UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer dropped a big political bombshell on Sunday— the UK officially recognizes the State of Palestine. Not long after, Canada and Australia jumped on board. This isn’t just about former colonial ties; it’s proof the UK’s influence lingers beyond “its own backyard.” What’s really rattling Washington? The reality of “a world minus America.” Just days earlier, on September 17, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a joint defense agreement that states any attack on one is an attack on both.
Let’s not ignore the big deals here: Pakistan has nukes. And earlier this year, it routed its opponent in aerial combat using Chinese equipment. Put these two facts together, and you get a nuclear-armed military powerhouse with China in its corner. For the Arab world, this opens a new choice lane. Which side are they picking? America knows, and China gets it even better.
Israel’s Strike in Doha Jolts Gulf Alliances
Reports say Israel stunned the Gulf when it launched a rare attack on Hamas leaders in Doha on September 9. Qatar and the wealthy Gulf states, previously reliant on US military muscle, were left shocked and angry. The message is clear: Saudi Arabia is hedging its bets. Gulf states no longer have to walk the tightrope between powers — they can thank Israel for pushing them to diversify alliances.
Starmer’s pitch on social media: “The Middle East is boiling over with terror, so we’re stepping up to keep the peace and push for a two-state solution.” But let’s be real—now you don’t have a safe, reliable Israel and a working Palestinian state at the same time. Over 150 countries have recognized Palestine, and the UK can’t afford to drag its feet amid this shifting terrain.
The 2023 Gaza war’s has become a full-blown humanitarian disaster. The BBC pointed out that tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have perished, and Abbas’s Palestinian Authority is stuck powerless in the West Bank, just watching. How long will the world tolerate this? The UK figures it can't for long. Along with Canada and Australia—traditional tough allies of Israel—Steamer’s move sends a message. Their unity is strong and it’s also a smart way to push back against Trump’s wild tariffs. Supporting Gaza? It’s a win-win.
India’s Surprise Rise Amid US Decline
But here’s the twist: India looks like the real winner, quietly hoping for America’s decline. Over the weekend, Trump ranted that Europeans shouldn’t be buying Russian oil: “The Europeans are buying oil from Russia – not supposed to happen, right?”
He then urged other G7 members to adopt 50-100% tariffs on China and India — the leading buyers of Russian oil — to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Yet Ursula von der Leyen dropped a hint that she’s eyeing closer ties with India, praising its rising role in Indo-Pacific security and announcing a new EU-India Strategic Agenda focused on defense and security—without even mentioning the US.
"Now is the time to focus on reliable partners and double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values. The growing complexity of global security threats and rising geopolitical tensions underscore the need for closer EU-India dialogue and cooperation." She added, " We are exploring the creation of an EU-India Security and Defence Partnership to deepen strategic consultations and enable closer cooperation on crisis management, maritime security, cyber threats, and counterterrorism."
The message is clear: yet another ally is carving out a new path, diversifying away from the US. The days when America’s word was king are fading fast. Trump keeping hope for help to contain China? It’s wishful thinking—no one is lining up. The “world minus America” is real and accelerating. Soon, the US will be like Lai Ching-te, left with just a handful of close buddies in the world.
Deep Blue
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
At the beginning of the new year, Donald Trump has single-handedly changed the United States, and the global landscape may also be reshaped. First, he declared that as Commander-in-Chief, the President’s authority is limited only by his own morality. Later, he posted an image on his social platform Truth Social with the caption “Acting President of Venezuela”. The New York Times directly questioned: “Does this mean ignoring international law and acting without any constraints to invade other countries?” Regarding international law, Trump stated, “I abide by it,” but made it clear that when such constraints apply to the United States, he would be the ultimate arbiter.
On January 7, 2026, the President signed a presidential memorandum ordering the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations, including 31 United Nations entities and multiple major international agreements. This action is aimed at exiting organizations deemed by the White House to be “contrary to U.S. interests” and a waste of taxpayer funds. The UN bodies to be withdrawn from include UN Women, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the International Law Commission.
Clearly, Trump has a unique blueprint that serves only American interests. He might retort: “What era is this, still talking about international law and core values? Don’t you know the current state of the U.S.? Don’t you know that the U.S. has long been planning drastic actions?”
In April 2020, retired U.S. Marine Corps officer Mark Cancian proposed a bold strategy. The National Interest reported: “With a coastline of 9,000 miles and the world’s second-largest merchant fleet after Greece, including Hong Kong, China has over 4,000 ships. This is not an advantage but a vulnerability. The U.S. could effectively blockade China’s economy by launching a clever campaign, leaving it exhausted.” The suggestion was for the U.S. to emulate 16th-century Britain by supporting privateers—civilian organizations specialized in plundering Chinese merchant ships. Given China’s current military capabilities, it should be able to meet such challenges, so there’s no need to worry. Still, one can’t help but applaud the audacity of such an idea.
Back then, Biden paid no attention to this plan, as the Democrats were still refined and attached great importance to the cloak of universal values. At the same time, Biden, at least nominally, had to pay lip service to the United Nations, because ideology mattered. The U.S. had previously displayed a magical logic: attacking you to save your people, destroying your country to introduce democracy and freedom, imposing sanctions because you’re a dictatorship... Trump cannot be like ordinary advocates of universal values, who always cite international law and classical references. First, neither he nor his team possess such knowledge. Second, pretending to uphold morality can no longer maximize American interests. Third, former adversaries have “risen,” gradually establishing international moral authority. If the U.S. continues to preach benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, it will only become a laughingstock. After all, Trump has already discarded America’s credibility like trash.
Retired officer Cancian’s plan is exactly the White House’s cup of tea. For context—in the 16th century, Britain supported privateers, civilian organizations that plundered rival nations’ merchant ships. This was essentially the legalization of piracy, with the British monarch issuing “letters of marque” to recruit outlaws for royal service, dubbing them “royal pirates.” These privateers helped Britain destroy the then-dominant Spain at sea, significantly boosting British power and laying the foundation for the Industrial Revolution.
In reality, Trump has already begun “highway robbery” operations, seizing multiple cargo ships in the Caribbean. The White House has also dropped the pretense. Foreign media reported that Deputy Chief of Staff Miller recently declared: “The only permissible maritime energy transportation must comply with U.S. law and national security.” This is no different from robbery—“This mountain is my domain, these trees are my planting; if you wish to pass, leave your toll.” The only difference is that the U.S. is not just a bandit but a pirate. Similarly, Trump and Cheng Yaojin from the Dramatized History of Sui and Tang Dynasties share the title of “Chaos Demon King.”
Next, following the “Trump Gold Card,” Trump could publicly issue “letters of marque,” auctioning them to the highest bidder, and even list them on Wall Street. Their valuation might surpass that of the “Seven Sisters” oil companies—who knows?
