Yaqeen Blog

In the high-stakes world of global politics, the "Standard Script" of the mainstream media often creates a "Narrative" where only certain villains are shown, while others—who are often major business partners of the West—are quietly ignored. While we are told that "terrorism" is a clear-cut battle between good and evil, the reality in 2026 is far more complex. It is a world of "Invisible Empires" where wealthy nations sponsor brutal militias to secure gold, oil, and rare minerals. This practice, known as state-sponsored proxy warfare, allows powerful countries to destroy their rivals and steal their resources without ever having to send their own soldiers into a fair fight. By funding these "Subhuman" cycles of violence, these sponsors ensure that entire regions remain in a state of chaos, making it easier to extract wealth while the world looks the other way.

1. United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sudan

The UAE is currently the "Main Character" behind the destruction of Sudan. They provide the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with advanced weapons and drones, often smuggled through Chad and Uganda.

• The Reason: Gold and Geopolitics. Sudan’s gold mines are controlled by the RSF, and nearly 90% of that gold is traded in Dubai. By keeping the RSF in power, the UAE secures a steady flow of wealth and gains control over Red Sea ports.

• The Atrocity: The RSF has been accused of genocide in Darfur, using UAE-supplied thermobaric bombs to wipe out entire villages.

2. Saudi Arabia in Yemen

While the media occasionally mentions Yemen, they rarely talk about the "National Shield Forces"—a private army funded directly by Riyadh to bypass the official Yemeni government.

• The Reason: Border Security and Regional Control. The Saudis want a "buffer zone" to keep Iranian influence out, even if it means keeping Yemen in a state of perpetual famine.

• The Atrocity: Systematic airstrikes on food storage and water plants, which have created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, leaving millions of children in a state of starvation.

3. Turkey (Türkiye) in Northern Syria

Turkey continues to fund the Syrian National Army (SNA) and other groups that many consider to be extremist militias.

• The Reason: Anti-Kurdish Buffer. Turkey wants to prevent a Kurdish state from forming on its border. They also seek to control local trade routes and agriculture in occupied Syrian territory.

• The Atrocity: "Demographic engineering"—the forced removal of local Kurdish populations to make room for Turkish-backed groups.

4. Qatar’s "Safe Haven" Strategy

Qatar uses a "Managed Choice" policy by hosting the political offices of groups like Hamas and the Taliban, arguing it acts as a "mediator."

• The Reason: Diplomatic Shield. By being the only ones who can talk to everyone, tiny Qatar makes itself "indispensable" to the U.S. and Europe, protecting its massive Natural Gas wealth from invasion.

• The Atrocity: Funding the lifestyle of billionaire leaders of these groups while the people they represent live in ruins.

5. Russia in Mali and Burkina Faso

Following the 2024-2025 Wagner Group collapse, the state-run Africa Corps has taken over, sponsoring military juntas that use brutal force against their own people.

• The Reason: Lithium and Rare Earth Minerals. Russia provides "regime security" for dictators in exchange for exclusive rights to the minerals needed for the global EV battery market.

• The Atrocity: Wagner/Africa Corps has been linked to mass executions of civilians in rural villages under the guise of "anti-terror" operations.

6. Rwanda in the DR Congo

The Rwandan government is the primary sponsor of the M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

• The Reason: Coltan and Cobalt. The M23 controls the richest mines in the world. The minerals are smuggled into Rwanda and sold as "clean" to Western tech companies.

• The Atrocity: The use of mass sexual violence as a weapon of war to clear civilians away from mining sites.

7. Iran’s "Axis of Resistance"

Iran continues to fund Hezbollah in Lebanon and various militias in Iraq that function as a "state within a state."

• The Reason: Strategic Depth. By controlling "proxies" in other countries, Iran ensures that any war with Israel or the West happens on someone else's soil.

• The Atrocity: Using these militias to violently suppress local anti-corruption protests in Baghdad and Beirut.

8. Eritrea in Ethiopia

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki sponsors anti-government militias within Ethiopia to keep his neighbor weak.

• The Reason: Port Access and Regional Dominance. Eritrea wants to ensure Ethiopia remains landlocked and unstable so it cannot challenge Eritrea’s control of the Red Sea coast.

• The Atrocity: Systematic kidnapping and "disappearing" of refugees who flee across the border.

9. Pakistan in Afghanistan

Despite the Taliban being in power, various factions in Pakistan still sponsor "splinter groups" like the TTP or ISKP when it suits their regional goals.

• The Reason: Strategic Leverage. Pakistan uses these groups as a "volume knob" to increase or decrease pressure on the Afghan government and India.

• The Atrocity: Cross-border shellings and suicide bombings that target schools and marketplaces to create political instability.

10. France in the CFA Zone

While not "terrorism" in the traditional sense, France’s support for brutal "President-for-life" dictators in Central Africa functions as a form of state-sponsored intimidation.

