Commentary
Global Retaliation Rises as Trump Imposes New Tariffs

Canada, Mexico, and China have announced plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. This move comes in response to President Donald Trump’s recent imposition of a 25% tariff on exports from these nations to the United States, alongside a doubling of existing tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%.
The new tariffs imposed by the United States sparked a sharp decline in U.S. stock markets, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq all experiencing significant drops. These financial tremors underscore the immediate impact of Trump’s aggressive trade policy on global markets.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a robust response, with plans to implement a 25% tariff on $107 billion worth of American goods. This reaction comes despite Canada’s efforts to curtail the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., a key issue for Trump. Trudeau’s measures reflect a broader defense of Canadian economic interests and a rebuke of Trump’s tactics, which he views as a direct threat to the bilateral trade relationship.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also declared retaliatory tariffs, emphasizing that the U.S.’s actions lack any valid justification. Mexico’s response highlights the growing rift between the neighboring countries, exacerbated by Trump’s persistent focus on reducing illegal drug trafficking and migration as preconditions for favorable trade terms.
China, too, has firmly opposed the heightened U.S. tariffs, citing violations of World Trade Organization rules and a setback to bilateral economic relations. In retaliation, China announced new tariffs on a range of U.S. products including chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, starting March 10. This move signals Beijing’s readiness to defend its interests in the face of U.S. pressure.
The collective response from Canada, Mexico, and China illustrates a significant pushback against U.S. trade policy under Trump. These measures could disrupt economic activities and exacerbate inflationary pressures globally, affecting everything from agricultural exports to manufacturing and consumer prices.
As the situation unfolds, the global economic landscape remains uncertain. The U.S. faces potential isolation as its major trading partners unite in opposition to its tariff strategy. The upcoming European Union response and further negotiations will be crucial in shaping future international trade dynamics.
In summary, with significant implications for international relations and the global economy. The resolution of these tensions will require careful diplomacy and a reconsideration of the strategies currently employed by the Trump administration.
Commentary
“Obama Destroyed That S—”: New Book Exposes Fractured Dem Party and Post-2024 Fallout

New insider account reveals Obama’s damaging legacy on the Democratic Party, Harris-Obama tension, and the Clintons’ power plays after Biden’s exit.
A new political bombshell book, Fight, reveals Barack Obama’s fraught relationship with the Democratic Party, his reluctance to support Kamala Harris, and internal chaos following Trump’s 2024 re-election.
Inside the Democratic Implosion: How Obama’s Post-Presidency May Have Helped Trump Win Again
A bombshell political tell-all is ripping open the deep wounds inside the Democratic Party, exposing Barack Obama not as the party’s savior, but as one of the architects of its fragmentation. In Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, journalists Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes paint a stark portrait of a once-united coalition now crumbling under the weight of internal divisions, elite gatekeeping, and a rising tide of populist right-wing backlash.
One quote from a Black Democratic operative delivers the thesis bluntly: “Obama destroyed that s—.”
While the Clintons, Joe Biden, and others scrambled to “rebuild” party infrastructure post-2016 and keep the far-left at bay, Obama was focused on Organizing for Action, a parallel political machine that siphoned power and money away from the traditional Democratic establishment. Far from being the unifier many hoped for, the book describes Obama as disconnected, disinterested in internal party mechanics, and wary of a new Democratic vanguard rising from the grassroots.
Nowhere is this clearer than in his hesitant, almost reluctant backing of Kamala Harris in 2024. Despite Michelle Obama’s glowing support at the DNC, the book claims Obama delayed his endorsement until five days after Biden bowed out of the race — a slight that stung Harris and required behind-the-scenes “mending.” His reason? He didn’t think Harris could beat Trump.
That gamble proved catastrophic. Trump, fueled by economic backlash, populist messaging, and continued Democratic miscalculations, stormed back into office. And according to Fight, Obama still doesn’t grasp why.
The implications are enormous. As Democratic strategists scramble to find a post-Obama vision, the Clintons’ old-school machine politics are quietly reasserting control, leaving progressives sidelined and the party’s future increasingly uncertain.
