🌏 India Flips the Script on Trump

If Panama's week felt like a coordinated campaign to prove loyalty to Washington, that's because it was. The Supreme Court voided China's port contract, they applied for US visa-free travel, and opened $6.6 billion in Canal infrastructure bids—all while the US makes it very clear what happens to allies (Syria) and rivals (Venezuela, China) in its backyard. I wanted to make sure you saw how India played this same pressure into a massive tariff win.

Here's who actually has leverage right now.

Warm wishes,

Deepa

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US Slashes Tariffs in Landmark India Trade Deal: The US announced a trade deal with India, cutting tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%. This reverses punitive tariffs imposed last year after President Trump accused New Delhi of funding Russia's war in Ukraine by purchasing its oil. In exchange, India has reportedly agreed to halt Russian oil purchases and increase buying of US energy, agricultural, and technology products. The deal follows intense Indian diplomacy, including a major free-trade agreement with the EU, which strengthened its negotiating position. (More)

US-Colombia Relations Reset Amidst Record Cocaine Production: Colombian President Gustavo Petro met with President Trump to mend ties strained by a surge in cocaine production, which has nearly quadrupled since 2012, and a doubling of drug militias since 2022. Why it matters: The meeting occurs in a dramatically altered regional landscape following the US ousting of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, with Washington now pressuring its oldest regional ally to crack down on narcotics while reasserting its influence in Latin America. (More)

Panama Court Voids Chinese Port Contract at Canal: Panama's Supreme Court voided the contract for Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to operate two strategic ports at the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal, ruling the contract unconstitutional due to exclusive privileges and tax exemptions. The bottom line: The decision is a significant setback for China's economic influence in Latin America and a major victory for US security goals, as Washington has long viewed Chinese control over the critical trade waterway as a strategic threat. (More)

Syrian Army Enters Kurdish Cities Under US-Backed Deal: Syrian government forces began deploying into Hasakah as part of a new US-backed agreement with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The deal includes a phased integration of SDF fighters into the Syrian national army and state institutions under Damascus's control. This marks a historic policy reversal by Washington, which is now backing Syria's new central government over the SDF, its former principal ally in the fight against Islamic State. (More)

Nigeria to Host West Africa's Largest Hyperscale Data Center: Airtel Nigeria is constructing a 38MW Nxtra Data Centre in Eko Atlantic, Lagos, set to become West Africa's largest hub for data hosting, cloud services, and AI. (More)

India Advances Semiconductor Manufacturing and AI Integration: India is finalizing its Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) 2.0 scheme to build 2-nanometer semiconductor fabrication capabilities by 2032. Concurrently, Meta is increasing investment and focus on India for AI product development and adoption. (More)

KKR and Singtel Acquire Majority Stake in STT GDC for $6.6 Billion: A consortium led by KKR and Singtel acquired an 82% stake in ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) for $6.6 billion, gaining full ownership and expanding their digital infrastructure footprint across Asia Pacific, the UK, and Europe, driven by surging AI demand. (More)

Kuwait Opens Offshore Oil and Gas Fields to Foreign Investment: Kuwait is inviting international oil companies to invest in its offshore oil and gas fields, including the strategic "Seif" project, aiming to boost production and transfer advanced technologies while maintaining full state ownership and operational control. (More)

US Adopts "Backyard" Doctrine in Latin America with Maduro's Abduction: Following the US military abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, analysts say Washington is reviving an aggressive, interventionist foreign policy in Latin America, prioritizing direct control over raw materials and supply chains in its geopolitical contest with China. The US National Security Strategy from December 2025 reportedly outlines this shift, viewing the region as a direct sphere of influence. (More)

Syria Signals Rejection of "Odious" Wartime Debts to Iran: Syria's new government is preparing to challenge the legitimacy of debts accrued under the Assad regime, with the finance minister describing the estimated $50 billion owed to Iran as "odious." Damascus is reportedly preparing counter-claims against Iran for its role in the country's destruction, setting the stage for a complex legal and diplomatic battle over post-conflict liabilities. (More)

US Visa Freeze for 75 Nations Challenged in Court: A coalition of immigration groups, US citizens, and lawyers sued the US State Department over its January 21 order to halt immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Morocco and Colombia. The lawsuit claims the policy, which impacts nearly half of all immigration applications, "eviscerates decades of settled immigration law" and disproportionately affects non-European populations. (More)

Panama Formally Applies for US Visa Waiver Program: Panama initiated the formal process to join the US Visa Waiver Program, establishing an inter-institutional working group to strengthen security and information exchange. (More)

Panama Canal Opens Prequalification for $6.6 Billion Infrastructure Projects: The Panama Canal Authority published prequalification documents for a $4 billion gas pipeline and two new port terminals valued at $2.6 billion, inviting interested companies to submit documentation for these major infrastructure concessions. (More)

Bogotá Metro Line 2 Tender Reopens for International Bids: The $34.93 billion international tender for Bogotá's Metro Line 2, previously declared void, will reopen in February 2026 as a new competitive bidding process, with the administration aiming to finalize the selection by Q1 2027. (More)

Belize Launches Prequalification for 80 MW Solar Power Projects: The Government of Belize initiated a prequalification process for private companies to design, finance, build, operate, and maintain up to 80 megawatts of utility-scale solar power projects across the country under an Independent Power Producer model. (More)

📚 The Eye Witness by Saeed Mehdi: A candid and impartial account of Pakistan's political history from a former bureaucrat, its a must-read for those interested in South Asian politics. (Read)

📺 Killapa Wawan: A powerful Peruvian film, spoken entirely in Quechua, recently had its avant-premiere, marking the return of acclaimed actress Magaly Solier. It beautifully fuses Andean spirituality, maternal bonds, and cultural identity. (Watch the Trailer)

🎧 Aló by Sinaka and Katteyes: Going viral even before its official release, this reggaeton track with its old-school vibe has become the most streamed song on Spotify Chile. (Listen)

🇹🇿 The Black Panther of Imbaseni Village: An American Black Panther leader built a life of service in Tanzania over 50 years. (More)

🇱🇷 The Architecture of Economic Dependency: A Liberian analyst argues international aid has enabled corruption and debt. (More)

🇲🇼 Where Does the Climate Money Go?: Frontline communities in Malawi lack resources due to complex funding rules. (More)

👀 Father Files Police Report Against Supernatural Spirits for Son's Abduction: In Rawalpindi, Pakistan, a father filed a First Information Report (FIR) alleging "jinns" abducted his 11-year-old son, claiming they had taken him multiple times before. (More)

🐧 The "Nihilist Penguin" Meme Takes Over Social Media: A clip of a lone penguin from a 2007 documentary has gone viral in Qatar as the "Nihilist Penguin" meme, symbolizing burnout and quiet quitting globally. (More)