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The Bulletin

May 9, 2025

WORLD IN BRIEF

India-Pakistan air wars: India and Pakistan, the South Asian nuclear-armed neighbors that have engaged in hostilities, including a reported large-scale aerial battle, maintain a sizable fleet of fighter jets, consisting of aircraft supplied by the United States, Russia, China and France. Learn more.

Iran's warning to the U.S.: Iranian military officials have issued a stark warning, with the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps declaring that Tehran would "open the gates of hell" if attacked by the United States or Israel. Know more.

Pete Hegseth sets deadline for Pentagon: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Pentagon to begin discharging transgender service members who do not voluntarily exit by June 6, according to an internal memo obtained by Reuters.

Letitia James under FBI probe: The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albany, New York, have launched a formal criminal investigation into state Attorney General Letitia James's real estate and mortgage dealings, law enforcement sources familiar with the matter told the Times Union newspaper.

Japan intercepts Chinese spy ships: A pair of Chinese naval vessels, capable of collecting intelligence, were spotted operating near Japan, a key United States treaty ally in the Western Pacific Ocean, earlier this week. Learn more.

Nuclear counterattack missile test: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised missile tests that simulated nuclear counterstrikes against U.S. and South Korean forces, state media said on Friday. See the images.

Hamas Reacts to New Pope Leo XIV

The rundown: Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas congratulated new Pope Leo XIV and voiced hope that he would follow his predecessor Pope Francis when it comes to the war in the Gaza Strip. Find out more.

Why it matters: The late Pope Francis, who died last month aged 88, had been outspoken on the suffering in the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by Israeli forces in the war that began when Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023. "The Islamic Resistance Movement extends its sincere congratulations and blessings to Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of his election as head of the Catholic Church," said a statement from Hamas. "We wish him success in fulfilling his spiritual and humanitarian mission amid the tragedies and disasters afflicting the world—foremost among them the ongoing brutal Zionist aggression against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip." Israel also welcomed the new pope.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Pope Leo XIV: American Calls for 'Peace' as New Leader of Catholic Church

TL/DR: While delivering an overall message of peace, the new Catholic Church leader has yet to set out a strong position or to make clear whether he will maintain Francis' commitment to Gaza and other specific crises.

What happens now? Pope Leo's comments on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the broader Holy Land will be closely scrutinized for indications as to his position, with Palestinians hoping for strong words of support.

Deeper reading Hamas Reacts to New Pope Leo XIV

Trump's Immigration Crackdown Has US Employers Worried: Poll

The rundown: President Donald Trump's hardline clampdown on immigration has exacerbated fears over a labor shortage, according to a new poll.

Why it matters: Polling by employment law firm Littler found that a majority of U.S. business executives view immigration policy as a key area of concern. Seventy-five percent of respondents identified the current administration's immigration policies as one of their top concerns, second only to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, 70 percent of executives said they expect enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security to have a moderate or significant impact on their workplaces over the next year. More than half—58 percent—expressed concern that these policies could lead to staffing difficulties, with executives in the manufacturing and hospitality sectors expressing heightened anxiety.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Employees Have a New Fear: Immigration Raids

TL/DR: Trump has vowed to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in United States history. However, the policy has sparked concerns about its potential ripple effects on the U.S. economy.

What happens now? While certain industries and companies are likely to feel the effects of stricter immigration enforcement, its broader impact on employment growth remains uncertain and may depend largely on the overall health of the economy. If the U.S. enters a recession later this year—as some economists anticipate—the pressure from a reduced labor force could be lessened, as fewer job openings would need to be filled.

Deeper reading Trump's Immigration Crackdown Has US Employers Worried: Poll

Denmark Warns Trump White House on Greenland Spying

The rundown: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said "you cannot spy against an ally" after reports that the U.S. is gathering more intelligence on Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory that President Trump seeks control of. Know more.