Fight isn’t just a book. It’s a post-mortem for a political movement that once promised hope and change — and now finds itself rudderless, fractured, and outmaneuvered by Trump’s populist juggernaut.
Commentary
Markets Meltdown as Trump Digs In on Tariffs: “Get Rich or Get Lost”

As global backlash escalates, Trump retreats to Florida golf course, sends mixed signals on economic strategy while Wall Street and allies panic.
President Trump remains defiant amid global markets crash over his sweeping tariff plan, insisting on short-term pain for long-term gains—even as investors, allies, and the Fed sound alarms.
Defiant on the Green: Trump Shrugs as Tariff Turmoil Rattles Markets and Allies
As the Dow spiraled into correction and global retaliation ramped up, President Donald Trump spent Friday not in a strategy room, but teeing off in Florida, unmoved by Wall Street’s panic or the rising cries from corporate America. His vision of an economic “Liberation Day” has so far delivered carnage: a $2 trillion market sell-off, a wave of reciprocal tariffs, and a barrage of criticism from allies, CEOs, and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
But none of it is swaying Trump. In fact, it seems to be energizing him.
Posting from his Mar-a-Lago base, the president doubled down: “This is a great time to get rich, richer than ever before!” With that, he rolled into his golf course while markets bled red and world leaders lined up to retaliate.
Trump’s latest gambit—tariffs of up to 54% on Chinese imports and baseline 10% duties on all foreign goods—has triggered a geopolitical firestorm. Beijing hit back with a punishing 34% tax on U.S. products. France’s Macron called for halting European investment in the U.S. Canada, already fuming, received its own targeted swipe after some GOP senators dared to vote against Trump’s emergency declarations.
Even Trump’s own economic advisers are split. Peter Navarro and Scott Lutnick are fueling the fire, insisting this is a necessary reset of global trade norms. Others, like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, reportedly warned against the timing and scope. Their advice was ignored.
Business titans are fuming. CEOs from across sectors privately threaten lawsuits while fearing open retaliation. “There’s no endgame,” one CEO fumed, noting companies that relocated factories from China to Vietnam during Trump’s first term are now being punished again—with Vietnam slapped with a 46% tariff.
At the Fed, Powell issued a rare public rebuke: tariffs could lead to both inflation and job losses. Trump fired back, demanding a rate cut and accusing Powell of “playing politics.”
Insiders say Trump is sticking to instinct over analysis, motivated more by legacy and leverage than economic modeling. “I wouldn’t want to be the last country to negotiate with Trump,” his son Eric warned. Meanwhile, advisers scramble to refocus public attention on tax cuts for tips and overtime pay—a simpler sell than economic brinkmanship.
But for now, Trump seems unbothered by the chaos he’s unleashed. To critics, it’s reckless. To his base, it’s war-time leadership against a global system long seen as rigged. The only certainty? Trump isn’t backing down—and the markets know it.
For now, America’s trade war is being fought with tweets, tariffs, and titanium resolve—from the 18th hole.
Commentary
Somalia Expels Swedish Consul Anna Högberg

Consul Anna Högberg forced to leave Mogadishu after allegations of undermining Somali government image—aid future uncertain.
Somalia expels Sweden’s Consul Anna Högberg over alleged image damage to the government, escalating tensions and placing humanitarian cooperation in question.
Mogadishu Ousts Swedish Consul Anna Högberg in Rare Diplomatic Fallout
The Somali government has expelled Swedish Consul and head of development cooperation Anna Saleem Högberg, according to Global Bar Magazine. Though officials in Mogadishu have yet to issue a formal explanation, sources confirm that her expulsion in March was the culmination of months-long friction with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s office.
Högberg, who had been based in Somalia since 2022, managed Sweden’s humanitarian and institutional development programs—key components of Sweden’s long-term commitment to stabilizing Somalia. Her sudden removal has raised concerns about the future of aid operations in the country, especially at a time when Somalia is grappling with escalating security threats, food insecurity, and governance challenges.
