Politics
40 stories
Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's former de facto leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been in military detention since the February 2021 coup that overthrew her democratically elected government. She has been convicted on numerous charges, widely considered politically motivated, resulting in a 27-year prison sentence, though she was moved to house arrest in April 2024 due to health concerns. Her National League for Democracy (NLD) party was dissolved, and the military junta continues to consolidate power through sham elections.
Hakan Fidan
Hakan Fidan is a Turkish intelligence chief and diplomat who served as head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) from 2010 to 2023. In June 2023, he was appointed as Turkey's Foreign Minister under President Erdoğan's government following his re-election.
İbrahim Kalın
İbrahim Kalın is a prominent Turkish bureaucrat, academic, and diplomat who currently serves as the Director of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) of Turkey, a position he assumed in June 2023. Prior to this, he was the Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Advisor to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for nearly a decade. Kalın is also a respected scholar of Islamic philosophy and has played a crucial role in shaping Turkey's foreign policy and national security strategies.
Donald John Trump
Donald Trump, the 45th U.S. President, successfully ran for and won the 2024 presidential election, becoming the 47th President of the United States and the second president to serve non-consecutive terms. Since his inauguration in January 2025, his second administration has focused on a robust executive order agenda, immigration reform, and a non-interventionist foreign policy, while also facing ongoing legal challenges and engaging in significant business ventures, including the expansion of Trump Media & Technology Group.
TikTok US Ban
The long-standing effort by the U.S. government to ban or force the divestment of TikTok due to national security concerns culminated in a federal law in 2024. After a brief suspension in January 2025 and multiple executive delays, TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, finalized a deal in January 2026 to transfer majority ownership of its U.S. operations to an American-led joint venture, allowing the platform to continue operating.
Brexit
Brexit refers to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, a process initiated by a 2016 referendum and formally completed on January 31, 2020. Since then, the UK has navigated a new relationship with the EU, marked by ongoing negotiations, economic adjustments, and efforts to manage the Northern Ireland Protocol through mechanisms like the Windsor Framework. As of early 2026, the Labour government is pursuing a 'reset' of UK-EU relations, while economic analyses continue to assess the long-term impact of the departure.
Muhammed Fethullah Gülen
Fethullah Gülen was a Turkish Islamic scholar, preacher, and the influential leader of the Hizmet (Gülen) movement. He lived in self-imposed exile in the United States from 1999, facing accusations from the Turkish government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of orchestrating the failed 2016 coup attempt. Gülen consistently denied these allegations until his death on October 20, 2024, in Pennsylvania, U.S.. Despite his passing, the Turkish government continues its extensive crackdown on individuals and organizations alleged to have links to the Gülen movement as of early 2026.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who served as Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989, was reportedly killed on February 28, 2026, in joint US-Israeli military strikes targeting Iranian military and governmental sites. His death, if confirmed by Iran, marks a pivotal moment for the Islamic Republic, which he led for over 36 years, shaping its anti-Western foreign policy and consolidating a de facto military dictatorship.
Giorgia Meloni
Giorgia Meloni is an Italian politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Italy since October 2022, becoming the first woman to hold the office. She is also the leader of the right-wing to far-right Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia) party, which she has led since 2014. Her government has focused on political stability, fiscal prudence, and national interests, while navigating complex domestic challenges and an active international agenda, including Italy's 2024 G7 presidency and ongoing geopolitical crises.
Melania Trump
Melania Trump, former model and wife of Donald Trump, has re-emerged into the public spotlight as the First Lady of the United States following her husband's second, non-consecutive presidential term. After a period of relative privacy post-2021, she became more visible during the 2024 campaign and has since resumed traditional First Lady duties, notably preparing to preside over a historic UN Security Council meeting in March 2026.
Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, continues to drive the ambitious Vision 2030 economic transformation, though a recent recalibration in February 2026 has shifted focus from mega-projects to industrial development and attracting foreign capital. He maintains a strong, albeit transactional, relationship with the US under President Trump, securing significant defense and technology deals, while notably stepping back from immediate normalization with Israel. Regionally, he is actively confronting Iranian aggression and navigating a growing rift with the UAE.
Edward Snowden
Edward Snowden is an American whistleblower who, in 2013, leaked highly classified documents from the National Security Agency (NSA) revealing extensive global surveillance programs. Facing espionage charges in the U.S., he was granted asylum in Russia, where he has resided since, eventually becoming a naturalized Russian citizen in 2022. He continues to advocate for privacy and digital rights, frequently commenting on surveillance and artificial intelligence.
Arab Spring
The Arab Spring was a series of pro-democracy uprisings, protests, and armed rebellions that swept across much of the Arab world starting in late 2010, challenging long-standing authoritarian regimes. While initially leading to the overthrow of several dictators and a brief democratic transition in some nations, many countries subsequently experienced civil wars, authoritarian resurgence, or continued political instability and humanitarian crises, with these consequences still unfolding in 2026.
Imran Khan
Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has faced a dramatic political downfall since his ousting in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote. He has since been embroiled in numerous legal battles, leading to multiple convictions and his ongoing imprisonment, while his party, PTI, has faced significant crackdowns and restrictions.
