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Subject: [Salon] Paul Krugman on the global distribution of power
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Paul Krugman
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Power and Geopolitics After Trump
A preview of a talk I'm giving
<https://substack.com/@paulkrugman>
Paul Krugman <https://substack.com/@paulkrugman>
Jun 18, 2026

*Transcript*

Hi everyone. Instead of a regular post today, I=E2=80=99m going to put up a=
 video.
There are a number of reasons why I feel like doing that instead of the
usual. One of them is that this is a dry run for a talk that I will be
giving virtually later today.

There=E2=80=99s a conference on the economics of digital transformation tak=
ing
place in Croatia, although I=E2=80=99ll be doing it remotely. And they have=
 asked
me to talk about global power, geoeconomics, and Europe. Those are all
themes that I=E2=80=99ve been thinking about quite a lot. And today=E2=80=
=99s miniature
talk is an opportunity to try talking through those themes.

And the way I want to structure it is as what has changed, at least in the
way that we all now understand the world, since, well, basically since
Donald Trump returned to power. That=E2=80=99s an American-centric point of=
 view,
if you like, but it=E2=80=99s kind of a natural bracket.

And of course, everything really has changed, mostly not for the better,
under Trump. And it has, as it turns out, big implications for Europe as
well. So let me just try to get into that.

Start by talking about the world as it seemed to be at the beginning of
2025.

There were, and still are, three great economic superpowers in the world:
China, the United States, and the European Union, in that order. If we
measure GDP in 2024 at purchasing power parity, which is basically just
adjusting for differences in national price levels, you had China with a
GDP of something like $37 trillion, the United States with something like
29 trillion and the EU with something like 28 trillion. That last bit may
be a bit of a surprise =E2=80=94 maybe all of it is a surprise to some peop=
le =E2=80=94 but
yes, in terms of the actual amount of stuff it produces the Chinese economy
is now substantially bigger than the US economy. And the European economy
is almost the same size as the US economy. If you think that Europe is
backward and poor and helplessly dependent, it=E2=80=99s not. It is an econ=
omic
superpower.

And in fact, by this measure, Europe has basically maintained this position
of being about comparable to the United States for a long time. This is a
whole other topic that I=E2=80=99ve been writing about and will continue to=
 write
about in the future.

In that world, basically, two things were really kind of striking. One is
that the United States seemed to perceive itself as being a dominant power,
even though China was bigger and even though Europe was about the same
size, and Europe acted as if it seemed to perceive itself as not being in
the same league, as being not a superpower at all. All of that may be
changing, and events are part of the reason, so let=E2=80=99s talk about th=
e events.

Now, the most obvious: the United States just lost a war. Just lost it
bigly, as Trump used to say. It=E2=80=99s an astonishing story. We went up =
against
Iran, which was definitely not a major military power or a major economic
power, a sort of middle-ranked power, if that, and utterly failed to
achieve our war goals.

In the process, we inflicted a lot of damage on the world economy and
depleted our stocks of high-tech weapons that will take years to replace.
Altogether, immense damage was inflicted on Iran, but Iran has clearly
emerged stronger. The United States has emerged humiliated.

The attempts by Trump and minions to pretend that it was a victory don=E2=
=80=99t
help. They only make the United States look not just humiliated but
delusional.

So that=E2=80=99s a big deal. It has large implications for US power and in=
fluence
going forward as well. To explain those implications, it=E2=80=99s helpful =
to talk
about one of the other things that really dramatically changed with Trump
coming back into office, which was trade policy.

The United States began really seriously trying to throw its weight around.
Liberation Day, the tariffs on everybody, basically trying to pressure all
of the world into giving us various kinds of concessions. Give us what we
want or we won=E2=80=99t let you sell in our market and everybody needs to =
sell in
our market.

Okay, what we learned from now well over a year of trade war is that U.S.
power in that dimension is substantially less than certainly than Trump
appeared to believe it was. And just in general, trade, leverage and trade
negotiations, leverage in trade disputes has less to do with market access
than a lot of people assumed and more to do with supply chains, with
getting stuff that you use in your economy, means of production, not in the
sense of capital, but intermediate inputs or just inputs in general. The
nation that has more ability to strangle its rivals by cutting off supply
chains is the one that has the upper hand.

So it turns out, and we had already learned this from the trade stuff, that
China with its dominant position in rare earths and some other crucial
industrial materials actually had a stronger hand than the United States.
Yes, we have a big market, but loss of a market can be offset to some
extent by domestic stimulus, domestic support programs. Not having crucial
industrial materials is not so easy to make up for. So we learned that the
power in international trade disputes in a fundamental sense reflects power
over supply, not power over demand, which is something economists have
always tried to say.

The point of trade is not to sell. The point of trade is to get stuff. You
sell as a way to pay for things that you get from other countries. But now
we have it demonstrated very obviously in real life. So that in itself
meant that we=E2=80=99ve had a blow to the perception of US power. It turns=
 out the
US market is not almighty; access to the US market is not anything like as
powerful a tool as we thought and Chinese strangleholds over key inputs are
much more important.

And then of course we=E2=80=99ve seen that even more graphically demonstrat=
ed by
war with Iran and it turns out that Iran=E2=80=99s ability to disrupt traff=
ic
through the Strait of Hormuz was a really huge empowering point, and it was
the kind of thing that the United States really didn=E2=80=99t think about,=
 and
certainly the Trump administration didn=E2=80=99t think about.

And it shows the true rules of global economic power, because largely Iran
was able to win this war through economic power rather than strictly
military action, the rules of economic power are not what a lot of people
thought they were.

Who benefits from that? Well, obviously China. What we=E2=80=99ve seen now =
is that
in terms of a global power competition, China has demonstrated that they
have substantial power over supply chains. They=E2=80=99ve also demonstrate=
d that
they can weather a cutoff of oil pretty well.

And global power is a zero-sum game. So the United States, by weakening
itself, by showing that we don=E2=80=99t have the ability to impose our wil=
l
militarily, we don=E2=80=99t even have the ability to keep international sh=
ipping
routes open, has emerged as just a much less formidable player, which means
that China by comparison looks better. Add to that the fact that the United
States has been erratic and unreliable. Our current leadership just doesn=
=E2=80=99t
understand that a reputation for doing what you promised, honoring your
agreements, is itself a source of power, and we have done an enormous
amount to undermine that. Not news to anybody.

Trump looks much weaker. America looks much weaker. To a certain extent,
China is the beneficiary of all that, at least in terms of power.

Now, of course, life is not all about power. And in the end, you don=E2=80=
=99t run
a country to maximize global power. Maybe the Chinese do. I=E2=80=99m not s=
ure
about that. But in any case, it=E2=80=99s not a zero-sum game in terms of l=
iving.
But in terms of power, it is a zero-sum game. And the United States share
of that power, however you measure it, is clearly down as a result of the
war.

Europe is a little bit interesting here. Europe played essentially no role
in any of this. Europe wasn=E2=80=99t involved, obviously, in the war. Euro=
pe
didn=E2=80=99t do very much at all except to suffer. Still, one thing that =
is kind
of important is that Europe =E2=80=94 at least to some degree, not really t=
hrough
emergency responses but just through the general way that the Hormuz shock
played out =E2=80=94 Europe demonstrated or some European countries demonst=
rated
that they can be much more independent of global hydrocarbon resources than
they have been.

Europe is not a major oil producing area. It has some, but not a lot. It=E2=
=80=99s
not a major gas producing area anymore. It=E2=80=99s essentially a very res=
ource
poor economy relative to the size of its GDP, relative to its population.
But it is an economy that increasingly relies on renewable energy. And
those countries that have gone especially far in relying on renewables
weathered this really well. That=E2=80=99s the lesson of Spain=E2=80=99s ab=
ility to ride
through this with very little rise in electricity costs compared with some
other countries. Italy, which has very little in the way of renewables and
is very heavily reliant on natural gas for electricity generation, Italy
did much worse.

But Spain has given an illustration of how the renewable energy revolution
=E2=80=94 solar plus batteries is what really runs Spain now =E2=80=94 has =
made Europe more
independent and can make it more independent still in a world economy where
control of natural resources used to be really critical and it=E2=80=99s be=
coming
increasingly less critical.

So that=E2=80=99s actually a point in Europe=E2=80=99s favor. That=E2=80=99=
s one piece Another
piece of this is that Europe has always, in my lifetime, literally, and
from a bit before my lifetime, Europe has always been far less of a global
power player than you would expect given its sheer economic weight.

Now that=E2=80=99s partly because Europe doesn=E2=80=99t exist as a politic=
al entity.
though it=E2=80=99s more of one than it used to be; the common market has g=
radually
turned into something more than that and Europe is able in some important
ways to operate as one and is finding ad hoc ways of cooperating more. But
it was always in a secondary position very much =E2=80=94 or tertiary posit=
ion
given the rise of China =E2=80=94 largely because the United States in addi=
tion to
having a big economy was overwhelmingly the dominant military force.

Now until just the other day there was never a question that the United
States would use its military force against Europe; but Europe depended on
the United States. Europe=E2=80=99s defense, its security, all depended on =
the
United States.

Okay, now where are we? The United States is quite simply just less
credible as a security guarantor, not just because of crazy stuff where we
threaten Denmark over Greenland, and not just because we=E2=80=99re erratic=
 all the
time, but because we=E2=80=99ve just demonstrated that our military capabil=
ity is a
lot less than we thought it was. The United States could not batter Iran
into doing what it wanted. It could not keep the Strait of Hormuz open. So
U.S. military preeminence is a lot less intimidating, also a lot less
reassuring if you thought you had America on your good side than it used to
be.

And on the other hand the prospect that Europe might be able to defend
itself, achieve its own security without the United States, looks a lot
stronger than it did not very long ago. And that=E2=80=99s not just because=
 of the
war in Iran but also because of the war in Ukraine.

Now, there are many, many horrifying things that have happened under Trump.
One of the ones that is particularly horrifying to some of us is the
abandonment of Ukraine, the clear tilt towards siding with Putin in his
attempt to destroy a democratic nation. The United States basically stopped
giving any aid to Ukraine at all. almost as soon as Trump took office. U.S.
aid of all kinds, but especially, of course, military aid, is all gone.

But a funny thing has happened. Ukraine is still standing. If anything, the
war seems to be tilting in its direction. Now, that reflects partly the
fact that Europe did step up. particularly with economic aid: Europe has
filled the gap, pretty much, that the United States left so the flow of
money to Ukraine continues.

But it=E2=80=99s also because war has changed. To the extent that the Unite=
d States
appeared to be essential it wasn=E2=80=99t just the money =E2=80=94 we knew=
 that Europe
could come up with some money =E2=80=94 but it appeared that what would wha=
t How
could Ukraine defend itself without U.S. weapons?

Well, it turns out that in this age of drone warfare that Ukraine can
mostly defend itself. Actually, what they can=E2=80=99t really stop is Russ=
ian
missiles that destroy civilian targets, which is horrifying, but it doesn=
=E2=80=99t
appear to really work in terms of altering the military balance.

And Ukraine has developed its own suite of weapons, and quite aside from
the fact that Ukraine is hanging in there, this says that one of the
sources of perceived US superpower status=E2=80=94 super duper power? versu=
s Europe
is a mere superpower? =E2=80=94 was that, well, we had the weapons, that we=
 had the
technology, that even if Europe could come up with the money, they needed
U.S. weapons to be effective, as did Ukraine. And if the United States cut
off the flow of weapons, what could you do? You really could not stand
without all of those sophisticated, high-tech weapons that only the United
States knew how to produce.

Well, those weapons are kind of looking obsolete right now. Not entirely,
but we just saw Iran do a lot of damage with drones that the United States
didn=E2=80=99t appear prepared to stop. And the United States, with all of =
its
super-duper weapons, was not able to suppress them.

We had the spectacle of million-dollar patriots shooting down $30,000
Shaheds. This is not a good look. And Ukraine has become a major arms
producer ,has become in many ways the expert in this new age of drone
warfare. The Europeans are picking up some of that, and there=E2=80=99s a l=
ot of
new cooperation on weapons with Ukraine.

But maybe the most important thing to say is that, well, that special U.S.
advantage, because we had the weapons and no one else did, it=E2=80=99s not=
 much of
an advantage now that it appears that those weapons are largely obsolete.

Not totally, of course. The Ukrainians would really love to get more
Patriot missiles to stop some of those Russian missiles that are destroying
11th century churches and so on. But the balance has shifted in a way that
means that the United States is not indispensable at any level. We=E2=80=99=
re not
indispensable financially, and we=E2=80=99re not even indispensable militar=
ily.
It=E2=80=99s like we have the world=E2=80=99s best cavalry in an age of mac=
hine guns. What
good does that do?

Okay the Chinese presumably have immense capacity. Chinese dominance of
manufacturing means that on almost any dimension China is the super super
duper power, they=E2=80=99re really way out in front. But there=E2=80=99s m=
uch more parity
between between Europe and the United States than there was because the
United States doesn=E2=80=99t really have economic dominance and we don=E2=
=80=99t have
military dominance anymore. We dominated an age of warfare that now appears
to be behind us.

So where does Europe stand here?

In a rational world, the rise of China and the coordinated, concerted,
efforts of the United States and Europe to deal with that rise would be the
central story of geopolitics in the year 2026. Unfortunately, things are
not rational. And so we have a belligerent, erratic United States with
Europe largely on its own.

But Europe being on its own is not nearly as impossible to imagine as it
used to be. This is a world that has tilted towards China. That=E2=80=99s p=
robably
the biggest story. But it is also, in effect, tilted towards Europe because
it=E2=80=99s tilted away from us here in the United States.

Take care.

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C02c/storyboard.jpg?token=3DeyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsImtpZCI6IjNNUGRjaUxvcXRlOUh=
DTFN6bU80a2ZxcXBtcHdwcnpPUzAxSG9jRkFmZTJNbGd0bU16SHU0TlEiLCJ0eXAiOiJKV1QifQ=
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serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe =
UI Symbol&quot;;font-weight:700">A preview of a talk I&#39;m giving</div></=
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il-pc-justifyContent-flex-start gmail-pc-reset gmail-ltr-qDBmby" style=3D"t=
ext-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><span style=3D"min-width=
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eta-EgzBVA" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;margin:0px;font-=
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quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0=
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ugman" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-decoration-hover-underl=
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ze:11px;line-height:20px;font-family:&quot;SF Compact&quot;,-apple-system,s=
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</div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-=
pc-flexDirection-column gmail-pc-gap-16 gmail-pc-paddingTop-16 gmail-pc-res=
et" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex;padding-top=
:16px"><div class=3D"gmail-postContentWrapper-MYe7fH"><div><div class=3D"gm=
ail-available-content" style=3D"display:flex"><div dir=3D"auto" class=3D"gm=
ail-body gmail-markup" style=3D"width:699.2px;margin-bottom:16px;word-break=
:break-word"><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px"><strong>Tra=
nscript</strong></p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Hi e=
veryone. Instead of a regular post today, I=E2=80=99m going to put up a vid=
eo. There are a number of reasons why I feel like doing that instead of the=
 usual. One of them is that this is a dry run for a talk that I will be giv=
ing virtually later today.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px =
20px">There=E2=80=99s a conference on the economics of digital transformati=
on taking place in Croatia, although I=E2=80=99ll be doing it remotely. And=
 they have asked me to talk about global power, geoeconomics, and Europe. T=
hose are all themes that I=E2=80=99ve been thinking about quite a lot. And =
today=E2=80=99s miniature talk is an opportunity to try talking through tho=
se themes.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">And the wa=
y I want to structure it is as what has changed, at least in the way that w=
e all now understand the world, since, well, basically since Donald Trump r=
eturned to power. That=E2=80=99s an American-centric point of view, if you =
like, but it=E2=80=99s kind of a natural bracket.</p><p style=3D"line-heigh=
t:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">And of course, everything really has changed, =
mostly not for the better, under Trump. And it has, as it turns out, big im=
plications for Europe as well. So let me just try to get into that.</p><p s=
tyle=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Start by talking about the w=
orld as it seemed to be at the beginning of 2025.</p><p style=3D"line-heigh=
t:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">There were, and still are, three great economi=
c superpowers in the world: China, the United States, and the European Unio=
n, in that order. If we measure GDP in 2024 at purchasing power parity, whi=
ch is basically just adjusting for differences in national price levels, yo=
u had China with a GDP of something like $37 trillion, the United States wi=
th something like 29 trillion and the EU with something like 28 trillion. T=
hat last bit may be a bit of a surprise =E2=80=94 maybe all of it is a surp=
rise to some people =E2=80=94 but yes, in terms of the actual amount of stu=
ff it produces the Chinese economy is now substantially bigger than the US =
economy. And the European economy is almost the same size as the US economy=
. If you think that Europe is backward and poor and helplessly dependent, i=
t=E2=80=99s not. It is an economic superpower.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1=
.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">And in fact, by this measure, Europe has basicall=
y maintained this position of being about comparable to the United States f=
or a long time. This is a whole other topic that I=E2=80=99ve been writing =
about and will continue to write about in the future.</p><p style=3D"line-h=
eight:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">In that world, basically, two things were =
really kind of striking. One is that the United States seemed to perceive i=
tself as being a dominant power, even though China was bigger and even thou=
gh Europe was about the same size, and Europe acted as if it seemed to perc=
eive itself as not being in the same league, as being not a superpower at a=
ll. All of that may be changing, and events are part of the reason, so let=
=E2=80=99s talk about the events.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0=
px 0px 20px">Now, the most obvious: the United States just lost a war. Just=
 lost it bigly, as Trump used to say. It=E2=80=99s an astonishing story. We=
 went up against Iran, which was definitely not a major military power or a=
 major economic power, a sort of middle-ranked power, if that, and utterly =
failed to achieve our war goals.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0p=
x 0px 20px">In the process, we inflicted a lot of damage on the world econo=
my and depleted our stocks of high-tech weapons that will take years to rep=
lace. Altogether, immense damage was inflicted on Iran, but Iran has clearl=
y emerged stronger. The United States has emerged humiliated.</p><p style=
=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">The attempts by Trump and minion=
s to pretend that it was a victory don=E2=80=99t help. They only make the U=
nited States look not just humiliated but delusional.</p><p style=3D"line-h=
eight:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">So that=E2=80=99s a big deal. It has large=
 implications for US power and influence going forward as well. To explain =
those implications, it=E2=80=99s helpful to talk about one of the other thi=
ngs that really dramatically changed with Trump coming back into office, wh=
ich was trade policy.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px"=
>The United States began really seriously trying to throw its weight around=
. Liberation Day, the tariffs on everybody, basically trying to pressure al=
l of the world into giving us various kinds of concessions. Give us what we=
 want or we won=E2=80=99t let you sell in our market and everybody needs to=
 sell in our market.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">=
Okay, what we learned from now well over a year of trade war is that U.S. p=
ower in that dimension is substantially less than certainly than Trump appe=
ared to believe it was. And just in general, trade, leverage and trade nego=
tiations, leverage in trade disputes has less to do with market access than=
 a lot of people assumed and more to do with supply chains, with getting st=
uff that you use in your economy, means of production, not in the sense of =
capital, but intermediate inputs or just inputs in general. The nation that=
 has more ability to strangle its rivals by cutting off supply chains is th=
e one that has the upper hand.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px =
0px 20px">So it turns out, and we had already learned this from the trade s=
tuff, that China with its dominant position in rare earths and some other c=
rucial industrial materials actually had a stronger hand than the United St=
ates. Yes, we have a big market, but loss of a market can be offset to some=
 extent by domestic stimulus, domestic support programs. Not having crucial=
 industrial materials is not so easy to make up for. So we learned that the=
 power in international trade disputes in a fundamental sense reflects powe=
r over supply, not power over demand, which is something economists have al=
ways tried to say.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Th=
e point of trade is not to sell. The point of trade is to get stuff. You se=
ll as a way to pay for things that you get from other countries. But now we=
 have it demonstrated very obviously in real life. So that in itself meant =
that we=E2=80=99ve had a blow to the perception of US power. It turns out t=
he US market is not almighty; access to the US market is not anything like =
as powerful a tool as we thought and Chinese strangleholds over key inputs =
are much more important.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20=
px">And then of course we=E2=80=99ve seen that even more graphically demons=
trated by war with Iran and it turns out that Iran=E2=80=99s ability to dis=
rupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was a really huge empowering poin=
t, and it was the kind of thing that the United States really didn=E2=80=99=
t think about, and certainly the Trump administration didn=E2=80=99t think =
about.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">And it shows t=
he true rules of global economic power, because largely Iran was able to wi=
n this war through economic power rather than strictly military action, the=
 rules of economic power are not what a lot of people thought they were.</p=
><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Who benefits from that?=
 Well, obviously China. What we=E2=80=99ve seen now is that in terms of a g=
lobal power competition, China has demonstrated that they have substantial =
power over supply chains. They=E2=80=99ve also demonstrated that they can w=
eather a cutoff of oil pretty well.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin=
:0px 0px 20px">And global power is a zero-sum game. So the United States, b=
y weakening itself, by showing that we don=E2=80=99t have the ability to im=
pose our will militarily, we don=E2=80=99t even have the ability to keep in=
ternational shipping routes open, has emerged as just a much less formidabl=
e player, which means that China by comparison looks better. Add to that th=
e fact that the United States has been erratic and unreliable. Our current =
leadership just doesn=E2=80=99t understand that a reputation for doing what=
 you promised, honoring your agreements, is itself a source of power, and w=
e have done an enormous amount to undermine that. Not news to anybody.</p><=
p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Trump looks much weaker. =
America looks much weaker. To a certain extent, China is the beneficiary of=
 all that, at least in terms of power.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;mar=
gin:0px 0px 20px">Now, of course, life is not all about power. And in the e=
nd, you don=E2=80=99t run a country to maximize global power. Maybe the Chi=
nese do. I=E2=80=99m not sure about that. But in any case, it=E2=80=99s not=
 a zero-sum game in terms of living. But in terms of power, it is a zero-su=
m game. And the United States share of that power, however you measure it, =
is clearly down as a result of the war.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;ma=
rgin:0px 0px 20px">Europe is a little bit interesting here. Europe played e=
ssentially no role in any of this. Europe wasn=E2=80=99t involved, obviousl=
y, in the war. Europe didn=E2=80=99t do very much at all except to suffer. =
Still, one thing that is kind of important is that Europe =E2=80=94 at leas=
t to some degree, not really through emergency responses but just through t=
he general way that the Hormuz shock played out =E2=80=94 Europe demonstrat=
ed or some European countries demonstrated that they can be much more indep=
endent of global hydrocarbon resources than they have been.</p><p style=3D"=
line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Europe is not a major oil producing =
area. It has some, but not a lot. It=E2=80=99s not a major gas producing ar=
ea anymore. It=E2=80=99s essentially a very resource poor economy relative =
to the size of its GDP, relative to its population. But it is an economy th=
at increasingly relies on renewable energy. And those countries that have g=
one especially far in relying on renewables weathered this really well. Tha=
t=E2=80=99s the lesson of Spain=E2=80=99s ability to ride through this with=
 very little rise in electricity costs compared with some other countries. =
Italy, which has very little in the way of renewables and is very heavily r=
eliant on natural gas for electricity generation, Italy did much worse.</p>=
<p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">But Spain has given an i=
llustration of how the renewable energy revolution =E2=80=94 solar plus bat=
teries is what really runs Spain now =E2=80=94 has made Europe more indepen=
dent and can make it more independent still in a world economy where contro=
l of natural resources used to be really critical and it=E2=80=99s becoming=
 increasingly less critical.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0p=
x 20px">So that=E2=80=99s actually a point in Europe=E2=80=99s favor. That=
=E2=80=99s one piece Another piece of this is that Europe has always, in my=
 lifetime, literally, and from a bit before my lifetime, Europe has always =
been far less of a global power player than you would expect given its shee=
r economic weight.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">No=
w that=E2=80=99s partly because Europe doesn=E2=80=99t exist as a political=
 entity. though it=E2=80=99s more of one than it used to be; the common mar=
ket has gradually turned into something more than that and Europe is able i=
n some important ways to operate as one and is finding ad hoc ways of coope=
rating more. But it was always in a secondary position very much =E2=80=94 =
or tertiary position given the rise of China =E2=80=94 largely because the =
United States in addition to having a big economy was overwhelmingly the do=
minant military force.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px=
">Now until just the other day there was never a question that the United S=
tates would use its military force against Europe; but Europe depended on t=
he United States. Europe=E2=80=99s defense, its security, all depended on t=
he United States.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Oka=
y, now where are we? The United States is quite simply just less credible a=
s a security guarantor, not just because of crazy stuff where we threaten D=
enmark over Greenland, and not just because we=E2=80=99re erratic all the t=
ime, but because we=E2=80=99ve just demonstrated that our military capabili=
ty is a lot less than we thought it was. The United States could not batter=
 Iran into doing what it wanted. It could not keep the Strait of Hormuz ope=
n. So U.S. military preeminence is a lot less intimidating, also a lot less=
 reassuring if you thought you had America on your good side than it used t=
o be.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">And on the othe=
r hand the prospect that Europe might be able to defend itself, achieve its=
 own security without the United States, looks a lot stronger than it did n=
ot very long ago. And that=E2=80=99s not just because of the war in Iran bu=
t also because of the war in Ukraine.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;marg=
in:0px 0px 20px">Now, there are many, many horrifying things that have happ=
ened under Trump. One of the ones that is particularly horrifying to some o=
f us is the abandonment of Ukraine, the clear tilt towards siding with Puti=
n in his attempt to destroy a democratic nation. The United States basicall=
y stopped giving any aid to Ukraine at all. almost as soon as Trump took of=
fice. U.S. aid of all kinds, but especially, of course, military aid, is al=
l gone.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">But a funny t=
hing has happened. Ukraine is still standing. If anything, the war seems to=
 be tilting in its direction. Now, that reflects partly the fact that Europ=
e did step up. particularly with economic aid: Europe has filled the gap, p=
retty much, that the United States left so the flow of money to Ukraine con=
tinues.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">But it=E2=80=
=99s also because war has changed. To the extent that the United States app=
eared to be essential it wasn=E2=80=99t just the money =E2=80=94 we knew th=
at Europe could come up with some money =E2=80=94 but it appeared that what=
 would what How could Ukraine defend itself without U.S. weapons?</p><p sty=
le=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Well, it turns out that in thi=
s age of drone warfare that Ukraine can mostly defend itself. Actually, wha=
t they can=E2=80=99t really stop is Russian missiles that destroy civilian =
targets, which is horrifying, but it doesn=E2=80=99t appear to really work =
in terms of altering the military balance.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em=
;margin:0px 0px 20px">And Ukraine has developed its own suite of weapons, a=
nd quite aside from the fact that Ukraine is hanging in there, this says th=
at one of the sources of perceived US superpower status=E2=80=94 super dupe=
r power? versus Europe is a mere superpower? =E2=80=94 was that, well, we h=
ad the weapons, that we had the technology, that even if Europe could come =
up with the money, they needed U.S. weapons to be effective, as did Ukraine=
. And if the United States cut off the flow of weapons, what could you do? =
You really could not stand without all of those sophisticated, high-tech we=
apons that only the United States knew how to produce.</p><p style=3D"line-=
height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Well, those weapons are kind of looking o=
bsolete right now. Not entirely, but we just saw Iran do a lot of damage wi=
th drones that the United States didn=E2=80=99t appear prepared to stop. An=
d the United States, with all of its super-duper weapons, was not able to s=
uppress them.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">We had =
the spectacle of million-dollar patriots shooting down $30,000 Shaheds. Thi=
s is not a good look. And Ukraine has become a major arms producer ,has bec=
ome in many ways the expert in this new age of drone warfare. The Europeans=
 are picking up some of that, and there=E2=80=99s a lot of new cooperation =
on weapons with Ukraine.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20=
px">But maybe the most important thing to say is that, well, that special U=
.S. advantage, because we had the weapons and no one else did, it=E2=80=99s=
 not much of an advantage now that it appears that those weapons are largel=
y obsolete.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Not total=
ly, of course. The Ukrainians would really love to get more Patriot missile=
s to stop some of those Russian missiles that are destroying 11th century c=
hurches and so on. But the balance has shifted in a way that means that the=
 United States is not indispensable at any level. We=E2=80=99re not indispe=
nsable financially, and we=E2=80=99re not even indispensable militarily. It=
=E2=80=99s like we have the world=E2=80=99s best cavalry in an age of machi=
ne guns. What good does that do?</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0p=
x 0px 20px">Okay the Chinese presumably have immense capacity. Chinese domi=
nance of manufacturing means that on almost any dimension China is the supe=
r super duper power, they=E2=80=99re really way out in front. But there=E2=
=80=99s much more parity between between Europe and the United States than =
there was because the United States doesn=E2=80=99t really have economic do=
minance and we don=E2=80=99t have military dominance anymore. We dominated =
an age of warfare that now appears to be behind us.</p><p style=3D"line-hei=
ght:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">So where does Europe stand here?</p><p style=
=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">In a rational world, the rise of=
 China and the coordinated, concerted, efforts of the United States and Eur=
ope to deal with that rise would be the central story of geopolitics in the=
 year 2026. Unfortunately, things are not rational. And so we have a bellig=
erent, erratic United States with Europe largely on its own.</p><p style=3D=
"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">But Europe being on its own is not =
nearly as impossible to imagine as it used to be. This is a world that has =
tilted towards China. That=E2=80=99s probably the biggest story. But it is =
also, in effect, tilted towards Europe because it=E2=80=99s tilted away fro=
m us here in the United States.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px=
">Take care.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div=
></div></div>

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Subject: [Salon] What Triggered Trump to Make the Deal with Iran?
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*https://larrycjohnson.substack.com/p/what-triggered-trump-to-make-the?utm_=
source=3Dpost-email-title&publication_id=3D1225061&post_id=3D202531883&utm_=
campaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreemail=3Dfalse&r=3D210kv&triedRedirect=3Dtr=
ue&utm_medium=3Demail
<https://larrycjohnson.substack.com/p/what-triggered-trump-to-make-the?utm_=
source=3Dpost-email-title&publication_id=3D1225061&post_id=3D202531883&utm_=
campaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreemail=3Dfalse&r=3D210kv&triedRedirect=3Dtr=
ue&utm_medium=3Demail>*

*What Triggered Trump to Make the Deal with Iran?*
*Larry C Johnson* <https://substack.com/@larrycjohnson>    6/18/26
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!R8mq!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2Fee599793-5f9a-4c17-b97a-a63021b5122d_474x266.png>*Trump
signs electronic copy of the MOU in Versailles*

*To quote James Carville, =E2=80=9CIts the economy stupid!=E2=80=9D On Mond=
ay I wrote:*

*So the question we ought to ask is why did Donald Trump blink and accept
the proposal that Iran proffered way back in April?*

*I think there are several reasons, but the principal one is that the US is
running out of oil, which means Trump will not be able to artificially
suppress the price of gasoline. US strategic oil reserves have fallen to
their lowest level since 1983, reports CNN. The decline comes amid
continued drawdowns to mitigate the impact of the conflict with Iran.
Reserves have dropped to 340.3 million barrels, last seen during the Reagan
administration, which was still building the stockpile. US daily
consumption is 20 to 21 million barrels in 2026, which means the reserve
can supply 17 days of gasoline, which falls on July 1st.*

*Today, my dear friend Pepe Escobar, reported that Donald Trump was briefed
over the weekend =E2=80=94 perhaps by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright =E2=
=80=94 that the
rapidly draining Strategic Petroleum Reserve would be exhausted within
weeks. Who knew that Donald Trump would confirm this during his press
conference announcing the deal with Iran? Trump told reporters today that
oil reserves would have run out in four weeks if the Strait of Hormuz had
not been reopened. His exact words were:*

*We run out of reserves at about four weeks. You know, there are reserves
all over the world, and we would really run out, and there=E2=80=99ll be a =
time
when you wouldn=E2=80=99t be able to get it.*

*There you have it=E2=80=A6 Trump and his key economic and energy advisors =
realize
that the US economy could go off the cliff before the end of summer, which
would certainly eliminate any chance that the Republicans would retain
control of the Senate and the House.*

*If you have not read the MOU, here it is:*

*Full text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic
Republic of Iran and the United States of America*

*The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, jointly and
in good faith, agreed on the following on June 18, 2026:*

*1. The Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States of America, and their
allies in the current war, by signing this memorandum of understanding,
declare an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all
fronts, including Lebanon, and commit not to initiate any war or military
operation against each other henceforth, to refrain from threats or use of
force against each other, and to guarantee the territorial integrity and
sovereignty of Lebanon. The final agreement will confirm the permanent end
of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and the other provisions of
this clause.*

*2. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America commit to
respect each other=E2=80=99s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to r=
efrain
from interfering in each other=E2=80=99s internal affairs.*

*3. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America commit to
conduct negotiations and reach a final agreement within a maximum of 60
days, extendable by mutual consent.*

*4. Immediately upon signing this memorandum of understanding, the United
States of America will begin lifting its naval blockade and any harassment
or obstruction against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will completely
end the naval blockade within 30 days. During this period, ship traffic
will be proportional to the pre-war traffic volume as established by the
Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America also commits to
withdraw its military forces from the peripheral area of the Islamic
Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final agreement.*

*5. Upon signing this memorandum of understanding, the Islamic Republic of
Iran will make arrangements with its utmost effort for the safe passage of
commercial ships, free of charge for only 60 days, from the Persian Gulf to
the Sea of Oman and vice versa. Commercial ship traffic will commence
immediately and will be established within 30 days considering the
necessity of removing technical and military obstacles and mine clearance
by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran will
negotiate with the Sultanate of Oman to determine the future administration
and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with
applicable international law and the sovereign rights of the coastal
countries of the Strait of Hormuz, and will also consult with other Persian
Gulf coastal countries.*

*6. The United States of America commits, together with its regional
partners, to create a definitive program agreed upon by both parties for
the reconstruction and economic development of the Islamic Republic of
Iran, providing at least 300 billion dollars. The implementation mechanism
of this program will be finalized as part of the final agreement within 60
days. All necessary approvals, waivers, and licenses for the related
financial transactions will be provided by the United States of America.*

*7. The United States of America commits to end all types of sanctions
against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including United Nations Security
Council resolutions, International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors
resolutions, and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, both primary and secondary,
according to a timetable agreed upon as part of the final agreement. The
Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the
fundamental importance of the issue of sanction removal mentioned above and
express their intention to address these matters promptly in negotiations
to reach a mutual agreement on them.*

*8. The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it will not produce or
acquire nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States
of America have agreed that the status of stored enriched materials will be
resolved through a mechanism agreed upon by both parties and according to
the timetable set forth in clause 7, at least by dilution on site, under
the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Both parties
also agree to discuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed
topics related to the nuclear needs of the Islamic Republic of Iran based
on a satisfactory framework to be agreed upon in the final agreement. The
final agreement will confirm the provisions of this clause. The Islamic
Republic of Iran and the United States of America acknowledge the
fundamental importance of the nuclear issues mentioned above and express
their intention to address these matters promptly in negotiations to reach
a mutual agreement on them.*

*9. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America agree to
maintain the status quo until a final agreement is reached; the Islamic
Republic of Iran will maintain the status quo in its nuclear program, and
the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions against Iran
nor deploy additional military forces in the region.*

*10. The United States of America commits to immediately issuing waivers
from the Treasury Department for the export of Iranian crude oil,
petrochemical products and their derivatives, and all related services
including banking transactions, insurance, transportation, etc., upon
signing this memorandum of understanding and until the sanctions are
lifted.*

*11. The United States of America commits to fully making available the
limited or blocked funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran for use
upon implementation of this memorandum of understanding. The United States
of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutually agree on the
procedure for releasing these funds during the negotiations. These funds,
whether held in the main account or transferred, must be fully usable for
payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central Bank of the
Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America commits to issuing
all necessary approvals and licenses in this regard.*

*12. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America agree to
establish an executive mechanism to monitor the successful implementation
of this memorandum of understanding and future adherence to the final
agreement.*

*13. After signing this memorandum of understanding and subject to the
commencement of implementation of clauses 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this
memorandum and the continuation of these actions, the Islamic Republic of
Iran and the United States of America will exclusively begin negotiations
on the remaining clauses of the final agreement.*

*14. The final agreement will be endorsed by a binding resolution of the
United Nations Security Council.*


   8.

