Jeffrey Sachs: Iran Exposed the Limits of American Power

Apr 23, 2026 | World-renowned economics professor Jeffrey Sachs discusses the global fallout from the US and Israeli war on Iran, as the conflict approaches the two-month mark.

Lebanon Ceasefire: Peace Breakthrough or Just a Temporary Trump Pause in the War?

Apr 17, 2026 | A 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon brings both relief and skepticism after weeks of escalating violence. Announced by Donald Trump following talks with Benjamin Netanyahu and Joseph Aoun, the pause is meant to halt fighting and create space for diplomacy. While it appears focused on Israel and Hezbollah, the conflict is deeply tied to a wider U.S.-Iran standoff. Hezbollah’s attacks in support of Iran triggered a devastating Israeli response, leaving southern Lebanon heavily damaged and thousands of civilians affected. The ceasefire offers a needed break, but its short duration and complex regional stakes make its long-term impact uncertain and fragile.

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US-Iran War | It’s a Defeat for the US: Jeffrey Sachs Slams Trump over Iran Ceasefire

Apr 9, 2026 | Renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs has sharply criticized Donald Trump over the Iran ceasefire, calling it a strategic setback for the United States. The fragile truce follows weeks of escalation, with analysts noting that key US war objectives remain unmet while Iran retains leverage in the region

Trump Is ‘Completely Out of Touch with Reality’ as Ceasefire Fails

Mar 20, 2025 | “People just saw the word ceasefire in America and said, oh, great, I can't believe he's achieved that…within an hour there were strikes on the Ukrainian infrastructure.“

Donald Trump is “completely out of touch with realty” as Putin “has not even payed lip service” to ceasefire agreement, says The Times’s Maxim Tucker.


Striking a deal to stop a war is clearly very different from striking a real estate deal! – © Mark Alexander

Russia Agrees to Halt Ukraine Energy Attacks for 30 Days, Says Kremlin | BBC News

Mar 18, 2025 | Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to halt strikes on Ukraine energy targets for 30 days, the Kremlin says, after a phone call with US President Donald Trump.

Fresh Ukraine peace talks will also begin in the Middle East immediately, the White House says.

After the call, the White House said: "The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire".

The Kremlin says the two presidents had a "frank exchange of opinions" and agreed to stay in touch.

Putin Rejects Immediate Ceasefire

THE TELEGRAPH: Vladimir Putin has rejected a proposal for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine but agreed to halt attacks on energy and infrastructure.

After what the Kremlin called a “frank” phone call with Donald Trump, the two leaders agreed that formal negotiations on a 30-day truce would begin “immediately” in the Middle East.

Putin ordered the Russian military to halt attacks on energy plants in Ukraine without delay, the Kremlin said after the 90-minute phone call ended.

But the Kremlin also said that the “complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv” is a condition for any permanent peace deal. Ukraine, and much of Europe, is highly unlikely to agree to this. » | Kieran Kelly. Iona Cleave | Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Trump-Putin Call Sticking Points: Ceasefire, Security Guarantees, NATO

Mar 18, 2025 | US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to talk on the phone on Tuesday to discuss Washington's plan for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. Kyiv has already agreed to the proposal. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Putin is dodging the ceasefire proposal to prolong the war. Many ordinary Ukrainians also remain sceptical that the US plan will lead to peace.

Arab States Intensify Pleas for Gaza Cease-fire as Public Anger Mounts

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Citing deepening fears for regional stability, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries are beseeching the U.S. to push Israel to end its military campaign in Gaza.

A rally in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in Amman, Jordan, on Oct. 27. | Khalil Mazraawi/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Facing growing anger from their own people, Arab countries are intensifying their appeals to the United States to pressure Israel to implement an immediate cease-fire in Gaza or risk sabotaging the security of the entire Middle East.

Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt have all implored American officials, including Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, to get Israel to halt its military assault.

“The whole region is sinking in a sea of hatred that will define generations to come,” the Jordanian foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, warned at a news conference this weekend.

As unrest spills into the streets and fear spreads that Iran-backed militias in the region will enter more directly into the conflict, some Arab leaders are worrying for their own security, said Elham Fakhro, an associate fellow at Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Program.

“Long-term resentment among the Arab public is fuel for extremist groups,” she said. “The region is already walking a delicate balance,” she added. “This is what drives Arab governments to use their available leverage to call for a cease-fire.” » | Vivian Nereim, Reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf: "How Many More Children Need to Die?" | #shorts

Humza Yousaf’s emotional appeal to Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer for a ceasefire.

Netanyahu Rejects Calls for a Cease-fire — and for His Resignation.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Israel’s prime minister adopted a defiant tone in a rare news briefing, saying that the country would not agree to a halt in attacks because, he argued, doing so would strengthen Hamas.


Striking a defiant tone at a rare news briefing on Monday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel ruled out a cease-fire in Gaza, dismissed calls for his resignation and rejected criticism of Israel’s strikes on civilian homes.

Mr. Netanyahu’s political opponents have called for him to resign over his failure to stop the attacks of Oct. 7, when terrorists from Gaza raided Israel and killed more than 1,400 people.

Abroad, the conduct of the Israeli counterattack on Gaza — which has killed more than 8,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Gazan health ministry — has generated widespread outcry, with humanitarian groups and the United Nations General Assembly calling for a cease-fire. » | Patrick Kingsley | Reporting from Benjamin Netanyahu’s news briefing in Tel Aviv | Monday, October 30, 2023

Yusuf Islam Addresses the 'Great Palestine Rally' in Istanbul

Oct 28, 2023 | British singer Yusuf Islam has called for a ceasefire in Gaza and pleads for an end to the bombardment of innocent civilians, thanking Türkiye 'for taking the right stand' on the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Comes into Effect in Gaza

BBC: A ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement which governs Gaza has come into effect.

Under the deal, Israel has agreed to end all hostilities and targeted killings, while Hamas will stop attacks against Israel and along the border.

At least 157 people have died since the flare-up of violence began last week.

Both sides continued to fire on each other as the 21:00 (19:00 GMT) ceasefire deadline approached, but no incidents have been reported since.

Earlier, a bomb exploded on a bus in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, leaving three people needing surgery.

Wednesday also saw at least 13 people die in Gaza.

Israel has agreed to "stop all hostilities on the Gaza Strip, land, sea and air including incursions and targeting of individuals", the ceasefire deal says.

"All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel, including rocket attacks, and attacks along the border," it stipulates. (+ video) » | Wednesday, November 21, 2012