Alexei Anatolyevich Navalny
Alexei Navalny was a prominent Russian opposition leader, anti-corruption activist, and political prisoner who became Vladimir Putin's fiercest critic. After surviving a Novichok poisoning in 2020, he returned to Russia in 2021, was immediately imprisoned on charges widely considered politically motivated, and died in an Arctic penal colony on February 16, 2024. In February 2026, a joint investigation by several European nations concluded he was killed by a rare toxin, epibatidine, administered by the Russian state.
Muhammed Fethullah Gülen
Fethullah Gülen was a Turkish Islamic scholar, preacher, and leader of the transnational Gülen movement (Hizmet). He lived in self-imposed exile in the United States from 1999 until his death in October 2024, facing accusations from the Turkish government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of orchestrating the 2016 attempted coup and leading a terrorist organization. Despite his death, the Turkish government continues its extensive crackdown on individuals and entities allegedly linked to his movement as of early 2026.
Julian Paul Assange
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, gained international notoriety for publishing classified US military and diplomatic documents. After years of legal battles, including seeking asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London and spending over five years in a high-security British prison, he was released in June 2024 following a plea deal with US prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to one charge under the Espionage Act and returned to his native Australia, ending a protracted legal saga.
Mary Elizabeth Truss
Liz Truss served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party for 49 days from September to October 2022, making her the shortest-serving PM in British history. Her premiership was marked by a controversial 'mini-budget' that triggered significant economic turmoil and led to her rapid resignation. Since leaving office, Truss has remained a public figure, commenting on political issues and engaging in various ventures, including a business she co-founded.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a Turkish politician who has served as the 12th President of Turkey since 2014, following an extensive tenure as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2014. He co-founded the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001 and has significantly shaped Turkey's political landscape, transitioning the country to an executive presidential system. As of early 2026, he remains actively involved in domestic and international affairs, navigating economic challenges and regional conflicts, while also facing discussions about his political future beyond his current term.
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson
Boris Johnson is a prominent British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister from 2019 to 2022, leading the country through Brexit and the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His premiership ended amidst a series of scandals, most notably 'Partygate', leading to his resignation as Prime Minister in July 2022 and as a Member of Parliament in June 2023, though he remains an active commentator on global affairs, particularly the war in Ukraine, as of early 2026.
George Anthony Devolder Santos
George Santos, a former U.S. Representative for New York's 3rd congressional district, gained notoriety for fabricating large parts of his biography. He was federally indicted on numerous charges, expelled from Congress in December 2023, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in August 2024, and was sentenced to 87 months in prison in April 2025. His sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump in October 2025, leading to his release after serving less than three months, and he has since expressed interest in prison reform and other public ventures.
Kyrsten Lea Sinema
Kyrsten Sinema is an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Arizona from 2019 to 2025. Initially elected as a Democrat, she declared herself an independent in December 2022 and did not seek re-election in 2024. Since leaving office in January 2025, she has transitioned to roles in the private sector, academia, and media, while also facing legal challenges and scrutiny over campaign finance.
Osmanlı İmparatorluğu (Ottoman Empire)
The Osmanlı İmparatorluğu, or Ottoman Empire, was a vast transcontinental empire founded in Anatolia around 1299. It rose to become a global power, controlling much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa for over six centuries, before its gradual decline and ultimate dissolution in 1922, giving way to the modern Republic of Turkey.
Afghanistan US Withdrawal 2021
The 2021 withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan marked the end of a two-decade military presence, leading to the rapid collapse of the internationally recognized Afghan government and the swift takeover by the Taliban. Since then, Afghanistan has plunged into a severe humanitarian and economic crisis, characterized by widespread poverty, acute food insecurity, and a drastic regression of human rights, particularly for women and girls, with the situation remaining dire as of early 2026. The country also faces ongoing internal security threats from groups like ISIS-K and escalating cross-border tensions with Pakistan.
Swiss E-voting Pilot
The Swiss E-voting Pilot refers to Switzerland's ongoing efforts to implement electronic voting, marked by initial trials from 2003, a significant halt in 2019 due to security vulnerabilities, and a subsequent redesign and limited relaunch. As of March 2026, trials are active in four cantons using a Swiss Post-developed system, though a recent decryption failure in Basel-Stadt has led to a temporary suspension of its pilot. The initiative aims to enhance voter convenience and participation, particularly for Swiss citizens living abroad, while prioritizing robust security and verifiability.
Sami Süleyman Gündoğdu Demirel
Süleyman Demirel was a prominent Turkish politician who served seven times as Prime Minister and as the 9th President of Turkey. Known for his resilience and ability to return to power despite military interventions, he shaped Turkish politics for over three decades until his death in 2015. His legacy continues through institutions named after him and ongoing recognition of his contributions to Turkish democracy.
