Cristina Maza

El Salvador Changes Constitution, Ending Term Limits for Nayib Bukele

Anyone who cares about democracy should be concerned about this one:

El Salvador’s National Assembly voted to end presidential term limits. The move paves the way for President Nayib Bukele, currently in his second term, to run for re-election indefinitely.

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/w...

This comes as the entire European Union, every member of the Arab League, and 17 other countries back a plan that would see the Palestinian Authority take over Gaza after Hamas disarms and gives up governance of the strip.

It's hard to overstate how isolated Washington is on this issue.

State Department sanctions Palestinian leadership organizations amid global statehood push The move comes amid murky messaging from Trump, as a growing number of U.S. allies push to recognize Palestinian statehood.

The State Department yesterday imposed U.S. visa bans on the members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority officials, citing claims that the groups are “continuing to support terrorism” and “undermining the prospects for peace.”

www.politico.com/news/2025/07...

'It felt like a betrayal’: Ukrainians take to the streets to fight for their European future Experts say Washington’s lack of interest in fighting corruption has emboldened the government in Kyiv to abandon democratic reforms.

I delved into the developments in Ukraine over the past weeks, as young people took to the streets to protest a controversial bill that curtailed the independence of two key anti-corruption institutions.

Zelensky will try to pass a new bill tomorrow.

www.nationaljournal.com/s/729192/it-...

'It felt like a betrayal’: Ukrainians take to the streets to fight for their European future Experts say Washington’s lack of interest in fighting corruption has emboldened the government in Kyiv to abandon democratic reforms.

I delved into the developments in Ukraine over the past weeks, as young people took to the streets to protest a controversial bill that curtailed the independence of two key anti-corruption institutions.

Zelensky will try to pass a new bill tomorrow.

www.nationaljournal.com/s/729192/it-...

'It felt like a betrayal’: Ukrainians take to the streets to fight for their European future Experts say Washington’s lack of interest in fighting corruption has emboldened the government in Kyiv to abandon democratic reforms.

Since Trump’s return to power, Washington has renounced its role as the enforcer of democratic norms around the globe. In turn, world leaders have demonstrated decidedly less interest in respecting those long-held standards. Read @cmaza.bsky.social unlocked story:
njour.nl/s/729192?unl...

At least 652 children died from malnutrition in Nigeria in last six months, MSF says At least 652 children died from malnutrition in the Nigerian state of Katsina in the first six months of 2025, Mèdecìns Sans Frontières said on Friday, an outcome it said it was due to funding cuts by international donors.

At least 652 children died from malnutrition in the Nigerian state of Katsina in the first six months of 2025, Doctors without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) said, pointing to funding cuts by international donors.

www.reuters.com/business/hea...

Exiled Iranian prince says 50,000 defectors have contacted him to help topple regime Reza Pahlavi, son of the last shah, is hosting a convention of activists in Munich Saturday to build support for democracy.

Reza Pahlavi told Politico he has a legion of officials inside the country ready to help him oust the current government.

www.politico.eu/article/exil...

A look back at the week that was, and a message from Sweida to the international community.

lazoletters.substack.com/p/a-druze-do...

A look back at the week that was, and a message from Sweida to the international community.

lazoletters.substack.com/p/a-druze-do...

This vaguely reminds me of when medical students in Cambodia would post messages on the Prime Minister's Facebook page, praising him and asking him to help them pass their exams, and then Hun Sen would wave a magic wand and they'd be "doctors."

US lifts sanctions on Myanmar junta allies after general praises Trump The United States on Thursday lifted sanctions designations on several allies of Myanmar's ruling generals, two weeks after the head of the ruling junta praised President Donald Trump and called for an easing of sanctions in a letter responding to a tariff warning.

The United States lifted its sanctions designations on several allies of Myanmar's ruling generals, two weeks after the head of the junta praised Trump and called for the sanctions to be eased.

The Treasury Department did not provide an explanation for the move.

www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

Exclusive: USAID analysis found no evidence of massive Hamas theft of Gaza aid The internal U.S. government analysis challenges the main rationale that Israel and the U.S. give for backing a new armed private aid operation.

USAID found no evidence of systematic theft of U.S.-funded humanitarian supplies by Hamas, according to a presentation seen by Reuters.

The analysis challenges the Israeli and U.S. rationale for backing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

www.reuters.com/world/middle...

For @nationaljournal.com, I spoke to a Druze doctor about her experience hiding from bombs and ethnic violence in the Syrian city of Sweida.

“I don’t feel safe at all. Anyone now can kill you, just because you’re a minority,” she told me.

www.nationaljournal.com/s/729153/i-d...

Editorial: Zelensky just betrayed Ukraine's democracy — and everyone fighting for it Editor’s note: This editorial has been updated to reflect the fact Zelensky signed the bill into law on the evening of July 22, as shown on the Parliament's website. Last week, we warned of a coming ...

