Iran's victory

Finally, some kind of deal or agreement is being signed by representatives of the US and Iran. From what we know so far, it's a shameful defeat for the sole superpower and a victory for Iran, definitely due to its leadership's courage. The US didn't get anything, while Iran will ultimately get whatever it wanted. The only concrete thing about the deal is that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened (it was open before the war started). All other demands by Iran and the US will be considered later. Knowing US President Trump, if his party wins the mid-term elections in November, he will make the same mistake and bomb Iran again (for which the US will again pay dearly).

Trump was fooled by the Israelis into bombing Iran, thinking that once the Iranian Supreme Leader was killed, the people of Iran would rise in revolt and a new, pliant government would take over. That did not happen., even though the Supreme Leader was killed on the first day. Moreover, the US spent 100 billion dollars and lost fourteen men, with all their Middle East bases destroyed and many airplanes damaged or destroyed. 

The US should now realize that its ally Israel is not dependable and it should stop giving it the massive amount of aid it has done for the past seven decades.              

Iran, meanwhile, should go ahead and build nuclear weapons. That will deter Israel from routinely bombing neighboring countries and killing Palestinian Muslims and Christians.  

Trump will make sure there's no peace in the world

It's evident now that Trump is a greedy, vicious slob who does whatever Netanyahu tells him to do. Every time there's a chance that a peace deal with Iran will be reached, he gets a call from the Zionist killer, and he backs out. I doubt that Trump will honor any peace agreement with Iran (if ever there is one).

Despite the ceasefire declared last month, Trump continues to attack Iran. After two bombings of Bandar Abbas, supposedly to defend attacks from Iran, he expects us to believe that he wants a peace deal. His latest threat is to finish off Oman (if the latter agrees with Iran to impose a toll on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This should be enough for him to be declared a war criminal by the UN.

The most convincing proof that he's a Zionist agent came when he demanded that all Muslim nations join the Abraham Accords, meaning that they should recognize the genocide committing apartheid state. He doesn't know that Muslims hate Israel for its killing of Palestinians.

Then there's the wealth he's accumulating by manipulating the markets. Everytime he bombs or threatens Iran, the stock market declines and he and his cronies buy cheap shares. Then he announces that a peace treaty with Iran is imminent, the market goes up and he sells his shares. The man is 80, so why does he want so much? 

Trump virtually insulted by the Chinese

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The Chinese are very subtle when they want to insult someone. Where an American would yell "S.o.b.!", a Chinese guy would merely point his index finger. During Trump's visit to China, he was insulted badly, although he doesn't know how much.

Trump expected Chinese President Xi Jinping to hug him on arrival. Instead, the prime minister greeted him, and when Trump was taken to meet Xi, the latter welcomed him with just a handshake. Being welcomed by a prime minister (the president's junior) at the airport signified that China doesn't view Trump with respect, a mere handshake shows that Xi doesn't think that Trump is as important as he thinks he is. In fact, it is reported that the Iranian foreign minister was shown more courtesy during his visit (which was a couple of days before Trump's).

Another insult to Trump was that the Chinese government's website completely ignored him during his visit. On Chinese social media websites, private individuals were allowed to make fun of Trump (something which was banned during the visits of Tajikistan's president and that of the Iranian foreign minister).

But the biggest insult of course was Xi warning Trump not to fall in the Thucydides trap. When Trump was told of its meaning, he lost his temper but later said that Xi was referring to the US's decline during Joe Biden's rule. But whatever he may believe, it's apparent that his visit was a failure. Note how, immediately upon returning to the US, he asked Taiwan not to declare independence.

 

Because of Trump's lies, no one will ever trust American politicians

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If there's one thing we've learned from the war on Iran, it's that Americans (especially politicians) can never be fully trusted again. Trump lies so much that one can only wonder how such a man was ever elected president.

During his first term he tore up Obama's nuclear policy agreement with Iran (he also moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem). He bombed Iran's nuclear facilities despite ongoing talks. As if that were not enough, he again did the same thing even after Oman announced that negotiations with Iran were successful and it was ready to sign an agreement acceptable to the US. After spending 55 billion dollars on the war and not achieving his aims, he keeps declaring that the US has won, but doesn't explain why he has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a step that is causing oil prices to increase.

Yesterday, when Iran's foreign minister arrived in Islamabad, he announced that it was Iran that had requested that talks be resumed, although Iran categorically said that it was not interested in talks. But Trump nevertheless said that he's sending two envoys (including his son-in-law Jared Kushner) to hold talks with the Iranians (who will not be there).

One can only wonder how a man like Trump has been able to fool so many Americans into voting twice for him.

