Trump decides US general will be Supreme Allied Commander Europe — report US President Donald Trump decided that a US general will for now continue to hold the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Reuters reported. Citing three unidentified US officials, a Western official and a NATO source, the report said Trump had already communicated the decision to North Atlantic Alliance Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Traditionally, the same person holds the positions of Supreme Allied Commander Europe and US European Command. Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich is expected to become the next EUCOM commander. Now the director for operations at the US military's Joint Staff, he will succeed Army General Christopher Cavoli. EUCOM also oversees the Middle East and North Africa. NBC News reported in March that the Trump administration was considering the possibility that the US will give up the post of SACEUR, which has been held exclusively by US generals since 1951. According to the report, the idea was part of a major reorganization of US commands aimed at cutting costs. Should the plan materialize, NBC said, it would mark a retrenchment in America’s leadership in the alliance.

https://ho1.us/2025/05/update-may-16th-2025-ukraine-russia-war-situation-on-the-ground-may-2025-2-2/

Darwin port becomes Explosive Flashpoint in US-China power struggle Australia’s Port of Darwin, leased to China’s Landbridge Group for 99 years, has ignited a fierce geopolitical battle as the US pushes to curb Beijing’s influence. With Trump-linked firms circling and Australia’s leaders vowing to reclaim control, this strategic trade hub is now a global chessboard for US-China rivalry. Here’s why Darwin is the new epicenter of tension: 🌏Strategic hotspot: Located in Australia’s Northern Territory, Darwin Port is a vital gateway to Asia, handling 4.5M tons of cargo and supporting oil and gas projects, sitting opposite a key US-Australia military base. 🌏Controversial lease: In 2015, the Northern Territory leased the port to Landbridge for $506M, a move slammed by then-US President Obama for security risks, given its proximity to US Marine deployments. 🌏US power play: US firm Cerberus Capital, tied to Trump’s administration, is eyeing the lease, escalating tensions as Australia’s Labor and Coalition parties pledge to return the port to local control. 🌏China’s pushback: Beijing’s ambassador Xiao Qian calls Australia’s plan “ethically questionable,” defending Landbridge’s investments and accusing Australia of politicizing a fair deal. 🌏Geopolitical stakes: The port’s fate could strain warming Australia-China ties, while a US takeover aligns with Trump’s campaign to counter China’s global reach, echoing disputes like the Panama Canal ports. 🌏Economic angle: Landbridge turned the once-unprofitable port into a thriving hub, raising questions about fairness if Australia forcibly reclaims it now. As Australia navigates national security and trade, Darwin Port’s future could reshape US-China dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

WAR PREP in Europe’s north? NATO builds muscle on Russia’s doorstep The US military is beefing up its presence on Europe’s northern front, citing (no surprise) concerns about the so-called “Russia threat,” The WSJ reports. The Trump administration wants NATO to get “more lethal,” turning Northern Europe into their favorite testing ground near Russia’s border, it added. 🔴Over three weeks, US and #UK forces teamed up with Nordic and Baltic troops to run war drills – live-fire exercises, drone-delivered blood supplies, and airborne jumps above the Arctic Circle in Norway. 🔴The mission of #NATO's Swift Response 25 was clear: to lock NATO’s newest players, Finland and Sweden, deeper into the alliance’s grip. 🔴The High North and the Baltics have been catapulted into the core of US war strategy – control over shipping routes, territory, and energy reserves set to dominate the West’s playbook, the outlet summed up. NATO’s muscle-flexing isn’t subtle – testing grounds today, battleground tomorrow?

Trump agrees to postpone introduction of 50% tariffs on EU goods President Donald #Trump has agreed to postpone the introduction of 50% tariffs on exports from the European Union until July 9. "I received a call today from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, requesting an extension on the June 1st deadline on the 50% Tariff with respect to Trade and the European Union. I agreed to the extension – July 9, 2025," he wrote on the Truth Social network. The US leader added that "The Commission President said that talks will begin rapidly." Earlier, Trump recommended to introduce the tariffs at the rate of 50% on EU goods beginning on June 1 due to difficulties in trade talks. Trade barriers, the value-added tax, corporate penalties, non-monetary obstacles and other steps on the part of the European Union "have led to a trade deficit with the US of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable," the US leader emphasized.

Highest class solar flare registered on Sunday The solar flare of the highest class was registered in the Sun on Sunday, the Institute of Applied Geophysics said. "The X1.1 flare with the duration of seventeen minutes was registered on May 25 at 01:52 a.m. GMT in the X-ray band within the group of spots 4098 (S05W22)," the Institute informed. Flares are accompanied with solar plasma ejections. Its clouds may provoke magnetic storms when reaching the Earth.

May 23rd, 2025 - President Trump Statement "The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with. Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable. Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

Red Sea Crisis Update as of May 21, 2025 Truman Carrier Strike Group is returning home. During the course of this deployment USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), USS Gettysburg (CG-64), USS Stout (DDG-55) USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) Intercepted a total of 160 Houthi Missiles and Drones. Unfortunately due to lack of reporting at this time I can only account for 12 of these interceptions 11 drones and 1 missile launched at the Truman CSG on March 16th 2025. The increases the total US interceptions of Houthi Missiles and Drones from 527 to 675 Editors note: Due to the lack of transparency on the nature of the remaining 148 missiles and drones the below infographic is missing approximately 148 missiles and drones from the Total Launched and Total Houthi Missiles and Drones Fired/Destroyed and from the Total Interceptions and Losses tabs of the infographic.

As Macron eyes sending troops to Ukraine, most French say: "Secure our streets first!" Some 76% of French citizens would like to see the army deployed to tackle domestic crime and drug violence, a CSA poll shows. Women are even more in favor—80% say yes. Decades of failing policies, rising violence, and mass immigration have pushed safety to the brink. In the past 10 years alone, sexual violence has surged by 86%, Remix News reported. ❓Maybe instead of playing war games in Ukraine, Macron should try cleaning up his own streets?

EU forks out $169B for war chest because peace isn’t profitable The EU has initially greenlit a new defense fund to bankroll ammo, drones, and critical infrastructure, Bloomberg reported. Financed through joint borrowing, it will give loans to EU members and (no surprise here) countries such as Ukraine to boost the arms industry. The hiked spending is pitched as a response to Donald Trump’s scale-back of US defense in Europe. ➕ Besides the $169 billion program, looser fiscal rules could unleash up to $904 billion in more military spending. Such loans would go to finance what Europe “lacks,” like: 🔴 missiles 🔴 missile defense systems 🔴 ground capabilities