Roger Wicker back in the mix as talks and US policy swirl; longtime Mississippi senator (since 2007), Republican, former Air Force officer. #Politics
As of March 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Defense has requested over $200 billion from the White House to fund the ongoing war against Iran, which began on February 28. The request, the largest since Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, faces skepticism in Congress, with many lawmakers questioning the war's cost, strategy, and political support. President Trump has not formally submitted the request.
The Pentagon has announced a plan to pull about 5,000 US troops from Germany over the next six to twelve months as tensions over the Iran war intensify with European partners. NATO says it is studying the details of the move, while German officials say Europe must bolster its own defence capacity.
Universities UK-led polling shows VCs warn of staff redundancies and reduced outreach as funding pressures bite. Higher education leaders say government funding must better reflect the sector’s value, while student support could be at risk as hardship grants are reconsidered.
The United States and Iran have described a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and dispose of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Negotiations are unfolding in stages, with a 60-day window for finalizing remaining nuclear terms, while broader issues are staged for later rounds.
Trump has granted a full, unconditional pardon to Stephen Buyer, a former Indiana congressman and Gulf War veteran, who served 22 months in prison for insider trading in 2023. The pardon dates to June 4 and is being released amid ongoing Republican-led rhetoric on corruption and a broader wave of clemency. Buyer maintains innocence and says the decision corrects a politically motivated prosecution; several Republican figures have supported the pardon.