*Trump still has a problem=E2=80=A6 Opening the Strait of Hormuz will not m=
ean
immediate relief for the shortage in the global oil market. The reopening
of the Strait of Hormuz is a necessary but far from sufficient condition
for global oil supply to normalize. Several compounding factors will delay
meaningful relief to world markets, likely for weeks to months.*

*The Anchored Tanker Problem =E2=80=94 A Backlog, Not a Surge*

*The intuitive assumption is that dozens of fully loaded tankers sitting at
anchor in the Persian Gulf represent a coiled spring =E2=80=94 once the str=
ait
opens, they all rush to market simultaneously, flooding supply. The reality
is more complicated and, in key respects, the opposite.*

*Many of those tankers have been sitting with crude aboard for up to four
months. That oil is not in good condition. Crude oil in storage aboard a
VLCC in the Persian Gulf=E2=80=99s extreme heat undergoes thermal degradati=
on,
sedimentation, and in some grades, partial polymerization of heavier
fractions. More practically, the cargo specifications that a refinery
contracted for may no longer be met after months of heat exposure and water
separation issues in the tanks. Before those cargoes can be delivered, they
will need to be tested, and some will need blending or reprocessing before
any refinery will accept them.*

*Beyond cargo quality, the ships themselves have been idle for four months.
Engines need to be brought back online carefully. Hull fouling =E2=80=94 th=
e
accumulation of marine growth on the hull during idle periods =E2=80=94
significantly reduces speed and fuel efficiency, meaning transit times will
be longer than normal. Some vessels will require port inspections before
they can legally sail under their flag state rules.*

*Finally, even if every anchored tanker departed tomorrow, the receiving
terminals and refineries on the other end are not standing by with empty
tanks ready to accept a simultaneous flood of deliveries. Port scheduling,
berth availability, and refinery run rates all have to be coordinated. A
surge of arrivals would create congestion at discharge ports that would
paradoxically slow the effective rate at which oil enters the refinery
system.*

*The Transit Time Problem =E2=80=94 The Pipeline Has to Refill*

*Even under normal circumstances, oil doesn=E2=80=99t appear on world marke=
ts the
moment a tanker is loaded. A VLCC sailing from Kharg Island in Iran or Ras
Tanura in Saudi Arabia to Rotterdam takes roughly 20 to 25 days via the
Cape of Good Hope route =E2=80=94 which many ships were forced to use durin=
g the
closure =E2=80=94 or about 18 to 20 days through Suez even after Hormuz reo=
pens.
Delivery to Asian customers in China, Japan, or South Korea from Gulf
loading ports runs 15 to 20 days through the strait under normal
conditions.*

*This means that the crude being loaded today =E2=80=94 assuming loading co=
uld
begin immediately =E2=80=94 won=E2=80=99t appear as refined product availab=
le to consumers
for five to seven weeks at minimum, once you account for transit,
discharge, refinery processing time, and distribution. The world is not
going to feel this at the pump in days or even the first couple of weeks.*

*More importantly, the production side has to normalize too. Fields that
were producing at reduced rates or were shut in during the conflict don=E2=
=80=99t
simply snap back to full output instantly. Reservoir pressure management,
wellhead and pipeline inspections, and restart protocols for offshore
platforms all take time. Saudi Aramco, for instance, has operational
procedures for bringing shut-in capacity back online that are measured in
weeks, not hours.*

*The Mine Problem =E2=80=94 The Most Underappreciated Factor*

*This may be the single biggest constraint on rapid resumption of normal
traffic, and it is receiving far less attention than it deserves.*

*The MOU text requires Iran to use =E2=80=9Cbest efforts=E2=80=9D to reopen=
 the strait and
to begin demining, but demining is not a quick process. The Persian Gulf
and the approaches to the strait contain some of the most commercially
sensitive and geographically constrained shipping lanes in the world. Iran
has had four months to lay mines across chokepoints that are, at their
narrowest, about 21 nautical miles wide, with only two navigable channels
of roughly two miles each.*

*Marine mine clearance =E2=80=94 even with modern equipment and in cooperat=
ive
conditions =E2=80=94 is painstaking work. A minesweeper cannot simply drag =
a
channel and declare it clear. Each suspected mine must be located,
classified, and either detonated in place or rendered safe by divers or
ROVs. In contested or uncertain conditions, the pace is even slower. There
is no international consensus yet on who will conduct clearance operations,
who will certify lanes as safe, and what standard of clearance will be
accepted before commercial traffic is deemed acceptable. If the US takes on
the task, it could be a lengthy process. In late April, the Washington Post
reported that the Pentagon told Congress it could take six months to fully
clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines deployed by the Iranian military.*

*This directly feeds into the insurance problem. The Lloyd=E2=80=99s of Lon=
don
market and its Joint War Committee designate geographic areas as war risk
zones, which triggers additional premium loadings on hull and cargo
coverage for any vessel transiting those waters. The Persian Gulf and
Hormuz are almost certainly now designated at the highest war risk tier.
Even with the MOU signed, underwriters will not quickly remove that
designation. They will wait for credible evidence of mine clearance, a
sustained period of incident-free transits, and independent verification =
=E2=80=94
not a diplomatic document.*

*The practical consequence is that until insurance markets normalize, many
shipping companies will simply refuse to send their most valuable assets =
=E2=80=94
a VLCC loaded with two million barrels of crude is worth well over $200
million between the ship and cargo =E2=80=94 through waters that their insu=
rers
either won=E2=80=99t cover or will cover only at premiums that make the voy=
age
economically irrational. War risk premiums during periods of active
conflict can run to multiples of normal rates. Those rates don=E2=80=99t fa=
ll to
normal levels on the day a ceasefire is announced. They fall gradually, as
actuarial evidence accumulates that the risk has actually diminished.*

*The Net Picture*

*The opening of the strait is a precondition for oil market normalization,
not normalization itself. The realistic sequence is: a cautious initial
resumption of traffic by the most risk-tolerant operators, followed by
gradual mine clearance certification of specific channels, followed by a
slow return of mainstream commercial shipping as insurers progressively
reduce war risk premiums, followed =E2=80=94 weeks later =E2=80=94 by the a=
ctual arrival of
that oil at refineries and its conversion into usable product.*

*A reasonable estimate for when world markets might begin to see materially
increased supply as a result of today=E2=80=99s agreement is six to ten wee=
ks at
the earliest, and that assumes no incidents, no mine strikes, no political
reversals, and a cooperative Iranian demining effort. Any one of those
things going wrong resets the clock.*

*While Trump=E2=80=99s decision to finalize the MOU with Iran is a positive=
 step
(and I was wrong in my assessment that this would not happen) the road to
economic recovery and stabilization of world markets is still months away.*

*One final note of irony=E2=80=A6 Trump electronically signed the MOU in th=
e Hall
of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, which was where the primary peace
settlement ending World War I was signed between the Allied powers and
Germany. I don=E2=80=99t think Trump had an Allied victory in mind as he si=
gned the
document.*

------------------------------

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"=
https://larrycjohnson.substack.com/p/what-triggered-trump-to-make-the?utm_s=
ource=3Dpost-email-title&amp;publication_id=3D1225061&amp;post_id=3D2025318=
83&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;r=3D210kv=
&amp;triedRedirect=3Dtrue&amp;utm_medium=3Demail" target=3D"_blank">https:/=
/larrycjohnson.substack.com/p/what-triggered-trump-to-make-the?utm_source=
=3Dpost-email-title&amp;publication_id=3D1225061&amp;post_id=3D202531883&am=
p;utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;r=3D210kv&amp;=
triedRedirect=3Dtrue&amp;utm_medium=3Demail</a><br></font></b></div><div><b=
><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"line-=
height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb=
(27,27,27)"><font size=3D"4" face=3D"georgia, serif"><i>What Triggered Trum=
p to Make the Deal with Iran?</i></font></h1><div style=3D"margin-bottom:1.=
45em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/@l=
arrycjohnson" style=3D"text-decoration:none;margin:0px;color:rgb(27,27,27);=
max-width:100%;display:inline" target=3D"_blank"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">Larry C Johnson</font></b></a>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 6/18/26</div><div style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><a href=3D"https://substackcdn.com/=
image/fetch/$s_!R8mq!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2=
Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fee599793-5f9a-4c1=
7-b97a-a63021b5122d_474x266.png" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65=
,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><=
span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><img src=3D"=
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!R8mq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:=
good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.co=
m%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fee599793-5f9a-4c17-b97a-a63021b5122d_474x266.png" wid=
th=3D"412" height=3D"231" alt=3D"" title=3D"" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5=
em auto;display:block"></font></b></span></div></a><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif"><b>Trump signs electronic copy of the MOU in Versailles</b></font></d=
iv><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif"><b>To quote James Carville, =E2=80=9CIts the economy stupid!=E2=80=9D=
 On Monday I wrote:</b></font></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.6=
5);margin-left:2px;margin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px=
;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%">=
<p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>So the questio=
n we ought to ask is why did Donald Trump blink and accept the proposal tha=
t Iran proffered way back in April?</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100=
%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b><span style=3D"max-width:100%">I think =
there are several reasons, but the principal one is that the US is running =
out of oil, which means Trump will not be able to artificially suppress the=
 price of gasoline. US strategic oil reserves have fallen to their lowest l=
evel since 1983, reports<span>=C2=A0</span></span><span style=3D"max-width:=
100%">CNN</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">. The decline comes amid con=
tinued drawdowns to mitigate the impact of the conflict with<span>=C2=A0</s=
pan></span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Iran</span><span style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%">. Reserves have dropped to<span>=C2=A0</span></span><span style=3D=
"max-width:100%">340.3 million barrels</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%"=
>, last seen during the<span>=C2=A0</span></span><span style=3D"max-width:1=
00%">Reagan administration</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">, which was=
 still building the stockpile. US daily consumption is 20 to 21 million bar=
rels in 2026, which means the reserve can supply 17 days of gasoline, which=
 falls on July 1st.</span></b></font></p></blockquote><p style=3D"max-width=
:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b><span style=3D"=
max-width:100%">Today, my dear friend Pepe Escobar, reported that Donald Tr=
ump was briefed over the weekend =E2=80=94 perhaps by Secretary of Energy C=
hris Wright =E2=80=94 that the rapidly draining<span>=C2=A0</span></span><e=
m style=3D"max-width:100%">Strategic Petroleum Reserve</em><span style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%"><span>=C2=A0</span>would be exhausted within weeks. Who knew=
 that Donald Trump would confirm this during his press conference announcin=
g the deal with Iran? Trump told reporters today that oil reserves would ha=
ve run out in four weeks if the Strait of Hormuz had not been reopened. His=
 exact words were:</span></b></font></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0=
,0,0.65);margin-left:2px;margin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-wid=
th:3px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:=
100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>We run o=
ut of reserves at about four weeks. You know, there are reserves all over t=
he world, and we would really run out, and there=E2=80=99ll be a time when =
you wouldn=E2=80=99t be able to get it.</b></font></p></blockquote><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Th=
ere you have it=E2=80=A6 Trump and his key economic and energy advisors rea=
lize that the US economy could go off the cliff before the end of summer, w=
hich would certainly eliminate any chance that the Republicans would retain=
 control of the Senate and the House.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>If you have not r=
ead the MOU, here it is:</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb=
(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b=
>Full text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic=
 Republic of Iran and the United States of America</b></font></span></p><bl=
ockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);margin-left:2px;margin-right:6px;p=
adding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-=
color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font fac=
e=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States =
of America, jointly and in good faith, agreed on the following on June 18, =
2026:</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, seri=
f"><b>1. The Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States of America, and th=
eir allies in the current war, by signing this memorandum of understanding,=
 declare an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all=
 fronts, including Lebanon, and commit not to initiate any war or military =
operation against each other henceforth, to refrain from threats or use of =
force against each other, and to guarantee the territorial integrity and so=
vereignty of Lebanon. The final agreement will confirm the permanent end of=
 the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and the other provisions of this=
 clause.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif"><b>2. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America c=
ommit to respect each other=E2=80=99s sovereignty and territorial integrity=
 and to refrain from interfering in each other=E2=80=99s internal affairs.<=
/b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>=
3. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America commit to =
conduct negotiations and reach a final agreement within a maximum of 60 day=
s, extendable by mutual consent.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%">=
<font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>4. Immediately upon signing this memorandu=
m of understanding, the United States of America will begin lifting its nav=
al blockade and any harassment or obstruction against the Islamic Republic =
of Iran, and will completely end the naval blockade within 30 days. During =
this period, ship traffic will be proportional to the pre-war traffic volum=
e as established by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of Amer=
ica also commits to withdraw its military forces from the peripheral area o=
f the Islamic Republic of Iran within 30 days after the final agreement.</b=
></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>5.=
 Upon signing this memorandum of understanding, the Islamic Republic of Ira=
n will make arrangements with its utmost effort for the safe passage of com=
mercial ships, free of charge for only 60 days, from the Persian Gulf to th=
e Sea of Oman and vice versa. Commercial ship traffic will commence immedia=
tely and will be established within 30 days considering the necessity of re=
moving technical and military obstacles and mine clearance by the Islamic R=
epublic of Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran will negotiate with the Sulta=
nate of Oman to determine the future administration and maritime services i=
n the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with applicable international law and=
 the sovereign rights of the coastal countries of the Strait of Hormuz, and=
 will also consult with other Persian Gulf coastal countries.</b></font></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>6. The United=
 States of America commits, together with its regional partners, to create =
a definitive program agreed upon by both parties for the reconstruction and=
 economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, providing at least 3=
00 billion dollars. The implementation mechanism of this program will be fi=
nalized as part of the final agreement within 60 days. All necessary approv=
als, waivers, and licenses for the related financial transactions will be p=
rovided by the United States of America.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>7. The United States of America co=
mmits to end all types of sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, i=
ncluding United Nations Security Council resolutions, International Atomic =
Energy Agency Board of Governors resolutions, and all unilateral U.S. sanct=
ions, both primary and secondary, according to a timetable agreed upon as p=
art of the final agreement. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Sta=
tes of America acknowledge the fundamental importance of the issue of sanct=
ion removal mentioned above and express their intention to address these ma=
tters promptly in negotiations to reach a mutual agreement on them.</b></fo=
nt></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>8. The =
Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms that it will not produce or acquire nucl=
ear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America =
have agreed that the status of stored enriched materials will be resolved t=
hrough a mechanism agreed upon by both parties and according to the timetab=
le set forth in clause 7, at least by dilution on site, under the supervisi=
on of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Both parties also agree to di=
scuss the issue of enrichment and other mutually agreed topics related to t=
he nuclear needs of the Islamic Republic of Iran based on a satisfactory fr=
amework to be agreed upon in the final agreement. The final agreement will =
confirm the provisions of this clause. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the=
 United States of America acknowledge the fundamental importance of the nuc=
lear issues mentioned above and express their intention to address these ma=
tters promptly in negotiations to reach a mutual agreement on them.</b></fo=
nt></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>9. The =
Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America agree to maintain=
 the status quo until a final agreement is reached; the Islamic Republic of=
 Iran will maintain the status quo in its nuclear program, and the United S=
tates of America will not impose any new sanctions against Iran nor deploy =
additional military forces in the region.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>10. The United States of America =
commits to immediately issuing waivers from the Treasury Department for the=
 export of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and their derivatives,=
 and all related services including banking transactions, insurance, transp=
ortation, etc., upon signing this memorandum of understanding and until the=
 sanctions are lifted.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><b>11. The United States of America commits to fully ma=
king available the limited or blocked funds and assets of the Islamic Repub=
lic of Iran for use upon implementation of this memorandum of understanding=
. The United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will mutual=
ly agree on the procedure for releasing these funds during the negotiations=
. These funds, whether held in the main account or transferred, must be ful=
ly usable for payment to any ultimate beneficiary designated by the Central=
 Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States of America commits=
 to issuing all necessary approvals and licenses in this regard.</b></font>=
</p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>12. The Is=
lamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America agree to establish =
an executive mechanism to monitor the successful implementation of this mem=
orandum of understanding and future adherence to the final agreement.</b></=
font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>13. A=
fter signing this memorandum of understanding and subject to the commenceme=
nt of implementation of clauses 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this memorandum and =
the continuation of these actions, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Uni=
ted States of America will exclusively begin negotiations on the remaining =
clauses of the final agreement.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><=
font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>14. The final agreement will be endorsed by=
 a binding resolution of the United Nations Security Council.</b></font></p=
></blockquote><ol start=3D"8" style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)">=
<li style=3D"max-width:100%"></li></ol><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb=
(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Trump still has a problem=E2=
=80=A6 Opening the Strait of Hormuz will not mean immediate relief for the =
shortage in the global oil market. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is=
 a necessary but far from sufficient condition for global oil supply to nor=
malize. Several compounding factors will delay meaningful relief to world m=
arkets, likely for weeks to months.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100=
%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia=
, serif"><b>The Anchored Tanker Problem =E2=80=94 A Backlog, Not a Surge</b=
></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The intuitive assumption is that dozens of fully l=
oaded tankers sitting at anchor in the Persian Gulf represent a coiled spri=
ng =E2=80=94 once the strait opens, they all rush to market simultaneously,=
 flooding supply. The reality is more complicated and, in key respects, the=
 opposite.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><f=
ont face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Many of those tankers have been sitting with=
 crude aboard for up to four months. That oil is not in good condition. Cru=
de oil in storage aboard a VLCC in the Persian Gulf=E2=80=99s extreme heat =
undergoes thermal degradation, sedimentation, and in some grades, partial p=
olymerization of heavier fractions. More practically, the cargo specificati=
ons that a refinery contracted for may no longer be met after months of hea=
t exposure and water separation issues in the tanks. Before those cargoes c=
an be delivered, they will need to be tested, and some will need blending o=
r reprocessing before any refinery will accept them.</b></font></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Be=
yond cargo quality, the ships themselves have been idle for four months. En=
gines need to be brought back online carefully. Hull fouling =E2=80=94 the =
accumulation of marine growth on the hull during idle periods =E2=80=94 sig=
nificantly reduces speed and fuel efficiency, meaning transit times will be=
 longer than normal. Some vessels will require port inspections before they=
 can legally sail under their flag state rules.</b></font></p><p style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Finally=
, even if every anchored tanker departed tomorrow, the receiving terminals =
and refineries on the other end are not standing by with empty tanks ready =
to accept a simultaneous flood of deliveries. Port scheduling, berth availa=
bility, and refinery run rates all have to be coordinated. A surge of arriv=
als would create congestion at discharge ports that would paradoxically slo=
w the effective rate at which oil enters the refinery system.</b></font></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The Transit Time Problem =E2=80=94 Th=
e Pipeline Has to Refill</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;co=
lor:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Even under normal circu=
mstances, oil doesn=E2=80=99t appear on world markets the moment a tanker i=
s loaded. A VLCC sailing from Kharg Island in Iran or Ras Tanura in Saudi A=
rabia to Rotterdam takes roughly 20 to 25 days via the Cape of Good Hope ro=
ute =E2=80=94 which many ships were forced to use during the closure =E2=80=
=94 or about 18 to 20 days through Suez even after Hormuz reopens. Delivery=
 to Asian customers in China, Japan, or South Korea from Gulf loading ports=
 runs 15 to 20 days through the strait under normal conditions.</b></font><=
/p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif"><b>This means that the crude being loaded today =E2=80=94 assuming lo=
ading could begin immediately =E2=80=94 won=E2=80=99t appear as refined pro=
duct available to consumers for five to seven weeks at minimum, once you ac=
count for transit, discharge, refinery processing time, and distribution. T=
he world is not going to feel this at the pump in days or even the first co=
uple of weeks.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)=
"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>More importantly, the production side ha=
s to normalize too. Fields that were producing at reduced rates or were shu=
t in during the conflict don=E2=80=99t simply snap back to full output inst=
antly. Reservoir pressure management, wellhead and pipeline inspections, an=
d restart protocols for offshore platforms all take time. Saudi Aramco, for=
 instance, has operational procedures for bringing shut-in capacity back on=
line that are measured in weeks, not hours.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D=
"georgia, serif"><b>The Mine Problem =E2=80=94 The Most Underappreciated Fa=
ctor</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><=
font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>This may be the single biggest constraint o=
n rapid resumption of normal traffic, and it is receiving far less attentio=
n than it deserves.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,2=
7,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The MOU text requires Iran to use =
=E2=80=9Cbest efforts=E2=80=9D to reopen the strait and to begin demining, =
but demining is not a quick process. The Persian Gulf and the approaches to=
 the strait contain some of the most commercially sensitive and geographica=
lly constrained shipping lanes in the world. Iran has had four months to la=
y mines across chokepoints that are, at their narrowest, about 21 nautical =
miles wide, with only two navigable channels of roughly two miles each.</b>=
</font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif"><b><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Marine mine clearance =E2=
=80=94 even with modern equipment and in cooperative conditions =E2=80=94 i=
s painstaking work. A minesweeper cannot simply drag a channel and declare =
it clear. Each suspected mine must be located, classified, and either deton=
ated in place or rendered safe by divers or ROVs. In contested or uncertain=
 conditions, the pace is even slower. There is no international consensus y=
et on who will conduct clearance operations, who will certify lanes as safe=
, and what standard of clearance will be accepted before commercial traffic=
 is deemed acceptable. If the US takes on the task, it could be a lengthy p=
rocess. In late April, the Washington Post reported that the Pentagon told =
Congress it could take<span>=C2=A0</span></span><span style=3D"max-width:10=
0%">six months</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><span>=C2=A0</span>to f=
ully clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines deployed by the Iranian military.<=
/span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font =
face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>This directly feeds into the insurance problem. =
The Lloyd=E2=80=99s of London market and its Joint War Committee designate =
geographic areas as war risk zones, which triggers additional premium loadi=
ngs on hull and cargo coverage for any vessel transiting those waters. The =
Persian Gulf and Hormuz are almost certainly now designated at the highest =
war risk tier. Even with the MOU signed, underwriters will not quickly remo=
ve that designation. They will wait for credible evidence of mine clearance=
, a sustained period of incident-free transits, and independent verificatio=
n =E2=80=94 not a diplomatic document.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:=
100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The practical co=
nsequence is that until insurance markets normalize, many shipping companie=
s will simply refuse to send their most valuable assets =E2=80=94 a VLCC lo=
aded with two million barrels of crude is worth well over $200 million betw=
een the ship and cargo =E2=80=94 through waters that their insurers either =
won=E2=80=99t cover or will cover only at premiums that make the voyage eco=
nomically irrational. War risk premiums during periods of active conflict c=
an run to multiples of normal rates. Those rates don=E2=80=99t fall to norm=
al levels on the day a ceasefire is announced. They fall gradually, as actu=
arial evidence accumulates that the risk has actually diminished.</b></font=
></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The Net Picture</b></font></span>=
</p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif"><b>The opening of the strait is a precondition for oil market normal=
ization, not normalization itself. The realistic sequence is: a cautious in=
itial resumption of traffic by the most risk-tolerant operators, followed b=
y gradual mine clearance certification of specific channels, followed by a =
slow return of mainstream commercial shipping as insurers progressively red=
uce war risk premiums, followed =E2=80=94 weeks later =E2=80=94 by the actu=
al arrival of that oil at refineries and its conversion into usable product=
.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><b>A reasonable estimate for when world markets might b=
egin to see materially increased supply as a result of today=E2=80=99s agre=
ement is six to ten weeks at the earliest, and that assumes no incidents, n=
o mine strikes, no political reversals, and a cooperative Iranian demining =
effort. Any one of those things going wrong resets the clock.</b></font></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, ser=
if"><b>While Trump=E2=80=99s decision to finalize the MOU with Iran is a po=
sitive step (and I was wrong in my assessment that this would not happen) t=
he road to economic recovery and stabilization of world markets is still mo=
nths away.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><f=
ont face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>One final note of irony=E2=80=A6 Trump elect=
ronically signed the MOU in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles=
, which was where the primary peace settlement ending World War I was signe=
d between the Allied powers and Germany. I don=E2=80=99t think Trump had an=
 Allied victory in mind as he signed the document.</b></font></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"></p><hr style=3D"height:0.5px;borde=
r:0px;max-width:100%"><p style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"></p><p style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><br></=
p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

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Subject: [Salon] Hong Kong ranks No 2 in global competitiveness with best
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Hong Kong ranks No 2 in global competitiveness with best showing in 7 years

City trails first-place Singapore out of 70 economies surveyed by
Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development
SCMP
[image: Hong Kong has ranked as the world=E2=80=99s second-most globally
competitive economy. Photo: Karma Lo]
[image: The index covers economic performance, government efficiency,
business efficiency and infrastructure, each of which has five
subcategories. Photo: Karma Lo]
[image: Singapore secured first place in this year=E2=80=99s list. Photo: A=
FP]
Cannix Yau <https://www.scmp.com/author/cannix-yau>
Published: 3:32pm, 18 Jun 2026Updated: 7:55pm, 18 Jun 2026

Hong Kong has ranked as the second-most globally competitive economy =E2=80=
=93 its
best performance in seven years =E2=80=93 climbing one spot from last year =
to place
behind Singapore.

The ranking, released by the Switzerland-based International Institute for
Management Development (IMD) on Thursday, placed the city ahead of 68 other
economies among the 70 surveyed.

Hong Kong was surpassed only by Singapore, but ranked ahead of Switzerland
and Taiwan.

The IMD said Hong Kong=E2=80=99s rise to second place was built on three
consecutive years of improvement and =E2=80=9Creinforced the dominance of A=
sian
economies at the top of the ranking=E2=80=9D.

The city=E2=80=99s overall performance marked a rebound from 2023 when it w=
as
ranked No 7, and matched its No 2 position in 2019. In 2017, it was ranked
No 1 among 63 economies.

The report said the city=E2=80=99s rise reflected sustained performance acr=
oss the
four competitiveness factors measured: government efficiency,
infrastructure, economic performance and business efficiency.

Hong Kong was ranked first for its tax policies, underpinned by zero
consumption and employer social security tax rates, as well as business
legislation.

=E2=80=9CGovernment efficiency remains its defining competitive strength, k=
eeping
second place for the second consecutive year,=E2=80=9D the IMD said.

The index covers economic performance, government efficiency, business
efficiency and infrastructure, each of which has five subcategories.

The report highlighted several challenges in 2026 based on information from
the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

These included navigating geopolitical tensions, shifting global trade and
investment flows to capture emerging opportunities.
Other challenges included harnessing innovation to accelerate artificial
intelligence-driven industrial transformation and developing the Northern
Metropolis
<https://www.scmp.com/topics/northern-metropolis?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Da=
rticle>
megaproject
as a platform for deeper integration with the Greater Bay Area
<https://www.scmp.com/topics/greater-bay-area?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darti=
cle>.

Hong Kong also needed to address its ageing population by boosting
workforce vitality and productivity, the report said.

Mainland China climbed four places to 12th. It improved in three of the
four main areas of assessment =E2=80=93 government efficiency, business eff=
iciency
and infrastructure =E2=80=93 while its ranking in economic performance fell=
 from
fifth to seventh.

Despite the decline in its economic performance ranking, the dynamism of
the mainland=E2=80=99s economy remained the top factor in the country=E2=80=
=99s
attractiveness, according to executives surveyed by the report, followed by
policy stability and predictability, a skilled workforce, reliable
infrastructure and cost competitiveness.
[image: Hong Kong climbed from third last year to second in the latest
rankings. Photo: Jelly Tse]
Hong Kong climbed from third last year to second in the latest rankings.
Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po said it was good news that the
city=E2=80=99s overall core competitiveness had further consolidated and
strengthened.

=E2=80=9CIts development momentum is sound, and its advantages as a =E2=80=
=98safe harbour=E2=80=99
and a =E2=80=98port of growth opportunities=E2=80=99 are becoming more prom=
inent, making it
increasingly attractive to domestic and foreign capital, businesses and
talent,=E2=80=9D the financial secretary said.

The government said the index reaffirmed Hong Kong as one of the =E2=80=9Cm=
ost
competitive economies=E2=80=9D in the world.

It added that the city=E2=80=99s ranking reflected the government=E2=80=99s=
 =E2=80=9Congoing
efforts to promote free and open, stable, predictable and business-friendly
economic policies, as well as the international community=E2=80=99s trust i=
n Hong
Kong=E2=80=99s legal and regulatory environment=E2=80=9D.

