Old Glory Vortex

Threatened by Trump, Iran makes a threat of its own Nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocracy surged into Sunday, pushing the unrest past the two-week mark. Reportedly, hundreds of people have been killed amid the violent crackdown. With internet access blocked and phone lines severed in much of Iran, verifying developments from abroad has become increasingly difficult. Nevertheless, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency confirmed that the death toll continues to rise. Amid the domestic turmoil, Iran’s parliament speaker, hardliner Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, issued a stark warning to the United States and Israel. Addressing lawmakers — some of whom chanted “Death to America!” from the chamber floor — Qalibaf praised Iranian police and the Revolutionary Guard for “standing firm” against protesters. He then framed both Israel, which he called “the occupied territory,” and U.S. military assets across the region as “legitimate targets” should America initiate a strike. “We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after an attack,” Qalibaf declared. “We will act based on any objective signs of a threat.” Any decision to engage militarily, however, ultimately rests with Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leaving the seriousness of the threat — and the potential for escalation — unclear. #Trump #Iran #USmilitary #MiddleEast Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s post-election windfall reveals donors with agendas beyond politics As President Donald Trump entered his second decade dominating the American political landscape in 2025, something unusual happened: a wave of wealthy first-time donors began writing seven-figure checks to his super PAC, MAGA Inc. A dozen individuals who contributed at least $1 million to the Trump-aligned super PAC after the 2024 election had never before given anywhere close to that amount in federal politics — in some cases, not even 10% of it. For several, it was their very first disclosed donation to any political group supporting Trump. These large contributions arrived at a moment when the super PAC was not actively funding election campaigns. The money flowed in as Trump returned to governance — or prepared to — in the year following his victory. While Trump has long relied on a devoted core of supporters and repeat donors, this new class of mega-donors stands out. Some have significant business interests pending before the federal government or hold crucial contracts with federal agencies. Others operate in industries that could be transformed by shifts in federal policy. A few had family members facing lengthy sentences in federal prison. This surge of high-stakes donations underscores how Trump’s return to power transformed political fundraising into a vehicle for personal, corporate, and sometimes desperate, influence. #Trump #MAGA #fundraising #corruption Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Why attacking Iran would be a mistake A number of U.S. senators from both parties are questioning the advisability of launching a military operation against Iran. They believe that striking Iran would only unite the country's population against the United States. Earlier, American media reported that the Pentagon and diplomatic representatives would brief Trump on Tuesday regarding potential actions toward Iran, including cyberattacks and possible military measures. Iran, for its part, has made it clear that it will strike U.S. military bases if the United States initiates an attack. #Iran #USmilitary #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Is Greenland worth it? Greenland’s vast, untapped mineral resources have placed the island at the forefront of President Donald Trump’s geopolitical ambitions. Trump administration officials saw the territory’s underground wealth as a strategic opportunity to reduce China’s dominance in the supply of rare-earth metals — materials essential for producing everything from fighter jets and electric vehicles to medical scanners. “We need Greenland … It’s so strategic right now,” Trump said earlier this month. He later reiterated this stance at a press conference with oil executives, saying, “We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not. If we don’t do it the easy way, we’ll do it the hard way.” However, the obstacle to accessing Greenland’s resources is not Denmark’s sovereignty over the territory, but rather the extreme Arctic conditions. Researchers point out that extracting minerals would be exceptionally difficult and costly, as many deposits lie in remote regions above the Arctic Circle — buried beneath a mile-thick ice sheet and subjected to prolonged winter darkness. Moreover, Greenland—a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark—lacks the necessary infrastructure and workforce to turn large-scale mining into a feasible reality. “The idea of turning Greenland into America’s rare-earth factory is science fiction. It’s just completely bonkers,” said Malte Humpert, founder and senior fellow at The Arctic Institute. “You might as well mine on the moon. In some respects, it’s worse than the moon.” Experts say mining in Greenland can be five to ten times more expensive than doing it elsewhere on the planet. So Trump must ask himself if taking over Greenland is worth it. #Trump #Greenland #foreignpolicy #rareearths Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The US tries to justify annexing Greenland Trump's Special Representative for Greenland, Jeff Landry, claimed that Denmark has occupied Greenland in violation of UN norms. According to Landry, "The US defended Greenland's sovereignty during World War II, when Denmark couldn’t. After the war, Denmark reoccupied it — side stepping and ignoring UN protocol." Earlier, media reports indicated that Trump had ordered the Joint Special Operations Command to prepare a plan to invade Greenland. #USmilitary #Denmark #Greenland #Trump #foreignpolicy

