These stories highlight critical shifts in global power dynamics, reveal domestic policy challenges, and explore local governance issues. Key themes include the erosion of U.S. hegemony and the rise of a multipolar world, imperialism and bureaucracy, support for domestic manufacturing and labor rights, concerns over fiscal crises and debt relief, skepticism of racial policies in public institutions, and the need for sustainable infrastructure like trains. I’ve selected stories representing each section (Global, National, City & State), prioritizing those with the strongest commentary on these stories’ long-term implications for peace, sovereignty, and economic and political stability.
Israeli and Palestinian Hostages Released in Accordance with Ceasefire Agreement; Future of Gaza Remains Unclear as Hamas Conducts Public Executions Following Ceasefire The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was signed in Egypt, officially ending the two-year conflict that began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack. Hostages held in Gaza for two years were freed as part of the deal, with Trump pushing for regional peace expansion through the Abraham Accords and potential Gulf nation involvement in Gaza’s reconstruction. However, Hamas executed eight men publicly in Gaza City hours after signing the peace treaty, accusing them of being criminals and Israeli collaborators without evidence to reassert control post-IDF withdrawal. While the genocide in Gaza will likely haunt our collective memory and geopolitics for years, it is a wonderful thing to see the hostages released and the war come to an end. Hamas is certainly in no position to be a reasonable government, so the situation for Palestinians in Gaza is far from being stable even given the absence of the violent onslaught of the Israeli government.
U.S. Appears to Pursue Regime Change in Venezuela; Venezuela Accuses U.S. of Extrajudicial Killings at United Nations; U.S. Military Commander Leaves Position Early Due to Discomfort Overseeing Questionable Strikes Against Latin American Drug Smugglers The Trump administration has escalated actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by deploying B-52 strategic bombers for flyovers off the coast, positioning special operations helicopters in neighboring Colombia, and labeling his regime a “narco-terrorist cartel” through CIA designations to justify broader interventions. Internal assessments reveal Maduro’s grip weakening post the disputed July 2024 elections, with U.S. officials exploring “land-based options” including support for opposition forces and potential sanctions on oil buyers, amid a migrant crisis that saw 7.7 million Venezuelans flee since 2015. Venezuela formally condemned U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean at a UN Security Council meeting, labeling them as illegal extrajudicial killings that resulted in at least 12 deaths, including Venezuelan nationals, without any judicial process or evidence presentation. Admiral Alvin Holsey, the four-star commander of U.S. Southern Command responsible for operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, announced his abrupt early retirement after expressing ethical discomfort with overseeing a series of controversial U.S. airstrikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels off Venezuela’s coast, ordered under new directives from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the Trump administration. We continue to be staunchly opposed to imperialism of all forms and therefore denounce this attempt by the Trump administration to undermine the sovereignty of Venezuela through coercive military and economic force. This type of accusation strains the dynamics of global agencies like the U.N. Security Council who have for far too long simply capitulated to the powerful and harshly held weaker states accountable. Holsey represents the best of patriotic virtue in this regard and we applaud his long-standing honorable service and commitment to our best ideals like justice and love in light of orders which directly conflict with his understanding of what is reasonable and justifiable.
Los Angeles Declares State of Emergency Due to ICE Raids Los Angeles County supervisors unanimously declared a local state of emergency in direct response to a surge in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that detained over 500 undocumented immigrants in workplace and community operations within a single week, citing widespread humanitarian crises, family separations, and heightened fear in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods like East L.A. The declaration mobilizes county resources for expanded legal aid programs, sanctuary city reinforcements, and emergency shelters accommodating up to 1,000 affected individuals, while escalating legal and political conflicts with the federal government under the Trump administration’s renewed focus on mass deportations, drawing support from civil rights organizations. This is one of the most absurd and outlandish things that local bodies of government have done in their attempt to subvert the supremacy of the federal government. Actions like this literally create the preconditions for meaningful civil unrest and without a real check on this type of behavior we fail to see how we can have de-escalation instead of serious conflict.
Supreme Court to Decide on Legality of Racially Based Districting The U.S. Supreme Court is rehearing a case that could weaken or eliminate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act which is the primary safeguard against racial gerrymandering in electoral districts. A report warns that this ruling, paired with Republican mid-decade redistricting, could add 27 safe GOP House seats, entrenching Republican control for a generation and disproportionately impacting minority voters in states like Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The VRA is one of the trickiest pieces of legislation in the 20th century as it is well-intended but clearly problematic and controversial. Likely the court will strike down this piece of the legislation and we will likely find their reasoning to be sound.
