Why US Strikes on Iran Sent a Message to ChinaThe short-lived war between Israel and Iran has highlighted Iran’s partnerships with other U.S. adversaries, mainly Russia and communist China. Though no formal alliance exists between Iran, China, Russia, and other aligned states, their political and economic relationships are often seen as a de facto coalition opposed to the U.S.-led West.

Cai Shenkun, an overseas Chinese independent commentator, told The Epoch Times that the decision by President Donald Trump to launch a surgical strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities was not just to set back its nuclear program, but also to send a message to other governments with anti-U.S. leanings.

In previous months, Trump had earned a reputation as a businessman unwilling to involve the United States in military conflict, Cai said. “But now it’s clear that these dictators can’t predict his moves, so they’re genuinely afraid of him,” he said. “Trump acts decisively—if he says he’ll strike, he won’t hesitate.” (More)

Fed Moves to Ease Key Bank Capital Rule to Boost Treasury Market StabilityThe Federal Reserve has advanced a long-awaited proposal to loosen a post-2008 capital requirement for the nation’s largest banks, aiming to reduce pressure that discourages them from holding low-risk assets like U.S. Treasurys. Fed officials say the move is intended to boost liquidity and prevent dysfunction in critical markets during periods of stress.

Approved by a 5–2 vote on June 25, the draft rule would recalibrate the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio by replacing fixed buffers with risk-based ones, reducing capital requirements for the nation’s biggest banks by an estimated 1.4 percent.

Supporters say the change is a “sensible fix” that restores the rule’s original intent and helps prevent Treasury market dysfunction. But dissenting Fed governors warn the cuts go too far, raising the risk of future bank failures and taxpayer exposure.

The proposal is now open for public comment and may signal broader shifts in how regulators balance financial safety with market efficiency.

Click to read how this regulatory shift could reshape big-bank behavior—and why not everyone is convinced it’s a good idea.

Trump Admin Sues 15 Federal Judges Over Block on DeportationsThe Trump administration is suing all 15 federal judges from the District of Maryland, alleging that the district issued an illegal order automatically blocking deportations for individuals who file lawsuits before the court.

“Every unlawful order entered by the district courts robs the executive branch of its most scarce resource: time to put its policies into effect,” the June 24 complaint by the Justice Department states. “In the process, such orders diminish the votes of the citizens who elected the head of the executive branch.”

The District of Maryland has multiple locations with judges who have issued injunctions against the administration’s immigration enforcement. It was the venue, for example, for the high-profile lawsuit challenging Kilmar Abrego-Garcia’s deportation under the Alien Enemies Act. The lawsuit comes after months of clashes between the judicial and executive branches, particularly over the Alien Enemies Act and how far judges could go in blocking the president’s policies. (More)