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On January 20th, 2025, Donald J. Trump was sworn in for his second term as President of the United States. Unlike his first inauguration in 2017, which left much of the world uncertain about his leadership style, this time, global leaders, markets, and political analysts had a clearer sense of what to expect—yet significant uncertainties remain. From trade wars to shifting diplomatic alliances, Trump’s return has already begun reshaping the global order.   Coinciding with this major political event, the World Economic Forum in Davos took place last week, bringing together leaders from business, politics, and finance to discuss pressing global challenges. However, much of the conversation at Davos was overshadowed by Trump’s renewed influence.  As the world reacts to his return, many are asking: What will Trump’s second term mean for the future of geopolitics, global markets, and America’s role in international affairs?   Donald Trump in his first term official p...

This week, I want to delve into an intriguing topic that recently caught my attention. It’s the idea that prioritizing investments in defense over peace initiatives might drive nations toward preparing for war rather than fostering peace. The well-known Latin phrase, “Si vis pacem, para bellum,” meaning “If you want peace, prepare for war,” captures this paradox. There’s a clear rationale behind why countries allocate significant resources to acquiring cutting-edge defense technology, sustaining well-trained and well-equipped military forces, and developing robust defensive infrastructures. Yet, it begs the question: does this focus on defense inadvertently undermine efforts to preserve peace and maintain stability?   UKRAINE AND GAZA PUSHING COUNTRIES TO ARM The recent wars in Ukraine and Gaza have made one thing clear: strong defense systems play a huge role in keeping nations secure. This lesson is especially relevant for smaller countries like the Baltic states, which have a lo...

One topic that I haven't covered in great detail on this blog is Russia's so-called "shadow fleet." This is a network of clandestine vessels, often registered to an obscure country, such a small island in the Pacific or Caribbean, that transport Putin's oil and gas to various African, European, and Middle Eastern countries, effectively bypassing international sanctions.  In this blog post, we’ll explore what this shadow fleet is, how it operates, and why it represents a significant threat to global stability. WHAT IS THE SHADOW FLEET? The Russian shadow fleet consists of hundreds of ships that operate covertly, using tactics to obscure their ownership, cargo, and destinations. These vessels are often registered under "flags of convenience" in countries with lax maritime oversight—such as Panama, Liberia, or the Marshall Islands—making it difficult for international authorities to trace their true affiliations. The primary purpose of this flee...

At the start of December, about 12,000 North Korean soldiers were reported to have joined the war in Ukraine, fighting on the Russian side. At first, both Russia and North Korea denied it, but soon enough, various open-source intelligence accounts started picking up on it. Eventually, the White House and other Western officials confirmed what many had been speculating for a while—North Korea was indeed there, fighting in Europe. The full impact of this still isn’t clear, but we can make some educated guesses. These 12,000 soldiers were originally thought to be fighting in Kursk, but they’ve also turned up in Donbas. While they probably won’t change the outcome of the war, it does raise an important question: Why would Kim Jong-un send his people into a war zone where so many could end up dead? This week, I want to dive into why North Korea is getting involved in Ukraine, what they might be learning from it, and how this could affect their ongoing standoff with South Korea. Honestly, t...

As we kick off 2025, I want to address a serious and often overlooked topic: dirty bombs. While it’s not the most uplifting way to start the year, it’s an important discussion sparked by a podcast I recently listened to. The podcaster mentioned the potential use of dirty bombs in terrorist attacks in 2025—a chilling prospect that, surprisingly, isn’t being widely discussed. Let’s change that.   In this blog post, we’ll explore what a dirty bomb is, the general concept of how one could be constructed (without delving into dangerous specifics), and the devastating impact such a weapon could have. Lastly, we’ll examine practical measures to mitigate its destructive effects.   WHAT IS A DIRTY BOMB? A " dirty bomb ", formally known as a radiological dispersal device (RDD), is a weapon that combines conventional explosives, like dynamite or C-4, with radioactive material. Unlike a nuclear bomb, it doesn’t cause a nuclear chain reaction or a massive explosion. Instead, its ...