Today In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
The Must-Reads
Trump to host Netanyahu at the White House on July 7, US official says US bolsters Israeli defense with $510 million precision munitions sale Hamas captive’s father Ruby Chen: How Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Deal’ could deliver peace in the Middle East and free Gaza hostages For Iran’s nuclear program, a month is longer than it sounds Satellite imagery shows Iran at work at Fordo nuclear site G7 urges talks to resume for deal on Iran nuclear program Iran-linked hackers threaten to release Trump aides' emails Russia unleashes its summer offensive with an army mired in problems Russia takes full control of Ukraine's Luhansk region, Russian-backed official says Trump lifts sanctions on Syria as it holds talks on diplomatic ties with Israel Taiwan’s president takes on China, and his opponents, in speaking tour Bloomberg Editorial: The fight to revive Europe's militaries is just beginningIn The News
Israel
Israel’s military said it would reorganize the way it operates around newly established aid-distribution sites, after a series of incidents in which troops fired toward desperate crowds that they say posed a threat to soldiers left hundreds of Palestinians dead, according to local health authorities. – Wall Street Journal
Israeli strikes killed at least 60 people across Gaza on Monday in some of the heaviest attacks in weeks as Israeli officials were due in Washington for a new ceasefire push by U.S. President Donald Trump. – Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump plans to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on July 7, a U.S. official said, as the U.S. president pressed for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and the return of remaining hostages. – Reuters
An Israeli official on Monday said that while talks about potential peace deals with both Lebanon and Syria are taking place, Beirut must “finish the issue” of disarming the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group before any normalization can move forward. – Agence France-Presse
Reserve IDF officers in Binyamin said that they had felt a significant rise in violence directed towards them, and had received death threats during riots in the West Bank, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported on Monday night. – Jerusalem Post
Former IDF chief of staff MK Gadi Eisenkot is leaving Benny Gantz’s National Unity party and resigning from the Knesset, the party announced on Monday. – Jerusalem Post
Israel and Syria are continuing security discussions that could lead to a peace agreement between the two nations. However, a significant challenge has emerged in the talks, two sources familiar with the details reported to The Jerusalem Post. – Jerusalem Post
The IDF’s operations in southern Gaza to secure the food distribution sites run by the American-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation are to break the grip of Hamas on the local population, and to provide Palestinians with an opportunity to eat from another hand that isn’t the terrorist group, the IDF said on Monday. – Jerusalem Post
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated he would oppose any agreements that would include ending the fighting in Gaza in a press conference on Monday. – Jerusalem Post
The official Farsi-language Mossad account on X declared Monday that Brig. Gen. Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, “is not our spy,” brushing aside months of Western speculation that the Iranian general had been flipped by Israel’s intelligence service. – Jerusalem Post
Three men were arrested, in two separate cases, for spying for the Islamic Republic of Iran during the war with Israel, by the Lahav 433 National Crime Unit and with aid from the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the authorities announced on Monday. – Jerusalem Post
Israeli hostage Itzik Elgarat died as Hamas tortured him for information because they thought he was a pilot, his brother told lawmakers Monday. – Times of Israel
The United States on Monday announced its approval of a substantial $510 million sale of advanced bomb guidance kits and associated support to Israel, AFP reported. – Arutz Sheva
Editorial: The right in Israel still wins elections but, seeing itself stymied by a judicial establishment, is feeling a similar temptation. Mr. Netanyahu thanked Mr. Trump for his support, and some in his Likud party have encouraged the President to sanction Israel’s Attorney General and prosecutors, as Mr. Biden had sanctioned some right-wing Israelis. This is a bad case of short-term thinking, and the real loser would be Israeli sovereignty. – Wall Street Journal
Micah Halpern writes: The majority of the world does not have the moral clarity to understand the lengths that Iran is willing to go to in order to destroy its enemies. They do not realize that they are – that we are, Iran’s enemies. The world interprets these strikes in Iran as illegal and acts of aggression. Most of the world is not just ungrateful – they are simply wrong. – Jerusalem Post
Eric R. Mandel writes: The US should clearly support Israel’s doctrine of preemption following the events of October 7, even after ceasefires are established. This includes the ongoing military actions in southern Lebanon aimed at weakening Hezbollah’s capabilities. Extending this doctrine to Iran – not through open-ended wars, but through timely and targeted Israeli deterrence – would reduce the likelihood of a wider conflict and future US involvement. Any perception of US vacillation will be interpreted as weakness and exploited. A steady, firm approach with preventive actions can help delay or avoid war. – Jerusalem Post
