These articles have been analyzed by experienced, national-circuit Extempers to allow our Extemp audience a glimpse into how we might answer questions about these topics. Each analysis includes an Extemp question over the article’s topic and a mock Extemp flow answering the question with three points. You can find our full list of Extemp questions, released weekly, here.
-
Japan Alters Its Arms Export Rules
Japan scrapped decades of pacifist restrictions on April 21, allowing it to export lethal weapons for the first time since World War II. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet approved new guidelines that scrap the five-category restriction limiting exports.
-
Supreme Court Weakens Voting Rights Act in Landmark Decision
The Court struck down Louisiana’s Congressional map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The case concerned Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a monumental piece of legislation signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965.
-
Iran’s Foreign Minister Lands in Russia
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, landed in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 27 for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This comes after US-Iran ceasefire talks have stalled dramatically, with less and less progress coming by the day.
-
Virginia’s Redistricting Vote and What It Means for the 2026 Midterms
In a special election, the people of Virginia very narrowly voted to approve a measure that will amend the state’s constitution to allow for Congressional redistricting. This is likely to give Democrats four new representatives in Congress.
-
Appeals Courts and Asylum Rights: A Thorn in Trump’s Immigration Agenda
A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that immigration laws give people the right to apply for asylum at the border. The president cannot circumvent that.
-
I’m Dan Osborn: The Race to Win Nebraska
The emergence of industrial mechanic and independent candidate Dan Osborn in 2024 sent shockwaves throughout the nation. Characterized by his populist message and unpolished delivery, Osborn didn’t fit any party-political box.
-
The Sahel Conflict Where Everyone is in the Wrong
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been in a devastating war with Islamist insurgents. Currently, two groups drive a majority of the violence, one being an al-Qaeda affiliate.
-
A Fractured Future: California’s Governor’s Race
For months, Democrats in California fretted about the possibility of a two-Republican governor’s runoff; just one look at the recent Governor’s debate stage explains why. In a crowded field of nearly a dozen candidates, nearly all were Democrats.
-
Israel’s Controversial New Death Penalty Policy
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, passed a bill in a 62-47 decision that made the death penalty the default for Palestinian attacks on Israel and Israeli citizens. Now, many human rights groups are speaking out against its discriminatory nature.
-
The Iran War’s Effect on Bonds
President Trump assured the public that the war would only last “4 to 6 weeks.” It has now been 5, and the markets are reacting. After the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran has responded fiercely.
-
A Look at President Trump’s War Rhetoric
Democratic politicians and experts on presidential communications warn that President Trump’s recent threats against Iran are a dangerous escalation of rhetoric that could undermine global American credibility and domestic support for the war.
-
Two Donald Trump Executive Orders Struck Down
The ruling effectively reverses a series of motions and executive orders that were responsible for the gutting of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, through which roughly 1.1 billion of federal funding is sent to services.
-
Tracking the Environmental Consequences of the War in Iran
The U.S. and Israel’s actions in Iran in the past two weeks have released five million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. The war is actively draining the global carbon budget faster than 84 countries combined.
-
Cuba’s Energy Crisis Continues
The Cuban government has attributed the collapse to the US-imposed oil blockade, which has effectively halted energy imports to the country. As of now, Cuba can only domestically produce 40% of the country’s pre-blockade energy demand.
-
What an Iranian Future Looks Like After Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself reportedly selected three candidates who could take his place during last June’s 12-day war. Yet, their names have not been made public.
-
The Death of “America First” Through Trump’s Waging War on Iran
Though it has been speculated that if a recession ensues, the Trump Administration could utilize resources from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the current inventory of the reserve is only roughly 415 million barrels of oil, which would likely be outstripped by these…
-
India Steps Into Global AI Policy
Last week, the India AI Impact Summit 2026 took place in New Delhi, bringing together world leaders, tech CEOs, and researchers to discuss the future of artificial intelligence. It was one of the largest global gatherings on AI ever organized.
-
The Next Kim: North Korea’s Leader Eyes Potential Successor
North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un appears to be eyeing his 13-year-old daughter, Kim Ju Ae, for the lofty position. It would be a surprisingly progressive move for an extremely socially conservative nation.
-
Social Media Powerhouses Face Juries in Landmark Trial: “It’s Not Addiction”
On February 18, Meta founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg began testifying in the now-infamous landmark social media trial rooted in protecting American youth against dangerously addictive algorithms that may be specifically targeting adolescents.
-
Has AIPAC Influence Gone Too Far?
AIPAC has fallen under intense scrutiny by the Democrats due to accusations of covert campaigning, who report that they’ve seen a rapid increase in ads focusing on critical political issues like immigration and healthcare.
-
Kenyan Aviation Worker Strikes Finally Over
Earlier this week, the Kenya Aviation Workers Union and the government of Kenya were able to come to an agreement to raise wages and ensure better regulation for workers in the industry after a disruptive 2-day strike.
