Fdd's overnight brief

April 1, 2025

In The News

Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was abruptly summoned from his ongoing corruption trial to provide testimony in a separate case Monday afternoon after two of his aides were arrested amid mounting allegations of financial ties between Netanyahu’s office and Qatar, a country with which Israel has no formal ties and which maintains relations with Hamas. – Washington Post

Credit ratings agency Fitch affirmed Israel’s ratings at “A” and maintained its negative outlook on Monday, citing a high public debt/GDP ratio and still elevated risks from the ongoing conflict with Gaza. – Reuters

At least three people were killed and seven wounded in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs early on Tuesday, the Lebanese health ministry said, further testing a shaky four-month ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. – Reuters

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich resigned from his post as minister on Monday in a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. – Reuters

Israel has proposed an extended truce in Gaza in exchange for the return of about half the remaining hostages, Israeli officials said on Monday, as the military issued new evacuation orders and said “intense operations” were planned in the south of the enclave. – Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu withdrew his nomination of an ex-admiral as director of the Shin Bet security service, 24 hours after it was announced. – Bloomberg

The Israeli army told Palestinians to leave areas in southern Gaza ahead of what it said would be “intense fighting” with Hamas, a sign it plans to extend ground operations to pressure the militant group into releasing hostages still held captive. – Bloomberg

Israel intends to begin building a long-promised new fence along the border with Jordan in June, The Times of Israel learned on Monday. The work was expected to take three years. – Times of Israel

Twelve protesters were arrested at anti-government and pro-hostage deal rallies in Jerusalem on Monday, as police clashed with some of the roughly 2,000 demonstrators, including a lawmaker. – Times of Israel

Israel has recently observed a military buildup by Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula, according to a security source who spoke with reporters on Monday. – Jerusalem Post

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said over the weekend that Israel still supports and plans on going forward with US President Donald Trump’s “voluntary migration” plan for civilians in Gaza, offering Hamas terrorist leaders exile if the group disarms. – Algemeiner

Josefa Gonzalez writes: The protesters in Gaza, chanting “Hamas are terrorists!” are risking not only their livelihoods but their lives to speak out against an oppressive regime. As we’ve seen in the Women, Life, Freedom protests in Iran, a movement can be born when enough citizens come together to voice their dissent. We can only hope that the Gazan civilians who are speaking out will not be fatally punished for their actions. – Jerusalem Post

Daniel M. Rosen writes: The ultimate goal should be to provide Hamas with only one option: withdrawal from Gaza. This would allow for a civil administration that is not hostile toward Israel to replace it. Failing to do this would send the wrong message to the Gazans and would ultimately slow down the process of “conquer, hold, and build.” It is clear to all that Hamas’s days in power are numbered. Israel’s shift in strategy, coupled with the internal unrest in Gaza, presents a real opportunity to dismantle Hamas’s rule once and for all. A future without Hamas’s grip on Gaza is finally within reach, and Israel’s next challenge will be to win the peace. – Jerusalem Post

Toby Dershowitz writes: Those who have a stake in peace in Gaza should take note of the voices of those protesting on the dusty streets of Gaza and those who are speaking out on social media, where the story is largely unfolding. While traditional media may fail to adequately cover their story, the view that Al Jazeera is Qatar’s tool to prop up Hamas’s nefarious role in and beyond Gaza has been made unmistakably clear. – Real Clear World

Iran

Iran complained to the United Nations Security Council on Monday about “reckless and belligerent” remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, describing them as “a flagrant violation of international law” and the founding United Nations Charter. – Reuters

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Monday seized two foreign tankers in the Persian Gulf carrying over 3 million litres (792,516 U.S. gallons) of allegedly smuggled diesel fuel, Iranian state media reported. – Reuters

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday the U.S. would receive a strong blow if it acts on President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb unless Tehran reaches a new nuclear deal with Washington. – Reuters

Iran would have to acquire a nuclear weapon if attacked by the United States or its allies, an adviser to the country’s supreme leader warned on Monday, following a threat by US President Donald Trump. – Agence France Presse