• The Reason: Uranium and Currency Control. France uses these leaders to ensure a steady supply of uranium for its nuclear plants and to maintain control over the CFA Franc currency.

• The Atrocity: Providing intelligence and "special forces" support to help dictators crush democratic uprisings.

The "Real Power" in 2026 is held by those who can wage war without taking the blame. We live in a world where the "Main Character" nations—the ones we see on the news talking about "Human Rights"—are often the very same ones writing the checks for the world’s most violent militias. This is a "Managed Silence" that serves a global economy built on the exploitation of the "Subhuman" poor. Whether it is the UAE’s hunger for Sudanese gold or Rwanda’s grip on Congolese cobalt, the reason is always the same: resources. Until we stop looking at the "Moral Theater" and start following the money, these forgotten wars will continue to burn. The truth is that "terrorism" is rarely about religion or ideology; it is a business model designed to keep the world’s minerals cheap and its people divided. If we want to change the "Standard Script," we must first be brave enough to name the sponsors.

If you are a student of politics or journalism in 2026, you are witnessing a massive "glitch" in the system. The "Standard Script" used by major news outlets is failing to pass the vibe check for a generation that sees through the "Facade" of corporate reporting.

John Pilger’s 30-year-old warning has become our current reality: the media isn't just watching the news—it’s "gatekeeping" the truth to protect the people in power.

The "Propaganda Model" for the TikTok Era

Researchers today are looking at how the "Invisible Empire" of state-run narratives has evolved. It’s no longer just about boring newspaper articles; it’s about Narrative Grooming.

• Information Overload: By flooding our feeds with news about Venezuela or the Minneapolis ICE shooting, the media uses a "Distraction Diagnostic." They make sure you are so busy being angry at the "Topic of the Day" that you don't notice the 8,500+ civilians killed in Gaza since the 2025 ceasefire.

• The "Hero" Narrative: In every conflict, the media assigns "Main Character Energy" to one side and treats the other side as "Subhuman." This is a tactic to make war feel like a movie where "we" are always the good guys.

• Weaponized Fact-Checking: Modern journalism often uses "Fact-Checking" as a way to silence anyone who questions the government. If your research doesn't fit the official story, it gets labeled as "misinformation" to keep the public in a state of Managed Confusion.

The "Pilger Warning" for 2026 Researchers

For anyone writing a thesis or working in a newsroom today, Pilger’s 1990s critique of the Yugoslavia and Iraq wars is the ultimate cheat code for understanding how "Real Power" works.

1. The Access Trap: Journalists are told they can have "exclusive access" to the President or military leaders, but only if they agree not to ask the "Real Questions." This turns reporters into "Secretaries of State" rather than investigators.

2. Corporate Filters: Most big media brands are owned by companies that make money from the very things—like high military spending—that cause wars. This creates a "Moral Conflict of Interest" that is rarely talked about.

3. The Erasure of History: Media students are noticing that news outlets often "delete" the history of a conflict. They start the clock at the moment "the bad guy" does something wrong, completely ignoring the years of pressure or "Incremental Aggression" that led up to it.

The Verdict: Be the Glitch in the System

The "Real Power" shift in 2026 isn't coming from the big TV stations; it’s coming from independent researchers and students who refuse to follow the "Standard Script." As Pilger warned, the most dangerous lies aren't the ones that are told—they are the ones that are omitted.

In a world of "Chaos and Confusion" your job is to be the one who finds the receipts, checks the sources, and tells the story that the "Main Character" news wants to keep hidden.

As of early 2026, the international spotlight has largely shifted away from the Middle East. With the "Standard Script" of the mainstream media (MSM) focused on the political collapse in Venezuela and the shock of federal shootings in Minneapolis, the situation in Gaza has entered a period of "Managed Silence." While a formal ceasefire was signed in 2025, the reality on the ground tells a much different story than the one seen on the evening news.

Since the ceasefire officially began, monitoring groups and local health officials report that the killing has not stopped; it has simply changed form.¹ The "Moral Theater" of a peace agreement has provided cover for ongoing "Real Power" operations that continue to claim innocent lives every single day.

The Numbers: Death by a Thousand Cuts

Since the "end" of major hostilities in 2025, it is estimated that over 8,500 additional civilians have died in Gaza. These deaths are often not reported as "combat casualties," which allows the narrative to remain "peaceful" in the eyes of the West.

• Indirect Killing: Over 5,000 of these deaths are attributed to the total collapse of the healthcare system and the ongoing blockade. With no clean water and minimal medicine, "preventable" diseases are now a leading cause of death for children.

• The "Grey Zone" Strikes: There have been over 300 documented drone strikes targeting what the military calls "pockets of resistance." These strikes often hit residential shelters, claiming another 2,200 lives since the ceasefire.

• Unexploded Ordnance: As families try to return to the rubble of their homes, thousands of unexploded bombs remain.² This has led to roughly 1,300 deaths, mostly among children playing in the debris.

