Politics & World Affairs — August 23, 2026

Kazakhstan holds snap election. Kazakhs voted Sunday in a snap parliamentary election expected to strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's control over the energy-rich Central Asian nation; authorities barred opposition parties.

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Nancy Kassebaum Baker dies at 94. The former Kansas Republican senator co-authored the 1996 health insurance law with Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy and broke barriers for women in Congress.

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Iran warns against joining U.S. sanctions. Iran said it will treat nations joining the U.S. 'economic war' as enemies, escalating rhetoric ahead of a new U.S. sanctions package.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the proposed economic measures would likely eliminate the need for major U.S. military operations, framing sanctions as an alternative to armed action. Tehran, for its part, criticized what it called American 'extraterritorial sovereignty,' according to CNBC. While the warning sharpens tensions between the two governments, it has not yet altered the practical state of play as the sanctions package awaits rollout.

CNBC · Read more →