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Trump and South Africa: A Stand for Afrikaners or an Attempt to Humiliate a Pro-Palestinian Ally?

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The Katechon Revisited: Theological Roots, Geopolitical Relevance, and Contemporary Conflicts

The concept of the katechon, central to Christian eschatology, was reinterpreted by Carl Schmitt through a politico-theological lens marked by the idea that, in every age, a historical or spiritual force prevents the advent of final chaos. In light of current geopolitical upheavals, some analysts extend this interpretive framework by identifying new katechons capable of restraining the emergence of a global order perceived as destructive or malevolent. This article offers a critical reflection on the contemporary reactivation of the katechon, exploring its echoes in the current conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine. 1. The Katechon: Theological Origins and Schmittian Reception The term katechon originates from the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians (2:6–7), in which the apostle Paul refers to “the one who restrains” the coming of the Antichrist. In Christian tradition, the katechon designates the force — either a person or institution — that delays the revelation of ultimate evil and the...

The Violent Recomposition of Power in Tripoli: An Autopsy of Political Collapse in Libya

Fourteen years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, Libya remains mired in chronic political fragmentation. Far from regaining institutional stability, the country continues to be governed by a logic of militias, local clientelism, and foreign interference. The Libyan conflict has become entrenched, turning Tripoli into a permanent theatre of power struggles. The recent events of May 2025 highlight the extreme fragility of the capital’s politico-military equilibrium, particularly through the assassination of powerful militia leader Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, known as “Ghneiwa,” and the chain reaction it set off. 1. Militia-Based Governance Rooted in State Collapse Since 2011, Libya has lacked a functioning state in the institutional sense. Public institutions are severely weakened, if not altogether absent, and sovereignty is effectively divided among armed groups. In Tripoli, security has for years relied on an implicit coexistence among militia factions, whose authority is grounde...

The Retailleau Report: When Political Showmanship Undermines Strategic Governance

The recent publication of a confidential report on the infiltration tactics of the Muslim Brotherhood into French institutions has sparked a flurry of controversy — not for its findings, but for the manner in which it was unveiled. Orchestrated by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, the release of the document appears less a matter of national security than a calculated move in a broader campaign of political positioning. What was originally intended as a tool for internal analysis has now become a spectacle — emblematic of a political approach that prioritises media attention over effective governance. 1. A Strategic Document Turned into a Political Prop Commissioned by Retailleau’s predecessor, the report was designed as a working document, grounded in analysis and intended to support a discreet and structured response to the threat of ideological entrenchment in public institutions. According to sources familiar with its origin, it was never meant for public consumption — not out of...

When Morocco Wages War with Drugs: A Toxic Strategy to Destroy Algeria’s Future Generations

More than three years ago, I raised the alarm about a dangerous possibility: the existence of underground tunnels between Morocco and Algeria used for large-scale drug trafficking. At the time, my warnings were dismissed, mocked, or labeled as “conspiracy theories.” Today, that so-called “theory” has emerged from the shadows—quite literally. According to credible media sources, a secret tunnel has been discovered linking Moroccan territory to the Bab El Assa region in Algeria’s Tlemcen province. This tunnel was allegedly used to smuggle significant quantities of processed cannabis (kif)—a product the Moroccan regime has long weaponized to destabilize Algeria. And this isn’t an isolated case. Just a few months ago, a similar tunnel was uncovered in the occupied city of Ceuta, used by Moroccan-Spanish smuggling networks to traffic both drugs and migrants. These are not coincidences. This points to a coordinated and well-established underground infrastructure, most likely developed with t...

From Political Islam to Investment Islam: The Strategic Reconfiguration of the Middle East in Contemporary U.S. Policy

Since President Donald Trump’s official visit to Riyadh in 2017, U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East has undergone a profound transformation. This shift marked a clear departure from the Obama administration’s approach, which emphasized dialogue with “moderate” Islamist actors in the wake of the Arab Spring. Instead, the Trump doctrine favored a partnership with traditional Gulf monarchies, prioritizing economic growth and authoritarian stability over political reform and ideological pluralism. This article seeks to examine the implications of this paradigmatic shift, exploring the emergence of what may be termed “investment Islam” as a replacement for “political Islam”. It analyzes the resulting transformations in regional power dynamics, evaluates the reliability of emerging narratives, and offers a critical perspective on the new U.S.-led framework for Middle Eastern order. 1. From Obama’s “Moderate Islam” to Trump’s “Profit-Driven Islam” The Obama administration’s Middle Eas...

The Fall of the Rafale: A Russian Report Unveils Pakistan’s Silent Aerial Supremacy

A recently released Russian report sheds critical light on the underlying causes of the Indian Air Force’s setback in a high-stakes aerial encounter with Pakistan. At the heart of this analysis lies a stark conclusion: Pakistan’s integration of advanced airborne surveillance and missile systems—particularly the Saab 2000 Erieye—enabled it to outmaneuver and ambush Indian Rafale jets without warning, and with surgical precision. Saab 2000 Erieye: The Eye That Sees All At the core of Pakistan’s aerial strategy is the Saab 2000 Erieye, an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft of Swedish origin. Pakistan currently operates a fleet of nine such aircraft, equipped with the Erieye AESA radar—a cutting-edge system with a detection range of up to 450 kilometers, a combat radius of 3,700 kilometers, and an endurance of nearly 9.5 hours. This high-altitude sentinel offers a formidable command-and-control platform, allowing Pakistan to orchestrate engagements from a distance, wit...