The Jairan, an Iranian cargo ship linked to the transport of missile components, has been spotted in Bandar Abbas port after departing China. According to The Maritime Executive, the vessel, under U.S. sanctions, has arrived in Iran despite ongoing concerns over Iran’s missile capabilities and its ties to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL). – Newsweek

Russia & Ukraine

Russian forces shelled a frontline settlement in Ukraine’s southeast Zaporizhzhia region on Monday, killing one person and injuring five, the regional governor said. – Reuters

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Monday for Russia to be punished for more than 183,000 alleged war crimes documented by Ukraine since Moscow’s 2022 invasion, saying justice was needed to prevent “evil from proliferating.” – Reuters

The Kremlin said on Monday that Russia and the United States were working on ideas for a possible peace settlement in Ukraine and on building bilateral ties despite U.S. President Donald Trump saying that he was “pissed off” with Vladimir Putin. – Reuters

The Kremlin said on Monday that some American companies had shown interest in joint rare earth metals projects in Russia, but cautioned that such discussions were still at an early stage. – Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered another 160,000 Russian citizens be called up to serve in the military, Russian news agency Interfax reported Monday. – Politico

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office requested Monday that the Supreme Court ends a ban on the Taliban’s activities in the country. – Politico

Tom Keatinge and Kinga Redlowska write: The vast majority of the Russian central bank assets that existed in February 2022 were bonds that have since matured and amount to an enormous pile of cash earning very low interest. Once transferred into the new vehicle, these assets could be actively managed, earn a significantly higher income and provide an annuity of cash flow to support Ukraine, reducing the need for Western allies to dig into dwindling taxpayer funds in order to keep Ukraine afloat. – Politico

Tom Rogan writes: The challenge for Trump is that unless he actually imposes new sanctions or pressure points on Putin, the Russian president will continue to believe he can whisper sweet words of peaceful sincerity in Trump’s ear while simultaneously doubling down on his war to exterminate Ukrainian statehood. In short, if Trump wants to have any chance of securing a peace deal, he will have to do to Putin what he has done to Zelensky. Which is to say, leverage actual American power to get Putin into a more concessionary mindset. The Russian leader does not respect words. He only respects action. – Washington Examiner

Turkey

Turkey’s suppression of democratic opposition would have elicited strong protests from Europe in the past. But now, the worst rift in trans-Atlantic relations in generations and the growing threat from Russia are trumping those concerns. – Wall Street Journal

Israel’s concern that the Syrian government might allow Turkey to establish military bases within the country comes amid the growing cooperation between Ahmed al-Sharaa’s regime in Syria and the government of Turkish President Erdogan. – Jerusalem Post

Some 150 Israeli high school students making their way to Poland became stranded for over 12 hours in a Turkish airport on Monday after their plane had been forced to make an emergency landing, with parents voicing concern for their wellbeing before they finally took off and made it to their destination. – Times of Israel

Middle East & North Africa

President Trump is planning to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and potentially the United Arab Emirates in the coming weeks, though he said that plans are still being finalized. – Wall Street Journal

The White House has said that U.S. strikes in Yemen earlier this month killed the Houthi top missile expert, but the U.S. military has so far declined to confirm the death, and the identity of the Houthi commander in question is unclear. – Reuters

President Donald Trump said on Monday that U.S. attacks on the Iran-backed Houthis, an armed movement that has taken control of the most populous parts of Yemen, will continue until they are no longer a threat to freedom of navigation. – Reuters

The United Arab Emirates on Monday sentenced three people to death for the murder of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who was killed in November in the Gulf country, state news agency WAM reported. – Reuters

16 Filipino workers are held by Qatari authorities after being accused of holding an unlawful political gathering in the Gulf nation known for its crackdown on political freedom of expression. – Jerusalem Post

In a historic milestone, top leaders from Israel’s Yesha Council traveled to the United Arab Emirates, engaging with government officials, business figures, and influencers. – Jerusalem Post

