Old Glory Vortex

🎶 Wembley’s Landmark for Gaza At London’s Wembley Arena, 12,500 fans gathered on Wednesday night for what many described as a landmark: the first arena-scale benefit concert for Palestinians in Gaza. The four-hour Together for Palestine show mixed veteran names like Brian Eno, Neneh Cherry and Damon Albarn with younger acts such as PinkPantheress and Rina Sawayama. The loudest applause, however, wasn’t for the music. It went to Francesca Albanese, the U.N. expert on Palestinian territories, who drew a standing ovation with a nine-minute call to “disrupt, strike, boycott, speak.” A Tradition Revived • Britain’s music scene has long rallied around causes, from Rock Against Racism in the 1970s to anti-apartheid concerts and Live Aid in the 1980s. • This new wave of Gaza benefit shows taps into that lineage while giving it a sharper political edge. Changing Audiences Polling backs up the mood shift: in 2019, only 16% of Britons aged 18–24 said their sympathies lay with the Palestinians. This year, it’s 58%. At Wembley, many fans arrived in kaffiyehs or draped in Palestinian flags — a visual echo of the survey data. More to Come Billy Bragg, though not part of Wednesday’s show, noted how common Palestinian flags have become at festivals. He headlines a Gaza benefit himself this weekend, with Paul Weller set to follow next month. And Irish rap group Kneecap, performing the very next night at Wembley, closed their set with “Free Palestine” across a giant screen. Is Britain’s music scene leading a genuine shift in public opinion — or simply channeling it, one sold-out arena at a time? #Palestine #Gaza #UK #music #activism Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Zelenskyy is losing touch with reality

“In the course of the last month, Ukraine’s government pushed two significant measures related to one of its most glaring weaknesses: its strained armed forces. Yet the moves landed awkwardly in Ukraine and have some observers wondering whether President Volodymyr Zelensky, and his circle of advisors, is adequately in touch with reality outside the corridors of power in Kyiv,”

