President Trump is expected to lift Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. / Semafor Two bombs explode near a Four Seasons in Damascus where France’s Macron spent the night. / Reuters If Europe is expected to carry more of the security burden in NATO 3.0, will it
The Trump family is found to have made billions since returning to power, much of it in ventures that benefit directly from White House policies. / The Hill Presidential historians say no other president in American history entered into new business enterprises just before moving into the White House. / The New
The Supreme Court decides President Trump can fire independent regulators at will, though not at the Federal Reserve. / NPR In ruling that prison staff can’t be held financially liable for violating religious freedoms—specifically, for cutting a Rastafarian man’s hair—the Supreme Court would seem to run roughshod
Officials say Russia has been pressuring Belarus to launch nonconventional operations against NATO members. / The Wall Street Journal [$] Thanks to Ukraine’s attacks on energy infrastructure, regions across Russia impose restrictions on gas and diesel sales, and Crimea declares a state of emergency. / Radio Free Europe, Kyiv Post Unrelated: Watches
At least 94 million people in Europe are expected to experience temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit today. / The Guardian Forty people drowned recently in France while trying to escape the heat. / Reuters More than 5,300 people remain trapped in online scam centers in Myanmar, defrauding people worldwide. / Al Jazeera
Israel has reportedly killed more than 1,000 Palestinians in Gaza since the alleged ceasefire in October. / The New Arab For the first time in 110 days, ships are crossing the Strait of Hormuz after being marooned. / The Associated Press The biggest short-term variable in the agreement between Iran
As reported yesterday, Iran appears to have emerged from Trump and Netanyahu’s attack in a stronger strategic position. / Institute for the Study of War A round-up of media coverage of the agreement. Tom Nichols says Trump doesn’t understand the war he lost. / Reliable Sources, The Atlantic [$] The
President Trump looks to stay awake through meetings with world leaders by celebrating his new Iran agreement. / NPR The “memorandum of understanding” appears to be pretty heavily tilted toward Iran, perhaps because “losing a war has consequences.” / Foreign Exchanges See also: Grading the war on Trump’s own terms. / Wake
A brief summary of why the United States finds itself “on the outside looking in” as China and Gulf states pursue African partners. / Council on Foreign Relations Case in point: More than 75% of African countries currently lack a US ambassador. / The Africa Brief With SpaceX’s public offering, Elon
In Europe, violent anti-immigrant riots continue in Northern Ireland, with people like Elon Musk encouraging them. / The Guardian, USA Today In the Middle East, Iran hits Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan in retaliation for recent attacks by the United States. / Al Jazeera In Ukraine, it’s been confirmed that fully
