The Intelligence from The Economist Home truths: Ukraine’s internal strains
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Sep 25, 2025 
Chris Lockwood, Europe editor at The Economist, dives into Ukraine's complex challenges, highlighting deepening military and economic issues amidst a frozen front line. He discusses Ukraine's struggle with manpower shortages and increased drone reliance, revealing the pressing need for foreign aid as the country faces a budget shortfall. Lockwood also addresses political strains, including signs of democratic backsliding and the implications of martial law on upcoming elections, painting a vivid picture of Ukraine's current turmoil.
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Ceasefire Hinges On Putin's Motives
- A ceasefire depends mainly on Vladimir Putin's calculations, not Ukraine's willingness.
- Russia benefits domestically from wartime repression, making a ceasefire uncertain.
H-1B Fee Hike Targets Tech Talent Flow
- The Trump administration proposes raising H-1B sponsor fees drastically to $100,000 to curb foreign workers.
- H-1B visas are central to tech firms and are used heavily by Indian and Chinese nationals.
H-1B Usage Concentrated In Few Firms And Countries
- Big tech and Indian IT firms are the main users of H-1Bs, with Amazon alone getting ~14,000 approvals.
- Indian nationals take about three-quarters of H-1Bs, concentrating migration flows.