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Jul 14, 2025
Viren S Doshi

Epstein Files - Much Ado About Nothing?

Certain media make a mountain out of a molehill, and the same certain media also makes a molehill out of a mountain. Apparently, the mountainous Epstein Case is probably a Damp Squib. Thought to be a litmus test for the Trump Administration, the issue itself is fast fizzling out. Despite murmurs of internal differences layered over by Trump's ironing out public messaging as has been his way of working, American Top Agencies finally said the much hyped “client list” is nowhere to be found, and Epstein had committed suicide. Although disappointing, such moments do occur, analogous to the “Sushant Singh Rajput Case” moment in India. Epstein - Fact and Hype Jeffrey Epstein, a financier accused of orchestrating a sex trafficking network targeting underage girls, caught global attention, more so after his 2019 death in a Manhattan jail, officially ruled a suicide. His ties to high-profile figures and rumours of a secret “client list” fuelled speculation of a vast conspiracy. Recent disclosures, however, reveal that the Epstein Files is probably a letdown, offering little beyond political posturing. The horror of Jihadi Grooming Gangs in UK and the rapist gangs of illegal immigrants in US and love jihad cases in India and forced abductions of Hindu and Christian girls in Pakistan should have occupied the newsrooms, editorials, social media platforms and public debates vigorously but the leftist agenda-driven subtle narratives rule the roost as usual overshadowing such ghastly organised terrorist crimes with an Epstein’s case mired in lot of political mud. Let us begin with the man, the criminal who is at the root of this horror story and equally horrific political controversy. Epstein’s Life Born on January 20, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, Jeffrey Edward Epstein grew up in a middle-class family in Coney Island. Excelling in mathematics at Lafayette High School, he briefly attended Cooper Union and New York University (NYU)’s Courant Institute but left without a degree. In his early 20s, Epstein taught math and physics at the Dalton School in Manhattan, connecting with influential figures, including a parent who introduced him to finance. By the late 1970s, he joined Bear Stearns, rising as a trader before founding his own money management firm in 1982, serving wealthy clients and building the network that later fuelled his controversial activities, ultimately landing him in jail, where his life came to an abrupt end. Epstein's Abrupt Death Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre (MCC) on August 10, 2019, and pronounced dead at 6:39 AM. The New York City medical examiner, Dr. Barbara Sampson, ruled his death a suicide by hanging on August 16, 2019. The autopsy found Epstein used a noose made from a bedsheet, tied to the top bunk, kneeling to break multiple neck bones, including the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage. Lividity patterns confirmed he was hanging, not seated, with no leg discolouration. Toxicology tests showed no drugs, and no defensive wounds, indicating a lack of any struggle prior to his end. Dr. Michael Baden, hired by Epstein’s brother, argued the three neck fractures were more typical of homicidal strangulation, citing eye haemorrhages and the lack of a photo of the body’s position. Sampson countered that hyoid fractures occur in hangings, especially in older men, and emphasised a holistic view of evidence. A 2023 Department of Justice (DOJ) report and a July 2025 memo, with over 10 hours of video, supported suicide as a cause of death. Trump 1.0 - Epstein’s 2019 Arrest Epstein’s arrest on July 6, 2019, at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - New York Police Department (NYPD) Crimes Against Children Task Force marked a significant moment during President Donald Trump’s first term (2017–2021). The arrest stemmed from a federal investigation in the Southern District of New York (SDNY), led by U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman, appointed by Trump in 2018. Epstein faced charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy, accused of abusing dozens of underage girls. The investigation followed renewed scrutiny after a 2018 Miami Herald exposé on Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, prompting the SDNY to act. FBI agents, under Trump’s DOJ, searched Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse, uncovering evidence like thousands of sexually suggestive photos, some of underage girls. The Trump administration’s DOJ oversaw the case, with Attorney General William Barr personally reviewing security