Brief: AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt
Siegmund gains 43.8% of the votes
The results constitute a decisive victory for the AfD; the party's leader in the region, Urlich Siegmund, called it "sensational" and claimed a mandate to govern. Forming a government is unlikely, however, due to the Brandmauer: a "firewall against the far right" by mainstream parties, and AfD leaders have already rejected a coalition with Die Linke. This is part of a broader surge of support for the far-right party, being the biggest party in Germany, polling at ~30%.
The party's programme in Saxony contained anti-migration politics, with a promise of "deportation from minute one!", increased use of detention pending deportation, cutting funding for integration programs, institute mandatory work for asylum-seekers, and bar youth without residential permits from attending regular schools. It also contains postulates surrounding warming relations with Russia by ending sanctions.
US officials' trip to Moscow and Kyiv
Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff and Special Envoy to Peace, Jared Kushner, visited Russia between September 5th and 6th, during which they had a 3 hour conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, immediately after travelling to Ukraine. Despite a three-day ceasefire during the three days of visits, Russia has conducted bombardments of public infrastructure - including the airport to which American diplomats were supposed to arrive- forcing them to travel from Poland by train.
The conversation topic in the Kremlin consisted of discussing friction points hindering a peace deal - the Donbas region. An amended version of the 20-point peace plan first presented in 2025 was also presented, following meetings with Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Florida. Moscow's aides have also noted possible trade and diplomatic agreements as incentives for a compromise.
In Kyiv, talks surrounding the implementation of security guarantees analogous to NATO's Article 5. President Zelensky has indicated a willingness to compromise on Ukraine's bid to join the alliance contingent on comprehensive protections from future aggression. It also contained, however, discussion about the possibility of granting Ukraine the license to produce Patriot system missiles, something POTUS is currently sceptical of.
Houthis sieze Mocha
Pro-government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, have withdrawn from the port city of Mocha and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, with rebel troops reportedly moving onto the island. The escalation began a week ago, when the Houthi rebels began an offensive into the southwest of the country, an essential region for global politics, considering the party in control is able to limit maritime trade through the strait. The Iran-backed rebel group, however, stated that although they pose no danger to international shipping, Saudi Arabian vessels will be targeted, considering the country's reliance on the route after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Putin and Xi in Dehli
Leaders from BRICS members have gathered, hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The block goaled with minimising Western influence, however, has faced obstacles in forming a common policy. The host has named the bloc "not against anyone", despite pressure from China and Moscow, due to a desire to maintain relations with the United States. The United Arab Emirates also isn't willing to issue a joint statement against Washington, considering extensive military cooperation regarding the War with Iran, another BRICS member.
The joint declaration condemned "attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities" and urged "maximum restraint" in the Middle East, without naming any specific actor named. Statements surrounding the war in Gaza have closely mirrored ideas in the New York Declaration: reiterating support for the two-state solution and opposing actions that "legitimise or prolong occupation" and forced displacements of Palestinians. Breaking the cycle from previous BRICS statements, there was no mention of the war in Ukraine.