Italy: Russia Poses Growing Military Threat to NATO - Jordan News
Regarding NATO members' recent commitments to increase defense spending as a percentage of GDP, Crosetto clarified that Italy has already allocated funds in its national budget. He stressed, confirming previous reports by Reuters, that this funding will not come at the expense of the healthcare or pension systems.
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Roya News
21 minutes ago
- Roya News
Leaked Gaza ‘deradicalization' camp plan sparks fears of forced displacement: Reuters
A proposal obtained by Reuters has sparked concern among humanitarian experts over a plan to establish massive 'Humanitarian Transit Areas' (HTAs) for Palestinians inside, and potentially outside, the Gaza Strip. The plan, which carries the name of the US-aligned Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), outlines a USD 2 billion initiative to build large camps aimed to "temporarily residing" Palestinians, as well as "deradicalize, re-integrate and prepare to relocate if they wish to do so.' According to two sources familiar with the matter, the proposal was shared with the Trump administration earlier this year and was recently discussed in Washington. The project's stated aim is to transition control over Gaza's population away from Hamas, presenting the HTAs as 'voluntary' shelters where residents can temporarily live while Gaza is rebuilt. The plan also appeared in a presentation obtained by Reuters, which includes maps, timelines, and cost estimates. One slide suggested the first camp could be functional within 90 days and accommodate over 2,000 people. A longer-term vision includes the construction of up to eight camps, each capable of housing hundreds of thousands. While the proposal did not explain how residents would be moved to these areas, it showed potential destinations including Egypt and Cyprus. Despite the document prominently featuring the logos of GHF and the for-profit contractor SRS, both organizations have denied authorship or involvement. GHF told Reuters that the slides 'are not a GHF document,' stressing that it is not planning or implementing any such camps. 'Our focus is solely on food distribution,' the group said. SRS echoed that message, saying it has had 'no discussions with GHF about HTAs' and any claims suggesting otherwise were 'entirely false.' The White House declined to comment, while a senior US official said, 'nothing of the like is under consideration,' and no funding is being directed toward it. Still, the plan's emergence has alarmed humanitarian leaders. 'There is no such thing as voluntary displacement amongst a population that has been under constant bombardment for nearly two years and has been cut off from essential aid,' said Jeremy Konyndyk, head of Refugees International and a former US aid official. Concerns over forced relocation resurfaced after former President Donald Trump suggested in February that the US should take over Gaza and turn it into the 'Riviera of the Middle East' comments widely condemned by Palestinians and human rights groups. Ismail Al-Thawabta, Director of Gaza's Government Media Office, told Reuters the foundation is 'not a relief organization but rather an intelligence and security tool affiliated with the Israeli occupation.' Since opening its food distribution operations in Gaza in May, GHF has coordinated with the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and US security firms to move aid through non-UN channels, an approach favored by the Trump administration but criticized by the UN and aid groups. The United Nations has called the foundation's operations unsafe and a breach of humanitarian neutrality, reporting that hundreds have died at GHF distribution sites or near convoys. While the status of the camp proposal remains unclear, critics argue that even discussing such a plan in a war-ravaged and displaced population risk legitimizing mass relocation under the guise of humanitarian relief.
