You might recognise the inspiration behind this week’s cover design: “Reservoir Dogs”, a gangster film from 1992. Donald Trump has assumed the role of kingpin; behind him are some of the main players in a new, mafia-like struggle for global power. Call it The Don’s new world order, a might-is-right world in which big powers cut deals and bully small ones. In a week in which Germany’s probable next chancellor warned that NATO may soon be dead and America sided with Russia and North Korea against Ukraine and Europe at the United Nations, we decided to take a hard look at what this new gangster-style approach to geopolitics would lead to.

Team Trump claims that its dealmaking will bring peace and that, after 80 years of being taken for a ride, America will turn its superpower status into profit. Our leader argues that it will instead make the world more dangerous, and America weaker and poorer. Advocates of dealmaking assume that America can get what it wants by bargaining. Yet as Mr Trump exploits decades-old dependencies, America’s leverage will rapidly fall away. Congress, financial markets or voters could yet persuade him to walk back. But the world has already started planning for a lawless era.


Navy secretary nominee says he can fix shipbuilding, recruiting problems despite no military experience

By 

Svetlana Shkolnikova


Stars and Stripes • February 27, 2025

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John Phelan, who is nominated to be the next Navy secretary, testifies Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, during his confirmation hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON — John Phelan, a businessman with no military experience, said Thursday that he would use his background in the private sector to “step outside the status quo” if he is confirmed as the next secretary of the Navy.

Phelan, 61, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he understood why some might question why a businessman who never wore a military uniform would want to lead the Navy and he respected those concerns.

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Trump commends Zelensky ahead of talks

Asked by the BBC if he would apologise for calling Zelensky a 

"dictator", Trump said he could not believe he had said that. 

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