POLITICS

Trump told Xi ‘I don’t talk about’ whether U.S. would defend Taiwan from China. 1/2

PUBLISHED FRI, MAY 15 20267:36 AM

(IM GLAD HIS STAFF RECOMMENDED THAT RESPONSE, HE USES OFTEN).

KEY POINTS

• President Donald Trump said he refused to directly answer Chinese President Xi Jinping when asked if the United States would defend Taiwan if it were attacked by China.

• “That question was asked to me today by President Xi. I said I don’t talk about that,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew back to the U.S.

• Xi warned Trump at the start of their two-day summit in Beijing that the U.S. and China “will have clashes and even conflicts” if the long-standing issue of Taiwan’s independence is mishandled.

President Donald Trump on Friday said that he refused to directly answer Chinese President Xi Jinping when asked if the United States would defend Taiwan if China attacked it.

“That question was asked to me today,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One as they flew back to the United States from a two-day summit in Beijing.

“That question was asked to me today by President Xi. I said I don’t talk about that,” the president said.

Trump’s decision not to answer is in line with the U.S.’s longstanding “One China” policy, which leaves the status of Taiwan, an island that Beijing claims as its own, undefined.

The approach of “strategic ambiguity” leaves open whether Washington would come to Taipei’s aid in the event of a Chinese attack.

But since the U.S. began its war against Iran in late February, analysts have raised concerns that China is in a stronger position to attack Taiwan because of the movement of U.S. Navy carriers from the Indo-Pacific region to the Middle East and the depletion of American munitions as a result of their use against Iran.

“The Iran war has once again highlighted deficiencies in the U.S. defense industrial base. If the United States does not move quickly this time, it may have to learn this lesson — the hard way — against China in the Indo-Pacific,” Seth G. Jones, president of the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, wrote in an analysis published earlier this week.

Trump’s comments on Friday came in response to a reporter who had asked if the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.

“I don’t want to say that,” Trump replied.

“There’s only one person that knows that. You know who it is? Me. I’m the only person,” he said, before noting that Xi had asked the same question of him earlier.

At the same time, his response on whether a pending arms sales package earmarked for Taiwan came up raised questions.

“We discussed the whole thing with the arms sales in great detail actually, and I’ll be making a decision,” he said. “But, you know, I think the last thing we need right now is a war that’s 9,500 miles away.”

Chinese state media, which has been glowing about Trump’s praise for the Chinese leader, has madeno mention of Trump and his administration’s conversations about Taiwan, which analysts say likely means the Chinese side did not like what was said.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/15/trump-china-xi-taiwan.html

>>24608642

2/2

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC News in an interview that the issue was raised,but that “U.S. policy on the issue of Taiwan is unchanged as of today.”

The issue of Taiwan took center stage on the first day of the 2-day summit after President Xi delivered a surprisingly stern message on Taiwan despite positive preliminaries about building stable ties and avoiding conflict.

When the summit began, Xi pointedly warned Trump that the U.S. and China “will have clashes and even conflicts” if the long-standing issue of Taiwan’s independence is mishandled.

Xi told his American counterpart it could put “the entire relationship” between their two nations “in great jeopardy” if that issue is not “properly” handled, the Chinese state news outlet Xinhua reportedon Thursday.

Xi told Trump that “the Taiwan question” is “the most important issue in China-U.S. relations,” Xinhua reported.

In the run-up to the summit, there was an expectation that Beijing would press Trump to change the U.S.’s official policy on Taiwan’s status from “does not support” independence to “opposes” independence.

The tweaked words would be more of a statement of the status of Taiwan, moving it more in line with Beijing’s view and sending a message about U.S. security commitments in the region.

Taiwan expert Bonnie Glaser, who this month co-authored an article in the journal Foreign Affairs, titled “Why China Waits: Beijing Is Playing a Long Game on Taiwan,” told CNBC that there are strong reasons for Xi to hold off on an attack against Taiwan.

