International Monetary Fund Issues Stark Warning About Growing US DebtThe IMF projects that U.S. general government gross debt will surpass both Italy’s (137%) and Greece’s (130.2%) for the first time this century. Fueled by chronic deficits, huge defense budgets, and an aging population, U.S. debt will soar to 143.4% of GDP by 2030. Global public debt will top 100% of world GDP by 2029 with dire warnings of bond market contagion, investor panic, and fiscal austerity clashing against populist tax cuts and spending binges. Global debt will soon hit its highest level since 1948, signaling that the economic order ushered in after WWII is bursting at the seams. The most interesting dynamic in all of this is that no longer will fiscal crises only be prominent in the developing world but also in the world’s superpowers.
More than Half the States Sue the Federal Government Over Looming Food Stamp CutoffOn October 28, twenty-five Democratic-led states plus D.C. filed suit against the USDA to prevent the November 1 cutoff of SNAP benefits for 42 million low-income Americans during the government shutdown, arguing the agency’s refusal to use its $5-6 billion contingency fund flouts federal law. As of November 2, two federal judges (in Massachusetts and Rhode Island) have ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funding to provide the benefits, rejecting the USDA’s claim that the fund is unavailable outside disasters; this averts immediate cutoff, though GOP senators remain divided on a standalone fix amid risks to families, retailers, and food banks. The legality of the USDA’s initial decision was unclear, but what is clear is that politicians on both sides are willing to risk mass food insecurity to force their agendas through.
Pentagon to Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing for First Time Since 1992 in Response to Russian Displays of Military CapacityPresident Trump ordered the Pentagon to immediately restart nuclear testing after a 33-year moratorium, matching rivals like Russia’s recent nuclear-powered missile, drone, and torpedo tests and China’s arsenal doubling to 600 warheads (projected 1,000+ by 2030). The U.S. holds 5,225 warheads versus Russia’s 5,580, with no explosive tests by major powers since 1992 under Bush. The Russian government warned that the U.S. should proceed with caution, while China urged the U.S. to remain in compliance with standing international protocol. The UN noted they are alarmed about this escalation, and Democrats vowed to block funding amid warnings of arms race. While we take a broadly anti-war position, it only makes sense for the American government to respond in kind to Russian attempts to intimidate the U.S. by conspicuously demonstrating their military might.
Pentagon Orders National Guard ‘Quick Reaction Forces’ in All States for Crowd ControlA leaked Pentagon memo directs all 50 states to ensure 500 National Guard soldiers each is proficient in non-lethal crowd control by the beginning of next year. These soldiers should master shield phalanxes, baton charges, taser deployments, OC gas dispersal, less-lethal munitions, and verbal de-escalation. Stemming from President Trump’s August 12 executive order distilling January 6 Capitol riot lessons, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unequivocally confirmed the ‘QRF’ buildup in Fox and CNN interviews, dismissing ‘fearmongering’ over 2026 midterm voter suppression. Critics warn of Posse Comitatus erosion amid polarized forecasts of street protests given it increasingly feels as though the presence of federal troops will be a semi-permanent state of affairs for the coming years. There is a thin line between demonstrating preparedness for civil unrest and provoking fears that troops are being mobilized to usher in martial law.
Tanzania Faces Significant Civil Unrest After Disputed ElectionProtests erupted in major cities in Tanzania following their recent presidential election, where incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan leads with nearly 95% of the votes in some areas amid low turnout, chaos, and the barring of opposition leaders Tundu Lissu (jailed on treason charges) and Luhaga Mpina. Police fired tear gas, gunshots, and engaged in running battles, killing at least two people including one civilian and one officer, while protesters defied a nighttime curfew, used the Zello app amid a nationwide internet blackout, set polling stations ablaze, and spilled into Kenya. In response to the protests, the government imposed a curfew, ordered civil servants and students to stay home until Friday, blocked major roads and the airport, and blamed “bad characters.” The leadership class of Tanzania has been brazenly corrupt and has long engaged in the practice of making their opposition disappear. A just society cannot be wielded as the personal plaything of an elite class, and we hope this unrest provides the opportunity for Tanzania to change course.
Rebels in Sudan Accused of Massacring Hundreds During Siege of El FasherRapid Support Forces (RSF), the rebel group fighting the Sudanese government, seized El Fasher and killed over 460 at Saudi Maternity Hospital alone through executions of patients, staff, and companions, and also conducted house-to-house raids, rapes, kidnappings for ransom, and ethnic targeting of non-Arabs. Videos filmed by RSF fighters show summary shootings of pleading civilians, groups of men, and bodies littered like a “killing field.” The reports of mass executions were corroborated by satellite imagery. The situation in Sudan continues to be one of the true horrors of our time as unhinged rebels seem to be winning a civil war. From our point of view, the RSF is even worse than the Taliban, meaning their rule will only undermine the ability of people in Sudan to flourish as human beings.
Internal Protests and Conflicts on Many Fronts Highlight Pressures on Israeli Government Amid Fragile Truce (additional source)Approximately 200,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews rallied in Jerusalem against a Supreme Court ruling ending their military draft exemption, leading to arrests, injuries, and one teenager’s death, as the IDF seeks 12,000 more recruits amid coalition fallout. This internal unrest coincides with external escalations, where Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have killed over 236 Palestinians since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with both sides trading blame for violations while Hamas hands over hostage bodies and mediators push to preserve the truce. Israel is increasingly in a precarious position as internal societal pressures and unchecked and controversial military actions can destabilize nations.
Increases in Affordable Care Act Premiums Are to Be Higher Than ExpectedAs open enrollment for 2026 began on November 1, out-of-pocket premiums on ACA marketplaces are up an average of 26-30% nationally, with states like New Jersey (175%) and Colorado (101%) hit hardest; enhanced subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act expire at the end of 2025, potentially doubling payments for millions. The rapid increases risk 3.8 million Americans dropping coverage annually, creating sicker risk pools and future hikes. The battle to create a desirable and sustainable healthcare system rages on as the Affordable Care Act appears insufficient.
President Trump Strikes Major Trade Deals with China and South KoreaRecent details released November 1-2 show Trump’s deals with China include slashing U.S. tariffs from 57% to 47%, China buying 12-25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans through 2025, pausing rare earth export curbs and port fees for a year (renewable), delaying new export rules on blacklisted firms until 2026, and tying further cuts to fentanyl crackdowns. With South Korea, the U.S. approved its first nuclear-powered submarine, pledged $350 billion in investments, boosted oil/gas buys, and cut auto tariffs from 25% to 15%. Perhaps this is a sign that cooler heads are prevailing with the recognition that jockeying for better positions is fine but a full-scale economic war would lead to losses no one wants to see.
New Mexico to Become First State to Provide Free Childcare For All ResidentsAs of November 1, New Mexico launched zero-cost universal childcare for all families regardless of income, funded by oil & gas revenues, saving households $12,000 annually on average and boosting workforce participation through state vouchers for public and private providers. There has been increasing demand for childcare services that are affordable for most families, and here we see a state attempting to intervene by ensuring all residents will have access to childcare services.