Veysi Dag writes: By addressing these shared concerns, the Abraham Peace Corridor would enhance regional and global security and peace through trade and commerce, all within the framework of the Abraham Accords. This initiative represents a strategic shift with far-reaching implications, offering more than just a territorial arrangement. Ultimately, it has the potential to become a vital lifeline for peaceful coexistence and economic prosperity in a region long marred by conflict and division. With cooperation between the Kurds, Israelis, and other regional and international powers, the corridor could transform the Middle East, providing a foundation for a more secure and prosperous future for all.- Jerusalem Post

Korean Peninsula

Yoon Suk Yeol, the president of South Korea, who was impeached in December over his failed attempt to impose martial law, will learn Friday whether he will be formally removed from office or returned to power, the nation’s top court said Tuesday. – New York Times

South Korea’s March exports grew for a second month but missed market expectations, suggesting a softening outlook as a global trade war triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs raises uncertainty for manufacturers. – Reuters

President Donald Trump said he plans to reach out to North Korea “at some point” and reiterated that he has a “very good relationship” with leader Kim Jong Un. – Bloomberg

Choong-Koo Lee writes: North Korea could use its alliance with Russia to initiate provocations against South Korea. In the worst-case scenario, this could escalate into a military crisis, destabilizing the Indo-Pacific and complicating the U.S. military responses across the region. To ensure lasting regional security, the United States and South Korea must remain vigilant in monitoring and responding to evolving Russo-North Korean ties. Their success — or failure — will shape Asia’s security landscape well into the future. – War on the Rocks

China

The U.S. State Department imposed sanctions Monday on Chinese officials, citing a continuing political crackdown in Hong Kong—and efforts to extend that repression to people in the U.S.—and restrictions on access to Tibet. – Wall Street Journal

China launched military exercises pressing in on Taiwan on Tuesday, in what Beijing said was a warning to the island-democracy’s president, Lai Ching-te, after he called China a “foreign hostile force.” – New York Times

The U.S. increase in duties on goods from China is unfounded, is damaging global markets and is damaging Washington’s reputation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in remarks published on Tuesday. – Reuters

China and Russia are “friends forever, never enemies,” Chinese’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in remarks published on Tuesday during a visit to Moscow in which he also welcomed signs of normalising ties between Washington and Moscow. – Reuters

All crew members aboard a Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel that was hit by a “suspected pirate attack” are currently safe, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday. – Reuters

Five years after Xi Jinping struck his first trade deal with Donald Trump, US officials are set to deliver their view of Beijing’s compliance with that bargain, in a high-stakes week likely to fan tensions. – Bloomberg

South Asia

In a refugee settlement on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan, Afghan families gathered on Sunday to observe the festival of Eid al-Fitr — not in joyous celebration, but in quiet apprehension. On Monday, thousands who have called Pakistan home for generations face a deportation deadline and an uncertain, possibly dangerous future. – New York Times

Bangladesh’s main opposition party has warned of instability and “strong resentment within the people” if elections are not held by December, after the country’s de facto prime minister said the poll could be delayed until 2026. – Reuters

The Taliban’s former ambassador to Spain remains detained by U.S. immigration officials after a federal judge declined his petition for immediate release on Monday. – Politico

Michael Rubin writes: Terrorism left to fester snowballs. In Bangladesh, it has found fertile ground. Rather than normalize a group guilty of genocide and empowering al Qaeda, President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio should reverse the neglect and ideological naivete of President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken and designate Jamaat-e-Islami for what it is: a terrorist group as deadly and ideologically driven as Hamas or al Qaeda. – Washington Examiner

Asia

All leaders of member countries of the BIMSTEC grouping are still scheduled to join this week’s summit in Bangkok, although the attendance of Myanmar’s junta leader remains unclear after an earthquake in that country, host Thailand said on Tuesday. – Reuters

China could find a “pretext” to stage new war games around Taiwan this year, coinciding with sensitive dates such as the anniversary in May of a year since President Lai Ching-te took office, a senior Taiwan coast guard official said. – Reuters

China, Japan and South Korea agreed to jointly respond to U.S. tariffs, a social media account affiliated with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said on Monday, an assertion that Seoul called “somewhat exaggerated.” – Reuters