Insiders say the Somali government accused Högberg of “damaging the government’s image,” a vague but politically loaded charge that appears to reflect growing sensitivity within Mogadishu’s leadership toward foreign involvement in domestic affairs.
Diplomatic observers suggest the expulsion is emblematic of a deeper shift: the Somali government’s desire to reassert control over foreign development narratives while navigating a volatile geopolitical environment. With the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud increasingly wary of criticism, even from long-time allies like Sweden, the room for foreign diplomats to maneuver is tightening.
Stockholm has remained officially silent, with both Sweden’s Foreign Ministry and its development agency Sida declining to comment. But the diplomatic fallout could have real-world implications. Sweden has played a major role in Somalia’s post-conflict reconstruction, investing in education, governance, and gender equity initiatives. The expulsion of its lead representative could hamper coordination and delay critical support.
As Somalia continues to fend off regional instability and internal political rivalries, this move could mark the beginning of a chill in its engagement with Western development partners. Whether other donor nations will reassess their footprint in the country remains to be seen—but the message from Mogadishu is clear: criticism, even if unspoken, may come at a cost.
Commentary
China’s Space Grab in Africa: How Beijing Is Winning the Final Frontier as Trump Slashes U.S. Aid

While Trump retreats, China plants its flag in Africa’s skies—building satellites, telescopes, and alliances to dominate space and surveillance.
As Trump guts foreign aid, China ramps up space partnerships across Africa, embedding surveillance tech and satellites that could shift the balance in the global space race—and military power.
Space for Sale: How China Is Colonizing Africa’s Skies as America Pulls Back
While the United States under President Trump slashes development aid and scales down soft power, China is quietly launching a space takeover in Africa—one satellite, telescope, and military-grade surveillance system at a time.
From a space lab outside Cairo to high-powered telescopes tracking orbital objects from Egyptian hilltops, China is embedding itself deep into Africa’s burgeoning space infrastructure. Beneath the banner of cooperation and development, Beijing is not just gifting technology—it’s harvesting data, expanding its global surveillance network, and establishing a strategic military and political footprint across the continent.
This is no secret to Washington. Intelligence veterans like Nicholas Eftimiades warn that China is “democratizing space to enhance its authoritarian capabilities”—a global dragnet cloaked in diplomacy. And it’s working. More than 23 African nations now partner with China on space ventures, from satellite launches and ground stations to a proposed joint moon base that openly rivals NASA’s Artemis program.
The Space City outside Cairo, where Chinese engineers outnumber locals, is emblematic. The “African-built” satellites launched there? Mostly assembled in China. Data ownership? Officially Egyptian—but insiders say Beijing still taps into the stream. It’s not just soft power—it’s hardware dominance with military consequences, including anti-satellite warfare readiness and real-time surveillance of joint U.S.-Egyptian exercises.
As China builds eyes in the sky, Trump’s America is going dark—cutting U.S. Agency for International Development funds and retreating from space diplomacy. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Elon Musk races ahead in military-grade satellite networks, but there’s little sign of the U.S. competing with China’s ground-level infiltration across Africa.
The result? A Cold War-style showdown in orbit, with Africa as the battlefield—and Trump’s retreat from development aid and soft power may have handed Beijing the launch codes for a new global order in space.
China isn’t just investing in Africa—it’s outsourcing its space program onto the continent, collecting data, projecting power, and rewriting the rules of 21st-century dominance. The moon may be next, but the race is already raging here on Earth. And right now, Beijing is winning.
Commentary
Djibouti: New Foreign Minister Appointed as Nation Rises on African Stage

President Guelleh’s strategic vision propels Djibouti’s global influence as Abdoulkader Houssein Omar takes the reins of foreign affairs.
Djibouti appoints Abdoulkader Houssein Omar as new foreign minister after Mahamoud Ali Youssouf’s historic election to the AU Commission. A diplomatic reshuffle signaling a new era in African leadership.
