Weekly Updates on International Politics: Civitas One Magazine
- Civitas One Team
- Sep 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 11
Vol. 1, Issue 7 — Week of September 7, 2025
I. U.S. President Proposes Nationwide Voter ID Executive Order
On August 31, President Trump announced his intention to issue an executive order mandating that voter identification be required for every ballot, with no exceptions. He also proposed abolishing widespread mail-in voting, allowing it only for the seriously ill and active-duty military personnel stationed far from home. The President expressed his preference for paper ballots, positioning the move as a strategy to strengthen "election integrity." This announcement follows Trump’s long-running and unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, including allegations involving mail-in ballots and noncitizen voting.
Such an executive action would likely face serious constitutional challenges. Election administration is typically managed by states, and constitutional authority over federal elections lies with Congress, not the President. A federal court previously invalidated a similar Trump order requiring proof of citizenship to vote, citing federal overreach.
Voting rights and civil liberties groups warn that these proposed restrictions could disenfranchise millions, especially among low-income, elderly, minority, and disabled populations—groups statistically less likely to possess government-issued ID. Studies show upward of 11% of eligible voters lack qualifying ID.
Meanwhile, Republican calls to dismantle mail-in voting appear increasingly detached from logistical realities: under laws like the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, millions of service members and overseas citizens rely on absentee ballots. Critics argue eliminating mail-in voting altogether could undermine accessible voting, without providing evidence of increased fraud.
Implications:
Stricter ID rules may disproportionately affect low-income, rural, and minority voters.
The move could trigger significant legal challenges over potential federal overreach.
Intensifies partisan divisions ahead of the 2026 midterms.
II. Devastating Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan
A crescendo of aftershocks has intensified the suffering in eastern Afghanistan following the initial magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck on August 31 in Kunar Province, near Jalalabad. One significant tremor, a 5.2 magnitude aftershock on September 2, further damaged structures and triggered deadly landslides. Analysts attribute the high death toll and destruction to vulnerable building practices, since homes are often constructed with sun-dried mud or cement-mortar bricks supported by thick, heavy roofs that are prone to collapse during seismic activity.
In some villages, up to 98 percent of buildings were destroyed, and thousands remain trapped under rubble. The geographic isolation, combined with blocked roads and difficult weather conditions, has slowed rescue and relief operations. The United Nations estimates that more than half a million people are directly affected, many of them children, while humanitarian agencies warn that financial shortfalls are limiting both the scale and speed of the response.
Implications:
A worsening humanitarian crisis may force renewed international engagement despite Taliban isolation.
Aid delays highlight fragile infrastructure and weak disaster response systems.
Recovery challenges risk accelerating displacement across the region.
III. SCO Summit in Tianjin Reinforces Multipolar Architecture
From August 31 to September 1, the largest-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit convened in Tianjin, with over 20 heads of state in attendance, including Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; highlighting the SCO’s growing global reach. Xi used the forum to promote a “Global Governance Initiative,” aimed at enhancing sovereign equality, multilateral cooperation, and people-centered policymaking. He also urged members to resist Western "hegemony and power politics," casting the SCO as a key advocate for a more equitable multipolar world. Discussions intensified around military and counter-terrorism coordination, as well as expanded security cooperation, particularly between China and Turkey.
Significantly, Xi announced the expedited creation of a SCO Development Bank, signaling a shift toward building independent financial mechanisms. In support of this initiative, China offered 2 billion yuan in grants and 10 billion yuan in loans through the SCO Interbank Consortium. Additional cooperative proposals included establishing an AI cooperation center, energy platforms, and collaborative opportunities involving China’s lunar research station and BeiDou satellite system.
Implications:
Highlights the ongoing shift toward multipolar world order dynamics.
Non-Western financing mechanisms may challenge IMF and World Bank influence.
Aligning Russia, China, and India under shared objectives risks deepening global bloc competition.
