Factal - Factal Blog: News about global security, disaster response and crisis collaboration

Factal podcast: Trump deploys National Guard to DC in move critics call authoritarian power grab

Factal August 14, 2025

The image displays the United States Capitol building, prominently featuring its distinct white dome against a dark, overcast sky. The dome is adorned with an intricate architectural design and topped with a statue. Below the dome, a visible row of columns supports the structure, and a U.S. flag is positioned prominently in front. The facade of the building exhibits classical elements with numerous windows and decorative details. The sky in the background is a deep gray, suggesting ominous weather conditions.

Editors Jimmy Lovaas and Joe Veyera discuss U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial move to temporarily take over Washington, D.C., police and deploy the National Guard,…

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Forecast: Trump deploys National Guard to DC, elections in Nigeria and Bolivia, and possible peace deal between DR Congo and M23

Factal August 14, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured above in 2018, will meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Welcome to Factal Forecast, a look at the week’s biggest stories from the editors at Factal. We publish our forward-looking note each Thursday to help…

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Forecast: Netanyahu pushes for Gaza occupation, Trump wants a deal to end war in Ukraine, and Armenia and the U.S. hold military drills

Factal August 7, 2025

The image shows two men formally dressed and seated on wooden chairs with plush cushions. They are positioned on either side of a small round table that holds a floral arrangement and some papers. Behind them, the background reveals a few standing flags with red, white, and blue colors. The floor is adorned with a red patterned rug, and the setting appears to be indoors with wooden doors and ornate molding visible. Both men seem to be engaged in a serious conversation, with one gesturing slightly with his hands.

Welcome to Factal Forecast, a look at the week’s biggest stories from the editors at Factal. We publish our forward-looking note each Thursday to help you get a jump-start on…

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Forecast podcast: Netanyahu pushes for Gaza occupation despite rising humanitarian concerns

Factal August 7, 2025

The image depicts a scene of destruction, with several people walking along a dirt road flanked by debris and ruined buildings. In the foreground, a group of individuals, including a person in a red shirt, walk towards the background. The path is surrounded by rubble, with remnants of structures on both sides. Two tall, partially-collapsed buildings stand prominently to the left and right, with their upper sections leaning at precarious angles. In the distance, more damaged buildings are visible, highlighting extensive structural damage. The sky is clear, providing stark contrast to the scene of devastation below.

Editors Jimmy Lovaas and Ahmed Namatalla discuss Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported plan to re-occupy the Gaza Strip, plus more on Trump wanting a…

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The Debrief: ‘Ruto must go’

Factal August 1, 2025

The image depicts a crowd of people standing closely together on what appears to be the side of a street. Many individuals in the crowd are wearing casual clothing, and some are dressed in bright colors, like red and yellow. A number of people are holding up mobile phones, possibly recording or photographing something off-frame. One individual is prominently holding a Kenyan flag. The setting seems to be outdoors with blurred trees and a pole in the background. The lighting suggests it might be a sunny day. In the foreground, the blurred rear lights of a vehicle are visible, glowing red.

Calls for the resignation of Kenya’s President William Ruto ring at anti-government protests, as deaths and “disappearances” mount. The presidency of Kenya’s William S. Ruto…

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Forecast podcast: Angola protest death toll climbs as anger over fuel price hike continues

Factal July 31, 2025

The image shows a flag blowing gently in the wind against a clear blue sky. The flag features a prominent design with a red upper half and a black lower half, divided diagonally. In the center of the red section, there is a bright yellow emblem incorporating a motif of a cogwheel and a machete, symbolizing industrial and agricultural labor. Several flagpoles are visible, with one main pole supporting the flag and others partially obscured. The background includes some bare tree branches.

Editors Jimmy Lovaas and Owen Bonertz discuss the deadly fuel price protests in Angola, plus more on a tariff deadline in the U.S., DHS ending…

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Forecast: Trump reciprocal tariffs go into effect, DHS ends protections for Cameroon and Nepal, and Bolivia marks independence day

Factal July 31, 2025

The image shows a large group of people gathered outdoors, many wearing hard hats, which appear to be miners' helmets. The crowd is dense and fills the frame, with individuals dressed in various colors, including red, green, and brown. Some people are holding flags, and there is a prominent white sign in the center with bold blue text held by a person wearing a hat and a jacket. The atmosphere suggests a public demonstration or rally.

Welcome to Factal Forecast, a look at the week’s biggest stories from the editors at Factal. We publish our forward-looking note each Thursday to help you get a jump-start on…

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Forecast: New round of Russia-Ukraine talks begin, pause on Trump’s birthright citizenship order ends, and NOAA discontinues data satellite program

Factal July 24, 2025

The image depicts a group of people holding a protest outside a large governmental building, which is partly covered with scaffolding. The protesters hold a large banner spanning the width of the group, reading "HANDS OFF! BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP!" in bold letters. The building has a classical architectural style with pillars and a triangular pediment. Another protester holds a sign with a colorful "NO!" and additional text underneath. The atmosphere is bright, and the scene appears to be taking place outdoors in a paved area.

Welcome to Factal Forecast, a look at the week’s biggest stories from the editors at Factal. We publish our forward-looking note each Thursday to help you get a jump-start on…

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Forecast podcast: New round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks begin as war drags on

Factal July 24, 2025

The image depicts a large conference room with a long rectangular table in a U-shape formation. The table is filled with numerous individuals, some in business attire and a few in military uniform, engaged in a formal meeting. In the center of the room, at the head of the table, are two flags representing Turkey and Russia, and two more representing Ukraine, placed behind a panel of speakers. In front of the flags, a display of fresh flowers decorates the center of the table. Cameras and media personnel are in the foreground, capturing the event. The backdrop is a solid blue panel with the word "ISTANBUL" and the dates "2 JUNE 2025" and "2 HAZIRAN 2025" are prominently displayed above the flags.

Editors Jimmy Lovaas and Alex Moore discuss the latest developments on the war in Ukraine, plus more on labor strikes at airports in Portugal, parliamentary…

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Forecast: Israel bombs Damascus amid deadly violence in Syria, Japan holds upper house election, and World Court issues climate change opinion

Factal July 18, 2025

The image shows a man standing behind a lectern, delivering a speech. He is wearing a dark suit with a white dress shirt and a striped tie. A red ribbon is pinned to his suit jacket. The lectern is simple and dark-colored with microphones placed on it. The background is plain with vertical lines, suggesting a formal or official setting. The lighting is soft, focusing primarily on the man.

Welcome to Factal Forecast, a look at the week’s biggest stories from the editors at Factal. We publish our forward-looking note each Thursday to help you get a jump-start on…

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Author: Factal