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rejected a US trade body’s concerns over his nation’s biosecurity laws and subsidized medicine system, declaring that they are “not up for negotiation.” – Bloomberg

Documents from the International Criminal Court revealed that the government knew beforehand about former president Rodrigo Duterte’s impending arrest – The Manila Times

Ruth Pollard writes: The Myanmar army, or Tatmadaw as it’s known, has perpetuated war on multiple fronts since the nation won independence from British rule in 1948. The earthquake has only exacerbated the humanitarian crisis born out of this generations-long conflict […]There is precedence for a natural disaster helping to end a long-running conflict. The Acehnese national army — the armed wing of the Free Aceh Movement in Indonesia — demobilized and disbanded a year after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami destroyed much of the province, ending a 30-year separatist insurgency. Both Cyclone Nargis and the tsunami have provided us with a roadmap, however imperfect. Myanmar and its backers should use it. – Bloomberg

Daniel Moss and Karishma Vaswani write: Civil society is already under pressure, and even with large-scale protests planned, there is unlikely to be much of a change. Activists have been increasingly critical of the rollback of civil liberties and should continue to spread awareness about dangers of removing checks and balances on executive power. Foreign capital may be the only force that Prabowo can’t hobble. The ultimate authority is what the market will bear. Let’s hope Indonesia doesn’t pay too steep a price for the lesson. – Bloomberg

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez writes: From a diplomatic perspective, the EU-CA summit occurs at a time of global tensions and the transformation of global geopolitics. Europe and Central Asia are geographically distant from each other, and the foreign policy priorities of some countries, not to mention the problematic internal situation of others, indicate obstacles for closer integration. However, if things go well, Samarkand will be the next stage of a win-win relationship, like between Kazakhstan and its European partners. – National Interest

Europe

A French court convicted Marine Le Pen of misusing European Union funds, banning her from the next presidential election in a ruling that upends the country’s political landscape. – Wall Street Journal

The French naval patrol plane descended rapidly through the clouds, leveling off at 900 feet above the Baltic Sea, practically skimming the waves. The target was a Russian warship, which came into view off the plane’s port side, dark gray against a light gray horizon. – New York Times

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s conviction and resulting prohibition from running in the 2027 presidential election was a “very big deal.” – Reuters

The European Union has a “strong plan” to retaliate against tariffs imposed, and set to be imposed, by U.S. President Donald Trump, although it would prefer to negotiate a solution, EU executive chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. – Reuters

Polish law enforcement are investigating the disappearance of an exiled Belarusian opposition activist, one of her colleagues said on Monday, adding that her phone had been traced to Belarus. – Reuters

The foreign ministers of Ukraine’s main European allies said on Monday they would redouble their aid to the country while considering new sanctions on Russia to force it to accept a ceasefire. – Reuters

Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible espionage and terrorism after a drone flew several times over an EU research centre in northwestern Italy, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Monday. – Reuters

Greenland will strengthen its ties with Denmark until it can become a sovereign nation, the Arctic island’s incoming prime minister told Reuters on Monday, noting that the semi-autonomous Danish territory ultimately wants to become independent. – Reuters

Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said on Monday that he had not yet heard from anyone serious in the United States administration that the U.S. would withdraw from NATO. – Reuters

Sweden announced a new military aid package to Ukraine worth 16 billion crowns ($1.59 billion) on Monday, the biggest package to date from the Nordic country, saying it wanted to help Kyiv strengthen its position in talks on ending the war. – Reuters

A former British intelligence worker on Monday admitted endangering national security by taking top secret data home, on the day his trial was due to begin. – Reuters

Britain expects to be hit by U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans to impose global tariffs this week and the government has been preparing for all eventualities, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesman said on Monday. – Reuters

British, French and Ukrainian military leaders will meet in the coming days to build on “real momentum” in efforts to boost Ukraine’s security, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday. – Reuters

Hard-right opposition leader George Simion led an opinion poll published on Monday, five weeks before the first round of a repeat presidential election that could determine whether Romania remains on its pro-Western course. – Reuters

