Global Power Plays
Two New Jersey men sentenced for importing fentanyl analogues from China
Two New Jersey men were sentenced for running a trafficking ring that imported fentanyl-like drugs from China, the U.S. Department of Justice says.
All Coverage
Browse the full stream of Noligarchy coverage. Page 4 of 52.
Global Power Plays
Regional mediators scramble to keep a U.S.-Iran deal alive
Qatar, Pakistan and others are pushing to calm tensions between the U.S. and Iran and restart talks on a nuclear deal.
Global Power Plays
Silicon Valley Wants to Save You From AI Layoffs
Tech firms and their allies are pitching programs to stop AI job losses. The move shifts power and costs in specific ways.
Power Games
US lawmakers urge stricter monitoring of medically assisted suicide in hospices
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers asked Health and Human Services to increase audits and tighten guidance for hospice programs, warning that gaps in oversight may be pressuring older adults and people with disabilities toward assisted suicide.
Power Games
Maine progressives race to find candidate to replace Graham Platner
After Graham Platner withdrew from the Maine Senate race, progressive organizers and some local Democrats moved quickly to recruit a new 'real progressive' candidate, fearing party leaders may favor a centrist pick. Endorsements, rapid fundraising, and party committee rules will likely determine who appears on the ballot and could influence November's outcome.
Global Power Plays
China says AI firms can buy Nvidia H200. What that really changes.
Beijing quietly opened the door for some AI firms to buy Nvidia H200 chips. That move shifts who can build top AI systems and who gets a head start.
Power Games
GOP letter asks WNBA to shield Caitlin Clark amid concerns about racist attacks
Eleven Republican members of Congress sent a public letter to the WNBA urging the league to shield Caitlin Clark from what they described as potential racially motivated attacks after heightened on-court tensions and online abuse. The move converts a sports dispute into a political lever, pressuring the league to respond publicly and shaping media and institutional incentives around player safety and race.
Global Power Plays
First Thing: Second day of US strikes on Iran as Trump says Tehran ‘behaving very badly’
The U.S. military carried out strikes inside Iran for a second consecutive day after an interim ceasefire collapsed, with explosions reported in southern Iran. The White House framed the operations as a response to Tehran, consolidating executive control of the narrative while raising the risk of broader regional escalation and diplomatic fallout.
Global Power Plays
Naftali Bennett: Why the U.S.-Israel Alliance Matters
Naftali Bennett lays out why the U.S.-Israel tie still shapes security and politics. He frames the alliance as a tool for Israeli strategy and U.S. influence in the region.
Global Power Plays
Behind the Curtain: These 3 big AI trends are colliding at the same time
Three AI trends are hitting at once. Firms, investors and governments must change plans fast as models grow bigger, China catches up, and oversight lags.
Global Power Plays
Trump flies partway home from Turkey in an old Air Force One
President Trump boarded an older Air Force One for part of the flight home from a NATO summit in Turkey, declining use of a newer plane reportedly gifted by Qatar. The sudden swap drew attention as a deliberate public signal about leadership and U.S. cohesion while tensions with Iran were rising; official reasons varied and should be confirmed in travel logs and White House statements.
Global Power Plays
Anthropic hits back after China warns of Claude Code ‘backdoor’ risks
China advised users to uninstall Anthropic’s Claude Code over alleged 'backdoor' risks; Anthropic responded that the product was not intended for users in China and pointed to account and geofencing rules. The exchange highlights how states and tech firms exert control over cross-border AI access and may accelerate geofencing, removals, or regulatory clashes.
Global Power Plays
U.S. launches new airstrikes on Iran and Tehran fires back at Gulf Arab states
The United States launched new airstrikes against Iran early Thursday, and Tehran responded by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar in crossfire that again threatened an interim deal intended to help end the war.
Global Power Plays
Asian stocks slip and oil prices jump as Iran and US launch fresh attacks
Shares fell across Asia and oil prices spiked after new strikes from Iran and the U.S. The shock is small now but has clear costs for people and businesses.
Global Power Plays
Maryland man sentenced to 15 years for trying to join ISIS, plotting U.S. attack
A Maryland man who tried to travel to join ISIS and discussed a backup plan to attack Jewish and Israel-linked targets in the U.S. was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, based on travel records and chat logs presented by prosecutors under federal counterterrorism charges.
Global Power Plays
In Nato summit gaffe, Trump says ‘Islamic Republic of Japan’ fired missiles at US ship
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said “the Islamic Republic of Japan” fired missiles at a US aircraft carrier, apparently confusing long-time ally Japan with Iran.
Narrative Warfare
Democrats Need to Clean Up a Maine-Size Mess
The Nazi tattoo wasn’t bad enough to force Graham Platner to abandon his Senate bid, his defenders argued earlier this year.
Power Games
Trump notifies Congress of plan to remove Syria from terrorism sponsor list
The White House has notified Congress that the administration intends to remove Syria from the U.S. State Sponsor of Terrorism list, triggering a statutory review period and potentially easing sanctions and trade restrictions if Congress does not block the move.
Power Games
Trump to ask US supreme court to reconsider birthright citizenship ruling
Donald Trump said he will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to rehear a case tied to the 14th Amendment in an effort to narrow birthright citizenship. Conservative legal groups could shape the rehearing; a new ruling would affect citizenship status, voting rights, and shift policy power toward the courts.
Follow the Money
House Democrats' anti-Jeffries caucus isn't done growing
Democratic primaries this summer could elevate another crop of incoming House members who have refused to commit to voting for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as speaker.
Global Power Plays
Trump offers new arms deals to NATO allies and Ukraine at summit
At a NATO summit, President Trump pledged fresh arms sales to European allies and to Ukraine. The move raises questions about who gains, who pays, and how fast weapons will move.
Global Power Plays
U.S. strikes Iranian targets in Strait of Hormuz for 2nd straight day
U.S. forces struck Iranian military targets in the Strait of Hormuz for a second night. This raises risks for ships, diplomacy, and lives in the region.
Follow the Money
Judge allows E. Jean Carroll to collect $5 million from Trump
A U.S. federal judge has authorized steps to collect roughly $5 million awarded to E. Jean Carroll by a 2023 civil jury that found Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The order enables enforcement actions—liens, seizures, insurance claims—though appeals or asset protections could slow or limit recovery.
Global Power Plays
Iran, Not Trump, Is Running the War Right Now
Iran appears to be setting the terms in the recent military clash with the U.S. That shift changes who holds leverage and how the conflict could unfold.