Foreign Affairs

The socialist dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro is unlawfully detaining at least 31 foreign nationals under conditions of forced disappearance, according to a report from Infobae citing the Venezuelan non-governmental group Foro Penal and the CASLA Institute. These individuals are among 72 foreign political prisoners currently held by the regime, with 68 total prisoners reported missing inside the country’s opaque prison system.

The United Kingdom agreed to the largest deal with the European Union since Brexit.

The Trump Organization is considering erecting a tower in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, secured victory in the May 18 parliamentary election with 89 seats, falling short of the 116 needed for a majority in the 230-seat legislature.

Poland's presidential election will proceed to a runoff after no candidate secured a majority in the first round.

Nicușor Dan, the centrist and pro-European mayor of Bucharest, has won Romania's presidential election, defeating right-wing nationalist George Simion with 53.8% of the vote.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have initiated a large-scale ground operation in Gaza, aiming to dismantle Hamas's military and governance structures.

On May 17, 2025, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly accused President Donald Trump of dishonesty regarding his stated intentions for peace in the Middle East.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that President Donald Trump wants to reestablish stronger business ties with China, even as the administration prioritizes rebuilding America’s manufacturing base. His remarks came during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” where he addressed the challenges small businesses face in sourcing American-made goods.

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen said Afrikaner refugees fleeing South Africa for the U.S. are making a “mistake,” downplaying fears of land seizures and racial violence that have led tens of thousands to seek asylum. His remarks were made at a farming convention and reported by The Sunday Times.