footage, later describing Epstein’s death as a “perfect storm of screw-ups” due to prison staff negligence. Trump’s 2017 Executive Order 13773, targeting transnational criminal organisations, was reportedly also aimed at dismantling Epstein’s network, though no direct evidence links it to his arrest. Alex Acosta, the U.S. Attorney who secured Epstein’s lenient 2008 plea deal, served as Trump’s Labour Secretary from 2017 until resigning in July 2019 amid backlash over the deal. DOJ faced scrutiny for MCC’s failures, including falsified guard records, leading to charges against two guards who avoided jail time through a deferred prosecution agreement. It seems that the administration’s role was limited to overseeing the arrest and prosecution, with no evidence of direct interference or any cover-up. The Epstein Files - Trump 2.0 The February 2025 release and July 2025 DOJ-FBI memo confirm no client list or murder, deflating hype as well as expectation. February 2025 Document Release: Attorney General Pam Bondi released Epstein-related documents, including a leaked contact book and redacted flight logs. Bondi blamed a New York FBI office for providing only 200 of the thousands of expected pages and promised more releases. July 2025 DOJ-FBI Memo: On July 7, 2025, the DOJ and FBI issued a memo stating that over 300 gigabytes of data, including 10 hours of video from Epstein’s jail unit, confirmed his 2019 suicide. No one entered the area from 10:40 PM on August 9 to 6:30 AM on August 10. The memo found no “client list” or blackmail evidence, ruling out further charges. The video largely settled the suicide debate. Culpability: A Trail Without Tracks The Epstein case has implicated prominent figures, but real evidence is lacking. Donald J. Trump: Trump and Epstein socialised in the 1980s and 1990s, with Trump’s name in flight logs for seven trips, including two with American Singer and TV personality Marla Maples and Trump's daughter Tiffany Trump. No evidence links him to Little St. James Island. A 1992 video shows them at Mar-a-Lago, and Trump’s 2002 loose comment “praised” Epstein’s charm and preferences. Virginia Giuffre, a key victim, said she was recruited from Mar-a-Lago, but she never accused Trump. Trump cut ties with Epstein around 2004 due to the latter’s misconduct, and probably also over a property dispute. Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Alan Dershowitz: These figures appear in documents. Clinton is in flight logs but faces no charges. Prince Andrew settled a civil lawsuit with Giuffre. Lawyer Dershowitz was named but not charged. The July 2025 memo reports no broader conspiracy. Punishments Delivered Only two individuals faced justice: Jeffrey Epstein: Having served jail earlier as part of a plea at the state level, he was again arrested in July 2019 on new charges. Epstein died in jail on August 10, 2019. Ghislaine Maxwell: Convicted in 2021 for aiding Epstein’s trafficking, Maxwell is serving 20 20-year term in prison. No others have been charged, with the DOJ citing insufficient evidence. (Compare this with no one charged or punished in Jihadi Grooming Gangs' horrific heinous deeds in the UK. Also, compare this with Biden's reckless pardon spree for Hunter and others in his last days in the White House.) Likely Future Punishments The Epstein Files’ lack of substance suggests minimal future accountability: Legal Constraints: Many alleged crimes are beyond the statute of limitations for federal sex trafficking. Without new evidence, prosecutions are unlikely. Civil Actions: Victims could pursue civil lawsuits, as with Prince Andrew. Potential Penalties: If evidence emerges, sex trafficking charges could carry 7 years per count or life for young victims. Civil penalties might include fines or restitution. Political Overtures Trump’s Measured Response: During his 2024 campaign, Trump had promised to release Epstein’s “client list”. The 2025 releases “disappointed”, leading to accusations of overpromising. Trump has distanced himself, stating in 2019 he hadn’t spoken to Epstein in 15 years and banned him from Mar-a-Lago in the early 2000s for inappropriate conduct. In July 2025, he dismissed questions, calling Epstein a “creep” and urging focus on real issues. The Musk Episode: In June 2025, Elon Musk, after resigning from the Department of Government Efficiency over a tax bill dispute, posted on his media platform X that Trump’s name appeared in unreleased files, implying a cover-up. Fearing defamation, Musk retracted the claims. The White House tied the posts to Musk’s frustration with the bill, which cut electric vehicle subsidies. The vitriolic spat fast faded, proving inconsequential. Supporter Reaction: The July 2025 memo