the Research Institute for Local Government. Read more here .

Japanese grandmother challenges age barriers to become finalist in Miss Universe

Junko Sakai, a former homemaker and grandmother of three, began competing in pageants two years ago after discovering Miss Universe Japan’s no-age-limit rule — and won the 60-and-over division with her husband’s encouragement. Read more here .

Latin America

Bolivia Elections: Fragmentation, protests, and a weakening MAS

Tiziano Breda of ACLED told Global South World that Bolivia’s elections mark a turning point, with a fractured MAS and rising protests driving deeper polarisation. He warned that the power struggle between Morales and Arce risks institutional paralysis and obstructs the country’s recovery. Read more here .

Venezuela accuses U.S. of waging ‘undeclared war’ in Caribbean: Video

Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez on September 19 accused the U.S. of waging an “undeclared war” in the Caribbean, condemning its warship deployments and deadly operations. Read more here .

Brazil dismisses US pressure after Bolsonaro ruling, calls tariffs a political measure

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira rejected international calls, including from the U.S., to free ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, sentenced to 27 years for an attempted coup. He told CNN Lula cannot intervene in judicial matters, calling such demands interference in Brazil’s internal affairs. Read more here .

Maduro emphasised the need for joint efforts with global impact, describing Cuba and Venezuela as carrying forward the vision of Simón Bolívar, José Martí, Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez. “We must elevate our project to a higher level”, he said, urging coordinated action to defend both nations’ positions on the world stage.

The initiative comes as Havana and Caracas deepen their cooperation under agreements signed in 2023 between the Communist Party of Cuba and Venezuela’s ruling Socialist Party. Morales Ojeda also held talks with Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, and Rander Peña, executive secretary of ALBA, stressing the importance of legislative, political and regional coordination to counter what both governments describe as “imperialist aggression”.

Despite Cuba’s worsening economic crisis under tightened US sanctions , Morales Ojeda said solidarity with Venezuela remains a priority: “We share not what we have left over, but what we have”.

At the centre of the case is Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision earlier this year to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan migrants, a humanitarian programme first introduced by the Biden administration in 2021 and later extended. The White House argues that maintaining TPS is “contrary to the national interest”.

In May, the Supreme Court allowed Trump to proceed with rescinding the protections, despite objections from liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. But a federal judge in California later issued an order temporarily restoring TPS, a ruling upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In its latest emergency petition, the government accused Judge Edward Chen and the appeals court of taking an “indefensible” position.

Legal experts say the dispute underscores broader questions about how much weight lower courts should give to the Supreme Court’s often terse emergency rulings. “They tell us nothing”, said appellate judge James Wynn earlier this month, reflecting the frustration of jurists faced with scant guidance from the nation’s highest court.

At stake is not only the fate of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who have built their lives in the United States , but also the balance of power between the executive branch and the judiciary in shaping immigration policy. Lawyers for the migrants argue that Noem’s decision violated federal administrative procedures and was driven by political and racial bias.

The outcome could determine whether Venezuelan migrants remain shielded from deportation or face removal as Trump presses ahead with one of the most hard-line immigration agendas in modern US history.

That was Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro pitching what he clearly believes would be a blockbuster. The project sounds like a budget nightmare - who’s going to hire 252 leading actors for one film? And besides, the title could probably use some tightening. But behind the theatrics lies a serious message.

Maduro is furious with Donald Trump . Earlier this month, Trump ordered an airstrike on a Venezuelan boat, then another, and claimed to have carried out a third. He framed it as part of a clampdown on a state-sanctioned drug smuggling operation. International reaction was swift, since such extrajudicial killings are usually reserved for the gravest terrorist threats. Venezuela, under pressure to respond, turned to fiery rhetoric.

“If life puts us on the path of having to take up arms to begin an armed struggle against imperialist aggression, our people will do it with serenity, with certainty and also with joy,” Maduro warned.

Softer targets

Despite the tough talk, the last thing Venezuela - or any country - wants is open war with the United States. But Maduro doesn’t need to look far for smaller targets. On 14 September, Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino López, warned that if aggression were launched from the territory of Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela would respond in “legitimate self-defence.”

Why Trinidad and Tobago? The islands have aligned themselves with US efforts to fight organised crime, including drug, arms and human trafficking. Prime Minister Kamala Persad-Bissessar has denied that her country would ever host an invasion force, but Caracas appears eager to pick a fight it might plausibly win. The disparity is stark: Venezuela has nearly 29 million people and over 123,000 active soldiers; Trinidad and Tobago, with just 1.5 million people, can muster only about 4,000. Geography, too, makes the threat plausible - only 11 kilometres separate the nations.