Narrative Control and the "New" Global Focus

There is a growing belief that the shift in media attention is not an accident. Analysts suggest a concerted effort by the Trump Administration and its backers—including powerful lobbying groups—to pivot global attention toward "domestic threats" like the Minneapolis unrest.

• Managed Ambiguity: By labeling the current situation in Gaza as a "stabilization phase," the government prevents the public from seeing the ongoing humanitarian disaster. This keeps the "extremist" policies of total control out of the headlines.

• The Strategic Pivot: The focus on Venezuela and Minneapolis serves as a distraction. It allows the administration to continue its "Real Power" support for the occupation without the constant pressure of global protests or UN investigations.

The "Invisible" Blockade

The 2025 ceasefire promised an opening of borders, but in reality, the movement of food and fuel remains at less than 20% of what is needed. This is a form of "slow-motion" violence.

○ The Health Diagnostic: Hospitals are currently operating at 300% capacity with zero consistent electricity.

○ The Malnutrition Crisis: International observers in 2026 report that 90% of children in Gaza are suffering from some form of malnutrition, a statistic that is rarely mentioned in American news cycles.

The Real News: A Peace Only in Name

History will look back at the 2023-2026 period as a "Moral Decline of Humanity" that hid a continuing tragedy. While the MSM focuses on the drama of the ICE shootings and South American coups, the people of Gaza remain trapped in a cycle of "Managed Escalation" and "subhuman" living conditions. The "Real Power" players have successfully changed the subject, but for the families on the ground, the ceasefire hasn't brought an end to the dying—only an end to the world’s attention.

During the 15-year tenure of the Awami League government (2009–2024), the media landscape in Bangladesh was shaped by a "politico-commercial nexus." Investigative reports following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, highlight how specific media conglomerates and pro-regime intellectuals allegedly benefited from state patronage, including multi-million dollar asset acquisitions and preferential government funding.

This report examines the entities and individuals identified by the Media Reform Commission and international transparency groups.

The Infrastructure of Influence: Media Conglomerates

Major media licenses were predominantly granted to business groups with close ties to the Awami League. These conglomerates reportedly used their media outlets to secure government contracts and protect diverse business interests ranging from textiles to energy.

1. Key "Regime-Aligned" Networks

Following the regime's collapse, several senior executives and editors faced investigations for alleged incitement and corruption.

• Ekattor TV: Managed by Mozammel Haque Babu, who was arrested in September 2024. The channel was a primary vehicle for the regime's narratives. His bank accounts, along with the channel's institutional accounts, were flagged for investigation by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU).

• Somoy TV: Partly owned by the family of former Awami League Minister Qamrul Islam. It benefited from monopolistic control over advertising mechanisms and television ratings (TRP), which allowed it to capture a disproportionate share of the market. 

• Bhorer Kagoj: Led by Shyamal Dutta, who faced significant legal scrutiny and detention in 2025. Investigations focus on his role in the Jatiya Press Club and alleged use of the publication to suppress student-led dissent. 

2. Alleged Financial Benefits and Funds

Patronage often came through direct state mechanisms and illicit capital flight.

• Journalist Welfare Trust: Critics argue that funds intended for all journalists were often funneled toward pro-regime factions within the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ).

• Capital Flight and Real Estate: A 2024/2025 joint investigation by Transparency International UK and The Guardian identified nearly £400 million ($500 million) in UK property owned by influential figures linked to the Hasina regime. This includes mansions in Mayfair and luxury apartments acquired during her tenure.  

• Embezzlement from Mega-Projects: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and international agencies like the FBI allege that the inner circle siphoned billions from projects like the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, with funds routed through offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands and Malaysia. 

The Intellectual Circle: Co-opted Academics

A circle of intellectuals was central to manufacturing public compliance. These figures utilized secular narratives to justify the suppression of opposition and student movements.

Key Figures and Benefits

• Nayeemul Islam Khan: Former Press Secretary to the Prime Minister. In March 2025, the BFIU ordered the freezing of his personal and institutional bank accounts, along with those of his family, over allegations of amassing unexplained wealth.  

• Shahriar Kabir & Muntasir Mamun: Influential in the "Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee." They are currently under investigation for allegedly inciting violence and receiving state grants and prime land allocations in Dhaka.  

• Subhash Singha Roy: Frequently used to defend the regime on televised talk shows. He is accused of receiving preferential consultancy roles in state projects.

2025 Media Reforms and Accountability

As of late 2025, the Interim Government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus has initiated the Media Reform Commission to break these monopolies.

Verified Investigative Resources

For researchers verifying legal and financial data, these direct resources provide the underlying evidence:

• Media Reform Commission (Interim Govt): Official Mandate and Findings 2025

• Transparency International UK: Bangladeshi Elite's UK Property Empire Investigation

• International Crimes Tribunal (ICT): Public Case Records and Convictions

• Committee to Protect Journalists: Bangladesh Archives on Press Freedom