Ruby Chen writes: By ending hostilities in Gaza, securing the release of the hostages, including Americans, and advancing regional stability as an extension of the Abraham Accords, the “Big Beautiful Deal” could free the United States to focus on economic prosperity and address other pressing global challenges, including moving forward with strengthening strategic relations with Saudi Arabia. Not even a year into his presidency, Mr. Trump would bolster his vision and shape a transformative legacy in global peace. A “Big Beautiful Deal” is not only possible; it is a historical imperative. – Washington Times
Iran
The furious debate over whether U.S. strikes obliterated Iran’s nuclear program or only delayed its progress toward being able to build a nuclear weapon by a few months skips over a key component in the equation: Iran’s political calculation. – Wall Street Journal
Satellite images taken in the days after the American attack on Iran’s Fordo nuclear enrichment site show a flurry of activity at the heavily fortified facility built deep inside a mountain. – New York Times
Iran-linked hackers have threatened to disclose more emails stolen from U.S. President Donald Trump’s circle, after distributing a prior batch to the media ahead of the 2024 U.S. election. – Reuters
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations said on Monday they supported the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and urged for negotiations to resume for a deal to address Iran’s nuclear program, according to a joint statement. – Reuters
Britain, France and Germany denounced threats against the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Monday, after a hardline Iranian newspaper said IAEA boss Rafael Grossi should be tried and executed as an Israeli agent. – Reuters
Iran said that more than 900 people were killed in its nearly two-week war with Israel, which subsided with a ceasefire shortly after the U.S. carried out strikes on three of Iran’s underground nuclear facilities. – The Hill
President Trump knocked Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) on Monday for suggesting over the weekend that the Trump administration is considering entering into deal with Iran similar to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was struck in former President Obama’s administration. – The Hill
Sayeh Seydal, a jailed Iranian dissident, narrowly escaped death when Israeli missiles struck Tehran’s Evin Prison, where she was held. She had just stepped out of the prison’s clinic moments before it was destroyed. – Associated Press
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that he did not believe that diplomatic negotiations with the US could begin as quickly as US President Donald Trump has signaled. – Jerusalem Post
Dan Perry writes: The Israel-Iran war showed that Iran’s deterrent posture was an illusion. Had it continued, the regime might well have collapsed. That would have been a favor to the long-suffering people of Iran — and with any luck it will yet occur. Ultimately, it is an internal matter — but Iran’s aggression toward its neighbors is not. As I’ve written here before, sidelining Iran could catalyze a process that broadens Middle East peace. That job, however, was not accomplished by the war. It was made possible, however — and it is up to the U.S. to make sure it happens. – The Hill
Neville Teller writes: These movements are fragmented and internally suspicious of external figures, even when monarchism isn’t the issue. The available evidence seems to indicate that Reza Pahlavi lacks the internal support structure and organizational mechanisms required to coordinate a successful uprising from within. He seems to hope that one will occur, and that he will be called upon to help develop a democratic government afterward. – Jerusalem Post
Joel M. Margolis writes: Significantly, the Statement did not say Iran’s nuclear facilities were peaceful. Nor did it accuse Israel of violating any IAEA rule. The military nature of Iran’s nuclear facilities made them legally targetable for attack. It is not legally clear when a US president may wield military might. But based on the written law and past US practice, Operation Midnight Hammer was a valid use of force. – Algemeiner
Russia and Ukraine
Russia has unleashed its summer offensive in Ukraine’s east and is slowly grinding forward with its advantage in manpower, artillery shells and missiles. The coming months are crucial in President Vladimir Putin’s bid to force Kyiv’s capitulation. – Washington Post
Standing under a pagoda roof at the entrance to a sprawling Chinese-themed park in Moscow, Alyona Iyevskaya was doing homework for her university. Against a backdrop of ornate pavilions, arched bridges, a pond and a statue of Confucius, a friend filmed her on a camera phone gushing about the park — in Mandarin. – New York Times
Russia has taken full control of Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region, more than three years after President Vladimir Putin ordered thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian-backed head of the region told Russian state television. – Reuters