Djibouti’s Strategic Rise: New Foreign Minister, Same Master Plan
Djibouti just played another winning move on the grand chessboard of African diplomacy.
Following Mahamoud Ali Youssouf’s landmark election as chair of the African Union Commission, President Ismail Omar Guelleh swiftly appointed Abdoulkader Houssein Omar—former ambassador to Kuwait and Jordan—as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Kuwait FM receives Ambassador Abdoulkader Houssein Omar
Far from a routine reshuffle, this singular change is the continuation of a meticulously orchestrated strategy that’s propelling Djibouti from a coastal enclave to a continental powerhouse.

Ambassador Abdoulkader Houssein Omar presents his credentials to King Abdullah II
The elevation of Youssouf to lead the AU is no fluke. It was the result of deliberate diplomacy crafted in the heart of Djibouti’s presidential palace. Guelleh, long respected for his calm resolve and regional alliances—especially within the Francophone bloc—has once again demonstrated that Djibouti may be small, but it is no lightweight.
Abdoulkader steps into a foreign ministry reshaped by Youssouf’s two-decade legacy. His immediate challenge? Leverage Djibouti’s commanding location on the Red Sea to expand its influence even further across Africa, the Arab League, and the geopolitical triangle anchored by the U.S., China, and France—all of which maintain military bases on Djibouti soil.
“We are not talking about a ministerial reshuffle,” clarified presidential spokesman Alexis Mohamed. “This is the only change within the government.” But that lone shift signals far more than meets the eye.
Djibouti stands as a rare bastion of stability in a region marred by conflict—from Yemen’s firestorms across the sea to the fragile Horn of Africa inland. And now, with one hand steering the AU and another guiding foreign affairs, Djibouti is quietly crafting a model for what African diplomacy could become: coordinated, strategic, and unapologetically assertive.
The world should pay attention. The next chapter in African diplomacy may be written in Djibouti City.
From Vision to Victory: Djibouti’s Political Mastery as Youssouf Assumes AU Chair
Djibouti’s Mahamoud Secures Historic AU Commission Chairmanship
Why Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf Will Win the AU Chairmanship
Commentary
Trump’s National Security Team Caught Using Personal Emails for Military Ops

Top Trump officials reportedly used unsecured Gmail accounts and Signal to coordinate US military strikes, sparking national security outcry.
In a scandal that could dwarf Hillary Clinton’s infamous email saga, members of Donald Trump’s national security team—including his top adviser Mike Waltz—have reportedly used personal Gmail accounts to discuss sensitive military operations and national security matters, according to the Washington Post.
The revelation comes hot on the heels of the so-called “Signal-Gate”, when a journalist was accidentally added to a Signal group chat where senior White House officials—including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President J.D. Vance—were actively discussing real-time plans for US airstrikes in Yemen.
Now it gets worse.
The Post alleges that a senior aide to Waltz engaged in “highly technical conversations” via Gmail, including information on weapons systems and battlefield movements—content that experts warn could be “potentially exploitable” if intercepted.
This isn’t a minor protocol breach. It’s a massive operational security risk, and it flies in the face of government regulations that strictly require secure, government-issued communication platforms for such matters.
Waltz, now under fire, claims that he “didn’t and wouldn’t send classified information” through these accounts—but evidence suggests otherwise. His team allegedly coordinated meetings and posted fragments of his classified schedule into Signal messages, raising serious concerns among cybersecurity experts and Democrats alike.
The NSC attempted to downplay the leak, stating that Waltz copied messages to his government email “to ensure compliance,” while refusing to acknowledge whether sensitive intel was shared outside secure systems.
But that’s not washing with critics.
“The hypocrisy is staggering,” one Hill staffer told the media. “They spent years attacking Hillary over emails—and now Trump’s war council is texting about drone strikes like it’s a football group chat.”
Despite growing pressure, Trump is standing by his embattled team. “I don’t fire people because of fake news and because of witch hunts,” he said defiantly to NBC News.
