Reigniting Politics

Harris vs. Trump: The Debate That Has Everyone Talking

The year of elections is still delivering its political drama, and this week brought the much-anticipated Harris vs. Trump debate, which took place on September 11th. With the U.S. presidential race heating up, the two candidates faced off in a 90-minute debate covering key issues like the Russia-Ukraine war, tariffs, U.S. sanctions on Iran, sustainable energy, joblessness in America, and women’s reproductive rights.

The debate itself started with a polite handshake, but this civility quickly dissolved. Many commentators have noted that Harris successfully “goaded” her Republican rival, with Trump often taking the bait. This led to multiple instances where Trump was fact-checked by the ABC moderators¹.

Most famously from the debate Donald Trump said-

“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs. The people that came in. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”²

-in response to the topic on immigration and border control. (ABC Moderator David Muir did then state that there have been no reported cases of Trump’s accusations in Springfield or any other nearby area.)

For those interested in watching, a recording of the debate is available here, and ABC has published a full transcript, which you can read here.

But I’m not American, so why should this debate matter to me?

It might seem like the US election is only important for Americans, but the reality is, the result of this election could affect you. The US is a global superpower—both economically and militarily—so whoever takes office next will have a huge influence on the rest of the world.

Take global conflicts, for example. The next president will have a big say in how the US handles crises like the Russia-Ukraine war. A more isolationist approach could weaken alliances like NATO, while a more interventionist stance could raise tensions in places like Eastern Europe or the Middle East.

Then there’s climate change. The US is one of the world’s biggest polluters, so the president’s stance on environmental policies will matter to all of us. Whether they push for renewable energy or roll back environmental protections will impact global climate goals and how countries work together to tackle the climate crisis.

And don’t forget about the economy. US trade policies—like tariffs and sanctions—have a direct effect on global markets. Any shifts in US-China trade relations or sanctions on countries like Iran or Russia can ripple through economies worldwide, impacting prices, supply chains, and even diplomatic relations.

So while the US election might feel far away, the outcome could shape the world we all live in. That’s why it’s worth paying attention, no matter where you are.

The Race for Tory Leadership

Also this week, the race for Conservative Party leadership continues following former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement, that he will be resigning. His announcement came after the Tory party’s defeat in the 2024 UK general election. Since then, six candidates were put forward to replace him. However, Witham MP Priti Patel and Central Devon MP Mel Stride have already been eliminated, leaving four candidates still in the running: Robert Jenrick, James Cleverly, Kemi Badenoch and Tom Tugendhat.

At present, Robert Jenrick is leading the race with 33 votes in the latest poll, closely followed by Kemi Badenoch with 28 votes.³

Remember, this leadership election is internal, meaning only Conservative Party members of Parliament can cast their vote. Additionally, only members who joined at least 90 days prior to the ballot deadline (31st October) are eligible to participate.

The conservative party conference will be taking place between the 29th of September and the 2nd of October, after which the poll will be taken again, and the candidates will be reduced to 2 leading figure heads.

The new leader of the opposition will be announced on 2nd November, after all members of the conservative party vote for the winner—mark your calendars for what could be a pivotal moment for the party!

Robert Jenrick: Conservative MP for Newark since the 2014 election. Previously, he was Minister of State for Immigration under Rishi Sunak’s term as Prime Minister⁴.

James Cleverly: Former Army Reserve Officer, and has been Conservative MP for Braintree since 2015. He is also currently the Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department, Previously he held the position of Secretary of State for the Home Department under Rishi Sunak, as well as Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs before. ⁵.

Kemi Badenoch: Born Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch, currently the Conservative MP for North Essex, and has been since 2017, also serves as the Shadow Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government. She was previously the Secretary for Business and Trade under Rishi Sunak ⁶.

Tom Tugendhat: Has been serving as the Conservative MP for Tonbridge since 2015, was previously Minister of Security under Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss’ terms as Prime Minister, but is now Shadow Minister for Security ⁷.

Starmer’s Washington Visit: What It Means for Ukraine

This week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a significant trip to Washington DC, meeting with President Biden. The main topic of discussion? Whether to grant Ukraine permission to launch missiles into Russian territory.

As the war between Ukraine and Russia drags on, the stakes are getting higher, and this latest meeting signals a potential shift in strategy. Up until now, Western support has largely focused on defensive aid—helping Ukraine protect its borders and push back Russian forces. But giving Ukraine the green light to fire missiles into Russia would mark a major escalation, and it’s a decision that’s not being taken lightly.

Starmer’s presence at the table is also interesting, as it hints at how he’s positioning himself on the global stage. His involvement in these high-stakes talks sends a clear message: under his leadership, the UK wilss remain a strong ally of Ukraine and play a critical role in shaping Western responses to the conflict.

US Condemns Killing of Political Advocate in Palestine: What This Means for the Israel Conflict

American-Turkish political advocate Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was tragically killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank, Palestine, on the 9th of August. Her funeral took place this week, sparking outrage across many countries. Even the US government, typically a consistent ally of Israel in this ongoing conflict, condemned her death as “unprovoked” and “unjust.”

This reaction has raised eyebrows, as the US has long supported Israel, both politically and militarily. So why the sudden shift in tone? Eygi’s death appears to have struck a nerve, not only because she was an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights but also due to her American-Turkish identity, which adds a layer of international complexity to the situation.

For many, her killing has become a symbol of the escalating violence in the region, and it’s triggered renewed debates around US involvement in the conflict. With Washington expressing rare disapproval of Israeli actions, it’s clear that tensions are rising—not just on the ground in Palestine, but in the halls of power across the globe. ⁹

Australia’s Crackdown on Misinformation and Elon Musk’s Fiery Response

On Thursday, the Australian Labour government made waves by introducing a new law aimed at tackling the spread of misinformation on social media. The legislation, could see companies fined up to 5% of their global revenue if found enabling misinformation. The goal? To hold tech giants accountable for allowing harmful false information to circulate on their platforms.

While many have applauded the move as a necessary step to combat online disinformation, not everyone is on board. In an unprompted response, Elon Musk, owner of the social media site X (formerly Twitter), took to his platform to express his displeasure. Musk tweeted a single, provocative word: “fascists.”

The tweet, in typical Musk fashion, quickly went viral, igniting debate across social media about the balance between free speech and curbing misinformation. Critics argue that Musk’s comment is an overreaction, framing the law as a reasonable effort to stop the spread of dangerous falsehoods. Others, including Musk’s loyal followers, see it as another example of governments overreaching and trying to control speech online.¹⁰

South Sudan Postpones Elections Again: What’s Behind the Delay?

South Sudan has once again postponed its national elections, this time moving the date to December 2026. As the youngest country recognized by the United Nations—having gained its independence in 2011—South Sudan has repeatedly delayed and extended its elections since 2020, raising concerns about the country’s political stability.

The government has justified this latest postponement, citing the need for more time to complete essential processes, including the drafting of a new constitution and conducting a national census. These steps, officials argue, are crucial to ensuring a fair and legitimate election. However, critics worry that continued delays may undermine the fragile peace, as many South Sudanese are growing increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of political reform.

The question now is whether this extension will truly allow the country to stabilize and prepare for democratic elections—or if it will only prolong the uncertainty that has gripped South Sudan since its independence¹¹.