Last week, we warned of a coming anti-democratic backslide. Now, we see it happening.

A parliamentary vote, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s lawmakers, today took away the independence of Ukraine’s key anti-corruption bodies. Zelensky signed it into law the same day.

something extra de-realizing when it’s a hot summer evening in your favorite city but then there’s a war and you’re standing with a poster protesting an insane bill, surrounded by ppl of your age, like will there ever be a generation of Ukrainians who don’t have to fucking fight to live normally

Extraordinary scenes in Kyiv and Lviv tonight as young protestors defy martial law to protest against govt destruction of the independence of the country’s anti corruption agencies. First mass protest in Kyiv since martial law. This still from Ukraine Pravda video on X.

The forgotten founder of the EDL Paul Ray lit the fuse • Then disappeared • From Luton to Ukraine

The @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social has a strange but fascinating interview with the founder of the far-right, Islamophobic organization the English Defence League (EDL), who happens to now be in Ukraine.

dispatch-media.com/the-forgotte...

We must work with Libyans to stop Putin weaponizing migrants, top EU official says EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner tells POLITICO he’s ready to negotiate with Khalifa Haftar, who kicked him out of Benghazi earlier this month.

The European Union must remain ready to negotiate with Russia-aligned Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from further weaponizing migration, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner told Politico Europe.

www.politico.eu/article/eu-l...

Cristian Diaconescu: Există o invitație a lui Donald Trump adresată lui Nicușor Dan. Trebuie să concretizăm rapid această bilaterală Se fac pași pentru o întâlnire bilaterală între Nicușor Dan și Donald Trump. Consilierul prezidențial Cristian Diaconescu a vorbit duminică seara, în exclusivitate la Digi24, despre o întâlnire a celo...

Romanian media is reporting that Trump has invited the newly elected President Nicușor Dan to the U.S. for a visit.

www.digi24.ro/stiri/actual...

Trump administration to destroy nearly $10m of contraceptives for women overseas As part of president’s shuttering of USAID, destruction of the contraceptives will cost US taxpayers $167,000

The Trump administration has decided to destroy $9.7 million worth of contraceptives rather than send them abroad to women in need.

The contraceptives were almost certainly intended for women in Africa. The move will cost U.S. taxpayers $167,000.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Like every Sunday, my newsletter is here for you to read. lazoletters.substack.com/p/i-hope-you...

I am two episodes into the new Lena Dunham show and it is….painfully bad.

Ukraine offers its front line as test bed for foreign weapons Ukraine will let foreign arms companies test out their latest weapons on the front line of its war against Russia's invasion, Kyiv's state-backed arms investment and procurement group Brave1 said on Thursday.

Interesting: Ukraine will let foreign arms companies test new weapons on the front lines of the war against Russia’s invasion.

www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Prominent Human Rights Group Flees El Salvador

This is a massive blow for El Salvador.

The prominent human rights group Cristosal has closed its offices in El Salvador, and its two dozen employees have departed for neighboring countries, amid threats and harassment by the police.

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/w...

Has Trump finally realized Russia doesn’t want to end the war in Ukraine? The White House is threatening tariffs on Moscow and new weapons for Kyiv. But it’s Europe, not Washington, that’s paying the bill.

I've become absolutely dreadful at social media lately. I can barely bring myself to post anything.

But this week for @nationaljournal.com, I dug into Trump's new plans to support Ukraine and what they really say about Washington's approach to the war.

www.nationaljournal.com/s/729081/tru...

Has Trump finally realized Russia doesn’t want to end the war in Ukraine? The White House is threatening tariffs on Moscow and new weapons for Kyiv. But it’s Europe, not Washington, that’s paying the bill.

It's taken a whlie but Donald Trump appears - maybe - to be turning the corner on Vladimir Putin. Read @cmaza.bsky.social's unlocked piece on what steps Trump is taking against Moscow and why some Ukraine advocates don't think it's enough:
njour.nl/s/729081?unl...

African Nation Says It Will Repatriate Migrants Deported by U.S.

Eswatini announced that it would repatriate the five migrants who had been deported to the country by the United States.

The Homeland Security Department's assistant secretary previously said that the migrants’ home countries had refused to accept them.

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/w...

A group of 21 Democratic Attorneys General called on Congress to pass legislation prohibiting federal immigration agents from wearing masks or plainclothes during enforcement operations.

www.michigan.gov/ag/-/media/P...

“األب الصالح خير من مائة معلم” –A good father is worth a hundred teachers. I'm psyched to share this one.

Every week, I troll through all the foreign affairs news to find the most important stories and the ones that get overlooked.

lazoletters.substack.com/p/a-good-fat...