The Bulletin

• Is X down? Social media site X, formerly Twitter, is currently not functioning. A wave of reports to the social media tracker site DownDetector shows that problems were filed at 6 AM EDT. Know more.

• Russia showcases 'axis of evil' ties: Russia has continued to showcase its deepening relations with U.S. adversaries China and Iran, dubbed the "Axis of Evil," despite improving ties with Washington, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

• UFC training FBI agents: Following reports that Kash Patel has floated the idea of teaming up with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to train FBI agents in martial arts, UFC president and CEO Dana White said on Saturday that the FBI director is "dead serious" about it.

• China issues warning to US-backed rival: Beijing has warned Taiwan that arms purchases will not stop eventual unification with China, saying "independence forces" on the island are only tightening "the noose around their necks." Learn more.

• Ukraine faces F-16 dilemma: The U.S.'s pullback on military and intelligence flowing to Ukraine includes essential support for radar jammers on Kyiv's small fleet of F-16 fighter jets, according to a new report, raising questions about how Ukraine can leverage its European-provided equipment to bridge the gap left by the U.S.'s backing.

• Graham's warning over abandoning Ukraine: Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, on Sunday issued a warning about abandoning Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia, stating that it would be "worse than Afghanistan." Find out here.

The rundown: Canada's Liberal Party has selected banking executive Mark Carney as its new leader, who will take over from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and handle trade and tariff talks with President Trump at least until Canada's next general election later this year. Here's what he said about Trump.

Why it matters: Carney is an economist who has served as the governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013 and the governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020. He won the party leadership on March 9 in a clear victory with 131,674 votes from party members, with 85.9 percent of the vote. During his victory speech, Carney took aim at both Trump and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, accusing both of seeking to undermine the nation's economy in order to achieve their goals. Carney defied them both to try. He said Trump is "attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses, and we cannot let him succeed, and we won't."

Read more in-depth coverage:
Canada 'Will Never' Be Part of America, Says Mark Carney

TL/DR: Carney has repeatedly posted on X, formerly Twitter, about Trump, and spoken about his intent for how to handle the president once he secured the election.

What happens now? Carney will take over from Trudeau this week and begin handling talks with Trump and the U.S. as well as other international allies.

Deeper reading Mark Carney Will Be Canada's New Leader: What He's Said About Donald Trump

The rundown: President Donald Trump is currently floating the idea of selling wealthy foreigners a "gold card" that would allow them, for the staggering price of $5 million, to live and work permanently in the United States and would offer them a new pathway to citizenship. Find out its impact on the housing market.

Why it matters: For some, "gold cards" could be a disaster for the U.S. housing market, exacerbating inequality and driving up inflation. For others, it could inject much-needed funds in the U.S. economy that could be reinvested into making housing more affordable for Americans. Brandon Daniels, CEO of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered supply chain management technology platform Exiger, said that because golden visa transactions represent such a small fraction of overall activity in the European countries that have implemented such initiatives, Daniels thinks their impact on the U.S. housing market would be negligible. The key is "using the inflow of funds to support community‑beneficial projects, rather than fueling excessive market speculation."

Read more in-depth coverage:
EB-5: Investors Defend Visa That Trump 'Gold Card' Would Replace

TL/DR: Speaking during a joint session of Congress on March 4, Trump said the "gold card" program would "allow the most successful job-creating people from all over the world to buy a path to U.S. citizenship."

What happens now? Daniels thinks that "gold cards" could help improve long‑term affordability in the U.S. housing market "when paired with stringent vetting and targeted policies that channel speculative capital into infrastructure, affordable housing, and innovation."

Deeper reading What Trump's Gold Visa Could Mean for US Housing Market

The rundown: Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian who recently completed his graduate studies at Columbia University and played a leading role in campus protests last year, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Saturday evening, the Associated Press reported. Here's what to know.

Why it matters: At around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, plainclothes officers reportedly approached Khalil and his wife, who is eight months pregnant and a U.S. citizen, at their residence in a university-owned building. The agents reportedly claimed the State Department had revoked his student visa, which they cited as the reason for his detention. Khalil is a green card holder and a lawful permanent resident, his lawyer Amy Greer, told the officers, per the AP. The officers responded that the State Department was revoking that as well. Khalil is being held in ICE custody, with some reports saying he is at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility in New Jersey, although his location is not confirmed.

Read more in-depth coverage:
ICE Arrests Father Outside Child's School

TL/DR: President Trump has called out Columbia University over last year's student activism which saw pro-Palestinian students clashing with pro-Israel students over the war in Gaza.

What happens now? Further developments in Khalil's case are expected soon. It is unknown if similar arrests will take place across campuses soon. In certain cases, the DHS can initiate deportation proceedings against green card holders for alleged criminal activity, which includes support of a terror group, according to the AP.

Deeper reading Who Is Mahmoud Khalil? Columbia University Grad Detained by ICE

The rundown: Iran never got a letter that U.S. President Donald Trump said he had sent proposing negotiations, according to Iranian officials.

Why it matters: Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei addressed the issue during his weekly press conference on Monday, stating, "We did not receive a letter." Since returning to office, Trump has reimposed his "maximum pressure" campaign, seeking to bring Tehran into renegotiating the terms of its nuclear program. Last week, Trump said he had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging Iran to reopen negotiations. The latest developments take place against the backdrop of ongoing tensions following President Trump's 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, officially know as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Iran Takes Lessons from Trump's Fight with Zelensky

TL/DR: His administration has tightened economic sanctions, aiming to cripple Iran's economy and push its leaders to the negotiating table.

What happens now? As the U.S. maintains its pressure campaign, the potential for further conflict increases. Tehran's willingness to engage in talks will likely depend on the lifting of sanctions or a shift in the conditions set for dialogue, both of which could influence the trajectory of U.S.-Iran relations.

Deeper reading Iran Says It Never Got Trump Letter

The rundown: The Monroe Doctrine, introduced in 1823, warned European powers against interference in the Americas, and its modern evolution now faces a challenge from China's growing influence in the region. Learn more.

Why it matters: In December 1823, President Monroe introduced the Monroe Doctrine, warning European powers against further interference in the Americas. Over time, this doctrine evolved, shaping U.S. foreign policy. Today, concerns are rising about China's growing influence in the Caribbean and Latin America, particularly through trade, infrastructure investments and the Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese projects, such as port developments in the Caribbean, are seen as attempts to challenge U.S. dominance in the region.

Read more in-depth coverage:
Map Shows Chinese Navy Encircling US Ally in New Show of Force

TL/DR: After a string of former Spanish colonies in the Americas declared their independence, Monroe said the United States would oppose further predation in the region from the European empires to preserve the newly emancipated states.

What happens now? Experts warn that Beijing’s economic, military and diplomatic presence could undermine U.S. influence, especially after recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid. China is also leveraging the migration crisis in Latin America to weaken the U.S. In response, the U.S. may need to offer alternative investments and partnerships to counter China's strategic positioning.

Deeper reading US Warned of Caribbean Becoming 'Chinese Lake'