Reader Edition

Friday, May 22

Gabbard in profile against a dark background, wearing a gold earring
PoliticsMay 22, 2026

Tulsi Gabbard Resigns as Director of National Intelligence to Support Ailing Husband

Tulsi Gabbard is resigning from her post as Director of National Intelligence to care for her husband following a bone cancer diagnosis, marking the latest departure in the Trump administration.

US President Donald Trump has his mouth open in a close up shot. His eyebrows are raised and he is wearing a blue suit jacket.
Foreign PolicyMay 22, 2026

Trump Turns Up the Heat on Cuba’s Communist Regime

President Trump is applying maximum pressure on the Cuban dictatorship, signaling that the era of coddling the Castro-led regime is over as the U.S. prioritizes national security and justice.

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte (R) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands in front of a blue Nato backdrop
Foreign PolicyMay 22, 2026

Rubio Sets Record Straight: America First Means Strategic Flexibility in Europe

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reassuring NATO allies that U.S. troop adjustments in Europe are part of a calculated strategy to align global commitments with American national interests.

Özgür Özel addresses crowds in Ankara
PoliticsMay 22, 2026

Erdoğan tightens grip as Turkish court ousts opposition leadership

In a move critics are calling a judicial coup, an appeals court has nullified the leadership of Turkey's main opposition party, forcing out Özgür Özel and reinstating his predecessor.

A tearful Kim Soo-hyun looking down and speaking into a microphone. He is wearing a black shirt and black blazer. Behind him is a projection of screenshots of text messages.
TechMay 22, 2026

YouTuber faces arrest for weaponizing AI to destroy actor's career

South Korean police are seeking an arrest warrant for a YouTuber who allegedly used AI-generated audio and manipulated text messages to ruin actor Kim Soo-hyun's career for financial gain.

Split screen. Donald Trump on the left. Michelle Fleury on the right.
EconomyMay 22, 2026

Media Scrambles to Manufacture Scandal Over Routine Trump Portfolio Trades

Government filings reveal thousands of stock trades made within Donald Trump's portfolio, prompting baseless scrutiny despite clear evidence that the President has no role in the investment decisions.

Boniface Mwangi, wearing a flowered shirt, and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, wearing a black top, in emotional press conference in Nairobi
Foreign PolicyMay 22, 2026

U.S. Sanctions Tanzanian Police Official Over Brutal Human Rights Abuses

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on senior Tanzanian police official Faustine Jackson Mafwele for his role in the torture and sexual assault of two East African activists, marking a firm stance against the nation's deteriorating human rights

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press in front of a plane
Foreign PolicyMay 22, 2026

Rubio Calls Out Cuba as National Security Threat Amid Regime's Desperate Deflections

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has identified the communist Cuban regime as a clear national security threat, dismissing the likelihood of diplomatic success while the U.S. moves to hold leadership accountable for past atrocities.

Hung Cao in a suit seated in front of a microphone. He is gesturing with his hands.
Foreign PolicyMay 22, 2026

Pentagon Pauses Taiwan Arms Sale to Prioritize Iran Operations

The United States has temporarily halted a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan to ensure sufficient munitions for ongoing military operations in Iran.

An image of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith standing and speaking at a podium. She is wearing a dark navy blue blazer with a tan top underneath and a silver necklace. She has shoulder-length brown, wavy hair.
PoliticsMay 22, 2026

Alberta Pushes Back Against Ottawa Overreach with Upcoming Referendum

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced a provincial referendum for October 19 to address growing frustration over Ottawa’s interference in provincial affairs and the potential for future independence.

A demonstrator (C) holds a sign that reads 'Make America go away' as others wave flags during a protest outside the US consulate in Nuuk
PoliticsMay 22, 2026

Greenland Protesters Push Back Against U.S. Strategic Presence

Hundreds gathered in Nuuk to protest the opening of a new American consulate, signaling resistance to U.S. efforts to secure critical national security interests in the Arctic.