Politics & Power

The United States has signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could permit the kingdom to enrich its own uranium. The deal reportedly skips the so-called 'gold standard' restrictions Washington required of the UAE in 2009, which ruled out enrichment. Lawmakers from both parties are raising alarms about the agreement's implications for nuclear proliferation and stability in the Middle East.

Sudan faces a governance vacuum as the United States recognises neither of the warring authorities. The army-backed administration controls much of the formal state apparatus, while the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exercises power across territory it holds. Yet Washington says neither side represents legitimate constitutional governance, leaving Sudan with authorities but no internationally recognised government.

The chief executive of Anthropic, the US artificial intelligence company behind the Claude chatbot, is calling for stronger government regulation of AI. The comments were made in an exclusive interview with ABC News. The appeal from one of the industry's own leading figures is likely to fuel debate over how quickly lawmakers should move to rein in powerful AI systems.

The United States has withdrawn its forces from Iraq after more than twenty years of military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. Reuters reports the departure leaves a power vacuum in the region, with Iran positioned to expand its influence over Iraq's politics and security. Analysts are weighing what the exit means for regional stability and for the future of US engagement in the Middle East.

Congress has passed a war powers resolution, delivering a rare bipartisan rebuke of President Trump. The measure seeks to limit the president's authority to take military action without congressional approval. Lawmakers backing the resolution argue that decisions to go to war must rest with Congress, while the White House and its allies have dismissed the vote as political theater. The passage underscores ongoing tensions between lawmakers and the administration over military authority.

Results of Russia's State Duma elections are being examined, with analysts asking what the outcome reveals about the balance of power in the country. United Russia's performance, the opposition's share of seats, and reports of irregularities are key points of debate, with many questioning whether the vote reflects genuine public sentiment.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is to serve as an advisor to the board of Skydance, the media company behind the planned merger with Paramount Global. The appointment, reported by Screen Daily, places Blair inside a major Hollywood power structure at a time when the Skydance-Paramount deal is reshaping the US entertainment industry. The move is drawing attention given Blair's political profile and the growing overlap between politics and media ownership.

Maine's Senate race is in the spotlight as candidates, including Senator Susan Collins, prepare to meet in a debate. The contest is considered crucial to control of the Senate, drawing national attention to the state. Political observers are watching how Collins and her challengers perform on stage and what it means for the balance of power in Washington.

Mary Peltola, the Alaska Democrat who became the first person to represent the state's at-large congressional district under its new ranked-choice voting system, is the subject of a profile highlighting her rapid and turbulent ascent to national politics. The piece traces how the former state legislator and Yup'ik salmon fisher's 'one of us' appeal helped her win, alongside the challenges she has faced in office.

French politician Edouard Philippe, seen as a leading contender for the 2027 presidential election, is appearing on France 2's 'L'Heure de Vérité' for an extended interview covering pensions, purchasing power, debt and the war in Ukraine. The interview comes as commentary describes his campaign as out of step with the political calendar, drawing attention to his positioning within the centre-right ahead of the race.

Former European Commissioner Thierry Breton has spoken out, saying in remarks carried by Le Monde that Europe too often appears to the world as a large single market rather than a genuine political or economic power. His comments feed into an ongoing debate about the European Union's strategic autonomy, its global influence and its ability to act as a unified force.

Spanish journalist and TV presenter Cristina Pardo is drawing attention after sharply criticising the government, saying the image of chaos and a vacuum of power is 'worrying' and that ministers 'all seem to be pulling in opposite directions'. Her remarks, published by El Español, come as Spanish media also cover other trending stories, including Alejandro Sanz's emotional message to Sara Carbonero.

Attention is focused on a speech delivered by China at the United Nations that commentators describe as a turning point, with claims that Beijing is using the stage to undermine Donald Trump politically. Discussion centres on how the address challenges US positions and what it signals about shifting global power dynamics, though details of the speech's actual content and impact remain unclear.

Impeachment is trending in Brazil and the United States as Senator-elect Deltan Dallagnol reignited tensions with the Supreme Federal Court, declaring that 'Brazil has no king, it has law.' His comments have drawn sharp reactions and revived debate over possible impeachment proceedings and the balance of power between Congress and the judiciary.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure says the government is prepared to use constitutional powers to pass its 2027 budget without a parliamentary vote if negotiations fail. The plan includes roughly €43 billion in spending cuts. The warning comes amid deadlock over the budget, raising the prospect of another forceful passage and fresh political confrontation in Paris.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine is being discussed in connection with federal contracts, drawing attention to how funding decisions tied to her role as a senior appropriator benefit her state. Critics question whether contract allocations reflect political advantage, while supporters point to her longstanding influence on federal spending through the Appropriations Committee.

A Japan Times commentary argues that the era of emerging powers reshaping the global order is drawing to a close, with countries like China, India, Germany and the United States facing stagnation rather than ascent. The piece contends that while no nation is clearly rising, global politics remains fluid and the world is not frozen in place. It reflects a broader debate about whether the multipolar moment has stalled into a 'stagnant, sclerotic' international system.

The Economist reports that America's blockade of Iran is breaking the country's economy, but has not yet shaken the regime's grip on power. The piece argues that severe economic pressure is squeezing ordinary Iranians while the government continues to hold on, raising questions about whether sanctions alone can force political change.

Former minister José Dirceu received around 78,000 votes but fell short of winning a seat as a federal deputy in Brazil's elections. The result is drawing attention given his political history, including his conviction in the Lava Jato corruption scandal and later release. Commentary is focusing on what his poor showing says about the electoral weight of figures tied to past corruption cases.

Italy's parliament passed an electoral reform that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hopes will help her right-wing coalition secure a governing majority after the next election. The country's divided opposition, including the left, has criticised the change, calling it a power grab designed to entrench the governing bloc's advantage. The reform is being closely watched in Brussels as debate over Italy's political future intensifies.

Brazilian media report on a closed-door meeting between União Brasil and PP leaders that sealed centre-party (centrão) support for Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Estadão describes the backstage mood among leaders as 'slain and defeated', suggesting internal resistance was crushed in the deal. The episode is drawing attention to the centrão's bargaining power and its rapprochement with the Bolsonaro family.

Quebec minister Bernard Drainville is making a direct appeal to voters in Lévis, arguing the riding could secure the survival of the CAQ as a third political force. Coverage notes the CAQ has been wiped out in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, while commentators debate whether Drainville could hold the balance of power alone and how his record compares to colleague Christine Fréchette's.

A discussion titled 'Competition and Politics' is attracting significant attention, drawing hundreds of thousands of reactions worldwide. The item links the two themes, suggesting debate over how competitive pressures and political power interact. With limited details available beyond the headline, the specific claims and participants involved remain unclear, but the topic is resonating strongly with audiences right now.

A new Mother Jones podcast episode argues that public opinion in the United States has shifted sharply against data centers, driven by backlash over the energy demands, water use, and local impacts of AI-driven expansion. The piece frames this as a stress test moment: the infrastructure boom powering artificial intelligence is now facing real political and community resistance across the country.