Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Silicon Valley’s Pivot Toward Trump Sparks New Alliances

Amazon’s $1 million pledge to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration signals a dramatic shift in its approach to political engagement. Historically critical of Trump, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos now joins a growing number of tech leaders fostering relationships with the incoming administration.

The donation, split between cash and in-kind streaming services on Amazon Video, comes amidst a broader thaw in relations. Bezos, who previously sparred with Trump over The Washington Post and antitrust concerns, has recently softened his stance. His public praise for Trump’s resilience during a summer assassination attempt and his decision to refrain from endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election have fueled speculation of a calculated rapprochement.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has followed a similar path. Once banning Trump from its platforms, Meta recently donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, with Zuckerberg engaging in private discussions at Mar-a-Lago. Both tech magnates face accusations of seeking favor with the president-elect, as their companies navigate antitrust scrutiny and political pressures.

This pivot reflects Silicon Valley’s pragmatic response to Trump’s rising influence, potentially reshaping tech-political dynamics for years to come. However, the public backlash, including staff resignations and canceled subscriptions at The Washington Post, underscores the contentiousness of these alliances.

Hormuud Telecom, Somalia’s largest telecommunications provider, is advancing its commitment to renewable energy by developing solar-powered data centers, a key move to support both local and global AI economies. The company’s forward-looking approach reflects a drive to modernize Somalia’s tech infrastructure amid the country’s challenging socio-political environment.

Hormuud operates 11 solar-powered data centers that supply 10 megawatt-hours of energy, with up to 95% derived from solar power during daylight. Plans for expansion are tied to the rising demand for AI-powered solutions, which require robust data processing capabilities. Somalia’s abundant sunlight positions the nation as a unique player in the green tech revolution, with Hormuud leveraging this advantage.

Since its inception in 2002, Hormuud has been a cornerstone of Somalia’s connectivity revolution. The firm co-financed two of the four submarine cables landing on Somalia’s shores and expanded fiber-optic connectivity to major cities. By 2025, Hormuud aims to roll out 5G technology to reach 70% of Somalia’s population, ensuring faster connectivity and supporting the AI-based ecosystem.

Despite operating in a country grappling with security concerns, infrastructure deficits, and economic instability, Hormuud’s CEO Ahmed Mohamud Yusuf emphasizes Somalia’s untapped potential. The company’s ability to sustain operations and innovate in such an environment reflects a combination of local resilience and strategic investment.

Hormuud serves 4 million customers, accounting for 20% of Somalia’s population, and contributes significantly to the country’s development. Over the past five years, the firm has facilitated $1 billion in humanitarian aid distribution. This dual focus on profit and community development underscores its pivotal role in Somalia’s recovery and modernization.

Hormuud’s expansion into green data centers aligns with global sustainability goals and positions Somalia as an emerging hub for AI innovations in Africa. By addressing key infrastructure gaps and embracing renewable energy, Hormuud is not only enhancing Somalia’s tech landscape but also setting a standard for sustainable practices in regions with similar challenges.

This bold strategy could serve as a model for other developing nations aiming to balance technological advancement with sustainability.

The United States government has revealed that a large-scale hacking operation attributed to a Chinese state-linked group, known as Salt Typhoon, has compromised global telecommunications networks. Officials from the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) disclosed Tuesday that the breach, which began in late spring, remains active and is potentially more extensive than initially thought.

Salt Typhoon’s efforts were detected in the spring and officially announced in October. The group is believed to have infiltrated at least 80 telecommunications and internet providers, including major U.S. companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. By gaining access to sensitive telecom infrastructure, hackers targeted U.S. political figures, national security data, and private communications.

Among the stolen data were call records, private communications, and U.S. court orders submitted under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). These court orders, which allow intelligence collection through telecom providers, have raised questions about whether the breach extended to classified surveillance operations under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). FBI officials have not confirmed this directly.

Although officials did not disclose all affected individuals, reports suggest that the phones of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance were compromised during the election period. The hack has also disrupted critical data flow in the “Capital Region” and impacted political leaders across the U.S.

Internationally, Salt Typhoon leveraged servers across multiple countries to facilitate its activities. However, the U.K. declined to join the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing group’s joint advisory, opting instead for an independent approach to addressing vulnerabilities in its telecommunications infrastructure.