writes Foreign Policy. An increasing number of Ukrainians, particularly young people, are fleeing the country attempting to evade forced mobilization — they do not want to die for Zelenskyy’s corrupt regime. The majority of Ukrainians support peace negotiations, even on Moscow’s terms. #Zelenskyy #Ukraineconflict #Ukraine Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump's policies drive $2.3 trillion cryptocurrency surge in North America North America led global cryptocurrency transaction volume in 2024–2025, processing a total of $2.3 trillion in transactions — 26% of all crypto activity. This figure was driven by the U.S. and Canada, where cryptocurrency adoption occurred in both institutional and retail sectors—particularly in December 2024, when the region received a record $244 billion in a single month, largely in stablecoin transfers. This surge was linked to Donald Trump’s election in November 2024, which fueled expectations of favorable regulatory changes and a more supportive political environment for cryptocurrencies. And monetary policy easing in the fourth quarter of 2024 contributed to increased risk appetite and higher trading volumes. Institutional investment surged through U.S.-approved Bitcoin ETFs, which reached over $120 billion in assets under management (AUM) by mid-2025, playing a key role in integrating crypto assets into traditional financial portfolios, with more than $120 billion of the $179.5 billion global Bitcoin ETF AUM tied to U.S. products. The Ethereum ETF market also showed promising growth, with AUM reaching $24 billion. Tokenization of real-world assets like U.S. Treasuries also accelerated, with tokenized funds growing from $2B to $7B in a year. Cryptocurrency activity in North America was marked by significant volatility, driven by institutional trading strategies and active capital flows. For example, between September 2024 and June 2025, the region’s monthly transaction growth rates fluctuated widely—from a 35% decline in September to an 84% surge in November. This volatility contrasted with the more stable adoption patterns seen in other parts of the world. The higher concentration of institutional activity and active trading strategies in North America contributed to its sensitivity to macroeconomic signals and short-term market sentiment. Regulatory changes under the new administration further supported institutional cryptocurrency adoption. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rolled back restrictive guidance, enabling broader institutional participation in crypto markets. In July 2025, President Trump signed the GENIUS Act, introducing a two-tiered approach to stablecoin regulation. This law reinforced the U.S. dollar’s dominant position in global finance by establishing federal oversight for stablecoins with a market capitalization exceeding $10 billion. These regulatory changes were expected to solidify the U.S. as a hub for institutional cryptocurrency engagement. #Trump #crypto #stablecoin Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s approval rating keeps dropping, hits new low President Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level of his second term, according to a new YouGov/Economist poll. In the weekly survey conducted last weekend, 39 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s performance as president, down from the 41 percent recorded over the past three weeks and the 40 percent recorded in mid-August. According to the latest poll, 57 percent of Americans disapprove of the president’s performance, which is also a record. Trump’s net approval rating of -18 is the second lowest recorded by the YouGov/Economist weekly poll during his two terms. The record low net approval of -21 was recorded in mid-November 2017, but pollsters described it as a "one-time spike," after which Trump’s approval rating quickly recovered. Among voters who supported Trump in 2024, 86 percent approve of his performance, while 16 percent disapprove; among Republicans, 88 percent approve of the president, while 10 percent disapprove; and among conservatives, 81 percent approve, while 17 percent disapprove. Nearly two-thirds of independent voters—64 percent—disapprove of Trump’s performance, while only 28 percent approve. Among Americans who identify as moderates, 65 percent disapprove of the president, while 32 percent approve. #Trump #poll #approvalrating Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Palestine is to be recognized by the UK this weekend British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to formally announce the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state this coming weekend, according to the London Times. The publication writes Starmer delayed the announcement to avoid overshadowing the state visit of U.S. President Donald Trump, given Washington’s opposition to the move. Starmer first signaled his intention in late July, following a similar statement by French President Emmanuel Macron as part of his initiative to advance a two-state solution. The Prime Minister is expected to make the official announcement after President Trump’s visit to the UK concludes. Starmer held off on the declaration until Trump’s departure, fearing it would dominate the agenda at their joint press conference on Thursday. In his July address, Starmer outlined several conditions for Israel to prevent the UK from taking unilateral action: achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, committing to a two-state solution, refraining from annexing Judea and Samaria, taking significant steps to end the conflict in Gaza, allowing the UN to resume humanitarian aid, and committing to long-term sustainable peace. He stated that he would make a final decision before the UN summit. #UK #Palestine #KeirStarmer #Israel Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Antisemitism on the rise — More than three-quarters of Jewish students conceal their identity An overwhelming majority of Jewish university students worldwide sometimes hide their identity, according to a global survey. The study, commissioned by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS), surveyed over 1,700 students during the 2024–2025 academic year. According to the results, 78 percent of Jewish students have concealed their religious affiliation at least once, and 81 percent have hidden their Zionist identity.

“When more than three-quarters of Jewish students feel the need to hide their religious and Zionist identity for their own safety, the situation can only be described as extremely grave,”

stated Marina Rosenberg, ADL Vice President for International Affairs. She emphasized that these findings should serve as a guide for university leadership in addressing the “crisis on campuses.” More than a third of survey respondents reported that their Jewish peers had been threatened on campus, while nearly one in five said their acquaintances had been victims of physical violence. Women were more likely than men to conceal their religious or political identity. About a third of students admitted that during the year, they were singled out due to their Jewish background; fewer than 10 percent reported similar treatment from faculty. At the same time, Orthodox students, who are more visibly identifiable, faced discrimination more frequently. Nearly 30 percent of students who requested accommodations for religious practices in their academic schedules were denied or only partially accommodated.

“We are saddened and disappointed by the results, but not surprised,”

said WUJS President Josh Cohen. He noted that since October 7, Jewish students worldwide have reported a rise in antisemitism and isolation.