=E2=80=9CHong Kong=E2=80=99s business efficiency is ranked third globally, =
reflecting the
strong support for industry development rendered by our robust financial
ecosystem, as well as the seamless alignment of the city=E2=80=99s business
practices and environment with international best standards,=E2=80=9D a spo=
kesman
said.

=E2=80=9CAmid rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics, Hong Kong, with its c=
lose
connectivity to both the Chinese mainland and the world under the =E2=80=98=
one
country, two systems=E2=80=99 principle, and its sound institutions, open m=
arkets
and sustained investments in innovation, has become a =E2=80=98value hub=E2=
=80=99 that
offers both security and growth opportunities.=E2=80=9D
[image: Cannix Yau] <https://www.scmp.com/author/cannix-yau>
Cannix Yau <https://www.scmp.com/author/cannix-yau>
Cannix joined the Post in 2014 after many years in journalism and some
years working for legislators. She is interested in issues related to
social justice and won numerous

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x"><h1 class=3D"er6t7fe4 gmail-css-19c0w99 e298i0d3" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;font-size:36px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><span c=
lass=3D"gmail-css-0 e298i0d2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pad=
ding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-s=
tretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px">Hong Kong ranks No 2 in global competitiveness with best s=
howing in 7 years</span></h1></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1mcwqol ea45u6l2=
3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligat=
ures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums pro=
portional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inhe=
rit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:30px;font-family:Merriweather,&quot;Me=
rriweather fallback&quot;,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inher=
it;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:20px;vertical-align:baseline;bor=
der:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><h3 class=3D"er6t7fe3 gmail-css-19mvk5a e1ql5f=
172" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inher=
it;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-heigh=
t:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit=
;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:20px;vertical-align:baseline;borde=
r:0px"><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bor=
der:0px;color:inherit">City trails first-place Singapore out of 70 economie=
s surveyed by Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Deve=
lopment</p></h3></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-13i1oe5 ea45u6l20" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant=
:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-=
family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=
=3D"gmail-css-1w8suq2 ea45u6l18" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:=
inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:b=
aseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"er6t7fe19 gmail-css-1lkjrpx =
e17crirv3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-varia=
nt-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-=
nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alterna=
tes:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex;color:rgb(114,114,114);white-spac=
e:nowrap"><span class=3D"gmail-css-fel87u e17crirv1" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">SCMP</span></div></div></div></div>=
<div class=3D"gmail-css-km3tje ea45u6l19" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-asian:i=
nherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inh=
erit;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font-size-ad=
just:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:1=
4px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><div class=3D"er6t=
7fe23 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 e14wegc30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0p=
x;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;f=
ont-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjus=
t:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align=
:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bjn8wh e1gf69pb3" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:=
inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-f=
amily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-se=
ttings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-swip=
er gmail-swiper-initialized gmail-swiper-horizontal gmail-css-7cmlbf e14qzn=
ha6 gmail-swiper-backface-hidden" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px=
 auto;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inher=
it;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-a=
djust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-a=
lign:baseline;border:0px;overflow:hidden;list-style:none"><div class=3D"gma=
il-swiper-wrapper" style=3D"box-sizing:content-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;f=
ont-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inh=
erit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-=
kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;borde=
r:0px;width:712px;height:474.663px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-swiper=
-slide gmail-swiper-slide-active" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px=
;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fo=
nt-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust=
:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline;border:0px;width:712px;height:474.663px;overflow:hidden"><span sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><img alt=3D"Hong Kong has ranked as the world=
=E2=80=99s second-most globally competitive economy. Photo: Karma Lo" src=
=3D"https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2026/06/18/=
65921d9c-109e-4ee1-ac37-7309fc831104_4cdd99ce.jpg" class=3D"gmail-css-1wgtf=
9k e445x7d0" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; fo=
nt-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretc=
h: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing=
: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-s=
ettings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override:=
 inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; inline-siz=
e: 712px; block-size: 474.663px; color: transparent; background: transparen=
t; object-fit: cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 3 / 2;"></span><=
/div><div class=3D"gmail-swiper-slide gmail-swiper-slide-next" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:i=
nherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-fa=
mily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-set=
tings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;width:712px;height:474.663=
px;overflow:hidden"><span style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><img alt=3D"The i=
ndex covers economic performance, government efficiency, business efficienc=
y and infrastructure, each of which has five subcategories. Photo: Karma Lo=
" src=3D"https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2026/0=
6/18/f87b88d5-7a76-423d-82bb-1a97da86e2ab_c5811ad5.jpg" class=3D"gmail-css-=
1wgtf9k e445x7d0" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0p=
x; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-s=
tretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-s=
izing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feat=
ure-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-over=
ride: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; inlin=
e-size: 712px; block-size: 474.663px; color: transparent; background: trans=
parent; object-fit: cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 3 / 2;"></s=
pan></div><div class=3D"gmail-swiper-slide" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:=
inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-s=
ize-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;verti=
cal-align:baseline;border:0px;width:712px;height:474.663px;overflow:hidden"=
><span style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><img alt=3D"Singapore secured first =
place in this year=E2=80=99s list. Photo: AFP" src=3D"https://cdn.i-scmp.co=
m/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2026/06/18/22f3259b-adfa-4af4-91fc-9=
c637200b1fc_ce816a73.jpg" class=3D"gmail-css-bpznz9 e445x7d0" style=3D"box-=
sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-va=
riant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: i=
nherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjus=
t: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-var=
iation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; vertical-align: =
baseline; border: 0px; display: block; inline-size: 712px; block-size: 474.=
663px; color: transparent; background: rgb(222, 222, 222); object-fit: cove=
r; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 3 / 2;"></span></div></div></div></=
div><div class=3D"gmail-css-y8yzfg e14qznha5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weigh=
t:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font=
-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ver=
tical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1rzhk=
q6 e14qznha4" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-st=
yle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;l=
ine-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;=
display:flex"><button aria-label=3D"Go to slide 1" class=3D"gmail-css-7b8qm=
e e14qznha3" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:14px;font-family:inh=
erit;line-height:1.15;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:cu=
rrentcolor;border-radius:3px;background:rgb(51,51,51)"></button><button ari=
a-label=3D"Go to slide 2" class=3D"gmail-css-e0ihx7 e14qznha3" style=3D"mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:14px;font-family:inherit;line-height:1.15;bor=
der-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;border-radius:=
50%;background:rgb(204,204,204)"></button><button aria-label=3D"Go to slide=
 3" class=3D"gmail-css-e0ihx7 e14qznha3" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;fo=
nt-size:14px;font-family:inherit;line-height:1.15;border-width:medium;borde=
r-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;border-radius:50%;background:rgb(204=
,204,204)"></button></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1d2w7us=
 ea45u6l32" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-vari=
ant-numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates=
:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:Roboto,&quot;=
Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inhe=
rit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:14px;vertical-align:baseline;bo=
rder:0px;display:grid;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1oetv63 ea4=
5u6l17" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:in=
herit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-he=
ight:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inhe=
rit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;displa=
y:flex"><div class=3D"er6t7fe32 gmail-css-7qldf6 eybiz6w3" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inher=
it;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust=
:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline;border:0px"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e163ld431 gmail-css-uvyeg=
2 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/author/cannix-yau" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-=
variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;fon=
t-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:i=
nherit;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fon=
t-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inlin=
e-block;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Cannix Yau</a></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css=
-14nqcp8 ea45u6l16" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;f=
ont-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inh=
erit;line-height:normal;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-k=
erning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border=
:0px"><div class=3D"er6t7fe26 gmail-css-1jj3xkn efakuk42" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant-ligatu=
res:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums prop=
ortional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inher=
it;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-k=
erning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border=
:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102)">Published:=C2=A03:32pm, 18 Jun 2026Updated:=C2=
=A07:55pm, 18 Jun 2026</div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-15nugz2 ea45u6l12=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;=
font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:Me=
rriweather,&quot;Merriweather fallback&quot;,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit=
;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:18px;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div class=3D"gmail-js-read=
ing-0-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inh=
erit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-fami=
ly:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setti=
ngs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 =
gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-str=
etch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inheri=
t;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e;border:0px;color:inherit">Hong Kong has ranked as the second-most globall=
y competitive economy =E2=80=93 its best performance in seven years =E2=80=
=93 climbing one spot from last year to place behind Singapore.</p><p class=
=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-=
adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The ranking, released by the Switz=
erland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD) on Th=
ursday, placed the city ahead of 68 other economies among the 70 surveyed.<=
/p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font=
-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit=
;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inheri=
t;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Hong Kong was surpassed=
 only by Singapore, but ranked ahead of Switzerland and Taiwan.</p><p class=
=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-=
adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The IMD said Hong Kong=E2=80=99s r=
ise to second place was built on three consecutive years of improvement and=
 =E2=80=9Creinforced the dominance of Asian economies at the top of the ran=
king=E2=80=9D.</p><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-20-percent-completion-trac=
ker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font=
-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:i=
nherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:ba=
seline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fon=
t-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8=
px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-f=
eature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">T=
he city=E2=80=99s overall performance marked a rebound from 2023 when it wa=
s ranked No 7, and matched its No 2 position in 2019. In 2017, it was ranke=
d No 1 among 63 economies.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0=
k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inheri=
t;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height=
:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;f=
ont-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inher=
it">The report said the city=E2=80=99s rise reflected sustained performance=
 across the four competitiveness factors measured: government efficiency, i=
nfrastructure, economic performance and business efficiency.</p><div class=
=3D"gmail-scmp-code-block gmail-methode-html-wrapper e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1l=
lrc1m e1yqhwb40" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font=
:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break-=
word"><div class=3D"e2gky7d0 e1drg7e30 e17s7ec20 gmail-css-13wylk3 e818qfh1=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;=
font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:i=
nherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fo=
nt-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div=
><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-w=
eight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;f=
ont-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Hong Kong was ranked firs=
t for its tax policies, underpinned by zero consumption and employer social=
 security tax rates, as well as business legislation.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q=
40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pa=
dding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-=
stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CGovernment efficiency remains its d=
efining competitive strength, keeping second place for the second consecuti=
ve year,=E2=80=9D the IMD said.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 e=
c74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:i=
nherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-h=
eight:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inhe=
rit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:=
inherit">The index covers economic performance, government efficiency, busi=
ness efficiency and infrastructure, each of which has five subcategories.</=
p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-=
weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;=
font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit=
;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The report highlighted s=
everal challenges in 2026 based on information from the Hong Kong Trade Dev=
elopment Council.</p><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-50-percent-completion-t=
racker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0p=
x;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;f=
ont-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjus=
t:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align=
:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;=
font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:2=
8.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fon=
t-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit=
">These included navigating geopolitical tensions, shifting global trade an=
d investment flows to capture emerging opportunities.</p><div class=3D"e8zc=
9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:=
inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:b=
aseline;border:0px">Other challenges included harnessing innovation to acce=
lerate artificial intelligence-driven industrial transformation and develop=
ing the=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ank=
fgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/topics/northern-metropolis?modul=
e=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch=
:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;=
font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:in=
line;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0=
 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style=
:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line=
-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:i=
nherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;wor=
d-break:break-word">Northern Metropolis</span></a>=C2=A0megaproject as a pl=
atform for deeper integration with the=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1=
yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/t=
opics/greater-bay-area?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-=
variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:i=
nherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:ba=
seline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word=
"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inher=
it;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-a=
djust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-a=
lign:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">Greater Bay Area</span></a>=
.</div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;=
font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inh=
erit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:in=
herit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Hong Kong also need=
ed to address its ageing population by boosting workforce vitality and prod=
uctivity, the report said.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0=
k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inheri=
t;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height=
:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;f=
ont-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inher=
it">Mainland China climbed four places to 12th. It improved in three of the=
 four main areas of assessment =E2=80=93 government efficiency, business ef=
ficiency and infrastructure =E2=80=93 while its ranking in economic perform=
ance fell from fifth to seventh.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 =
ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:=
inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-=
height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inh=
erit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color=
:inherit">Despite the decline in its economic performance ranking, the dyna=
mism of the mainland=E2=80=99s economy remained the top factor in the count=
ry=E2=80=99s attractiveness, according to executives surveyed by the report=
, followed by policy stability and predictability, a skilled workforce, rel=
iable infrastructure and cost competitiveness.</p><div class=3D"gmail-image=
-inline-container e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bo=
rder:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div class=3D"gmail-image-inl=
ine gmail-caption e1fvabeq0 gmail-css-19sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;=
font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:in=
herit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bjn8wh e=
1gf69pb3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:=
inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-=
height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:in=
herit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><im=
g alt=3D"Hong Kong climbed from third last year to second in the latest ran=
kings. Photo: Jelly Tse" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-css-18uoenx e445x7d0" tit=
le=3D"Hong Kong climbed from third last year to second in the latest rankin=
gs. Photo: Jelly Tse" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dcon=
tain,width=3D1024,format=3Dauto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2026/0=
6/18/a84a6d02-f5e3-4ab2-8129-e83869e71a2e_94e0615d.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing=
: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant:=
 inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit=
; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inh=
erit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation=
-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; vertical-align: baseli=
ne; border: 0px; display: block; inline-size: 600px; block-size: 391.987px;=
 color: transparent; background: transparent; object-fit: cover; overflow: =
hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 2 / 1; cursor: pointer;"></div>Hong Kong climbed=
 from third last year to second in the latest rankings. Photo: Jelly Tse<di=
v class=3D"gmail-css-mkkf9p e11xd9ce0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inher=
it;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-a=
djust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-a=
lign:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-=
1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fon=
t-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inher=
it;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ker=
ning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0=
px;color:inherit">Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po said it was good =
news that the city=E2=80=99s overall core competitiveness had further conso=
lidated and strengthened.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k=
1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit=
;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:=
28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fo=
nt-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inheri=
t">=E2=80=9CIts development momentum is sound, and its advantages as a =E2=
=80=98safe harbour=E2=80=99 and a =E2=80=98port of growth opportunities=E2=
=80=99 are becoming more prominent, making it increasingly attractive to do=
mestic and foreign capital, businesses and talent,=E2=80=9D the financial s=
ecretary said.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varia=
nt:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font=
-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-=
settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The gove=
rnment said the index reaffirmed Hong Kong as one of the =E2=80=9Cmost comp=
etitive economies=E2=80=9D in the world.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-=
1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fon=
t-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inher=
it;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ker=
ning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0=
px;color:inherit">It added that the city=E2=80=99s ranking reflected the go=
vernment=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Congoing efforts to promote free and open, stabl=
e, predictable and business-friendly economic policies, as well as the inte=
rnational community=E2=80=99s trust in Hong Kong=E2=80=99s legal and regula=
tory environment=E2=80=9D.</p><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-90-percent-com=
pletion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:=
inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-s=
ize-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;verti=
cal-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6=
 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style=
:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line=
-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:in=
herit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;colo=
r:inherit">=E2=80=9CHong Kong=E2=80=99s business efficiency is ranked third=
 globally, reflecting the strong support for industry development rendered =
by our robust financial ecosystem, as well as the seamless alignment of the=
 city=E2=80=99s business practices and environment with international best =
standards,=E2=80=9D a spokesman said.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6=
uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-s=
tyle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;=
line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;=
color:inherit">=E2=80=9CAmid rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics, Hong K=
ong, with its close connectivity to both the Chinese mainland and the world=
 under the =E2=80=98one country, two systems=E2=80=99 principle, and its so=
und institutions, open markets and sustained investments in innovation, has=
 become a =E2=80=98value hub=E2=80=99 that offers both security and growth =
opportunities.=E2=80=9D</p><div class=3D"gmail-css-1auxnbl evaaos91" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;=
font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feat=
ure-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e11v=
3ui10 e11v3ui11 gmail-ad-with-size-0x0 gmail-css-kcdza6 evaaos90" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varian=
t:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:0;font-famil=
y:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"></div></div><di=
v class=3D"gmail-js-reading-100-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8=
a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-styl=
e:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;lin=
e-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:=
inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><=
/div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1kfpym9 ea45u6l2" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1fek9=
8n ea45u6l9" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-sty=
le:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;li=
ne-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning=
:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">=
<div class=3D"er6t7fe31 gmail-css-13q2d2o e7gba4u1" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font=
-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inheri=
t;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-tbgdr e13gyt=
08" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inheri=
t;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height=
:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;=
font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:gr=
id"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1btmqbx e13gyt07" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weigh=
t:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font=
-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ver=
tical-align:baseline;border:0px"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yqjx3e1 gma=
il-css-127t9hs ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/author/cannix-yau" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font=
-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inher=
it;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-f=
eature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline-b=
lock;color:rgb(0,18,70);text-decoration:none"><img alt=3D"Cannix Yau" class=
=3D"e1yqjx3e3 gmail-css-98w27l e445x7d0" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-=
cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D300,format=3Dauto/sites/default/files/style=
s/300x300/public/cannix-yau.png?itok=3D5zJRczfx" style=3D"box-sizing: borde=
r-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inheri=
t; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-=
family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; f=
ont-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settin=
gs: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; bor=
der: 0px; display: block; color: transparent; overflow: hidden; aspect-rati=
o: auto 1 / 1; inline-size: 40px; block-size: 40px; border-radius: 50%; bac=
kground: rgb(218, 222, 222); object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;">=
</a></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-14c29lv e13gyt05" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font=
-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;font-=
size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e=
13gyt02 e163ld431 gmail-css-1j77t19 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/=
author/cannix-yau" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fo=
nt-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inhe=
rit;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kern=
ing:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0p=
x;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,13,55)">Cannix Yau</a><div class=3D"e13g=
yt06 gmail-css-nzko5h e7f0hzg3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font=
-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:i=
nherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:ba=
seline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e7f0hzg1 gmail-css-1ve11rc e1plt2it0" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-v=
ariant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:0;font-=
family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><div =
class=3D"gmail-css-gy7cxa e13gyt01" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;=
font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adju=
st:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e13gyt00 gmail-css-1y5q2jx e12du4v60" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:16p=
x;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:-webkit-box;text-overflow:ell=
ipsis;overflow:hidden">Cannix joined the Post in 2014 after many years in j=
ournalism and some years working for legislators. She is interested in issu=
es related to social justice and won numerous</div></div></div></div></div>=
</div></div>

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*https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3357584/chinas-policy-b=
litz-lujiazui-forum-what-it-means-markets-outflows-and-yuan?module=3Dtop_st=
ory&pgtype=3Dhomepage
<https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3357584/chinas-policy-b=
litz-lujiazui-forum-what-it-means-markets-outflows-and-yuan?module=3Dtop_st=
ory&pgtype=3Dhomepage>*

*China=E2=80=99s policy blitz at Lujiazui Forum =E2=80=93 what it means for=
 markets,
outflows and the yuan*
*18 Jun 2026*
*[image: Someone walks past the People=E2=80=99s Bank of China building in =
Beijing.
Analysts say a pilot trading system equips the central bank with a new
lever to influence the offshore market. Photo: Getty Images]*

*With Chinese financial regulators taking further steps to broaden
outbound-investment channels and facilitate cross-border capital flows,
analysts see the moves reflecting Beijing=E2=80=99s push for a more =E2=80=
=9Crules-based
capital account opening=E2=80=9D and greater yuan internationalisation amid=
 the
currency=E2=80=99s recent appreciation.*

*These measures, unveiled on Wednesday at the annual financial gathering
known as the Lujiazui Forum, include initiatives to boost offshore trading
of yuan-denominated products and the expansion of existing investment
schemes.*

*Analysts suggest that the adjustments help address rising demand from
institutional and retail investors for greater access to overseas
investment avenues. More crucially, channelling cross-border capital
movements through compliant pathways makes it easier for authorities to
monitor outflows.*
Trading power shift

*The liberalisation is =E2=80=9Cmore than boosting the yuan=E2=80=99s inter=
national
profile=E2=80=9D, said Dai Lu, chief analyst at Shanghai-based Guotai Junan
Futures. =E2=80=9CThe pilot trading system equips the PBOC with a new lever=
 to
influence the offshore market and even gain the pricing power of the
offshore yuan.=E2=80=9D*

*Previously, the central bank=E2=80=99s primary tools to influence offshore=
 rates
were issuing central bank bills or instructing Hong Kong subsidiaries of
state-owned lenders to sell or buy, she added.*
*The governor of the People=E2=80=99s Bank of China, Pan Gongsheng, announc=
ed on
Wednesday
<https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3357386/shanghai-lead-f=
inancial-superpower-push-china-unveils-plan-boost-yuan-use?module=3Dinline&=
pgtype=3Darticle>
that
the Shanghai Free Trade Zone would permit offshore-yuan foreign-exchange
trading via the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. Six lenders were
granted trading qualifications at the initial stage, with Industrial and
Commercial Bank of China and Bank of China landing the first batch of
transactions.*

*According to the banks=E2=80=99 official announcements, the counterparties
included entities from Hong Kong, Singapore and Britain trading offshore
yuan against the US dollar, euro, Japanese yen and other currencies.*

*While Hong Kong is currently the dominant offshore yuan trading centre,
increasing activity in the Shanghai free-trade zone could offer an
alternative to Hong Kong. Dai noted that the deregulation could also lay
the groundwork for the launch of onshore yuan forex futures.*

*Retail clients are now much more inclined to subscribe to products with
the US stocks included*

*Investment director in Shanghai*
Quotas and outflows
*Also during the forum, Zhu Hexin, the head of China=E2=80=99s State Admini=
stration
of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), revealed in his address
<https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3357386/shanghai-lead-f=
inancial-superpower-push-china-unveils-plan-boost-yuan-use?module=3Dinline&=
pgtype=3Darticle>
that
a fresh batch of Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDII) quotas
would be issued this fall. Introduced in 2006, the QDII scheme allows
domestic institutions to invest in overseas capital markets, via
foreign-exchange quotas approved by regulators.*

*The decision appears to have followed intense lobbying from mainland
market participants, according to two sources within the Shanghai municipal
government. Over the past three months, they said, major institutional
investors such as Bridgewater Associates, a global macro investment firm
with an office in Shanghai, had urged the government to expand quotas that
had become insufficient.*

*An investment director at a foreign mutual fund based in Shanghai,
speaking on condition of anonymity, said: =E2=80=9CWe have been talking to =
the
regulators for more QDII quota. A diversified investment portfolio,
combining American and mainland equities, could help lift our investment
returns.*

*=E2=80=9CMore importantly, retail clients are now much more inclined to su=
bscribe
to products with the US stocks included.=E2=80=9D*

*SAFE last released new QDII quotas in March, totalling US$5.3 billion,
which Bloomberg described as the biggest expansion since 2021.*

*Beyond those quotas, upcoming measures to facilitate cross-border capital
flows include simplified approval procedures for outbound direct
investment, as well as overseas bond and loan financing.*

*Goldman Sachs noted in a report released on Thursday that =E2=80=9Cthis po=
licy
emphasis comes against the backdrop of persistent resident demand for
foreign assets=E2=80=9D. It added that Chinese policymakers were =E2=80=9Ct=
rying to channel
cross-border flows into more compliant routes, which can be monitored
easily=E2=80=9D.*

*The company=E2=80=99s capital-flow monitor indicated that outflows picked =
up last
year to US$762 billion, driven mainly by Chinese residents=E2=80=99 purchas=
es of
forex assets.*

*Overnight rates are much more heavily traded compared with other tenors*

*Zhang Candong, Orient Futures*
Interest rate overhaul

*The PBOC also signalled a potential shift in its interest rate framework
with a focus on the overnight interbank rate, which underlies the vast
majority of onshore liquidity transactions. The most immediate adjustment
was to compress the interest rate corridor from 70 basis points to 50.*

*Zhang Candong, a senior analyst with Shanghai-based Orient Futures, said
that, =E2=80=9Ceventually, the PBOC will phase out the seven-day reverse re=
po rate
as its main policy benchmark=E2=80=9D.*

*=E2=80=9COvernight rates are much more heavily traded compared with other =
tenors,=E2=80=9D
Zhang explained, and this =E2=80=9Cmarks another step towards a more price-=
oriented
monetary framework=E2=80=9D.*

*Additional reporting by Sylvia Ma*

--00000000000042ed16065487f6be
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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.scmp.co=
m/economy/china-economy/article/3357584/chinas-policy-blitz-lujiazui-forum-=
what-it-means-markets-outflows-and-yuan?module=3Dtop_story&amp;pgtype=3Dhom=
epage" target=3D"_blank">https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article=
/3357584/chinas-policy-blitz-lujiazui-forum-what-it-means-markets-outflows-=
and-yuan?module=3Dtop_story&amp;pgtype=3Dhomepage</a></font></b></div><div =
dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgi=
a, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margi=
n-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=
=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>China=E2=80=99s policy blitz at Lujiazui =
Forum =E2=80=93 what it means for markets, outflows and the yuan</i></font>=
</h1><div style=3D"margin-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#=
000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">18 Jun 2026</font></b></div><div style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><img alt=3D"Someone walks past the People=E2=80=99s B=
ank of China building in Beijing. Analysts say a pilot trading system equip=
s the central bank with a new lever to influence the offshore market. Photo=
: Getty Images" src=3D"https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/10=
20x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2026/06/18/d5341d29-44a6-4773-9cee-54207066d=
256_1db518ea.jpg?itok=3DwPXVAQSO&amp;v=3D1781779537" style=3D"margin:0.5em =
0px 0.5em auto;display:block" width=3D"412" height=3D"275"></font></b></spa=
n></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia=
, serif"><b>With Chinese financial regulators taking further steps to broad=
en outbound-investment channels and facilitate cross-border capital flows, =
analysts see the moves reflecting Beijing=E2=80=99s push for a more =E2=80=
=9Crules-based capital account opening=E2=80=9D and greater yuan internatio=
nalisation amid the currency=E2=80=99s recent appreciation.</b></font></p><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">=
<b>These measures, unveiled on Wednesday at the annual financial gathering =
known as the Lujiazui Forum, include initiatives to boost offshore trading =
of yuan-denominated products and the expansion of existing investment schem=
es.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Analysts suggest that the adjustments help address r=
ising demand from institutional and retail investors for greater access to =
overseas investment avenues. More crucially, channelling cross-border capit=
al movements through compliant pathways makes it easier for authorities to =
monitor outflows.</b></font></p><h3 type=3D"h3" style=3D"max-width:100%"><f=
ont size=3D"2" color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Trading power shif=
t</font></h3><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif"><b>The liberalisation is =E2=80=9Cmore than boosting the yuan=
=E2=80=99s international profile=E2=80=9D, said Dai Lu, chief analyst at Sh=
anghai-based Guotai Junan Futures. =E2=80=9CThe pilot trading system equips=
 the PBOC with a new lever to influence the offshore market and even gain t=
he pricing power of the offshore yuan.=E2=80=9D</b></font></p><p style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Previousl=
y, the central bank=E2=80=99s primary tools to influence offshore rates wer=
e issuing central bank bills or instructing Hong Kong subsidiaries of state=
-owned lenders to sell or buy, she added.</b></font></p><div style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b>The governor =
of the People=E2=80=99s Bank of China, Pan Gongsheng,<span>=C2=A0</span><a =
href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3357386/shanghai=
-lead-financial-superpower-push-china-unveils-plan-boost-yuan-use?module=3D=
inline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-w=
idth:100%" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">announced on We=
dnesday</span></a><span>=C2=A0</span>that the Shanghai Free Trade Zone woul=
d permit offshore-yuan foreign-exchange trading via the China Foreign Excha=
nge Trade System. Six lenders were granted trading qualifications at the in=
itial stage, with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Bank of China=
 landing the first batch of transactions.</b></font></div><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>According to =
the banks=E2=80=99 official announcements, the counterparties included enti=
ties from Hong Kong, Singapore and Britain trading offshore yuan against th=
e US dollar, euro, Japanese yen and other currencies.</b></font></p><p styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Whi=
le Hong Kong is currently the dominant offshore yuan trading centre, increa=
sing activity in the Shanghai free-trade zone could offer an alternative to=
 Hong Kong. Dai noted that the deregulation could also lay the groundwork f=
or the launch of onshore yuan forex futures.</b></font></p><blockquote styl=
e=3D"margin-left:2px;margin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3=
px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%=
"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Retail clients are now=
 much more inclined to subscribe to products with the US stocks included</b=
></font></blockquote><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" =
face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Investment director in Shanghai</b></font></div>=
<h3 type=3D"h3" style=3D"max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2" color=3D"#000000"=
 face=3D"georgia, serif">Quotas and outflows</font></h3><div style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b>Also during t=
he forum, Zhu Hexin, the head of China=E2=80=99s State Administration of Fo=
reign Exchange (SAFE),<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/ec=
onomy/china-economy/article/3357386/shanghai-lead-financial-superpower-push=
-china-unveils-plan-boost-yuan-use?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" ti=
tle=3D"" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank"><s=
pan style=3D"max-width:100%">revealed in his address</span></a><span>=C2=A0=
</span>that a fresh batch of Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDI=
I) quotas would be issued this fall. Introduced in 2006, the QDII scheme al=
lows domestic institutions to invest in overseas capital markets, via forei=
gn-exchange quotas approved by regulators.</b></font></div><p style=3D"max-=
width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The decision=
 appears to have followed intense lobbying from mainland market participant=
s, according to two sources within the Shanghai municipal government. Over =
the past three months, they said, major institutional investors such as Bri=
dgewater Associates, a global macro investment firm with an office in Shang=
hai, had urged the government to expand quotas that had become insufficient=
.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D=
"georgia, serif"><b>An investment director at a foreign mutual fund based i=
n Shanghai, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: =E2=80=9CWe have been=
 talking to the regulators for more QDII quota. A diversified investment po=
rtfolio, combining American and mainland equities, could help lift our inve=
stment returns.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#0=
00000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>=E2=80=9CMore importantly, retail clients=
 are now much more inclined to subscribe to products with the US stocks inc=
luded.=E2=80=9D</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#0=
00000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>SAFE last released new QDII quotas in Mar=
ch, totalling US$5.3 billion, which Bloomberg described as the biggest expa=
nsion since 2021.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"=
#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Beyond those quotas, upcoming measures =
to facilitate cross-border capital flows include simplified approval proced=
ures for outbound direct investment, as well as overseas bond and loan fina=
ncing.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Goldman Sachs noted in a report released on Thursd=
ay that =E2=80=9Cthis policy emphasis comes against the backdrop of persist=
ent resident demand for foreign assets=E2=80=9D. It added that Chinese poli=
cymakers were =E2=80=9Ctrying to channel cross-border flows into more compl=
iant routes, which can be monitored easily=E2=80=9D.</b></font></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The =
company=E2=80=99s capital-flow monitor indicated that outflows picked up la=
st year to US$762 billion, driven mainly by Chinese residents=E2=80=99 purc=
hases of forex assets.</b></font></p><blockquote style=3D"margin-left:2px;m=
argin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-style:s=
olid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#0000=
00" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Overnight rates are much more heavily traded=
 compared with other tenors</b></font></blockquote><div style=3D"max-width:=
100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Zhang Candong, Ori=
ent Futures</b></font></div><h3 type=3D"h3" style=3D"max-width:100%"><font =
size=3D"2" color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Interest rate overhaul=
</font></h3><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"geo=
rgia, serif"><b>The PBOC also signalled a potential shift in its interest r=
ate framework with a focus on the overnight interbank rate, which underlies=
 the vast majority of onshore liquidity transactions. The most immediate ad=
justment was to compress the interest rate corridor from 70 basis points to=
 50.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Zhang Candong, a senior analyst with Shanghai-based =
Orient Futures, said that, =E2=80=9Ceventually, the PBOC will phase out the=
 seven-day reverse repo rate as its main policy benchmark=E2=80=9D.</b></fo=
nt></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia,=
 serif"><b>=E2=80=9COvernight rates are much more heavily traded compared w=
ith other tenors,=E2=80=9D Zhang explained, and this =E2=80=9Cmarks another=
 step towards a more price-oriented monetary framework=E2=80=9D.</b></font>=
</p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><em style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D=
"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Additional reporting by Sylvia Ma</b><=
/font></em></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

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*https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260618-the-u-s-iran-deal-what-has-chan=
ged-and-what-does-this-mean-for-the-region/
<https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260618-the-u-s-iran-deal-what-has-chan=
ged-and-what-does-this-mean-for-the-region/>*

