Dwayne | Reading desk

Axios10 OctArticle

Trump rages over Nobel Peace Prize loss

President Trump lashed out late Friday night after he once again did not win the Nobel Peace Prize he has openly coveted . Why it matters: The award is Trump's white whale, an honor he talks about frequently and believes he deserves. This year's prize went instead to a former judge of a court Trump has sanctioned and called "rogue" and "evil." Navi Pillay, the winner, reacted to the award by saying world leaders have a "legal obligation to protect human rights and refrain from war," according to the AP . What he's saying: " I know nothing about this woman, and neither does anyone else! In fact, to the best of my knowledge, no one ever heard of her other than the fact that she, very obviously, hates Israel. I don't know what the woman has done," Trump said in a Truth Social post of nearly 600 words that went up just before midnight on Friday. "I settled 8 Wars, with letters being sent from every President and Prime Minister from the countries that I helped to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and I'm about to settle, or win, two more, Iran and, Russia/Ukraine," Trump wrote. "They're both happening at breakneck speed but, forget them, it's the 8 that I've already settled, any one of which, in particular, Pakistan and India, would be far more than necessary to win the Nobel Prize. In actuality, I should have won 8 Nobel Peace Prizes, not just 1." Between the lines: Pillay, this year's winner, is a former judge of the International Criminal Court and also the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Nobel officials said she received the honor "for her efforts to promote peace

Ben Berkowitztop

Axios10 OctArticle

U.S. official: Trump cut deal with Putin after Zelensky ignored his requests

President Trump decided to make a diesel fuel deal with Russia after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ignored half a dozen U.S. requests to stop attacking Russian oil refineries, a U.S. official with direct knowledge told Axios. Why it matters: Trump's deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin sparked a new crisis with Ukraine and threatens to derail a new push by the Trump administration for a deal to end the war. "Zelensky is misreading the room. By continuing to hit refineries, he is eroding the good will that he has built with Trump over the last six months," the U.S. official said. Zelensky, in an interview with Axios after the announcement, said he was blindsided by the deal, which he called "not fair and not honest" and an unwarranted gift to Putin. Driving the news: Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries in recent months were highly effective and caused an energy crisis in Russia. Russia imposed a ban on diesel exports in response, which added more pressure to global diesel markets under strain from the war in Iran. Zelensky told Trump and his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner that he was prepared to stop attacking Russian oil refineries if the Russians halted attacks on Ukrainian power plants. The U.S. official said Trump wanted Ukraine to unilaterally stop attacking Russian refineries because the strikes were contributing to high gas prices in America. Trump didn't see the attacks on refineries as equivalent to Russian strikes on Ukraine's power grid, the U.S. official said. Inside the room: During eight hours of talks in Miami on Friday, Witkoff

Barak Ravidtop

Axios9 OctArticle

Exclusive: Zelensky tells Axios Trump's diesel deal with Putin "not fair and not honest"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios in a phone interview on Friday that President Trump's decision to unilaterally lift sanctions on Russia and allow it to export diesel was "not fair and not honest." "You know, it looks like a happy birthday present for Putin. It looks absolutely terrible," Zelensky said in frustration, referring to the Russian president's birthday earlier this week. Why it matters: Trump's announcement, which came after a call with Putin, shocked Ukraine and many European governments and created a new crisis between the U.S. and its Western allies. During the 15-minute interview, Zelensky sounded exasperated and dismayed and even expressed a sense of betrayal by the news of the diesel deal. Trump was asked several times by reporters on Friday about Zelensky's criticism but declined to comment and said he was happy about the deal with Putin. Driving the news: Trump announced the deal with Putin as his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were meeting in Miami with the Ukrainian negotiating team along with senior diplomats from Germany, France, the U.K., the EU and NATO to discuss new U.S. ideas for ending the war. Zelensky said he spoke several days ago with Witkoff about the need to continue efforts to reach a diplomatic breakthrough before winter and the midterm elections. "Steve proposed to meet in Florida. And of course I accepted to go there and speak about the possibilities of negotiations. The Americans said they have some ideas and we agreed to come to discuss," Zelensky said. At no point during his talks with Witkoff and Kushner di

