Trending Theme: US Suspends Compliance with INF Treaty

The United States and Russia could be on the brink of a renewed arms race with Europe at the center of the battleground. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has accused Russia of violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a landmark Cold War era unclear arms control deal. Citing noncompliance from Russia, the US plans to formally withdraw from the treaty in six months. Should the US withdraw from the treaty, both countries would be free to place intermediate-range, nuclear-capable, ground-launched missile systems on European soil.

Trending Theme: EU Loophole for US Sanctions on Iran

The European Union (EU) has announced the creation of a payment mechanism that will allow trade for continued trade with Iran, despite disapproval from the United States (US). President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May of 2018 which allowed the US to apply economic pressure on Iran. In contrast to President Trump's move, the EU is establishing the Instrument In Support Of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX), which will allow trade between the EU and Iran without relying on direct financial transactions.