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that Moscow planned to cut its defence spending, but that he thought a decision by NATO members to increase their own defence spending could ultimately lead to the alliance’s collapse. – Reuters
Russia summoned Azerbaijan’s ambassador after police in Baku raided the office of a Russian state-funded media outlet amid deteriorating relations between the former Soviet neighbors. – Bloomberg
Mark Gitenstein, Adrian Zuckerman, and Jim Rosapepe write: The fight for democracy now extends to cyberspace, where Putin’s invasion tactics must be thwarted, just as they’ve been on the battlefield. The new battlefield is online, and the stakes are democratic sovereignty. The lesson from Romania is clear: The best defense against propaganda is truth — and the courage to speak it. – Politico
Michael Carpenter writes: Victory may not come quickly, cheaply, or easily. But it is still possible and will likely cost fewer lives and resources than a perpetuation of the status quo. What remains to be seen is whether the West—especially Europe—is willing to summon the political will to secure this brighter future. – Foreign Affairs
Syria
President Trump removed punishing economic sanctions on Syria, seeking to bolster the fledgling government in Damascus as it considers an end to hostilities with Israel. – Wall Street Journal
The Gulf states have moved quickly to aid and invest in Syria after the sudden collapse of the country’s dictatorship, sensing a new opportunity to expand their influence in the Middle East. – New York Times
Israel is interested in establishing formal diplomatic relations with long-standing adversaries Syria and Lebanon, but the status of the Golan Heights is non-negotiable, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday. – Reuters
As reports emerge about Syria potentially entering the Abraham Accords, residents of the Golan are urging the government to strike a deal that emphasizes that the Golan Heights is part of Israeli territory. – Jerusalem Post
Turkey
Turkish authorities on Monday detained three cartoonists over a satirical drawing published by weekly magazine Leman that seemed to depict Prophets Moses and Muhammad shaking hands in the sky, while missiles flew below in a scene resembling war. – Reuters
Cyprus said on Monday it would invite arch-foe Turkey to a summit during its European Union presidency next year despite a decades-long rift over Ankara’s 1974 invasion and its backing of a breakaway state on the divided island. – Reuters
Turkish markets surged after a court delayed a ruling on a high-stakes case that could unseat the main opposition leader, offering investors a temporary reprieve from mounting political risks. – Bloomberg
Turkey’s bid to buy Eurofighter Typhoon jets has won support from all consortium members, the UK said, raising prospects for a deal previously blocked by Germany. – Bloomberg
Ahmed Hamza and Afolabi Toye write: In addition, there ought to be clear and credible mechanisms to support the reintegration of ex-combatants into civilian life through education, employment, and rehabilitation programs. International third-party actors, particularly the European Union and the United Nations, should take part in the process to promote transparency and hold both sides accountable. These steps are essential to both strengthen the credibility of the peace process and prevent it from collapsing into renewed conflict. Only such measures can transform a fragile ceasefire into legitimate, lasting peace. – War on the Rocks
Middle East & North Africa
Iraq’s top court was set to resume work Monday after nine judges who had tendered their resignations in recent weeks returned to work following the retirement of the court’s president and the appointment of a successor. – Associated Press
Algeria jailed a French sports journalist for seven years on charges of “glorifying terrorism,” amid a simmering feud between the North African nation and its former colonial rulers. – Bloomberg
Three rockets from an unidentified source fell on the northern city of Kirkuk in Iraq on Monday evening, Iraqi state-affiliated media reported, citing a statement from the Kirkuk International Airport Administration. – Jerusalem Post
Korean Peninsula
North Korea’s state media showed on Monday leader Kim Jong Un draping coffins with the national flag in what appeared to be the repatriation of soldiers killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, as the countries marked a landmark military treaty. – Reuters
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol skipped questioning on Tuesday by a special prosecutor investigating his December declaration of martial law, citing the need to prepare for a later hearing despite the risk of arrest. – Reuters
The Justice Department announced criminal charges Monday in a scheme by North Korea to fund its weapons program through the salaries of remote information technology workers employed unwittingly by U.S. companies. – Associated Press
China
After years of lackluster IPO activity, Hong Kong is back on track to be the world’s No. 1 listing destination. – Wall Street Journal
In the debate over trade, stories about what’s left of the domestic textile industry tend to involve mills threatened by competition from China. But a company in Colorado called Cocona Labs has prospered by sending its products across the Pacific. – New York Times
There was the software engineering major who crouched behind umbrellas to dodge rubber bullets. The social worker who marched with other pro-democracy protesters. And the student who handed out leaflets and made speeches. – New York Times