*6/18/26*









































*The U.S.-Iran deal: What has changed and what does this mean for the
region?War is a perilous political act aimed at shifting the balance of
power. What balance did the United States seek to impose when it launched
its war against Iran, and what did it achieve? And what does this mean for
Palestine and the region?What were the objectives of the aggression?The
U.S. administration did not wage the war because of Trump=E2=80=99s unique
personality; politicians do have a margin of freedom, but it is limited by
the political agenda they have agreed to pursue in the interest of the
organized social groups that support them. Nor was it to divert attention
from the Epstein case, especially given the limited influence of public
opinion in the reality of the capitalist United States. Nor was it because
the colony controls it=E2=80=94a simplistic notion that ignores the reality=
 that
both the colony and the U.S. involve multiple parties with diverse and
conflicting interests; the dynamics among all these parties form a delicate
web of influence and interdependence.In fact, in November 2025, the U.S.
administration announced a historic shift in its foreign policy. In its
National Security Strategy document, it declared that China poses the most
significant threat to the United States and that 35 years of U.S. policies
aimed at containing it have failed. It stipulated that the United States=E2=
=80=99
priority now is to confront China economically and militarily by increasing
domestic production, asserting hegemony over the American continent, and
de-emphasizing less critical theaters.The United States has identified what
it calls the =E2=80=9CMiddle East=E2=80=9D as one of the regions where it s=
eeks what it
termed =E2=80=9Cfinal stability,=E2=80=9D which would enable it to redirect=
 its resources
toward confronting China. It considered Iran and its allies to be the
destabilizing factor. It set forth four objectives: to make Iran a
subjugated state that poses no military or nuclear threat, does not support
armed groups in the region, is incapable of closing the Strait of Hormuz,
and normalizes relations with Israel. The United States then sought to
impose these conditions on Iran, but Iran did not yield, and so the war
ensued, leading up to the agreement that is now finalized.What has the
aggression achieved?Under the agreement, the United States commits to
lifting all forms of sanctions and unfreezing the stolen funds. It pledges
to develop a plan, in cooperation with its regional partners, under which
Iran will receive $300 billion. It also pledges to withdraw its forces in
=E2=80=9Cproximity=E2=80=9D to the Islamic Republic of Iran, without defini=
ng that
proximity. It recognizes Iran=E2=80=99s right to determine the future form =
of
maritime administration and services in the Strait of Hormuz, provided that
this is done through dialogue with Oman and in consultation with the other
Gulf regimes, and within the framework of =E2=80=9Cinternational law=E2=80=
=9D, which allows
Iran to impose fees in exchange for =E2=80=9Cservices.=E2=80=9DMost importa=
ntly, however,
the agreement makes no mention of Iran=E2=80=99s military capabilities, its=
 support
for other organizations, or its normalization with the entity. It includes
an affirmation that Iran will not acquire a nuclear bomb and that the
Strait of Hormuz will remain open. But these two points are nothing new,
and strikingly, the agreement does not mention any new guarantees to
enforce them. Therefore, it appears that we are witnessing a shift in the
balance of power that clearly favors Iran.What does this mean for Palestine
and the region?What happened holds a number of lessons for the region.
First, Iran showed that it is possible to stand fast against a much larger
power by attacking its weak points=E2=80=94in this case, posing a threat to=
 the
legitimacy of the U.S. allies in the Gulf, rattling the economies of U.S.
allies in Europe and Asia, and even threatening to sink the petrodollar
model that is crucial to the U.S. On the other hand, the U.S. attempted to
leverage popular discontent and to weaponize identities in Iran=E2=80=94a m=
odel
that colonial powers have been using for centuries to fragment societies
they target. This shows the danger of adopting an identitarian legitimacy
and the need for true democracies as part of the struggle against
imperialism.READ: Hezbollah chief: Resistance thwarted =E2=80=98Greater Isr=
ael=E2=80=99
project, disarmament will not passSecond, the fact that Lebanon was
included in the deal but Palestine was not shows the limitation of relying
on an external power that might be unable and/or unwilling to offer
support. Obviously, this does not mean the resistance in these countries
should break its ties with Iran. But it does mean it should be aware that
Iran is a sovereign state that will function according to its own
capacities and interests, not according to others=E2=80=99. Accordingly, it=
 should
strive to build its own capacities in confronting the colony. This includes
local weapons production, policies for societal cohesion (particularly in
the face of sectarian fragmentation) and a strong economy.Third, the fact
that the U.S. agreed to a deal that was detrimental to the colony reveals
one of Zionism=E2=80=99s core contradictions. Zionism justifies the need fo=
r a
Jewish state on the basis that the safety of Jews must not depend on
non-Jewish states. However, by implanting in Palestine a settler-colony
that can only be sustained with ongoing force, even after 80 years, it has
made the safety of the very people it claims to protect contingent on
foreign support. Although the safety of Jews is not Palestinians=E2=80=99 p=
riority,
they have an interest in pointing out this fatal contradiction in a well
thought-of discourse targeting the settlers in their land. Should such a
narrative bring to the fore the resistance leaders=E2=80=99 vision for libe=
ration
=E2=80=94a single state for all its citizens=E2=80=94 it would present Jews=
 in Palestine
with safe alternative Zionism claims they do not have: To either leave
Palestine in peace or drop their privileges and remain as safe and equal
citizens.The colony and the U.S. have not managed to impose their agendas,
but they have not given up. It is time for Palestine and those in
solidarity to move from reaction to the genocide to thought-of action on
the basis of their own political vision.OPINION: After the war on Iran, the
Transatlantic alliance rift grows widerThe views expressed in this article
belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of
Middle East Monitor.*

--000000000000b63b650654896768
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"lt=
r" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><font fac=
e=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260618-=
the-u-s-iran-deal-what-has-changed-and-what-does-this-mean-for-the-region/"=
 target=3D"_blank">https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260618-the-u-s-iran-=
deal-what-has-changed-and-what-does-this-mean-for-the-region/</a></font></b=
></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:t=
ransparent"><br></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D=
"background-color:transparent">6/18/26</b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br><font size=3D"4"><i>The U.S.-=
Iran deal: What has changed and what does this mean for the region?</i></fo=
nt><br><br>War is a perilous political act aimed at shifting the balance of=
 power. What balance did the United States seek to impose when it launched =
its war against Iran, and what did it achieve? And what does this mean for =
Palestine and the region?<br><br>What were the objectives of the aggression=
?<br><br>The U.S. administration did not wage the war because of Trump=E2=
=80=99s unique personality; politicians do have a margin of freedom, but it=
 is limited by the political agenda they have agreed to pursue in the inter=
est of the organized social groups that support them. Nor was it to divert =
attention from the Epstein case, especially given the limited influence of =
public opinion in the reality of the capitalist United States. Nor was it b=
ecause the colony controls it=E2=80=94a simplistic notion that ignores the =
reality that both the colony and the U.S. involve multiple parties with div=
erse and conflicting interests; the dynamics among all these parties form a=
 delicate web of influence and interdependence.<br><br>In fact, in November=
 2025, the U.S. administration announced a historic shift in its foreign po=
licy. In its National Security Strategy document, it declared that China po=
ses the most significant threat to the United States and that 35 years of U=
.S. policies aimed at containing it have failed. It stipulated that the Uni=
ted States=E2=80=99 priority now is to confront China economically and mili=
tarily by increasing domestic production, asserting hegemony over the Ameri=
can continent, and de-emphasizing less critical theaters.<br><br>The United=
 States has identified what it calls the =E2=80=9CMiddle East=E2=80=9D as o=
ne of the regions where it seeks what it termed =E2=80=9Cfinal stability,=
=E2=80=9D which would enable it to redirect its resources toward confrontin=
g China. It considered Iran and its allies to be the destabilizing factor. =
It set forth four objectives: to make Iran a subjugated state that poses no=
 military or nuclear threat, does not support armed groups in the region, i=
s incapable of closing the Strait of Hormuz, and normalizes relations with =
Israel. The United States then sought to impose these conditions on Iran, b=
ut Iran did not yield, and so the war ensued, leading up to the agreement t=
hat is now finalized.<br><br>What has the aggression achieved?<br><br>Under=
 the agreement, the United States commits to lifting all forms of sanctions=
 and unfreezing the stolen funds. It pledges to develop a plan, in cooperat=
ion with its regional partners, under which Iran will receive $300 billion.=
 <br><br>It also pledges to withdraw its forces in =E2=80=9Cproximity=E2=80=
=9D to the Islamic Republic of Iran, without defining that proximity. It re=
cognizes Iran=E2=80=99s right to determine the future form of maritime admi=
nistration and services in the Strait of Hormuz, provided that this is done=
 through dialogue with Oman and in consultation with the other Gulf regimes=
, and within the framework of =E2=80=9Cinternational law=E2=80=9D, which al=
lows Iran to impose fees in exchange for =E2=80=9Cservices.=E2=80=9D<br><br=
>Most importantly, however, the agreement makes no mention of Iran=E2=80=99=
s military capabilities, its support for other organizations, or its normal=
ization with the entity. It includes an affirmation that Iran will not acqu=
ire a nuclear bomb and that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open. But thes=
e two points are nothing new, and strikingly, the agreement does not mentio=
n any new guarantees to enforce them. Therefore, it appears that we are wit=
nessing a shift in the balance of power that clearly favors Iran.<br><br>Wh=
at does this mean for Palestine and the region?<br><br>What happened holds =
a number of lessons for the region. First, Iran showed that it is possible =
to stand fast against a much larger power by attacking its weak points=E2=
=80=94in this case, posing a threat to the legitimacy of the U.S. allies in=
 the Gulf, rattling the economies of U.S. allies in Europe and Asia, and ev=
en threatening to sink the petrodollar model that is crucial to the U.S. On=
 the other hand, the U.S. attempted to leverage popular discontent and to w=
eaponize identities in Iran=E2=80=94a model that colonial powers have been =
using for centuries to fragment societies they target. This shows the dange=
r of adopting an identitarian legitimacy and the need for true democracies =
as part of the struggle against imperialism.<br><br>READ: Hezbollah chief: =
Resistance thwarted =E2=80=98Greater Israel=E2=80=99 project, disarmament w=
ill not pass<br><br>Second, the fact that Lebanon was included in the deal =
but Palestine was not shows the limitation of relying on an external power =
that might be unable and/or unwilling to offer support. Obviously, this doe=
s not mean the resistance in these countries should break its ties with Ira=
n. But it does mean it should be aware that Iran is a sovereign state that =
will function according to its own capacities and interests, not according =
to others=E2=80=99. Accordingly, it should strive to build its own capaciti=
es in confronting the colony. This includes local weapons production, polic=
ies for societal cohesion (particularly in the face of sectarian fragmentat=
ion) and a strong economy.<br><br>Third, the fact that the U.S. agreed to a=
 deal that was detrimental to the colony reveals one of Zionism=E2=80=99s c=
ore contradictions. <br><br>Zionism justifies the need for a Jewish state o=
n the basis that the safety of Jews must not depend on non-Jewish states. H=
owever, by implanting in Palestine a settler-colony that can only be sustai=
ned with ongoing force, even after 80 years, it has made the safety of the =
very people it claims to protect contingent on foreign support. <br><br>Alt=
hough the safety of Jews is not Palestinians=E2=80=99 priority, they have a=
n interest in pointing out this fatal contradiction in a well thought-of di=
scourse targeting the settlers in their land. Should such a narrative bring=
 <br><br>to the fore the resistance leaders=E2=80=99 vision for liberation =
=E2=80=94a single state for all its citizens=E2=80=94 it would present Jews=
 in Palestine with safe alternative Zionism claims they do not have: To eit=
her leave Palestine in peace or drop their privileges and remain as safe an=
d equal citizens.<br><br>The colony and the U.S. have not managed to impose=
 their agendas, but they have not given up. It is time for Palestine and th=
ose in solidarity to move from reaction to the genocide to thought-of actio=
n on the basis of their own political vision.<br><br>OPINION: After the war=
 on Iran, the Transatlantic alliance rift grows wider<br><br>The views expr=
essed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect t=
he editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.</font></b></div>
</div>
</div></div>
</div>

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From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:36:06 -0400
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Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000dba8ce065489c638"
Subject: [Salon] RARE EARTH METALS AND PROCESSSING CAPABILITIES-- this chart
 tells the whole story...
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*A Visual Story*





*China challenged on rare earths*

President Trump and other Group of Seven (G7) leaders have launched an
action plan
<https://elinkf18.e.newsweek.com/ss/c/u001.tYzxeNn6QGs5YZ0fdCDiSNud0JvRBkhg=
Tb3cC27MN9oigc-ipUtcBaKnpHPiNiT8tmVxSj9iF1f3uj2FPe_mO_-Bwow_GxRYBGvAxXFi8S9=
QU5NLKrceNtOoeFNJ30OArmKd3qCudH_ubXCioYq_rAwCy2IA-_b_WWFZQM_MvUL4jq-oYemjbN=
Tg4m-piJHF6M2Bn4QV6JbkxcIDRoUUNODPo_cu3px8HdOqv3hv1vUFdF_Lk0InxUuayPEw5ByG1=
9GgGZeGT0T5JYSZsAyIpd-wP7R2pY_UEjphGFbGgnp65u7zg7op2Oz2fJeeX5EBUWMO64jzV9Og=
G223wNdNYTQr8dehUwUtnujRMHJ6PQJ3IzrLmRu5yDVEy0qWkxwK/4rl/zT0KOsSOSzejhaK53r=
c1hQ/h9/h001.TJFVoHDtC9jbX9XMBE5zXffrapGpA5mKtyeOUKM6leM>
to secure critical mineral supply chains after China moved to further
tighten its control over many of these resources. China accounts for
roughly 70 percent of global rare earth mining and about 90 percent of
processing capacity. At the G7 summit in France, members the United States,
United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy, Germany and Canada pledged to develop
a road map to advance "standards-based markets for critical minerals,"
including rare earth elements vital to industries ranging from clean energy
and advanced manufacturing to defense technologies.

--000000000000dba8ce065489c638
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div clas=
s=3D"msg12539062229169918">





<div lang=3D"EN-US" link=3D"#467886" vlink=3D"#96607D" style=3D"word-wrap:b=
reak-word">
<div class=3D"m_12539062229169918WordSection1">
<div align=3D"center">
<table border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" width=3D"100%" styl=
e=3D"width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" width=3D"100%" styl=
e=3D"width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"height:15.0pt">
<td style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:15.0pt">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"line-height:.75pt"><br></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style=3D"border:solid #f72210 1.0pt;border-left:solid #f72210 6.0pt;bac=
kground:#f2ebd8;padding:3.0pt 0in 3.0pt 17.25pt">
<table border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" width=3D"100%" styl=
e=3D"width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:4.5pt;margin=
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<b><span style=3D"font-size:15.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:&quot;Arial=
&quot;,sans-serif;color:#2a2a2a">A Visual Story</span></b><span style=3D"fo=
nt-size:15.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif;co=
lor:#2a2a2a"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style=3D"height:7.5pt">
<td style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:7.5pt">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"line-height:.75pt"><span style=3D"font-size=
:1.0pt;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">=C2=A0
<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" width=3D"100%" styl=
e=3D"width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"height:7.5pt">
<td style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:7.5pt">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"line-height:.75pt"><span style=3D"font-size=
:1.0pt;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">=C2=A0
<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" width=3D"100%" styl=
e=3D"width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" align=3D"center" style=3D"margin-right:0in;margin-bo=
ttom:4.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center;line-height:120%">
<b><span style=3D"font-size:16.5pt;line-height:120%;font-family:&quot;Arial=
&quot;,sans-serif;color:#2a2a2a">China challenged on rare earths</span></b>=
<span style=3D"font-size:16.5pt;line-height:120%;font-family:&quot;Arial&qu=
ot;,sans-serif;color:#2a2a2a"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=3D"top" style=3D"padding:7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0in">
<div align=3D"center">
<table border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width=3D"560" valign=3D"top" style=3D"width:420.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in=
 0in">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" align=3D"center" style=3D"text-align:center"><span s=
tyle=3D"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif"><img width=3D"560" style=
=3D"width:5.8333in" id=3D"m_12539062229169918_x0000_i1025" src=3D"https://m=
edia.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dscale-down,format=3Dauto,onerror=3Dred=
irect,quality=3D80/uploads/asset/file/43e0f4f7-7a3e-4310-9e46-085cc7e6febb/=
image.png?t=3D1781779273"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" width=3D"100%" styl=
e=3D"width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding:0in 20.25pt 0in 20.25pt">
<table border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" width=3D"100%" styl=
e=3D"width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"line-height:130%"><span style=3D"font-size:=
13.0pt;line-height:130%;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif;color:#2d2=
d2d">President Trump and other Group of Seven (G7) leaders
<a href=3D"https://elinkf18.e.newsweek.com/ss/c/u001.tYzxeNn6QGs5YZ0fdCDiSN=
ud0JvRBkhgTb3cC27MN9oigc-ipUtcBaKnpHPiNiT8tmVxSj9iF1f3uj2FPe_mO_-Bwow_GxRYB=
GvAxXFi8S9QU5NLKrceNtOoeFNJ30OArmKd3qCudH_ubXCioYq_rAwCy2IA-_b_WWFZQM_MvUL4=
jq-oYemjbNTg4m-piJHF6M2Bn4QV6JbkxcIDRoUUNODPo_cu3px8HdOqv3hv1vUFdF_Lk0InxUu=
ayPEw5ByG19GgGZeGT0T5JYSZsAyIpd-wP7R2pY_UEjphGFbGgnp65u7zg7op2Oz2fJeeX5EBUW=
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SzejhaK53rc1hQ/h9/h001.TJFVoHDtC9jbX9XMBE5zXffrapGpA5mKtyeOUKM6leM" target=
=3D"_blank">
<span style=3D"color:#4b62e0">have launched an action plan</span></a> to se=
cure critical mineral supply chains after China moved to further tighten it=
s control over many of these resources. China accounts for roughly 70 perce=
nt of global rare earth mining and
 about 90 percent of processing capacity. At the G7 summit in France, membe=
rs the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy, Germany and Can=
ada pledged to develop a road map to advance &quot;standards-based markets =
for critical minerals,&quot; including rare
 earth elements vital to industries ranging from clean energy and advanced =
manufacturing to defense technologies.
<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style=3D"height:7.5pt">
<td style=3D"padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:7.5pt">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"line-height:.75pt"><span style=3D"font-size=
:1.0pt;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif">=C2=A0
<u></u><u></u></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Ti=
mes New Roman&quot;,serif"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNo=
rmal"><span style=3D"font-size:14.0pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quo=
t;,serif">=C2=A0</span></p><br><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u><=
/p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p>
</div>
</div>

</div></div></div>

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Subject: [Salon] This defeat of U.S. imperial power is on par with the shame
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https://strategic-culture.su/news/2026/06/18/trump-art-of-the-debacle/

6/18/26

*This defeat of U.S. imperial power is on par with the shame of the Vietnam
War.*
Trump=E2=80=99s art of the debacle

*When Trump launched his war against Iran on February 28, his maximalist
demands included regime change, total surrender, no nuclear program, and no
enriched uranium.*

*None of that has been achieved. Iran has emerged stronger, the U.S. looks
weaker, its military assets in the region battered, and Tehran is calling
the shots on what a final deal will look like, based on its unbowed terms.*

*Nearly four months on, the American president is hailing a peace deal with
the Islamic Republic, but one where Tehran is writing the terms, not
Washington. It=E2=80=99s a debacle for Trump, exposing the limits of U.S. g=
lobal
power like never before. Even the Western media is commenting on how Trump
has come out as the loser.*

*Historians might note this epic failure as another inflexion point in the
decline of the U.S. global empire.*

*As for the framework agreement announced last weekend, admittedly,
anything that this president puts his name to has to be taken with a pinch
of salt. This week at the G7 summit in France, Trump was threatening
<https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/trump-all-hell-will-rain-down=
-on-iran-if-it-tries-to-obtain-nuclear-weapons/>
a
return to bombing and all hell raining down on Iran if it didn=E2=80=99t co=
mply
with his supposed demands.*

*Who knows what the Israeli regime will do, too. Netanyahu is scorned
<https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1g05rawfg> for his association with
Trump=E2=80=99s sell-out to Iran. The Israelis are continuing to bomb Leban=
on in
violation of the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding that will be
formally signed in Geneva on Friday. Tehran has warned that Trump must rein
in the Israelis to abide by a ceasefire covering Lebanon, or else all bets
are off.*

*Will the Israelis bomb the incipient peace deal into oblivion to spare
Netanyahu from going to jail over long-time corruption charges?  Or will
the Mossad blackmail Trump with files from the Epstein pedophile scandal to
get back to bombing?*

*The peace negotiations that the Trump administration and Iran will engage
in following the MoU signing are going to be fraught and long-drawn-out,
liable to be crashed from several angles.*

*But at least, at this stage in the conflict, it is evident that Iran is
the winner and Trump a monumental loser. Ironically, the initial deal was
agreed on June 15, the same day that Trump hosted a cage fight spectacle on
the White House lawn to celebrate his 80th birthday. If Trump were in a
cage with Iran, he would emerge with his nose bloodied and a few teeth
knocked out.*

*The text of the peace deal has been kept under wraps so far, but a draft
<https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/17/middleeast/us-iran-war-mou-text-intl?utm_so=
urce=3Dcnn_Five+Things+for+Wednesday,+June+17,+2026&utm_medium=3Demail&bt_e=
e=3DT3oTVIS749bb5gA1wl9D+vqN3SnmCgMfZq9mmCiToCRyTARp4j+sX2YryxFraP6q&bt_ts=
=3D1781694707361>
obtained
by U.S. outlets CNN and Bloomberg shows massive concessions forced on
Washington. Out of a 14-point list, Iran is to have all historic U.S.
sanctions removed, it will resume export of oil and oil products, and also
avail of billions of dollars from released frozen assets.*

*Trump will crow about Iran forswearing any effort to acquire nuclear
weapons. But that=E2=80=99s what Iran has always said, that its civilian nu=
clear
program was peaceful, non-military, and legally entitled under
international law. Again, Trump will crow about the Strait of Hormuz being
reopened to oil shipping. But it was his war of aggression against Iran
that closed off the Strait and 20 per cent of global oil supply. In short,
Trump gains nothing despite the astronomical cost of his debacle.*

*Iran is not going to surrender its nuclear program. Its government and
military are stronger than ever, and its 90 million people are more united
than ever.*

*Iran=E2=80=99s defiance of U.S. aggression and threats of nuclear annihila=
tion
resulted in a strategic defeat of American power. The damage to the U.S.
international image is incalculable as Washington=E2=80=99s allies find the=
mselves
betrayed by empty promises of protection.*

*Trump, who wrote an ego-trip book, Art of the Deal, about his supposed
business genius as a real estate mogul, is shown by Iran to be a charlatan
with no smarts, only bluster and bluff, arrogance and a big mouth, and an
exemplar of the art of capitulation.*

*He blundered into a situation in which he was way out of his depth in
terms of understanding and strategic thinking. His stupid arrogance was the
only force driving his moves.*

*With American citizens appalled by the senseless war, the barefaced lies,
the U-turns, the economic misery inflicted, Trump=E2=80=99s reckless and ca=
llous
indifference to their opposition, and the mid-term elections looming, the
spoiled-brat president realized he had no choice but to stop digging a hole
and scrape his way out of it.*

*Let=E2=80=99s not forget, too, that over 7,000 people have been killed in =
the U.S.
and Israeli aggression against Iran and Lebanon, including 168 Iranian
schoolgirls murdered in a multiple airstrike on February 28.*

*Trump=E2=80=99s hawkish former national security advisor, John Bolton, got=
 it
right when he derided the deal with Iran from the U.S. point of view. He is
scathing that Iran =E2=80=9Cplayed Trump like a fiddle=E2=80=9D.*

*=E2=80=9CThat=E2=80=99s why they=E2=80=99ve got the deal that they want,=
=E2=80=9D Bolton told
<https://www.euronews.com/2026/06/16/iran-played-trump-like-a-violin-in-dea=
l-former-national-security-adviser-bolton-tells-euro>
Euronews.*

*The economic damage that Iran was inflicting on the U.S. from closing the
entire Persian Gulf oil supply via the chokepoint Strait of Hormuz, totally
under Iran=E2=80=99s control, was forcing Trump to his knees. Iran knew it =
had the
ace card, and its courage, military firepower, and national unity to defy
genocidal threats was a quad of aces.*

*Bolton said the White House=E2=80=99s reluctance to publish the text of th=
e peace
deal framework indicates that Trump knows he is a loser, despite the
bravado and bluff.*

*=E2=80=9CIf it were a great deal, it would be out in public. And I think t=
hat
tells you pretty much what you need to know,=E2=80=9D remarked Bolton.*

*This defeat of U.S. imperial power is on par with the shame of the Vietnam
War. Back then, Trump was a rich-boy draft dodger during the 1960s.
Appropriately, perhaps, he finally experienced a similar Vietnam moment as
a cheating president.*

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"font-family:georgi=
a,serif;font-size:small"><a href=3D"https://strategic-culture.su/news/2026/=
06/18/trump-art-of-the-debacle/" target=3D"_blank">https://strategic-cultur=
e.su/news/2026/06/18/trump-art-of-the-debacle/</a></div><div style=3D"font-=
family:georgia,serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div style=3D"font-family:g=
eorgia,serif;font-size:small">6/18/26</div><div style=3D"font-family:georgi=
a,serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div><h1 style=3D"font-family:&quot;Time=
s New Roman&quot;;line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;m=
ax-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;col=
or:rgb(39,39,39);font-family:PTSans,sans-serif;text-align:justify"><i style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><font size=3D"4">This defeat of U.S. imperial po=
wer is on par with the shame of the Vietnam War.</font></i></span><br></h1>=
<h1 style=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-wi=
dth:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><font size=3D"4">=
Trump=E2=80=99s art of the debacle</font></font></h1><p style=3D"max-width:=
100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">When Trump launche=
d his war against Iran on February 28, his maximalist demands included regi=
me change, total surrender, no nuclear program, and no enriched uranium.</f=
ont></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" co=
lor=3D"#000000">None of that has been achieved. Iran has emerged stronger, =
the U.S. looks weaker, its military assets in the region battered, and Tehr=
an is calling the shots on what a final deal will look like, based on its u=
nbowed terms.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">Nearly four months on, the American preside=
nt is hailing a peace deal with the Islamic Republic, but one where Tehran =
is writing the terms, not Washington. It=E2=80=99s a debacle for Trump, exp=
osing the limits of U.S. global power like never before. Even the Western m=
edia is commenting on how Trump has come out as the loser.</font></b></p><p=
 style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000=
">Historians might note this epic failure as another inflexion point in the=
 decline of the U.S. global empire.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100=
%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">As for the framework =
agreement announced last weekend, admittedly, anything that this president =
puts his name to has to be taken with a pinch of salt. This week at the G7 =
summit in France, Trump was<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.timeso=
fisrael.com/liveblog_entry/trump-all-hell-will-rain-down-on-iran-if-it-trie=
s-to-obtain-nuclear-weapons/" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"text-decoration:non=
e;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">threatening</a><span>=C2=A0</span>a ret=
urn to bombing and all hell raining down on Iran if it didn=E2=80=99t compl=
y with his supposed demands.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><=
font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">Who knows what the Israeli r=
egime will do, too. Netanyahu is<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.y=
netnews.com/article/h1g05rawfg" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"text-decoration:n=
one;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">scorned</a><span>=C2=A0</span>for his=
 association with Trump=E2=80=99s sell-out to Iran. The Israelis are contin=
uing to bomb Lebanon in violation of the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understand=
ing that will be formally signed in Geneva on Friday. Tehran has warned tha=
t Trump must rein in the Israelis to abide by a ceasefire covering Lebanon,=
 or else all bets are off.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">Will the Israelis bomb the inc=
ipient peace deal into oblivion to spare Netanyahu from going to jail over =
long-time corruption charges?=C2=A0 Or will the Mossad blackmail Trump with=
 files from the Epstein pedophile scandal to get back to bombing?</font></b=
></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"=
#000000">The peace negotiations that the Trump administration and Iran will=
 engage in following the MoU signing are going to be fraught and long-drawn=
-out, liable to be crashed from several angles.</font></b></p><p style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">But at le=
ast, at this stage in the conflict, it is evident that Iran is the winner a=
nd Trump a monumental loser. Ironically, the initial deal was agreed on Jun=
e 15, the same day that Trump hosted a cage fight spectacle on the White Ho=
use lawn to celebrate his 80th birthday. If Trump were in a cage with Iran,=
 he would emerge with his nose bloodied and a few teeth knocked out.</font>=
</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=
=3D"#000000">The text of the peace deal has been kept under wraps so far, b=
ut a<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/17/middleeast=
/us-iran-war-mou-text-intl?utm_source=3Dcnn_Five+Things+for+Wednesday,+June=
+17,+2026&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;bt_ee=3DT3oTVIS749bb5gA1wl9D+vqN3SnmCg=
MfZq9mmCiToCRyTARp4j+sX2YryxFraP6q&amp;bt_ts=3D1781694707361" rel=3D"noopen=
er" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">draft</=
a><span>=C2=A0</span>obtained by U.S. outlets CNN and Bloomberg shows massi=
ve concessions forced on Washington. Out of a 14-point list, Iran is to hav=
e all historic U.S. sanctions removed, it will resume export of oil and oil=
 products, and also avail of billions of dollars from released frozen asset=
s.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, seri=
f" color=3D"#000000">Trump will crow about Iran forswearing any effort to a=
cquire nuclear weapons. But that=E2=80=99s what Iran has always said, that =
its civilian nuclear program was peaceful, non-military, and legally entitl=
ed under international law. Again, Trump will crow about the Strait of Horm=
uz being reopened to oil shipping. But it was his war of aggression against=
 Iran that closed off the Strait and 20 per cent of global oil supply. In s=
hort, Trump gains nothing despite the astronomical cost of his debacle.</fo=
nt></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" col=
or=3D"#000000">Iran is not going to surrender its nuclear program. Its gove=
rnment and military are stronger than ever, and its 90 million people are m=
ore united than ever.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">Iran=E2=80=99s defiance of U.S. agg=
ression and threats of nuclear annihilation resulted in a strategic defeat =
of American power. The damage to the U.S. international image is incalculab=
le as Washington=E2=80=99s allies find themselves betrayed by empty promise=
s of protection.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D=
"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">Trump, who wrote an ego-trip book,<span>=
=C2=A0</span><i style=3D"max-width:100%">Art of the Deal,</i><span>=C2=A0</=
span>about his supposed business genius as a real estate mogul, is shown by=
 Iran to be a charlatan with no smarts, only bluster and bluff, arrogance a=
nd a big mouth, and an exemplar of the art of capitulation.</font></b></p><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#00000=
0">He blundered into a situation in which he was way out of his depth in te=
rms of understanding and strategic thinking. His stupid arrogance was the o=
nly force driving his moves.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><=
font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">With American citizens appal=
led by the senseless war, the barefaced lies, the U-turns, the economic mis=
ery inflicted, Trump=E2=80=99s reckless and callous indifference to their o=
pposition, and the mid-term elections looming, the spoiled-brat president r=
ealized he had no choice but to stop digging a hole and scrape his way out =
of it.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif" color=3D"#000000">Let=E2=80=99s not forget, too, that over 7,000 peo=
ple have been killed in the U.S. and Israeli aggression against Iran and Le=
banon, including 168 Iranian schoolgirls murdered in a multiple airstrike o=
n February 28.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"g=
eorgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">Trump=E2=80=99s hawkish former national se=
curity advisor, John Bolton, got it right when he derided the deal with Ira=
n from the U.S. point of view. He is scathing that Iran =E2=80=9Cplayed Tru=
mp like a fiddle=E2=80=9D.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">=E2=80=9CThat=E2=80=99s why th=
ey=E2=80=99ve got the deal that they want,=E2=80=9D Bolton<span>=C2=A0</spa=
n><a href=3D"https://www.euronews.com/2026/06/16/iran-played-trump-like-a-v=
iolin-in-deal-former-national-security-adviser-bolton-tells-euro" rel=3D"no=
opener" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">tol=
d</a><span>=C2=A0</span>Euronews.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"=
><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">The economic damage tha=
t Iran was inflicting on the U.S. from closing the entire Persian Gulf oil =
supply via the chokepoint Strait of Hormuz, totally under Iran=E2=80=99s co=
ntrol, was forcing Trump to his knees. Iran knew it had the ace card, and i=
ts courage, military firepower, and national unity to defy genocidal threat=
s was a quad of aces.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">Bolton said the White House=E2=80=
=99s reluctance to publish the text of the peace deal framework indicates t=
hat Trump knows he is a loser, despite the bravado and bluff.</font></b></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000=
000">=E2=80=9CIf it were a great deal, it would be out in public. And I thi=
nk that tells you pretty much what you need to know,=E2=80=9D remarked Bolt=
on.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, ser=
if" color=3D"#000000">This defeat of U.S. imperial power is on par with the=
 shame of the Vietnam War. Back then, Trump was a rich-boy draft dodger dur=
ing the 1960s. Appropriately, perhaps, he finally experienced a similar Vie=
tnam moment as a cheating president.</font></b></p></div></div>
</div>
</div>
</div></div>

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(Dobbs) =E2=80=9CIf they don=E2=80=99t behave, we=E2=80=99ll drop bombs on =
their heads.=E2=80=9D
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D265151&post_id=3D20249=
5728&utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreema=
il=3Dtrue&r=3D390az&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo1NDU5MTQ3LCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0OTU=
3MjgsImlhdCI6MTc4MTc3ODc0NywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzcwNzQ3LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjY1MTUxIi=
wic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.y2pViVAEStRhvVo7Pf_Qd3BLphmfRFTJYJJMee-Ft24>=
Trump
disrupts peace around the world, but then the G7 leaders praise him for,
well, restoring peace around the world.

