Category Archives: OPINION

Dollar dominance under threat from Trump

Dollar dominance under threat from Trump

The US dollar’s dominance as the world’s ulitmate safe-haven currency is being “shaken and severely tested,” warns the CEO of global financial advisory giant, deVere Group. Nigel Green says that President Trump’s erratic policy decisions—tariffs, geopolitical clashes, aggressive deportations, and radical interventions with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—are accelerating the global shift away from the dollar. Investors are scrambling for alternatives, and the consequences could become permanent. “The dollar has long been the anchor of global finance, but Trump’s actions are eroding confidence at a stunning pace. The world is watching the US turn inward with protectionism, trade wars, and erratic diplomacy. “The market response is already in motion. The dollar has slumped to a four-month low, despite Trump’s rhetoric that tariffs would ‘make America stronger.’ “Instead, the world is

Trump’s hostage diplomacy: Strategy or empty threat?

US President Donald Trump meets with a delegation of former hostages in the Oval Office, and shows off a plaque of gratitude from Hostage Families Forum, March 5, 2025. (photo credit: SCREENSHOT/X/POTUS)

Is Trump’s approach one of strategic diplomacy, or could it be a potentially dangerous posture that puts the remaining captives at risk? By JPOST EDITORIAL MARCH 7, 2025 05:51 Updated: MARCH 7, 2025 06:00 US President Donald Trump meets with a delegation of former hostages in the Oval Office, and shows off a plaque of gratitude from Hostage Families Forum, March 5, 2025. (photo credit: SCREENSHOT/X/POTUS) It was impossible to not be moved by Wednesday’s emotional meeting at the White House between US President Donald Trump and a group of freed Israeli hostages – Eli Sharabi, Keith and Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher, Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, and Noa Argamani. Almost all of them were freed as part of ceasefire deals between Israel and Hamas. During the meeting

Musk, tariffs and tensions – takeaways from Trump’s first cabinet meeting

Musk, tariffs and tensions – takeaways from Trump’s first cabinet meeting

Bernd Debusmann Jr BBC News, White House Getty Images Donald Trump held his first cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, turning the occasion into an extended question-and-answer session that lasted for more than an hour. Speaking alongside his cabinet – and billionaire Elon Musk who wore a “tech support” T-shirt – Trump covered a wide range of topics, ranging from Doge’s efforts to cut government spending to immigration, the economy and the war in Ukraine. Here are a five takeaways from his remarks. 1) Trump praises Rubio and Musk Trump was asked by reporters which government department – and, by extension, which cabinet members – were most resistant to his policy changes. “So far, I’m happy with all of those choices,” he said. He added, however, that “some

Trump is throwing Ukraine under the bus

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT Volodymyr Zelensky speaks with US President Donald Trump by phone, earlier this month. In his first weeks in office, Trump dramatically reversed US policy on Ukraine, even falsely accusing Zelensky of starting the war with Russia, the writer notes. (photo credit: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/REUTERS)

In the give-and-take of negotiations, Trump expects Zelensky to do all the giving and Putin and Trump the taking. By DOUGLAS ALTABEF FEBRUARY 27, 2025 03:34 UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT Volodymyr Zelensky speaks with US President Donald Trump by phone, earlier this month. In his first weeks in office, Trump dramatically reversed US policy on Ukraine, even falsely accusing Zelensky of starting the war with Russia, the writer notes. (photo credit: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/REUTERS) President Donald Trump marked the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Monday by siding with Moscow and its closest allies on the losing side of two UN General Assembly resolutions concerning Moscow’s unprovoked invasion on February 24, 2022. One condemned the brutal Russian aggression by name, and the other called for an end to the

‘What would you have us do?’: the plastic credits problem

Aerial picture taken on 9 January 2025 of the Chip Mong Insee cement factory in Kampot province. © Suy Se / AFP

Twice a day, sirens sound at Cambodia’s Chip Mong Insee cement kiln, warning limestone will soon be blasted from the karst mountain that overlooks the sprawling industrial site. White smoke billows from its silver chimney, visible only at night against the dark sky, and dust coats much of the surrounding area, where residents complain of persistent respiratory illnesses that arrived along with the kiln. Aerial picture taken on 9 January 2025 of the Chip Mong Insee cement factory in Kampot province. © Suy Se / AFP The plant might seem an unlikely poster child for the fight against plastic pollution, but cement kilns are central to the burgeoning plastic credits sector, where buyers pay for the collection and disposal of plastic waste.  Credits are meant to tackle the scourge of

UPND Walkout and the Cost of Living Crisis: Political Evasion or Tactical Retreat?