China sanctioned a former Filipino lawmaker Tuesday over legislation that marks out the Philippines’ territorial claims in the disputed South China Seas. – Associated Press
Membership in China’s ruling Communist Party passed the 100 million mark, but the pace of growth slowed for the third straight year amid Beijing’s long-running push to rein in the party’s expansion. – Bloomberg
Leon Aron writes: Beijing’s response to Iran’s predicament ought to make the West feel cautiously optimistic. If Donald Trump finally learns to distinguish the aggressor from the victim—or at least realizes that Putin has been playing him—the U.S. president could support Ukraine in earnest without worrying much about China expanding its assistance to Russia. As long as both Iran and Russia keep providing cheap oil and antagonizing the West and its allies, they are serving China’s purposes. But at least for now, Beijing looks unlikely to back either of its supposed partners if they jeopardize China’s interest in stability or its extensive and profitable relations with the West. – The Atlantic
South Asia
A new iPhone factory in an out-of-the-way corner of India looks like a spaceship from another planet. Foxconn, the Taiwanese company that assembles most of the world’s iPhones for Apple, has landed amid the boulders and millet fields of Devanahalli. – New York Times
India is on track to finalise an interim trade agreement with the U.S. as soon as this week, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing two people briefed on the talks. – Reuters
An explosion and fire at a pharmaceutical factory in India’s southern state of Telangana killed at least 12 people and injured several others, authorities said Monday. – Associated Press
Nearly a week of heavy monsoon rains and flash floods across Pakistan has killed at least 46 people and injured dozens, officials said Monday. – Associated Press
Pakistan will consider extending the deadline for 1.4 million Afghan refugees living legally in the country to return home, officials said on Monday. – Associated Press
Supply agreements for critical minerals will dominate Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ghana, Namibia, Brazil, Argentina and Trinidad & Tobago starting Wednesday as the South Asian country’s industry grapples with restricted supplies from China. – Bloomberg
James Durso writes: Then there’s the Trans-Afghan Corridor from Central Asia to Pakistan, the International North–South Transport Corridor from India to Europe, and the China–Iran railroad that crosses four Central Asia republics. Former U.S. national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski warned of a coalition between Russia, China and Iran as a geostrategic nightmare for the U.S. He described this as a potential “antihegemonic” alliance, but he thought such a coalition was unlikely — unless the U.S. antagonized all three simultaneously, which America has done, with Pakistan as a potential bonus member. – The Hill
Asia
President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan has been on a speaking tour that he says is aimed at uniting the island against threats from China. But critics say the campaign risks backfiring, deepening political divisions at home while provoking an angry response from Beijing. – New York Times
Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending a case seeking her dismissal, adding to mounting pressure on a government under fire on multiple fronts. – Reuters
Military leaders are working to enforce a “one-theatre” concept in both the East and South China seas, the Philippines’ defence minister said on Monday, adding that the Southeast Asian country faces threats in disputed waters that are similar to Japan’s. – Reuters
Business sentiment among large Japanese manufacturers has improved slightly, according to a survey by Japan’s central bank released Tuesday, although worries persist over President Donald Trump’s tariffs. – Associated Press
The Philippines and Lithuania signed an agreement to build a security alliance resulting from their mutual alarm over what they perceive as growing aggression threatening their regions by countries such as China. – Associated Press
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra revamped her cabinet, a move aimed at easing a political crisis that brought her government to the brink over her handling of a border dispute. – Bloomberg
President Trump suggested Monday there won’t be a trade deal with Japan, sharing that the trading partner will be getting a letter from the administration to set a tariff rate. – The Hill
Daniel Moss writes: That kind of timeline would be undesirable for Prabowo, a former army commander who styles himself as a man of action and wants to see big results at the end of the year. But all political targets are flexible. Markets must be mollified. Without their blessing, or at least forbearance, very little can be accomplished. Addressing malnutrition would be a huge plus for the economy — and a big legacy. First, get it right. – Bloomberg
Europe
The European Union’s top trade official will head to Washington this week for talks as Brussels’ officials race to secure a deal before a key deadline expires next week. – Wall Street Journal
Germany, Finland and Belgium last week all raised their estimated borrowing needs, early evidence of how higher defense spending in Europe is starting to affect national finances and sovereign-debt issuance. – Wall Street Journal
