The Weekly Report: September 13-20 2026
United States
On Friday, President Trump announced that his administration had reached a deal with Denmark and Greenland that will ensure U.S. security presence on the island going forward. This deal, which appears to be success of diplomatic efforts and negotiations, avoids escalation regarding tensions between the U.S. and European nations over Greenland. Details surrounding the deal remain unclear; however, leaders from Denmark and Greenland are planning to sign the deal during the UN General Assembly this week.
Asia
The Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, was released from prison to house arrest after the nation’s king, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, ordered the move. Under the conditional pardon laid out by the king, Razak will be able to complete his remaining sentence at home given he pays the fine of 12.2 million dollars. Najib Razak was convicted of graft in 2020 due to his involvement in the 1MDB financial scandal. The conditional pardon granted by the king has fueled much debate around the country, as many believe he should have to serve out the rest of his sentence in prison.
Europe
A U.S. move to renew a mandate for UN nuclear experts to monitor nuclear sanctions against Iran was vetoed by the U.S. and China. Representatives from each security council member delivered and responded to points regarding the renewal. Russia’s ambassador expressed his disagreement with the move by saying, “the destructive path of our Western colleagues, determined purely by their economic interests in exerting pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran.” This meeting comes roughly a week before President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China are set to meet in Washington, DC.
Americas
The United States announced it would that visas would be issued to certain Iranian officials so they can attend the UN General Assembly, even as conflict between the two countries carries on. The State Department said a smaller delegation would be permitted to enter as “consistent with our host country obligations.” The Iranian delegation will be restricted from purchasing wholesale or luxury goods while they are in New York, something they have been seen doing in the past. The rule was first implemented at last year's General Assembly.
Africa
Many people were killed and even more injured after a gold mine collapsed in Sudan last Sunday. Tragedies like these are somewhat common, as the mining industry in Sudan has few regulations. Officials have reported that 70 bodies have been recovered and three people rescued from the site, with many still trapped underground. Any chance of further rescue is slim due to a lack of the necessary technical equipment to facilitate extraction.
Middle East
On Thursday, the State Department announced that the Trump administration would move ahead with the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia amid internal concerns among U.S. intelligence agencies that China could steal highly classified technology if the sale goes through. The deal, valued at 23.4 billion dollars, “will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defense,” according to a statement made by the State Department.
