Former US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer discusses the challenges of deterring Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, Iran's influence, and the Biden administration's decision-making process. He also touches on the US-Saudi nuclear deal and prospects for a ceasefire in the Middle East.
The US State Department's official policy to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC) "brick by brick" is seen as a critical threat to international justice. This move, involving sanctions on officials and pressure on allies, aligns the US with autocrats and follows previous Trump-era actions against the ICC.
The Trump administration finalized a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, reversing a long-standing US policy that required Saudi-Israel normalization for such technology. The deal, which reportedly lacks strict non-proliferation enforcement, has drawn criticism for potentially sparking a regional nuclear arms race and angering Israel.
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and US President Donald Trump met at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey. Their encounter followed months of friction over defense spending and differing views on Gaza and Iran, though relations recently eased after Spain increased NATO commitments.
Chinese company Moonshot AI released a new version of its Kimi model, demonstrating frontier-level performance and sparking a debate about China's role in open-source AI. The announcement coincided with a market drop and intensified discussions among US tech figures and policymakers regarding competition, national security, and regulatory approaches.
Cuban men in their 70s, who arrived in the US in 1980, are now stranded in Palenque, Mexico, after being deported under Trump's mass deportation policy. They face hardship and uncertainty, with critics calling the policy a reversal of decades of US support for Cuban refugees.
Amid stalled nuclear diplomacy, a debate is growing in the US over how to approach North Korea's nuclear program. Some advocate for continued focus on denuclearization, while others propose a pragmatic shift towards arms control and 'cold peace' to reduce tensions and prevent miscalculation.
The US has entered a new phase of bombing Iran, striking 170 targets after Iran attacked commercial vessels. This escalation follows the collapse of a US-Iran memorandum of understanding, rooted in decades of distrust and the fragility of US sanctions relief promises.
US President Donald Trump announced plans to lift sanctions on Turkiye and reconsider resuming F-35 jet sales. The statement followed a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a NATO summit. This pivot comes after Turkiye's acquisition of Russian S-400 systems led to its removal from the F-35 program and US sanctions.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is reportedly using Anthropic's AI model Mythos to scan government software for vulnerabilities, despite ongoing disputes between the Pentagon and Anthropic over AI safeguards. The scans have already identified numerous bugs.
A US State Department official stated that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, reaffirming commitments to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This stance aligns with the Six Assurances, including not consulting Beijing on arms sales to Taiwan.
Pauline Hanson delivered a combative address at the National Press Club, attacking multiculturalism, climate change, and transgender rights. Journalist Margo Kingston discusses the significance of this speech as the potential start of Hanson's federal campaign.
Anthropic's AI advancements, including recursive self-improvement and cyber-attack capabilities, have prompted US policy shifts. The White House has banned foreign access to new models and Anthropic has shut them down, signaling a move towards regulation.
The Federal Reserve's FOMC statement has been significantly shortened under new Chair Kevin Warsh, with the latest release containing around 130 words compared to over 300 in previous meetings. Warsh stated the change aims for a simpler, fact-based communication, removing forward guidance.
An analyst argues that US policy has shifted from brokering peace deals to enabling Israeli hegemony, hindering genuine peace. The US's unconditional support for Israel's aggressive stance, exemplified by the Abraham Accords, alienates Arab states and risks US influence in the region.
Lenovo technology is central to managing the 2026 FIFA World Cup across North America, highlighting the deep integration of Chinese companies in global commerce despite US-China geopolitical tensions. The event is a major commercial platform for global brands.
OpenAI reports Chinese operatives used ChatGPT to create anti-Trump tariff content and influence US debates on data centers and AI, though impact was limited. Beijing denies baseless accusations.
Amid contrasting US approaches, Beijing faces a complex calculus. While President Trump seeks 'strategic stability' with China, Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined Quad partners in New Delhi to launch initiatives on critical minerals and maritime surveillance, aiming to reduce global reliance on Beijing.
Taiwan's Political Party criticized KMT Vice Chairman Hsia-wen Hsiao for distorting US policy on Taiwan's future, stating it's not a joint decision with China. They emphasized Taiwan's future should be decided by its people free from coercion, aligning with the Taiwan Relations Act.
US Secretary of State clarifies US policy, emphasizing maintaining the status quo in the West Bank, seeking written confirmation of Israel's lack of claims in Lebanon, engaging with Syria on security corridors, and a 20-point plan for Gaza's governance and economic development.
The Grattan Institute has strongly criticized the Australian Labor government's proposed NDIS budget cuts, calling them 'blunt and inequitable' and 'underpinned by dubious logic'. The thinktank argues that slashing social participation budgets could lead to 'absurd' outcomes for participants, potentially undermining the scheme's core purpose.
US Senator Marco Rubio stated that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, aiming to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. He highlighted a significant arms sale approved in December and emphasized the need for continued communication with China to prevent conflict.
US Secretary of State Pompeo reaffirmed US policy on Taiwan, stating military sales are under review. Legislator Chen Guan-ting emphasized that US-Taiwan security cooperation serves US interests and regional stability, unaffected by PRC opposition. He urged Taiwan to bolster self-defense capabilities and deepen alliances.
US Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller believes dollar-backed stablecoins could increase the global influence of US monetary policy, while Bank of England's Megan Greene predicts tokenized deposits will supersede stablecoins. The debate impacts US crypto legislation.