Moldova expelled three Russian diplomats on Monday after it accused Russia’s embassy of engineering the escape of a pro-Kremlin lawmaker to prevent him being jailed over illegal political funding. – Reuters

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s AD coalition led the opposition Socialists by a margin of 6.6 percentage points in an opinion poll, TVI reported on its website. – Bloomberg

Poland will sign a $2 billion contract with the US on Monday to supply logistical support for Patriot missile-defense systems, the country’s defense chief told broadcaster Polsat. – Bloomberg

The extremist youth group affiliated with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) dissolved itself on Monday to avert a possible ban that might have damaged the party as it tries to broaden its appeal among German voters. – Politico

Editorial: There are many reasons to be wary about Ms. Le Pen’s policy ideas, and the rise of the radical-socialist left suggests French voters aren’t sold on National Rally as the only alternative to the mainstream. But ample evidence around the world suggests there’s no better way to goad voters into supporting Ms. Le Pen than to prosecute her. The French authorities are playing straight into her main political pitch, which is that she speaks truths that “the establishment” doesn’t want voters to hear. Maybe one of these days the world’s champions of democracy will trust democracy, rather than trying—and often failing—to win elections in the courtroom. – Wall Street Journal

Lionel Laurent writes: Le Pen’s popularity has risen inexorably over the past decade, benefiting from the elite’s missteps despite her late father’s toxic legacy: She’s replaced extremism with extreme ambiguity, harnessed anti-immigrant sentiment, ditched plans to exit the euro and become the working-class vote of choice by promising higher wages and generous pensions. It’s perhaps ironic that her best chance at a populist victory in France is being undone by a law intended to quell populist ire over corrupt politicians. Yet while the law is having its day, it may only be for a day. – Bloomberg

Christian Papillon writes: In Le Pen’s absence, conservatives will likely turn to Jordan Bardella, who took over as National Rally president in 2022. While Bardella shares many of Le Pen’s political views, his opposition will likely try to cast him as too young and inexperienced to lead. Bardella may also face a party fracture in Le Pen’s absence. Le Pen will likely appeal the decision and the ruling may or may not be overturned. Like Trump, has been politically targeted as a means of damaging her chances of running for office. The so-called defenders of democracy have again sought to limit voters’ choices at the polls. – Washington Examiner

Anna Nemtsova writes: Protesters and police clash on the streets of Tbilisi every night, a reminder to Dmitriyevsky, the human-rights activist, of the repressive politics he escaped in Russia. On a recent Sunday evening, he watched as law-enforcement officers beat demonstrators until they fell to the ground. He told me he felt a “powerful sense of déjà vu” as riot police dragged dozens of them away—a scene he’d witnessed in Russia many times. – The Atlantic

Miles Pollard and Jordan Embree write: For more than a decade, many NATO countries have prioritized welfare expansion over defense procurement, a miscalculation that directly contributed to Europe’s current security crisis. Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea should have been a wake-up call; instead, it was met with half-measures and delayed commitments from key allies […]NATO’s collective security is only as strong as each member’s willingness to invest in it. The debate should not be about whether spending should rise—it must rise, not as a future aspiration, but as a belated correction for years of strategic neglect. – Heritage Foundation

Africa

Ag Ghali went on to become the leader of one of the most dangerous al Qaeda franchises in the world, banning music in a swath of West Africa the size of Montana and commanding an army of extremists responsible for tens of thousands of deaths. – Wall Street Journal

Battling a yearslong economic crisis and persistent accusations of corruption, Zimbabwe’s president faces the greatest threat to his power since taking office in a coup nearly eight years ago, with members of his own party calling for his resignation. – New York Times

South Africa’s Democratic Alliance will oppose the national budget until it strikes a pact on growth and spending reforms with coalition partner the African National Congress, party leader John Steenhuisen said on Tuesday. – Reuters

Police deployed heavily in Zimbabwe’s capital and other cities on Monday, largely neutralising a call by veterans for massive protests against plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule. – Reuters