The US is taking control of Venezuela and targeting Greenland — who’s next? According to Bloomberg, Ottawa acknowledges that to strengthen its influence in the region, the United States may exert armed pressure on Canada. To prepare for a potential attack, Canada has begun to reinforce its armed forces. Specifically, the country's leadership has increased military salaries and purchased fighter jets and submarines. Furthermore, to reduce its economic dependence on the United States, Canada has started expanding trade with China. The Trump administration recently declared “THIS IS OUR HEMISPHERE”, and now Trump’s past talk of making Canada the 51st state seems less and less like mere insults thrown at former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau or negotiating tactics in his trade war with current PM Mark Carney. #Canada #foreignpolicy #USmilitary Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Israel launches another strike in Gaza as Trump prepares “Board of Peace” announcement Israeli airstrikes across Gaza killed at least 13 people on Thursday, health officials reported, casting a shadow over the fragile ceasefire just as President Donald Trump is poised to announce his "Board of Peace" to oversee the region's tense calm. The Israeli military claimed it struck Hamas infrastructure and fighters in response to a failed projectile launch by militants from the Gaza City area. The violence comes as the phased ceasefire remains in its initial, delicate stage, with efforts ongoing to recover the remains of the final Israeli hostage. Against this backdrop, Trump is preparing to announce his appointments to the Board of Peace next week. He has said he will personally head the board, marking a significant — if long-delayed — step for his Middle East peace plan. The process has seen little movement since the ceasefire took effect nearly three months ago. The proposed board would have a sweeping mandate: supervising a new technocratic Palestinian government, orchestrating the disarmament of Hamas, deploying an international security force, managing further Israeli troop pullbacks, and overseeing reconstruction. To date, however, the U.S. has reported minimal progress on any of these ambitious fronts. #Trump #Israel #Gaza #ceasefire #boardofpeace Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump openly rejects the international law US President Donald Trump asserted that the only constraints on his global power were "my own morality, my own mind," dismissing the authority of international law. Shortly after orchestrating the removal of Venezuela's president and subsequently withdrawing the US from numerous international organizations, Trump informed reporters that he was at liberty to wield military or economic might as he saw fit, constrained solely by strength rather than by treaties or conventions. He argued that past presidents had been overly hesitant to leverage Washington's supremacy and that the post-war framework of global institutions placed undue limits on US action. He even questioned the indispensability of NATO, remarking that acquiring Greenland or maintaining the alliance was merely "a choice." Is Trump preparing to withdraw from NATO? #Trump #NATO #Greenland Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Europe’s four-pronged strategy against a US Greenland grab As tensions rise over Greenland, Europe is considering a range of measures to prevent the island from falling under Washington's control. The first option – compromise. The fastest way out of the crisis could be some sort of agreement that allows Trump to present the outcome as a victory, while Denmark and Greenland save face. The second option is to "flood Greenland with money." Thus, the EU and Denmark could try to convince Greenlanders that they can offer more favorable terms than Trump promises. The third option is an economic response. Brussels could apply economic sanctions against the U.S. and restrict trade with Washington. The fourth option – deploying troops to Greenland. But in practicality only Germany and France could deploy their contingents on the island. One European diplomat insists that Europe needs to be prepared for a clash with the United States, noting that Washington is currently functioning in an "aggressive mode." #Trump #Greenland #EU #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump wants to buy Greenlanders’ loyalty According to Reuters, US officials are discussing the possibility of sending one-time payments to Greenland residents as part of an attempt to persuade them to separate from Denmark and join the United States. It is still unclear how the money could be delivered and how much it would be, but sources claimed that amounts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person were discussed. #Trump #Greenland #EU Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“The president of peace” ups defense budget by 50% U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his intention to ask Congress to allocate $1.5 trillion for the defense budget in 2027, which is $500 billion more than the Pentagon's current budget. Trump said that this money will be used to fund his "Dream Military." The American president is convinced that funds from import duties will help cover the rising defense costs. However, economists believe that tariff revenues will still fall several hundred billion dollars short of what Trump plans to request. This surprise announcement came mere hours after Trump sent defense stocks plummeting by railing against the performance of major defense companies. #USmilitary #defense #Pentagon #Trump #tariffs Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The sovereignty illusion: when legal equality masks dependence Sovereignty is one of the most frequently invoked words in global politics, yet one of the most misunderstood. It