But make no mistake: this is not just about emails. It’s about the chain of command being compromised, unauthorized communication during active military campaigns, and the alarming normalization of recklessness in U.S. national security.
And in an era of rising global tensions and cyber espionage, that’s not just dangerous—it’s damning.
Commentary
AUSSOM Exposes the Global Power Struggle Driving Somalia’s Next Conflict

The African Union’s new peace mission in Somalia—AUSSOM—faces early collapse from financing woes, geopolitical rivalries, and internal Somali divisions. Without unified support, another war-torn era may be inevitable.
As the African Union launches AUSSOM in Somalia, funding delays, fractured alliances, and donor fatigue threaten peace in a nation on the brink of renewed conflict.
The African Union’s latest intervention in Somalia, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), was meant to be a beacon of hope. Instead, it risks becoming the graveyard of yet another multilateral peace effort in a country that has bled through every alphabet soup of international missions: UNOSOM, AMISOM, ATMIS—and now AUSSOM.
This isn’t just about peacekeeping. AUSSOM is a geopolitical tug-of-war, with Somalia as the unwilling prize.
Despite being greenlit by the UN Security Council in January 2025, AUSSOM’s launch has already been kneecapped by financial chaos. The US—under its new Trump-era administration—has slammed the brakes on predictable UN financing, undermining Resolution 2719 and pushing for transitional mechanisms. Meanwhile, the EU, long the financial engine of African peace missions, is showing signs of donor fatigue, wary of throwing billions into what increasingly looks like a strategic black hole.
And while Western donors hesitate, regional powers like Turkey and Egypt are moving in aggressively—not to stabilize Somalia, but to carve it up into zones of influence. Each supports different militias and trains rival security units. Somalia, which should be focused on constitutional reform and integrating security forces, is now juggling a dozen foreign agendas and arming for the next round of internal warfare.
The Somali government’s own dysfunction only deepens the mess. From the federal feud with Puntland and Jubaland to the rising tensions with Somaliland, the country is imploding under the weight of conflicting visions and external meddling. Arrest warrants, firefights, and disputed elections define Somalia’s 2024-2025 political calendar. And into this minefield, AUSSOM has walked—underfunded, divided, and running out of time.
Without serious, coordinated multilateral support—especially financial—the AU mission could implode, leaving Somalia wide open to warlords, terrorists, and proxy powers. Gulf states and Turkey may hold the purse strings now, but the only thing they’re buying is fragmentation.
Qatar’s upcoming donor conference in April could be the last lifeline. But if the international community fails to unite around AUSSOM, Somalia may not survive another shattered peace mission. What comes next won’t be another transition—it will be a collapse.
Commentary
The Battle for Khartoum: Tracking Sudan’s War Over Two Years

As Sudan marks two years of brutal civil war, foreign powers fuel the bloodshed while peace talks stall and civilians suffer in silence.
Two years into Sudan’s devastating civil war, the death toll mounts, millions are displaced, and outside powers pour in weapons. With no peace in sight, this forgotten conflict risks exploding across the Horn of Africa.
It began on April 15, 2023 — a power struggle between two armed men that has now devolved into one of the deadliest and most neglected wars on earth. But Sudan’s war is no longer about two generals. It’s about a nation on fire, a people abandoned, and a global community complicit in silence.
Khartoum, once the beating heart of Sudan, has become a battleground of smoke, starvation, and shattered lives. In just two years, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have turned the country into a graveyard. Over 60,000 are believed dead. Over 14 million have fled their homes. More than 30 million are in urgent need of aid. And yet, the world shrugs.
Sudan’s War Is Not a Crisis — It’s a Catastrophe Ignored
What makes Sudan’s descent so uniquely tragic is the cynical choreography behind it. This isn’t just a civil war — it’s a proxy war. Foreign governments have chosen their warlords and are feeding them weapons: Saudi Arabia backing SAF’s al-Burhan, the UAE reportedly arming the RSF’s Hemedti through Chad. Egypt, Libya, Iran, and Russia each have stakes in the chaos. Sudan isn’t just bleeding — it’s being bled for influence.