And yet, the two countries once shared close ties. Trinidad was ruled from Caracas until 1802, and both remain members of CARICOM. But Trump is a divisive figure across the Americas, and his policies risk driving deeper wedges between neighbours.

He, for his part, seems pleased with his strategy.

“A lot of drugs are coming out of Venezuela… They send the Tren de Aragua, that’s the gang. They’re probably the worst gang in the world . We don’t like what Venezuela is sending us—whether it’s drugs or gang members. We don’t like it. Not one bit,” Trump told reporters.

Rather than dial things down, he has expanded his warnings to Colombia, Bolivia, Myanmar and Afghanistan - accusing them too of failing to block drug shipments. The prospect of US strikes in or around those countries suddenly feels less remote. International law, of course, forbids such attacks in international waters unless a vessel poses an imminent threat. A fishing boat, even if packed with cocaine, hardly qualifies. But the US has long been lukewarm about international enforcement mechanisms, recently going so far as to sanction members of the International Criminal Court.

That leaves smaller nations exposed. Venezuela has not only targeted Trinidad and Tobago but also escalated tensions with Guyana, reviving old claims to an oil-rich border region. Trinidad’s support for Guyana in that dispute has only fuelled animosity.

In all of this, it’s the ordinary people—especially fishermen—who end up losing. Boats seized, livelihoods destroyed, and lives caught in the middle of geopolitical posturing.

World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

Bolsonaro’s lawyers announced plans to appeal the Supreme Federal Court ruling, describing the sentence as “absurdly excessive and disproportionate”. They also indicated they may take the case to international courts.

The conviction has sparked diplomatic friction, particularly after former US President Donald Trump denounced the ruling as a “witch hunt” and imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian products in protest. Trump also compared Bolsonaro’s case to his own legal battles, claiming both were victims of political persecution. Lula responded firmly: “This country is an example of how democracy is practised”.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s remarks, calling the verdict “unjust” and warning that Washington would “respond accordingly”. Meanwhile, Bolsonaro’s supporters in Brazil and the US continue to demand an amnesty, while protests in Brazilian cities show a divided public opinion between calls for his release and rejection of a pardon.

On trade, Vieira criticised Washington’s recent tariff hikes on Brazilian goods, labelling them “clearly political”. He said a US official privately admitted the measures were not based on commercial reasons, urging Brazilian business leaders to lobby against them.

“There is no economic basis for these tariffs”. Vieira said, noting Brazil runs a $25 billion annual trade deficit with the US and already applies lower duties on American products than Washington imposes on Brazilian exports.

Vieira warned that if new sanctions are introduced under Trump, Brazil could use its recently approved Reciprocity Law, which allows retaliatory tariffs against countries using trade measures “for political or other purposes”.

Despite the tensions, Vieira said Brazil remains open to dialogue but reiterated that Bolsonaro’s conviction is not negotiable. “He is condemned and will serve his sentence. This is in the hands of justice, and nothing can be done”, he stated.

Brazil has already cut its 2025 growth forecast from 2.5% to 2.3%, citing high interest rates and the potential negative impact of US tariffs.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the decision reflects record levels of coca cultivation and cocaine production in Colombia, as well as what Washington considers failed negotiations with armed groups involved in the drug trade. The State Department added that Colombia could be removed from the list if Petro’s government adopts “aggressive measures” to eradicate coca, curb trafficking, and hold criminal networks accountable.

Petro, in a televised cabinet meeting, criticised the move, saying that Colombia had paid a high price in lives lost among police, soldiers, and civilians trying to stop cocaine from reaching international markets.

The decertification could restrict funding and cooperation in the fight against criminal organisations such as the Clan del Golfo, the ELN, and dissident factions of the FARC. It also marks a setback in relations between Washington and Bogotá, which have historically maintained close security ties.

This is not the first time Colombia has faced decertification: the last occurred in 1996 and 1997, during the presidency of Ernesto Samper, who was accused of accepting illicit drug money for his campaign.

Relations between Trump and Petro have been strained for months. In July, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recalled his chargé d’affaires in Bogotá after what he called “baseless” statements from Colombian officials. Earlier this year, the two leaders clashed over Colombia’s refusal to accept U.S. military deportation flights, prompting Trump to threaten tariffs and sanctions.

