On the international stage, sanctions have isolated Iran, limiting its ability to trade and access global financial markets. However, Iran has found ways around some restrictions, particularly by selling oil to China, one of its most important trade partners. Iran also works closely with Russia, especially in Syria, and has some potential opportunities to improve relations with European countries
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Trump’s foreign policy, outlined in the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance, represents a bold shift in American power. By focusing on China and the Indo-Pacific, he aims to address what he sees as the biggest geopolitical challenge of the 21st century, believing that pulling back from other regions will be worth it.
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Bangladesh became an independent country in 1971 after a tough fight for freedom. Since then, it has struggled to build a strong democracy. The country’s voting system, which is supposed to be the foundation of its democracy, has instead become a source of problems and frustrations, showing both the hopes and difficulties of its people….
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Trump’s idea is really stirring things up. It If the U.S. took control, it could turn the Arctic into a military area, angering Russia, which has a large fleet there. It could boost mining and possibly double Greenland’s economy in ten years, but it could also harm the environment—melting ice already releases 400 billion tons of water into the sea each year. Denmark could suffer, losing 1% of its economy tied to Greenland, which might lead to a nationalist reaction. Globally, it could make taking land seem acceptable again, weakening international rules. For Greenland, it could speed up the push for independence to avoid U.S. control, but without Danish financial support, its fishing industry wouldn’t be enough to survive.
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Behind the promises of cooperation, China has its own long-term goals. One key objective is securing a strong position in the Bay of Bengal. By modernising Mongla Port and expanding BRI-related projects, China is making sure it has better trade and possibly even military access to the Indian Ocean. The statement’s talk about “smart port construction” and “logistics connectivity” could mean that China is planning to develop dual-use infrastructure, similar to what it did in Gwadar (Pakistan) and Hambantota (Sri Lanka). This could make Bangladesh a central part of China’s regional strategy, but it also risks dragging Dhaka into the China-India rivalry.
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Starlink’s impact on Bangladesh could go in different directions. In a best-case scenario, it could help close the digital gap, connecting 20 million rural homes by 2030. This would boost freelance earnings by $5 billion by 2030 and increase GDP growth by 1.5% annually. However, there is also a risk that China could respond by pulling back from BRI projects, while India might tighten border security. Domestically, Starlink’s high cost could deepen economic inequality, making internet access even more of a privilege.
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For decades, Palestinians have turned to the UN for support, but its resolutions often go nowhere. The U.S. has vetoed 46 Security Council measures critical of Israel since 1972, continuing this trend in 2025. Meanwhile, Russia and China use the conflict to challenge Washington. The 2002 peace roadmap stalled due to mistrust, and past negotiations—like the Oslo Accords (1993) and Camp David (2000)—collapsed over disputes about Jerusalem and Israeli settlements. The 2020 Abraham Accords improved Israel’s ties with the UAE and Bahrain but ignored Palestinian concerns, offering diplomacy without a real solution. Without strong enforcement or genuine compromise, these efforts remain empty gestures.
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Governance becomes untenable when media prioritizes sensationalism over facts. The Iraq War provides a stark example. Legacy media uncritically amplified fabricated claims of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), with The New York Times running front-page articles based on anonymous intelligence sources. The truth was different: UN inspector Hans Blix found no WMDs before the 2003 invasion, yet by 2004, a PIPA study showed 57% of Americans still believed Iraq possessed such weapons—a testament to the media’s influence. The consequence? Over 4,000 US troops and 100,000+ Iraqi civilians perished, while trust in Western governance eroded. By 2007, only 19% of Britons trusted their government, per Ipsos Mori.
The media’s role in exacerbating racial tensions became glaring in the wake of the 2020 George Floyd riots. While outlets like CNN and The Guardian highlighted police brutality, they largely ignored the widespread rioting that caused $2 billion in damages, as estimated by AXA Insurance. The selective narrative deepened racial divisions; a Pew Research poll found that by year’s end, 73% of white Americans felt race relations had worsened, up from 44% before Floyd’s death. Rather than fostering understanding, the media amplified discord.
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Beyond the Asian giants, the Middle East stands as Bangladesh’s quiet yet crucial economic anchor. With over 2 million Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, the region’s remittances total £12 billion annually, forming 15% of Bangladesh’s GDP. Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) meets 20% of Dhaka’s energy needs, reinforcing an economic lifeline that predates Bangladesh’s independence. Early diplomatic recognition from Gulf states and humanitarian assistance during crises like the 1974 famine have solidified ties, yet the relationship remains largely transactional.
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Economically, Syria is a corpse. The World Bank confirms 90% of its 22 million people live in poverty, with half its hospitals ruined and electricity sporadic. The EU’s £2.1 billion pledge on 24 February, per the Middle East Institute, is a pittance against a £315 billion rebuilding cost. US sanctions, unyielded despite HTS’s pleas, choke recovery, a cruel relic of deep-state spite. Russia, hobbled by Ukraine, clings to Tartus but offers little; China dangles Belt and Road promises but hesitates. HTS’s economic vision—330 diplomatic engagements by February, per the Washington Institute—flounders as the Syrian pound stabilises at 9,000 to the dollar, a frail improvement from 15,000, yet still dire.
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