Jordan News
8 hours ago
- Jordan News
How Trump Uses the "Madman Theory" to Change the World - Jordan News
How Trump Uses the "Madman Theory" to Change the World When asked last month whether he planned to join Israel in a war against Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump responded: "I might do that. Or I might not. Nobody knows what I'll do." After suggesting he agreed to a two-week truce to allow Iran to return to negotiations, he proceeded to bomb its nuclear sites. اضافة اعلان According to the BBC, a clear pattern has emerged: Trump's most predictable trait is his unpredictability. He changes his mind frequently and often contradicts himself. Peter Trubowitz, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics, noted: 'Trump has built an extremely centralized policy-making process, arguably the most centralized—at least in foreign policy—since Richard Nixon.' This means that decisions depend more on Trump's personality, preferences, and mood than on institutional processes. Trump has leveraged this unpredictability as a political asset, turning it into a core strategic and diplomatic tool. It now shapes the White House's foreign and security policies and arguably is 'reshaping the world.' The 'Madman Theory' Political scientists refer to this approach as the Madman Theory: a global leader convinces adversaries that he's capable of anything, making them more likely to concede out of fear or uncertainty. When used effectively, it becomes a form of coercion, and Trump believes it works—especially with U.S. allies. But the question remains: does it work against enemies? Attacks and Doubts Trump's second term began with embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin while attacking U.S. allies. He angered Canada by suggesting it become the 51st U.S. state, expressed interest in militarily annexing Greenland, and called for the U.S. to reclaim the Panama Canal. Regarding NATO, Article 5 of its founding treaty obligates all members to defend one another. Trump has cast doubt on this commitment. Former UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace warned that 'Article 5 is on the brink of collapse.' Leaked text messages revealed a culture of contempt within Trump's White House toward European allies. His running mate, J.D. Vance, declared that the U.S. will no longer guarantee Europe's security. This shift seems to mark the end of 80 years of transatlantic solidarity. Trubowitz remarked: 'Trump has sowed serious doubt about the credibility of America's international commitments. Whether in security or trade, all relationships are now negotiable.' He added that many of those surrounding Trump believe unpredictability is a strength: 'It gives Trump leverage to extract maximum advantage for America—just like he did in real estate.' Flattery and Appeasement This approach has had some success. Four months ago, the UK pledged to raise its defense spending to 2.5% of GDP (up from 2.3%), and last month, during a NATO summit, that figure was raised to 5%—a sharp increase that other NATO members have now committed to follow. Julie Norman, Political Science Professor at University College London, observed: 'It's very difficult to predict what will happen day to day—and that's always been Trump's style.' He has successfully used his volatile personality to reshape transatlantic defense dynamics. To maintain favor with Trump, some European leaders have resorted to flattery. During last month's NATO summit in The Hague, Secretary General Mark Rutte told Trump: 'You will achieve something no president has in decades.' Immunity of Adversaries However, while the Madman Theory may work on allies, it appears ineffective against adversaries. Putin, for instance, remains unmoved. After a recent phone call, Trump expressed disappointment at Putin's refusal to end the war in Ukraine. In the case of Iran, Trump promised to end America's involvement in 'forever wars' in the Middle East, yet bombed Iran's nuclear facilities—a decision the BBC labeled the most volatile move of his second term so far. The key question: Will this achieve the desired outcome? Former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague warned that it may do the opposite, increasing Iran's drive to acquire nuclear weapons. Michael Desch, International Relations Professor at the University of Notre Dame, agreed: 'It's now highly likely that Iran will decide to pursue nuclear weapons,' suggesting that Trump's approach may be counterproductive when dealing with hostile states. — (Agencies)
Roya News
a day ago
- Roya News
Syria rules out foreign loans, unveils new economic strategy
Syria will not seek loans from foreign lenders or international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank, the country's Central Bank Governor Abdul Qader Husariya announced on Friday. Speaking to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Husariya said the decision was made under direct orders from President Ahmed al-Sharaa, emphasizing that Syria is committed to economic independence and self-reliance following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2024. 'The Syrian government will not resort to external debt,' Husariya stated, adding that the country is focused on building a production-based economy driven by exports, rather than relying on high interest rates or speculative investments. Since the end of Assad's rule, the Syrian pound has reportedly recovered by 30 percent. Husariya stressed that there are no plans to peg the national currency to the US dollar or the euro, but instead to allow it to stabilize gradually through internal reforms and restored investor confidence. He said the investment climate in Syria has entered a new era, noting that for the first time in 70 years, all sectors of the economy are witnessing renewed activity. 'We have reached a phase of full economic recovery,' he declared. The economic shift comes as US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 30 lifting sanctions on Syria, following similar moves by European governments. The removal of international restrictions has provided a major boost to Syria's financial and trade sectors. Among the structural changes underway, Husariya announced plans to establish a deposit insurance institution, unify the exchange rate, and offer real estate loans to Syrians living abroad. In a sign of growing international financial reintegration, Syria in June executed its first direct international bank transfer in over a decade—from a local Syrian bank to an Italian institution via the SWIFT network. 'Syria has entered a new phase of monetary and banking openness,' Husariya said, describing it as a turning point after decades of isolation under the Baath Party regime, which collapsed when Assad fled to Russia in December 2024.