Even worse, Sudan has become the battlefield for Middle East rivalries playing out thousands of miles away. The power vacuum left by Omar al-Bashir’s fall in 2019 became fertile ground for regional kingmakers and shadow donors. Civilians now pay the price for alliances they never asked for and battles they never started.
Meanwhile, peace talks are little more than political theatre. Jeddah, Switzerland, Addis — all have hosted failed negotiations, stifled by foreign interests and lack of neutrality. The UN left in 2024. There is no peacekeeping force, no humanitarian corridors, no international protection. Calls for “green zones” have gone unanswered. Children are dying in bombed-out hospitals. Entire towns are wiped off the map. Aid workers are targeted. And the African Union stands paralyzed.
The Sudanese war isn’t just a human tragedy. It’s a geopolitical warning shot. As the RSF creeps westward and SAF targets airports in Chad, the risk of regional spillover grows dangerously real. Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan — all sit on the edge of a firestorm.
Sudan is the canary in the coal mine of Africa’s security. And right now, the canary is dying.
The world may be watching Gaza, Ukraine, and the Red Sea — but in Sudan, a slow-motion genocide is unfolding in the dark. If nothing changes, it won’t be long before Sudan’s war becomes the Horn of Africa’s collapse.
The time to act was yesterday. The price of inaction will be catastrophic tomorrow.
Study Reveals Sudan’s Civil War Death Toll Far Higher Than Previously Reported
Sudan’s Man-Made Famine: A Humanitarian Crisis in a Conflict-Ravaged Nation
Sexual Violence Used as Weapon of War Throughout Conflict in Sudan
Ethnic Cleansing Unleashed in Darfur: Sudanese Paramilitary Forces Accused of Horrific Atrocities
Sudan’s Military Repels Assault by Paramilitary Forces in el-Fasher
What’s Sudan like after 15 months of war, displacement, and inhumanity?
At Least 85 Killed in Sudan Village Attack by Paramilitary Forces
Sudan’s Al-Burhan Rejects Peace Talks, Promises to Fight for a Century
Human Rights Watch Accuses Sudan’s RSF of War Crimes in South Kordofan
Understanding the Urgency: Why the World Must Pay Closer Attention to Sudan
Sudan’s Power Shift: Army Captures Presidential Palace Amidst National Crisis
A Deep Dive into the Roots of Sudan’s Civil War and Its Impact on Regional Stability
How Militia Groups Capture States and Ruin Countries: The Case of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces
Nile Waters Divide Widens as Egypt and Sudan Reject New Basin Agreement
World Bank Cuts 2024 Growth Forecast for sub-Saharan Africa Over Sudan
Sudan Punishes Kenya for Hosting RSF Group by Suspending all Imports
Sudan: U.S. Withdraws Nonessential Staff Amid Escalating Tensions
Sudanese Opposition Leader Detained in Kenya on Interpol Warrant
How a Key Ingredient in Coca-Cola, M&M’s is Smuggled From War-torn Sudan
Sudanese Warlords Likely To Be No-Shows at Geneva Peace Talks
-
Analysis4 weeks ago
Saudi Arabia’s Billion-Dollar Bid for Eritrea’s Assab Port
-
ASSESSMENTS5 days ago
Operation Geel Exposes the Truth: International Community’s Reluctance to Embrace Somaliland as a Strategic Ally
-
Somaliland2 months ago
Somaliland and UAE Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
-
Africa12 months ago
How Somaliland Could Lead the Global Camel Milk Industry
-
Analysis12 months ago
Iran escalates conflict, attacking Israel; US forces help Israel to intercept Iranian projectiles
-
Top stories10 months ago
Gunmen Kill 11 in Southeastern Nigeria Attack, Army Reports
-
Analysis12 months ago
Israel and Iran on Edge: Tensions Escalate Amidst Rising Threats
-
TECH10 months ago
Zimbabwe Approves Licensing of Musk’s Starlink Internet Service