Week In Review (WIRE) News 09.22.2025

Edited by Mary Wahn, Grey Cohen, John Wilson, Ethan Joyce

Asia and the Pacific

Written by Jesse Vu

Modern Problem Requires Modern Solution: Nepali Gen Z Elects First Female Prime Minister via Discord

On September 12th, Nepal made history by electing its first female prime minister, Sushila Karki, through an informal and unprecedented voting process which took place on Discord, a social media platform used primarily by millennials and Gen Z. This election ended weeks of turmoil and social unrest that left more than 50 people dead, over 1000 injured, and notably, the country’s parliamentary building destroyed.

Former Chief Justice Karki’s appointment to the office of Prime Minister was confirmed by President Ramchandra Poudel last Friday. Prior to her appointment, Nepal had undergone days of violent protest that led to the destruction of many schools and businesses. According to NPR, former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli issued his resignation after protesters set the parliamentary building and the homes of many top political leaders on fire, marking an unprecedented level of political violence and leaving the country without a leader for days.  

For a long time, citizens were frustrated with the corruption occurring at the topmost level of Nepal's government. Having had to leave their homes to find jobs in other regions, young Nepalis became furious, witnessing social media posts by “nepo babies” of politicians that display luxurious lifestyles while they, regular Nepalis, struggled to find work. These posts, coupled with the attempt by the former government to ban social media, established the perfect conditions for young Nepalis to take to the streets and create these deadly protests. 

On Friday, after days of protest and violence that left Nepal without a government, young Nepalis took to Discord to debate and vote on the next prime minister. As the first female chief justice elected in 2017, Karki remains a respectable figure, being one of the few politicians who was courageous enough to stand up to dishonest politicians within the former government. While this courage and integrity almost got Karkhi impeached as chief justice, she earned trust among young Nepalis who elected her to be their Prime Minister.  

Central America and the Caribbean

Written by Gabriella Ramirez

Violence Persists in Haiti as the US Builds Up Military in the Caribbean

A gang attack on a vehicle left two police officers injured and one driver dead in the latest assault against law enforcement in Haiti. This ongoing struggle between law enforcement and gangs continues to afflict Haitian communities and has resulted in the killing of rebel leader Wilfort Ferdinand, who played a role in the 2004 uprising that ousted former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. These attacks came after a massacre by armed gangs that left 40 dead following the killing of a gang leader. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned this, drew attention to the levels of violence in Haiti, and called on member states to support the fight against Haitian gangs. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump continues to fortify his military in the Caribbean through a show of force in Puerto Rico intended to combat drug cartels. In response, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called on the UN to stop the US from starting a war amid militarization and strikes against Venezuela. 

Haiti has been impacted by gang violence for several decades, as gangs control the overwhelming majority of Port-au-Prince, resulting in numerous deaths and displacements. The UN reports that armed violence has killed 1,520 people, injured another 600 from April to June, and caused a record displacement of 1.3 million people. In an attempt to quell the ever-rising gang violence, Kenya deployed forces as aid to Haitian police in a UN-backed mission, now the fourth major foreign military intervention. 

Under President Trump, the US proposed stronger forces in Haiti to hinder violence. However, the source of funding and troops was unclear; the proposal is an illustration of his forward foreign policy. Following two strikes on Venezuelan boats, which members of Congress and legal experts question the legality of, President Trump deployed five US F-35 aircraft and ordered the deployment of 10 stealth fighters to Puerto Rico. In a press conference in Havana, Cuban Foreign Minister Rodriguez claimed that US militarization in the Caribbean as part of the fight against drug trafficking is a crude pretext for aggression. As the situation escalates, tensions heighten in the Caribbean due to the possibility of getting caught in a conflict between Venezuela and the US.

Europe

Written by Ethan Joyce

The European Commission Proposes Israeli Sanctions Packages

Following the determination by a United Nations commission of inquiry on September 16th that Israel committed genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, the European Commission (EC) convened on Wednesday to put forth a proposal to suspend an Israeli trade arrangement and impose sanctions on some Israeli settlers, two Knesset members, and 10 senior members of Hamas.