Greg Dobbs <https://substack.com/@gregdobbs>
Jun 18
<https://substack.com/@gregdobbs>











We can=E2=80=99t even imagine how hard it must have been for the global lea=
ders at
the G7 summit to sing the praises of Donald Trump. I wouldn=E2=80=99t be su=
rprised
if some of them spent half the night hanging over their toilets.

Yet sing his praises they did. In a joint statement, they said, =E2=80=9CUn=
der the
strong leadership of President Trump, the United States is back to leading
the effort to restore peace around the world. President Trump will continue
to work towards ensuring Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.=E2=80=9D

How weird is that? He disrupts peace around the world, but then they praise
him for, well, restoring peace around the world. But they had to. They have
learned from hard experience, if you don=E2=80=99t wax lyrical about Donald=
 Trump,
this petty president will hurt you. You, your citizens, your nation.

How hard must it have been for Prime Minister Keir Starmer from the U.K.?
Time and again, Trump has insulted Starmer and his military. The most
cutting on a personal level was when the prime minister initially rejected
Trump=E2=80=99s request to stage air attacks against Iran out of a British =
base in
the Indian Ocean, and Trump=E2=80=99s response was, =E2=80=9CThis is not Wi=
nston Churchill
that we=E2=80=99re dealing with.=E2=80=9D Do you think it was easy for Star=
mer to put his
signature on that statement at the G7?

<https://substack.com/redirect/7cf4453c-55a9-4800-8b99-0020032dee28?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMzkwYXoifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc>

Or Emmanuel Macron, the president of France? After Macron declared early in
the war, =E2=80=9CWe are not a party to the conflict,=E2=80=9D Trump dismis=
sed his
importance, saying, =E2=80=9CWell, he=E2=80=99ll be out of office very soon=
.=E2=80=9D Then at a
White House lunch, Trump coarsely referred to a video of Mrs. Macron
shoving her husband as they got off a plane and for the amusement of the
audience, mocked the French president. =E2=80=9CI called up France, Macron,=
 whose
wife treats him extremely badly, (he is) still recovering from the right to
the jaw.=E2=80=9D

<https://substack.com/redirect/361a4b63-76a0-462d-a755-0ada879fba47?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMzkwYXoifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc>

How hard was it for Italy=E2=80=99s prime minister Giorgia Meloni? Once Tru=
mp was
her biggest fan, but after she said Italy would not participate in the war,
and scolded the president for his crass comments about the pope, he changed
his tune. =E2=80=9CDo people like her?,=E2=80=9D he said to an Italian news=
paper. =E2=80=9CI can=E2=80=99t
believe it. I thought she had courage. I was wrong.=E2=80=9D

How hard was it for German chancellor Friedrich Merz? In April he
criticized the American war with Iran, saying the United States was =E2=80=
=9Cbeing
humiliated.=E2=80=9D In typical fashion, Trump shot back, =E2=80=9CNo wonde=
r Germany is
doing so poorly, both economically, and otherwise!=E2=80=9D And yet at the =
G7
yesterday, Merz honored Trump=E2=80=99s 80th birthday with a gift: a soccer=
 jersey
saying =E2=80=9CTrump=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9C47.=E2=80=9D The old saw about =
that is, you do what you have to
do.

<https://substack.com/redirect/4b840cb5-e920-4d44-8ddc-aa358975f998?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMzkwYXoifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc>

And it probably was hardest for Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada.
Trump not only has repeatedly offended Carney, he has repeatedly offended
Canada, saying for example in an interview from the Super Bowl, =E2=80=9CI =
think
Canada would be much better off being the 51st state,=E2=80=9D even though =
Canadian
leaders and the Canadian people have made it crystal clear, they don=E2=80=
=99t want
to be our 51st state. Of course Trump being Trump, he just ignores that,
disrespectfully referring to Prime Minister Carney as =E2=80=9Cgovernor.=E2=
=80=9D Probably
the angriest rhetoric came at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January,
when Carney gave his speech and said that American leadership =E2=80=9Cno l=
onger
works,=E2=80=9D and accused the =E2=80=9Cgreat powers=E2=80=9D of weaponizi=
ng economic tools like
tariffs. He never mentioned Donald Trump=E2=80=99s name, but there was no s=
ecret
about who he had in mind. Carney got a standing ovation.

<https://substack.com/redirect/637ed92e-e0d2-4c8c-83a5-8e6c012ffb2d?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMzkwYXoifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc>

When Trump got up to talk, he aimed his bullying barbs right at Canada=E2=
=80=99s
leader: =E2=80=9CCanada lives because of the United States. Remember that, =
Mark,
the next time you make your statements.=E2=80=9D

How hard must it have been for Mark Carney to sign a statement lauding =E2=
=80=9Cthe
strong leadership of President Trump?=E2=80=9D He couldn=E2=80=99t have bel=
ieved it, but
like everyone else in his exclusive club, he had no choice.

Here=E2=80=99s how dismissive Donald Trump is of our allies. Yesterday morn=
ing, he
was late for a G7 meeting and kept his peers waiting. That=E2=80=99s becaus=
e he was
busy issuing screeds from his Truth Social account. *And* because he
doesn=E2=80=99t see them as peers. When he finally walked in, he pretended =
to joke
that it was okay to leave them waiting because =E2=80=9CI=E2=80=99m the bos=
s.=E2=80=9D For this
ego-driven man though, it is no joke.

<https://substack.com/redirect/3c49ed82-5e16-4e5e-8379-b94cbc81c62b?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMzkwYXoifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc>

But some of the leaders laughed anyway. They know what a spiteful man he
can be if they don=E2=80=99t. They know what a mean man he can be if they d=
on=E2=80=99t.
They know that if they don=E2=80=99t laugh at Donald Trump=E2=80=99s jokes =
and don=E2=80=99t bend a
knee to his demands, they will suffer his retribution.

One thought about the memorandum of understanding soon to be signed by the
United States and Iran. In its opening paragraph, it commits each side to
=E2=80=9Crefrain from the threat or use of force against each other.=E2=80=
=9D

<https://substack.com/redirect/00641aa7-3b5b-4cdb-8246-ac217e1c2f42?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMzkwYXoifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc>

Odd words, considering that the memorandum was publicly released just hours
after Trump did just that: he threatened the use of force again against
Iran. =E2=80=9CIf it doesn=E2=80=99t get done in 60 days, that=E2=80=99s al=
l right. We go back to
bombing,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CIf they don=E2=80=99t behave, we=E2=80=
=99ll drop bombs on their heads.=E2=80=9D

Share

Do we have to wonder why Iran probably doesn=E2=80=99t trust us any more th=
an we
have reason to trust them?
Yet this is the kind of leadership the G7 leaders had no choice but to
praise. Pity them. Pity us all.
                                                                =C2=A9 2026=
 Greg
Dobbs

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<div dir=3D"ltr">
<table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbo=
dy><tr><td><br></td><td width=3D"550" align=3D"left"><div style=3D"font-siz=
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ody></table><div style=3D"padding:32px 0px 0px;font-size:16px;line-height:2=
6px"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><h1 style=3D"color:rgb(=
54,55,55);font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,-apple-system-headline,sys=
tem-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helveti=
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;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;font-weight:bold;margin:0px;line-height:36px;=
font-size:32px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_i=
d=3D265151&amp;post_id=3D202495728&amp;utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&amp;ut=
m_campaign=3Demail-post-title&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D390az&amp;token=
=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo1NDU5MTQ3LCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0OTU3MjgsImlhdCI6MTc4MTc3ODc0=
NywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzcwNzQ3LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjY1MTUxIiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGl=
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,55);text-decoration:none" rel=3D"noreferrer noopener" target=3D"_blank">(D=
obbs) =E2=80=9CIf they don=E2=80=99t behave, we=E2=80=99ll drop bombs on th=
eir heads.=E2=80=9D</a></h1><h3 style=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&q=
uot;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quo=
t;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&=
quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;font-weight:no=
rmal;margin:12px 0px 0px;color:rgb(119,119,119);line-height:24px;font-size:=
18px">Trump disrupts peace around the world, but then the G7 leaders praise=
 him for, well, restoring peace around the world. </h3><table width=3D"100%=
" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"margin:1em 0px;=
min-height:20px"><tbody><tr><td><table width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspac=
ing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table width=3D"auto" border=3D"=
0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-ali=
gn:middle"><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;te=
xt-decoration-color:unset;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0px;font-family:SF Com=
pact,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,Segoe UI,Robo=
to,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,Apple Color Emoji,Segoe UI Emoji,Segoe UI Sym=
bol;font-weight:500;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.2px"><a style=
=3D"list-style:none;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0px;font-size:11px;line-heig=
ht:20px;font-family:&quot;SF Compact&quot;,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-s=
ystem,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-s=
erif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe U=
I Symbol&quot;;font-weight:500;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.2p=
x;text-decoration:none" href=3D"https://substack.com/@gregdobbs" rel=3D"nor=
eferrer noopener" target=3D"_blank">Greg Dobbs</a></div></td></tr></tbody><=
/table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><div st=
yle=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;text-decoration-colo=
r:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0px;font-family:SF Compact,-apple-sys=
tem,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,Segoe UI,Roboto,Helvetica,Ar=
ial,sans-serif,Apple Color Emoji,Segoe UI Emoji,Segoe UI Symbol;font-weight=
:500;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.2px"> Jun 18</div></td></tr>=
</tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=3D"right"><table w=
idth=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><=
td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/@gregdob=
bs" rel=3D"noreferrer noopener" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://subst=
ackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PAWG!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/ht=
tps%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com=
%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa104d9eb-051d-42d7-abb3-a6113db5553a_620x640.jpeg" sty=
le=3D"max-width: 550px; border: medium; vertical-align: middle; width: 40px=
; min-width: 40px; min-height: 40px; margin: 0px; display: inline; border-r=
adius: 50%;" width=3D"40" height=3D"40" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd"></a></td></t=
r></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table width=3D"100%" border=3D=
"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-top-width:1px;borde=
r-top-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;min-wid=
th:100%"><tbody><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;=
line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><td><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" c=
ellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table width=3D"auto" bor=
der=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"verti=
cal-align:middle"><br></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"><br></td=
><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><br></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-=
width:8px"><br></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><br></td><td width=
=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"><br></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"=
><br></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=3D"right"><table width=3D"aut=
o" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody></tbody></table>=
<br></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16"=
 style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr></tbody></table></di=
v></div><div style=3D"padding:32px 0px 0px;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"=
><div style=3D"text-align:initial;font-size:16px;line-height:26px;width:100=
%;margin-bottom:16px"><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);l=
ine-height:26px;font-size:16px">We
 can=E2=80=99t even imagine how hard it must have been for the global leade=
rs at
 the G7 summit to sing the praises of Donald Trump. I wouldn=E2=80=99t be=
=20
surprised if some of them spent half the night hanging over their=20
toilets.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height=
:26px;font-size:16px">Yet
 sing his praises they did. In a joint statement, they said, =E2=80=9CUnder=
 the=20
strong leadership of President Trump, the United States is back to=20
leading the effort to restore peace around the world. President Trump=20
will continue to work towards ensuring Iran cannot obtain a nuclear=20
weapon.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);lin=
e-height:26px;font-size:16px">How
 weird is that? He disrupts peace around the world, but then they praise
 him for, well, restoring peace around the world. But they had to. They=20
have learned from hard experience, if you don=E2=80=99t wax lyrical about D=
onald
 Trump, this petty president will hurt you. You, your citizens, your=20
nation.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:=
26px;font-size:16px">How
 hard must it have been for Prime Minister Keir Starmer from the U.K.?=20
Time and again, Trump has insulted Starmer and his military. The most=20
cutting on a personal level was when the prime minister initially=20
rejected Trump=E2=80=99s request to stage air attacks against Iran out of a=
=20
British base in the Indian Ocean, and Trump=E2=80=99s response was, =E2=80=
=9CThis is not
 Winston Churchill that we=E2=80=99re dealing with.=E2=80=9D Do you think i=
t was easy=20
for Starmer to put his signature on that statement at the G7?</p><div style=
=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%"=
 border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"t=
ext-align:center"><br></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"479" style=3D"text-a=
lign:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/7cf4453c-55a9-4800-8b=
99-0020032dee28?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMzkwYXoifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esn=
s2iQXZc" style=3D"padding:0px;width:auto;height:auto;border:medium;text-dec=
oration:none;display:block;margin:0px" rel=3D"noreferrer noopener" target=
=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yY=
Qo!,w_479,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsub=
stack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F69118a23-9452-42e3-8b=
24-63cd8f6baf07_479x410.png" style=3D"vertical-align: middle; display: bloc=
k; margin: 0px auto; border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color=
: currentcolor; width: 479px; max-width: 479px;" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd"></a=
></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"><br></td></tr></tbody></table></div><=
p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-si=
ze:16px"></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-heigh=
t:26px;font-size:16px">Or
 Emmanuel Macron, the president of France? After Macron declared early=20
in the war, =E2=80=9CWe are not a party to the conflict,=E2=80=9D Trump dis=
missed his=20
importance, saying, =E2=80=9CWell, he=E2=80=99ll be out of office very soon=
.=E2=80=9D Then at a=20
White House lunch, Trump coarsely referred to a video of Mrs. Macron=20
shoving her husband as they got off a plane and for the amusement of the
 audience, mocked the French president. =E2=80=9CI called up France, Macron=
,=20
whose wife treats him extremely badly, (he is) still recovering from the
 right to the jaw.=E2=80=9D</p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26p=
x;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" ce=
llpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"><br></td><td ali=
gn=3D"left" width=3D"611" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://su=
bstack.com/redirect/361a4b63-76a0-462d-a755-0ada879fba47?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMzkwYX=
oifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc" style=3D"padding:0px;widt=
h:auto;height:auto;border:medium;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:=
0px" rel=3D"noreferrer noopener" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" src=3D"htt=
ps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IrMn!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:goo=
d,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2=
Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd80a8852-73bf-440a-a8e3-4dad0b92df35_611x304.png" style=
=3D"vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin: 0px auto; border-width:=
 medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; width: 550px; max-=
width: 611px;" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:cent=
er"><br></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;col=
or:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"></p><p style=3D"margin:0p=
x 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">How
 hard was it for Italy=E2=80=99s prime minister Giorgia Meloni? Once Trump =
was=20
her biggest fan, but after she said Italy would not participate in the=20
war, and scolded the president for his crass comments about the pope, he
 changed his tune. =E2=80=9CDo people like her?,=E2=80=9D he said to an Ita=
lian=20
newspaper. =E2=80=9CI can=E2=80=99t believe it. I thought she had courage. =
I was wrong.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55=
);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">How
 hard was it for German chancellor Friedrich Merz? In April he=20
criticized the American war with Iran, saying the United States was=20
=E2=80=9Cbeing humiliated.=E2=80=9D In typical fashion, Trump shot back, =
=E2=80=9CNo wonder=20
Germany is doing so poorly, both economically, and otherwise!=E2=80=9D And =
yet=20
at the G7 yesterday, Merz honored Trump=E2=80=99s 80th birthday with a gift=
: a=20
soccer jersey saying =E2=80=9CTrump=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9C47.=E2=80=9D The =
old saw about that is, you do
 what you have to do.</p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;marg=
in:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadd=
ing=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"><br></td><td align=3D"=
left" width=3D"400" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack=
.com/redirect/4b840cb5-e920-4d44-8ddc-aa358975f998?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMzkwYXoifQ.6=
3a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc" style=3D"padding:0px;width:auto=
;height:auto;border:medium;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0px" r=
el=3D"noreferrer noopener" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" src=3D"https://s=
ubstackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!mv85!,w_400,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_pr=
ogressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic=
%2Fimages%2F100f9f5a-8e15-4d73-aa51-13dd935c227e_400x498.png" style=3D"vert=
ical-align: middle; display: block; margin: 0px auto; border-width: medium;=
 border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; width: 400px; max-width: 4=
00px;" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"><br>=
</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(5=
4,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20=
px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">And
 it probably was hardest for Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada.=20
Trump not only has repeatedly offended Carney, he has repeatedly=20
offended Canada, saying for example in an interview from the Super Bowl,
 =E2=80=9CI think Canada would be much better off being the 51st state,=E2=
=80=9D even=20
though Canadian leaders and the Canadian people have made it crystal=20
clear, they don=E2=80=99t want to be our 51st state. Of course Trump being=
=20
Trump, he just ignores that, disrespectfully referring to Prime Minister
 Carney as =E2=80=9Cgovernor.=E2=80=9D Probably the angriest rhetoric came =
at the World=20
Economic Forum in Davos in January, when Carney gave his speech and said
 that American leadership =E2=80=9Cno longer works,=E2=80=9D and accused th=
e =E2=80=9Cgreat=20
powers=E2=80=9D of weaponizing economic tools like tariffs. He never mentio=
ned=20
Donald Trump=E2=80=99s name, but there was no secret about who he had in mi=
nd.=20
Carney got a standing ovation. </p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height=
:26px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0=
" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"><br></td><td=
 align=3D"left" width=3D"1414" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https=
://substack.com/redirect/637ed92e-e0d2-4c8c-83a5-8e6c012ffb2d?j=3DeyJ1IjoiM=
zkwYXoifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc" style=3D"padding:0px=
;width:auto;height:auto;border:medium;text-decoration:none;display:block;ma=
rgin:0px" rel=3D"noreferrer noopener" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" src=
=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6SkQ!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_a=
uto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaw=
s.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdf656a9d-25e6-46ab-adad-a9c53027f053_1414x793.png=
" style=3D"vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin: 0px auto; border=
-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; width: 550p=
x; max-width: 800px;" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd"></a></td><td style=3D"text-ali=
gn:center"><br></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 2=
0px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"></p><p style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">When
 Trump got up to talk, he aimed his bullying barbs right at Canada=E2=80=99=
s=20
leader: =E2=80=9CCanada lives because of the United States. Remember that, =
Mark,
 the next time you make your statements.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"margin:0px=
 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">How
 hard must it have been for Mark Carney to sign a statement lauding =E2=80=
=9Cthe
 strong leadership of President Trump?=E2=80=9D He couldn=E2=80=99t have be=
lieved it,=20
but like everyone else in his exclusive club, he had no choice.</p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px=
"><span>Here=E2=80=99s
 how dismissive Donald Trump is of our allies. Yesterday morning, he was
 late for a G7 meeting and kept his peers waiting. That=E2=80=99s because h=
e was
 busy issuing screeds from his Truth Social account. </span><em>And</em><sp=
an>
 because he doesn=E2=80=99t see them as peers. When he finally walked in, h=
e=20
pretended to joke that it was okay to leave them waiting because =E2=80=9CI=
=E2=80=99m=20
the boss.=E2=80=9D For this ego-driven man though, it is no joke. </span></=
p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table wi=
dth=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><t=
d style=3D"text-align:center"><br></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"787" sty=
le=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/3c49ed82-=
5e16-4e5e-8379-b94cbc81c62b?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMzkwYXoifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0mkOuevC7O6=
Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc" style=3D"padding:0px;width:auto;height:auto;border:med=
ium;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0px" rel=3D"noreferrer noopen=
er" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fe=
tch/$s_!2bMW!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%=
3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fde4d6894-f=
4c5-40ce-a6a1-f96c6803d599_787x524.png" style=3D"vertical-align: middle; di=
splay: block; margin: 0px auto; border-width: medium; border-style: none; b=
order-color: currentcolor; width: 550px; max-width: 787px;" class=3D"gmail-=
CToWUd"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"><br></td></tr></tbody></ta=
ble></div><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:2=
6px;font-size:16px"></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55)=
;line-height:26px;font-size:16px">But
 some of the leaders laughed anyway. They know what a spiteful man he=20
can be if they don=E2=80=99t. They know what a mean man he can be if they d=
on=E2=80=99t.
 They know that if they don=E2=80=99t laugh at Donald Trump=E2=80=99s jokes=
 and don=E2=80=99t=20
bend a knee to his demands, they will suffer his retribution.</p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px=
">One
 thought about the memorandum of understanding soon to be signed by the=20
United States and Iran. In its opening paragraph, it commits each side=20
to =E2=80=9Crefrain from the threat or use of force against each other.=E2=
=80=9D </p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto">=
<table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbo=
dy><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"><br></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D=
"551" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/=
00641aa7-3b5b-4cdb-8246-ac217e1c2f42?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMzkwYXoifQ.63a58n3zMjmmr0m=
kOuevC7O6Kp_vfHJv1Esns2iQXZc" style=3D"padding:0px;width:auto;height:auto;b=
order:medium;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0px" rel=3D"noreferr=
er noopener" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com=
/image/fetch/$s_!QG6D!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:ste=
ep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7=
55cee43-29bd-41e9-8f72-16ac9e948894_551x392.png" style=3D"vertical-align: m=
iddle; display: block; margin: 0px auto; border-width: medium; border-style=
: none; border-color: currentcolor; width: 550px; max-width: 551px;" class=
=3D"gmail-CToWUd"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"><br></td></tr></=
tbody></table></div><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);lin=
e-height:26px;font-size:16px"></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb=
(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">Odd
 words, considering that the memorandum was publicly released just hours
 after Trump did just that: he threatened the use of force again against
 Iran. =E2=80=9CIf it doesn=E2=80=99t get done in 60 days, that=E2=80=99s a=
ll right. We go back=20
to bombing,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CIf they don=E2=80=99t behave, we=E2=
=80=99ll drop bombs on their=20
heads.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line=
-height:26px;font-size:16px;text-align:center;border-radius:4px"><span styl=
e=3D"color:rgb(255,255,255);text-decoration:none">Share</span></p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px=
"></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;=
font-size:16px">Do we have to wonder why Iran probably doesn=E2=80=99t trus=
t us any more than we have reason to trust them?</p><div style=3D"margin:0p=
x 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">Yet this is=
 the kind of leadership the G7 leaders had no choice but to praise. Pity th=
em. Pity us all.</div><div style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55)=
;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);fon=
t-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,Segoe UI,Roboto,Helveti=
ca,Arial,sans-serif,Apple Color Emoji,Segoe UI Emoji,Segoe UI Symbol;font-s=
ize:12px;text-align:center">=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=
=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=
=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=
=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A9 2026 </span><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(119,119,119);font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont=
,Segoe UI,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,Apple Color Emoji,Segoe UI Emoj=
i,Segoe UI Symbol;font-size:12px;text-align:center">Greg Dobbs</span></div>=
</div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table>

<br></div>

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From: "Ackerman, Bruce" <bruce.ackerman@yale.edu>
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Subject: [Salon] [Friends_of_Bruce] Announcement of Award of Tang Prize to
 Bruce Ackerman, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science,
 Yale University
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Dear Friends:
As this interview with the Taipei Times suggests, the award of my Tang Priz=
e comes at tragic time in my personal and professional life:
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/18/2003859327
As a consequence, I would especially appreciate your own insights into the =
larger implications of Trump=1B$B!G=1B(Bs shattering assault on the foundat=
ions of democracy and the rule of law. Just send them on to me at: bruce.ac=
kerman@yale.edu and I=1B$B!G=1B(Bll be back to you as soon a time permits.
A second report from Focus Taiwan develops a very different perspective on =
the award=1B$B!G=1B(Bs significance: https://focustaiwan.tw/culture/2026061=
80006
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Bruce



Taipei Times (June 18, 2026)
Bruce Ackerman Wins Tang Prize in Rule of Law

at

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/18/2003859327



Yale University law professor Bruce Ackerman has been awarded the Tang Priz=
e in Rule of Law for advancing constitutional governance and defending the =
rule of law, the award's selection committee said today.

Ackerman's pioneering contributions to constitutional governance and the ru=
le of law have been inspiring, Tang Prize Selection Committee for Rule of L=
aw chairman Yeh Jiunn-rong (=1B$BMU=3DS\F=1B(B) told a news conference in T=
aipei.

"His comparative engagements and passionate commitment to understanding con=
stitutional legitimacy and popular sovereignty, exercised across generation=
s, have inspired constitutional lawyers around the world in their pursuit o=
f social justice and the rule of law," Yeh said.

Ackerman, 82, serves as Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at =
Yale Law School and is a member of the American Law Institute and the Ameri=
can Academy of Arts and Sciences.

A leading constitutional theorist, Ackerman has spent more than five decade=
s examining constitutional legitimacy, popular sovereignty and democratic g=
overnance.

Among his best-known works is the We the People trilogy, which explores maj=
or transformations in the US=1B$B!G=1B(B constitutional order before turnin=
g its attention to the dangers of unchecked executive power and calling for=
 safeguards to preserve constitutional government during times of crisis.



The books argue that constitutional change often emerges through moments of=
 broad public mobilization, during which citizens become agents of constitu=
tional transformation.

Ackerman has also advocated greater public participation in politics, inclu=
ding promoting informed civic engagement and enhancing democratic decisionm=
aking.

His scholarship has also examined experiences beyond the US, exploring how =
different countries have pursued constitutional legitimacy and democratic t=
ransformation.

Ackerman's influence extends well beyond constitutional theory, Chang Wen-c=
hen (=1B$BD%J8Dg=1B(B), a distinguished professor at National Taiwan Univer=
sity's College of Law, said at the event.

"His scholarship is distinguished by its ability to transcend time and spac=
e while integrating insights from law, political science, history and econo=
mics into a coherent intellectual framework," Chang said.

Ackerman's work has also offered enduring guidance for improving the rule o=
f law through constitutional legitimacy and popular sovereignty while inspi=
ring generations of academics and practitioners worldwide, she said.

Born in 1943, Ackerman received a bachelor's degree from Harvard University=
 in 1964 and a law degree from Yale Law School in 1967.

He previously taught at the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia Univers=
ity.

Earlier in the week, Susan Solomon and Ge Zhaoguang (=1B$B3kC{8w=1B(B) were=
 named winners of the Tang Prize in Sustainable Development and Sinology, r=
espectively, while Steven A. Rosenberg, Michel Sadelain and Carl H. June sh=
ared the Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science.

Each Tang Prize category carries a cash award of NT$50 million (US$1.58 mil=
lion), including NT$10 million in research funding.