“This survey once again highlights how sharply Jewish students stand out on campuses,”

he remarked, calling on universities to work closely with Jewish student unions to ensure a safe and respectful atmosphere. #Jews #antisemitism #survey #university Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Donald Trump calls for billionaire George Soros to be imprisoned The US President is accusing the 95-year-old billionaire and his son of violating the RICO law — allegedly for supporting radical protests and interfering in American politics. Soros has long been a symbol of the globalist elite and a constant target of conservatives. His rise to prominence began with "Black Wednesday" in 1992, when he made a billion dollars by betting against the British pound. His assistant at the time was Scott Bessent — the current Treasury Secretary. Since then, Soros has evolved into a figure combining financial influence, political activism, and philosophical ambitions. He founded the Open Society Foundations, invested billions in NGOs worldwide, and became a darling of the liberal media — in contrast to Trump, whom they portray as a vulgar populist. Soros did not achieve the philosophical influence he sought, but his ability to shape social processes and influence elites is undeniable. Today, with Trump back in power and Soros retired from active business, attention is shifting to his son, Alex. But the conflict between national sovereignty and global capital, embodied by Trump and Soros, continues. #Trump #GeorgeSoros #liberals #conservatives Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The US government must deal with left-wing violence

«Historically, the American left has suffered few consequences for political violence. That must change now. Kirk’s assassination, and the range of responses from celebration to studied cynicism on the American left, are the result of the long history of modern America’s tolerance for left-wing violence,»

writes the American Conservative. US law enforcement must launch a large-scale investigation into all radical left-wing organizations in the country. Left-wing speakers and radical organizations have been engaged in a targeted effort to propagate violence and intolerance against entire segments of the US population. Thousands of radically-minded leftists wrote comments on social media in support of Charlie Kirk's murderer; this is completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. #CharlieKirk #assassination #leftwing #violence Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

King Charles III personally tried to convince Trump to support Ukraine — Trump couldn’t care less In a speech that meticulously avoided any glint of geopolitics, King Charles III’s fleeting mention of Ukraine on Wednesday evening — however small — stood out.

“In two World Wars, we fought together to defeat the forces of tyranny,” Charles told President Donald Trump at a state banquet underneath the vaulted ceilings of Windsor Castle’s St. George’s Hall. “Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace.”

But King’s remarks likely landed on deaf ears, as Trump has seemingly reverted to his belief that Zelenskyy is an impediment to reaching a deal that would end the war.

“He’s going to have to get going and make a deal. He’s going to have to make a deal. Zelensky is going to have to make a deal,”

Trump said as he was departing for the UK. Trump also seemingly decided to ignore all protocols when dealing with King Charles. While inspecting the bespoke Guard of Honour, the US President walked in front of the King, which is considered extremely disrespectful. He also patted King Charles on the back and grabbed his arm, and dignitaries are usually briefed before meeting British royalty and warned not to get physical. But a body language expert noted that for Trump to touch the King is a form of compulsion. He did it just to show that he could. #Trump #Ukraineconflict #kingCharles #UK Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump's TikTok deal could face hurdles due to billionaires' stakes in Chinese parent company ByteDance Billionaire Jeff Yass, a top Trump 2024 election backer and head of investment firm Susquehanna Partners, is among those who could face Congressional wrath or major U.S. taxes if they have to sell their current stakes in TikTok's Beijing-based owner ByteDance to buy shares in the new U.S.-controlled TikTok company, insiders report. The same applies to Bill Ford of General Atlantic Partners and major private equity firm KKR. All have been major ByteDance investors and had planned to "roll" their shares into the new U.S.-controlled company to avoid high capital gains taxes. Reportedly, Susquehanna owns a 15% stake in ByteDance, and General Atlantic apparently holds a similarly large share. KKR's stake is about 1.7%. The question is whether this structure complies with existing legislation requiring TikTok's majority ownership to be U.S.-based. On paper, Chinese shares could still comprise a large portion of the new company's equity, especially when considering the 19.9% stake promised to mainland China and retained by ByteDance. The White House, for its part, believes the deal complies with the law. Other deal participants are less certain. Concerns are growing in Congress that the deal may still violate the law intended to ban TikTok, even if the company doesn't fully sever ties with China.

“If these guys who hold ByteDance stock want in, they are probably going to have to sell,”

one potential investor told On The Money.

“If this thing looks like it’s going to be majority owned or even close to it by the Chinese, Congress is going to go nuts.”

