The European Union has formally added Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its terrorist list following unanimous approval by foreign ministers. This designation imposes stricter asset freezes, travel bans, and financial restrictions on the IRGC and associated individuals. The move responds directly to Iran's violent suppression of domestic protests and its military support for proxy groups across the region. Additional sanctions target entities linked to the IRGC's ballistic missile program and human rights abuses. With American warships on the way and terrorist labels coming from Europe, it is clear that the Western world wants to see the current Iranian regime overthrown, at least in our humble opinion.

The Israeli Defense Forces have revised their assessment and now accept the Gaza Health Ministry's figure of more than 70,000 Palestinians killed in the war that began in October 2023. Military officials acknowledge the total includes both civilians and combatants but note that distinguishing between the two remains challenging due to the nature of the conflict. The IDF attempts to separately track deaths of Hamas fighters and claim those number in the tens of thousands. The acknowledgement of such a large number of deaths marks a significant shift as Israel has long claimed many fewer death occurred than the Gaza Health Ministry recognized. Now that attention has been somewhat diverted from the genocide in Gaza, it makes sense that Israel would be willing to align their statistics with reality.

Recent independent studies and reports estimate that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has produced nearly 2 million total military casualties (killed and wounded) across both sides since the full-scale invasion began. The majority of these losses—approximately 1.2 million—are attributed to Russian forces, reflecting sustained high-intensity combat and recruitment challenges. The staggering combined toll highlights the extraordinary human cost of the prolonged war for both nations. We have been advocating since the war began for diplomatic solutions to take hold, but the bodies keep piling up as Ukraine remains unyielding in its desire to join European alliances and rebuke Russia's land grabs.

The U.S. Department of Energy has unveiled proposals to strengthen domestic nuclear fuel production and reduce reliance on foreign energy suppliers, namely Russia. The initiative invites states to develop nuclear innovation campuses that can test advanced reactors and fuel technologies. These sites are encouraged to co-locate with high-energy-demand facilities like data centers to support growing AI and computing needs. The overall goal is to triple U.S. nuclear capacity while enhancing energy security and grid reliability. We continually advocate for broadening energy production through nuclear capabilities, as it appears to be the only way to match the energy needs for the coming era of technological change. It also makes sense for the country to become self-sufficient in its energy production given so much global instability.

Federal agents conducted a warranted search at a Georgia county election office, seizing records and materials related to alleged mishandling of ballots from the 2020 presidential election. The operation focuses on potential irregularities in ballot storage and processing in Fulton County. Investigators collected physical ballots and digital records as part of a renewed federal probe. The action has revived public debate over 2020 election claims while officials emphasize it follows strict judicial oversight. This will likely go under the radar, but at least it will provide increased transparency into lingering questions regarding some of the odd electoral happenings that occurred in 2020. Hopefully, this does not stir up the more conspiratorial fervor we saw in the wake of the election, and the courts can handle this in the impartial and transparent manner needed for there to be utmost trust in our public institutions.

The United States and Denmark have resumed high-level talks aimed at bolstering military and security cooperation in Greenland amid heightened Arctic tensions. Discussions center on expanding U.S. access to existing bases and enhancing NATO's regional presence without altering sovereignty. Greenland's leadership has explicitly rejected any sale or transfer of control to the United States. The negotiations seek to address U.S. concerns about strategic vulnerabilities while respecting Denmark's authority over the territory. Perhaps this is how it ends. After all the blustering and chaos, the U.S. will simply gain more oversight over the territory it uses, and Denmark will get paid for it.

Senior border officials, including the designated border czar, have arrived in Minnesota to oversee expanded ICE operations and coordinate with local authorities. The visit focuses on increasing immigration arrests and restoring public safety in Minneapolis, where recent incidents have heightened concerns. Officials have pledged to remain in the state until targeted enforcement goals are met, including addressing gang activity and sanctuary policies. Meetings include plans to reverse any prior drawdown of federal resources and strengthen detention capabilities. Increasingly, the entire nation is anxiously watching the situation play out in Minnesota, as the current level of police aggression and chaotic resistance is neither desirable nor sustainable. We have, and will continue to, advocate for leadership, particularly of public officials in Minnesota, to act rationally and move toward de-escalation in an effort to ensure the country does not continue to go into a tailspin over law enforcement operations.

Microsoft has secured approval to construct up to 15 large-scale data centers at the long-stalled Foxconn site in Wisconsin, marking a major boost for AI infrastructure. Several other communities have signed nondisclosure agreements for similar projects and have limited public access to the details of the deals. Critics worry that secrecy obscures the full cost of electricity subsidies, water usage, and grid upgrades required to support the energy-intensive facilities. State leaders have defended the approach, stating that such high levels of secrecy are necessary to attract tech investments and jobs. This is a good example of what it means for capital to be in charge of outcomes instead of people. Here we can see that the hazards and risks associated with data centers are being ignored in favor of the state being able to attract big money.

Iowa Republicans are pushing legislation that would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and prohibit use of community IDs for voting purposes. Separate bills also seek to mandate verification of U.S. work authorization and citizenship status to work at public schools as teachers and staff. Proponents argue the measures prevent non-citizen participation in elections and protect educational roles. The proposals have advanced through committee and are moving toward full Senate consideration. It's interesting to see immigration fights become legislative priorities in a state like Iowa, which is not frequently associated with a super diverse workforce or population, but here we are.

Governor Jim Pillen, alongside the attorney general, has signed an executive order directing state agencies to crack down on the rapidly expanding synthetic THC market. The action targets hemp-derived products like delta-8 and delta-10 that are sold recreationally outside existing marijuana regulations. Regulators will increase inspections, seize non-compliant items, and pursue legal action against distributors. The order aims to close loopholes that have allowed intoxicating synthetics to proliferate in convenience stores and online. These substances probably need to be pulled off the shelves, and hopefully this will prompt states like Nebraska to simply adopt reasonable recreational marijuana laws instead of creating a growing market for these odd synthetic substances.