Quickly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank have encouraged leaders from across the world to call for immediate ceasefire, hostage releases, and expanded humanitarian corridors. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EC sanctions package with the express aim of pressuring Israeli authorities to change course through economic leverage. The EU accounts for about 32 percent of Israel's total goods trade, worth 40 billion euros in 2024. Under existing agreements, the EU levies no tariffs on Israeli goods. Now, should this sanctions package be approved, 37% of goods imported into the European Union from Israel will be subject to new tariffs.

While these measures would be significant in their scope and consequence, they face political obstacles to realization, requiring a vote to pass the Commission with qualified majority support. Previously, similar packages have been obstructed by EC member states, namely Hungary and the Czech Republic. This resistance highlights political divergences among member states. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged that political divisions remain entrenched, but also suggested public opinion is increasingly focused on ending the suffering in Gaza. Israeli foreign ministers have since responded to European leaders’ calls for sanctions, stating that sanctions would be ineffective while their security is simultaneously at stake. The proposal represents the most significant EU action targeting Israel and senior Hamas officials since the October 2023 war began, though its implementation remains uncertain.

Middle East and North Africa

Written by Ansley Hovater

The Domino Effect: How Conflict in the Middle East Encourages Reinvention

Tensions in the Middle East continue to intensify following last week's Israeli advance into Gaza City and the controversial attack on Qatar’s capital, Doha. These drastic developments are reshaping alliances across the region, forcing countries to break from historical norms and seek security in new military arrangements. 

On Wednesday, September 17, Israeli tanks advanced deep into residential areas of Gaza City, killing at least 61 Palestinians. Reported deaths since the beginning of the conflict are over 64,000. Per the Israeli Defense Forces, this recent ground invasion included military assaults on over 150 targets in Gaza City. Residents also proclaimed that the bombardments intensified. Despite international condemnation and accusations of human rights violations, Israel is continuing their persistent attack against the Palestinians. That same day, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry declared the violence in Gaza a genocide, and although Israel denied these allegations, the country continues to face legal consequences as it fights the case in the International Court of Justice. International concerns for accountability grow louder, demanding the attention of human rights advocates and legal experts worldwide.

Days before, on September 9, Israel launched an unexpected strike on Qatar’s capital, Doha, prompting the Qatari Prime Minister to travel to the International Court of Justice. Reporters say that the Prime Minister believes that Israel should face legal consequences for this attack. Officials describe Israel’s strike on Doha as unprecedented, and the Qatari Prime Minister used these arguments in his demand for legal recourse. 

In response to growing regional instability, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement on the evening of September 17. The pact states that any threat to one country is a threat to both. Reporting suggests that Saudi Arabia initiated this as a result of the Doha incident. Pakistan accepted the agreement for a multitude of reasons, including that Saudi Arabia provides vital resources, specifically oil, to Islamabad. While countries in the Gulf region historically relied on the United States for military partnerships, this agreement is historic as it broke that trend. The shift marks a realignment in political relations globally that reflects the increased independence of Middle Eastern security affairs. 

North America

Written by Layla Jeeth

Canadian PM Visits Mexico as USMCA Renegotiations Loom in Trump Tariff Aftermath

Following a series of tariffs passed by U.S. President Donald Trump against foreign nations, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum from September 18-19 to strengthen ties between the two nations in light of the economic strain that the restrictions have placed on businesses. 

At the start of his second term, President Trump placed tariffs on countries the world over in an effort to boost American production and reduce bilateral trade deficits. The tariffs include 35% on Canada and 25% on Mexico for goods not covered under USMCA. Expected to cause economic damage to both countries, the tariffs also spurred diplomatic tensions between Canada and Mexico even before going into effect: top Canadian politicians expressed in January that they would be better off negotiating a deal that excluded Mexico.

PM Carney met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to mutual security and prosperity despite both countries having separate bilateral negotiations with the U.S. ahead of the looming 2026 USMCA reevaluation. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that President Trump will return to the table in 2026 to personally renegotiate USMCA.