Why it matters: Frederiksen made the comment to The Associated Press a day after Denmark had summoned the U.S. ambassador in Copenhagen to explain the reports. Trump wants Greenland, a large Arctic Island to the northeast of Canada, because of its significance to U.S. national security and its vast, untapped natural resources. He has said the U.S. will take control of Greenland eventually and has not ruled out military intervention. The heads of American intelligence agencies were directed to gather more information about Greenland's independence movement and attitudes to the U.S. extracting resources there, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the effort.

Read more in-depth coverage:
How Much Greenland Could Cost Donald Trump

TL/DR: This instruction came from high-ranking officials under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, the Journal reported.

What happens now? In response to questions about the Journal's report, Gabbard's office released a statement noting that she had made three "criminal" referrals to the Justice Department over intelligence community leaks. Nearly a dozen more leak cases are being investigated, Gabbard said in the statement.

Deeper reading Denmark Warns Trump White House on Greenland Spying

Ukraine Arrests Spies Working for NATO's Hungary

The rundown: Ukraine said it had uncovered a network of agents inside its country belonging to Hungarian military intelligence, a first in the country's history. Learn more.

Why it matters: The SBU, Ukraine's intelligence service, accused the alleged spies of carrying out espionage activities to the detriment of its country. Authorities made two arrests, a man and a woman, both former service members of Ukraine, accused of passing information to their Hungarian handlers in exchange for money. They face life imprisonment if convicted. The network was collecting information about the military security of the Transcarpathian region and searching for vulnerabilities in the ground and air defense there, the SBU said. Moreover, the agents were tasked with learning the views of local residents, in particular how they would respond if Hungarian troops entered the region, the SBU said.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Europe Prepares New Blow to Putin's Shadow Fleet

TL/DR: Hungary, unlike Ukraine, is a member of NATO, but its government under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is sympathetic to Russia and skeptical of Western intervention in the war.

What happens now? Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is seeking to block European Union funding for Ukraine and Kyiv's accession to the 27-member state bloc, which he says will drain development money and flood its market with Ukrainian agricultural products, hurting farmers.

Deeper reading Ukraine Arrests Spies Working for NATO's Hungary

Exclusive: Haley Stevens on Fighting Against Trump's 'Chaos' for Michigan

The rundown: Representative Haley Stevens, a Democrat from Michigan's 11th District, believes she is the best "champion" to fight back against President Donald Trump's "chaos" in the Senate, citing her track record of serving the state in Congress and the Obama administration. Read the full interview.

Why it matters: Stevens told Newsweek in an interview on Tuesday that "it's a frustrating time with the chaos coming down from Donald Trump and Elon Musk, but nothing's gonna stop Michigan." For her part, Stevens is touting her established track record in Congress of accomplishing things for her home state. The race will be for an open seat, as Senator Gary Peters decided against a reelection bid. Although both of the Great Lakes State's senators are Democrats, Trump won the state in 2016 and again in 2024. Prior to current Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer's win in 2018, Michigan had a Republican leading the state for two terms. Meanwhile, the Democratic primary is shaping up to be a competitive one. State Senator Mallory McMorrow was the first to announce at the beginning of April.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Democrats Could Win First Texas Senate Race in 33 Years: Poll

TL/DR: Stevens was ranked by the Center for Effective Lawmaking by the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University as Michigan's most effective House Democrat in the 118th Congress.

What happens now? The Michigan Senate race will be one of the closest watched next year, with Republicans seeing it as a prime pickup opportunity.

Deeper reading Exclusive: Haley Stevens on Fighting Against Trump's 'Chaos' for Michigan

China's Complicated Relationship With the Catholic Church

As Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost dons the mantle of Pope Leo XIV, he faces the daunting task of leading the Holy See in navigating a fraught international landscape.

This will involve diplomatic relations with countries that pose long-standing unresolved issues—not least of which is China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry waited a full day before issuing a brief, to-the-point message of condolence following the April 22 passing of Pope Francis I. As of the time of writing, it has yet to congratulate the incoming Pope Leo XIV.

The Full STORY

May

Pakistan Says India Hit Troops in New Drone Attack: 'Serious Provocation'

The Pope's Behind-the-Scenes Role in America

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