Articles

Axios9 Oct

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

East Asia · North America · Global politics

Axios9 Oct

"Not a fetish, not a taboo": Democrats weigh another Trump impeachment

Democrats believe President Trump has committed impeachable offenses. But they're divided over whether they should try to impeach him if they win control of the House. Why it matters: If Democrats win the House, as expected, their 2027 decision on whether to try to impeach Trump could have major consequences for the 2028 presidential race. Zoom in: Theoretically, impeaching Trump would be easy for a unified, Democrat-controlled House. Many top Democrats note that Trump survived a record two impeachments in his first term — and that he'd be unlikely to be removed from office. That would require a two-thirds, bipartisan vote in a Senate that's likely to be closely divided. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said Trump has "already committed numerous impeachable offenses " in his second term, including usurping congressional authority. In 2021, Raskin led the second Trump impeachment, following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Raskin said top Democrats are "very sober about what that two-thirds requirement means on the Senate side. If anything, Donald Trump has tightened his control over the Republican Party since the last round. He's gotten rid of the senators that he viewed as not sufficiently loyal and sycophantic." Zoom out: Other Democrats also are cautioning against an impeachment campaign if their party takes control of the House in January. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a potential presidential candidate, told NBC's "Meet the Press" last Sunday that he supports investigations, not impeachment, "because it's not going anywhere and it's going to be a food fight." Sen. Tammy Duckwort

North America · Global politics

The Soufan Center9 Oct

France’s Student Protests Test a Fragile Government

France is facing its largest student-led protest movement in decades, in which over 500 schools have been closed, with demonstrations beginning in late-September over insufficient school conditions, increasingly challenging the federal government. As of October 6, an estimated 71,500–266,000 protestors — including —14,500-56,000 in Paris — are protesting France’s lycées, or high schools, according to […] The post France’s Student Protests Test a Fragile Government appeared first on The Soufan Center .

Europe · Global politics

Clingendael9 Oct

Effects of hybrid conflict on escalation management

Europe · Defense · Cybersecurity · Global politics

Crisis Group9 Oct

Toward a Thaw in the Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict

Hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand ceased in late 2025, after two rounds of combat along the frontier. But the truce is under growing strain. To avoid more war, the two countries should restore normal diplomatic ties and resume work on demarcating their shared border.

East Asia · Defense · Global politics

CSIS9 Oct

Understanding the Chinese-Language Media Landscape in Southeast Asia

East Asia · North America · Global politics

CSIS9 Oct

Russia’s Turn to China Under Sanctions: Sanctions Decay, Substitution Elasticity, and the Challenge of Sustaining Pressure

Europe · East Asia · Oil & energy · Global politics

Crisis Group9 Oct

On Our Radar

On Our Radar scans conflicts and crises around the globe every week and features some of the hotspots Crisis Group’s analysts are closely watching. Whether an under-reported trend or a headline-grabbing development, our field experts explain why it matters or what should be done.

West Africa · South & Central America · Global politics

Axios9 Oct

California threatens to worsen House Democrats' 2027 headaches

More than half a dozen U.S. House districts in California will send a Democrat to Capitol Hill next year no matter what. Party leadership still has a lot riding on the outcome. Why it matters: Most of these Democrat vs. Democrat runoffs — a quirk of California's election system — are between an establishment candidate and an outsider vowing to make leadership's life hell. Democratic Reps. Mike Thompson, Doris Matsui and Jimmy Gomez are all facing well-funded challenges from younger, less establishment-aligned Democrats. There are also several Northern California races that feature a pro-leadership Democrat facing off against a more left-leaning rival. Sought for comment on this story, Justin Chermol, a spokesperson for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), told Axios: "Stop wasting our time with your irrelevant stories that have nothing to do with taking back control of the House of Representatives." 4th District: Rep. Mike Thompson vs. Eric Jones Thompson , a 75-year-old first elected in 1998, faces a challenge from 35-year-old former venture capitalist Eric Jones. "I don't think anyone in Democratic leadership today is really doing their job well," Jones said in an interview with Axios. Asked if he would vote for Jeffries as speaker, Jones replied: "As of today, I wouldn't vote for any member." Jones is trying to cobble together a populist, anti-establishment coalition consisting of both progressives and Republicans. He said he does not identify as progressive, telling Axios he prefers "no labels." He said that, if elected, he will "have the benefit of independe

North America · Global politics

Axios8 Oct

Kushner, Witkoff to pitch "new ideas" to end Russia-Ukraine war

Presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will meet with Ukrainian negotiators and European officials in Miami on Friday to present "new ideas and proposals" to break the stalemate in the Russia -Ukraine war, U.S. and Ukrainian officials say. Why it matters: The Trump administration is hoping to reach a diplomatic breakthrough ahead of the midterm elections and before brutal winter weather grips Ukraine. One of the ideas is a partial ceasefire that halts attacks on energy infrastructure and grain shipments. While Ukraine has said it's willing to take that step, Russia has shown little willingness. "They are all nervous about the winter. It will be a tough winter if the war does not stop. So the U.S. is trying to mediate with the sides, with the goal of creating a unified proposal," a U.S. source said. Driving the news: Witkoff and Kushner visited Moscow and Kyiv in early September. Since then, they've been working with the Russians and Ukrainians on an updated peace initiative. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a press conference in Lisbon Thursday that the war is at a "stalemate." He stressed that the U.S. wants to prevent further escalation of fighting in the coming month and find a way to end the war. Behind the scenes: Witkoff and Kushner met with President Trump Thursday to present the latest U.S. proposal and receive his input ahead of the talks in Miami, which are expected to last two days, a U.S. official said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and deputy national security adviser Mike Needham also attended the meeting. Zoom in: President Volodymyr Zel

Europe · North America · Oil & energy · Global politics

Brookings8 Oct

Americans agree on corruption, but partisanship shapes who is blamed

North America · Global politics

Council on Foreign Relations8 Oct

The Trump Administration’s Shift on Myanmar Is a Disastrous Decision

Washington’s sudden decision to open talks with Myanmar’s government grants further legitimacy to an authoritarian regime and is unlikely to deliver access to rare earths.