Swiss E-voting Initiative and Pilot Failures
Switzerland's long-standing efforts to implement electronic voting have been marked by repeated setbacks, primarily due to security vulnerabilities and technical glitches. After a major suspension in 2019 following critical security flaws, a redesigned system was relaunched for pilot trials in several cantons, only to face a significant decryption failure in Basel-Stadt in March 2026, leading to the suspension of that specific pilot.
Kabul
Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, has undergone a dramatic transformation since the Taliban seized control in August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces. The city now operates under strict Taliban rule, characterized by severe restrictions on human rights, particularly for women and girls, and faces a deepening humanitarian and economic crisis exacerbated by natural disasters, mass returnees, and significant cuts in international aid. As of early 2026, the city continues to grapple with instability, poverty, and a volatile security environment.
United States Military Draft
The U.S. military draft, or conscription, was actively used in various conflicts until its suspension in 1973, transitioning to an all-volunteer force. While no active draft exists today, the Selective Service System (SSS) requires most males aged 18-25 to register, and a recent provision in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act will shift this to automatic registration by December 2026.
Justin Pierre James Trudeau
Justin Trudeau served as the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada from 2015 to 2025, leading the Liberal Party to a majority government in 2015 and subsequent minority governments. He resigned from both roles in January 2025 following a political crisis and declining public support, with Mark Carney succeeding him as Prime Minister in March 2025. Post-premiership, Trudeau has stepped away from elected office and, as of March 2026, is in a confirmed relationship with singer Katy Perry.
Erika Lane Kirk
Erika Kirk is an American businesswoman, nonprofit executive, and media host who currently serves as the CEO and Chair of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization. She assumed these roles in September 2025 following the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk. In March 2026, she was appointed by President Donald Trump to the United States Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors and is slated to be the 2026 commencement speaker at Hillsdale College.
No Kings Protest
The No Kings Protest is a sustained, nationwide movement of non-violent political demonstrations in the United States, initiated in June 2025, primarily opposing the policies and perceived authoritarian tendencies of President Donald Trump's second administration. Organized by a coalition of progressive groups, it has mobilized millions of people in major nationwide events in June and October 2025, with a significant third round planned for March 28, 2026. The movement emphasizes democratic principles and resistance to what organizers describe as an erosion of democratic norms.
Jair Bolsonaro
Jair Bolsonaro served as the 38th President of Brazil from 2019 to 2023, leading a far-right populist government. After his narrow defeat in the 2022 presidential election, he faced numerous legal challenges, including investigations into an alleged coup plot and his role in the January 8, 2023, attacks on government buildings. As of March 2026, Bolsonaro has been convicted and is serving a prison sentence for attempting a coup, and is barred from running for public office until 2030.
Megyn Marie Kelly
Megyn Kelly is an American journalist, attorney, and political commentator who rose to prominence at Fox News before a brief, controversial stint at NBC. She has since transitioned to independent media, hosting "The Megyn Kelly Show" podcast and a dedicated channel on SiriusXM, where she continues to engage in political and cultural commentary, notably criticizing the Trump administration's 2026 Iran war policy and engaging in public feuds with other conservative figures.
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías
Hugo Chávez was a Venezuelan military officer and politician who served as the President of Venezuela from 1999 until his death in 2013. He spearheaded the 'Bolivarian Revolution,' a socialist political movement that profoundly reshaped Venezuela's economy and society. Following his death, his chosen successor, Nicolás Maduro, continued his legacy amidst escalating political and economic crises, culminating in Maduro's capture by US forces in January 2026 and the subsequent interim presidency of Delcy Rodríguez.
Swiss E-voting Pilot Decryption Failure
The Swiss e-voting system faced a major setback in March 2019 when critical cryptographic vulnerabilities were discovered, leading to the suspension of trials and a redesign of the system. After a period of development and rigorous testing, a new fully verifiable system by Swiss Post was reintroduced for pilot programs in several cantons. However, in March 2026, a local decryption failure in the Basel-Stadt pilot once again highlighted the challenges of secure electronic voting.
Jesse Louis Jackson Sr.
Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in American civil rights and politics, passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. He was a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., a two-time Democratic presidential candidate, and the founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, leaving an indelible mark on the fight for racial and economic justice. His final years were marked by a battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), which he managed while continuing his advocacy.
Thomas Hawley "Tommy" Tuberville
Tommy Tuberville is an American politician and former college football coach who has served as the senior U.S. Senator from Alabama since 2021. After a prominent coaching career, he entered politics, gaining national attention for his 2023 hold on military promotions and recently announcing his candidacy for Governor of Alabama in the 2026 election, while actively engaging in discussions on economic development and national security in early 2026.
Cory Anthony Booker
Cory Booker is an American politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from New Jersey, a position he has held since 2013. He is actively campaigning for re-election in 2026 and has recently introduced significant legislative proposals, including the 'Keep Your Pay Act,' while also being widely considered a potential contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.
Karoline Leavitt
Karoline Leavitt is the 36th White House Press Secretary, serving under President Donald Trump's second administration since January 2025, making her the youngest individual to hold the position. Prior to this, she was a key spokesperson for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and held various communications roles in his first administration and for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. She is married with one child and is expecting her second child in 2026.