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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Trump and the art of war
President Donald Trump is practising a new art of war with trade as the weapon in his second term. US Foreign policy initiatives reflects this into a complex interplay of assertive nationalism, strategic diplomacy, and decisions supported by his base. Some actions seem aimed to strengthen US interests, while others draw significant criticism and raise questions about their long-term implications. He is making radical policy shifts executing bold ideas — such as withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, suspending foreign aid, or proposing radical solutions for Gaza and pushing territorial ambitions with regard to Canada and Greenland. Sun Tzu, Chanakya, John Boyd, Clausewitz and Machiavelli would marvel at this practice of the art of war. Donald Trump (Bloomberg) Trump views alliances and diplomacy through a business and trade lens, but now he is more overtly pursuing transactional goals, be it trade benefits, security deals, or foreign policy influence. This is nothing but a cold war in a different dimension. He has strengthened US-Saudi relations by broadening investments and trade to enhance economic cooperation; this helps influence oil prices. His strategic realignments follow a transactional approach to traditional alliances, for example, demanding that NATO to increase defence spending. His aggressive trade policy aims to protect American industries but raise concerns about potential economic repercussions. His policies also aim to realign strategic interests of so-called autonomous countries. Pakistan adeptly plays China and the US against each other—securing military aid, economic support, and diplomatic backing from both at different times. Pakistan has positioned itself as a strategic pivot, for the US (counter-terrorism) and for China for economic benefits (CPEC Corridor). Pakistan has long pursued strategic goals in India and Afghanistan using non-State actors, allowing plausible deniability while bleeding opponents indirectly. Pakistan uses its nuclear arsenal to offset India's conventional superiority, enabling the space for grey zone tactics without full-scale retaliation. Practising narrative warfare, it invests in shaping global perceptions using diplomacy, diaspora, and media to portray itself as a victim of terrorism, while distancing itself from supporting certain militant groups. India, even though viewed as a natural partner of the US, has irked Trump for being strategically autonomous. Washington wants India to be a part of his vision-which will translate into less dependence on defence and energy ties with Russia, without understanding India's short- and medium-term compulsions. US firms face regulatory friction in India due to disagreements on data, tariffs, or protectionism. Trump proclaims India's economy as dead, yet feels it enriches Russia to fight Ukraine. This is indeed a conundrum. Trump's reinstatement of the maximum pressure campaign on Iran, aims to compel Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear agreement. This policy included heightened economic sanctions and then, forgetting the 'peace feather' bombs Iran for supporting terror, looking the other way in the case of Pakistan. Trump has a calculated and strategically measured approach to diplomacy and power projection yet featuring impulsive tweets and unpredictable moves as part of his manoeuvre. Trump is more legacy-conscious and recognises the cold war in play where China is asserting itself as a hegemon. He is also intent on proving his critics wrong, making his second term a mission of redemption for the western world. He is tougher and less tolerant to opposition. Policies are rolled out faster, with a new class of policy makers who do not believe in diplomatic softening or their agenda. Trump's cabinet and advisors are more ideologically aligned, creating a tighter, less contested decision-making circle as he now dominates the Republican party completely, allowing more freedom with fewer checks. Donald Trump's tariff pressure strategy, reflects key principles primarily from both Sun Tzu and Chanakya (Kautilya). Trump's art of war is influenced by Sun Tzu in his principle—'the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting'. Trump uses tariffs as an economic weapon, avoiding direct military conflict, especially with China. His aim is to force negotiations and shift trade balances in America's favour through economic pressure, not warfare. Trump targeted sectors where the US had leverage (viz tech, agriculture) and where China was vulnerable (viz exports, supply chains) by following Sun Tzu's principle—'know the enemy and know yourself, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles'. He understood US consumer power and tried to use it strategically. He uses surprise and disruption with sudden tariff announcements to unbalance opponents, creating unpredictability — a Sun Tzu tactic 'to gain psychological and negotiating advantage'. China first faced a minimum tariff rate of 145% and then it was dropped to 30 %, India was next in line with a first volley of 50% tariff fired at it. Trump has also selectively used Chanakya's influence in theArthashastra—'Sama, Dana, Danda, Bheda' (persuasion, gifts, punishment, division). Trump's tactics mirrored this principle: Sama - initially seeking negotiation (e.g., trade deals) along with Dana by offering incentives (e.g., better access for allies). Then shifting to Danda by imposing tariffs and economic penalties. He ultimately, moves to Bheda--dividing the allies and rivals (e.g., EU vs China and Pakistan vs India and China vs India). With Pakistan, he stopped at the first step of Sama as it became fully compliant promptly. Chanakya in his principle of strategic manipulation and deterrence advised kings to project strength and punish economically to force compliance. Trump weaponised tariffs to alter the behaviour of trading partners. Chanakya emphasised national interest over idealism. Trump too followed a blunt, transactional approach (America First), pushing US advantage above global consensus. Trump used Machiavelli making his bold, sometimes divisive in tactics echoed the Prince, valuing results over popularity and