U.S. officials are urging Americans to adopt encrypted communication methods and enhance personal cybersecurity. “We cannot say with certainty that the adversary has been evicted,” noted Jeff Greene, CISA’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity. This highlights ongoing vulnerabilities as agencies scramble to contain the breach.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner (D-Va.) called the hack the “most serious breach in our history,” while Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) warned that most unencrypted communications could be subject to review by the Chinese government. The bipartisan urgency underscores the gravity of the intrusion.

This breach reflects a broader trend of cyberattacks from state-sponsored entities targeting critical infrastructure globally. Beyond the immediate political and security risks, this incident raises concerns about the resilience of global telecom systems against increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats.

For the U.S. and its allies, the breach not only necessitates a coordinated international response but also emphasizes the importance of modernizing cyber defense measures to mitigate future risks.

Interpol’s recent Operation Serengeti marked a significant milestone in the fight against cybercrime in Africa, resulting in the arrest of over 1,000 suspects across 19 countries. This large-scale effort, conducted in partnership with Afripol, not only disrupted criminal networks but also highlighted the growing sophistication and financial impact of cybercrime on the continent and globally.

Scope and Success of Operation Serengeti

The operation, conducted from September to October, targeted a wide array of cybercrimes, including ransomware attacks, business email compromise (BEC), digital extortion, and online scams. The results were staggering, with authorities identifying tens of thousands of victims and financial damages nearing $193 million worldwide.

The arrest of 1,006 individuals represents a significant leap compared to prior operations in Africa, which had netted only 25 arrests over the last two years. This dramatic improvement underscores the increasing capacity of African law enforcement to collaborate with international partners, leverage intelligence, and deliver tangible results in combating cybercrime.

Notable Cases and Criminal Tactics

Among the high-profile cases were:

Kenya: Nearly two dozen arrests in connection with an online credit card fraud operation causing $8.6 million in losses.

Senegal: The dismantling of a $6 million online Ponzi scheme involving five Chinese nationals.

Cameroon: A network exploiting multi-level marketing scams for human trafficking.

Nigeria: A cryptocurrency investment scam targeting victims internationally.

These cases reveal the diversity of cybercriminal tactics, from traditional scams and fraud to more complex schemes involving cryptocurrency and virtual platforms.

Emerging Challenges in Cybercrime

The operation also highlighted emerging threats, including AI-driven malware and advanced cyberattack techniques. These developments pose significant challenges for law enforcement, requiring continual adaptation and investment in cyber capabilities.

Afripol’s focus on these new threats signals a proactive approach to addressing the rapidly evolving landscape of cybercrime. However, it also underscores the need for enhanced resources, training, and cross-border collaboration to keep pace with these developments.

A Global Effort with Local Impact

Operation Serengeti demonstrated the importance of partnerships between global organizations like Interpol and regional bodies such as Afripol. Collaboration with private sector players, including internet service providers, also proved crucial in tracking suspects and disrupting operations.

Despite its successes, Interpol faces ongoing challenges, including limited funding compared to other international agencies like Europol and the FBI. These financial constraints make sustained progress against cybercrime dependent on resourceful partnerships and innovative approaches.

Future Implications

The operation’s success sends a clear message that cybercriminals operating in Africa can no longer act with impunity. It also establishes a foundation for more robust regional and international cooperation in combating online crime. However, as cybercriminal tactics evolve, so too must the strategies of law enforcement.

Moving forward, expanding technological capabilities, addressing funding gaps, and fostering stronger international collaboration will be critical to maintaining momentum in the fight against cybercrime in Africa and beyond.

Amazon has announced an additional $4 billion investment in Anthropic, a San Francisco-based AI startup founded by former OpenAI executives. This latest funding doubles Amazon’s total commitment to $8 billion, underscoring its deepening partnership with one of OpenAI’s most prominent competitors. Despite the significant financial backing, Amazon will remain a minority stakeholder in the company.

The partnership also makes Amazon Web Services (AWS) Anthropic’s primary cloud provider and training partner. Going forward, Anthropic will leverage AWS’s Trainium and Inferentia chips to train and deploy its most advanced AI models, according to an Amazon blog post.

