logo
Nasser's grandson warns of US-led neocolonialism

Nasser's grandson warns of US-led neocolonialism

Russia Today25-05-2025

The US has evolved from a former colony into a leading neocolonial power, Gamal Abdel Nasser Jr. has told RT.
In an exclusive interview ahead of International Africa Day, the grandson and namesake of Egypt's second president and leader of the 1952 Revolution warned that today's empires no longer rely on direct conflicts, but dominate through international institutions, sanctions, and economic control.
According to Nasser, the legacy of anti-colonial resistance must be revived in the face of modern Western domination, which disguises itself under terms like 'progress', 'human rights', and 'globalization'.
'My grandfather shattered the myth that the West's authority was absolute,' he said, recalling how the 1956 nationalization of the Suez Canal was not just about infrastructure, but about 'reclaiming national dignity' and challenging imperial power. 'He broke the mental monopoly that had long told our people they cannot resist… cannot rule their own destiny.'
He went on to say that 'a new form of dominance' has returned through media, schools, and international institutions that dictate values and erase cultural heritage. He argued that today's Western 'globalist elites' have replaced the colonial powers by telling nations how to live, what to believe, and trying to 'rewrite culture, biology, and morality.'
He stressed that the US – once a colony – has now inherited the role of imperial enforcer, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. Nasser accused Washington of using international policy, sanctions, and military operations to intimidate or replace those who have power to suit its own needs.
He went on to say that every recent US campaign in the region has been linked to natural resources, including in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, and Gaza, which US President Donald Trump recently suggested turning into a Middle Eastern Riviera under Washington's control. According to Nasser, these are all examples of resource-driven agendas masked as humanitarian intervention.
'The notion that America could just own a sovereign territory further adds to the suspicion that there is a strong neocolonial tendency on the part of the US and its old colonial allies,' Nasser said, adding that this new Western 'tyranny... will one day collapse.'
'The revolutionary spirit must rise again… A new generation is awakening, proud of their roots, unafraid to speak, and unafraid to think freely. The monopoly of minds, like the colonialism before it, will surely fall. And when it does, the world will remember that freedom begins with the courage to say no,' he stated.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Where China stands on the Israel–Iran conflict
Where China stands on the Israel–Iran conflict

Russia Today

time7 hours ago

  • Russia Today

Where China stands on the Israel–Iran conflict

Israel is once again redefining the rules of engagement. Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Tel Aviv has carried out attacks on Iran with little regard for international law or global opinion. Framing these strikes as preemptive measures against Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions, the Israeli government is echoing the same kind of narrative Washington used to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq – claims of weapons of mass destruction that turned out to be unfounded. Beijing sees this ongoing vilification of Iran – driven by both the US and Israel – as dangerous narrative warfare that could lay the groundwork for a broader military conflict. In response, China has taken a clear and firm stance. The Foreign Ministry condemned repeated violations of Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as actions that risk inflaming tensions across the region. Chinese officials have voiced deep concern about the fallout from the Israeli military operations, calling instead for diplomatic and political solutions. Escalation, they warn, serves no one. Beijing has also expressed a willingness to help de-escalate the situation. China reinforced this position at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Ambassador Fu Cong denounced what he called Israel's 'military adventurism,' linking it to the ongoing occupation of Gaza – a crisis he described as a 'humanitarian disaster.' While not directly naming the US, Fu's comments implicitly urged Washington to rein in Israeli aggression before the situation spirals further out of control. Over the weekend, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with his counterparts in both Iran and Israel. The tone of these two conversations could not have been more different. Speaking with Iran's Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Wang condemned what he called Israel's 'reckless attacks,' warning that strikes on nuclear facilities set a dangerous and unacceptable precedent. He emphasized that such actions violate both the UN Charter and basic principles of international law. In a call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Wang took a more restrained but still critical tone, urging Israel to abandon military solutions and return to diplomacy. In this unfolding crisis, China has made its position unmistakably clear: it backs Iran's stance and rejects any military path to resolving the nuclear issue. This aligns with Beijing's long-held diplomatic posture – recognizing Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while firmly opposing any move toward nuclear weapons, which would violate international norms and run counter to China's vision of a nuclear-free Middle East. Nevertheless, Iran has repeatedly asserted that it does not seek nuclear weapons. It supported the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which collapsed after the United States unilaterally withdrew under President Donald Trump. With Trump's return to the White House, fears were growing that he would once again elevate the Iranian nuclear issue, threatening military action unless Tehran complies with US demands. China and Russia both oppose such unilateral dictate. In March, Beijing hosted a trilateral meeting of Chinese, Iranian, and Russian deputy foreign ministers to reaffirm support for a multilateral, JCPOA-based resolution and denounce illegal sanctions on Iran. In March, Beijing hosted a trilateral meeting with deputy foreign ministers from China, Iran, and Russia, reaffirming their commitment to a multilateral solution rooted in the JCPOA and denouncing illegal sanctions imposed on Iran. China's diplomatic support is part of a broader strategic alignment with Iran. In 2021, the two countries signed a 25-year cooperation agreement covering trade, infrastructure, energy, technology, defense, education, and more – effectively exchanging long-term economic collaboration for a stable oil supply. Despite ongoing US sanctions, China remains Iran's top trading partner and largest buyer of crude oil, purchasing as much as 90% of Iran's exports. The two nations also conduct joint military exercises, such as the Marine Security Belt drills with Russia, launched in 2019. This partnership reflects Iran's 'Look East' strategy, first introduced by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Focused on deepening ties with China and Russia, the strategy has yielded tangible results, including joint initiatives and Iran's accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2023. Yet the relationship isn't without friction. Unfulfilled investment promises, sanctions-related challenges, and mismatched expectations have at times strained the partnership. China seeks stable access to resources and expanded regional influence, while Iran looks for meaningful economic support and advanced technology. Still, China's backing of Iran is not without limits. If Tehran were to block the Strait of Hormuz – a chokepoint for over 25% of global oil and one-third of LNG shipments – China's economic interests would be directly threatened. Likewise, a withdrawal from the NPT would challenge China's commitment to multilateralism and the international legal order. A closer economic and military alignment between Tehran and Beijing could also strain already fraught relations with Washington, especially if it involved significant arms deals. Beijing has no appetite for open confrontation. China prefers to cast itself as a responsible global actor, committed to diplomacy and de-escalation. That image is central to its expanding footprint in the Middle East. Its role in brokering the 2023 rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia was a milestone, but its influence over Tehran remains limited. As a relatively new player in regional diplomacy, China's interests are vulnerable not only to Israeli aggression but also to potential missteps by Iran. So far, Iran's response has been relatively restrained – perhaps deliberately so. But that caution could be misread as weakness. Following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024, Iran's leadership has moved slightly closer to engaging with the West. That shift was followed by a wave of Israeli operations: damaging strikes against Hezbollah and Hamas, expanded Israeli presence in Syria, and in October, a direct hit to Iran's missile and air defense systems, potentially paving the way for future attacks. Tehran's muted reaction to these provocations may have been an effort to avoid war – but it risks emboldening its adversaries. For both Beijing and Moscow – each navigating its own rivalry with Washington – the lesson is clear: in today's geopolitical landscape, hesitation can be more dangerous than defiance.