Democracy vs dictatorship

Until recently I was a diehard supporter of democracy, but recent events have compelled me to change my opinion. Even though Socrates opposed democracy, most countries have opted for it. But considering that it was democracy that cost Socrates his life (he was judged guilty by twelve men who were not his equal in intelligence), it is obvious that democracy is not suitable for mankind.

Consider this: what kind of democracy is this where people like Trump, Netanyahu and Hitler get to be leaders? Trump himself is a convicted felon who knows that he might spend the rest of his life in jail if he's impeached and deposed. Netanyahu is facing corruption charges, so he wants to cause ruckus and mayhem to remain in power. Hitler, it must be remembered, was also elected. Since it's evident that the common man is easily fooled (as in Pakistan where a nincompoop narcissist ruled for four years). a new system (like that in China) would be more suitable for modern times, with some safeguards (like easily removing an incompetent leader like Trump). Of course it will mean doing away with some freedoms, but even in the US, most people don't get the rights given to them by the Constitution.

US-Iran ceasefire: Pakistan's finest hour

Pakistan succeeded in persuading both US and Iran to agree to a two-week ceasefire and hold talks in Islamabad. This will definitely cause Modi many sleepless nights, as Pakistan is on the world stage now because it was able to defeat India in the "Operation Sindoor" air war last year (which most Hindutva terrorist Indians still refuse to concede). Another loser is Imran Khan and his cult followers, who openly mocked Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir when they were reported to be trying to mediate between the two warring countries.

Both the US and Iran claimed to have won, but to most impartial observers, Iran has come out on top. It was able to fight for forty days, inflicting colossal damage to Israel and its Gulf allies. It proved that the US is no longer the superpower it claims to be. 

But the one who lost the most face is President Donald Trump, who until yesterday was warning that he would bomb Iran back into the Stone Age if it did not agree to his demands. "A whole civilization will disappear tonight", he warned. Iran did not flinch. I admire Iran's leadership for its victory. It has saved the Muslim world from being taken over by the Zionists.

Why did 77 million Americans vote for a sociopath like Trump?

It's often been said that democracy is the best system. But that doesn't explain why pedophiles and killers like Trump and Netanyahu get elected (Modi is another psychopath who should have been strangled at birth). And let's not forget that a megalomaniac like Hitler was also elected democratically.

So why should most countries of the planet stick to democracy? Trump's latest antics prove that he's a danger to the world. This man is obviously demented, as his tweet yesterday proves. He threatened Iran with total annihilation if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz. He used the common four-letter word indiscriminately used by illiterate people. But the surprising thing is that he even wrote "Allah be praised" in the same tweet. And this too on one of the holiest days in Christendom (Easter Sunday). No wonder Bernie Sanders and many others have called him crazy. He should not be trusted with the nuclear button. In fact, he should be put in a mental asylum before he does any more damage.

 

Trump and Netanyahu should be tried as war criminals

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The Iranian government should demand that Trump and Netanyahu should be tried and sentenced as war criminals by the International Court of Justice. This is the only way psychopaths like them will be prevented from wrecking the world economy and causing immense damage to the environment.

The whole world is suffering because of the antics of these two mentally deranged fanatics. Every country on the planet has seen massive increases in fuel prices. Pakistan is no exception. Yesterday, petrol and diesel prices were again increased substantially. Trump had every opportunity to reverse course and declare an end to the war on Iran. Apparently he wants his friends to become billionaires. His speeches have caused oil prices to spike and share prices to stumble. Some people have earned billions from betting. 

The saddest thing of all is that Trump was manipulated by Netanyahu into declaring war on Iran. The Western nations should realize that the problem is Israel's Zionists, not Iran. But unfortunately that is not likely to happen soon.

Pakistan should not mediate

Even though Pakistan has received a lot of favorable attention from the warring nations, I believe it should not have offered to mediate. The reason, of course, is that Trump cannot be trusted. He tore up the agreement between Iran and Obama, he attacked Iran (twice) while negotiations were in progress in Oman, and now, he keeps lying about ceasefire with Iran, while sending troops to the region. Chances are, he will order an invasion of Iran while talks to stop the war are in progress.

Another thing: even if the talks are successful, can anyone say with certainty that Trump and Netanyahu will stick to the terms of the agreement? I strongly doubt it. The UN is powerless to do anything if the perpetrators are strong (like the US and Israel). There have been many resolutions to resolve the Kashmir dispute, but the impotent UN can only look on. A strong UN would have sanctioned India, the US and Israel, but that is impossible. So, as I said, Pakistan should stay out of it.

Israel fools the US into another war

Israel finally got what it wanted: a war between the US and Iran. But it will have to pay dearly. Even though negotiations between the US and Iran were practically concluded, with Iran agreeing to most demands, Israel forced Trump to attack Iran, killing its top leadership (including the Supreme Leader Khamenei). 