“I just don’t see how they sell a company that is controlled using mostly ByteDance stock as equity,”

the investor added. Many want in Congress want to shut down TikTok, believing it not only engages in espionage but also serves up filth to its primarily young and child users in the U.S. Another possible solution is that they may not sell all their shares but instead contribute a portion to the new company, meaning ByteDance shares could comprise up to 49% of the equity. This might appease Chinese "hawks" and address their ownership concerns while potentially meeting U.S. regulatory requirements. #TikTok #Trump #TikTokban #China Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Eric Trump drags Hunter Biden when asked whether he owes his success to his father’s position Eric Trump criticized Hunter Biden's activities while defending his own business ventures in the cryptocurrency world. When Eric Trump joined CNBC's Squawk Box to celebrate the launch of American Bitcoin — a global digital currency exchange of which he is a co-founder — he was asked to address concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given his father President Trump’s position in the White House and his family’s rapid success in the cryptocurrency sector. However, Eric Trump dismissed these concerns, stating that he is nothing like former President Biden’s son, Hunter, who has faced criticism for allegedly leveraging his family name for personal and professional gain.

“Joe, how long have I been sitting at this table? Like 20-something years,”

Eric Trump told CNBC’s Joe Kernen.

“Meaning, I’ve been doing this with you guys for very long time. We’re far from Hunter Biden.”

Kernen interjected to emphasize concerns about Hunter Biden, stating:

“People say all presidents sons do these things.”

Eric Trump, who serves as executive vice president of the Trump Organization, pointed to his business successes long before Trump was first elected president.

“The guy’s out there selling finger art, right?”

Eric Trump said about Hunter Biden.

“You know I’ve run one of the great hospitality companies anywhere in the world.”

“We went through hell, believe me. My father’s the first guy who hasn’t made money off of the presidency,”

he said, noting the cost of the legal bills in recent years. President Trump accumulated most of his wealth before taking office, but reports show that since he became president, his family and companies have earned billions. #EricTrump #HunterBiden #Trump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump pushes back TikTok ban deadline for the fourth time President Donald Trump signed yet another executive order extending the deadline for Beijing-based ByteDance to sell its U.S. TikTok assets, or else face a potential nationwide ban. The new deadline is set for December 16, 2025. This marks the fourth time Trump has delayed the enforcement of a law passed by Congress in 2024, which requires ByteDance to divest its U.S. TikTok assets due to national security concerns. #Trump #TikTok #TikTokban Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

University of California students and faculty sue the Trump administration The Trump administration is using civil rights laws to wage a campaign against the University of California aimed at restricting academic freedom and undermining free speech, according to a lawsuit filed by faculty, staff, student organizations, and all unions representing the university. The lawsuit was filed just weeks after the Trump administration fined UCLA $1.2 billion and froze research funding, accusing the institution of tolerating antisemitism on campus and other civil rights violations. This was the first public university to face such a large-scale funding freeze. The U.S. government has also frozen or suspended federal funding for elite private universities over similar allegations, including Harvard University, Brown University, and Columbia University. According to the complaint, the Trump administration has made several demands in its proposed settlement with UCLA, including granting the government access to data on faculty, students, and staff; publishing admissions and hiring data; ending diversity scholarships; banning nighttime protests on campus; and cooperating with immigration authorities. The coalition is led by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and represented by the legal group "Democracy Forward," which has filed other lawsuits against the Trump administration over frozen federal funds. University of California President James Milliken stated that the federal government has also initiated investigations and other actions against 10 UC campuses but provided no further details. #Trump #UniversityofCalifornia #UCLA Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