Raising the Stakes in the AI Arms Race

Anthropic, best known for its Claude chatbot, has emerged as a key player in the fiercely competitive generative AI market. Its Claude models rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, as startups and tech giants alike race to dominate a sector projected to surpass $1 trillion in revenue over the next decade.

Amazon joins peers like Microsoft and Google in pairing major investments in AI startups with in-house AI development. Notably, AWS customers will gain early access to a standout Anthropic feature: the ability to fine-tune Claude models with proprietary data. This offering is designed to attract businesses seeking customized AI solutions, marking a unique advantage for AWS clients.

A Transformative Year for Anthropic

The additional funding follows a banner year for Anthropic, which has consistently pushed the boundaries of AI capabilities. Last month, the company introduced groundbreaking “Computer Use” functionality in its latest models, allowing AI agents to perform complex, multi-step tasks on a computer—mimicking human actions like navigating software, entering text, and browsing the internet in real time.

“This tool can use computers in basically the same way we do,” said Jared Kaplan, Anthropic’s chief science officer, in an interview with CNBC. Kaplan emphasized that these AI agents could complete tasks involving “tens or even hundreds of steps.”

Amazon had early access to the feature, and beta testers included well-known companies such as Asana, Canva, and Notion. Kaplan noted that development of this capability began earlier this year.

Anthropic’s growth trajectory includes other notable milestones. In September, the company launched Claude Enterprise, an AI platform tailored for businesses. Earlier in the year, it unveiled Claude 3.5 Sonnet, a more powerful iteration of its AI model, and introduced a “Team” plan to cater to smaller businesses.

Building on Strategic Alliances

Amazon’s relationship with Anthropic has steadily evolved. Its initial $1.25 billion investment in September 2023 marked the beginning of the collaboration, followed by a $2.75 billion contribution in March 2024—Amazon’s largest external investment in its history.

This partnership, however, does not grant Amazon a seat on Anthropic’s board, allowing the AI startup to retain operational independence.

Anthropic has also attracted significant backing from Google, which committed $2 billion in 2022 and holds a 10% stake alongside a large cloud agreement. These dual alliances reflect Anthropic’s ability to navigate partnerships with multiple tech behemoths while maintaining a competitive edge.

Shaping the Future of AI

Amazon’s latest investment signals its intent to remain at the forefront of the AI revolution. By bolstering Anthropic’s capabilities and securing early access to transformative tools, Amazon is positioning AWS as a dominant player in the generative AI ecosystem.

For Anthropic, the influx of funding and strategic partnerships enable it to refine its technology and expand its market presence. As the company continues to innovate, its Claude models are set to challenge the industry’s biggest names, reshaping the landscape of artificial intelligence.

Somaliland is emerging as a beacon of potential, rich in untapped resources and poised for a transformative future. With its strategic location, stable governance, and a wealth of natural assets, this region is quickly becoming an attractive destination for foreign investors. As President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro leads the charge for Somaliland’s recognition on the global stage, the time is ripe for international investors, particularly from dynamic economies like USA, to engage with this promising territory.

Somaliland’s landscape is dotted with significant reserves of oil and various minerals, including gypsum, limestone, salt, and iron ore. The promise of these natural resources presents a unique opportunity to catalyze economic growth and job creation. By investing in sustainable extraction technologies, foreign investors can not only harness these resources but also contribute to the development of local economies, laying the groundwork for a prosperous future.

Situated along the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland enjoys a prime geographic advantage, serving as a natural hub for trade that connects Africa with the Middle East and beyond. This strategic position makes it an ideal location for logistics and commerce, further enhancing its appeal to potential investors. Coupled with a youthful population eager to adapt and innovate, Somaliland offers a workforce that is primed to meet the demands of various sectors, including technology and agriculture.

To effectively attract foreign investment, Somaliland must embrace the power of storytelling—crafting a narrative that resonates with prospective investors. This story should highlight the region’s vision for growth, showcasing local entrepreneurs who have thrived against all odds. By sharing these success stories, Somaliland can illustrate its resilience and potential, inviting investors to join in its journey.

The cultural richness of Somaliland is another key facet of this narrative. The warmth and hospitality of its people are a vital part of the experience, making the region an inviting place for businesses to establish roots and foster meaningful connections. As Somaliland strives for international recognition, it is crucial to underline the political stability and governance structures that have allowed it to maintain peace and security, making it a more attractive locale for investment.