What Israel and Trump hadn't taken into account was the fact that its allies would be directly in the line of fire. It's been three days since the war started, and there is panic in Dubai and other states in the region. Foreigners in the UAE are reportedly paying 300,000 dollars to escape to Saudi Arabia by car. If the war lasts another two weeks, food shortage in Dubai may cause riots (as most of its food is imported).It will take many months for things to return to normal, but one thing is certain now: Westerners will never regard the region as a safe haven. Cities like Dubai, Doha and Bahrain will no longer be the favored destinations for Europeans.

With oil prices predicted to soar to 200 dollars a barrel, the future looks bleak. Inflation could hit the US, and Trump's party will be soundly beaten in the mid-term elections in November. I hope Trump is booted out and impeached for his crimes.

Trump's war on iran

It's evident that Trump wants to bomb Iran so that a major threat to Israel is eliminated. In fact, there are conspiracy theorists who say that Israel got the Epstein files released so that Trump would need something to distract public attention from his pedophile activities. What is ignored, however, is that the US will be able to weaken China by bombing Iran to its knees.

China buys eighty percent of Iran's oil. After the US capture of Venezuelan oil, which was also China's major source, loss of Iranian oil will be a major problem for China. If Iran falls, China will have a hard time finding new sources of oil. This is Trump's real intention: remove China as the other superpower. 

But will Iran surrender? The US demands on the Iranian leadership are unrealistic. Even if Iran gives up developing its peaceful nuclear program, sanctions will still remain in place. So Iran gets nothing, and if it does comply, its leadership will be forced to resign and flee. Iran, therefore, has no choice but to fight until death. 

Trump's mathematics

Just like us?

Published in The News on January 26, 2026   

Way back in the 1970s, Pakistan had a health minister who claimed in an international conference that he had got prices of medicines reduced by 1000 per cent by introducing generic drugs. He was asked how this was possible, as reducing the price of anything costing Rs 100 by a hundred percent would mean it would be available for free, and a reduction of a thousand percent would mean that the buyer would get Rs 900 as well as the free item. I do not remember what the minister said when this was pointed out to him (if at all it was), but it was forgotten in a few days.

I was reminded of this when I heard US President Trump promise a thousand per cent reduction in drug prices. I could understand a Pakistani minister saying it, as we know the state of education in our country, but how is it that even the US president does not know what a seventh grade student does? Should we then assume that the US is just another third world country?

Shakir Lakhani

Karachi

https://www.thenews.pk/print/1395166-just-like-us

US Iran tension and property prices in Karachi

There are credible reports that Pakistanis in Dubai and other countries in the region are moving their wealth to Pakistan to buy property in their homeland. Prices of bungalows, apartments and plots have skyrocketed, particularly in Karachi's DHA. The main reason is that the US may attack Iran any moment, and the resulting war will cause destruction in Arab countries neighboring Iran (if it retaliates, as it has threatened).

It's been evident for a long time that the glamour of Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait is a sham. If there is even a minor disturbance there, like the public coming out on the streets to protest, the resulting panic will see a mass exodus of foreigners from these countries. The attacks on Iran six months ago by the US and Israel led to the shutdown of Dubai's airport. In fact, yesterday some major airlines cancelled their flights to Israel and the region, expecting an attack by the US on Iran. 

Let's hope sanity prevails and Trump can be persuaded to back down. 

Jungle rule: Trump's invasion of Venezuela

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For weeks, Donald Trump had been talking of invading Venezuela and arresting its president. Yesterday the unthinkable happened: US forces captured the Venezuelan president and his wife while they were asleep. This is pure jungle rule. Trump is behaving like the neighborhood bully. Last week he said that the US would bomb Iran if demonstrators in that country were killed by the government. Of course, if he does attack Iran again, the Iranians would become more united. But would he threaten the Saudis if they did the same thing?

What I don't understand is how the US could simply walk into Venezuela and arrest its sitting president. Obviously, there must have been agents on the ground who kept the US informed of the Venezuelan president's whereabouts. But why hasn't the same thing been done to Cuba, which is avowedly anti-US? Is it because the Cuban people support their leaders?

It seems that Trump wants to control all the oil left on earth. He doesn't realize how much fossil fuels are responsible for global climate change. 

Trump's million dollar gold and green card

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I'd never have guessed that the US economy is in such a bad state that it needs foreigners to get US citizenship for a million dollars (which is equivalent to 300 million Pakistani rupees. I know a few people among my near and distant relatives who have that kind of money, but I can't understand why anyone like that would like to live permanently in the US, now that we know how unstable that country is. But then, there are gangsters in Russia and Africa who would definitely love to settle there. In fact, as Trump said, there are about 40,000 who have applied for the gold card, some of whom may be Pakistanis.