Europe’s deal with President Trump to boost its military spending will help defuse a trans-Atlantic trade war, because much of the new money will go toward U.S. arms, one of the European Union’s top two officials said. – Wall Street Journal
A group of nonprofits has lost a legal battle to prevent Britain from exporting fighter jet parts to Israel, after judges on Monday said the issue should be decided by the government rather than the courts. – New York Times
The European Union and Ukraine have reached an initial deal to revise their free trade agreement and determine future agricultural exports from Ukraine to the bloc, the European Commission said on Monday. – Reuters
British police launched a criminal investigation Monday into a televised performance at the Glastonbury Festival by rap punk duo Bob Vylan, who drew intense criticism after they led crowds of music fans in chanting “death” to the Israeli military. – Associated Press
A hard-right lawmaker was sworn in Monday as Greece’s migration minister, replacing a fellow right-wing political heavyweight who resigned following accusations of involvement in the distribution of European Union farm subsidies. – Associated Press
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s former top adviser was remanded in custody Monday in a corruption probe that could further threaten the embattled Spanish premier’s hold on power. – Bloomberg
Moldova’s ruling pro-European party is leading in a new opinion poll three months ahead of a general election that’s crucial for maintaining the country’s course to join the European Union by the end of the decade. – Bloomberg
Prime Minister Viktor Orban sought to play down a backlash against his rule at Hungary’s weekend Pride parade, portraying it as a “shameful” event orchestrated by the European Union. – Bloomberg
Editorial: While defense R&D can spin off useful breakthroughs that benefit the broader economy, military outlays rarely deliver the jobs boost that investments in health care or green energy can. Massive defense spending is and should be defended as insurance against Russian aggression, not as a quick fix for stagnant growth. NATO leaders deserve credit for overcoming parochial concerns and political resistance to agree on the new spending targets. They should recognize, however, that their fight has only just started. – Bloomberg
Ilan Mor writes: Navigating these demands while safeguarding its citizens remains a constant challenge for Israel. In an era of rapidly evolving threats, effective defense requires more than advanced technology. It calls for proven operational experience. With all due respect to political considerations, the imperative to protect civilian lives is real, and Israel has consistently demonstrated its reliability in doing so. – Jerusalem Post
Africa
President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and his predecessor Edgar Lungu have spent years taking shots at each other. – New York Times
Gold miner Twangiza Mining SA has accused Rwanda-backed M23 rebels of forcing its employees to work against their will and without pay after seizing its mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. – Reuters
Seven people were killed during anti-government protests in Togo last week, said human rights activists, who accused security forces of using “shocking violence” against protesters. – Reuters
The Kenyan man who was shot at close range by a police officer during recent protests over a blogger’s death in custody has died, his family said Monday. – Associated Press
Guinea’s interim parliament proposed that presidential term limits be extended, months before the country is scheduled to hold elections after four years of military rule. – Bloomberg
South Africa’s currency gained after the nation’s fractious ruling coalition weathered its latest storm when a key partner opted to remain in the government. – Bloomberg
Natalia Cuadros writes: The Sudanese people have endured enough betrayal, slaughter, and foreign interference. They deserve a chance to rebuild their nation under civilian leadership, free from warlords, Iranian drones overhead, and Islamist frontmen. America’s strategic interests and moral principles demand one clear course of action: Al‑Burhan must go—and power must be handed over to a genuinely civilian government, independent of Islamist organizations. Only through unwavering resolve, diplomatic unity, and pressure backed by credible force can Sudan reclaim its future and deliver another decisive blow to Iran’s terror empire. – The National Interest
The Americas
When Mark Carney became Canada’s prime minister in the spring, he offered a seemingly simple and obvious answer to the economic threat posed by President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian exports: Trade more within Canada. – New York Times
Feuding members of the world’s most-feared fentanyl cartel, reeling from internal war and a crackdown by Mexico and the United States, have forged a desperate alliance with a rival gang, threatening to transform the criminal underworld across dozens of countries. – New York Times
President Donald Trump on Monday signed a memorandum imposing a hard-line U.S. policy toward communist-run Cuba and reversing measures put in place by former President Joe Biden, the White House said. – Reuters
Four decapitated bodies were found hanging from a bridge in the capital of western Mexico’s Sinaloa state on Monday, part of a surge of cartel violence that killed 20 people in less than a day, authorities said. – Associated Press