World needs ‘fundamentally new development model'
World needs ‘fundamentally new development model'

Russia Today

time14 hours ago

  • Russia Today

World needs ‘fundamentally new development model'

The world needs a new development model that is not based on the principles of neocolonialism and is resilient to political manipulation, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. Speaking on Friday at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin stated that throughout the past several decades, the so-called 'golden billion' has been pumping out resources from other nations to benefit the interests of a narrow circle of elites. He pointed to the example of the US, saying the country's 'super incomes' never actually reached ordinary citizens or the middle class. The Russian president insisted that changes in the political sphere should be reflected in the people's quality of life, in education, science, and infrastructure. He called for a 'fundamentally new development model, one that is not built on the rules of neocolonialism.' He stressed that this model should be 'free from political manipulation' and 'focus on the needs of citizens.' Putin added that the old mechanisms of the globalization era have outlived their usefulness, and there isn't even an effort to modernize them. Instead, it is now necessary to create a new model, taking into account the national interests of all states, he said. The Russian president stated that the global economy is already undergoing its biggest transformation in decades, with the balance of power shifting and BRICS emerging as a leading force. Putin went on to say that BRICS now accounts for 40% of the global economy, and that this share will only grow given the rise of the Global South.

UN watchdog report ‘hardly' justification for attack on Iran
UN watchdog report ‘hardly' justification for attack on Iran

Russia Today

time17 hours ago

  • Russia Today

UN watchdog report ‘hardly' justification for attack on Iran

Israel's attack on Iran is not justified by the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) latest report, which states there is no evidence that Tehran is developing a nuclear bomb, according to the agency's chief, Rafael Grossi. Israel launched airstrikes against Iran last week, claiming it was on the brink of developing a nuclear bomb. Tehran denied the accusation and responded with retaliatory strikes. Israel's attack came several days after the IAEA Board of Governors declared Iran in breach of its nonproliferation obligations. The resolution cited Grossi's recent report that Iran had enriched uranium to 60% purity, albeit short of the 90% required for weapons-grade material, and was not cooperating with inspectors. Speaking to CNN's Anderson Cooper on Thursday, Grossi stressed that the IAEA's report 'could hardly be a basis for military action.' 'Military action, whomever it comes [from], is a political decision that has nothing to do with what we are saying,' he said. Grossi acknowledged that Iran had failed to provide adequate answers to the agency's inquiries, but emphasized that the IAEA 'do not have any indication that there is a systematic program in Iran to manufacture, to produce a nuclear weapon.' He also noted that enriched uranium alone does not equal a bomb. 'We do not have any evidence that this is ongoing in Iran,' he said. Tehran had previously accused the IAEA chief of betrayal, saying his 'biased report' was used to 'craft' the resolution used by Israel to justify its 'unlawful attack.' US intelligence agencies have also maintained there is no evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, US President Donald Trump has dismissed those findings, insisting Iran was 'very close' to getting a bomb when Israel attacked. He has called for Iran's 'unconditional surrender' and warned of possible US involvement if American targets are attacked. Since launching its assault, Israel has hit several Iranian nuclear sites, including in Natanz, Isfahan, and near Tehran. However, the Israeli military reportedly lacks the capability to breach Iran's fortified Fordow facility – built deep within a mountain – and has allegedly asked the US to use its GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, according to Axios. The White House has insisted that Trump had ruled out direct US participation in the strikes. The Wall Street Journal, however, recently claimed the president has already approved a US attack plan but is yet to give the order. Israel's campaign has drawn widespread condemnation. Moscow has accused West Jerusalem of violating international law and warned that US intervention would escalate the crisis.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store