Barak Ravidtop

Axios9 OctArticle

Chuck Schumer has a 2028 problem that's not even in New York

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is going to have his hands full next Congress, even without a threat to his leadership or a primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Why it matters: Schumer (D-N.Y.) will have to grapple with the presidential ambitions of up to eight of his senators who may care more about winning the White House than following their leader. Roughly one in six Democratic senators eyeing the campaign trail would add a degree of difficulty to a job that rarely lacks challenges, as former President Obama acknowledged this week. "Being the head of the Democratic Party is a pain in the butt, because you've got people from every walk of life," Obama said of Schumer at a fundraiser Wednesday. Flashback: This year's ICE funding fights gave Schumer a taste of how presidential ambitions can complicate governing. Potential 2028 contenders competed to take the toughest stance against ICE funding, even at the risk of a government shutdown. Zoom in: The tension between individual ambition and party unity could surface early in Schumer's tenure if he becomes majority leader. Democrats are promising to lower costs and govern responsibly, while insisting they'll challenge and investigate the Trump administration at every turn. Schumer and President Trump have a long, complicated relationship — and each other's cell numbers. Between the lines: Democrats could control majorities in both chambers, giving them immense power against Trump. But majority power is dependent on members being present and unified. Presidential contenders have incentives to spe

Stef W. Kighttop

Axios9 OctArticle

Trump announces major diesel deal with Putin, infuriating Ukraine

President Trump announced Friday that he's reached a deal with Russia to increase the supply of diesel to the U.S. and global markets — angering Ukraine, which called it a gift to Vladimir Putin in the midst of their war. Why it matters: The announcement, which includes a waiver on some U.S. energy sanctions against Russia, took place as Ukrainian and European diplomats arrived in Miami for talks on ending the war with Russia. What he's saying: "I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter," Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump added that Russia will deliver," within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel." Combine with oil coming out of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump wrote, "Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!" "Today, at President Trump's direction, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is immediately issuing a temporary general license to allow the supply of Russian diesel to the global market," the Treasury Department said in a statement. Friction point: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded angrily to Trump's announcement, writing on X that any sanctions relief for Russia outside of a "lasting de-escalation agreement ... is an obvious weakness." "Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civil

Barak Ravidtop

Council on Foreign Relations9 OctArticle

Trading Places: The U.S. and Europe on China and Russia

CFR President Michael Froman analyzes Europe’s changing posture toward China and Russia, and how that mirrors what the U.S. approach used to be.

Article

Crisis Group9 OctArticle

The U.S. and UN Will Need More Patience to Resolve Western Sahara Conflict

Talks between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front over Western Sahara have hit a wall, with U.S. and UN representatives pushing for Rabat’s autonomy plan as the centrepiece of negotiations. If they are to broker a compromise, the mediators will have to slow down.

cmoore

Axios9 OctArticle

DHS faces blowback over its attack on a Democratic House candidate

The Department of Homeland Security is coming under fire for publicly attacking Democratic congressional candidate Janelle Stelson less than a month before the midterm election . Why it matters: The Stelson campaign is threatening a lawsuit over the allegations, while a watchdog group is seeking an investigation into whether an ICE official violated restrictions on partisan political activity by federal employees. "We are likely to take legal action to combat the blatant lies and coordinated misinformation campaign," Stelson campaign manager Alma Baker said in a statement to Axios. The campaign said Friday it has sent out cease and desist letters, viewed by Axios, to several news outlets that reported DHS's claims as fact. The race between Stelson and Republican Rep. Scott Perry in Pennsylvania's 10th district is one of the most competitive and expensive House elections in the country, attracting more than $26 million in spending, according to AdImpact. Driving the news: DHS published a press release on Wednesday announcing the arrest of what it said was an "illegal alien from Nigeria who exposed himself in public while working for congressional campaign in Pennsylvania." The migrant, Chimaobim Adedayo Igbojekwe, was arrested by ICE on Oct. 1 after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct last month, according to the press release. The release included a statement from ICE Deputy Director Charles Wall saying: "It's unbelievable that Janelle Stelson would employ an illegal alien to work on a Congressional campaign, let alone a pervert who exposed himself in public." Stelson her

Andrew Solendertop

Chatham House9 OctArticle

Nigeria’s economic outlook: Progress on reform and prospects for inclusive growth

