The Weekly Report: August 2-9 2026
United States
A new sanctions package was passed by the Senate on Friday targeting Russia and Iran. This piece of legislation is a rare example of bipartisan support for Ukraine since President Trump returned to office. It now has to pass the House and then be signed by President Trump for it to go into effect. Assuming it gets signed into law, this will increase pressure on Russia and President Putin during a period of time when Ukraine has had many successful strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
Asia
A major crackdown against journalists has begun in Pakistan recently. Foreign journalists seeking to report from places in Pakistan outside the country’s three major cities will have to obtain permission from the relevant authorities. This move by the government appears to be in response to persistent media coverage of the protests taking place in the heavily contested Kashmir region in Pakistan. As evidence of the crackdown, the Pakistani government criticized the reporting of an Al Jazeera journalist covering the demonstrations and ordered all foreign journalists to depart the region immediately.
Europe
The condition of former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman, who has been in prison in Russia since 2022, has deteriorated rapidly, according to his family. After alleged mistreatment in Russian prison, Gilman is at risk of dying, as he has had a severe fever and has been unresponsive since June. His mother travelled to Russia from Massachusetts to see her son, only to be denied entry upon arrival at the hospital. The State Department said in a statement, “deeply concerned about Robert Gilman’s health and continued detention in Russia.”
Americas
In an attempt to stop the United States’ implementation of a 50 percent tariff come the end of August, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada has reportedly made a set of concessions to President Trump, which includes the revocation of a tariff on U.S. made automobiles. Prime Minister Carney hopes a broader deal can be reached once and for all, so that the tariff issue does not keep getting brought up. Discussions have been ongoing in Washington between the relevant representatives from each nation.
Africa
In a move to return to supporting global health initiatives, the State Department has notified congress the it will send 600 million dollars to Gavi, an organization that supplies immunizations for children in low income countries. This move comes over a year after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cut the aid. This decision has been seen as a move in the right direction by the administration when it comes to foreign aid.
Middle East
A recent surge in conflict between the Iran-backed Houthis and the internationally recognized Yemeni government has raised fears that the country could descend back into civil war. The Yemeni government said it had retaliated against the Houthis after recent attacks against its soldiers. The Houthi attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of 17 soldiers and prompted immediate counterattacks by the military.
