You are invited to join us for Global Crisis Watch 317, on Friday, February 28th at 10:00 GMT.
The highlighted topics will include:
US Aligns with Russia at UN, Breaking from European Allies on Ukraine
In a dramatic shift from past US policy, the Trump administration aligned with Russia in two key United Nations votes on the war in Ukraine. At the UN General Assembly, the US voted against a European-backed resolution condemning Russia’s invasion, joining Russia, China, North Korea and Belarus. The resolution still passed with 93 votes. Meanwhile, the US introduced a rival resolution that avoided calling Russia the aggressor or reaffirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity. After amendments strengthened its language against Russia, the US abstained from its own proposal.
At the UN Security Council, the US introduced a similar resolution calling for an end to the conflict without directly criticizing Moscow. It passed with 10 votes, including Russia’s, while key European allies – the UK, France, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia – abstained. The move signaled a widening gap between Washington and its transatlantic partners. French President Emmanuel Macron met with President Trump at the White House, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to visit next.
European diplomats condemned the US stance, stressing that sustainable peace requires acknowledging Russia’s role as the aggressor. Ukrainian officials and US lawmakers also expressed alarm. Republican Senator John Curtis called the vote a betrayal of democratic values, while former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned it undermined America’s credibility.
The US’s realignment at the UN raises concerns over its long-term commitment to European security and marks a significant departure from its previous leadership in supporting Ukraine.
As Ukraine Secures a US Minerals Deal, Trump and Musk Push Sweeping Federal Layoffs
Ukraine has reached a minerals deal with the US, securing investment in exchange for future resource access. While the Trump administration initially demanded $500 billion in mineral wealth, that condition was dropped, though no firm security guarantees were offered. President Trump stated that US military aid to Ukraine would continue ‘until we have a deal with Russia,’ escalating uncertainties that American support is now transactional. Kyiv hopes that US financial interests in Ukraine’s mineral wealth will motivate long-term backing, but Russia has countered by offering Washington access to minerals from occupied Ukrainian territories.
The deal highlights a fundamental shift in US foreign policy under Trump. Historically, aid was provided based on strategic or humanitarian goals, but now it comes with economic strings attached. This marks a departure from decades of American global engagement, from the Marshall Plan to post- Cold War democracy promotion.
Meanwhile, Trump has escalated government downsizing, with Elon Musk spearheading budget cuts. Federal agencies must submit workforce reduction plans, with agencies like the EPA and the Interior Department facing cuts of up to 65% and 40%, respectively. Confusion arose when federal employees received unexpected directives to justify their positions or face termination.
Trump is simultaneously pushing to extend the 2017 tax cuts, which could add trillions to the US debt. With foreign aid slashed and government contracts canceled, Washington’s role in global security and governance is rapidly evolving, leaving Ukraine and other allies uncertain about future commitments.
Tanks in the West Bank: Israel Escalates Military Operations After Gaza Conflict
Israel’s recent military actions in the West Bank represent a significant escalation, as tanks were deployed to the region for the first time in over 20 years. This marks a sharp reinforcement of operations that have displaced at least 40,000 Palestinians from their homes. Since the October 7 Hamas attack, Israel has launched airstrikes and ground operations targeting Palestinian cities, particularly in the northern West Bank, including Jenin and Tulkarem. The military has demolished homes, severed water and electricity supplies and imposed tight restrictions on Palestinians.
Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, have stated that the military will maintain its presence in these areas for up to a year, aiming to prevent the return of displaced residents and the resurgence of militant activity. While Israel frames these operations as necessary for security, including the removal of Iranian-backed militants, critics argue that the actions reflect a broader strategy of annexation and control, with ongoing settlement expansion and efforts to weaken Palestinian governance in the region.
The international community, including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, has condemned Israel’s continued occupation of the West Bank, highlighting the humanitarian toll. Thousands of displaced Palestinians face dire conditions, struggling with limited access to essential services. Israel’s military operations have resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7, with tensions continuing to rise as the conflict enters a new phase.
Germany Faces Divided Future as AfD Gains Strength in Election
In Germany’s recent election, Friedrich Merz’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) secured a significant win but fell short of the expected 30% vote-share, earning around 28.6%. Merz’s immediate priority is forming a government, likely through a coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD), despite their record-low performance of just 16.4%. Merz is focused on strengthening Europe and reducing reliance on the US for defense, especially as tensions rise over transatlantic relations.
However, the biggest story of the election was the dramatic surge of the far- right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which secured a record 20.8% of the vote – almost doubling its support from 2021. The AfD, bolstered by voter frustration over issues like immigration, rising crime and economic pressures, will now be Germany’s largest opposition party. AfD presidential candidate Alice Weidel celebrated the result, though she faces resistance from mainstream parties, who have pledged not to collaborate with the party.
Weidel and the AfD received a significant increase in publicity due to Elon Musk appearing by video at their national conference, giving a speech which seems to support AfD policies and emphasizing the need to bring them into the national political dialogue, and which he finished by giving what many sources identified as a Second World War-style Nazi salute.
The election highlighted deepening political fragmentation, with young voters increasingly drawn to populist parties like the AfD and the Left Party, which saw a renewed strength. Merz’s CDU now faces the challenge of forging a stable coalition while managing the political tensions surrounding the rise of the far-right. The AfD’s growing influence will continue to dominate the national discourse on migration and security, forcing Merz to address these issues while trying to balance coalition demands and unite a divided Germany.
Plus, all the stories that are catching our attention wherever we live in the world. Feel free to join us and add your voice to the conversation.