The Suez Canal: Does Egypt Benefit from Exempting American Ships from Fees?

- U.S. President Donald Trump asked Egypt and Panama to allow American ships, both commercial and military, to pass through the Suez and Panama Canals without paying fees.
- This request aligns with his broader economic goals, such as reducing production and trade costs while making U.S. goods more attractive globally.

1- Economic/Political Implications:
Exempting American ships would likely have a minimal economic impact on Egypt.
U.S.-flagged vessels account for less than 1% of global shipping, and Egypt's revenue loss from exempting these ships is estimated at just $40 million (based on 2024 statistics).
Yet, Egypt receives around $1.5 billion annually in U.S. military aid.
** Therefore, Egypt's potential political and strategic benefits may outweigh the financial trade-off of exempting U.S. ships.

2- Legal Considerations:

The Suez Canal Authority operates under "Law No. 30 of 1975," which prohibits discriminatory policies and derives its regulations from the 1888 Constantinople Convention.
- Granting such an exemption could violate the 1888 Constantinople Convention, which mandates that the Suez Canal remains open to all ships without discrimination.
Egypt has long adhered to this treaty, and providing preferential treatment to the U.S. could lead to similar demands from other nations, weakening Egypt's financial revenues.

Despite the legal challenges
- Egypt's sovereignty over the canal allows it to make exceptions if it believes the political and strategic gains outweigh the risks.
This move could further align with Trump's "America First" policy, though the cost of refusing may be significant.
*** Egypt may find it best to grant the U.S. exemption, balancing economic and diplomatic considerations.

 

The U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Agreement

 

Key provisions:
Establishment of a Joint Investment Fund: A bilateral fund will be created to support new mineral extraction projects, including those for lithium, titanium, uranium, and rare earth elements.
- Revenue Sharing: The United States and Ukraine will share revenues on a 50-50 basis from these new ventures.
- Governance and Decision-Making: Both parties will have equal voting rights and joint authority over decisions concerning fund allocation.
- Resource Ownership and Infrastructure: Ukraine will retain full ownership of its natural resources and related infrastructure. However, investment in future mineral exploitation will be jointly undertaken.
- Profit Allocation Timeline: For the initial ten-year period (up to 2035), all profits will be reinvested in Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction. After 2035, profit distributions to stakeholders will be permitted.
However:
- The agreement does not include any U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine.
- It is not incompatible with Ukraine’s EU accession process.
- The question of NATO membership remains unresolved and is expected to be addressed separately, potentially in the context of a U.S.-backed peace agreement with Russia.

Implications for Stakeholders
United States:
1- Secures preferential access for U.S. companies to Ukraine’s critical mineral resources.
2- Enables partial reimbursement for previous U.S. military aid provided under the Biden administration.
3- Framed as a victory for the “America First” doctrine, the agreement is presented as a more cost-effective strategy that benefits U.S. taxpayers without further military entanglement.
4- Enhances U.S. geopolitical influence in Ukraine through economic engagement rather than military presence.

Ukraine
1- Gains U.S. economic involvement as a form of soft commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty.
2- Accepts long-term American leverage over Ukraine’s economic and political trajectory through joint investment and decision-making mechanisms.

Other International Actors
1- European Union: Despite substantial financial and military contributions to Ukraine and economic costs, EU firms may be sidelined in favor of U.S. companies, particularly in postwar reconstruction and access to primary resources.
2- Russia: It retains control over roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, which includes resource-rich areas not addressed by the agreement.
3- China: It faces new competition from U.S. firms in global mineral markets. While American involvement may disrupt Chinese dominance in the long term, China is expected to maintain its leading position in the short term.

The Coming US military Parade

 

The White House has confirmed the organization of a military parade on June 14, 2025, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US Army.
This date coincides with President Donald Trump’s birthday.

Reports indicate that the parade will feature over 6,600 service members, at least 150 military vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven military bands, and thousands of civilians.
Trump first proposed holding a large-scale military parade during his first presidential term, but later abandoned the plan due to its estimated cost of approximately $90 million.
Unlike some other nations, the United States does not have a long-standing tradition of large military parades.
American commemorative events typically honor veterans, active-duty soldiers, and the values of national service rather than showcasing military power through grand displays.
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Potential Political Objectives of the Parade:

A. Dual Messaging – International and Domestic:
The parade serves as a platform for both external and internal signaling. Internationally, it underscores the United States' ongoing military supremacy. Domestically, it reinforces the narrative of American exceptionalism and the nation's strength under Trump's leadership.

B. Nationalism Tied to Personal Branding:
Military parades are often associated with national pride. Holding such a display on Trump's birthday enhances its symbolism, supporting his image as a “remarkable president” restoring America’s greatness.

C. Admiration for Grandeur:
Trump has long admired the power projection of leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.
In this context, a military parade becomes part of a broader effort to project a majestic, sovereign-like image of leadership, in line with the powerful image that Trump aspires to.

What are the Objectives behind the Recent Israeli Aggression Against Lebanon?

 

1. An Israeli Attempt to Disrupt Nuclear Negotiations:

It is unlikely that Netanyahu would have launched a strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs without prior coordination with the United States—a fact that has been publicly acknowledged.
Israeli officials stated that not only were the Americans informed of the strike, but it was also coordinated with them.
Furthermore, Netanyahu would not dare address President Trump in the same manner he has used with Secretary Blinken and President Biden.
In June 2023, Netanyahu explicitly declared that Israel would not be bound by any agreement concluded between the U.S. administration and Iran and that Israel would take military action to defend itself if necessary.
--- Thus, it is difficult to argue that Israel’s objective was to sabotage U.S.-Iranian negotiations, especially given that the strike was coordinated with the Americans themselves.

2. Shared American-Israeli Objectives-- to achieve the following two main goals:

A. Pressuring the Lebanese State regarding the Disarmament of Hezbollah:
- There is a prevailing official Lebanese consensus to postpone discussions on Hezbollah’s disarmament north of the Litani River, without, at minimum, securing an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory beforehand.

- The recent strike, and likely more to come, seems aimed at empowering those who want Hezbollah disarmed without even an Israeli withdrawal.
This strategy tries to intimidate the Lebanese public, presenting them with a tough choice: "Give up your weapons or face an Israeli war."

B. Using Military Pressure to Strengthen the U.S. Position with Iran:
This operation also reminds Iran that Israel is ready to launch "preemptive" strikes, whether in Lebanon or on Iranian soil.
This threat is meant to encourage Iran to make concessions and speed up signing a new agreement; otherwise, conflict could escalate.