“The question is what would be the likely costs to China, even if they might be able to succeed in a military takeover,” said Glaser, who is managing director of the Indo-Pacific program with the German Marshall Fund.

“The costs would be prohibitive. There is no certainty of success. And the costs of failure are very high — including threatening the CCP’s [Chinese Communist Party] legitimacy,” Glaser said. “The massive purges in the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] suggests that Xi is not prepared to use force in the near future.”

“The PLA’s readiness has likely been significantly affected by the purges,” she said.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/15/trump-china-xi-taiwan.html

Justice Department Investigation Determines Yale’s Medical School Discriminated Based on Race in Admissions

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Office of Public Affairs

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has completed a year-long investigation into the admissions policies and practices at the Yale School of Medicine.

Yale’s documents showthat its leadership intentionally selected applicants based on their race. Yale’s documents.reveal that they studied how to use racial proxies to circumvent the Supreme Court’s prohibition on using race to select students. Yale’s admissions data demonstrate thatBlack and Hispanic students have a much higher chance of admission to Yale than White or Asian students with the same test scores.

“Yale has continued its race-based admissions program despite the Supreme Court and the public’s clear mandate for reform.” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This Department will continue to shed light on these illegal practices, and demand that institutions of higher education comply with federal law.”

The investigation showed that, in general,Black and Hispanic applicants were admitted with consistently lower academic qualifications than their White and Asian counterparts. These facts support the Department’s finding that Yale violated the law by intentionally discriminating based on race in its admissions, in clear violation of federal law.

Medical schools use substantial federal financial assistance to train the next generation of doctors. The Department is continuing its focus on eradicating illegal race politics from admissions at medical schools, where quality and excellence are vitally important to public safety.

Updated May 14, 2026

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-investigation-determines-yales-medical-school-discriminated-based-race

Pentagon calls off deployment of armored brigade to Poland: report

Donald Trump says reductions in Europe will go beyond Germany, telling reporters that Washington is 'cutting a lot further than 5,000' troops

Esra Tekin

14 May 2026

Türkiye, İstanbul

The Pentagon has unexpectedly called off the deployment of an armored brigade to Poland,marking a significant move in line with President Trump’s plan to reduce the US military presence in Europe, Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

The decision reportedly surprised some military officials.(Why is because NATO didn’t come to US assistance, idiots!)

The cancellation came after the Pentagon announced earlier this month that 5,000 US troops would be withdrawn from Germany.

That announcement followed Trump’s anger over German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s criticism of the White House’s handling of the US war with Iran.

Trump has said the reductions in Europe will go beyond Germany,. telling reporters that Washington is “cutting a lot further than 5,000” troops and warning thatforces could also be withdrawn from Italy and Spain.

According to the Pentagon, the broader objective is forEuropean allies to take greater responsibility for conventional defense, allowing the US to scale back its military role on the continent.

US officials said thecanceled deployment of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division, a unit of more than 4,000 troops, is part of a wider reshaping of America’s military footprint in Europe.

More changes are expected. Although the brigade was scheduled to go to Poland, some of its units could have been stationed elsewhere in Europe.

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the Trump administration was considering removing US troops from bases in some European countries that did not support Washington during its war with Iran.

Still, the move was notable because the Trump administration has maintained close ties with Poland. Trump had even suggested earlier this month that some US troops could be moved from Germany to Poland.

Military commanders had already submitted proposals for how to carry out the 5,000-troop reduction in Germany,and many expected a gradual, organized review of the US force posture in Europe.

Instead, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth moved more quickly than expected, surprising many in the defense establishment.

Some troops and equipment from the “Black Jack” brigade were already on their way when the deployment was canceled.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/pentagon-calls-off-deployment-of-armored-brigade-to-poland-report/3936920

Guaranteed they’ll try to send Rutte over, but it won’t work.