Nigeria’s economic outlook: Progress on reform and prospects for inclusive growth 22 October 2026 — 13:00 TO 14:00 BST Anonymous (not verified) 9 October 2026 Chatham House and Online Hear from Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Hon. Taiwo Oyedele about reform, growth and the path to economic inclusion. Hear from Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Hon. Taiwo Oyedele about reform, growth and the path to economic inclusion. Shortly after taking office in 2023 President Bola Tinubu introduced Nigeria’s most significant economic reforms since 2007, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the decision to float the naira. While many economists argued that subsidy reform was overdue, the pace of change contributed to rising inflation and deeper pressure on household living standards. Although these measures are now credited with improving macroeconomic stability and investor confidence - Moody’s has revised Nigeria’s outlook to ‘positive’ from ‘stable’ citing its improved ability to withstand external shocks - the government faces growing questions about how reform can translate into more inclusive growth. This event discusses: How will Nigeria ensure the benefits of reform reach a broader share of society? How might security challenges affect Nigeria’s economic trajectory? What progress has been made since the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira? How can the government address concerns over poverty, livelihoods and living costs? How will Nigeria maintain investor confidence amid global uncertainty? How is Nigeria preparing for the economic debate ahead of the 2027 p

Anonymous

Crisis Group9 OctArticle

How Close Are Ethiopia and Eritrea to All-out War?

In this episode of Hold Your Fire! , Richard is joined by Crisis Group’s Horn of Africa director, Alan Boswell, to discuss the fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the risk of direct war between Ethiopia and Eritrea and what may prevent further escalation.

mloukili

Council on Foreign Relations9 OctArticle

Fukuyama, Thiel, and the Revenge of the Last Man

The career and political thought of Peter Thiel undermine Francis Fukuyama’s famed but fragile “End of History” thesis—which the author sought to shore up in his new memoir. Originally published at Project Syndicate

Article

Axios9 OctArticle

Cook Political Report tilts 18 House races toward Democrats

House races in Iowa , Pennsylvania, Washington , Michigan and more are shifting in Democrats' direction, according to a Friday update from the closely watched Cook Political Report. Why it matters: The GOP's midterm outlook was already bleak , anchored by an unpopular war and high fuel prices. But staving off a blue resurgence, despite heavy spending , is looking increasingly complicated as Election Day approaches. Driving the news: Cook's new moves put the likely midterm outcome at Democrats picking up nine to 19 seats, a range of 224 to 234. The shifts include: Five seats — in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Washington — moving from toss ups to leaning toward Democrats, including Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks' (R-Iowa) tough rematch race against Democrat ⁠Christina Bohannan. Cook also nudged four races — in Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia — from leaning toward Republicans to toss-ups. That's good news for Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.), whose district was warped by mid-decade redistricting. Republicans' hold on other races in Kentucky, Maine, Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Indiana slipped, shifting them to Lean R or Likely R. Meanwhile, Democrats' hold on Nevada, New York and Nebraska races tightened. What they're saying: "House races are won in the districts, one by one, with battle-tested candidates and messages that work," NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement provided to Axios. "Pundits in D.C. can keep guessing, but voters on the ground have a clear contrast between common sense and crazy," he said, adding that "in November, we're going to win." Friction point: P

Avery Lotztop

Axios9 OctArticle

Navi Pillay, advocate for international law, wins Nobel Peace Prize

Navi Pillay, an outspoken supporter of international law who has served as a judge on multiple global courts and as the UN's top human rights official, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. Why it matters: President Trump once again did not win the prize he has openly coveted . Pillay, among other posts, previously served on the International Criminal Court — a body Trump sanctioned and last month called " rogue " and "evil." What they're saying: " The Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 goes to a person who with exceptional courage and integrity has led the way towards a more comprehensive global legal order," the prize committee said in a social media post. "This year's laureate has been instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted." Background: Besides the ICC and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Pillay also served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and as chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Pillay , 85 and a native of South Africa, began practicing law in the late 1960s and served on her country's high court before her international appointments. Zoom out: Pillay stands for many of the ideas and institutions Trump has condemned. Besides sanctioning the ICC, he withdrew the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council last year. He's also made a target of South Africa and its Black government, promising asylum to white South African farmers. The AP reported that Pillay, reacting to the news, said world leaders have a "legal obligation to protect hum

Ben Berkowitztop

Crisis Group9 OctArticle

على الولايات المتحدة والأمم المتحدة أن تتحليا بمزيد من الصبر لتسوية نزاع الصحراء الغربية

وصلت المحادثات بين المغرب وجبهة البوليساريو المطالِبة بالاستقلال بشأن الصحراء الغربية إلى طريق مسدود، في وقت يدفع فيه ممثلو الولايات المتحدة والأمم المتحدة باتجاه اعتماد خطة الرباط للحكم الذاتي كركيزة أساسية للمفاوضات. إذا كان الوسطاء يرغبون بالتوصل إلى تسوية توفيقية، سيتعين عليهم إبطاء وتيرة تحركهم.

cthuratong

Carnegie Endowment9 OctArticle

Turning Russian Assets into Financing for Ukraine Now

Funding Ukraine remains a priority for European leaders. As Russia’s war of aggression heads into another winter, two feasible options to mobilize support for Kyiv should be fast-tracked.

