US pressure puts Takaichi’s economic agenda in the crosshairs

Subscribe now with a one-month trial for only $1, then enjoy the first year at an exclusive rate of just $99. Bessent gives orders to Japan’s Katayama and UedaScott Foster reports that US pressure on Japan to strengthen the yen and raise rates is colliding with Sanae Takaichi’s fiscal and industrial agenda, threatening investment plans in defense, AI and strategic technologies as inflation and debt-service costs rise. Germany’s Russia confrontation comes home in Saxony-AnhaltDiego Faßnacht reports that Saxony-Anhalt’s election could become a historic test of Germany’s political order, as the AfD nears power while Berlin reframes pro-Russia positions as a domestic security risk after the Leipzig drone incident. Bishkek summit shows Russia is far from isolated in AsiaJames Davis reports that the SCO summit in Bishkek demonstrated Russia’s continuing role in greater Asia, with China, India and Turkey engaging Moscow despite Western pressure. At the same time, the Ukraine war and Germany-Russia confrontation are entering a more dangerous phase.