To further bolster interest from global investors, Somaliland could benefit from the establishment of a dedicated investment promotion agency—a one-stop shop to provide tailored support and information about investment opportunities. This initiative could include the development of a robust digital presence through social media and targeted outreach, ensuring the narrative of Somaliland’s potential reaches audiences far and wide.

Hosting international investment forums presents another avenue for engagement, inviting business leaders from around the world, especially from tech sector, to explore opportunities firsthand. Networking events can facilitate connections that ignite collaborations and encourage dialogue about Somaliland’s investment potential.

In particular, the tech industry stands poised to thrive in Somaliland. Companies in fields like agritech, health tech, and fintech can find fertile ground for innovation and growth. By providing customized incentives, such as tax breaks and partnership models with local businesses, Somaliland can create an inviting atmosphere for investment.

A collaboration with international organizations can further lend credibility to Somaliland’s efforts. Partnerships with influential entities such as the World Bank or the African Development Bank can enhance visibility and provide a sense of security for potential investors, showcasing a commitment to sustainable practices and innovation.

At its core, the story of Somaliland is one of resilience and opportunity. As President Irro’s government embarks on this new chapter, global investors—especially those from UK, and EU—are invited to discover the vast resources and investment opportunities that await. This is more than just a financial decision; it is a chance to forge connections with a community eager for growth, innovation, and partnership.

As the world turns its gaze toward Somaliland,  join in unlocking the full potential of this extraordinary region. Together, investors and Somaliland can build a promising future, establish a unique narrative of success, and elevate Somaliland on the global stage as a vibrant hub for investment and development. Now is the time to be part of this transformative journey.

In a quiet Mogadishu café or halfway across the globe in Minneapolis, a Somali teenager opens TikTok. Onscreen, two young influencers—a pair of Generation Z stars whose faces betray none of Somalia’s storied scars—are locked in a battle. But this isn’t a contest of dance moves or viral pranks; it’s a digital duel deeply rooted in Somalia’s tumultuous history.

Armed with poetry, songs, and searing commentary, these “players” aren’t just vying for likes. They’re competing for clan supremacy in what has become an unsettling spectacle of modernity colliding with Somalia’s divisive past. Known as “clan debates” or “The Big Tribal Game,” these live TikTok battles are captivating tens of thousands within Somalia and across its vast diaspora.

Yet, beneath the surface of emojis and virtual gifts lies a dangerous undercurrent. For a nation still haunted by civil war, where clan identities have fueled decades of violence, these performances risk reigniting old flames in new, unpredictable ways.

Tradition Meets Technology

To the untrained eye, these live battles resemble any other social media competition—playful rivalries punctuated by virtual applause. But their content is anything but lighthearted. Contestants extol the virtues of their clan, weaving praise into lyrical feats of Somali oral tradition, only to unleash biting critiques of their opponent’s lineage, history, or honor.

Supporters flood the screen with digital gifts, their allegiances clear, while the “loser” is forced to concede the dominance of another clan. For many, it’s an entertaining spectacle, a way for Somali youth to reconnect with traditions through modern platforms. But for others, it’s a chilling echo of the past.

Digital Echoes of a Violent History

For Somalia, a nation still navigating the scars of a civil war that has claimed half a million lives and displaced millions more, the emergence of such online feuds has struck a nerve.

“Back when I left Somalia, it was the guns terrorizing the community,” recalls Mukhtar Hassan Olad, who fled Mogadishu for Sweden in 2003. “Now, it’s the smartphone.”

Olad, 43, watches these TikTok contests with unease, the memories of his war-torn homeland still fresh. “Instead of using TikTok to empower and educate Somalis, they’d rather fuel clan hatred—the same hatred that ripped their country apart,” he laments.

Abdirashid Osman Mohamed, who was displaced by clan conflict in Lower Shabelle and now resides in a camp near Mogadishu, shares similar concerns. He recalls how online rhetoric often preceded real-world violence.

“First, they insult the clan. Then, they say we don’t belong here,” he explains. “I was born and raised in this land. How can someone all the way in Europe rally their clan against us?”

The Diaspora’s Role

In Somalia’s modern history, clans have been more than familial identities; they’ve shaped politics, social hierarchies, and territorial control. This influence extends into the diaspora, where smartphones and social media have become tools for both connection and division.

