Politics & Governance

📍 Iran

Around 25-26 September 2026, Iran's foreign minister said Tehran sent Washington, via Qatar, a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for steps such as a pause in hostilities, lifting the US naval blockade and releasing frozen assets. President Trump was reported to have rejected it, while Iran said it still awaited a formal US response.

📍 Iraq

Baghdad announced on 28 September 2026 that all US combat and logistical forces had left Iraq, under a 2024 agreement and a timeline President Trump said in July would end by 30 September. Questions remain over disarming and integrating Iran-linked armed groups, which has been postponed to June 2027.

📍 Gaza Strip, Palestine

On 7 September 2026 the Board of Peace's High Representative for Gaza said two more countries were expected to join the International Stabilisation Force, with deployment described as on track. Israel's cabinet had approved the force's entry in late July; its tasks include training a Palestinian police force and supporting weapons decommissioning.

📍 Gaza Strip, Palestine

The Gaza Health Ministry reported on 16 July 2026 that over 1,100 Palestinians had been killed since the ceasefire took effect, as Israeli strikes continued. On 7 September the Board of Peace's Gaza representative warned the truce could reach a 'point of no return' if fighting resumed.

📍 Ukraine

On 12-13 September 2026 Ukraine's presidential chief of staff said Kyiv was preparing for talks in October, and the Kremlin said it did not rule out three-way talks. The last trilateral round was held in Geneva in February, and territory in the Donbas remains a central sticking point.

António Guterres delivers his final address to the UN General Assembly in September 2026 and his term ends on 31 December. Seven candidates remain, the Security Council is holding straw polls, and several members have advocated for the first woman Secretary-General.

📍 New York City, New York, United States

At the 81st UN General Assembly in September 2026, the UN said the US denial of visas to Palestinian officials for a second year violated the Host Country Agreement, and President Abbas addressed the Assembly by video. The Assembly voted 152-3 to allow virtual participation.

At the UN General Assembly in late September 2026, Secretary-General Guterres urged stronger regulatory frameworks for AI, and European leaders stressed accountability and transparency in global AI governance.

📍 United States

On 23 July 2026 reports said the administration would replace expiring 10% Section 122 tariffs with duties under Section 301 after a Supreme Court ruling blocked broad tariffs under IEEPA. Two investigations cover 60 countries over forced labor and 16 over overproduction; the US Trade Representative cited a $1.2 trillion trade deficit.

📍 United States

On 30 July 2026 a 2-1 Ninth Circuit ruling held that long-term interior residents cannot face automatic detention without the chance of a bond hearing, rejecting a 2025 administration policy. Four appeals courts have sided against the policy and two for it, making Supreme Court review more likely.