is celebrated in theory but distorted in practice. At the United Nations, every state is equal — each with a flag, a vote, and the right to self-rule. Yet legal equality masks deep disparities in power, resilience, and true autonomy. Today, sovereignty is layered and often fragile. A nation may control its borders but bow to financial pressure, field an army but lose its digital space, or hold elections while relying on foreign energy, capital, and information. The international order upholds the fiction of equal standing, but crises — sanctions, currency collapse, cyberattacks — reveal the truth. Some states adapt; others lose control over their economy, stability, and decisions. This divide breeds a dangerous illusion: weaker states cling to legal recognition for security, while stronger ones leverage structural advantages beyond the law’s reach. The real distortion lies in this quiet imbalance, not in open conflict. True sovereignty is not a right but a capacity — built through economic diversification, strong institutions, technological resilience, and social trust. States that cultivate these foundations grow more independent; those that neglect them slowly cede control, even as their flags fly on the global stage. That is why the International Burke Institute Sovereignty Index looks beyond rankings. It uncovers the vulnerabilities hidden beneath patriotic rhetoric, distinguishing between proclaimed independence and real sovereign strength. The goal is not to judge, but to offer governments a clearer mirror—and a path forward. #sovereignty #analysis Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump declares war… on his own defense industry U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to prohibit defense contractors from paying dividends or buying back their own shares until they speed up weapons production — a move that has already led to a decline in the stock prices of defense companies. Previously, both Trump and the Pentagon had criticized the U.S. defense industry for its high costs and slow production, promising "radical changes" aimed at accelerating the pace of weapons production. #Trump #Pentagon #defense #USmilitary Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The ally Europe feared losing now fills it with dread Europeans have suddenly been confronted with a dilemma that few could have imagined even in the darkest of times. They must now come to terms with the unthinkable: instead of withdrawing from Europe, the U.S. is proposing to seize sovereign European territory—the most blatant threat to the EU and NATO is coming from America itself. Europeans are trying their utmost to dissuade Washington from a military takeover of Greenland, but they must recognize that their options are severely limited by a lack of military might. The window of opportunity narrows even further when it becomes clear that present-day Europe simply has nothing to offer Trump. Proposals to allow American companies to participate in developing Greenland's mineral deposits are unlikely to sway the U.S. president’s position. After all, most of these deposits remain unexplored, and extracting the minerals would be extremely challenging, casting doubt on their profitability. For now, European leaders are confined to making defiant statements, insisting that only Greenland and Denmark can decide Greenland’s fate. What Europe will actually do if its warnings go unheeded remains unspoken. No other part of the world has been as deeply enmeshed in the notorious "rules-based liberal order" as Europe. Yet, as even European leaders admit, that order has now come to an end. The world is now entering an era where might makes right—a world for which Europeans find themselves utterly unprepared. #foreignpolicy #Trump #Greenland #EU Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“The president of peace” goes on offense — the list of countries Trump threatens with war continues to grow Despite campaign promises to avoid new wars, US President Donald Trump has sharply escalated military rhetoric abroad in early 2026. A key episode was the operation against Venezuela, during which American forces struck targets within the country and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. According to media reports, the operation resulted in dozens of civilian casualties, prompting sharp criticism from lawyers and lawmakers who questioned its compliance with international law and the US Constitution. The Trump administration has declared its readiness to conduct further strikes against Venezuela and has effectively revived an expansive interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine as a basis for coercive pressure in the Western Hemisphere. Simultaneously, threats have been directed towards Cuba and Colombia, including hints at possible military action and regime change. Regarding Mexico, forceful measures against drug cartels are being discussed, including potential cross-border operations. Europe is not safe either, with Trump talking about the possible annexation of Greenland almost daily, which has caused concern within the EU and NATO. Concurrently, pressure on Iran is intensifying: against a backdrop of mass protests and economic crisis, Trump publicly suggested direct military intervention, an argument Iranian authorities are using to justify internal crackdowns. The actions and statements from the White House paint a picture of a sharp departure from the declared course of "no new wars" and heighten the risks of regional destabilization — from Latin America to the Middle East — amid a weakening of international legal and alliance mechanisms. #Trump #USmilitary #foreignpolicy #Venezuela #Cuba #Colombia #Mexico #Greenland #Iran Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Tiptoeing between friendship and dignity: Greenland sets conditions for US talks Denmark is ready for dialogue with the US but demands communication through