IV. Norway Orders British Frigates to Boost NATO Maritime Defense
On August 31, Norway finalized a £10 billion (USD 13.5 billion) defense agreement with the United Kingdom for the procurement of at least five Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates, marking the largest naval investment in Norway’s history. The decision followed a competitive bidding process against France, Germany, and the United States, with Norway citing the UK’s advanced anti-submarine capabilities, interoperability within NATO, and long-term industrial cooperation as decisive factors. The ships will be constructed at BAE Systems’ Glasgow shipyards and are expected to begin entering service by 2030, forming a combined British-Norwegian fleet of 13 Type 26 frigates designed to enhance NATO’s northern maritime security. The agreement is also significant for its economic impact, securing an estimated 4,000 UK jobs, including 2,000 positions in Scotland, while integrating Norwegian firms into the broader supply chain.
On September 4, leaders from both nations convened in Stavanger, Norway, for an official signing ceremony, underscoring their shared commitment to strengthening NATO’s northern defenses amid increasing Russian naval activity in the Arctic and North Atlantic. The ceremony highlighted deepening cross-Atlantic defense cooperation, with officials from both governments emphasizing that the deal represents a long-term strategic partnership, not just a procurement contract.
Since the agreement, Scotland’s role as a shipbuilding hub has expanded considerably, as the UK has entered advanced discussions with Denmark and Sweden over potential contracts for additional Type 31 frigates. These negotiations could further solidify Scotland’s position as a leading center for NATO-aligned naval production, boosting regional economies and expanding the capacity for joint maritime operations. Defense analysts note that the Type 26 design offers cutting-edge sonar systems, advanced propulsion technologies, and improved stealth capabilities, enabling closer integration between allied fleets operating across the Arctic and North Atlantic.
Implications:
Strengthens NATO’s Arctic readiness and maritime deterrence capabilities.
Demonstrates Europe’s increasing defense industrial integration post-Ukraine.
Signals growing concern over Russia’s northern military expansion.
V. Global Markets Jitter as Fed Signals Remain Mixed
Markets experienced heightened volatility after mixed signals from the Federal Reserve on future interest rate cuts. Initial optimism from dovish remarks by Chair Jerome Powell, suggesting a possible easing of rates, was tempered by caution from other FOMC members citing persistent inflation and strong GDP growth. These conflicting messages caused fluctuations across equities, bond yields, and currencies.
Political pressures have added uncertainty. President Trump’s efforts to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook raised concerns about the central bank’s independence and its ability to make decisions based solely on economic data. This has intensified investor caution and contributed to swings in market sentiment.
Despite broader market volatility, tech stocks, particularly those focused on AI, provided some stability. Companies like Broadcom saw notable gains following positive earnings and AI developments, helping offset declines in other sectors. Treasury yields also fell, with the 2-year note at 3.506% and the 10-year at 4.085%, reflecting growing concerns about economic momentum ahead of the Fed’s September meeting.
Implications:
Uncertainty over Fed policy continues to drive global market instability.
Heightened political influence risks undermining investor confidence.
Tech sector resilience may offset wider equity weaknesses in the short term.
Thematic Summary
Theme | Key Development |
U.S. Electoral Policy | Voter ID executive order reignites controversy over voting rights |
Humanitarian Emergency | Afghanistan faces one of its worst natural disasters in decades |
Global Power Realignment | SCO moves accelerate multipolar governance and infrastructure innovation |
Trade Policy Uncertainty | U.S. navigates trade deals amid legal ambiguity over tariff authority |
Atlantic Defense Strategy | UK–Norway naval deal fortifies NATO’s deterrent architecture |
Sources:
U.S. Voter ID Executive Order
Reuters. 2025. “Trump Says He Will Order Voter ID Requirement for Every Vote.” Reuters, August 31, 2025. Link
The Guardian. 2025. “Trump Plans Unconstitutional Executive Order to Mandate ID for Voters.” The Guardian, August 31, 2025. Link
PBS Newshour. 2025. “Does Trump Have the Power to End Mail-in Voting? Legal Scholar Weighs In.” PBS NewsHour, August 2025 (referenced in analysis).
Afghanistan Earthquake
SCO Summit
Norway & UK Frigate Deal
Market Volatility
Reuters. 2025. “Global Markets Tread Water as Fed Tone Swings.” Reuters, August 25, 2025. Link
Reuters. 2025. “Wall Street Ends Slightly Higher on Tech Earnings, Fed Outlook.” Reuters, August 25, 2025. Link