frustrated some Trump supporters expecting bombshells. Influencers like Jack Posobiec criticised Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. Tucker Carlson claimed Trump’s name is absent from incriminating files, suggesting Israeli intelligence involvement. The administration’s sharing of old documents earlier in February 2025 with influencers fuelled the anticlimax. Typical of Trump, as he had done prior to and after Operation Midnight Hammer regarding intelligence and intelligence team, he took to his social media platform “Truth” asking his team to remain united and to focus on real issues without getting stuck up on Epstein Issue which he characterised as Leftist Deep State scripted issue out of crimes that happened decades back and were dealt with adequately by the then authorities and statutes. He said this is the time to move ahead with the mission of Making America Great Again. He said that if there had been any evidence against him or anyone in his camp, Biden Biden-Harris Administration, directed by Clinton and Obama, would have acted strictly, swiftly and severely against him and his teammates. He laid all speculations and any probable differences to rest with his bold public statement. Democrats jumping on the bandwagon: Exploiting the issue’s mystique for political gain despite their prior inaction, Dems have fallen flat with these releases. Democrat Representative Dan Goldman demanded unredacted files, alleging a cover-up. Having had access during their tenure and having done nothing, they now use the issue’s intrigue for political points. Their efforts have faltered, exposing a hollow political stunt. Democrats’ push for disclosures may continue, but the DOJ’s focus on victim privacy limits releases. Conclusion The Epstein Files, once and even now for some leftist quarters, a conundrum of conspiracy theories, have proven to be “much ado about (political) nothing”. The February 2025 release and July 2025 memo reveal no client list or murder, with video confirming Epstein’s suicide, though some quarters have cast suspicions about the editing of videos. The Trump administration’s first-term role in Epstein’s 2019 arrest was significant though marred by prison lapses and Acosta’s controversial past. Democrats’ political exploitation has flopped, leveraging mystique without substance. Musk’s retracted allegations and Carlson’s unproven claims highlight the case’s slide into speculation. To sum up, at least at this juncture, the Epstein case itself has “failed” as a litmus test for the Trump administration, leaving a tired controversy fuelled by leftist political theatre, unfazed Trump hammering it out of his way to his nationalist America First mission.

Jul 11, 2025
Ramaharitha Pusarla

Rio BRICS Summit: Championing the Voice of the Global South

The BRICS is a group of countries with disparate economic priorities, interests and governance systems. These divergences were at the heart of strategic speculations about its coherence and long-term relevance since its inception in 2009. The steady progress of the BRICS New Development Bank, launched in 2015 as a viable alternative, forced the global commentariat to rethink. Contrary to the popular Western perceptions about its pertinence, the group began to attract many nations. At the 2024 Kazan BRICS Summit, opening a new chapter, BRICS welcomed new countries into its fold. BRICS transformed into BRICS+ with the joining of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE. Saudi Arabia’s membership was formalised, but it hasn’t officially joined the group. In January 2025, BRICS welcomed Indonesia. Now the extended BRICS family has a new category of 10 partner countries- Bolivia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, Uzbekistan Comprising Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDC), all these nations have one thing in common- a vision for an inclusive, multipolar world order. The pandemic has been a major turning point in terms of the collective resolve of countries. Economic crises in the post-pandemic world, further exacerbated by fuel, food and fertiliser insecurities, have exposed the ineptness of the post-World War II multilateral institutions. The dominance of the Western powers, the exclusion of the developing countries and the persistence of inequalities have laid bare the inherent weakness of the existing world order. The prolonged marginalisation of the interests of developing nations and the inelasticity of unequal power structures to address fundamental inequalities have impelled nations to organise into a coalition or group. BRICS is not decidedly anti-West, but it is non-West. Post-pandemic, BRICS has emerged as a nucleating centre around which