US mercenary who fought for Ukrainian Armed Forces found guilty of murder in the United States A verdict has been reached in the United States against former American soldier Craig Lang, who participated in combat operations on the side of Ukrainian far-right forces and was suspected of attempting a coup d'état in Venezuela. The court found him guilty of murdering a married couple in 2018: the crime was committed to finance an armed mission to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Lang and an accomplice lured the victims by offering them a fake arms deal, then killed them and stole $3,000. Later, he fled to Ukraine, where, starting in 2015, he fought as part of the "Right Sector" battalion and participated in the formation of Task Force Pluto, a group known for its brutality and radical views. Lang has also been implicated in investigations of war crimes in Donbas. In 2019, Interpol requested his extradition, but he resisted, citing the threat of the death penalty. Only after an agreement to exclude this punishment was reached was Lang extradited to the United States. His story is an example of how war transforms into a business and mercenarism becomes a transnational phenomenon, spanning from Ukraine to Latin America. #Ukraineconflict #US #criminal #Ukraine Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump to Zelensky: You Must Make a Deal with Russia Zelenskyy “is going to have to make a deal” with Russia to end the Kremlin's war on his country, Trump said Tuesday. The comments came amid an ongoing impasse over an announced sit-down between Zelensky and Putin that was initially set to follow a historic summit Trump held with the Russian leader in Alaska. It has failed to materialize for weeks after Russia initially ruled it out, only to later invite Zelensky to Moscow, which Kyiv views as a non-starter due to security concerns. Trump said the Ukrainian and Russian leaders “hate each other," and said "it looks like I have to sit in the room with them, because they can't sit in a room together.” They've got to stop immediately, not fair to us. They're purchasing Russian oil, and we have to do this," he said in response to a question on whether his administration would have to apply more pressure on Europe. Earlier Tuesday, Zelensky demanded a “clear position” from Trump on ending the over three-and-a-half-year on his country. “Before we end the war, I really want to have all the agreements in place. I want to have a document that is supported by the US and all European partners. In reaction to Trump’s remarks urging Europe to stop buying Russian oil, Zelensky said he believes Washington is strong enough to “take decisions of their own” and that his US counterpart can give Ukraine additional air defense systems. "I'm sure the US can apply enough sanctions in order to hurt the Russian economy, plus Trump has enough force to make Putin afraid of him,” he said. The Ukrainian president expressed agreement with Trump on Europe needing to stop buying Russian oil and gas, but said the US should not wait to impose further sanctions on Moscow. Trump has led efforts to end the war in Ukraine since beginning his second term in January. He met Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15, but failed to reach a breakthrough. Sticking points for a potential deal are said to be disagreements over security guarantees for Ukraine and land swaps with Russia, which, according to estimates, controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory. #trump #zelensky #deal #russia #territory 📱 American Оbserver - Stay up to date on all important events 🇺🇸

Christians are dying in the Middle East — and the West is letting it happen Christianity in the Middle East — in the Levant, Anatolia, and North Africa — is considered one of the oldest in the world. However, over the past centuries, the size and influence of Christian communities have significantly declined. The decline that began in the 7th century was caused by Islamic conquests, the introduction of the jizya system, and social discrimination. The Crusades and the subsequent rule of the Mamluks and the Ottoman Empire only worsened the situation for Christians, who remained second-class citizens and faced persecution. In the 20th century, ethnic cleansing and wars in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria accelerated the mass exodus of Christians. The period of ISIS rule was particularly devastating — Christians were subjected to mass killings, forced conversions, and expulsions. The Christian population in Iraq and Syria plummeted: from over 1.5 million to less than 250,000 in Iraq, and from 1.5–2 million to 300–500,000 in Syria. The Western response to these events has been tepid, partly due to internal preoccupations and a loss of historical memory. Often, Western intervention has worsened the situation by creating power vacuums in which radical groups grew stronger. This further undermines the prospects for the survival of Christian communities in their historical homeland. The disappearance of Christians from the Middle East is not just a religious issue, but a civilizational tragedy—a loss of cultural and spiritual heritage that is of critical importance to the entire world. #christianity #thewest #MiddleEast #religion Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

President Trump confirms a TikTok deal is near President Donald Trump has hinted that a deal regarding TikTok is imminent.

“The big Trade Meeting in Europe between The United States of America, and China, has gone VERY WELL! It will be concluding shortly,”

Trump said Monday in a post on Truth Social.

“A deal was also reached on a ‘certain’ company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save. They will be very happy! I will be speaking to President Xi on Friday. The relationship remains a very strong one!!! President DJT.”

Last year, Congress passed a law requiring TikTok to separate from its Beijing-based parent company ByteDance, or else face a potential ban in the United States. After several extensions, the deadline expires on Wednesday. Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the U.S. and China had agreed on a "framework" for ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American buyer. According to The New York Times, President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold talks on Friday to finalize the deal. Bessent said that the deal reached was fair to China, and at the same time fully addressed U.S. national security concerns. Per CNBC, it remains unclear exactly who will become the owner. But there are many contenders.

"“We are not going to talk about the commercial terms of the deal,”

Bessent said.