A convicted war criminal based in Uganda has announced a new rebel movement intent on toppling the government in eastern Congo’s Ituri province, creating another potential security threat in the war-scarred region. – Reuters

The Americas

The Trump administration has deported 17 more alleged gang members to a notorious maximum-security prison in El Salvador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday. – Wall Street Journal

For three days in March, all goods entering the U.S. at this bustling border crossing were subject to 25% tariffs. The ensuing turbulence amounted to a sobering preview for America’s biggest trading partner before a new round of tariffs expected on Wednesday. – Wall Street Journal

Panama’s government said on Monday it had extended by three days its allowance for safe passage for its former President Ricardo Martinelli to travel to Nicaragua, where he has received asylum. – Reuters

Leftist Luisa Gonzalez is narrowly leading incumbent President Daniel Noboa in two polls ahead of an April 13 run-off race for the presidency of Ecuador, surveys showed on Monday, after Noboa barely notched a win in the first round. – Reuters

Argentina is seeking a first disbursement of more than 40% under a $20-billion program it is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Economy Minister Luis Caputo said on Sunday. – Reuters

The U.S. military has completed a “successful counter-terrorism mission” in partnership with El Salvador, a senior Pentagon official said on Monday, though the term appeared to refer to the deportation of alleged criminals. – Reuters

Editorial: Last week Mr. Rubio used a joint appearance with Guyana President Irfaan Ali to reinforce the warning. Addressing what he called “regional threats based on illegitimate territorial claims by a narcotrafficking regime,” Mr. Rubio said, “there will be consequences for adventurism. There will be consequences for aggressive actions.” To Guyana he promised America’s “full commitment and support” in “long-term and sustainable ways.” Let’s hope Mr. Rubio has support at the White House for backing Guyana. – Wall Street Journal

Arturo McFields writes: The Trump Administration, with great similarity to President Regan, is focused heavily on Latin America, building partnerships for security, stability and prosperity for all. These extraordinary achievements are not making headlines, but they are making a significant difference in the Western Hemisphere. – The Hill

United States

President Donald Trump said on Monday he had several potential candidates for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, including Richard Grenell, a former ambassador to Germany, and David Friedman, a former envoy to Israel. – Reuters

The Trump administration sought to put the scandal over its use of the Signal messaging app behind it on Monday, calling it case closed, even as the breach provoked bipartisan criticism and opened up divisions inside the White House – Reuters

A Cornell University student who participated in pro-Palestinian protests and was asked to surrender by U.S. immigration officials said on Monday he was leaving the United States, citing fear of detention and threats to his personal safety. – Reuters

The headquarters of the Republican Party of New Mexico was set on fire on Sunday and “ICE=KKK” spray painted on the building in what the party called “a deliberate act of arson.” – Reuters

Cybersecurity

The UK government will pass legislation compelling companies providing IT services to critical national infrastructure to improve their cyber defenses after a wave of attacks by Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. – Reuters

North Korean nationals have infiltrated businesses across the globe with a more expansive level of organization and deep-rooted access than previously thought, insider risk management firm DTEX told CyberScoop. – CyberScoop

A Canadian man is facing charges in the U.S. for allegedly hacking into systems used by the Texas Republican Party and stealing sensitive information. Aubrey Cottle, 37, was arrested last Wednesday in Canada, where he is also facing charges. – The Record

A long-running Russian state-backed hacking group appears to be behind an ongoing campaign designed to install a widely used surveillance tool on Ukrainian computers, researchers have found. – The Record

Defense

The U.S. Army has refused to turn over a 2024 report detailing why it has routinely failed to use a safety system known as ADS-B on helicopter flights around Reagan Washington National Airport, Republican and Democratic senators said on Monday. – Reuters

Three of the four U.S. Army soldiers who went missing in Lithuania last week when their vehicle sunk in a peat bog have been found dead at the site, while the search for the remaining soldier is ongoing, U.S. and Lithuanian officials said on Monday. – Reuters

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called Japan on Sunday an “indispensable partner” in deterring growing Chinese assertiveness in the region and announced upgrading the U.S. military command in Japan to a new “war-fighting headquarters.” – Military.com