Around the World in 5 – 10
“When one with honeyed words but evil mind
Persuades the mob, great woes befall the state.”
Wednesday 28 May presented another hurdle in Donald Trump’s attempts to impose impartial tariffs. A three-judge panel at a New York-based Court of International Trade has blocked Trump’s efforts, arguing that he has exceeded his authority on the matter. This decision joins seven other active lawsuits currently challenging the levies introduced under Trump’s trade policy. In a statement released by the court, Trump was accused of exploiting the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act extrajudicially. White House representatives countered the ruling, stating that it is “not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency”.
Days after Russia warned against Ukraine’s acquisition of long-range missiles, German Chancellor Merz announced that Berlin will support Kyiv in the joint development of new long-range weaponry as part of a renewed €5 billion aid package. In today’s announcement, Chancellor Merz described it as the beginning of “a new form of military-industrial cooperation between our two countries”. Defence ministers from both Ukraine and Germany signed a memorandum outlining Germany’s direct investment into Ukraine’s defence industry and arms manufacturing sector more broadly. Earlier this week, Merz warned that allies would no longer place restrictions on long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine.
Germany is also in the spotlight in a different context, as Namibia commemorates its first Genocide Remembrance Day. Between 1904 and 1908, tens of thousands of ethnic Herero and Nama peoples were forced into concentration camps and starved by German colonial forces. Germany had ruled Namibia from 1884 to 1915, after which South Africa maintained colonial control until Namibia gained independence in 1990. Germany formally recognised the atrocities as genocide in 2021, agreeing to pay reparations amounting to €1.4 billion over 30 years to fund infrastructure and social rebuilding projects. However, Namibian officials have rejected the arrangement, demanding a more formalised and comprehensive reparations framework.
While attending the Arab Media Forum in Dubai, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam spoke to CNN, calling on the United States to pressure Israel to fully withdraw from Southern Lebanon. US mediation previously paused fighting between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah in November 2024. However, Israel’s continued military presence is alleged to undermine Lebanon’s efforts to restore full sovereignty. The original ceasefire agreement stipulated that Lebanese forces would be the only authority permitted to bear arms in the region. Prime Minister Salam criticised Israel for “not honouring its commitments” and stated, “We want Israel out yesterday, not tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, in response to growing tensions with its neighbour, Indian defence ministers have approved the development of advanced stealth fighter jets. This move signals a shift away from reliance on ex-Soviet and Russian aircrafts. The state-backed Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will oversee the project. With China’s rapidly expanding air force continuing to support Pakistan, India is aiming to strengthen domestic defence firms. The ADA had previously faced criticism from the Indian Air Force for delays in delivering the Tejas aircraft, prompting concerns about future capacity.
Fortune-Teller with Soldiers, Valentin de Boulogne, c.1618-20.