The fate of Argentina’s state-run oil company was thrown into doubt Monday as a U.S. judge ordered the cash-strapped country to give up its 51% controlling stake in YPF in partial compensation for seizing the shares of former investors during its 2012 nationalization of the energy group. – Associated Press
The former vice president of Ecuador who was detained last year during a highly criticized police raid on Mexico’s embassy in the South American country was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison. – Associated Press
Laura Rose O’Connor writes: The weight of this is scary: There’s a cross-border consolidation of Trump supporters, gripped by years of conspiratorial understanding of the world that has put Trump at the center of everything. Pro-Trump Canadians have failed their loyalty tests, and until their sense of identity is reckoned with (how many times can “you are not American” be repeated?), Trump’s manifest destiny ambitions will only be encouraged — even from north of the border. – Washington Post
United States
Senate Republicans inched toward passing their massive tax and immigration bill Monday, working through the evening to win over the final holdouts as they seek to deliver the first major legislative victory of President Donald Trump’s second term. – Washington Post
The country’s biggest Republican donor called on Monday for the formation of a new political party and suggested he would back primary challengers against nearly every single Republican in Congress. – New York Times
The Trump administration said Monday that Harvard University violated federal civil rights law by failing to address the harassment of Jewish students on campus, increasing the pressure on the Ivy League school as it negotiates a possible settlement with the White House. – New York Times
For nearly six years, Task Force Vulcan, a federal law enforcement team set up by President Trump during his first term in the White House, was enormously successful in pursuing its central mission: taking down the leadership of the violent transnational street gang MS-13. – New York Times
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosts his Australian, Indian and Japanese counterparts on Tuesday, seeking to boost efforts to counter China even as trade and other bilateral disagreements introduce friction into the relationships. – Reuters
An 82-year-old woman has died after a man hurled Molotov cocktails at her during a peaceful demonstration in support of Israeli hostages earlier this month in Boulder, authorities said Monday. – Colorado Sun
Thomas Warrick and Douglas Lute write: Before this bill reaches the president’s desk, the Senate can set this issue right by granting lawful status to Afghans who pass security vetting (as those here already have) and dropping the crippling fees on those who are qualified to become American citizens. To do otherwise would stain our nation’s character, dishonor our own veterans and compromise our future national security interests. – Washington Post
Seth Mandel writes: And if the North Carolina Democratic Party were intending to sway an international conflict, it would try to find a way to do so. But it has a different goal, and it has found the perfect process to carry it out. Institutions that spend their time and capital designing ways to make Jews feel uncomfortable are not actually focused on Israel. We should keep that in mind as these “symbolic” tactics proliferate. – Commentary Magazine
Cybersecurity
The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Monday it had detected a “new, sophisticated and targeted” cybersecurity incident late last week, adding it has now been contained. – Reuters
Scammers are impersonating the Department of Government Efficiency in an effort to steal personal information and possibly take advantage of people who believe they’ll receive direct compensation from the Elon Musk-created group’s supposed efforts to cut down on waste, fraud and abuse. – CyberScoop
A British IT worker who launched what police described as a cyberattack against his employer after being suspended from work has been jailed for seven months. – The Record
Defense
The top military commander in charge of troops deployed to Los Angeles to respond to protests against immigration raids has asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth if 200 of those forces could be returned to wildfire fighting duty, two U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Monday. – Associated Press
The Defense Logistics Agency Maritime Mechanicsburg awarded a $5 billion contract this month to six businesses with the goal of boosting ship manufacturing at speed. – Defense News
The Missile Defense Agency’s budget request for fiscal 2026 is flat at $10.2 billion and depends on another $3 billion in supplemental funding not yet passed by Congress, bringing the total ask to $13.2 billion, according to Defense Department documents. – Defense News
The Air Force plans to use leftover funds from the LGM-35A Sentinel nuclear missile program to help pay for refurbishing a Qatari-donated plane into a new Air Force One presidential transport aircraft. – Defense News
The Department of the Air Force hit its 2025 goal of recruiting new airmen and Space Force Guardians three months ahead of schedule, the latest service branch to turn the tide from a post-pandemic slump. – Military.com