using fear as a tool of control and influence. He turns Clausewitz, which is military-oriented in his idea of 'war as continuation of politics by other means'. The US is using diversion by 'barking aloud at Russia with an eye to bite China'--a primary rival due to its economic heft that challenges the US. In combination with military expansion, also in the Indo-Pacific, China threatens US dominance in Asia. From Artificial Intelligence to quantum computing and semiconductors, the US sees China as a hegemon in the making through trade as its weapon and a tech competitor. Russia, on the other hand, is a mere disruptor—especially in Europe (Ukraine, energy blackmail, hybrid warfare). Its military threat is immediate, but long-term strategic competition is limited due to economic and demographic weaknesses. Trump's tariff strategy isn't random, it aligns with Sun Tzu's indirect warfare; Chanakya's multidimensional statecraft and Machiavellian pragmatism. His approach combines economic leverage, strategic pressure, and psychological tactics to reshape global trade relations — reflecting the timeless principles of classical strategists. In summary, Trump in his second term is a more determined, legacy-driven, and assertively nationalist leader. He is less interested in optics and more focused on shaping outcomes that reflect his definition of American strength. The real strategic competitor of the US today is China, though Russia remains a major adversary—especially in military and geopolitical terms. India is a strategic partner, but gets caught in the frictions of great power politics and domestic perceptions in the West. India's challenge is to stay autonomous, will have serious repercussions on India's economy. India is in the same position as in the past where India chose to be non-aligned. It now deserves to be a global power and to achieve it will require extremely deft handling. Economics and national security go hand in hand. India needs to refrain from rhetoric and act in the best interests of our masses, build strength first before reaching the pinnacle of power. This article is authored by Lt Gen PJS Pannu, former deputy chief, Integrated Defence Services.
Saba Yemen
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Taiz: Five children martyred by Islah Party artillery shell in al-Hashmah area
Taiz - Saba: Five children were martyred on Friday in Taiz governorate as a result of an artillery shell fired by Islah Party mercenaries, affiliated with the US-Saudi aggression coalition, on al-Arsoum area of Jabal al-Habil in al-Hashmah area in al-Taezeyah district. A local source told the Yemeni News Agency (Saba) that Islah Party mercenaries targeted al-Arsoum area of Jabal al-Habil in al-Hashmah with an artillery shell, martyring five children from the area. According to medical sources, the bodies of the martyred children arrived at al-Refai Hospital at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. They are: Mubarak Yasser Ali Ahmed Ghaleb al-Sharabi, 14 years old Osama Abu Bakr Ahmed Ali, 12 years old Bashir Akram Ahmed Ghaleb, 12 years old Ahmed Ali Muqbil Abdullah Al-Atmi, 12 years old Anas Jawad Mohammed Saleh, 14 years old This crime was met with widespread condemnation by the people of the governorate and all Yemenis. It is not the first crime, but rather one in a series of crimes committed by the aggression's mercenaries against the people of the governorate from time to time. These crimes confirm their disregard for the lives of women, children, and civilians, as they repeatedly and deliberately target populated neighborhoods. The occupied areas of Taiz governorate are witnessing ongoing security disturbances and conflicts between Islah Party mercenaries and armed militias, with civilians suffering greatly as a result of deteriorating services and living conditions, and the lack of security and stability. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Indian Express
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Saudi Arabia executes journalist after 7 years in prison over social media posts
Saudi Arabia has executed a journalist who spent seven years in prison on charges of terrorism and treason. Rights groups say the charges were linked to posts he made on social media, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Turki Al-Jasser, a journalist in his late 40s, was put to death on Saturday after the country's top court upheld his death sentence, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Al-Jasser was arrested in 2018 after security forces raided his home and seized his computer and phones. It remains unclear where he was tried or how long the trial lasted. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a New York-based watchdog, said Al-Jasser was accused of operating a social media account on X, which had published allegations of corruption involving members of the Saudi royal family. He had also posted critical comments about armed groups. Carlos Martínez de la Serna, CPJ's programme director, told AP that 'the international community's failure to deliver justice for Jamal Khashoggi did not just betray one journalist.' He added it had 'emboldened de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to continue his persecution of the press.' Jeed Basyouni from Reprieve, a group that campaigns against the death penalty, told AP that Al-Jasser was 'tried and convicted in total secrecy for the 'crime' of journalism.' Al-Jasser had written articles on the Arab Spring, women's rights, and corruption. He also ran a personal blog between 2013 and 2015. Saudi Arabia has long faced criticism for its use of capital punishment. According to human rights groups, the kingdom carried out 330 executions in 2024. Last month, a British analyst working for Bank of America was sentenced to ten years in prison in Saudi Arabia, reportedly over a deleted social media post, his lawyer told AP. In another case, Saad Almadi, a dual US-Saudi national, was jailed in 2021 over tweets posted while he was living in the United States. He was released in 2023 but is barred from leaving the country. In 2018, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. US intelligence agencies concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the operation, though Saudi Arabia has denied his involvement.