East Asia · North America · Defense · Global politics

Axios8 Oct

Trump: U.S. won't attack Iran before midterms

President Trump said Thursday the U.S. will not attack Iran ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Why it matters: Trump had been considering for several days resuming major combat operations before the midterms. However, his past statements about his intentions in Iran haven't always matched what he ultimately did. If major combat operations resume, they're expected to include large-scale strikes on Iranian energy facilities, infrastructure and nuclear targets, sources say. Resuming the war in the next three to four weeks could influence the midterms, in part because oil prices might rise in response. It could also influence Israel's elections, which are scheduled for Oct. 27. What he's saying: "I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, with Oil flowing in Record Numbers of Barrels through the Hormuz Strait ... we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections," Trump wrote on Truth Social. Flashback: In June 2025, before Operation Midnight Hammer, the White House said Trump would decide "within two weeks" whether the U.S. would join Israel's war against Iran. When he made that statement, he had already decided to attack Iran's nuclear sites. On Feb. 27, less than 24 hours before Israel and the U.S. launched the war against Iran, Trump claimed he hadn't made a decision on going to war. In reality, Trump had already decided to authorize the attacks. Driving the news: The Pentagon instructed U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)

West & Central Asia · North America · Defense · Oil & energy · Global politics

Crisis Group8 Oct

Niger Wrestles with the Aftermath of a Military Revolt

A mutiny by Niger’s special forces in late August morphed into a coup attempt. In this Q&A, Crisis Group experts explain how the unrest exposed growing discontent within the military’s ranks.

West Africa · Defense · Global politics

Axios8 Oct

Nicolás Maduro and his wife hit with fresh torture charge

Prosecutors accused former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife of orchestrating the torture of people held in his regime's custody, piling onto the narcoterrorism charges they already face in a fresh indictment unveiled Thursday. The big picture: The charges add new fuel to the historic prosecution seeking to hold the strongman-turned-prisoner accountable for alleged crimes against Americans and alleged abuse of power. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty in January to drug- and weapon-related charges. They have been held in the U.S. since their stunning capture from Caracas earlier this year. Maduro's attorney did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. Driving the news: Maduro "authorized the use of torture against specific individuals and oversaw a system designed to use torture, arbitrary detention, and violence as a means of repression against the political opposition," a superseding indictment filed in the Southern District of New York alleged. The new indictment charges Maduro and Flores with conspiracy to commit torture, alleging they engaged in a conspiracy to inflict "severe physical and mental pain and suffering to repress and punish political opposition." What's inside: The indictment outlines a series of disturbing torture tactics — including electrocution, beatings, isolation and simulated drowning — allegedly employed at Maduro's direction to quell political opposition. "As opposition to the ruling regime intensified," Maduro allegedly "continued to oversee the development of a more systematic approach to unlawfull

South & Central America · North America · Global politics

Geopolitical Monitor8 Oct

Upstream Battle: Ethiopia’s Civil War Draws in Regional Rivalries

Ethiopia's new war in Tigray now runs through three disputes: the Nile, the Red Sea, and Sudan's war. The post Upstream Battle: Ethiopia’s Civil War Draws in Regional Rivalries appeared first on Geopolitical Monitor .

East Africa · Defense · Global politics

ECFR8 Oct

Unlikely Europeans: The hidden voters who could sway France’s presidential election

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, pro-European candidates may find unexpected opportunities among voters of both the radical left and the far right

Europe · Global politics

Geopolitical Monitor8 Oct

When Moscow Could Not Bridge Kabul and Islamabad

Pakistan and Afghanistan no longer disagree about solutions. They disagree about who decides the facts. The post When Moscow Could Not Bridge Kabul and Islamabad appeared first on Geopolitical Monitor .

West & Central Asia · Global politics

Axios8 Oct

DNC sues to stop Trump's taxpayer-funded ad blitz

President Trump said he will help pay for his administration's campaign-style ads after the Democratic National Committee sued Wednesday over their use of taxpayer money. Why it matters: Trump's funding announcement does not address the DNC's central allegation that the administration illegally used taxpayer money to finance the ads. What they're saying: Trump said in a Truth Social post that he considers the ads "to be a positive promotion for our Great U.S.A." and defended using taxpayer money for them. "This is a rather standard thing to do but, rather than doing that, although nothing will make them happy, I have decided to do the Patriotic Ads, among others, and pay for them myself," Trump wrote. Trump said money from MAGA Inc., his superPAC, would also pay for the ads. A person familiar with the advertising plans said the existing taxpayer-funded ad buy will end this week, after which outside groups will begin paying for the spots. The White House defended the ads as public service announcements, arguing that previous Republican and Democratic administrations have used taxpayer-funded advertising to promote government policies. The White House said the ads are not political because Trump is not on the ballot and the spots contain no call to action. The other side: "These ads are a clear violation of the Congressional ban on the use of appropriated funds for 'publicity or propaganda purposes,'" the DNC's legal counsel wrote in the lawsuit . "The president has nationalized the midterm election, made himself the center of a two-day 'midterm convention,' and repeatedly di

North America · Global politics

Carnegie Endowment8 Oct

The EU’s Middle-Power Puzzle

While the EU and European governments are embracing the much-lauded middle-power moment, this entails three difficult conundrums.

Europe · North America · Global politics