--_000_EA2PR08MB97094850A0660A8375E3707AE0E32EA2PR08MB9709namp_
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<div style=3D"direction: ltr;">&nbsp;</div>
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Dear Friends:</div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; font-f=
amily: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, =
sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
As this interview with the <i>Taipei Times</i>&nbsp;suggests, the award of =
my Tang Prize comes at tragic time in my personal and professional life:</d=
iv>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; font-f=
amily: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, =
sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">
<a href=3D"https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/18/2003=
859327" id=3D"OWA53bddca0-a948-138d-95f6-c3cd9e96781c" class=3D"x_OWAAutoLi=
nk" data-auth=3D"NotApplicable" style=3D"color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><u>http=
s://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/18/2003859327</u></a><=
/div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; font-f=
amily: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, =
sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
As a consequence, I would especially appreciate your own insights into the =
larger implications of Trump=1B$B!G=1B(Bs shattering assault on the foundat=
ions of democracy and the rule of law. Just send them on to me at: bruce.ac=
kerman@yale.edu and I=1B$B!G=1B(Bll be back to you as
 soon a time permits.</div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; font-f=
amily: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, =
sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A second report from Focus Taiwan deve=
lops a very different perspective on the award=1B$B!G=1B(Bs significance:
</span><span style=3D"color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><a href=3D"https://focusta=
iwan.tw/culture/202606180006" id=3D"OWA230c2c75-2848-4ff5-d37a-6bb8b47b37c5=
" class=3D"x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth=3D"NotApplicable" style=3D"color: rgb(7=
0, 120, 134);"><u>https://focustaiwan.tw/culture/202606180006</u></a></span=
></div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; font-f=
amily: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, =
sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Looking forward to hearing from you,</div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; font-f=
amily: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, =
sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Bruce</div>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; =
font-size: 11pt;">
&nbsp;</p>
<h1 style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in; font-family: &quot;Times New Roma=
n&quot;, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
<span style=3D"font-size: 36pt; color: black;">Taipei Times (June 18, 2026)=
</span></h1>
<h1 style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in; font-family: &quot;Times New Roma=
n&quot;, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
<span style=3D"font-size: 36pt; color: black;">Bruce Ackerman Wins Tang Pri=
ze in Rule of Law</span></h1>
<h1 style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in; font-family: &quot;Times New Roma=
n&quot;, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
<span style=3D"font-size: 12pt; color: black;"><br>
</span></h1>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in; font-family: &quot;Times New Rom=
an&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; color: black;">
at</div>
<h1 style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in; font-family: &quot;Times New Roma=
n&quot;, serif; font-size: 24pt;">
<span style=3D"font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);"><u><br>
</u></span></h1>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(5, 9=
9, 193);">
<a href=3D"https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/18/2003=
859327" id=3D"OWAc88dc66a-8b75-788c-5e50-ac2d60381724" class=3D"x_OWAAutoLi=
nk" data-auth=3D"NotApplicable" style=3D"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);"><u>https:=
//www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2026/06/18/2003859327</u></a></d=
iv>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in 0in 0in 3.75pt; font-family: Calibr=
i, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: black;">&nbsp;</span>=
</p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Ya=
le University law professor Bruce Ackerman has been awarded the Tang Prize =
in Rule of Law for advancing constitutional
 governance and defending the rule of law, the award's selection committee =
said today.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Ac=
kerman's pioneering contributions to constitutional governance and the rule=
 of law have been inspiring, Tang Prize
 Selection Committee for Rule of Law chairman Yeh Jiunn-rong (</span><span =
style=3D"font-family: &quot;MS Gothic&quot;; font-size: 16pt; color: black;=
">=1B$BMU=3DS\F=1B(B</span><span style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; f=
ont-size: 16pt; color: black;">) told a news conference in Taipei.</span></=
p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">&q=
uot;His comparative engagements and passionate commitment to understanding =
constitutional legitimacy and popular sovereignty,
 exercised across generations, have inspired constitutional lawyers around =
the world in their pursuit of social justice and the rule of law,&quot; Yeh=
 said.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span style=3D"font-fami=
ly: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Ackerman, 82, serves=
 as Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale Law School and =
is a member of the American Law Institute
 and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">A =
leading constitutional theorist, Ackerman has spent more than five decades =
examining constitutional legitimacy,
 popular sovereignty and democratic governance.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 0in;"><span style=3D"=
font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Among his b=
est-known works is the
<i>We the People</i>&nbsp;trilogy, which explores major transformations in =
the US=1B$B!G=1B(B constitutional order before turning its attention to the=
 dangers of unchecked executive power and calling for safeguards to preserv=
e constitutional government during times of crisis.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in;"><span style=3D"font-family: Arial=
, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Th=
e books argue that constitutional change often emerges through moments of b=
road public mobilization, during which
 citizens become agents of constitutional transformation.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Ac=
kerman has also advocated greater public participation in politics, includi=
ng promoting informed civic engagement
 and enhancing democratic decisionmaking.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Hi=
s scholarship has also examined experiences beyond the US, exploring how di=
fferent countries have pursued constitutional
 legitimacy and democratic transformation.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Ac=
kerman's influence extends well beyond constitutional theory, Chang Wen-che=
n (</span><span style=3D"font-family: &quot;MS Gothic&quot;; font-size: 16p=
t; color: black;">=1B$BD%J8Dg=1B(B</span><span style=3D"font-family: Arial,=
 sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">),
 a distinguished professor at National Taiwan University's College of Law, =
said at the event.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">&q=
uot;His scholarship is distinguished by its ability to transcend time and s=
pace while integrating insights from law,
 political science, history and economics into a coherent intellectual fram=
ework,&quot; Chang said.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Ac=
kerman's work has also offered enduring guidance for improving the rule of =
law through constitutional legitimacy
 and popular sovereignty while inspiring generations of academics and pract=
itioners worldwide, she said.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Bo=
rn in 1943, Ackerman received a bachelor's degree from Harvard University i=
n 1964 and a law degree from Yale Law
 School in 1967.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">He=
 previously taught at the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia Universit=
y.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Ea=
rlier in the week, Susan Solomon and Ge Zhaoguang (</span><span style=3D"fo=
nt-family: &quot;MS Gothic&quot;; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">=1B$B3kC{=
8w=1B(B</span><span style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16p=
t; color: black;">)
 were named winners of the Tang Prize in Sustainable Development and Sinolo=
gy, respectively, while Steven A. Rosenberg, Michel Sadelain and Carl H. Ju=
ne shared the Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; text-align: left; margin: 1em 0in 15pt;"><span =
style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; color: black;">Ea=
ch Tang Prize category carries a cash award of NT$50 million (US$1.58 milli=
on), including NT$10 million in research
 funding.</span></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; =
font-size: 11pt;">
<span style=3D"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">&nbsp;</sp=
an></p>
<p style=3D"direction: ltr; margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; =
font-size: 11pt;">
&nbsp;</p>
</body>
</html>

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Subject: [Salon] IDF Troops Say They Are 'Policing' Displaced Civilians
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*https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/lebanonnews/2026-06-18/ty-article=
/.premium/idf-troops-say-they-are-policing-displaced-civilians-return-to-le=
banon-homes/0000019e-d9c5-d7f1-abbf-fbc73cd30000
<https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/lebanonnews/2026-06-18/ty-article=
/.premium/idf-troops-say-they-are-policing-displaced-civilians-return-to-le=
banon-homes/0000019e-d9c5-d7f1-abbf-fbc73cd30000>*

*IDF Troops Say They Are 'Policing' Displaced Civilians Returning en Masse
to **Homes in Southern Lebanon - Lebanon News*
*Jun 18, 2026*
[image: Civilians returning to the Srifa village in southern Lebanon on
Tuesday.]
*Civilians returning to the Srifa village in southern Lebanon on
Tuesday. Credit: Kawnat Haju/AFP*

*Israeli troops stationed in Lebanon have been facing daily incidents of
friction with the thousands of displaced Lebanese civilians who began
returning to their homes as the Iran-U.S. cease-fire was announced,
soldiers told Haaretz on Wednesday. *

*The soldiers said troops in IDF-occupied parts of southern Lebanon didn't
receive clear instructions on how to deal with the civilians' return since
the memorandum of understanding was first tentatively announced on Sunday.*

*IDF commanders' internal correspondence obtained by Haaretz also reveals
deep frustration over the lack of a clear policy. Israeli security
officials expressed concern that the growing friction would soon lead to
harm to both Israeli soldiers and Lebanese civilians.*

*One soldier deployed in Lebanon told Haaretz that, as Israel's political
leadership delays providing a proper answer, soldiers are forced to act as
a border police force against a civilian population, instead of focusing on
the IDF's operational missions in the area. *
[image: People who return to their village following the announcement of an
initial cease-fire agreement between the United States and Iran, gather
with journalists at a destroyed street in Beer al-Salassel, south Lebanon,
Monday.]
*People who return to their village following the announcement of an
initial cease-fire agreement between the United States and Iran, gather
with journalists at a destroyed street in Beer al-Salassel, south Lebanon,
Monday.Credit: Mohammed Zaatari/AP*

*"There's a bit of a mess," the soldier described the situation that has
unfolded since the United States said earlier this week that it had reached
a memorandum of understanding with Iran.*

*"People have started infiltrating the territory," he said. "Our attempts
to evict them create a lot of work for forces =E2=80=93 setting up roadbloc=
ks and
chasing them around." *

*The root of the problem, according to some IDF combat soldiers and
commanders, lies in the large gap between official evacuation orders and
the facts on the ground.*

*Earlier this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel does not
intend to withdraw from southern Lebanon in the foreseeable future. "As
they say, perhaps when Hezbollah is dismantled, we will reconsider our
steps," he told the heads of northern Israeli municipalities.*
*[image: IDF Yellow Line in Lebanon]*

*Israel began its invasion of Lebanon in March as hostilities with
Hezbollah renewed shortly after the Iran war began. By April, Israel had
seized the second line of border villages, about 8-10 kilometers (5-6.2
miles) into Lebanon, reoccupying the areas it held until its November 2024
cease-fire with Hezbollah.*

*In May, Netanyahu said Israel is "deepening" its operation in Lebanon as
the Israeli military expanded its ground advances beyond the self-declared
buffer zone, marked by the so-called Yellow Line.*

*Throughout Israel's ongoing invasion of Lebanon, the IDF has issued
extensive evacuation warnings, which also included areas north of the
Litani River.*

*The Israeli military repeated these warnings several times before the
U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, warning they were still in effect
and that there should be no return south. *
[image: An order released by the IDF's Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay
Adraee, in late May, telling Lebanese civilians to evacuate north of the
Zahrani River, the top light blue line shown above the Litani River, which
is further south.]
*An order released by the IDF's Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee,
in late May, telling Lebanese civilians to evacuate north of the Zahrani
River, the top light blue line shown above the Litani River, which is
further south.Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit*

*However, as the Israeli soldiers' testimonies indicate, now "people are
returning close to Israeli forces along the front line." *

*Speaking to Haaretz, the soldiers complained that there is no updated
Israeli announcement on the matter. The Israeli defense establishment has
not provided updated maps or detailed instructions clarifying which areas
are prohibited for return and which are permitted.*

*A few days after Haaretz spoke with the soldiers, the Israeli military
released a statement, showing an updated outline of its buffer zone in
southern Lebanon and saying its troops are "deployed ... approximately 10
kilometers inside Lebanese territory."*

*The IDF is deployed in the Security Zone, ~10 km inside Lebanese
territory, due to operational requirements. IDF soldiers will continue to
remove threats and strengthen the defense of Israel=E2=80=99s northern resi=
dents.*
*[image: Image]*
<https://x.com/IDF/status/2067552273375342988?tblci=3DGideon+Levy>
*Read 114 replies*
<https://x.com/IDF/status/2067552273375342988?tblci=3DGideon+Levy>

*The IDF's updated buffer zone shows that Israeli troops advanced about
four miles past the Beaufort Castle, which the Israeli military occupied
several weeks ago for the first time since Israel's 1982 Lebanon War.*
[image: Israeli soldiers at the Crusader-built Beaufort castle in southern
Lebanon, in May.]
*Israeli soldiers at the Crusader-built Beaufort castle in southern
Lebanon, in May. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit*

*Videos circulated on social media in recent days show Lebanese citizens
close to IDF soldiers in the Israeli-occupied buffer zone.*

*According to reports in Lebanon, civilians were seen near IDF troops in
the village of Hadatha, and a similar situation was seen in the village of
Majdal Zoun, which the IDF only recently captured.*

*The IDF also captured the village of Tebnit, and gunfire was reported in
the area as recently as Tuesday, despite reports of a cease-fire.*

*Commanders on the ground are concerned about the lack of clarity regarding
continued operations, especially concerning the destruction of
infrastructure and homes in the captured villages.*

*"We are trying to understand whether there will be forces to cover us in
today's operation, if there is one," one of the soldiers shared, expressing
concern about carrying out demolition work in front of civilians who have
returned to the area.*
[image: An Israeli army bulldozer drives through Wadi al-Hujeir in southern
Lebanon, Tuesday.]
*An Israeli army bulldozer drives through Wadi al-Hujeir in southern
Lebanon, Tuesday. Credit: Mohammed Zaatari/AP*

*On Wednesday, Hezbollah drones wounded five soldiers in southern Lebanon,
one of them seriously. The Israeli military said an explosive device
detonation killed Master Sergeant (Res.) Alexander Filin, 29, on Wednesday.=
*

*Economic hardship in Lebanon is pushing civilians to return to their homes
in the south while putting themselves at risk. Many displaced families
report that they have run out of money to rent apartments in safer areas
further north.*

*Hezbollah, which offered to help the displaced civilians with rent, mainly
provided this assistance to families of its operatives, leaving many
civilians without a solution.*

Haaretz PodcastTrump made a deal with Iran. What will Netanyahu do?

*Israel's defense establishment understands that the IDF's general calls
not to return are irrelevant in the face of increasing numbers of civilians
moving back to their residential areas. *

*This creates immediate and uncontrolled friction between the Israeli
forces deployed in the area, who are still engaged in fighting, and the
civilian population moving on roads and streets. *

*Security sources say such friction is a ticking time bomb. *

*Without political leadership defining clear open-fire regulations and
issuing targeted warning messages and clear demarcation lines, the next IDF
of civilian casualties due to a misidentification is only a matter of time,
they say.*

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"=
https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/lebanonnews/2026-06-18/ty-article/=
.premium/idf-troops-say-they-are-policing-displaced-civilians-return-to-leb=
anon-homes/0000019e-d9c5-d7f1-abbf-fbc73cd30000" target=3D"_blank">https://=
www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/lebanonnews/2026-06-18/ty-article/.premium=
/idf-troops-say-they-are-policing-displaced-civilians-return-to-lebanon-hom=
es/0000019e-d9c5-d7f1-abbf-fbc73cd30000</a><br></font></b></div><div><b><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"line-heig=
ht:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,=
27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>IDF Troops Say They Are=
 &#39;Policing&#39; Displaced Civilians Returning en Masse to </i></font><f=
ont face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>Homes in Southern Lebanon - Leban=
on News</i></font></h1><div style=3D"margin-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%;co=
lor:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Jun 18, 2026</font></b>=
</div><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><img titl=
e=3D"Civilians returning to the Srifa village in southern Lebanon on Tuesda=
y. Credit: Kawnat Haju/AFP" alt=3D"Civilians returning to the Srifa village=
 in southern Lebanon on Tuesday." width=3D"412" height=3D"239" src=3D"https=
://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-da99-deca-ab9e-defbaebf0001/fe/8a/a8b2b149=
4d7fbb063ae9cbe7eb0e/391658-1.webp?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D244&amp;cm=
sprod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><b><=
font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25e=
m;margin-bottom:0.25em">Civilians returning to the Srifa village in souther=
n Lebanon on Tuesday.</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100=
%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: Kawnat Haju/AFP</span></f=
ont></b><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif">Israeli troops stationed in Lebanon have been facing daily in=
cidents of friction with the thousands of displaced Lebanese civilians who =
began returning to their homes as the Iran-U.S. cease-fire was announced, s=
oldiers told Haaretz on Wednesday.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">T=
he soldiers said troops in IDF-occupied parts of southern Lebanon didn&#39;=
t receive clear instructions on how to deal with the civilians&#39; return =
since the memorandum of understanding was first tentatively announced on Su=
nday.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><fon=
t face=3D"georgia, serif">IDF commanders&#39; internal correspondence obtai=
ned by Haaretz also reveals deep frustration over the lack of a clear polic=
y. Israeli security officials expressed concern that the growing friction w=
ould soon lead to harm to both Israeli soldiers and Lebanese civilians.</fo=
nt></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D=
"georgia, serif">One soldier deployed in Lebanon told Haaretz that, as Isra=
el&#39;s political leadership delays providing a proper answer, soldiers ar=
e forced to act as a border police force against a civilian population, ins=
tead of focusing on the IDF&#39;s operational missions in the area.<span>=
=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max=
-width:100%"><img title=3D"People who return to their village following the=
 announcement of an initial cease-fire agreement between the United States =
and Iran, gather with journalists at a destroyed street in Beer al-Salassel=
, south Lebanon, Monday. Credit: Mohammed Zaatari/AP" alt=3D"People who ret=
urn to their village following the announcement of an initial cease-fire ag=
reement between the United States and Iran, gather with journalists at a de=
stroyed street in Beer al-Salassel, south Lebanon, Monday." width=3D"412" h=
eight=3D"276" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-da58-d6a3-a5be-f=
f78b3b30000/6b/e5/d052debe47d4879da798e7055cb6/380414.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&=
amp;height=3D281&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:=
block"></div></div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">People who return to their v=
illage following the announcement of an initial cease-fire agreement betwee=
n the United States and Iran, gather with journalists at a destroyed street=
 in Beer al-Salassel, south Lebanon, Monday.</span><span style=3D"max-width=
:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: Mohammed Zaatari/AP</=
span></font></b><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif">&quot;There&#39;s a bit of a mess,&quot; the soldier =
described the situation that has unfolded since the United States said earl=
ier this week that it had reached a memorandum of understanding with Iran.<=
/font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">&quot;People have started infiltrating the territory,&q=
uot; he said. &quot;Our attempts to evict them create a lot of work for for=
ces =E2=80=93 setting up roadblocks and chasing them around.&quot;<span>=C2=
=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b=
><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The root of the problem, according to some I=
DF combat soldiers and commanders, lies in the large gap between official e=
vacuation orders and the facts on the ground.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max=
-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Earlier t=
his month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said<span>=C2=A0</span><a styl=
e=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">Israel does not intend to withdr=
aw</a><span>=C2=A0</span>from southern Lebanon in the foreseeable future. &=
quot;As they say, perhaps when Hezbollah is dismantled, we will reconsider =
our steps,&quot; he told the heads of northern Israeli municipalities.</fon=
t></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><span=
 style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><img alt=3D"IDF =
Yellow Line in Lebanon" width=3D"412" height=3D"406" src=3D"https://img.haa=
rets.co.il/bs/0000019d-baa3-deab-ab9d-bbf707840001/57/1e/45f6a3c14276b27096=
3080a68a8f/yellow-line-mob.png?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D414&amp;cmspro=
d" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></font></b></span></=
div></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"=
georgia, serif">Israel began its invasion of Lebanon in March as hostilitie=
s with Hezbollah renewed shortly after the Iran war began. By April,<span>=
=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">Israel had s=
eized</a><span>=C2=A0</span>the second line of border villages, about 8-10 =
kilometers (5-6.2 miles) into Lebanon, reoccupying the areas it held until =
its November 2024 cease-fire with Hezbollah.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-=
width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">In May, Ne=
tanyahu said Israel is &quot;deepening&quot; its operation in Lebanon as th=
e Israeli military expanded its ground advances beyond the self-declared bu=
ffer zone, marked by the so-called Yellow Line.</font></b></p><p style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Through=
out Israel&#39;s ongoing invasion of Lebanon, the IDF has issued extensive =
evacuation warnings, which also included areas north of the Litani River.</=
font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">The Israeli military repeated these warnings several ti=
mes before the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, warning they were sti=
ll in effect and that there should be no return south.<span>=C2=A0</span></=
font></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><i=
mg title=3D"An order released by the IDF&#39;s Arabic-language spokesman, A=
vichay Adraee, in late May, telling Lebanese civilians to evacuate north of=
 the Zahrani River, the top light blue line shown above the Litani River, w=
hich is further south. Credit: IDF Spokesperson&#39;s Unit" alt=3D"An order=
 released by the IDF&#39;s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, in la=
te May, telling Lebanese civilians to evacuate north of the Zahrani River, =
the top light blue line shown above the Litani River, which is further sout=
h." width=3D"412" height=3D"231" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/000001=
9e-da32-d6a3-a5be-ff728efc0001/8b/be/3c48b3984b95980b80638698b4a7/hjogi0nw8=
aeyg41.jfif?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D235&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"margin:=
0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><b><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em"=
>An order released by the IDF&#39;s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adra=
ee, in late May, telling Lebanese civilians to evacuate north of the Zahran=
i River, the top light blue line shown above the Litani River, which is fur=
ther south.</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bo=
ttom:0.25em">Credit: IDF Spokesperson&#39;s Unit</span></font></b><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Ho=
wever, as the Israeli soldiers&#39; testimonies indicate, now &quot;people =
are returning close to Israeli forces along the front line.&quot;<span>=C2=
=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b=
><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Speaking to Haaretz, the soldiers complained=
 that there is no updated Israeli announcement on the matter. The Israeli d=
efense establishment has not provided updated maps or detailed instructions=
 clarifying which areas are prohibited for return and which are permitted.<=
/font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">A few days after Haaretz spoke with the soldiers, the I=
sraeli military released a statement, showing an updated outline of its buf=
fer zone in southern Lebanon and saying its troops are &quot;deployed ... a=
pproximately 10 kilometers inside Lebanese territory.&quot;</font></b></p><=
div style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><div style=3D"max-width:10=
0%"><p lang=3D"en" dir=3D"auto" style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max=
-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The IDF is deployed in the Se=
curity Zone, ~10 km inside Lebanese territory, due to operational requireme=
nts. IDF soldiers will continue to remove threats and strengthen the defens=
e of Israel=E2=80=99s northern residents.</font></b></span></p><div style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><a href=3D"https://x.com/=
IDF/status/2067552273375342988?tblci=3DGideon+Levy" rel=3D"noopener norefer=
rer" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" ta=
rget=3D"_blank"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><img src=3D"https://pbs.tw=
img.com/media/HLFr1L5W4AAI5xj?format=3Djpg&amp;name=3Dsmall" alt=3D"Image" =
style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block" width=3D"412" height=3D=
"232"></font></b></a></div></div><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><a href=3D"h=
ttps://x.com/IDF/status/2067552273375342988?tblci=3DGideon+Levy" rel=3D"noo=
pener noreferrer" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-w=
idth:100%" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">Read 114 replies</font></b></span></a></div></div></div=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">The IDF&#39;s updated buffer zone shows that Israeli troops advanced=
 about four miles past the Beaufort Castle, which the Israeli military<span=
>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">occupied se=
veral weeks ago</a><span>=C2=A0</span>for the first time since Israel&#39;s=
 1982 Lebanon War.</font></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"Israeli soldiers at the Crusader-built Be=
aufort castle in southern Lebanon, in May. Credit: IDF Spokesperson&#39;s U=
nit" alt=3D"Israeli soldiers at the Crusader-built Beaufort castle in south=
ern Lebanon, in May." width=3D"412" height=3D"309" src=3D"https://img.haare=
ts.co.il/bs/0000019e-da3b-db7a-a9bf-dfffaed70000/a8/e1/7b316472470b9590db2a=
70b626a5/bof.jpeg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D315&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"m=
argin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><b><font face=3D"geor=
gia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0=
.25em">Israeli soldiers at the Crusader-built Beaufort castle in southern L=
ebanon, in May.</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%;marg=
in-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: IDF Spokesperson&#39;s Unit</sp=
an></font></b><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">Videos circulated on social media in recent days show L=
ebanese citizens close to IDF soldiers in the Israeli-occupied buffer zone.=
</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font fac=
e=3D"georgia, serif">According to reports in Lebanon, civilians were seen n=
ear IDF troops in the village of Hadatha, and a similar situation was seen =
in the village of Majdal Zoun, which the IDF only recently captured.</font>=
</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif">The IDF also captured the village of Tebnit, and gunfire was =
reported in the area as recently as Tuesday, despite reports of a cease-fir=
e.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font f=
ace=3D"georgia, serif">Commanders on the ground are concerned about the lac=
k of clarity regarding continued operations, especially concerning the dest=
ruction of infrastructure and homes in the captured villages.</font></b></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">&quot;We are trying to understand whether there will be forces to co=
ver us in today&#39;s operation, if there is one,&quot; one of the soldiers=
 shared, expressing concern about carrying out demolition work in front of =
civilians who have returned to the area.</font></b></p><div style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"An Israeli army bulld=
ozer drives through Wadi al-Hujeir in southern Lebanon, Tuesday. Credit: Mo=
hammed Zaatari/AP" alt=3D"An Israeli army bulldozer drives through Wadi al-=
Hujeir in southern Lebanon, Tuesday." width=3D"412" height=3D"275" src=3D"h=
ttps://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-da55-d7a4-a99f-dedd350c0000/c6/8f/b1f6=
9e0d43a9989991bda42c00a3/392823.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D280&amp;c=
msprod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><b>=
<font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25=
em;margin-bottom:0.25em">An Israeli army bulldozer drives through Wadi al-H=
ujeir in southern Lebanon, Tuesday.</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D=
"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: Mohammed Za=
atari/AP</span></font></b><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><=
b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">On Wednesday, Hezbollah drones wounded five=
 soldiers in southern Lebanon, one of them seriously. The Israeli military =
said an explosive device detonation killed Master Sergeant (Res.)<span>=C2=
=A0</span><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">Alexander Filin=
, 29,<span>=C2=A0</span></a>on Wednesday.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Economic hard=
ship in Lebanon is pushing civilians to return to their homes in the south =
while putting themselves at risk. Many displaced families report that they =
have run out of money to rent apartments in safer areas further north.</fon=
t></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"=
georgia, serif">Hezbollah, which offered to help the displaced civilians wi=
th rent, mainly provided this assistance to families of its operatives, lea=
ving many civilians without a solution.</font></b></p><div style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"ma=
x-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%;marg=
in-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"></p><h5 style=3D"margin:1em 0px;max-width=
:100%"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">Haaretz Podcast</font></h5>=
<h3 style=3D"max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">Trump=
 made a deal with Iran. What will Netanyahu do?<span>=C2=A0</span></font></=
h3><p></p></div></div></div></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,2=
7,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Israel&#39;s defense establishment =
understands that the IDF&#39;s general calls not to return are irrelevant i=
n the face of increasing numbers of civilians moving back to their resident=
ial areas.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;colo=
r:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">This creates immediate an=
d uncontrolled friction between the Israeli forces deployed in the area, wh=
o are still engaged in fighting, and the civilian population moving on road=
s and streets.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;=
color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Security sources say =
such friction is a ticking time bomb.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif=
">Without political leadership defining clear open-fire regulations and iss=
uing targeted warning messages and clear demarcation lines, the next IDF of=
 civilian casualties due to a misidentification is only a matter of time, t=
hey say.</font></b></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--00000000000068c42106548e9579--

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Subject: [Salon] Hegseth on the Brits
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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/pete-hegseth-britain-put-=
american-lives-risk-iran-war-uk/

Hegseth: Britain put American lives at risk

Restrictions on US troops=E2=80=99 use of British bases during Iran war wer=
e
=E2=80=98shameful=E2=80=99, says Trump=E2=80=99s secretary of defence

Joe Barnes

A cold shoulder? Pete Hegseth (left) and Dan Jarvis, the UK Defence
Secretary, at the Nato meeting on Thursday Credit: Omar Havana/Getty Images

Britain put the lives of US troops at risk by restricting access to
military bases in the UK during the Iran war, Pete Hegseth has said.

Speaking at a meeting of Nato=E2=80=99s defence ministers in Brussels, the =
US
secretary of defence criticised members of the alliance, which includes
Britain, for their reticence during the US-led operations
<https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-us-war/>, describing the situation as
=E2=80=9Cshameful=E2=80=9D.

Mr Hegseth also announced a six-month review of US forces in Europe, as he
warned allies on the Continent of cuts if they refused to increase defence
spending in line with Nato <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/nato/> targets.

Hours after Donald Trump signed a deal to end the Iran war
<https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/17/trump-iran-nuclear-peace=
-deal-usa/>,
Mr Hegseth told allies that they had failed the US president=E2=80=99s test=
 to see
whether they were willing to support Washington in the conflict.

Many European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister,
restricted
access to bases or denied overflight rights
<https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/03/02/starmer-uk-will-not-suppor=
t-regime-change-skies-iran-trump/>
 to US forces during the conflict.

=E2=80=9CAll he [Mr Trump] said was that our jets would need to take off fr=
om bases
in Europe or ... our ships from ports, to strike targets in the Middle
East, Iranian targets that threaten European interests even more directly
than they threaten us,=E2=80=9D Mr Hegseth told the meeting on Thursday.

=E2=80=9CBut too many of our allies said no or tried to drown us in arcane =
legal
debates or criticised us publicly for doing what they aren=E2=80=99t prepar=
ed or
able to do themselves.=E2=80=9D

He added: =E2=80=9CIt was shameful. These allies, they put America=E2=80=99=
s sons and
daughters, our sons and daughters at risk by denying them the predictable
access facing overflight that never should have been in question at all.=E2=
=80=9D

The comments will come as a blow to European allies, especially Britain,
France, Germany and Italy, who this week spent time at a G7 summit in
France trying to placate Mr Trump=E2=80=99s anger over their refusal to joi=
n the
war.

The US president previously told The Telegraph that
<https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/01/donald-trump-strongly-co=
nsidering-pulling-us-out-of-nato/>
 the lack of assistance had caused him to question his country=E2=80=99s me=
mbership
of the Nato alliance.

The Pentagon has already informed allies that it intends to scale back the
level of support it will provide
<https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/05/20/us-considers-reducing-troop=
s-nato/>
 in the event that Article 5, Nato=E2=80=99s mutual defence clause, is trig=
gered.

Gen Alexus Grynkewich, Nato=E2=80=99s supreme allied commander, said this w=
ould
mean that an aircraft carrier, support ships, air-to-air refuelling planes
and dozens of fighter jets would no longer be available in a crisis.

On Thursday, Mark Rutte, Nato=E2=80=99s secretary-general, said that the wi=
thdrawal
of American forces from Europe had taken place with =E2=80=9Cimmediate=E2=
=80=9D effect.

Mr Hegseth also warned that further cuts should be expected if
=E2=80=9Cfree-riding=E2=80=9D European governments failed to hit a defence =
spending target
of 5 per cent of their GDP.

=E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s a review that some countries =E2=80=8Cwill =E2=81=A0f=
ail, and others will pass with
flying colours,=E2=80=9D the war secretary said.

Describing a rebooted vision for Nato, focused on Europe taking more
responsibility, he added: =E2=80=9C[There are] some that still need to do m=
ore, and
we will be candid about that, both in private and in public. I think that=
=E2=80=99s
important: friends being honest with friends.

=E2=80=9CNato 3.0 is post-Cold War recognition that it needs to go back to =
a real
hardline military alliance that has real military capabilities capable =E2=
=80=8Cof
deterring =E2=81=A0right here on the Continent and taking the lead for the
conventional defence of Europe.=E2=80=9D

Nato defence ministers will also meet Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting of
the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which co-ordinates military aid to Kyiv.

The Ukrainian president held talks with Mr Rutte over deliveries of
much-needed air defence munitions.

He also raised the prospect of securing licences so that Ukrainian defence
firms could produce their own American-designed Patriot interceptors, as
The Telegraph reported
<https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/zelensky-patriot-bluepri=
nts-trump/>
 earlier this week.

Both Germany and the Netherlands have pledged hundreds of millions of
dollars so that Kyiv can buy the surface-to-air missiles.

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11pt;font-=
family:Optima"><a href=3D"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18=
/pete-hegseth-britain-put-american-lives-risk-iran-war-uk/" target=3D"_blan=
k">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/pete-hegseth-britain-p=
ut-american-lives-risk-iran-war-uk/</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class=3D=
"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:-apple-system-fo=
nt,serif;font-size:23.5pt;background-color:transparent">Hegseth: Britain pu=
t American lives at risk</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0cm"><span style=3D"f=
ont-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><u></u><u></u></sp=
an></p><h2 style=3D"margin-right:0cm;margin-left:0cm;font-size:18pt;font-fa=
mily:Aptos,sans-serif;margin-top:0cm;color:rgba(27,27,27,0.65);max-width:10=
0%"><span style=3D"font-size:17.5pt;font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;fo=
nt-weight:normal">Restrictions on US troops=E2=80=99 use of British bases d=
uring Iran war were =E2=80=98shameful=E2=80=99, says Trump=E2=80=99s secret=
ary of defence<u></u><u></u></span></h2><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=
=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><a style=3D"c=
olor:rgb(34,34,34)">Joe Barnes</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoN=
ormal"><span style=3D"font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></=
p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><img border=3D"0" width=3D"434" height=3D"271" id=
=3D"m_-8911611116888379588Picture_x0020_5" src=3D"cid:image001.png@01DCFF4B=
.835D1D60" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd gmail-a6T" tabindex=3D"0" style=3D"cursor:=
 pointer; outline: 0px; width: 4.5208in; height: 2.8229in;"><u></u><u></u><=
/p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">A cold shoulder? Pete Hegseth (left) and Dan Jarv=
is, the UK Defence Secretary, at the Nato meeting on Thursday<span class=3D=
"m_-8911611116888379588apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span>Credit: Omar Hav=
ana/Getty Images<u></u><u></u></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=
=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">Britain put t=
he lives of US troops at risk by restricting access to military bases in th=
e UK during the Iran war, Pete Hegseth has said.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p=
 style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,ser=
if;color:rgb(27,27,27)">Speaking at a meeting of Nato=E2=80=99s defence min=
isters in Brussels, the US secretary of defence criticised members of the a=
lliance, which includes Britain, for their reticence during the<span class=
=3D"m_-8911611116888379588apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"ht=
tps://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-us-war/" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(65,110,210)">US-led operations</span></a>, describing the situation=
 as =E2=80=9Cshameful=E2=80=9D.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,2=
7,27)">Mr Hegseth also announced a six-month review of US forces in Europe,=
 as he warned allies on the Continent of cuts if they refused to increase d=
efence spending in line with<span class=3D"m_-8911611116888379588apple-conv=
erted-space">=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/nato/" tar=
get=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210)">Nato</span></a><span c=
lass=3D"m_-8911611116888379588apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span>targets.<=
u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-fam=
ily:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">Hours after<span class=3D=
"m_-8911611116888379588apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https=
://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/17/trump-iran-nuclear-peace-deal-=
usa/" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210)">Donald Trump =
signed a deal to end the Iran war</span></a>, Mr Hegseth told allies that t=
hey had failed the US president=E2=80=99s test to see whether they were wil=
ling to support Washington in the conflict.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;co=
lor:rgb(27,27,27)">Many European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, the P=
rime Minister,<span class=3D"m_-8911611116888379588apple-converted-space">=
=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/03/02/sta=
rmer-uk-will-not-support-regime-change-skies-iran-trump/" target=3D"_blank"=
><span style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210)">restricted access to bases or denied=
 overflight rights</span></a><span class=3D"m_-8911611116888379588apple-con=
verted-space">=C2=A0</span>to US forces during the conflict.<u></u><u></u><=
/span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-sys=
tem-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">=E2=80=9CAll he [Mr Trump] said was tha=
t our jets would need to take off from bases in Europe or ... our ships fro=
m ports, to strike targets in the Middle East, Iranian targets that threate=
n European interests even more directly than they threaten us,=E2=80=9D Mr =
Hegseth told the meeting on Thursday.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rg=
b(27,27,27)">=E2=80=9CBut too many of our allies said no or tried to drown =
us in arcane legal debates or criticised us publicly for doing what they ar=
en=E2=80=99t prepared or able to do themselves.=E2=80=9D<u></u><u></u></spa=
n></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-=
font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">He added: =E2=80=9CIt was shameful. These a=
llies, they put America=E2=80=99s sons and daughters, our sons and daughter=
s at risk by denying them the predictable access facing overflight that nev=
er should have been in question at all.=E2=80=9D<u></u><u></u></span></p><p=
 style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,ser=
if;color:rgb(27,27,27)">The comments will come as a blow to European allies=
, especially Britain, France, Germany and Italy, who this week spent time a=
t a G7 summit in France trying to placate Mr Trump=E2=80=99s anger over the=
ir refusal to join the war.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p><span style=3D"font-=
family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">The US president<span =
class=3D"m_-8911611116888379588apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span><a href=
=3D"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/01/donald-trump-strongly=
-considering-pulling-us-out-of-nato/" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(65,110,210)">previously told The Telegraph that</span></a><span class=
=3D"m_-8911611116888379588apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span>the lack of a=
ssistance had caused him to question his country=E2=80=99s membership of th=
e Nato alliance.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span =
style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">The Pent=
agon has already informed allies that it intends to<span class=3D"m_-891161=
1116888379588apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.tel=
egraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/05/20/us-considers-reducing-troops-nato/" target=
=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210)">scale back the level of s=
upport it will provide</span></a><span class=3D"m_-8911611116888379588apple=
-converted-space">=C2=A0</span>in the event that Article 5, Nato=E2=80=99s =
mutual defence clause, is triggered.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"ma=
x-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb=
(27,27,27)">Gen Alexus Grynkewich, Nato=E2=80=99s supreme allied commander,=
 said this would mean that an aircraft carrier, support ships, air-to-air r=
efuelling planes and dozens of fighter jets would no longer be available in=
 a crisis.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=
=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">On Thursday, =
Mark Rutte, Nato=E2=80=99s secretary-general, said that the withdrawal of A=
merican forces from Europe had taken place with =E2=80=9Cimmediate=E2=80=9D=
 effect.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D=
"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">Mr Hegseth also =
warned that further cuts should be expected if =E2=80=9Cfree-riding=E2=80=
=9D European governments failed to hit a defence spending target of 5 per c=
ent of their GDP.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span=
 style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">=E2=80=
=9CIt=E2=80=99s a review that some countries =E2=80=8Cwill=C2=A0</span><spa=
n style=3D"font-family:&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;,sans-serif;color:rgb(27,=
27,27)">=E2=81=A0</span><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif=
;color:rgb(27,27,27)">fail, and others will pass with flying colours,=E2=80=
=9D the war secretary said.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27=
)">Describing a rebooted vision for Nato, focused on Europe taking more res=
ponsibility, he added: =E2=80=9C[There are] some that still need to do more=
, and we will be candid about that, both in private and in public. I think =
that=E2=80=99s important: friends being honest with friends.<u></u><u></u><=
/span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-sys=
tem-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">=E2=80=9CNato 3.0 is post-Cold War reco=
gnition that it needs to go back to a real hardline military alliance that =
has real military capabilities capable =E2=80=8Cof deterring=C2=A0</span><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;,sans-serif;color:rgb(2=
7,27,27)">=E2=81=A0</span><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,ser=
if;color:rgb(27,27,27)">right here on the Continent and taking the lead for=
 the conventional defence of Europe.=E2=80=9D<u></u><u></u></span></p><p><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">Nato=
 defence ministers will also meet Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting of the Uk=
raine Defence Contact Group, which co-ordinates military aid to Kyiv.<u></u=
><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-=
apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">The Ukrainian president held t=
alks with Mr Rutte over deliveries of much-needed air defence munitions.<u>=
</u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">He also raised the prospect=
 of securing licences so that Ukrainian defence firms could produce their o=
wn American-designed Patriot interceptors,<span class=3D"m_-891161111688837=
9588apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.telegraph.co=
.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/zelensky-patriot-blueprints-trump/" target=3D"_bl=
ank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210)">as The Telegraph reported</span>=
</a><span class=3D"m_-8911611116888379588apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</spa=
n>earlier this week.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><s=
pan style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">Both=
 Germany and the Netherlands have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars s=
o that Kyiv can buy the surface-to-air missiles.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p=
 class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11pt;font-family:Optima"><u><=
/u>=C2=A0</span></p></div>

