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I'm not certain how much this affects Trump's thinking but he himself, like Eritrea, has been abused by the Obamas and the Bidens. Maybe, he feels sympathetic or let's say he understands what forces Eritrea has been up against.

Plus, he's a different fish altogether because he even met Kim Jong Un (in his first term) a leader the whole Western world wouldn't want anything to do with. And apart from the rethoric, they definitely know Eritrea is much easier to deal with than North Korea. The cult of personality of the leader of North Korea doesn't exist in Eritrea, as much as Eritrea's detractors want the world to believe. Eritrea is not as dangerous either, because it's not a nuclear power.

To narrow the gap as much as possible though, political reforms in Eritrea are necessary. The ratification of the constitution, the freeing of political prisoners, the regathering of the parliament etc must be expedited in my humble opinion.

Zmeselo wrote: ↑

19 Dec 2025, 00:57

I'm not certain how much this affects Trump's thinking but he himself, like Eritrea, has been abused by the Obamas and the Bidens. Maybe, he feels sympathetic or let's say he understands what forces Eritrea has been up against.

Plus, he's a different fish altogether because he even met Kim Jong Un (in his first term) a leader the whole Western world wouldn't want anything to do with. And apart from the rethoric, they definitely know Eritrea is much easier to deal with than North Korea. The cult of personality of the leader of North Korea doesn't exist in Eritrea, as much as Eritrea's detractors want the world to believe. Eritrea is not as dangerous either, because it's not a nuclear power.

To narrow the gap as much as possible though, political reforms in Eritrea are necessary. The ratification of the constitution, the freeing of political prisoners, the regathering of the parliament etc must be expedited in my humble opinion.

Yes, indeed, especially now that many of the mostly justifiable excuses that we have been hearing about. The "lifelong" unjustified sanctions appear to be on their way to fading away. Ethiopian regimes have melted away like [deleted] and are going with the wind. The world powers are clearly expressing a strong interest in working with us, realizing that, after all, we were right all along in choosing not to work with them, the supporters of our enemies. etc. etc.

Temt wrote: ↑

19 Dec 2025, 01:23

Zmeselo wrote: ↑

19 Dec 2025, 00:57

I'm not certain how much this affects Trump's thinking but he himself, like Eritrea, has been abused by the Obamas and the Bidens. Maybe, he feels sympathetic or let's say he understands what forces Eritrea has been up against.

Plus, he's a different fish altogether because he even met Kim Jong Un (in his first term) a leader the whole Western world wouldn't want anything to do with. And apart from the rethoric, they definitely know Eritrea is much easier to deal with than North Korea. The cult of personality of the leader of North Korea doesn't exist in Eritrea, as much as Eritrea's detractors want the world to believe. Eritrea is not as dangerous either, because it's not a nuclear power.

To narrow the gap as much as possible though, political reforms in Eritrea are necessary. The ratification of the constitution, the freeing of political prisoners, the regathering of the parliament etc must be expedited in my humble opinion.

Yes, indeed, especially now that many of the mostly justifiable excuses that we have been hearing about. The "lifelong" unjustified sanctions appear to be on their way to fading away. Ethiopian regimes have melted away like [deleted] and are going with the wind. The world powers are clearly expressing a strong interest in working with us, realizing that, after all, we were right all along in choosing not to work with them, the supporters of our enemies. etc. etc.

Satellite pics:

Opinion
The Red Sea Rebound: Why Eritrea’s ‘Spring Steel’ Resilience is Shaping the 2026 Global Order

December 18, 2025

By Ezra Musa

https://redseabeacon.com/the-red-sea-re ... bal-order/

In the grand tapestry of nations, if one were to imagine Eritrea as a material, it would undoubtedly be a Polymer-Modified Spring Steel—a metal with an extraordinary ability to bounce back. Think of the perfect shock absorber or a high-quality spring: it is designed to absorb a massive, sudden blow (like a war or an economic shock) and then immediately return to its original shape without being bent or broken forever.

Technically, this quality is called a high Modulus of Resilience. This material would have an incredibly high Yield Strength—meaning it can take immense pressure before it permanently bends, representing its unshakeable political resolve. Just as important, it would also be flexible enough to absorb the energy of the impact without fracturing.

This isn’t just toughness; it’s a profound, intrinsic resilience that allows Eritrea to repeatedly absorb immense historical and social shocks and spring back, not just intact, but with an ever-strengthening core.

The Human Forge: Resilience as an Emergent Narrative

For decades, the world watched Eritrea, often through a distorted lens, as it navigated a relentless gauntlet of challenges. Wars, devastating droughts, economic blockades, and the complex aftermath of conflict presented an almost continuous stress test. Yet, as a Great Eritrean, the late Professor Astier Misghina Almedom‘s https://tuftsjournal.tufts.edu/2010/02_1/features/02/ work on human resilience so eloquently articulates, true resilience is not merely survival; it is the capacity to withstand, adjust, and adapt positively, often while continuing to function or even thrive. Eritrea embodies Professor Astier M. Almedom’s concept of resilience as an emergent narrative, woven from collective experience, cultural fortitude, and a deep-seated Sense of Coherence.

