By Akbar Novruz

In a week filled with political and social reverberations, two figures—climate activist Greta Thunberg and the US President-Elect Donald Trump—have again captured headlines, albeit for vastly different reasons. While Thunberg’s controversial rhetoric at an anti-Israel rally stirred intense debate, Trump’s statement on TruthSocial addressed Syria, Ukraine, and global geopolitics with his famously known characteristics.

Greta Thunberg, widely recognized as a global symbol for climate action, surprised many with her appearance at a rally in Mannheim, Germany, on December 6. The demonstration, titled “Solidarity with Palestine and the Climate Movement,” saw the 21-year-old addressing the crowd in an impassioned speech. However, what caught widespread attention was a video clip of Thunberg, where she was heard making expletive-laden remarks about Germany and Israel. Climate activist Greta Thunberg was filmed giggling as she declared “f–k Germany” and “f–k Israel” at an anti-Israel rally. Critics argue that Thunberg’s involvement in such events dilutes the focus of her climate mission and risks alienating supporters. Others, however, see her willingness to address intersectional issues as a natural evolution of her activism.

Yet, one cannot ignore the troubling undertones of her transformation from a teenage climate activist to a polarizing political figure. This is the consequence of continually exposing a confused child to the media while pretending she is sharing vital information. The media have transformed her into a deeply troubled talking doll. She once made a mistake when she called to 'boycott' Azerbaijan's COP29. Greta showcased the perfect poster child advancing Iran’s propaganda efforts and overlooked Armenia’s war crimes against Azerbaijani civilians, as well as the long-term devastation of Azerbaijani territories. This behaviour reflects either her ignorance or a troubling moral decline. This is the consequence of continually exposing a confused child to the media while pretending she is sharing vital information. It was cute when she was a poster child for the environment, but this is getting annoying.

Donald Trump's latest post - a perfect glimpse of what's to come

Meanwhile, President-Elect Donald Trump made waves with a lengthy post on TruthSocial, addressing the fallout in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Trump’s statement not only celebrated the departure of Assad but also highlighted the broader consequences for global powers such as Russia and Iran. In his post, Trump framed Assad’s departure as a byproduct of Russia’s diminishing influence, attributing it to the country’s focus on the ongoing war in Ukraine. He claimed that nearly 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Ukraine, painting a grim picture of Moscow’s military engagement. Iran, he argued, is similarly weakened, burdened by economic pressures and its inability to effectively counter Israeli military advancements.

Trump’s post reflects his nationalist and protectionist stance, as well as his long-standing criticism of the financial and human costs of prolonged conflicts. His remarks also highlight his belief in direct deal-making as a means of resolving international disputes. While critics question the accuracy of some of his claims, Trump’s message resonates with those who share his scepticism of interventions and his focus on pragmatic negotiations over drawn-out conflicts. However, we should note that Iran is much weaker than the last time it faced Trump. The risk of escalation is real. Iran is weak but not impotent. He will also reimpose painful sanctions on Iran if it continues its march toward a nuclear arsenal. Any moves could trigger the big war Trump aims to avoid. This post could also be the ideal glimpse of what's to come.