Vladyslav Rashkovan, Gregory P. WilsonEU, Foreign Policy, Europe, Ukraine

Geopolitical Monitor9 OctArticle

Global War Party: The Boogeyman of Georgian Politics

Invoking a shadowy 'Global War Party' helps Georgian Dream attack the West while promising a Western future. The post Global War Party: The Boogeyman of Georgian Politics appeared first on Geopolitical Monitor .

Gabriel SilverAll, Featured Slider, European Union (EU), Middle Corridor, Russia-NATO Relations, South Caucasus

ECFR9 OctArticle

Marching into the Duma: The cost of Putin’s push for war veterans in parliament

Putin wants to make politicians out of Ukraine war veterans. After the recent election, 60 now sit in the Duma. But voters seem less keen than the official vote share suggests, and that could become a problem for the Kremlin

Angelika MarkowskaEuropean Security, Russia, Ukraine, Commentary, Mikhail Komin

SIPRI9 OctArticle

SIPRI statement on the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

(Stockholm, 9 October 2026) SIPRI congratulates Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay on the award of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, ‘for her efforts to promote peace and international law’.

SIPRI

Chatham House9 OctArticle

Europe, Brazil and beyond: Is the populist wave gathering momentum?

Europe, Brazil and beyond: Is the populist wave gathering momentum? Audio sseth.drupal@c… 9 October 2026 In this week’s episode of Independent Thinking, our experts discuss the expected shift to the right in Spain, France, Germany and Brazil’s upcoming elections. The rightward movement in democracies in Europe and beyond shows little sign of slowing. Germany has elected its first far-right regional government in Saxony-Anhalt. In France, voter anger with Emmanuel Macron puts the Rassemblement National’s Marine Le Pen in pole position for the presidency. In Spain, Pedro Sánchez called a snap election in an attempt to mobilise the beleaguered left around Spain’s housing crisis. And Flávio Bolsonaro’s success in the first round of Brazil’s presidential elections suggests a second round of anti-woke, pro-Trump bolsonarismo is on the cards. What is driving politics to the populist right? And what does it mean for global security, stability and efforts to preserve what’s left of the rules-based order? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Grégoire Roos, director of our Europe and Russia and Eurasia Programmes; Nic Lawley, special adviser to the director of Chatham House; and Dr Christopher Sabatini, director of our Latin America Programme. About Independent Thinking Independent Thinking is a weekly international affairs podcast hosted by our director Bronwen Maddox, in conversation with leading policymakers, journalists and Chatham House experts providing insight on the latest international issues. More ways to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify . Explore our other Chatham House podcasts .

[email protected]

Axios9 OctArticle

Immigration split screen: Microsoft gets a crackdown and a medal

The Trump administration said Thursday that it was suspending Microsoft from a key program used to sponsor employees for green cards. Later that day , the administration honored the tech giant's CEO with a medal for innovation. Why it matters: The split-screen day highlights the tension between the administration's championing of Big Tech and its immigration policies, which constrain an industry that has long relied on hiring foreign-born workers. Tech leaders have said that restrictions on hiring hamper the country's ability to compete — especially at a moment when the U.S. is in a race with China on AI. Driving the news: The administration's move Thursday also targeted Adobe and six IT services firms over the Permanent Employment Program, or Perm. It's typically the first major government approval step in employers sponsoring workers, often H-1B holders, for employment-based green cards . The administration accused these companies of hiring foreign workers and paying them less, at U.S. workers' expense. State of play: President Trump awarded Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation at the White House's New Golden Age Summit Thursday night. Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and CEO of AMD Lisa Su — like Nadella, all immigrants to the U.S. — were awarded the National Medal of Science. At the event, Trump called the honorees " national treasure s." What they're saying: Vice President Vance addressed the apparent contradiction at a press conference earlier Thursday, saying: "Our message to Microsoft is no

Emily Pecktop

Global politics