North America

In the complex modern world, it has become increasingly difficult to achieve national security objectives. In response to the rising costs of modern warfare, nations have turned to alternative tools to achieve their national security objectives. One of these tools to accomplish these policy aims are economic sanctions. Economic sanctions are, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, “... are economic measures intended to either pressure or punish bad actors—whether individuals, groups, or countries—that violate international norms or threaten national interests.”1 They can include many different measures, including prohibiting trade, stopping financial transactions, or barring economic assistance.2

The sudden dissolution of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in February 2025 eliminated the leading US institution used to administer foreign aid assistance, redirecting approximately $34 billion in annual humanitarian and development funding to try and reduce the national deficit.[1] This action shows the fundamental shifts occurring in US foreign policy priorities due to the current administration; which stops new grants and contracts that helps establish global health, emergency relief, and economic development programs.[2]

Over the last few months, the news has been flooded with reports of intensive restructuring and mass layoffs in the U.S. government, largely at the hands of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). From Social Security and the Department of Veterans Affairs to the Department of Education, many aspects of the public sector are undergoing this controversial reshaping. One area where staffing cuts have made significant headlines is the Department of State.

National Security Implications in the Era of Social Media

Cyber-attacks on critical U.S. infrastructure pose a tremendous threat to the American population and government. For years, the threat has grown in the form of state-sponsored cyber attackers and threats via data mining and malware coming through applications and social media. The current United States infrastructure is not sufficiently prepared or resilient to withstand attacks that can cause damage to critical segments of the medical, financial, power, and governmental sectors. Experts suggest that radical updates to infrastructure and improved security practices are required to prepare adequately for state-sponsored attacks or undermining from near-peer rivals.