Posts in Global
Trump Threatens an Increase in Global Tariff Rate

The Supreme Court recently struck down Trump's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that the tariffs exceeded the authority given to the president by Congress under the 1977 law, which allows the executive branch to regulate commerce during national emergencies created by foreign threats. 

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Japan’s Conservative Turn: Takaichi’s Agenda and Its Global Implications

Following Japan’s lower house elections on February 8, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) now holds a two-thirds majority. This marks the most power any political party in Japan has had since post-war times. Led by the recently elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, the LDP stands as the political majority within the Japanese government. Campaigning on conservative ideals, Takaichi’s goals for Japan could have many implications for its citizens and relations abroad.

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The Strait That Shook the World

84% of the crude oil that passes through the Strait of Hormuz is destined for markets in China, India, and South Korea, among other Asian countries. China also buys more than 90% of Iran's oil exports, and around 53% of India's imported oil in early 2025 came from Middle Eastern suppliers. Meanwhile, Europe faces a second large disruption in the energy market over the last decade, after previous complications stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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El Mencho’s Death is a Tactical Victory, Not the End of Cartels

On February 22, the Mexican army carried out an operation resulting in the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes (“El Mencho”), notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). On the surface, this marks a significant victory for the Mexican Government in its battle against cartel power. For years, CJNG has been one of the most dominant and violent criminal organizations in Mexico, heavily involved in trafficking synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl and methamphetamine, into the United States and Canada. However, the immediate aftermath, along with the historical pattern of similar “kingpin” operations, suggests that long-term change remains uncertain.

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China is Wooing the West with Visa Waivers

On February 16, the People’s Republic of China announced that it had extended its visa waiver for Canada and the UK, allowing nationals from both countries to enter China and stay up to 30 days for various purposes. The most visible short-term benefit is the ease of travel for Canadians and Brits looking to visit China. However, ramifications extend to economic priorities, as the two countries sought favorable trade deals while navigating their once-close ally, the United States.

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A Continental Partnership: The EU and India Deal

The EU and India, two of the largest democratic economies, are now partners in a new economic pact that has the political world watching. The agreement is designed to boost trade in goods and services, but it also has a deeper meaning. Alongside the promising tariff cuts and access to global markets, there is a clear signal that the EU is shifting its sights to a more welcoming continent: Asia.

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When Loyalty Fails: Zhang Youxia and Xi’s New Military Order

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) investigation of General Zhang Youxia is not just about corruption with senior leaders, as it shows President Xi tightening his control over the military during a tense moment for China. By targeting one of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) most experienced commanders, Xi makes clear that loyalty to him matters more than rank or battlefield experience.

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The Logic of Repression Following the 2026 Uprisings in Iran

Beginning on December 28th, 2025, millions of Iranians gathered nationwide to protest the Islamic Republic government amid the country’s deepest economic crisis in modern history, marked by currency collapse, inflation, and widespread loss of public confidence. In response, the Iranian government imposed a near-total internet blackout and carried out a violent crackdown that left thousands dead or detained, signaling a deliberate turn to mass repression to preserve regime control.

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Columbia’s New Bonnet: NATO, Greenland, and the New Age of Expansion

It is no secret that Greenland holds some of the world’s most valuable resources, including oil and copper. In the wake of recent ice melting, the vast natural reserves have caught the eye of the international community. In particular, U.S. President Donald Trump, who seems to have centered his term around Greenland’s acquisition. Much to the dismay of Europe, which now finds its relationship with the U.S. in a tumultuous position, America has entered a new age, one of expansion not from sea to shining sea, but to the Danish-controlled island of Greenland.

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U.S. and Iran Hold Nuclear Talks in Oman

For the United States, the coming weeks will therefore be critical in determining whether such diplomacy can decrease or increase tension. For Iran, years of sanctions have negatively affected its economy, resulting in high inflation, a loss of value in currency, reduced oil revenues, and increased unemployment rates. Over the past two decades, the struggling Iranian economy has resulted in a slow population growth, an increase in the average marriage age, and riots across Tehran.

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New Japan-U.S. Framework Secures Critical Minerals Amid Rising China Tensions

On October 28, Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and United States President Donald Trump established the United States-Japan Framework For Securing the Supply of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths through Mining and Processing. The framework not only channels billions in joint U.S.–Japan investment to diversify critical mineral supply chains and rebuild high-value industries like magnet manufacturing, but also tightens their political alignment into a more unified bloc that reduces China’s leverage over global technology and security.

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Russia's Nuclear Signaling: Moscow's Messaging in the Burevestnik Tests

Russia's late October announcement of successful nuclear weapons tests came days after Trump cancelled the Budapest summit and sanctioned major Russian oil companies. The timing reveals these tests as strategic signaling designed to fracture Western unity on Ukraine while positioning Russia as an indispensable nuclear power that cannot be isolated or ignored.

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The New Australia-Papua New Guinea Defense Pact: Strategic Realism and Power Diplomacy

The treaty highlights Australia’s strategic attempts to maintain its influence in a region where China is increasingly active. As Papua New Guinea continues to balance its strategic interests with both hemispheres of the global order, the question of collective security under counteracting power dynamics remains.

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The Spectacle of Politics: The UK–US Visit

On September 17, American President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were greeted by King Charles III and his consort, Queen Camilla, for an evening of spectacle seldom seen in modern Anglo-American relations. With the ceremonial trappings of royalty in full force, the visit also included a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aimed at projecting an image of stability within a recently unstable transatlantic partnership.

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From the Southern Border to Open Waters: Trump’s Offensive on Narcoterrorism

 President Trump’s administration has escalated its anti-narcotics campaign by authorizing missile strikes against Venezuelan vessels allegedly tied to drug trafficking, invoking new executive powers that classify cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations.” While officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio argue the strikes were justified under a declared national emergency, critics contend that the administration has blurred the line between law enforcement and military action, raising fears of unchecked executive authority. The operation signals a pivotal shift in U.S. foreign policy, redefining terrorism to include criminal networks and setting a precedent that could expand presidential war powers far beyond traditional threats.

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