Despite the tensions, the United States remains Colombia’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $33.8 billion in 2023 under a free trade agreement in force since 2006.

Heavyweight hero

We start with a scene that looks straight out of a superhero movie. In Cairo, professional wrestler Ashraf Kabonga attempted a mammoth stunt of pulling 20 cars, weighing a total of about 29 tonnes.

Each vehicle weighed up to 1,650 kg. The previous world record stood at 15 cars, set by Canadian strongman Kevin Fast back in 2014. Kabonga dragged his line of cars a full 10 metres, surpassing Guinness’ requirement. The crowd went wild.

While the record is still awaiting official confirmation, Kabonga is already being hailed as a national hero.

Beyond Petroleum?

From raw muscle to raw materials—BP made several big announcements last week including the news of its biggest oil find in 25 years. The discovery off Brazil is part of a new strategy of returning to the formula that made the company a global energy giant.

As World Reframed ’s Sasha Barrow reported, the company has faced increasing shareholder pressure, leading to an executive overhaul. Out went the sustainability visionaries, in came the profit maximisers.

But there’s a deeper question: When fossil fuels are extracted in the Global South, do climate goals suddenly become optional?

Countries like Brazil, Nigeria, and Guyana are rich in resources, but the profits often head north. Meanwhile, the emissions are global. It’s a contradiction that exposes the climate movement’s North-South divide.

Splitting BRICS

As has been widely reported, new US tariffs are shaking up international trade. But the key to Trump's latest moves are an attempt to target Brazil, India with duties of 50%.

Trump’s trade strategy has had limited effect on China, a tech powerhouse that’s too entrenched in the global economy. It's stranglehold on critical raw materials means it has a kill switch for large swathes of the US economy. With Russia is economically isolated, he has little leverage there. That leaves other BRICS countries to feel the squeeze.

But India and Brazil are not easy targets. Both have charismatic and confident leaders with strong powerbases. And both have domestic reasons to put up a fight.

India continues to buy oil from Russia, despite increasingly strong hints from America that it should stop. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also resisted pressure to open up Indian agriculture to American imports. Instead, he’s heading to traditional rival China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit at the end of the month

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva isn’t backing down either. He’s launched scathing critiques of Trump, and positioned himself as a champion of the global pushback against Washington. And back home this plays into his bitter campaign against predecessor Jair Bolsonaro. By accusing his rival of treacherously undermining Brazil's economy, Lula can build political capital. Yet with an export-driven economy, Lula risks facts on the ground going against him.

The broader takeaway? US coercion may no longer carry the weight it once did. As nations look for alternatives, a multipolar world takes shape.

An unwelcome guest

In a surreal scene on the island of Manukan, Malaysia, a large monitor lizard crashed through a hotel ceiling. Chaos ensued as hotel security tried to wrestle it into submission.

Eventually, the hotel team managed to coax the creature out of a fire exit.

Military and trade power

And finally a couple of highlights from World Visualized and The World in Maps .

Europe v Asia

According to the Global Firepower Index, in a straight fight between Europe and Asia, there's no doubt who would win. The strongest militaries in Asia, led by Russia, China, rank well ahead of most European powers.

The index has its critics as it tends to favour sheer numbers over skills, training and technology so nations with large populations and resource bases often rank higher. Still, it’s a stark reminder of Europe’s growing military dependence on the US.

China’s tight embrace

A striking map from The World in Maps showed China as the top trading partner for almost every African nation, with only a few exceptions (mostly former French colonies and South Africa ’s neighbours).

Despite $296 billion in trade, the exchange is lopsided: China sends manufactured goods, while Africa exports mostly raw materials. For all the talk of partnership, the relationship remains deeply unequal.

World Reframed is produced in London by Global South World, part of the Impactum Group. Its editors are Duncan Hooper and Ismail Akwei.

In his first public remarks since U.S. President Donald Trump announced a punitive 50% tariff on Indian goods.

The U.S. administration on Wednesday added an extra 25% duty on Indian imports, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil as the reason behind the move. The new tariff, which takes effect August 28, is among the steepest Washington has imposed on any trading partner.

While Modi did not directly reference the United States or mention the stalled trade talks, his remarks came across as a pointed response to the rising pressure from Washington.

Negotiations between the two countries collapsed after five rounds, with the U.S. demanding greater access to India’s farm and dairy markets and a halt to oil imports from Russia — terms New Delhi has resisted.