I don’t know how many times this must said, Trump believes in revenge. The EU should watch his 80’s and 90’s interviews

>>24608695

If you EU complains they should realize since 1959 the US has supplied troops to all those countries and the countries went left and oppose the U.S. but we should have never been there for more 65-75 years. They built their economies because they didn’t need their own armies. Fuck em they deserve what they get. They are quite arrogant to think we’ll pay billions a year to protect them when they are destroying their own countries, and hating the US

US arrests Iraqi militia chief who plotted 18 revenge attacks after Iran war

1 hour ago

The Kataib commander (right) and Iran's slain Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani

An Iran-backed Iraqi militia commander has been arrested and charged with plotting attacks on Jewish and American targetsin the United States, including a New York synagogue, in alleged retaliation for the war against Iran.

Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, described by prosecutors as asenior Kataib Hezbollah figure, is accused of helping coordinate at least 18 attacks in Europe and two in Canada since late February, while also seeking attacks in New York and Los Angeles.

The New York Times said it was unclear how he was arrested and brought to the US. He is expected to be presented in federal court in Manhattan on Friday.

Iran faces daily gasoline shortage of 30 million liters, MP says

1 hour ago

Iran faces a daily gasoline shortage of 30 million liters, said a member of Iran’s parliamentary energy committee,warning that fuel consumption must be managed because production cannot be increased in the short term.

“Daily gasoline production in Iran is 105 million liters, while consumption stands at 135 million liters,” Reza Sepahvand said on Friday.

“Part of gasoline production has declined because of bombing during the war, and imports have also decreased,” he added.

Khamenei representative says Israel must be punished with 'annihilation'

3 hours ago

A representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in Alborz province said during Friday prayers in Karaj that Israel’s punishment should be its “annihilation,”while also calling for the United States to be punished.(KEKthey didn’t dare threaten us with the annihilation)

“Punishment for the vile usurping Zionist regime is its annihilation from the face of time,” Mohammad-Mahdi Hosseini Hamedani said, adding that “punishing America means ensuring it no longer dares to attack any of the oppressed people of the world.” (They fail to understand Trump will just blow up the damn country, if they attack the U.S.!They don’t understand how crazy patriotic he is!)

The cleric said Iran must continue fighting “sedition” and prevent its enemies from rebuilding their strength, according to remarks carried by state media.

(These idiots never learn.)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202605153299

1.

France says Charles de Gaulle carrier not in Hormuz but near region(Is France afraid to get closer?)

3 hours ago

France said its Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier isoperating near the Middle East but not inside the Strait of Hormuz right now, stressing that its mission is defensive and aimed at protecting freedom of navigation. (They actually can’t do that unless they are in the straight!)

Speaking to BFMTV, French Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces Alice Rufo said the carrier had passed through the Suez Canal and Red Sea andwas “on station,” giving France the ability to monitor developments and maintain diplomatic leverage in the region.

“We want to restore freedom of navigation in the Straitin a way that is entirely defensive and in line with international law,” she said. (They are no where near the straight)

UAE says it has right to respond to over 3,000 Iranian attacks

5 hours ago

The United Arab Emirates said on Friday it retains the right to defend itself against Iranafter accusing Tehran of carrying out more than 3,000 missile and drone attacks since February 28.

Speaking at a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in India, UAE Minister of State Khalifa bin Shaheen Almarar said Emirati air defensesintercepted ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones targeting civilian infrastructure including airports, ports, oil facilities and residential areas.

He also accused Iran of disrupting international shipping routes and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of “economic blackmail.”

3

Cleric says US would face heavier losses in renewed war. (Why are they listening to clerics, they are never right.)

6 hours ago

Ahmad Alamolhoda, firebrand Friday prayer leader of the religious city of Mashhad, said the United States would suffer greater losses if fighting resumes,adding that Iran’s forces were better prepared than at the start of the war.(most are eradicated, how can they be more prepared?)

“If America wants to continue the war, it will certainly suffer a greater defeat,” Alamolhoda said.

“We were somewhat caught off guard at the start of the war, but now our fighters are more prepared.”