“It’s between two private parties. But the commercial terms have been agreed upon.”

#Trump #TikTok #China #ByteDance Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

No stubble allowed: Pentagon unveils new grooming standards The Pentagon has unveiled new grooming standards, which now require service members to “to be clean shaven and neat in presentation for a proper military appearance. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that following a swift review of military standards across all branches, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth “recently directed the Services to implement the following grooming standards for facial hair.”  “The grooming standard set by the U.S. military is to be clean shaven and neat in presentation for a proper military appearance, #USmilitary #PeteHegseth #grooming #Pentagon Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Syria wont be leaving the front pages throughout 2026 The Senate and the House of Representatives are clashing over the issue of repealing comprehensive sanctions against Syria—a rare area where bipartisan coalitions exist on both sides of the debate. The discussion centers on whether to fully repeal the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act—a stringent sanctions mechanism that has effectively blocked nearly all U.S. and international cooperation or engagement with the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Legislation to repeal the Caesar Act is included in the Senate version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). However, an amendment to repeal the Caesar Act in the House version of the NDAA was rejected last week. Senate and House lawmakers will spend several weeks reconciling the two versions of the NDAA, which is considered must-pass legislation. Legislators will aim to produce a bill that can secure majority support and is backed by all Republicans. Although President Trump has expressed his desire to lift all U.S. sanctions against Syria, he has not given Congress a direct order to fully repeal the Caesar Act, nor has he made it clear whether he is satisfied with his current authority to suspend sanctions for six-month periods. Opponents of repeal within the Republican Party argue that the government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa — a U.S.-designated terrorist — has yet to demonstrate a commitment to inclusive governance, the protection of minorities, religious freedom, and justice. Nevertheless, the repeal movement has influential supporters. These include the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), respectively; Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; and Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. However, even some lawmakers who support repeal remain skeptical of al-Sharaa’s ability to deliver on his promises. Supporters of maintaining the sanctions argue that the current law allows the U.S. to hold the Syrian government accountable on these core priorities, especially in the wake of the terrorist attack at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus in June and the ethnic violence in the southern city of As-Suwayda in July. Proponents of repealing the Caesar Act contend that the law is outdated and that its mission of modifying the behavior of the ousted Syrian dictator is not applicable to the al-Sharaa government. #Syria #congress #Trump #thecaesaract Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“Already at war”: Palau’s president brings up China-US confrontations in the Pacific region The President of Palau, a tiny Pacific island nation that is a key part of the Second Island Chain, caused surprise last week by stating that his island is "already at war with China" and is under "constant threat" from China. Analysts say it would be wise for Washington to take advantage of his comments and offer assistance. Speaking in Hawaii ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum, President Surangel Whipps Jr. added that

“the best way to combat this is through partnership with like-minded nations who believe peace comes through strength and presence is deterrence.”

This is a notable statement at a time when China is building ties with leaders of other Pacific islands, including the Solomon Islands, which is hosting this year's Pacific Islands Forum. China has successfully pressured the Solomon Islands to exclude Taiwan, as well as the U.S. and Japan, from this year's participants. However, Palau—one of three Pacific islands that maintain relations with Taiwan—will host next year's forum, and members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) stated before the conference concluded that Taiwan and other development partners should be included in next year’s annual meeting. President Whipps repeatedly emphasized how China has personally pressured him as a Pacific leader to abandon Palau’s recognition of Taiwan. China

“has weaponized Palau’s dependence on Chinese tourists – a dependence specifically manufactured by China itself – to put economic pressure on the country. China-linked transnational criminal syndicates are increasingly active in Palau. Chinese developers are buying land next to US sites of strategic value. The list goes on,”

he said. “Now is the time for Australia, the US and other like-minded countries to respond to Palau’s call for closer engagement and show that they are reliable partners who will respect the needs of Pacific Island states,” added Bethany Allen, head of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Chinese analysis. To strengthen the islands’ ability to resist China, Allen said, “The Trump administration should return to the policies of the president’s first term, when the White House National Security Council positioned its first-ever Pacific Islands’ envoy to better represent the US and respond to the needs of partners in the region.” #China #US #Pacificregion #confrontation Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