Domestic Affairs
Introduction In a historic move, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the United States’ sovereign credit rating from Aaa to Aa1 on Friday, May 16, 2025. This action, driven by mounting concerns over the nation’s $36 trillion debt and the fiscal trajectory set by President Trump’s push to extend
Global Affairs
Executive Summary In May 2025, Côte d’Ivoire and the United States reached an agreement in principle to allow U.S. drone operations from Ivorian territory, marking a pivotal shift in West African security architecture. The accord, which centers on U.S. access to the Bouaké air base and possibly
Global Affairs
The trilateral trade relationship between the United States, Mexico, and Canada faces its most significant test since the implementation of the USMCA in 2020, as geopolitical realignments and domestic political shifts reshape North American economic diplomacy. The May 15, 2025, phone conversation between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime
Domestic Affairs
Introduction The House of Representatives is pressing forward with President Trump’s sweeping budget and tax package, a legislative effort that encapsulates the administration’s core economic, defense, and immigration priorities. Yet, the path to passage is anything but straightforward. The bill, which proposes trillions in tax cuts alongside substantial
Domestic Affairs
Summary The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally requested the deployment of 20,000 National Guard troops to assist with the Trump administration’s intensified campaign to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants from the interior of the United States. This unprecedented move marks a dramatic escalation in federal immigration
Domestic Affairs
Executive Summary UnitedHealth Group, the largest health insurer in the United States, is facing a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over possible Medicare fraud linked to its Medicare Advantage business. The news, first reported by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by multiple financial outlets, triggered a
Global Affairs
Introduction President Donald Trump’s recent Middle East tour has marked a significant moment in U.S. foreign policy, regional geopolitics, and the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The trip, which included high-profile stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, resulted in landmark economic and defense agreements, as well as the reintroduction
Domestic Affairs
The U.S. Congress is grappling with one of the most consequential technological challenges of the 21st century: how to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) without stifling innovation. Over the past 18 months, lawmakers have convened nearly three dozen hearings to address AI’s risks and opportunities, with a particular focus
Domestic Affairs
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear arguments on ending birthright citizenship marks a pivotal moment in American legal and political history. At stake is the interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause, which has guaranteed automatic citizenship to nearly all individuals born on U.S. soil
Global Affairs
Introduction U.S. President Donald Trump’s arrival in Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2025, marked the start of his first major Middle East tour since returning to the White House. The visit has already produced historic agreements and signaled a recalibration of American priorities in the region. In Riyadh,
Domestic Affairs
Introduction The Trump administration has intensified its efforts to expedite the removal of nearly 200 Venezuelan migrants detained in Texas, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to lift an injunction that has temporarily blocked their deportation. The government argues that these individuals, many of whom are alleged to be members
Domestic Affairs
Introduction The latest government data reveal that U.S. inflation cooled in April 2025, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising by just 0.2% for the month and 2.3% over the past year-the smallest annual increase in four years. This moderation, driven by falling prices for essentials like