Global Policy Shifts Dominate White House Agenda

WASHINGTON D.C. – In a series of significant policy shifts on Monday, November 17, 2025 (EAT), the Trump administration announced its intention to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia and saw its Gaza peace proposal endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. Domestically, President Donald Trump reversed his long-held opposition to releasing Justice Department files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, just ahead of a scheduled House of Representatives vote on the matter.

F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia Raises Regional Concerns

President Trump confirmed on Monday his administration's plan to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. The move comes as the White House prepares to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his first visit to Washington in over seven years. The proposed sale has generated concern within the US administration regarding regional security dynamics and technology protection. Intelligence officials have reportedly warned that Saudi Arabia's close ties with Beijing could risk the F-35's sensitive stealth technology being compromised or transferred to China. This development is of particular relevance to Kenya and the East Africa region, which navigate complex economic and diplomatic relationships with both the United States and China. Furthermore, the sale could alter the military balance in the Middle East, a region whose stability is crucial for global oil prices, which directly impact Kenya's economy.

UN Security Council Endorses US-Led Gaza Peace Plan

In a significant diplomatic development, the United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a US-drafted resolution endorsing President Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza. The resolution, which passed with 13 votes in favor and abstentions from Russia and China, authorizes the creation of a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF). This force is mandated to oversee the demilitarization of Gaza, secure key areas, and support the delivery of humanitarian aid. The plan also envisions a potential path toward a sovereign Palestinian state, a long-standing goal of international diplomacy in which Kenya actively participates. However, the plan has been rejected by Hamas, which stated the proposal imposes an unwanted external authority.

Trump Reverses Stance on Epstein Files Ahead of House Vote

On the domestic front, President Trump executed a sharp reversal, urging House Republicans to vote in favor of releasing Justice Department files on his former associate, the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide," Trump stated on his Truth Social platform late Sunday night. This marks a significant departure from his administration's previous efforts to block the release. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on Tuesday on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY). The bill, which was forced to the floor via a discharge petition, would compel the release of an estimated 100,000 pages of documents within 30 days. In a related development, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) on Monday called for Harvard University to sever ties with its former president, Larry Summers, following the release of emails detailing his extensive correspondence with Epstein long after his 2008 conviction.

Administration Sues California Over Law Enforcement Mask Ban

Also on Monday, the Trump administration's Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of California. The suit challenges new state laws, set to take effect in January, that prohibit federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks and require them to display identification while on duty. The Justice Department argues that the California laws violate the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution, which holds that federal law supersedes state law, and endangers federal agents. The laws, known as the "No Secret Police Act" and "No Vigilantes Act," were passed in response to the actions of masked federal agents during immigration enforcement operations. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed the state would contest the lawsuit in court.