Madagascar Military Seizes Power, Ousts President Amid Ongoing Civil Unrest; African Union Suspends Madagascar Following Military Coup The elite Madagascar military unit CAPSAT seized power from President Andry Rajoelina following weeks of youth-led protests against his rule amid chronic water and power shortages and high living costs. Lawmakers impeached Rajoelina for desertion and endorsed Col. Michael Randrianirina as the new leader, with promises to form a transitional committee and hold elections within 18 months to two years. The African Union has suspended Madagascar’s membership after the military coup ousted the elected government, citing violations of its charter on democratic principles and unconstitutional changes in leadership. Military rule is only justifiable in the most extreme of circumstances and should be transitioned to a civil government as soon as possible. Gen Z’s protests, all throughout the world, are causing governments to reconcile their corruption with citizens who are literally willing to burn the country down. If this government is to be in place for two years, it will be interesting to see if the AU keeps this brash stance or if they come to see the military leadership as a transitional government that must be aided in its attempt to restore order and return Madagascar back to civil governance.
India Receives Increasing Pressure to Stop Buying Russian Oil G7 allies, including the European Union, Japan, and the UK, are ramping up coordinated pressure on India to cease purchases of Russian oil, citing violations of sanctions imposed after Moscow’s 2022 Ukraine invasion, with EU diplomats joining Trump administration threats of secondary tariffs and trade restrictions if India doesn’t comply by year-end. This multilateral effort highlights India’s role as Russia’s top oil buyer, importing 2.2 million barrels per day in 2024 (up 13% year-over-year and comprising 40% of its crude needs), which undermines global price caps and funds Russia’s war economy to the tune of $25 billion annually from Indian refiners alone. As we watch the world realign regarding the balance of power between major states, India is perhaps in the most unique position of all as it can leverage its lack of allegiance to any coalition to pursue its best interests.
U.S. Aims to Boost Domestic Ship Production by Imposing Fees on Chinese Ships for Docking The Trump administration imposed fees on Chinese-owned and built ships docking at U.S. ports to counter China’s 60% dominance in global shipbuilding and revitalize the declining U.S. industry. The policy, affecting companies like COSCO with potential billions in costs, aims to deter purchases of Chinese vessels but may lead to supply chain inefficiencies and higher consumer prices for imports. Manufacturing must come back to the United States, and we applaud the government risking economic volatility to force the hand of capital in relation to increasing the productive capacity of the United States.
North Carolina Erases $6.5 Billion in Medical DebtNorth Carolina eliminated $6.5 billion in medical debt for over 2.5 million low- and middle-income residents through a Medicaid program incentivizing hospitals to forgive debts dating back to 2014. All qualifying hospitals participated, implementing policies to prevent future debt, with notifications sent to beneficiaries and the initiative hailed as a model for other states. This is perhaps an example of the best use of public power in relation to relieving debt burdens, as medical debt stands as one of the most crippling forms of debt that American citizens endure. There is something that has been lost over time on the American public, and that is no one ought to live with permanent debt, and the economy ought to be orchestrated to avoid that fate.
Michigan to Build Massive New Transit Hub in Detroit The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), in partnership with the City of Detroit and Ford’s Michigan Central redevelopment, unveiled plans for a $1.5 billion multimodal hub at the historic Michigan Central Station, set to integrate Amtrak intercity rail, local buses, Detroit People Mover, and future high-speed lines by 2028. Funded by $800 million in federal Infrastructure Act grants and $700 million in private investments, the hub aims to handle 5 million passengers yearly, revitalizing the Corktown district and creating 2,500 jobs in a city where public transit ridership plummeted 40% post-COVID. We have routinely argued that trains are necessary for the future of America to be bright, so it is good to see public money be put to good use.
Indonesia Sets Aside Funds to Join BRICS Bank as BRICS Continues to Push to Overthrow the Dollar Indonesia, aiming for quick membership under President Prabowo Subianto, has allocated funds for paid-in capital to join the BRICS-sponsored New Development Bank (NDB). The NDB, founded in 2015 with $100 billion authorized capital, has financed $39 billion in projects focused on infrastructure and renewable energy across its expanding membership. It is an astounding time we are living in as U.S. hegemony is eroding and creating the opportunity for what many have called the multi-polar world. BRICS is a necessary counterbalance to the Western dominance the world has endured since the Liberal International Order was forged after WWII.