South America

Written by Catie Crowe

How Bolsonaro’s Conviction Provides Insight into Brazil’s Democracy

On September 11, after a five-day trial, Brazil's judiciary found former President Jair Bolsonaro guilty of leading a criminal group and attempting a violent overthrow of democratic rule. Four of the five justices on the panel found him guilty, with one voting to acquit on the grounds that the accusations were unfounded. The prosecution stated that Bolsonaro, along with his political and military allies, sought to orchestrate a coup after his 2022 electoral defeat to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a populist leftist leader and the current president of Brazil. The case against Bolsonaro originated after Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed political institutions in January 2023 as a result of the loss. Although Bolsonaro denied any involvement in the insurrection, he never formally conceded the race to Lula da Silva. The panel of Supreme Court justices ruled against Bolsonaro,  confirming his attempt to lead a conspiracy aimed at maintaining his power and sentencing him to 27 years and three months in prison.

Jair Bolsonaro is a former military officer and far-right authority figure whose policies made him one of South America’s most polarizing figures. Bolsonaro served one term as president of Brazil, during which he removed protections for indigenous populations and the rainforest and opposed COVID-19 health and safety measures. During his tenure, Brazil saw huge steps towards the centralization of governance via pro-business, anti-regulation policy initiatives. While running for reelection in 2022, Bolsonaro faced his predecessor, Lula da Silva, who previously lost public support after his involvement in the bribery scandal Operation Car Wash. Despite this, Lula engineered a political resurrection and defeated incumbent Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro’s loss and conviction depict a Brazilian political climate determined to maintain democracy.

From 1964 to 1985, a military dictatorship ruled over Brazil, leading to rampant human rights abuses and censorship. Lula da Silva ran for president in 2002 on social programs such as the Bolsa Família program, which met the needs and interests of the lower third of Brazil’s populace. Lula left office with an 87% approval rating, but quickly fell into controversy when, in 2014, he was exposed by Operation Car Wash for colluding with oil companies, diminishing the public’s trust in his leadership. However, after four years under Bolsonaro’s authoritarian rule, Brazilians wanted a leader who reestablished their faith in the strength of Brazil’s democracy. Brazilians’ support for Lula da Silva shows the devotion many Brazilians feel to their federal republic. Bolsonaro’s recent trial reinforces this perspective and demonstrates the resiliency of Brazil’s democracy. The verdict marks the first time a Brazilian head of state was held accountable for such charges and demonstrates the dynamic and adaptable nature of the country.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Written by Alex Whirley

M23 Rebels Attempt Statebuilding Process in Eastern DRC

M23 has begun a systematic state-building project to convert its military gains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo into a de facto autonomous region. The Rwandan-backed paramilitary group's goal is to monopolize the use of force in the area, which, as a result, will benefit its recruitment efforts, secure its profitable mining operations, and mark a key inflection point, differentiating the conflict from previous Rwandan-backed insurgencies. The group has even released its own human rights reports and accused the Congolese government of sponsoring child soldiers in an attempt to establish its own legitimacy as a governing force.

The M23 conflict in the DRC dates back more than 30 years, to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. From April 7th to July 19th of 1994, the Hutu-led government of Rwanda engaged in the systematic killing of an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 Tutsis and 10,000 Twa. The 1994 genocide helped spark the First and Second Congo Wars of the late 1990s. As a result, Rwanda backed insurgencies in the post-war era to protect its own interests in the DRC. 

M23 was originally founded in 2012, but reemerged in 2021 in the wake of continued regional instability. Since then, the group has steadily expanded its military might, and despite international attempts at intervention, including President Trump initiating a U.S.-brokered peace deal between the two states, the group continues to expand its influence with a stated goal of eventually capturing the 17.8 million-person city of the DRC Capital, Kinshasa. The UN Security Council reports that M23 aims to govern occupied areas in the long term in the eastern DRC, and M23 will likely remain engaged with peace efforts to buy time to further consolidate its control.