countries rallied. The growing interest in the BRICS is driven by a shift in the economic centre of gravity away from the West. As a seat of fast-growing economies with a teeming young demography with a significant potential for technology adoption, countries are gravitating towards BRICS, a group of developing countries, to have access to emerging markets, regional trade blocs, and to avoid unilateral sanctions. Incidentally, prioritising the challenges of developing countries, BRICS is now positioning itself as a fairer system offering a level playing field for the Global South nations. BRICS now represents 49.5% of the world population, 39% of the global GDP in PPP terms and conducts 26% of international trade. With the joining of the oil-rich nations, BRICS controls 44% of global oil production and 38% of natural gas production. BRICS nations make up for 72% of rare earth mineral reserves. Dismissed as an incoherent body, the BRICS footprint is steadily expanding the global affairs. BRICS nations held the Presidency of G20 consecutively for four years- Indonesia, India, Brazil and South Africa. Brazil is the host for COP30 to be held at Belem in November 2025. With the joining of new nations, while the heterogeneity of the group has further increased, there has been a significant jump of 85.1% trading (from 2012 to 2023). The use of local or alternative currencies for intra-BRICS trading has been a troubling aspect for the US, as dollar dependency has come down. The sidelining of the US dollar for transactions has been the cause of consternation for the Trump administration. To evade, US sanctions regime, Russia encouraged trade in local currencies and emphasised reducing dependency on the US dollar. The Kazan BRICS Summit, chaired by Russia, mooted de-dollarisation. However, de-dollarisation was never on the agenda. India quickly distanced itself from the de-dollarisation move and the BRICS common currency proposal. India has reiterated that it has no policy to replace the US dollar as the global reserve currency. China, India, and US allies like the UAE, which rely on the US markets, have shunned this move. While nations are making an effort to internationalise their currencies, there is no consensus on de-dollarisation within BRICS. At the Rio Summit, Russia denied discussion on BRICS currency payments between the members. On the contrary, BRICS is trying to evolve a payment mechanism to facilitate cross-border trade among the members. Hence, Trump’s concerns that BRICS is aggressively moving towards de-dollarisation are misplaced and unwarranted. The 17th BRICS Summit held at Rio de Janeiro, themed on “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”, the largest participation of the BRICS family drew the ire of the Trump administration. Interestingly, the Rio Declaration took an unequivocal stand on several geopolitical issues. They condemned military strikes against Iran, terming them as violative of international law, reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, objected the use of starvation as a method of warfare and called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, Lebanese territory. In a major boost to Russia, BRICS strongly voiced concerns on Ukrainian attacks against civilian infrastructure in the Russian Federation. The firm rejection of “unilateral, punitive and discriminatory protectionist measures that are not in line with international law, under the pretext of environmental concerns, such as unilateral and discriminatory carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs)”, a strong attack on both Trump’s tariffs and the EU’s arbitrary trade barriers must have riled the combined west. But undeniably, the West’s unilateralism and arbitrary trade policies are becoming more disruptive. Indeed, the declaration has called out the Western hegemony in multilateral financial and trading institutions -the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO. Speaking at a BRICS session on “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic and Financial Affairs and Artificial Intelligence”, PM Modi said, “We need to work together to make supply chains for critical minerals and technology secure and reliable. It’s important to ensure that no country uses these resources for its own selfish gain or as a weapon against others,” in a direct dig at China’s restrictive trade policies. In fact, Brazil and Indonesia have recently imposed tariffs on China over industrial overcapacity and dumping. Comparisons of BRICS to the G7 and its ability to establish a new world order might be far-fetched. Unlike the G7, BRICS is a heterogeneous group. It is an emerging coalition seeking collaboration and cooperation to mitigate