United States
— Donald Trump’s return heralds dramatic shifts in US foreign policy, blending bluster, deal-making, and strategic disengagement from Europe and the Middle East, while intensifying Western Hemisphere dominance and China confrontation.
US Politics
OPINION
— Democrats’ 2024 loss highlights their failure to embrace the “MAGA lesson”: unwavering loyalty to leadership. By abandoning Joe Biden and over-relying on Kamala Harris, they handed Donald Trump a decisive victory.
Long-Read
— National populism, fuelled by media-backed disinformation, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and libertarian ideologies, threatens democracies globally by eroding institutions, fostering fear, and exploiting divisions.
US Politics
— Donald Trump’s unpredictability, as demonstrated during his first presidency, leaves global leaders uncertain about his potential actions in his second mandate. His approach mirrors game theory’s “chicken game,” where risk-taking can deter adversaries.
US Immigration
— President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to accelerate the pace of U.S. military shipbuilding. However, his commitment to tightening immigration controls could exacerbate the labour shortages already plaguing the U.S. shipbuilding industry, potentially jeopardising production schedules.
Censorship
— Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes has left The Washington Post following the newspaper’s decision to withhold her satirical cartoon targeting Jeff Bezos and other tech moguls’ perceived deference to Donald Trump.
US Politics
— Polling accuracy in the U.S. presidential election faced criticism, despite improved performance over 2020. Small errors in a tight race amplified perceived inaccuracies, but swing state polls generally proved reliable, reflecting a close contest, Professor John Curtice explains.
COMMENT
— Elon Musk’s attacks on the US spending bill, labelling it “criminal” and urging electoral consequences for supporting lawmakers, highlight troubling parallels with “state capture,” exposing risks to American political integrity.
COMMENT
— Donald Trump’s administration is appointing media figures like Kari Lake, Pete Hegseth, and Mehmet Oz to key roles, emphasising communication skills over journalistic integrity, raising concerns about credibility and impartiality.
COMMENT
— Donald Trump appears inspired by Argentina’s Javier Milei, whose extreme state-shrinking measures include deep budget cuts and dismantling ministries. While admired by some, the “Argentine recipe” may not suit America.
COMMENT
— Donald Trump’s global impact is divisive, with world leaders expressing mixed reactions. Europe grapples with populist surges; Russia sees opportunity; Ukraine fears abandonment; China anticipates trade clashes, while India remains cautiously optimistic.
US Politics
— Donald Trump’s second-term cabinet selection prioritises loyalty over expertise, featuring controversial figures linked to divisive rhetoric, legal investigations, and potential conflicts of interest, sparking debate over governance suitability and policy implications.
US Politics
— Elon Musk’s growing influence as Donald Trump’s advisor raises concerns among free speech advocates, who argue Musk’s prosecution threats against critics may stifle dissent and jeopardise First Amendment protections.
OPINION
— Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, marked by his divisive platform, dishonesty, and lack of accountability, leads B. Jay Cooper to argue that Trump’s conduct contradicts American values and lacks presidential integrity.
US Politics
— Donald Trump’s economic policies on tariffs, immigration, and tax cuts could unintentionally reignite inflation, economists warn, despite initial success in curbing it. These measures risk raising prices and fuelling economic strain.
US Politics & Religion
— An evangelical religious movement views Donald Trump as a divinely chosen leader fighting against perceived demonic forces in America. Mainstream Christian groups criticise this stance, warning that it risks polarising faith and politics.
