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Intelligence for the New World Economy

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Intelligence for the New World Economy
Semafor World Economy
Adrian Elimian

Adrian Elimian

DC Newsroom Fellow

Email Adrian@adrianelimian

Lawmakers warn Trump over possible Mali strikes

Senators said the administration hasn’t consulted them about the potential operation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Cornyn threatens to sink Trump nominees over PEPFAR

The Texas Republican told Semafor he would not support action on two ambassadorial picks without movement on the AIDS-fighting program for Africa.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas
Kylie Cooper/Reuters

Nigeria faces a US aid freeze despite improving White House ties

The US House approved tougher conditions on assistance over anti-Christian violence, even as Trump’s top Africa diplomat praised his first visit to Abuja.
A view of the dome of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, DC, US.
Kent Nishimura/Reuters

Lindsey Graham left a mark on foreign aid

Graham’s death robbed foreign aid advocates of one of their most effective Republican champions in Washington.
Lindsey Graham’s desk
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Trump’s resource diplomacy comes to Libya

Critics say Washington’s proposed power-sharing deal would trade elections for stability while opening the door to US oil companies.
US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Fares Boulos attends the Third International Sudan Conference at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin, Germany, April 15, 2026.
Liesa Johannssen/Reuters

US lacks scores of ambassadors in Africa

Some 41 African countries currently lack a confirmed envoy, including Nigeria, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, and Sudan.
Massad Boulos
Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

Republican committee chair criticizes Zimbabwe leader’s power grab

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is already facing pressure in Washington.

Democrats push Trump to coordinate with WHO on Ebola

A new bill would direct the president to rejoin the organization within 30 days.

Maryland primary showcases candidates with African roots

Three candidates with Africa ties are running in a crowded primary for the state’s 5th Congressional District.

Trump administration to end PEPFAR funding for South Africa

The State Department is expected to formally notify Pretoria it is cutting off HIV/AIDS assistance as soon as next week.

Republicans and Democrats unite: Trump’s Iran nuclear deal needs a vote in Congress

The only point of disagreement: whether the administration would heed the law that requires Hill review.

Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya draws criticism

The US quarantine unit could deter American volunteers, a public health expert warns.

Momentum builds in Washington around Sudan sanctions

US lawmakers look to penalize warring factions as three-year conflict drags on.

US block of World Cup referee from Somalia prompts scrutiny

Omar Abdulkadir Artan “was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns,” the Trump administration said.

US slashes visa processing hubs across Africa

The cutbacks will require citizens of countries without a hub to travel to an approved site to apply.

Ebola crisis could become worst on record

The global community is ‘on our back foot already,’ a former Biden official said of the virus response.

Ebola outbreak prompts scrutiny of Trump cuts

Congressional Democrats and health experts say slashing USAID hampered the virus response

Senators propose overhaul of US-Tanzania relationship

A new bipartisan bill would impose sanctions and freeze assistance in response to the country’s political crisis.