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https://www.newyorker.com/news/global-notes/the-spectacular-failure-and-rui=
nous-costs-of-the-iran-war
Global Notes <https://www.newyorker.com/news/global-notes>
The Spectacular Failure and Ruinous Costs of the Iran War
Even though an agreement has been reached, nations around the world will be
feeling the effects of the war for some time.
By Ishaan Tharoor <https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/ishaan-tharoor>
June 18, 2026
[image: Donald Trump points with an American flag in the background.]
Photograph by Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty
*You=E2=80=99re reading Global Notes, Ishaan Tharoor=E2=80=99s weekly colum=
n on
international politics.* <https://www.newyorker.com/news/global-notes>

=E2=80=9CShips of the world, start your engines,=E2=80=9D President Donald =
Trump urged
Sunday, on Truth Social. =E2=80=9CLet the oil flow!=E2=80=9D He was writing=
 after
announcing an apparent deal with Iran to halt the ongoing war and reopen th=
e
Strait of Hormuz
<https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/how-the-war-in-iran-became-a-race-=
to-stabilize-the-global-economic-order>,
a choke point in global supply chains which the Iranian regime has largely
blocked since the United States and Israel began their bombing campaign at
the end of February. The terms of the initial memorandum of understanding
were leaked in the media and later corroborated by U.S. officials. The
memorandum also provides for an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports
and vessels, and an over-all cessation of hostilities, including in
Lebanon, which is in the grip of an Israeli invasion. In the early phase of
the war, Trump said he was gifting Iranians a chance to overthrow their
theocratic rulers, but, though weakened, the regime remains in place
<https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/iran-can-hold-america-hostage-in-e=
ither-war-or-peace>,
as does its arsenal of ballistic missiles and other offensive capabilities.
Over the weekend, Trump told the *Wall Street Journal*
<https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-threatens-to-pull-out-of-talks-=
after-israel-strikes-beiruts-outskirts-d0390e22>
that
he =E2=80=9Cnever cared about regime change=E2=80=9D and that the current l=
eadership in
Tehran marked =E2=80=9Cthe most rational group yet.=E2=80=9D According to t=
he leaked draft,
Iran will vow not to pursue nuclear weapons, a reiteration of a pledge made
many times before. Reports also suggest that Iran expects to receive,
through some unspecified payment mechanism, potentially hundreds of
billions of dollars in de-facto reparations for damage caused by the war. A
number of regional intermediaries, including Pakistan
<https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/how-pakistan-is-using-the-iran-war=
-to-reinvent-itself>
and
Qatar, helped broker this framework agreement, which was reportedly signed
by Trump and Iranian officials on Wednesday, two days before an announced
signing ceremony in Switzerland was supposed to take place. Israel appears
to have been sidelined as the truce was worked out, much to the chagrin of
its political leadership.

Early on Wednesday, a joint communiqu=C3=A9 from the members of the Group o=
f
Seven (G-7) at a summit in =C3=89vian-les-Bains, France, which Trump attend=
ed,
hailed the =E2=80=9Chistoric opportunity=E2=80=9D presented by the agreemen=
t and indicated
that it is =E2=80=9Cready to contribute to its implementation.=E2=80=9D Lat=
er in the day,
the President told reporters about the agreement, =E2=80=9CNobody knows wha=
t it is
but it=E2=80=99s very strong.=E2=80=9D But the agreement isn=E2=80=99t fina=
l, he said, adding,
=E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s a memorandum of understanding and, if I don=E2=80=99t=
 like it, we=E2=80=99ll go back
to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head.=E2=80=9D Apparently, he =
did like
it, given the reports of its signing. Still, it=E2=80=99s difficult to see =
what=E2=80=99s
emerging as anything other than a humiliating climbdown for a President who
started a war of choice vowing to transform the Middle East. Instead, the
war and its aftermath may represent a defining failure for Trump=E2=80=99s =
foreign
policy=E2=80=94one that may even have strengthened Iran in the region. The =
U.S. and
Iran are supposed to spend the next two months working out the details of a
wider agreement regarding the latter=E2=80=99s nuclear program. If they rea=
ch any
broader settlement, it=E2=80=99s doubtful that its terms would be superior =
to what
was reportedly on offer
<https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/has-trump-thought-through-the-endg=
ame-in-iran>
right
before the war began, or to what was established by the Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action=E2=80=94the 2015 nuclear deal forged by President Barack Oba=
ma with
other world powers, which Trump scrapped during his first term.

During the three and a half months since the start of war, American and
Israeli air strikes hit hundreds of targets in Iran in dozens of cities,
killing at least thirty-four hundred people, injuring thousands more, and
destroying or damaging civilian infrastructure, including universities,
schools, and water facilities. Israel=E2=80=99s parallel operations in Leba=
non
<https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/why-israel-is-attacking-lebanon>,
to punish Iran=E2=80=99s proxy Hezbollah, have killed
<https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-beirut/the-missing-bride-of-anq=
oun>
even
more people and displaced close to a fifth of the population. Iran=E2=80=99=
s
reprisals hit targets across the region, wounding hundreds and grounding
flights in the big cities of the Gulf. A return of some degree of stability
would, of course, be a relief, but even many who supported Trump at the
start of the war are frustrated by the course of events. Some Iranian
dissidents feel abandoned by a White House that once embraced their cause.
Washington hawks who seemed content for the President to disregard Congress
in rushing to war are now demanding more congressional scrutiny over the
terms of a future peace. And, in Israel, both Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu=E2=80=99s opponents and his coalition partners see the developmen=
ts as a
disaster for Israeli national-security interests, with Hezbollah still
standing in Lebanon and the Iranian regime not just standing but newly
emboldened.

The war has always been unpopular in this country. Close to sixty per cent
of American adults surveyed by Pew
<https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2026/06/09/israelis-palestinians-americ=
ans-see-war-in-iran-differently/>
believe
that the U.S. made the =E2=80=9Cwrong decision=E2=80=9D in attacking Iran. =
In May, Pentagon
officials estimated the war had already cost U.S. taxpayers some
twenty-nine billion dollars. Around the same time, the Washington *Post*
 reported
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/05/21/us-bears-brunt=
-israels-missile-defense-pentagon-assessments-show/>
that
the U.S. had used up much of its inventory of advanced missile-defense
interceptors, expending more of these munitions in defense of Israeli
territory than Israeli forces had themselves. In April, Tom Fletcher, the
United Nations=E2=80=99 humanitarian chief, noted that the sums being spent=
 by the
U.S. on its =E2=80=9Creckless war=E2=80=9D could fund the U.N.=E2=80=99s =
=E2=80=9Cplan to save eighty-seven
million lives=E2=80=9D in dire humanitarian need around the world.

Whatever hardships Americans may have endured=E2=80=94including higher gas =
prices
and creeping inflation=E2=80=94far greater ones have been felt elsewhere. T=
he
downstream impact of the conflict has been acute in Asia, Europe, and
Africa, where there is far greater reliance on fossil fuels coming from the
Persian Gulf, and greater vulnerability to the soaring costs of energy,
fertilizers, and industrial chemicals exported from the region. Fatih
Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, said in April that the
combined oil-and-gas crisis was more grave than the oil shocks of the
nineteen-seventies, and that =E2=80=9Cthe world has never experienced a dis=
ruption
to energy supply of such magnitude.=E2=80=9D

To deal with surging prices and diminishing reserves, some countries have
implemented policies to ration cooking gas and gasoline. Others, such as
Pakistan and the Philippines, have shuttered businesses and schools and
tried to mandate working from home. Supply chains for plastics,
fertilizers, and other vital supplies have also been blocked. The resulting
costs to productivity will take a while to gauge. But, earlier this month,
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which is made
up of thirty-eight advanced economies around the world, forecast that
global growth is now expected to slow from 3.4 per cent in 2025 to 2.8 per
cent in 2026, a contraction caused primarily by the effects of the war. An
analysis
<https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Global-Peace-=
Index-2026-Report.pdf>
by
the Institute for Economics and Peace, a nonpartisan think tank
headquartered in Sydney, forecast that a resumption of hostilities with
Iran could cost the global economy some $2.2 trillion. The U.N. warned
<https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/03/1167147> that spiking costs could
drive forty-five million people around the world into acute hunger if the
war continues through June.

The reopening of the strait, moreover, won=E2=80=99t provide an immediate p=
anacea.
The International Transport Workers=E2=80=99 Federation, which represents m=
any of
the sailors who are stuck aboard ships stalled in the Persian Gulf, said
that =E2=80=9Cthe backlog of stranded vessels and the need for crew changes=
 and
rest, mean a realistic return=E2=80=AFto normal shipping patterns is weeks,=
 if not
months, away.=E2=80=9D In a memo this month
<https://think.ing.com/articles/agri-market-risks-persist-and-may-be-underp=
riced-as-hormuz-crisis-drags-on/>,
analysts at the Dutch multinational firm I.N.G. described the impact on
fertilizer and food markets as =E2=80=9Ca tragedy unfolding in slow motion.=
=E2=80=9D They
acknowledged that a truce could lead to a resumption in flows of some
goods, but warned that =E2=80=9Cthe outlook is likely to remain fragile as =
a more
permanent deal could be challenging to secure.=E2=80=9D The markets have to=
 price
in the unpredictability and the volatility that have characterized Trump=E2=
=80=99s
approach so far.

The chaos has compounded existing difficulties for poorer or developing
economies, many of which were already wracked by public-debt crises that
deepened in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. =E2=80=9CThe global econom=
y is not
falling off of a cliff, but it has downshifted sharply and many developing
economies are entering this shock with thinner buffers and fewer shock
absorbers,=E2=80=9D Ayhan Kose, the World Bank=E2=80=99s deputy chief econo=
mist, said last
week. David Miliband, the head of the International Rescue Committee
(I.R.C.), describes =E2=80=9Cshock absorbers=E2=80=9D as the sorts of group=
s in civil
society, in addition to state institutions, =E2=80=9Cthat catch people when=
 they
fall.=E2=80=9D They could be =E2=80=9Ca health service that=E2=80=99s able =
to isolate you if you=E2=80=99ve
got Ebola=E2=80=9D or =E2=80=9Ca cash-support scheme in Lebanon that=E2=80=
=99s able to support you
for more than a month for a war that=E2=80=99s gone on for three months,=E2=
=80=9D he told
me. But there are fewer such services now, not least because many of the
wealthiest nations have slashed their commitments to international aid;
Oxfam calculated that the G-7 countries alone cut their aid budgets by a
collective forty-eight billion dollars between 2024 and 2025=E2=80=94the la=
rgest
reduction of its kind in history. Most of this drop was caused by the Trump
Administration=E2=80=99s destruction of U.S.A.I.D.
<https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-documentary/the-shutdown-=
of-usaid-has-already-killed-hundreds-of-thousands>,
under DOGE, but other nations didn=E2=80=99t try to fill that void; instead=
, they
quietly followed suit.

Trump=E2=80=99s move dislodged what Miliband called =E2=80=9Can anchor=E2=
=80=9D in the global
humanitarian system. =E2=80=9CIf you pull up the anchor in choppy seas, the=
 boat
rocks backward and forward, and the passengers get seasick,=E2=80=9D he sai=
d.
=E2=80=9CThat=E2=80=99s the situation we=E2=80=99re in.=E2=80=9D In a recen=
t report
<https://www.rescue.org/press-release/irc-midyear-watchlist-update-more-sho=
cks-fewer-shock-absorbers>,
the I.R.C. noted that many of the world=E2=80=99s worst humanitarian crises=
,
including the tragedy in Sudan
<https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/how-the-conflict-in-sudan-became-a-=
humanitarian-catastrophe>,
=E2=80=9Chave only intensified=E2=80=9D since the Iran war began, =E2=80=9C=
while the systems meant
to contain them are breaking down.=E2=80=9D As Miliband put it, =E2=80=9CTh=
e Iran war
couldn=E2=80=99t have happened at a worse time, and it set off a chain of e=
vents
that=E2=80=99s very damaging.=E2=80=9D

That turmoil did not seem to be weighing on the man most responsible for
unleashing it. On Wednesday, at the G-7 summit, Trump entered a meeting
room late and, while taking a seat alongside other world leaders,
announced, to their laughter, =E2=80=9CI=E2=80=99m the boss.=E2=80=9D =E2=
=99=A6

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><a href=3D"https://www.newyorker.com/news/global-notes/the=
-spectacular-failure-and-ruinous-costs-of-the-iran-war">https://www.newyork=
er.com/news/global-notes/the-spectacular-failure-and-ruinous-costs-of-the-i=
ran-war</a><div><div class=3D"gmail-AIContentWrapper-lBLcd gmail-bwPbJN" st=
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ackground:none"><div class=3D"gmail-ContentHeaderContainer-byIANm gmail-fDS=
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nd-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-rep=
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032.8px;text-align:inherit"><div class=3D"gmail-ContentHeaderHedAccreditati=
onWrapper-hBwBhB gmail-blAhto" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:grid;=
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style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-flex;text-align:inherit"><div=
 class=3D"gmail-RubricWrapper-cQVtQV gmail-bVzTOM gmail-ContentHeaderRubric=
Container-eVExCf gmail-kjgjfT" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-feature-=
settings:normal;line-break:auto;line-height:1;text-align:inherit;color:rgb(=
219,51,52);display:inline-flex"><a class=3D"gmail-RubricLink-BwroS gmail-bF=
pNEt gmail-rubric__link gmail-rubric gmail-link" href=3D"https://www.newyor=
ker.com/news/global-notes" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-color:=
transparent;color:rgb(219,51,52);display:inline-flex;vertical-align:middle;=
text-decoration:none;text-align:inherit"><span class=3D"gmail-RubricName-eX=
qzKt gmail-cpSMvI gmail-rubric__name" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;text-a=
lign:inherit">Global Notes</span></a></div></div></div><h1 class=3D"gmail-B=
aseText-fEwdHD gmail-ContentHeaderHed-kobZuw gmail-kvegXe gmail-ggKExi" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-size:42px;margin:0px;font-family:IrvinHead=
ingPro,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-feature-s=
ettings:normal;line-break:auto;line-height:1.11111em;font-weight:400;text-a=
lign:inherit">The Spectacular Failure and Ruinous Costs of the Iran War</h1=
></div><div class=3D"gmail-ContentHeaderAccreditation-gSVrun gmail-ibtYFU g=
mail-content-header__accreditation" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;padding-=
left:0px;display:inherit;margin:0px auto;max-width:1600px;width:1472px;text=
-align:inherit"><div class=3D"gmail-ContentHeaderDek-tmXxz gmail-bEjfeI" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;text-align:inherit;color:rgb(18,18,18);font-fe=
ature-settings:normal;font-style:italic;line-break:auto;line-height:1.33333=
em">Even though an agreement has been reached, nations around the world wil=
l be feeling the effects of the war for some time.</div><div class=3D"gmail=
-ContentHeaderByline-bsLfvw gmail-gKKGUa" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin-top:0px;text-align:inherit;display:flex;width:1471.99px"><span class=
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aderContributorImage-fVCfxp gmail-dMqsUI gmail-responsive-image" style=3D"b=
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mesWrapper-dbXjdp gmail-jDeuVk" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;text-align:i=
nherit"><span class=3D"gmail-BylineName-cMqVZp gmail-brTjcd gmail-byline__n=
ame" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline;text-align:inherit"><spa=
n class=3D"gmail-BaseText-fEwdHD gmail-BylinePreamble-iiycmS gmail-fyGNQr e=
TCyyK gmail-byline__preamble" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;fon=
t-feature-settings:normal;line-break:auto;line-height:1.14286em;color:curre=
ntcolor;text-align:inherit">By=C2=A0</span><a class=3D"gmail-BylineLink-faX=
GDy gmail-fJGXtX gmail-byline__name-link gmail-byline gmail-link" href=3D"h=
ttps://www.newyorker.com/contributors/ishaan-tharoor" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
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gs:normal;line-break:auto;line-height:1.14286em;text-align:inherit;text-dec=
oration:none">Ishaan Tharoor</a></span></span></span></div>June 18, 2026</d=
iv></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-LightboxWrapper-bfGRHT gmail-jHdaX=
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ax-height:1200px;text-align:inherit;margin-right:1.5rem"><div class=3D"gmai=
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yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;text-align:inherit;overflow:hidden;max-height:=
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zing:border-box;display:inline-block;width:720px;max-height:900px;text-alig=
n:inherit"><img alt=3D"Donald Trump points with an American flag in the bac=
kground." class=3D"gmail-ResponsiveImageContainer-dkeESL gmail-cQPiWi gmail=
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g" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: a=
uto; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: inherit; object-fit: contain; obje=
ct-position: center center; width: 720px; max-height: 1200px;"></span></div=
></div></span><div class=3D"gmail-CaptionWrapper-bpPcvW gmail-csQkbx gmail-=
caption gmail-ContentHeaderLeadAssetCaption-gegwVb gmail-dYPQra" style=3D"b=
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e&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-feature-settings:normal;letter-spac=
ing:-0.0125em;line-break:auto;line-height:1.23077em;font-size:13px;margin-b=
ottom:1rem;width:720px;padding-top:0.5rem"><span class=3D"gmail-BaseText-fE=
wdHD gmail-CaptionCredit-cUgOGk gmail-gyiDKl gmail-kDgDnr gmail-caption__cr=
edit" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-feature-settings:norma=
l;letter-spacing:-0.0125em;line-break:auto;line-height:1.23077em;color:rgb(=
102,102,102);padding-top:0.5rem">Photograph by Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty</s=
pan></div><div class=3D"gmail-CaptionWrapper-bpPcvW gmail-csQkbx gmail-capt=
ion gmail-ContentHeaderLeadAssetCaption-gegwVb gmail-dYPQra" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin-top:0px;font-family:Graphik,&quot;Helvetica Neue&qu=
ot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-feature-settings:normal;letter-spacing:=
-0.0125em;line-break:auto;line-height:1.23077em;font-size:13px;margin-botto=
m:1rem;width:720px;padding-top:0.5rem"><a aria-label=3D"&lt;em&gt;You=E2=80=
=99re reading &lt;strong&gt;Global Notes&lt;/strong&gt;, Ishaan Tharoor=E2=
=80=99s weekly column on international politics.&lt;/em&gt;" class=3D"exter=
nal-link external-link-embed__hed-link gmail-button" href=3D"https://www.ne=
wyorker.com/news/global-notes" rel=3D"nofollow noopener" target=3D"_blank" =
style=3D"font-family:TNYAdobeCaslonPro,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,se=
rif;font-size:21px;letter-spacing:normal;background-color:transparent;box-s=
izing:border-box;color:rgb(0,0,0);text-decoration:none"><span class=3D"gmai=
l-BaseText-fEwdHD gmail-ExternalLinkEmbedHed-gWWDFA gmail-fzllFj gmail-fIjK=
z" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-feature-settings:normal;l=
ine-break:auto;line-height:1.41176em;font-size:17px;display:inline"><em sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box">You=E2=80=99re reading=C2=A0<strong style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;font-weight:bold">Global Notes</strong>, Ishaan Tharoo=
r=E2=80=99s weekly column on international politics.</em></span></a></div><=
/div></div></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-ArticlePageContentBa=
ckGround-eDdQYX gmail-gGzwsB gmail-article-body__content" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;background-image:none;background-position:initial;background-=
size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background=
-clip:initial;padding-top:3rem;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:TNYAdobeCaslonP=
ro,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:21px"><div class=3D"gm=
ail-LightboxWrapper-bfGRHT gmail-jHdaXW" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><d=
iv class=3D"gmail-ArticlePageChunksContent-hsbblt gmail-iCXbHE" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-ArticlePageChunks-lfyGNk gmail-gNJ=
MXw" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-GridWrapper-uulHE =
gmail-dCnZHU gmail-grid gmail-grid-margins gmail-grid-items-2 gmail-Article=
PageChunksGrid-kSknMg gmail-dSvDdx gmail-grid-layout--adrail gmail-narrow g=
mail-wide-adrail" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:grid;padding-right=
:64px;padding-left:64px;margin:0px auto;width:1600px;max-width:1600px"><div=
 class=3D"gmail-GridItem-bufwYC gmail-kKTABR gmail-grid--item gmail-grid-la=
yout__content" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:1rem"><div clas=
s=3D"gmail-BodyWrapper-cuqCAc gmail-iFrSLR gmail-body gmail-body__container=
 gmail-article__body" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-feature-settings:=
normal;line-break:auto;line-height:1.5em;padding:0px;max-width:1600px;margi=
n-bottom:1rem;width:720px"><div class=3D"gmail-body__inner-container" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><p class=3D"gmail-has-dropcap gmail-body gmail-d=
ropcap gmail-has-dropcap__lead-standard-heading gmail-paywall" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box">=E2=80=9CShips of the world, start your engines,=E2=80=
=9D President Donald Trump urged Sunday, on Truth Social. =E2=80=9CLet the =
oil flow!=E2=80=9D He was writing after announcing an apparent deal with Ir=
an to halt the ongoing war and reopen=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.newyorker=
.com/news/the-lede/how-the-war-in-iran-became-a-race-to-stabilize-the-globa=
l-economic-order" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transpare=
nt;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:inherit">the Strait of Hormuz</a>, a choke =
point in global supply chains which the Iranian regime has largely blocked =
since the United States and Israel began their bombing campaign at the end =
of February. The terms of the initial memorandum of understanding were leak=
ed in the media and later corroborated by U.S. officials. The memorandum al=
so provides for an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and vessels, a=
nd an over-all cessation of hostilities, including in Lebanon, which is in =
the grip of an Israeli invasion. In the early phase of the war, Trump said =
he was gifting Iranians a chance to overthrow their theocratic rulers, but,=
 though weakened, the regime=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.newyorker.com/news=
/the-lede/iran-can-hold-america-hostage-in-either-war-or-peace" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-heig=
ht:inherit">remains in place</a>, as does its arsenal of ballistic missiles=
 and other offensive capabilities. Over the weekend, Trump told the=C2=A0<a=
 class=3D"external-link" href=3D"https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran=
-threatens-to-pull-out-of-talks-after-israel-strikes-beiruts-outskirts-d039=
0e22" rel=3D"nofollow noopener" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:inherit"><e=
m style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;line-height:inherit">Wall Street Journal</=
em></a>=C2=A0that he =E2=80=9Cnever cared about regime change=E2=80=9D and =
that the current leadership in Tehran marked =E2=80=9Cthe most rational gro=
up yet.=E2=80=9D According to the leaked draft, Iran will vow not to pursue=
 nuclear weapons, a reiteration of a pledge made many times before. Reports=
 also suggest that Iran expects to receive, through some unspecified paymen=
t mechanism, potentially hundreds of billions of dollars in de-facto repara=
tions for damage caused by the war. A number of regional intermediaries, in=
cluding=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/how-pakista=
n-is-using-the-iran-war-to-reinvent-itself" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:inherit">Pakistan=
</a>=C2=A0and Qatar, helped broker this framework agreement, which was repo=
rtedly signed by Trump and Iranian officials on Wednesday, two days before =
an announced signing ceremony in Switzerland was supposed to take place. Is=
rael appears to have been sidelined as the truce was worked out, much to th=
e chagrin of its political leadership.</p><p class=3D"gmail-paywall" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box">Early on Wednesday, a joint communiqu=C3=A9 from=
 the members of the Group of Seven (G-7) at a summit in =C3=89vian-les-Bain=
s, France, which Trump attended, hailed the =E2=80=9Chistoric opportunity=
=E2=80=9D presented by the agreement and indicated that it is =E2=80=9Cread=
y to contribute to its implementation.=E2=80=9D Later in the day, the Presi=
dent told reporters about the agreement, =E2=80=9CNobody knows what it is b=
ut it=E2=80=99s very strong.=E2=80=9D But the agreement isn=E2=80=99t final=
, he said, adding, =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s a memorandum of understanding and,=
 if I don=E2=80=99t like it, we=E2=80=99ll go back to shooting at them, dro=
pping bombs on their head.=E2=80=9D Apparently, he did like it, given the r=
eports of its signing. Still, it=E2=80=99s difficult to see what=E2=80=99s =
emerging as anything other than a humiliating climbdown for a President who=
 started a war of choice vowing to transform the Middle East. Instead, the =
war and its aftermath may represent a defining failure for Trump=E2=80=99s =
foreign policy=E2=80=94one that may even have strengthened Iran in the regi=
on. The U.S. and Iran are supposed to spend the next two months working out=
 the details of a wider agreement regarding the latter=E2=80=99s nuclear pr=
ogram. If they reach any broader settlement, it=E2=80=99s doubtful that its=
 terms would be superior to what was=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.newyorker.=
com/news/the-lede/has-trump-thought-through-the-endgame-in-iran" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-hei=
ght:inherit">reportedly on offer</a>=C2=A0right before the war began, or to=
 what was established by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action=E2=80=94the=
 2015 nuclear deal forged by President Barack Obama with other world powers=
, which Trump scrapped during his first term.</p><div class=3D"gmail-Consum=
erMarketingUnitThemedWrapper-kjbXjp gmail-gnOkbl gmail-consumer-marketing-u=
nit gmail-consumer-marketing-unit--article-mid-content" role=3D"presentatio=
n" aria-hidden=3D"true" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail=
-consumer-marketing-unit__slot gmail-consumer-marketing-unit__slot--article=
-mid-content gmail-consumer-marketing-unit__slot--in-content" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box"></div><div class=3D"gmail-journey-unit" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box"></div></div><p class=3D"gmail-paywall" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box">During the three and a half months since the start of war, Amer=
ican and Israeli air strikes hit hundreds of targets in Iran in dozens of c=
ities, killing at least thirty-four hundred people, injuring thousands more=
, and destroying or damaging civilian infrastructure, including universitie=
s, schools, and water facilities. Israel=E2=80=99s parallel=C2=A0<a href=3D=
"https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/why-israel-is-attacking-lebanon" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);=
line-height:inherit">operations in Lebanon</a>, to punish Iran=E2=80=99s pr=
oxy Hezbollah, have=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-f=
rom-beirut/the-missing-bride-of-anqoun" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;back=
ground-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:inherit">killed</a>=
=C2=A0even more people and displaced close to a fifth of the population. Ir=
an=E2=80=99s reprisals hit targets across the region, wounding hundreds and=
 grounding flights in the big cities of the Gulf. A return of some degree o=
f stability would, of course, be a relief, but even many who supported Trum=
p at the start of the war are frustrated by the course of events. Some Iran=
ian dissidents feel abandoned by a White House that once embraced their cau=
se. Washington hawks who seemed content for the President to disregard Cong=
ress in rushing to war are now demanding more congressional scrutiny over t=
he terms of a future peace. And, in Israel, both Prime Minister Benjamin Ne=
tanyahu=E2=80=99s opponents and his coalition partners see the developments=
 as a disaster for Israeli national-security interests, with Hezbollah stil=
l standing in Lebanon and the Iranian regime not just standing but newly em=
boldened.</p><p class=3D"gmail-paywall" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><sp=
an style=3D"background-color:transparent">The war has always been unpopular=
 in this country. Close to sixty </span>per cent<span style=3D"background-c=
olor:transparent"> of American adults=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.pe=
wresearch.org/global/2026/06/09/israelis-palestinians-americans-see-war-in-=
iran-differently/" style=3D"background-color:transparent;box-sizing:border-=
box;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:inherit">surveyed by Pew</a><span style=3D=
"background-color:transparent">=C2=A0believe that the U.S. made the =E2=80=
=9Cwrong decision=E2=80=9D in attacking Iran. In May, Pentagon officials es=
timated the war had already cost U.S. taxpayers some twenty-nine billion do=
llars. Around the same time, the=C2=A0</span><a class=3D"external-link" hre=
f=3D"https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/05/21/us-bears-b=
runt-israels-missile-defense-pentagon-assessments-show/" rel=3D"nofollow no=
opener" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"background-color:transparent;box-sizing:=
border-box;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:inherit">Washington=C2=A0<em style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;line-height:inherit">Post</em>=C2=A0reported</a><=
span style=3D"background-color:transparent">=C2=A0that the U.S. had used up=
 much of its inventory of advanced missile-defense interceptors, expending =
more of these munitions in defense of Israeli territory than Israeli forces=
 had themselves. In April, Tom Fletcher, the United Nations=E2=80=99 humani=
tarian chief, noted that the sums being spent by the U.S. on its =E2=80=9Cr=
eckless war=E2=80=9D could fund the U.N.=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cplan to save ei=
ghty-seven million lives=E2=80=9D in dire humanitarian need around the worl=
d.</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-paywall" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><sp=
an style=3D"background-color:transparent">Whatever hardships Americans may =
have endured=E2=80=94including higher gas prices and creeping inflation=E2=
=80=94far greater ones have been felt elsewhere. The downstream impact of t=
he conflict has been acute in Asia, Europe, and Africa, where there is far =
greater reliance on fossil fuels coming from the Persian Gulf, and greater =
vulnerability to the soaring costs of energy, fertilizers, and industrial c=
hemicals exported from the region. Fatih Birol, the head of the Internation=
al Energy Agency, said in April that the combined oil-and-gas crisis was mo=
re grave than the oil shocks of the nineteen-seventies, and that =E2=80=9Ct=
he world has never experienced a disruption to energy supply of such magnit=
ude.=E2=80=9D</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-paywall" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent">To deal with surging p=
rices and diminishing reserves, some countries have implemented policies to=
 ration cooking gas and gasoline. Others, such as Pakistan and the Philippi=
nes, have shuttered businesses and schools and tried to mandate working fro=
m home. Supply chains for plastics, fertilizers, and other vital supplies h=
ave also been blocked. The resulting costs to productivity will take a whil=
e to gauge. But, earlier this month, the Organisation for Economic Co-opera=
tion and Development, which is made up of thirty-eight advanced economies a=
round the world, forecast that global growth is now expected to slow from 3=
.4 per cent in 2025 to 2.8 per cent in 2026, a contraction caused primarily=
 by the effects of the war. An=C2=A0</span><a class=3D"external-link" href=
=3D"https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Global-Pea=
ce-Index-2026-Report.pdf" rel=3D"nofollow noopener" target=3D"_blank" style=
=3D"background-color:transparent;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0,0,0);lin=
e-height:inherit">analysis</a><span style=3D"background-color:transparent">=
=C2=A0by the Institute for Economics and Peace, a nonpartisan think tank he=
adquartered in Sydney, forecast that a resumption of hostilities with Iran =
could cost the global economy some $2.2 trillion. The U.N.=C2=A0</span><a h=
ref=3D"https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/03/1167147" style=3D"background-co=
lor:transparent;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:inherit"=
>warned</a><span style=3D"background-color:transparent">=C2=A0that spiking =
costs could drive forty-five million people around the world into acute hun=
ger if the war continues through June.</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-paywall"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><span style=3D"background-color:transparen=
t">The reopening of the strait, moreover, won=E2=80=99t provide an immediat=
e panacea. The International Transport Workers=E2=80=99 Federation, which r=
epresents many of the sailors who are stuck aboard ships stalled in the Per=
sian Gulf, said that =E2=80=9Cthe backlog of stranded vessels and the need =
for crew changes and rest, mean a realistic return=E2=80=AFto normal shippi=
ng patterns is weeks, if not months, away.=E2=80=9D In a=C2=A0</span><a cla=
ss=3D"external-link" href=3D"https://think.ing.com/articles/agri-market-ris=
ks-persist-and-may-be-underpriced-as-hormuz-crisis-drags-on/" rel=3D"nofoll=
ow noopener" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"background-color:transparent;box-si=
zing:border-box;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:inherit">memo this month</a><s=
pan style=3D"background-color:transparent">, analysts at the Dutch multinat=
ional firm I.N.G. described the impact on fertilizer and food markets as =
=E2=80=9Ca tragedy unfolding in slow motion.=E2=80=9D They acknowledged tha=
t a truce could lead to a resumption in flows of some goods, but warned tha=
t =E2=80=9Cthe outlook is likely to remain fragile as a more permanent deal=
 could be challenging to secure.=E2=80=9D The markets have to price in the =
unpredictability and the volatility that have characterized Trump=E2=80=99s=
 approach so far.</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-paywall" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent">The chaos has comp=
ounded existing difficulties for poorer or developing economies, many of wh=
ich were already wracked by public-debt crises that deepened in the afterma=
th of the=C2=A0</span><span class=3D"gmail-small" style=3D"font-variant:sma=
ll-caps;background-color:transparent;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:inhe=
rit;text-transform:lowercase">COVID</span><span style=3D"background-color:t=
ransparent">=C2=A0pandemic. =E2=80=9CThe global economy is not falling off =
of a cliff, but it has downshifted sharply and many developing economies ar=
e entering this shock with thinner buffers and fewer shock absorbers,=E2=80=
=9D Ayhan Kose, the World Bank=E2=80=99s deputy chief economist, said last =
week. David Miliband, the head of the International Rescue Committee (I.R.C=
.), describes =E2=80=9Cshock absorbers=E2=80=9D as the sorts of groups in c=
ivil society, in addition to state institutions, =E2=80=9Cthat catch people=
 when they fall.=E2=80=9D They could be =E2=80=9Ca health service that=E2=
=80=99s able to isolate you if you=E2=80=99ve got Ebola=E2=80=9D or =E2=80=
=9Ca cash-support scheme in Lebanon that=E2=80=99s able to support you for =
more than a month for a war that=E2=80=99s gone on for three months,=E2=80=
=9D he told me. But there are fewer such services now, not least because ma=
ny of the wealthiest nations have slashed their commitments to internationa=
l aid; Oxfam calculated that the G-7 countries alone cut their aid budgets =
by a collective forty-eight billion dollars between 2024 and 2025=E2=80=94t=
he largest reduction of its kind in history. Most of this drop was caused b=
y the Trump Administration=E2=80=99s=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.new=
yorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-documentary/the-shutdown-of-usaid-has-alr=
eady-killed-hundreds-of-thousands" style=3D"background-color:transparent;bo=
x-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:inherit">destruction of U.=
S.A.I.D.</a><span style=3D"background-color:transparent">, under=C2=A0</spa=
n><span class=3D"gmail-small" style=3D"font-variant:small-caps;background-c=
olor:transparent;box-sizing:border-box;line-height:inherit;text-transform:l=
owercase">DOGE</span><span style=3D"background-color:transparent">, but oth=
er nations didn=E2=80=99t try to fill that void; instead, they quietly foll=
owed suit.</span></p></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-BaseWrap-s=
c-SkJtP gmail-RowWrapper-efRjVu gmail-dZoWtJ gmail-dNXSll gmail-full-bleed-=
ad gmail-row-mid-content-ad" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;widt=
h:2032.8px"><div class=3D"gmail-StickyMidContentAdWrapper-gsQpUH gmail-dPPA=
Jq gmail-ad-stickymidcontent" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"></div></div><=
div class=3D"gmail-GridWrapper-uulHE gmail-dCnZHU gmail-grid gmail-grid-mar=
gins gmail-grid-items-2 gmail-ArticlePageChunksGrid-kSknMg gmail-dSvDdx gma=
il-grid-layout--adrail gmail-narrow gmail-wide-adrail" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;display:grid;padding-right:64px;padding-left:64px;margin:0px aut=
o;width:1600px;max-width:1600px"><div class=3D"gmail-GridItem-bufwYC gmail-=
kKTABR gmail-grid--item gmail-grid-layout__content" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin-bottom:1rem"><div class=3D"gmail-BodyWrapper-cuqCAc gmail-iF=
rSLR gmail-body gmail-body__container gmail-article__body" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;font-feature-settings:normal;line-break:auto;line-height:1.5=
em;padding:0px;max-width:1600px;margin-bottom:1rem;width:720px"><div class=
=3D"gmail-body__inner-container" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><p class=
=3D"gmail-paywall" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-top:0px">Trump=E2=
=80=99s move dislodged what Miliband called =E2=80=9Can anchor=E2=80=9D in =
the global humanitarian system. =E2=80=9CIf you pull up the anchor in chopp=
y seas, the boat rocks backward and forward, and the passengers get seasick=
,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CThat=E2=80=99s the situation we=E2=80=99re in.=
=E2=80=9D In=C2=A0<a class=3D"external-link" href=3D"https://www.rescue.org=
/press-release/irc-midyear-watchlist-update-more-shocks-fewer-shock-absorbe=
rs" rel=3D"nofollow noopener" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);line-height:inherit">a re=
cent report</a>, the I.R.C. noted that many of the world=E2=80=99s worst hu=
manitarian crises, including=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.newyorker.com/news=
/q-and-a/how-the-conflict-in-sudan-became-a-humanitarian-catastrophe" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);lin=
e-height:inherit">the tragedy in Sudan</a>, =E2=80=9Chave only intensified=
=E2=80=9D since the Iran war began, =E2=80=9Cwhile the systems meant to con=
tain them are breaking down.=E2=80=9D As Miliband put it, =E2=80=9CThe Iran=
 war couldn=E2=80=99t have happened at a worse time, and it set off a chain=
 of events that=E2=80=99s very damaging.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-payw=
all" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">That turmoil did not seem to be weighi=
ng on the man most responsible for unleashing it. On Wednesday, at the G-7 =
summit, Trump entered a meeting room late and, while taking a seat alongsid=
e other world leaders, announced, to their laughter, =E2=80=9CI=E2=80=99m t=
he boss.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0=E2=99=A6</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></d=
iv></div></div></div>