Come to think of it, I've never wanted to live anywhere other than in Pakistan, even though I could have gone to the US in the 1960s, even though most of my life has been spent in struggling to survive. If I'd gone to the US and spent 50 years working in jobs I didn't like, I'd have gone crazy. So I suppose it's been a good decision to remain in the country I grew up in.

Why is Trump pardoning criminals?

President Trump is behaving like a modern-day Julius Caesar. Not only does he think he's above the law, he's apparently thinking that he can do anything illegal and get away with it. His bullying tactics to coerce the president of Venezuela to resign prove that he's mentally unbalanced. His order to attack all boats on the Venezuelan coast, his order to all airlines to stop going to that country is not something that the president of a democratic country should do. Yet he's doing it, and apparently no one can stop him.

His latest is a string of pardons to hardened and convicted criminals. The president of Honduras was serving a 45 year jail sentence, but Trump simply pardoned him. Then there was the Ponzi scheme guy who defrauded 17,000 Americans of 1.2 billion dollars. He has been pardoned after serving only 12 days in prison. The latest is a senator belonging to the Democratic party (Henry Ceullar) who was scheduled to be tried next month (together with his wife). Yet he too has been let off by Trump. Obviously, Trump is not doing such things because he loves them. There must be something in it for him too. We'll know soon enough. 

Trump being cordial to Mamdani shocks Americans!

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Lo and behold, we saw another side of Trump when he met Mamdani. He even asked Mamdani to say yes when the New York mayor-elect was asked if he still considered that Trump is a fascist. This is definitely not the Trump we know, as we've seen how rudely he treated Zelensky. Let's hope that Trump changes and becomes a really nice and lovable person. 

But the question remains: will Mamdani be able to persuade billionaires like Trump to pay more taxes on their properties? It will indeed be a miracle if that happens.

I can't help comparing the situation of New York with that of Karachi. If only the taxes paid by Karachi residents were used for the city's development, it would not be the world's least livable. That can only happen only if the city is made a province. Unfortunately, that won't happen for a long time.

The great hack: how elections were rigged in the US and elsewhere

  I saw a Netflix documentary ("The great hack") and was astonished to find that Trump won the 2016 election by what can only be described as rigging. Cambridge Analytica, a British company "persuaded" thousands of US voters to vote for the Republican party, and Trump was the winner despite Hilary Clinton getting more votes. It seems that only 70,000 voters in three US states (called the "swing" states) decided who the next president would be.

This happened not only in the US, but in many other countries as well. The referendum in the UK that led to that country breaking away from the UK was influenced by the company, using Facebook to find out which voters were "persuadable". In Trinidad and Tobago, an Indian origin woman became the country's prime minister, and Facebook data was used to influence the result of the election. I have noticed a significant decline in the use of Facebook, perhaps due to this reason. But everything I write on Whattsapp is also being observed, since Facebook owns it.

As someone in the documentary said, it's impossible to hold free and fair elections anywhere in the world. 

Racism in the US

We saw a lot of racism and prejudice against Muslims when we were kids in school. Even though our Catholic teachers were brown (like us), we could see that they thought Muslims were inferior. There was one male teacher who used to say that Muslims were backward and inferior to Christians and others. But we assumed, as the years went by, that most Americans and Europeans were now free of prejudice, despite occasional incidents of policemen killing blacks in the US, and Pakistanis being beaten up in the UK.

It seems that we were wrong. I've seen so much hatred of Muslims on social media that I'm shocked. A class fellow of mine (a brown Catholic and a US citizen) posted a video on Facebook in which a young boy is spewing hatred against Muslims in general and Mamdani in particular. He warns residents of New York that if Mamdani is elected mayor, they will soon see Sharia law in their city. 

But the most surprising thing is Trump's racism. He has allowed only white South Africans to immigrate to the US, and today he's asked the Pentagon to be ready to invade Nigeria to save the Christians in that country. I wonder why he didn't say anything when the Israelis were killing Christians in Gaza. In fact, all churches in Gaza have been demolished and the Christians there pray in the open. 

Israel's so-called "victory" is anything but that

Both Trump and Netanyahu have proclaimed that the Gaza cease fire agreement is a victory for Israel, but they're both mistaken. Israel has actually lost the war and has lost the support of most Americans and Europeans. In years to come, Israel will do everything it can to sabotage the agreement, but it won't have the backing of those who were its allies until now.

Even a significant number of Israelis have turned against Netanyahu's government. During Trump's speech in the Israeli parliament, some members openly called for recognition of Palestine. In the US, opinion polls show that a majority (including Jews) believe that Israel has committed genocide. It seems that every American under the age of 30 is against Israel, and there will be immense pressure on the US government to curtail military aid to the apartheid state.

The best thing would be for Netanyahu and his hawkish ministers to be tried by the International Court of Justice and sentenced to prison terms, but of course that is not likely to happen soon.