global challenges for sustainable growth and inclusive development. Considered as a stagnant grouping after the launch of the New Development Bank (NBD), BRICS is now steadily evolving. Fostering South-South cooperation, BRICS is now actively expanding cooperation in new domains- Innovation, AI, Science and Research, Climate Change, Financing, Women’s Empowerment, Startups, Space cooperation, Vaccines, Culture, Sports etc. Reiterating the principle of “African solutions to African Problems”, BRICS is now espousing the rights of Africa. Widening global inequalities have reinforced that the Global South has been neglected. In his address at the BRICS “Global Governance and Peace and Security Session”, PM Modi stated that the Global South faced double standards in development, distribution of resources, climate finance, sustainable development issues, technology access and security-related issues. To reflect the contemporary realities of the times, he called for urgent reforms to the multilateral institutions and global governance institutions, particularly the UNSC. In a scathing attack, he said, “The World needs a multipolar and inclusive world order- not merely symbolic, real impact should be visible. Changes must be brought in the Governance structures, voting rights and leadership positions. The global south must be given priority in policymaking. He added, “You can’t run 21st-century software on 20th-century typewriters”. In this context, his reference to strong condemnation of the Pahalgam attack by the BRICS countries flies in the face of the US, which continues to cultivate a strategic partnership with Pakistan despite being designated a state sponsor of terrorism. BRICS has now become representative of the Global South. The Rio Summit was steered by India and Brazil. Brazil, as the host, used the BRICS platform to unequivocally assert its views on the geopolitical developments. PM Modi has set the agenda and toppled the Chinese Applecart of turning BRICS into a Chinese playground. BRICS is not antagonistic to the West, but global uncertainties and challenges warrant comprehensive reforms in the existing system to make the World more inclusive. Established in times of Western imperialism when the majority of the Global South nations were still colonised, the Western institutions reek of bias and aren’t representative. While questions about the cogency of BRICS still persist, BRICS countries are partnering to realise their individual aspirations, pursue new economic opportunities, enhance political influence and collectively as a group hedge against the West’s unilateral sanctions. In the process, BRICS is envisioning a plan to strengthen the BRICS framework to leverage its credibility to bid for comprehensive multilateral reforms. However, the parochial Western commentary equating BRICS to the fate of the G77 bloc of developing nations can be presumptuous. Playing the ‘strategic autonomy card’ close to the chest, BRICS nations are aligned to drive the world towards multipolarity. As the chair for BRICS 2026, PM Modi indicated that India intends to redefine BRICS as Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability. During its G20 presidency, India promoted the aspirations of the Global South and brought their concerns to the global centre stage. With a people-centric approach and spirit of ‘Humanity First’, India intends to champion multilateralism, which is inclusive and representative. Western fears of BRICS as anti-West and a powerful counterweight are clearly unfounded. References https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/39765/English_Translation_of_Prime_Ministers_statement_during_the_BRICS_session__Reform_of_Global_Governance_July_06_2025 https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/39766/English_Translation_of_Prime_Ministers_Statement_during_the_BRICS_Session_on_Peace_and_Security_July_06_2025 https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/39767/English_Translation_of_Prime_Ministers_Statement_during_the_BRICS_Session_Strengthening_Multilateralism_EconomicFinancial_Matters_and_Artificial_Intel https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/39770/Rio_de_Janeiro_Declaration_Strengthening_Global_South_Cooperation_for_a_More_Inclusive_and_Sustainable_Governance https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/39770/Rio_de_Janeiro_Declaration_Strengthening_Global_South_Cooperation_for_a_More_Inclusive_and_Sustainable_Governance https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/39775/English_translation_of_Prime_Ministers_statement_during_the_BRICS_session_on_Environment_COP30_and_Global_Health_July_07_2025

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