Saba Yemen
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
At 9:00 PM, tweet campaign will launch under slogan " Hand Protects... and Hand Builds"
Sana'a - Saba: A tweet campaign will launch at 9:00 PM on Wednesday on the social networking site "X" to highlight the achievements of the government in the capital Sana'a, with the support of the people, despite 10 years of US-Saudi aggression and blockade, and the theft of most of Yemen's wealth by their tools and their agents. Organizers called for broad participation in the campaign to highlight the government's steadfastness and its success in maintaining institutional cohesion, as well as other tangible achievements, as available. The campaign will be held under the hashtag: #Hand_Protects_and_Hand_Builds Tweetbank link: .. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
New York Post
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Rubio announces US will bar foreign censors from getting visas
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the US will no longer allow foreign government officials 'who are complicit in censoring Americans' from obtaining visas. 'It is unacceptable for foreign officials to issue or threaten arrest warrants on U.S. citizens or U.S. residents for social media posts on American platforms while physically present on U.S. soil,' Rubio said in a statement. 'It is similarly unacceptable for foreign officials to demand that American tech platforms adopt global content moderation policies or engage in censorship activity that reaches beyond their authority and into the United States,' he added. 'We will not tolerate encroachments upon American sovereignty, especially when such encroachments undermine the exercise of our fundamental right to free speech.' It was not immediately clear which foreign officials would come under threat of having visas revoked. 4 Rubio's announcement comes one day after a leaked State Department cable ordered US embassies and consulates to halt student visa applications for all foreigners. AP Rubio's announcement comes one day after the State Department ordered US embassies and consulates to halt processing of student visa applications from foreigners, with a revised procedure reportedly set to consider social media postings and other information. At least 4,000 student visas have already been yanked away from international students with criminal histories, a senior State Department official told The Post last month, in addition to high-profile cases involving anti-Israel protesters on college campuses being rushed into removal proceedings. During President Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this month, the family of a 75-year-old American detained in the Gulf nation over critical tweets of the Riyadh government petitioned the US to secure his release. Saad Almadi, a US-Saudi dual citizen, was initially sentenced to 19 years in prison for tweeting criticisms of the Saudi government from his home in Florida, has since been released — but is banned from leaving the country to return to America. 4 Anti-Israel protesters on college campuses have been among the thousands of foreign students rushed into removal proceedings. James Keivom 'He tried to go to Dubai two months ago [in March] and they said, 'You are banned from traveling, contact the Ministry of Interior.' And when he contacted the Ministry of Interior, they told him, 'Saad, you are still facing a trial and you are still under travel ban for 19 years,'' his son, Ibrahim Almadi, told The Post. 'Basically in court they said the charges are dropped and now they are refusing to let him travel. They said, 'No, the charges are still there, they aren't dropped.' It's just a miserable court system.' Trump's media empire and Rumble have also challenged a Brazilian Supreme Court ruling that they claimed earlier this year would 'censor legitimate political discourse in the United States.' The State Department and White House have also been closely watching a UK court case involving a Tory councillor's wife sentenced in October to 31 months in prison over a social media post judged racially hateful, The Telegraph reported. 4 REUTERS Lucy Connolly, who is married to Northampton councillor Ray Connolly, called for 'mass deportation' after an Al Qaeda -supporting teen stabbed three young girls to death and wounded 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last summer. The 'sadistic' slaying, prosecutors said, was carried out by Axel Rudakubana — and sparked a week of riots due to internet rumors that the UK teen was a Rwandan migrant. Rudakubana, who was born and raised in Wales by Rwandan parents, was sentenced in January to 13 counts of life in prison and ordered to serve a minimum of 52 years. Connolly later deleted her post calling for deportations and setting 'fire' to hotels. A judge rejected an appeal for her to receive a commuted sentence. 4 Trump's media empire and Rumble have also challenged a Brazilian Supreme Court ruling that they claimed earlier this year would 'censor legitimate political discourse in the United States.' Brazilian Supreme Court/AFP via Getty Images Last Saturday, US officials also met with UK pro-life activists regarding censorship fears, according to The Telegraph. Vice President JD Vance warned European officials about their speech restriction efforts in February during an appearance at the Munich Security Conference. 'You cannot win a democratic mandate by censoring your opponents or putting them in jail,' Vance scolded leaders at one point. The vice president in his address further highlighted moves by the EU Commission to suppress social media posts deemed 'hateful' and the persecution of Christians silently praying outside abortion clinics in the UK. 'The government urged readers to report any fellow citizens suspected guilty of thoughtcrime in Britain and across Europe,' he said. 'Free speech, I fear, is in retreat.'