UPND Walkout and the Cost of Living Crisis: Political Evasion or Tactical Retreat?

By Juliet Mulonga The UPND walkout from a crucial parliamentary debate on the cost of living crisis has triggered widespread criticism. This decision, which led to the collapse of the quorum, has fueled concerns about the government’s commitment to tackling Zambia’s economic hardships. To make matters worse, the Ministry of Finance later announced that Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane would address the issue on an online platform instead. Many see this move as an attempt to evade public scrutiny and accountability. Parliament is the cornerstone of democracy and the primary arena for debating and formulating policy solutions. Given Zambia’s rising cost of living, a parliamentary discussion was essential to explore practical strategies for economic relief. However, UPND MPs and ministers chose to abandon this responsibility, instead opting for an online discussion a

Why did so many Jewish organizations buy into the DEI scam?

Group, business people and hands in stack for teamwork, collaboration or diversity in workplace community. (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

Even in its earliest forms, DEI was never really about the literal meaning of the three words, “Diversity,” “Equity” and “Inclusion.” By DAVID BERNSTEIN, PHIL SIEGEL FEBRUARY 14, 2025 18:15 Group, business people and hands in stack for teamwork, collaboration or diversity in workplace community. (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK) Jewish Insider recently reported that “Jewish groups are now divided on their embrace of the DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) framework — but nearly all recognize shortcomings in the ideology.” They know that DEI as commonly practiced is deeply flawed but don’t want to alienate allies by opposing it or miss the opportunity to sensitize institutions to antisemitism.  So, in order to get the Jewish narrative heard, they often reconcile themselves to a faulty scheme. It’s time that they ask themselves some

100 days as defense chief: How has Israel Katz shaped Israel’s national security?

Defense Minister Israel Katz attends a Foreign Affairs and Defense committee discussion at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on January 22, 2025 (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Defense Minister Israel Katz has wasted no time leaving his stamp on the cabinet office, viewed as the most powerful in the government. By YONAH JEREMY BOB FEBRUARY 13, 2025 17:41 Updated: FEBRUARY 13, 2025 17:49 Defense Minister Israel Katz attends a Foreign Affairs and Defense committee discussion at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on January 22, 2025 (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Looking back at Defense Minister Israel Katz’s first 100 days, he cannot be as easily dismissed as many in the media have tried to do. Unlike some new Likud ministers who had little substantive experience or accomplishments and whose main resume was tweeting publicly for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and against all of his perceived opponents, Katz, age 70, has had serious jobs. He has been foreign minister twice

USAID is a dangerous move that will impact impoverished populations worldwide

PROTESTERS MARCH outside the USAID building in Washington last week after Elon Musk announced that work is underway to shut down the US foreign aid agency. USAID embodies the soft power of the United States and dismantling it contradicts the concept of ‘American exceptionalism,’ the writer argues. (photo credit: Kent Nishimura/Reuters)

At a time when we anticipate the launch of a normalization process, dismantling USAID threatens to derail it before it even begins. By NADAV TAMIR FEBRUARY 10, 2025 01:30 PROTESTERS MARCH outside the USAID building in Washington last week after Elon Musk announced that work is underway to shut down the US foreign aid agency. USAID embodies the soft power of the United States and dismantling it contradicts the concept of ‘American exceptionalism,’ the writer argues. (photo credit: Kent Nishimura/Reuters) The Trump administration, led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is taking an unprecedented step toward dismantling USAID and significantly reducing US foreign aid.  In recent days, thousands of agency employees have been placed on forced leave, and all aid programs worldwide have been frozen. “USAID is not

How China and US can work together to end Ukraine war

How China and US can work together to end Ukraine war

When I wrote in the Financial Times in 2023 that even though China has nothing to do with the Ukraine war , the longer it drags on, the more people will look to Beijing as a broker, I never expected Donald Trump to be re-elected as US president and ask China for help . At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said he had reached out to President Xi Jinping during a phone call and described China as having “a great deal of power over that situation”. There is a grain of black humour when the man who vowed to end the war within 24 hours asks China to step in. However, Trump didn’t even need to ask. A year after Russia invaded, China proposed a 12-point peace plan