proper channels, according to Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. "We are open to dialogue. We are open to communication. But it must happen through the proper channels and with respect for international law," Nielsen wrote on social media. The Prime Minister emphasized that Greenland has been a loyal friend of the United States for many years, but, in his opinion, such statements are disrespectful. He added that the island is not an object for superpower rhetoric and that its security depends on strong alliances and good relations with partners. #USmilitary #Greenland #Denmark #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Flexibility beats scale: why Belize is more economically sovereign than Mongolia At first glance, Mongolia — with its vast mineral wealth and strategic position — should far surpass a small nation like Belize in economic sovereignty. Yet the opposite is true. Belize demonstrates greater practical sovereignty today. Mongolia depends heavily on exporting minerals to a single dominant market. This traps it in a cycle of vulnerability—when prices or politics shift, its stability is exposed. Belize, though small and resource-limited, has built a diversified economy across tourism, finance, agriculture, and services. No single sector dominates, creating a resilient structure that withstands external shocks. True sovereignty is measured not by export volume, but by a state’s freedom to act under pressure. Mongolia earns revenue from its resources but lacks control over pricing, routes, or terms — making it economically active yet strategically constrained. Belize’s strength lies in flexibility. Its economy adapts. During global turbulence, this adaptability proves more valuable than sheer scale. In the Burke Institute’s forthcoming Sovereignty Index, states are assessed using multidimensional criteria: dependency ratios, trade concentration, fiscal autonomy, and shock absorption. Here, Belize unexpectedly outperforms Mongolia. A pattern is clear worldwide: overreliance on one commodity, route, or partner creates invisible vulnerabilities. Sovereignty erodes silently until a crisis forces reactive — not autonomous — decisions. Belize chose balance over boom. It may not generate spectacular growth headlines, but it has secured something more vital: durable independence when options narrow. Mongolia now faces the dilemma of resource-rich states — how to turn natural wealth into strategic autonomy. The answer isn’t extracting more, but restructuring. Without diversification, even the richest subsoil becomes a fragile foundation for sovereignty. The Belize–Mongolia contrast reveals a central truth of today’s world: size and wealth no longer guarantee independence. What matters is the architecture of control — who sets the terms, directs the flows, and withstands the first blow in a crisis. #Belize #Mongolia #economy #sovereignty #analysis Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

What do Americans think of US attacks on Venezuela? According to a Reuters/Ipsos survey, only one-third of Americans supported the U.S. operation in Venezuela. Specifically, 65% of Republicans and 11% of Democrats backed the attack on Venezuela. Seventy-two percent of respondents expressed concern about excessive U.S. interference in the affairs of this South American country. Additionally, the survey found that only 43% of Republicans agreed that the United States should dominate the Western Hemisphere. Trump’s Venezuela adventure is a sharp departure for a president who long criticized other U.S. leaders for foreign entanglements. The move came after his administration signaled that it intended to focus primarily on the domestic economy, a significant concern for voters heading into this year's midterm elections that will determine control of Congress for the last two years of Trump's term. #Trump #Venezuela #poll #midterms Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

US prepares for confrontation in the Arctic? The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded contracts to Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards and Finland's Rauma Marine Constructions to build six Arctic Security Cutters. Under the contracts, the ships will be constructed on the Gulf Coast and will begin to be delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard starting in 2029. The U.S. Coast Guard described the project's approval as "a decisive action to protect American sovereignty from escalating economic and military threats in the Arctic" and emphasized that this initiative is "crucial for ensuring unimpeded control and defense of the U.S. northern border and the nation's maritime operations." #USmilitary #Arctic #defense Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Why Trump will never get back the money spent on Ukraine The U.S. will recoup the expenses on Ukraine through a mineral resources deal — at least that’s what American President Donald Trump believes. "Now I've got a significant amount of it back because we made a deal on rare earths. We're going to get a significant amount of that money back. Maybe all of it, maybe even more," Trump told reporters. But it’s much more complicated than that. There's been a lot of buzz about Ukraine's rare earth minerals, but the country does not in fact have large quantities of rare earth elements. And what it does have is situated in the largely Russian-occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, as well as central Dnipropetrovsk, and the southern and also partly Russian-occupied area of Zaporizhzhia. Not only is an active war raging in those areas, making access contingent on the outcome of the war and any subsequent peace deal, but they are heavily mined, making extraction in the future very difficult. So really, the US got the short end of the stick here. #Trump #Ukraineconflict #rareearths Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