Iran has officially stated that non-hostile ships can safely transit the Strait of Hormuz as long as they coordinate directly with Tehran authorities, a move intended to maintain open passage for commercial and oil vessels amid ongoing regional tensions. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr has been named the new security chief, succeeding the slain Larijani, as part of a leadership transition that also includes updated directives to the United Nations on maritime coordination protocols. While this is not a sign that the conflict is close to ending, perhaps this will allow energy prices to somewhat stabilize globally, making the conflict less urgent for other nations.

Kim Jong Un has doubled down on North Korea’s nuclear program by declaring its armed status irreversible and embedding nuclear deterrence as a core pillar of a new five-year economic plan presented to parliament. The leader has ramped up hostility toward South Korea while citing conflicts such as the Iran war as justification for continued weapons development and expanded military readiness across the region. After watching what's happened to Iran it only seems reasonable that states who are at odds with the West double down on their ability to protect themselves.

The Polish government has advanced work on a proposed digital services tax bill specifically targeting major global tech platforms and their operations within the country. Under the new legislation, companies including Apple would face additional taxes on digital services, marking a significant step in efforts to generate revenue from large international technology firms. This is a smart move given Poland's shift towards a populist politics in which the interests of the ordinary Polish person supersede the interests of major companies.

The Pentagon is preparing to deploy up to 3,000 troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East as the Iran conflict continues. President Trump has proposed a rehashed 15-point peace plan for Iran that is unlikely to be accepted. Interestingly, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has sharply criticized the ongoing US-led war in Iran as illegal and a politically disastrous mistake that marks a profound rupture in transatlantic relations. In short order we've escalated this conflict from targeted strikes to full-scale ground invasions, making it clear that the conflict is just getting started.

Treasury Department data released in its latest fiscal report confirms that the United States government is insolvent when measured against its own long-term obligations and liabilities. Reagan-era economists and senior lawmakers have urged the Trump administration to halt excessive spending immediately to prevent a deeper fiscal crisis from unfolding. I'm not sure if it's because as a nation we have no idea how money works, but our lack of collective concern about the fiscal crisis unfolding in front of our eyes is quite alarming.

Senate negotiations over Department of Homeland Security funding have stalled despite early declarations of progress, leaving key immigration and border security programs in limbo. Delta Airlines has suspended its specialty services for members of Congress and government officials in direct response to the potential government shutdown’s impact on TSA operations and airport security staffing. The ability to travel is something Americans rely on and this fight, I think, is not worth having at this particular moment.

A groundbreaking $40 billion agreement between the United States and Japan will deliver new small modular nuclear reactors to sites in northern Alabama as well as neighboring Tennessee. The advanced reactors are expected to boost regional energy capacity and bring measurable reductions in future utility prices for residential and commercial customers across both states. Great news as it seems there is no other path forward currently than enhancing our ability to use nuclear reactors to produce the energy we need.

New Texas regulations will require all applicants for professional licenses issued through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to provide proof of legal immigration status or valid work authorization before approval or renewal. Thousands of currently licensed workers in fields ranging from cosmetology to technical trades could lose their ability to practice if they cannot meet the updated documentation standards. Given Congress is inept it appears states will continue to implement measures that look somewhat like immigration reform. What do you think, should we protect American labor in this way? Or is this too aggressive of a policy?

Louisiana legislators have advanced a bill that would grant the state legislature and governor new authority to remove Supreme Court justices and other judges from office for specified causes. The measure also seeks to consolidate the New Orleans court system, despite strong opposition from court watchdogs and judicial oversight groups concerned about separation of powers. This does feel like a bad road to head down as it puts the judiciary in a position to be overly concerned with and responsive to the demands of the legislature.

Texas is set to enforce a statewide ban on smokable THCA hemp flower and related products next week, prompting consumers and vape shops to stockpile inventory ahead of the deadline. At the same time, Georgia lawmakers have passed legislation to significantly expand access to the state’s medical cannabis program while South Carolina’s Senate approved measures to keep hemp-derived THC drinks and gummies legal with added age and labeling restrictions. This seems like odd behavior from Texas but hopefully they come to use public resources for things more important than policing plant use.