The world won’t sympathize with Jews, even in our darkest hour

American and Israeli Jews [Illustrative] (photo credit: REUTERS)

In an American political climate where meritocracy is the word du jour, it’s not clear if any minority label – for any group – will be an asset or a liability. By SOPHIA TUPOLEV-LUZ JANUARY 29, 2025 02:14 American and Israeli Jews [Illustrative] (photo credit: REUTERS) The US Department of Commerce, on January 13, 2025, signed an agreement with the country’s Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce to confer minority status on Jewish-owned businesses in America through the department’s Minority Business Development Agency. This move has elicited strong mixed emotions for many Jews, myself included. At first glance, this sounds like an impactful step toward the economic inclusion of Jewish business owners. After all, federal programs for minority groups have been around for 50 years. Taking that view, it makes sense

‘Hearing us gave them the strength to endure,’ fathers of released hostages say

Former hostage Liri Albag reunites with her family after 477 days in Hamas captivity (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Eitan Gonen spoke with interviewers for approximately 20 minutes, while Eli Albag spoke for four minutes, cutting the interview short when Liri entered the room in order to spend time with her. By JERUSALEM POST STAFF JANUARY 27, 2025 11:54 Updated: JANUARY 27, 2025 12:42 Former hostage Liri Albag reunites with her family after 477 days in Hamas captivity (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT) Eitan Gonen and Eli Albag, fathers of released Hamas hostages Romi Gonen and Liri Albag, respectively, held their first interviews since their daughters’ release with Kan Reshet Bet on Monday. Eitan spoke with the interviewers for approximately 20 minutes, while Eli spoke for four minutes. He abruptly cut the interview short when Liri entered the room because he wanted to spend time with her. “Liri is

Dodging Mwambas Muddy Traps Strategic Missteps in Political Engagement

Dodging Mwambas Muddy Traps  Strategic Missteps in Political Engagement

“Dodging Mwamba’s Muddy Traps – Strategic Missteps in Political Engagement” By Linda Banks Emmanuel Mwamba has once again proven why he remains a formidable figure in Zambia’s political arena. The journalist-turned-tactician has an uncanny ability to set the agenda, pulling strings that leave even the most seasoned political players scrambling. The recent frenzy surrounding his seemingly innocuous question—“Where is the President?”—highlights the reactive missteps of Zambia’s political machinery, raising urgent questions about strategic finesse at the highest levels of government. Mwamba’s genius lies not in confrontation but in subtle provocation. His methodology is straightforward yet devastatingly effective: light the match and step back as the fire spreads. When government operatives and officials respond emotionally or reactively, they validate his tactics, further fueling the chaos he orchestrates. Take, for instance, the

I would do it again: Janusz Waluś on killing Chris Hani and Derby-Lewis alleged meeting with Zuma [VIDEO]

I would do it again: Janusz Waluś on killing Chris Hani and Derby-Lewis alleged meeting with Zuma [VIDEO]

Waluś reiterated his reasons for the assassination of Chris Hani. An unrepentant Janusz Waluś, the Polish immigrant who murdered South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Chris Hani, said he acted alone and would do it again if there was any hope of halting peace talks and the transition to a democratic South Africa. The 72-year-old Waluś made some chilling confessions to eNCA‘s Annika Larsen in an interview on Sunday, titled Confessions of an Assassin: why I killed Chris Hani. Waluś, who assassinated Hani in 1993, was deported from South Africa in December after serving nearly three decades behind bars. Watch Janusz Waluś speaking about Clive Derby-Lewis’ alleged meeting with Jacob Zuma “I know Clive Derby-Lewis was visited by Jacob Zuma, I don’t know what he wanted, it looked like

The One-China principle cannot be challenged

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the National Day reception on the eve of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China September 30, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/FLORENCE LO)

What the international community expects is win-win cooperation. Provoking bloc confrontation is not only against the trend of the times but also dangerous. By ZHANG GUOPING JANUARY 23, 2025 01:53 Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the National Day reception on the eve of the 75th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China September 30, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/FLORENCE LO) Recently, a letter published in The Jerusalem Post deliberately distorted UNGA Resolution 2758, stirring up the so-called “Taiwan sovereignty” and “Taiwan democracy” narratives. These views severely challenged China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, subverted international justice and conscience, and defied the post-war international order. They are both absurd and dangerous. First, Taiwan has no so-called sovereignty. There is