(For further reading on the academic foundation of this concept, see Professor Almedom’s work:

Sense and Sensibilities of Coherence: Multiple dimensions of human resilience

at the Global Health Forum:



Consider the mothers in displaced communities that Professor Astier M. Almedom’s studied—their ability to maintain social support networks, to preserve cultural practices, and to find meaning in adversity, even when external circumstances were bleak. This mirrors the broader Eritrean experience. The “emotional ecosystem” of its communities, strengthened by shared sacrifice and a fierce commitment to self-reliance, became the bedrock upon which the nation’s resilience was built. They didn’t just endure; they adapted, innovated, and persevered, finding strength in their collective identity.

Voice, Agency, and the Strategic Rebound

This inherent resilience, however, was never a passive state. It was always intertwined with a profound sense of Voice and Agency. The powerful declaration of Sheikh Ibrahim Sultan at the United Nations in 1949

The Eritrean people do not wish to be handed from one master to another. They aspire to freedom, independence, and equality among nations.

was not just a historical utterance; it was the genetic code of Eritrea’s Modulus of Resilience.

It spoke to people who understood their worth and refused to be a pawn on a geopolitical chessboard. This tenacious insistence on sovereignty and self-determination, even as global powers continually leveraged its land and seas for their own strategic purposes, has been the constant through-line of its journey.

Today, this deeply ingrained resilient character, coupled with visionary national leadership and the unwavering commitment of its citizens, is demonstrably beginning to yield its profound benefits. The narrative of Eritrea is shifting dramatically. It’s moving from a nation defined by its struggles to a key player in the Red Sea region, actively forging strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, and others. This isn’t a sudden development; it’s the culmination of decades of disciplined self-reliance and the careful stewardship of its own destiny.

Just as my previous article in Red Sea Beacon,

Sovereignty Reclaimed: Energy, Self-Reliance, and the New Global Order,

https://redseabeacon.com/sovereignty-re ... e-red-sea/ highlighted, Eritrea’s strategic location and its principled stand for self-determination are now positioned to unlock unprecedented opportunities. The long-term vision of developing as a partnership model, leveraging its geographical assets not for exploitation, but for mutual benefit and regional stability, is a direct outcome of this profound resilience. The nation’s commitment to self-reliance, often misconstrued as isolation, was in fact the patient building of internal strength—a recalibration of its own stress-strain curve—to ensure it could engage with the world on its own terms.

The Vision of 2026: From Recovery to Leadership

As we look toward 2026, the vision for Eritrea is no longer a distant aspiration; it is a rapidly approaching reality. The nation is now transitioning from the phase of “Elastic Absorption”—where it quietly endured external pressures—to the phase of “Elastic Recovery.” In material science, this is the moment the spring releases its stored energy to return to its ideal state with renewed force.

Eritrea’s Modulus of Resilience, is now demonstrating its full capacity. The years of disciplined self-reliance, often mischaracterized by outsiders as isolation, were in fact a period of internal tempering. By refusing to compromise its sovereignty and maintaining its freedom from restrictive embargoes, Eritrea ensured that when it finally stepped back into the regional spotlight, it did so not as a dependent, but as a dominant architect of the new Red Sea security and economic architecture.

The growing partnerships with Saudi Arabia and other regional powers are the first fruits of this resilience. This is a model of Strategic Agency: the ability to choose one’s partners based on mutual respect and shared stability rather than coercion. As the world navigates the complexities of the mid-2020s, the “Eritrean Model” stands as a living testament to the power of a collective Sense of Coherence, as championed by the late Professor Astier M. Almedom.

Ultimately, Eritrea’s journey proves that a nation’s true strength is not measured by the absence of stress, but by the integrity of its “spring”, the unyielding resolve to bounce back, adapt, and lead.

By 2026, the world will not just witness the rebound of a nation; it will witness the rise of a regional anchor that refused to be broken.

Zmeselo wrote: ↑

19 Dec 2025, 00:57

I'm not certain how much this affects Trump's thinking but he himself, like Eritrea, has been abused by the Obamas and the Bidens. Maybe, he feels sympathetic or let's say he understands what forces Eritrea has been up against.

Plus, he's a different fish altogether because he even met Kim Jong Un (in his first term) a leader the whole Western world wouldn't want anything to do with. And apart from the rethoric, they definitely know Eritrea is much easier to deal with than North Korea. The cult of personality of the leader of North Korea doesn't exist in Eritrea, as much as Eritrea's detractors want the world to believe. Eritrea is not as dangerous either, because it's not a nuclear power.

To narrow the gap as much as possible though, political reforms in Eritrea are necessary. The ratification of the constitution, the freeing of political prisoners, the regathering of the parliament etc must be expedited in my humble opinion.

I agree with your assessment. The preference of Trump for strong leaders is notable, and it's likely that this inclination played a role in shaping his views. Additionally, the concern about global competition with the US may have also influenced the outcome.

On the domestic front, I agree with you that now more than ever it is important to address the political and legal institutions so that we reap the fruits of all the self-sacrifice made by all Eritreans in peace and harmony..

True resilience is not merely survival; it is the capacity to withstand, adjust, and adapt positively, often while continuing to function or even thrive.

The nation’s commitment to self-reliance, often misconstrued as isolation, was in fact the patient building of internal strength—a recalibration of its own stress-strain curve—to ensure it could engage with the world on its own terms.

This isn’t just toughness; it’s a profound, intrinsic resilience that allows Eritrea to repeatedly absorb immense historical and social shocks and spring back, not just intact, but with an ever-strengthening core.