When clan-based violence erupted in Somaliland in 2023, members of the Somali diaspora in Europe and the United States didn’t just observe—they acted. From funding factions to spreading propaganda, their involvement underscored the global reach of Somalia’s internal disputes.

According to the World Bank, nearly 30% of Somalis were online in 2022. This growing connectivity has amplified the reach of clan rivalries, offering a global stage for disputes once confined to local villages or family gatherings.

Spectacle and Consequence

“The Big Tribal Game thrives on the spectacle of confrontation,” explains Dr. Jethro Norman of the Danish Institute for International Studies. “It pits individuals against each other in a public forum, trading insults tied to clan identity. For viewers, it’s both entertainment and an assertion of their own grievances.”

However, the consequences extend far beyond the screen. The online bravado that fuels these battles risks escalating into real-world violence. While regulations in the U.S. and EU aim to curb hate speech, they often fall short in addressing the nuanced, clan-based dynamics of Somali conflicts.

A Dangerous Crossroads

For Somalia, TikTok’s clan battles are both a reflection of its enduring struggles and a warning about the power of technology to amplify division. As Mukhtar Hassan Olad notes, these contests aren’t just harmless entertainment—they’re a reminder of the deep wounds that still linger.

The digital age offers Somalia a chance to bridge its fractured past, connecting its youth with the beauty of their culture and traditions. But as long as platforms like TikTok are weaponized for rivalry, the scars of yesterday may never fully heal.

What remains to be seen is whether Somalia’s vibrant youth will seize this opportunity to rewrite their narrative or let history repeat itself in the glow of a smartphone screen.

The European Commission has fined Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, €840.24 million ($840 million) for violating European Union antitrust rules by leveraging its dominant social network to promote its classified ads service, Facebook Marketplace. The decision, announced Thursday, marks a significant regulatory action against one of the world’s largest tech companies.

The Commission found that Meta engaged in anti-competitive behavior by bundling Facebook Marketplace with its core social media platform, effectively forcing users of Facebook to access the Marketplace feature. It also accused Meta of imposing unfair trading conditions on rival online classified ad platforms, hindering their ability to compete.

“Meta’s practices resulted in the tying of Facebook Marketplace to Facebook, restricting competition in online classified ads services,” the Commission said in a statement. These actions, the Commission argued, violated EU antitrust laws and disadvantaged competitors in the growing digital marketplace sector.

Meta has announced its intention to appeal the ruling, claiming that the Commission’s argument disregards the voluntary nature of Marketplace usage. “Facebook users can choose whether to engage with Marketplace, and many do not,” the company said in a statement. Meta also asserted that the EU’s case lacked evidence of actual harm to competitors, despite claims that the integration of Marketplace with Facebook had the potential to stifle competition.

However, the company confirmed that it would comply with the decision while the appeal is underway and pledged to “work quickly and constructively to launch a solution which addresses the points raised.”

The fine follows a two-year investigation launched by the European Commission in 2021, which raised concerns in late 2022 about the integration of Facebook Marketplace with the broader Facebook platform. Regulators argued that this bundling created an unfair advantage by exploiting Facebook’s massive user base to promote its classified ad service, leaving competitors at a disadvantage.

Meta launched Facebook Marketplace in 2016 and expanded the service into European markets the following year. By tying Marketplace to Facebook, the Commission argued, Meta exploited its social media dominance to give its classified ads service an edge over other established players in the sector.

Under EU antitrust rules, companies can face fines of up to 10% of their global turnover for violations. While Meta’s fine amounts to a fraction of its revenue, the decision underscores the EU’s commitment to regulating Big Tech and fostering competition in digital markets.

The case also highlights the increasing scrutiny facing technology companies over how they integrate their services. The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect this year, seeks to address similar issues by designating certain tech giants as “gatekeepers” subject to strict rules against self-preferencing and unfair practices.

Meta’s appeal could set a precedent for how future cases involving bundled services are assessed. For now, the company must address the Commission’s concerns, either by decoupling Facebook Marketplace from the social media platform or implementing measures to ensure fair competition.

This decision serves as a reminder of the EU’s ongoing efforts to curb the influence of dominant tech firms and ensure a level playing field in the digital economy. Whether Meta’s compliance will satisfy regulators and foster fairer competition in the online classified ads market remains to be seen.