Alamolhoda also said US air defense systems failed to intercept Iranian missilesand argued the conflict had damaged Washington’s standing as a global power. (Iran is a paper tiger that lies continuously because their Muslim faith allows them to lie to non believers)

4

Competition for jobs surges in Iranian cities after ceasefire, says state media. (Maybe, maybe not.)

9 hours ago

Competition for jobs in major Iranian cities has intensified since the ceasefire, with the number of job seekers rising faster than available positions, Nournews reported citing data from recruitment platform Job Vision.

Shiraz recorded the sharpest increase among surveyed cities, with competition for jobs rising 4.8-fold, followed by Mashhad at 3.5 times and Qom and Isfahan at 3.4 times, according to the outlet close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Tehran registered a2.7-fold increase in competition among job seekers, as pressure on Iran’s labor market deepened after the truce.

(Anons do any of you believe this? I don’t)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202605158897

>>24608854

(Prayer for these guys)

Trial set for three defendants charged over alleged arson near Iran International

9 hours ago

A trial date has been set for three defendants charged over an alleged arson incident near Iran International’s studios in northwest London, with the case scheduled to begin on January 25, 2027, at the Central Criminal Court.

At a preliminary hearing on Friday that lasted about 30 minutes, Oisin McGuinness, 21, and Nathan Dunn, 19, appeared by video link before Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb at the Central Criminal Court.

A third defendant,who is under 16 and cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged in the case.

No pleas were entered at Friday’s hearing. A Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing has been set for August 28, 2026, when pleas are expected to be heard. The trial is listed for three weeks.

McGuinness, Dunn and the third defendant are charged with arson with intent to endanger life, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1977.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on April 15, 2026, when an ignited container was thrown into a car park near the network’s studios in northwest London.

There were no reports of injuries or damage following the attempted attack.

Officers pursued a black SUV which later crashed on Ballards Lane in Finchley.

McGuinness also faces a charge of dangerous driving, contrary to the Road Traffic Act 1988, in relation to alleged driving on Ballards Lane and Woodberry Way.

McGuinness and Dunn were remanded in custody. The third defendant is on remand under local authority supervision.

All charges are alleged and have not been proven.

In a statement , Iran International said the attack highlights increasing pressure on its journalists and their families, particularly following the recent war involving Iran.

The broadcaster said its staff and their relatives have faced threats and harassment, describing the situation as an effort to silence independent reporting.. (The UK put Muslims on the courts, the UK is fucked up)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202605087268

Iran lawmaker calls for annual fees on fiber-optic cables crossing Hormuz

May 14, 2026, 12:40 GMT+1

Countries should pay Iran annual fees for fiber-optic cables that pass beneath the Strait of Hormuz, an Iranian lawmaker said, saying that hundreds of billions of dollars in financial transactions move through the lines each day.

“The Strait of Hormuz is a God-given treasure, like other mines and reservesplaced at Iran’s disposal,” said Hossein Ali Hajideligani, a member of Iran parliament’s presiding board.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for the digital economy, with several undersea fiber-optic cables running across the seabed and linking India and Southeast Asia to Europe through the Persian Gulf states and Egypt.

Iran had previously warned that submarine cables in the Strait of Hormuz were a vulnerable point for the region’s digital economy, raising concernsabout potential attacks on critical infrastructure.

Last week, IRGC-linked media called for Iran to generate revenue from undersea internet cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz, framing the waterway not only as an energy and shipping chokepointbut also as a digital pressure point.

Hajieligani saidIran should also impose fees on ships passing through the waterway, citing guidance he attributed to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s messages.

He also called for an end to negotiations with the United States, saying Washington had “miscalculated” and was using the process to buy time rather than accept what he called Iran’s “absolute right.”

He said the US was the one that sought a ceasefire and alleged that Washington was after buying time for domestic political purposes.

(Seriously is there something Iranians consume, that make them nuts? Or have they all been poisoned and their brains no longer work.Or have they always been pirates?)

(This sounds like scams cooked up by people living in State paid housing on welfare, to make more money, they go out andsteal anything they can get!)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202605141038