Trump’s Economic Lie of the Week: Japan Trade Deal

Trump falsely claimed Japan handed him control of a $550 billion fund, with the U.S. keeping 90% of profits a ridiculous lie, as Japan would never pay such a sum to avoid minor trade disruptions. Plus, Trump’s promises are worthless, as he could break any deal at will, making the entire claim absurd.
Cartoons about politics, economy, war.

source: Chappatte
Immigration Policy The Week in Cartoons July 21-25

source: U.S. News
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics

source: POLITICO
Democrats Repeat Their Despicable History of Encouraging Defiance of Federal Laws

Massachusetts Democrat James Hawkins proposed a bill forcing unmasked federal agents to face public hostility, ignoring rising violence against ICE. Critics argue this defies constitutional supremacy and endangers law enforcement.
Deterrence Runs on Rare Earths

The future of deterrence won’t be decided by tanks or troops alone—but by tiny, rare earth elements that power AI, drones, and defense systems. The United States’ strategic edge depends on securing what’s buried beneath the surface.
Another DRC Peace Deal

Adding M23 to the talks is a positive step, but the agreement’s test will be whether it can change circumstances on the ground.
Applying the Orphan Drug Policy to America’s Mining Industry

U.S. dependency on Chinese-sourced critical minerals poses a threat to national security. How can the United States stimulate critical mineral production? The Orphan Drug Act of 1983, the 2007 FDA Act, and the 2012 FDA Safety and Innovation Act may hold the answers.
How Washington Could Leverage Its Gulf AI Deals

Executed strategically, Trump’s Gulf AI deals could offer a foundation to enhance U.S. AI leadership by anchoring Gulf states more firmly into the United States’s tech orbit and channeling their capital toward American AI interests.
The Misunderstood Gains of Modern America

The myth of American decline since the 1970s ignores measurable progress: real wages rose 40% since 1990, and cancer mortality dropped by a third due to medical advances. While challenges exist, innovations in economics and healthcare defy the “stagnation” narrative.
Progress under threat: The future of overdose prevention in the United States

Overdose deaths in the United States fell by nearly 25% from 2023 to 2024. While this decrease may point to the effectiveness of recent reforms, such as expanded access to naloxone, methadone, and buprenorphine, the work is far from done.
Despite overall decreases, overdose death rates are not equal across demographic groups, revealing the need for targeted public health responses.
The potential loss of Medicaid coverage and cuts to addiction-related grant programs would devastate treatment access, particularly for low-income individuals and in rural areas.
Trump’s immigration policies may threaten American AI leadership

Ahead of the 2024 election, President Trump said he would support high-skilled immigration, in part to support American leadership in AI.
However, the administration has targeted and imposed new barriers on international students, many of whom pursue studies in AI-related fields.
At the same time, other countries have created policies to attract talent, posing a threat to U.S. technological innovation and leadership.