On March 18, 2025, President Donald Trump called for a revision of past U.S. sanctions policy, labeling it as ineffective and aiming for more impactful measures.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant reported that Trump commissioned a comprehensive reassessment of the current sanctions framework, emphasizing the negative impact on the U.S. dollar’s status as the world's reserve currency. “For a long time, we had what I call 'lazy sanctions'... We believe they undermine the dollar's role as a reserve currency since people are starting to walk away from the dollar. We intend to move to a more effective sanctions regime,” Besant stated.
He noted that the previous administration’s sanctions on Russia were considerably ineffective due to former President Joe Biden's concerns over rising energy prices within the United States. “The effectiveness of the Democrats' sanctions can be rated at 6 out of 10,” Besant added, asserting that Trump has tasked him with escalating this assessment to a perfect score of ten, indicating a much stricter approach if warranted.
Further developments on the international stage include a limited ceasefire agreement reached between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Ukraine. This development was reported by The New York Times, which highlighted that Putin agreed to a 30-day halt on attacks against Ukraine's energy and infrastructure post a phone discussion with Trump. However, it fell short of a full ceasefire that Ukrainian and U.S. officials were striving for.
The dialogue resulted in an immediate formal order from Putin for the Russian military to comply, marking a significant if temporary, pivot in hostilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine expressed skepticism during a press conference following the announcement but recognized that “if there’s a partial ceasefire, that’s a positive outcome.”
In contrast to geopolitical maneuvers, Israeli operations in Gaza continue unabated. An Israeli official speaking to ABC stated that the military campaign against Hamas will persist until all hostages are released. Reports emerged of intensified bombardments in Gaza with multiple airstrikes occurring, leading to casualties among civilians and UN staff. The Ministry of Health in Gaza confirmed that five UN staff members were injured in the recent strikes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the military’s actions would increasingly intensify, reinforcing Israel's commitment to a strategy of maximum pressure on Hamas. “From now on, negotiations will only occur under enemy fire. Hamas has already felt our power over the last 24 hours, and I assure you: this is just the beginning,” Netanyahu warned.
The situation in Gaza escalates as it marks the resumption of hostilities after a two-month period of relative calm, tarnished by the fallout of ongoing warfare since October 2023.
Elsewhere, the federal judiciary delivered a blow to Trump's administration by ruling against the unconstitutionality of cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) orchestrated by Elon Musk’s government efficiency department. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuong's decision states that the dismantling of USAID obstructs its ability to fulfill its legal responsibilities.
The ruling mandates that all personnel, including those placed on administrative leave, regain access to essential communications and technology until a full review is undertaken. While stopping short of reinstating the agency in its entirety, the judge underscored the critical need for operational integrity.
In legal disputes concerning the actions directed by Musk, the judge criticized the narrow authority exercised by the Trump administration regarding appointments, emphasizing that only elected representatives or confirmed appointees may wield such power.
Turning back to historical context, Trump's administration continued its unending saga surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy by releasing an additional 1,100 documents concerning the case. As Trump previously promised during his campaign, these records are a partial fulfillment of his commitment to transparency.
The materials released provide substantial context surrounding the events leading up to the infamous assassination, although it remains ambiguous whether they were previously disclosed. Trump stated that full access to these documents is essential for understanding the circumstances of Kennedy's assassination and called on officials to develop a strategy for complete disclosure.
In tandem with the domestic narrative, The Guardian reported on the staggering toll of the 15-month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas, reporting over 7,000 incidents targeting civilians since the onset of hostilities. Amid ongoing bombing campaigns, which have reportedly killed hundreds of civilians during this latest round of violence, the mounting loss of life raises significant ethical questions surrounding military strategy and humanitarian obligations.
As developments unfold both internationally and within the United States, the proverbial and literal battlefields are further complicated by political schemes, legal challenges, and the ever-present reality of human cost.