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*https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2026-06-18/ty-articl=
e/.premium/israel-is-bleeding-support-in-u-s-and-pouring-tens-of-millions-t=
o-change-that/0000019e-db73-d2be-abbf-fbffca7b0000
<https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2026-06-18/ty-articl=
e/.premium/israel-is-bleeding-support-in-u-s-and-pouring-tens-of-millions-t=
o-change-that/0000019e-db73-d2be-abbf-fbffca7b0000>*

6/18/26

*Israel Is Bleeding Support in the U.S. =E2=80=93 and Pouring Tens of Milli=
ons Into
Trying to Change That - National Security & Cyber*
[image: People hold Israeli and U.S. flags as they march during the "Israel
Day on Fifth" parade in New York City, U.S., May 31, 2026.]
*People hold Israeli and U.S. flags as they march during the "Israel Day on
Fifth" parade in New York City, U.S., May 31, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Eduardo
Munoz*

*Israel is deepening its influence efforts in the United States in a bid to
halt the collapse of its standing among the conservative right. *

*Haaretz has learned that the Israeli government is paying over $40 million
for an influence campaign aimed at Christian Republicans =E2=80=93 three ti=
mes the
budget originally allocated to it. The campaign launched late last year,
and it's now expanding and focusing its messaging on an attempt to justify
the war in Iran. Documents filed with the U.S. Justice Department further
reveal that Israel has signed a new contract with a New York production
company to produce a pro-Israel digital storytelling campaign for it, at a
cost of nearly $1 million.*

*Haaretz revealed last November that Israel had signed agreements worth
millions of dollars with American content and media companies to run
pro-Israel campaigns aimed at Christian conservatives on its behalf,
against the backdrop of the plunge in support for Israel since the war in
Gaza, including among segments of the public traditionally considered
pro-Israel.*
Trump made a deal with Iran. What will Netanyahu do?

*The central contract, worth $6 million, was signed with a public relations
firm owned by Brad Parscale, who ran U.S. President Donald Trump's digital
election campaigns in 2016 and 2020. In February, Haaretz exposed some of
the products that the firm delivered, chief among them a network of
propaganda sites featuring pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian content,
designed to appear neutral and factual. The sites' central aim was to
influence the answers provided by search engines and AI-based chatbots.*
Haaretz National Security

*Critical national security, cyber and arms updates, delivered weekly*

*Since then, Israel's standing on the American right has deteriorated even
further. Polls conducted in March, at the height of the war with Iran, show
this trend is especially strong among young Republicans. According to
a survey by the Pew Research Center
<https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/06/04/most-people-across-36-c=
ountries-have-negative-views-of-israel-and-little-confidence-in-netanyahu/?=
tblci=3DGideon+Levy>,
about 41 percent of Republicans and 57 percent of young Republicans (under
50) hold a negative view of Israel. Overall, about 60 percent of Americans
now hold a negative view of Israel, compared with 53 percent last year and
42 percent in 2022. Americans' trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
is also declining: Nearly 60 percent of the American public doesn't trust
Netanyahu's decision-making on the international stage, compared with 52
percent last year and 42 percent in 2023.*
*[image: ccc]*

*Documents recently filed by Parscale's firm under the U.S. Foreign Agents
Registration Act show that its agreement with the Israeli government has
been updated and expanded, so that the state is now paying $4.5 million a
month for the campaign instead of $1.5 million, bringing the total to $40.5
million for "digital advertising" over the course of a year.*

*The updated agreement again states that the campaign's purpose is
"combating antisemitism," but as became clear earlier this year, in
practice its engagement with antisemitism is negligible. During the war in
Gaza, the campaign's sites dealt mainly with establishing an
anti-Palestinian narrative; now the emphasis appears to have shifted to
attempting to justify the war in Iran. In all likelihood, this is a
response to the mounting accusations in the U.S. =E2=80=93 including on the
American right =E2=80=93 that Netanyahu and Israel dragged Trump into an
unjustified war.*
*[image: f]*

*An analysis by Haaretz found that a new site recently went live as part of
the campaign, purporting "to expose the truth about Iran," and that in
parallel, the existing sites run by the PR firm began attacking Qatar and
China more aggressively.*

*The documents further reveal that Israel recently hired another company, a
New York production house called Piro, to carry out a pro-Israel "digital
storytelling" campaign whose aim is "to influence American public opinion."
Piro was founded by Hollywood producer Daniel Rosenberg and advertising
figure Tim Piper, and markets a proprietary Narrative Operating System
built around AI discoverability. Under the contract, a substantial portion
of the campaign budget is earmarked for engaging "talent" and producing
videos to be distributed on social media.*
The truth, the war

*The new site put up by Parscale's company, TheTruthAboutIran.com,
continues its predecessors' line and purports to provide readers with
facts. The site presents Iran as a direct danger to the United States, and
it appears to have been set up to try to justify the recent war =E2=80=93 e=
ven
as polls show
<https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2026/06/09/israelis-palestinians-americ=
ans-see-war-in-iran-differently?tblci=3DGideon+Levy>a
clear majority of Americans believe their country shouldn't have
participated in the military campaign. "Following the 12-day war in June
2025, Iran accelerated its nuclear program, moved facilities deep
underground and used negotiations to buy time," the site's homepage states,
even though the move underground took place more than a decade ago.*

*At the same time, the messaging across the other sites built for the
campaign got sharper. The website Allyvia, which focuses on the U.S.-Israel
security alliance, added articles explaining that Trump was not dragged
into war by Netanyahu but went to war to strengthen America's standing on
the global stage. Another article claims that the war contributed to the
security of U.S. citizens.*
[image: =D7=94"=D7=90=D7=9C=D7=92=D7=95=D7=A8=D7=99=D7=AA=D7=9E=D7=99=D7=96=
=D7=A6=D7=99=D7=94" =D7=A9=D7=9C =D7=94=D7=9E=D7=9C"=D7=98=D7=99=D7=9D: =D7=
=94"=D7=A9=D7=A8=D7=AA =D7=91=D7=A9=D7=9E=D7=99=D7=99=D7=9D" =D7=9E=D7=A1=
=D7=A4=D7=A7 =D7=94=D7=9E=D7=9C=D7=A6=D7=95=D7=AA =D7=95=D7=94=D7=97=D7=9C=
=D7=98=D7=95=D7=AA
=D7=9E=D7=91=D7=95=D7=A1=D7=A1=D7=95=D7=AA =D7=91=D7=99=D7=A0=D7=94 =D7=9E=
=D7=9C=D7=90=D7=9B=D7=95=D7=AA=D7=99=D7=AA]
*Haaretz national security*

   -

   *Israeli drones became 'Gaza target generators'*
   -

   *Starlink users, beware =E2=80=93 Israeli tech reveals your ID*
   -

   *How Iran penetrated Israel's top security think tank*
   -

   *Israel's arms industry faces hopes and fears*
   -

   *Anti-left influence OP in France leads to Tel Aviv*
   -

   *How Ukrainian wheat stolen by Russia is smuggled to Israel*
   -

   *Ghost Operators: Israeli telecoms exploited to track citizens globally*
   -

   *Ukraine stuns Russia in the Med*
   -

   *Serbia to produce drones with Israeli arms giant*

*The anti-Iran site is just one sign of what's shaping up to be the
influence campaign's new central mission: sketching a global anti-Western
axis of evil led by Iran, China and Qatar. On Cognitura, which is presented
as an "education and research platform," one can find a long list of
articles dealing with how Qatar is expanding its grip on the United States.
One article, citing a report by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies,
an anti-Iranian conservative American research institute, claims that Qatar
funnels hundreds of billions of dollars into the U.S., in particular into
its universities, and uses economic ties to buy political influence; others
state that Qatar "bought" the International Criminal Court, and cite
sources that the MAGA figure Tucker Carlson, who leads the conservative
right's opposition to the war in Iran, is himself tied to Qatar.*

*Thus, while the prime minister's advisers built a pro-Qatari campaign that
was exposed by Haaretz, Israel is running an anti-Qatari influence
campaign. In the first campaign, the emirate was presented as moderate and
peace-seeking; in the second it's presented as a dangerous actor from which
Islamic terror emanates.*

*The current campaign ties the Iranian-Qatari axis to China, which it names
as the leading player in the anti-Western axis. The new site exposes "the
Iranian regime's ties to communist China," and various articles across the
network of sites frame Chinese investment in English-language AI tools as a
hostile influence campaign, and describe how fake accounts operating on
Beijing's behalf spread antisemitism on social media. Again and again, the
message is that anti-Israel protests are part of a broader movement against
U.S. hegemony, against capitalism and against Western values. "For many
Americans, this is a matter of national security, economic competition and
the struggle for technological supremacy against China," one of the sites
states.*

   - *If Iran becomes 'Israel's war,' American Jews may pay the price John
   Benjamin*
   - *The Iran war shattered a taboo, unleashing the American right against
   Israel Nettanel Slyomovics*
   - *Hasbara meets AI in multi-million dollar PR push Haaretz Podcast*

*This is a relatively new and assertive line for Israel, which until now
has preferred not to clash with China. That said, since the October 7
massacre, researchers =E2=80=93 including from the Institute for National S=
ecurity
Studies =E2=80=93 have warned that China is acting against Israel on the cy=
ber and
influence fronts, as part of a strategic partnership with Russia and Iran.*

*Another pro-Israel influence site, Jewish Onliner, first exposed by
Haaretz and not connected to the Parscale campaign, also began publishing
content against China during the war in Iran.*

*The new documents show that alongside the attempt to influence AI engines,
Israel is also investing in conventional advertising in the form of ads and
banners. In one of them, Trump and Netanyahu appear side by side under the
caption: "Israel and the U.S. want peace."*

--000000000000e6ae7606548f28e6
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, =
serif"><a href=3D"https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/202=
6-06-18/ty-article/.premium/israel-is-bleeding-support-in-u-s-and-pouring-t=
ens-of-millions-to-change-that/0000019e-db73-d2be-abbf-fbffca7b0000" target=
=3D"_blank">https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2026-06-1=
8/ty-article/.premium/israel-is-bleeding-support-in-u-s-and-pouring-tens-of=
-millions-to-change-that/0000019e-db73-d2be-abbf-fbffca7b0000</a><br></font=
></b></div><div><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></fo=
nt></b></div><div><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif" style=3D"=
">6/18/26</font></div><div><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, seri=
f"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0=
px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"geor=
gia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>Israel Is Bleeding Support in the U.S. =E2=80=93 =
and Pouring Tens of Millions Into Trying to Change That - National Security=
 &amp; Cyber</i></font></h1><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max=
-width:100%"><img title=3D"People hold Israeli and U.S. flags as they march=
 during the &quot;Israel Day on Fifth&quot; parade in New York City, U.S., =
May 31, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz" alt=3D"People hold Israeli and=
 U.S. flags as they march during the &quot;Israel Day on Fifth&quot; parade=
 in New York City, U.S., May 31, 2026." width=3D"412" height=3D"239" src=3D=
"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-db8f-d7a4-a99f-dfcf182a0000/19/b2/28=
35de8b4000a7c741905a773eec/203194-2.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D244&a=
mp;cmsprod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div=
><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">People hold Israeli and U.S.=
 flags as they march during the &quot;Israel Day on Fifth&quot; parade in N=
ew York City, U.S., May 31, 2026.</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: REUTERS/Eduar=
do Munoz</span></font></b><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#00=
0000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Israel is deepening its influence efforts in =
the United States in a bid to halt the collapse of its standing among the c=
onservative right.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Haaretz has learned=
 that the Israeli government is paying over $40 million for an influence ca=
mpaign aimed at Christian Republicans =E2=80=93 three times the budget orig=
inally allocated to it. The campaign launched late last year, and it&#39;s =
now expanding and focusing its messaging on an attempt to justify the war i=
n Iran. Documents filed with the U.S. Justice Department further reveal tha=
t Israel has signed a new contract with a New York production company to pr=
oduce a pro-Israel digital storytelling campaign for it, at a cost of nearl=
y $1 million.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#=
000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Haaretz revealed last November that Israel =
had signed agreements worth millions of dollars with American content and m=
edia companies to run pro-Israel campaigns aimed at Christian conservatives=
 on its behalf, against the backdrop of the plunge in support for Israel si=
nce the war in Gaza, including among segments of the public traditionally c=
onsidered pro-Israel.</font></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:=
100%"><h3 style=3D"max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2" color=3D"#000000" face=
=3D"georgia, serif">Trump made a deal with Iran. What will Netanyahu do?<sp=
an>=C2=A0</span></font></h3><p></p></div></div></div></div><p style=3D"max-=
width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">The central =
contract, worth $6 million, was signed with a public relations firm owned b=
y Brad Parscale, who ran U.S. President Donald Trump&#39;s digital election=
 campaigns in 2016 and 2020. In February, Haaretz exposed some of the produ=
cts that the firm delivered, chief among them a<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=
=3D"max-width:100%">network of propaganda sites<span>=C2=A0</span></a>featu=
ring pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian content, designed to appear neutral an=
d factual. The sites&#39; central aim was to influence the answers provided=
 by search engines and AI-based chatbots.</font></b></p><div style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><h3 style=3D"max-width:100%"><font=
 size=3D"2" color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Haaretz National Secu=
rity</font></h3><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=
=3D"georgia, serif">Critical national security, cyber and arms updates, del=
ivered weekly</font></b></p></div></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><fon=
t color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Since then, Israel&#39;s standi=
ng on the American right has deteriorated even further. Polls conducted in =
March, at the height of the war with Iran, show this trend is especially st=
rong among young Republicans. According to a<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"h=
ttps://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/06/04/most-people-across-36-cou=
ntries-have-negative-views-of-israel-and-little-confidence-in-netanyahu/?tb=
lci=3DGideon+Levy" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"=
_blank">survey by the Pew Research Center</a>, about 41 percent of Republic=
ans and 57 percent of young Republicans (under 50) hold a negative view of =
Israel. Overall, about 60 percent of Americans now hold a negative view of =
Israel, compared with 53 percent last year and 42 percent in 2022. American=
s&#39; trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also declining: Nearly=
 60 percent of the American public doesn&#39;t trust Netanyahu&#39;s decisi=
on-making on the international stage, compared with 52 percent last year an=
d 42 percent in 2023.</font></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#0000=
00" face=3D"georgia, serif"><img alt=3D"ccc" width=3D"412" height=3D"314" s=
rc=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-dc05-db7a-a9bf-ddd554c20001/3e/=
9e/999bef0a4317a8d5dee77a97e4fa/eng-negative-opinion-mob.png?&amp;width=3D4=
20&amp;height=3D320&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;displ=
ay:block"></font></b></span></div></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><fon=
t color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Documents recently filed by Par=
scale&#39;s firm under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act show that i=
ts agreement with the Israeli government has been updated and expanded, so =
that the state is now paying $4.5 million a month for the campaign instead =
of $1.5 million, bringing the total to $40.5 million for &quot;digital adve=
rtising&quot; over the course of a year.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">The updated agre=
ement again states that the campaign&#39;s purpose is &quot;combating antis=
emitism,&quot; but as became clear earlier this year, in practice its engag=
ement with antisemitism is negligible. During the war in Gaza, the campaign=
&#39;s sites dealt mainly with establishing an anti-Palestinian narrative; =
now the emphasis appears to have shifted to attempting to justify the war i=
n Iran. In all likelihood, this is a response to the mounting accusations i=
n the U.S. =E2=80=93 including on the American right =E2=80=93 that Netanya=
hu and Israel dragged Trump into an unjustified war.</font></b></p><div sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><img alt=3D"f" w=
idth=3D"412" height=3D"392" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-dc=
06-d6a3-a5be-fd76ca8d0001/ac/77/486c294543528e3a2f8db985dcc6/eng-trust-in-n=
etanyahu-mob.png?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D400&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"ma=
rgin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></font></b></span></div></div><p s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">=
An analysis by Haaretz found that a new site recently went live as part of =
the campaign, purporting &quot;to expose the truth about Iran,&quot; and th=
at in parallel, the existing sites run by the PR firm began attacking Qatar=
 and China more aggressively.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>=
<font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">The documents further revea=
l that Israel recently hired another company, a New York production house c=
alled Piro, to carry out a pro-Israel &quot;digital storytelling&quot; camp=
aign whose aim is &quot;to influence American public opinion.&quot; Piro wa=
s founded by Hollywood producer Daniel Rosenberg and advertising figure Tim=
 Piper, and markets a proprietary Narrative Operating System built around A=
I discoverability. Under the contract, a substantial portion of the campaig=
n budget is earmarked for engaging &quot;talent&quot; and producing videos =
to be distributed on social media.</font></b></p><h3 style=3D"max-width:100=
%"><font size=3D"2" color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">The truth, th=
e war<span>=C2=A0</span></font></h3><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font co=
lor=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">The new site put up by Parscale&#39=
;s company, TheTruthAboutIran.com, continues its predecessors&#39; line and=
 purports to provide readers with facts. The site presents Iran as a direct=
 danger to the United States, and it appears to have been set up to try to =
justify the recent war =E2=80=93 even as<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https=
://www.pewresearch.org/global/2026/06/09/israelis-palestinians-americans-se=
e-war-in-iran-differently?tblci=3DGideon+Levy" style=3D"text-decoration:non=
e;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">polls show<span>=C2=A0</span></a>a clea=
r majority of Americans believe their country shouldn&#39;t have participat=
ed in the military campaign. &quot;Following the 12-day war in June 2025, I=
ran accelerated its nuclear program, moved facilities deep underground and =
used negotiations to buy time,&quot; the site&#39;s homepage states, even t=
hough the move underground took place more than a decade ago.</font></b></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, se=
rif">At the same time, the messaging across the other sites built for the c=
ampaign got sharper. The website Allyvia, which focuses on the U.S.-Israel =
security alliance, added articles explaining that Trump was not dragged int=
o war by Netanyahu but went to war to strengthen America&#39;s standing on =
the global stage. Another article claims that the war contributed to the se=
curity of U.S. citizens.</font></b></p><img alt=3D"=D7=94&quot;=D7=90=D7=9C=
=D7=92=D7=95=D7=A8=D7=99=D7=AA=D7=9E=D7=99=D7=96=D7=A6=D7=99=D7=94&quot; =
=D7=A9=D7=9C =D7=94=D7=9E=D7=9C&quot;=D7=98=D7=99=D7=9D: =D7=94&quot;=D7=A9=
=D7=A8=D7=AA =D7=91=D7=A9=D7=9E=D7=99=D7=99=D7=9D&quot; =D7=9E=D7=A1=D7=A4=
=D7=A7 =D7=94=D7=9E=D7=9C=D7=A6=D7=95=D7=AA =D7=95=D7=94=D7=97=D7=9C=D7=98=
=D7=95=D7=AA =D7=9E=D7=91=D7=95=D7=A1=D7=A1=D7=95=D7=AA =D7=91=D7=99=D7=A0=
=D7=94 =D7=9E=D7=9C=D7=90=D7=9B=D7=95=D7=AA=D7=99=D7=AA" width=3D"369" heig=
ht=3D"215" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-dc25-deca-ab9e-dc77=
fe380006/b1/bd/b9040a3749738dcc0f40c886b019/elbit-hermes-homepage-headline-=
jpg.jpeg?precrop=3D1042,606,x3,y0&amp;width=3D369&amp;height=3D215&amp;cmsp=
rod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"><div style=3D"max-=
width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0=
.25em"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Haaretz national =
security</font></b></span><ul style=3D"max-width:100%"><li style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"><=
a style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, seri=
f">Israeli drones became &#39;Gaza target generators&#39;</font></b></a></p=
></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.=
4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"><a style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000=
000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Starlink users, beware =E2=80=93 Israeli tech =
reveals your ID</font></b></a></p></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><p styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"><a style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">How Iran pene=
trated Israel&#39;s top security think tank</font></b></a></p></li><li styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bot=
tom:0.4em"><a style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"g=
eorgia, serif">Israel&#39;s arms industry faces hopes and fears</font></b><=
/a></p></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-=
top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"><a style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=
=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Anti-left influence OP in France leads=
 to Tel Aviv</font></b></a></p></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"><a style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">How Ukrainian =
wheat stolen by Russia is smuggled to Israel</font></b></a></p></li><li sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bo=
ttom:0.4em"><a style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"=
georgia, serif">Ghost Operators: Israeli telecoms exploited to track citize=
ns globally</font></b></a></p></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=3D=
"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"><a style=3D"max-width=
:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Ukraine stuns Rus=
sia in the Med</font></b></a></p></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"><a style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Serbia to prod=
uce drones with Israeli arms giant</font></b></a></p></li></ul></div><p sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Th=
e anti-Iran site is just one sign of what&#39;s shaping up to be the influe=
nce campaign&#39;s new central mission: sketching a global anti-Western axi=
s of evil led by Iran, China and Qatar. On Cognitura, which is presented as=
 an &quot;education and research platform,&quot; one can find a long list o=
f articles dealing with how Qatar is expanding its grip on the United State=
s. One article, citing a report by the Foundation for Defense of Democracie=
s, an anti-Iranian conservative American research institute, claims that Qa=
tar funnels hundreds of billions of dollars into the U.S., in particular in=
to its universities, and uses economic ties to buy political influence; oth=
ers state that Qatar &quot;bought&quot; the International Criminal Court, a=
nd cite sources that the<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"max-width:100%">MAGA=
 figure Tucker Carlson</a>, who leads the conservative right&#39;s oppositi=
on to the war in Iran, is himself tied to Qatar.</font></b></p><p style=3D"=
max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Thus, wh=
ile the prime minister&#39;s advisers<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%">built a pro-Qatari campaign<span>=C2=A0</span></a>that was exposed=
 by Haaretz, Israel is running an anti-Qatari influence campaign. In the fi=
rst campaign, the emirate was presented as moderate and peace-seeking; in t=
he second it&#39;s presented as a dangerous actor from which Islamic terror=
 emanates.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000=
000" face=3D"georgia, serif">The current campaign ties the Iranian-Qatari a=
xis to China, which it names as the leading player in the anti-Western axis=
. The new site exposes &quot;the Iranian regime&#39;s ties to communist Chi=
na,&quot; and various articles across the network of sites frame Chinese in=
vestment in English-language AI tools as a hostile influence campaign, and =
describe how fake accounts operating on Beijing&#39;s behalf spread antisem=
itism on social media. Again and again, the message is that anti-Israel pro=
tests are part of a broader movement against U.S. hegemony, against capital=
ism and against Western values. &quot;For many Americans, this is a matter =
of national security, economic competition and the struggle for technologic=
al supremacy against China,&quot; one of the sites states.</font></b></p><u=
l style=3D"max-width:100%"><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><a style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"=
max-width:100%"></span>If Iran becomes &#39;Israel&#39;s war,&#39; American=
 Jews may pay the price<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Jo=
hn Benjamin</span></font></b></a></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><a style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><spa=
n style=3D"max-width:100%"></span>The Iran war shattered a taboo, unleashin=
g the American right against Israel<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%">Nettanel Slyomovics</span></font></b></a></li><li style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%"><a style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"></span>Hasbara meets AI in mul=
ti-million dollar PR push<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">=
Haaretz Podcast</span></font></b></a></li></ul><p style=3D"max-width:100%">=
<b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">This is a relatively new=
 and assertive line for Israel, which until now has preferred not to clash =
with China. That said, since the October 7 massacre, researchers =E2=80=93 =
including from the Institute for National Security Studies =E2=80=93 have w=
arned that<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"max-width:100%">China is acting ag=
ainst Israel</a><span>=C2=A0</span>on the cyber and influence fronts, as pa=
rt of a strategic partnership with Russia and Iran.</font></b></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">Anot=
her pro-Israel influence site,<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"max-width:100%=
">Jewish Onliner, first exposed by Haaretz<span>=C2=A0</span></a>and not co=
nnected to the Parscale campaign, also began publishing content against Chi=
na during the war in Iran.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><fo=
nt color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">The new documents show that al=
ongside the attempt to influence AI engines, Israel is also investing in co=
nventional advertising in the form of ads and banners. In one of them, Trum=
p and Netanyahu appear side by side under the caption: &quot;Israel and the=
 U.S. want peace.&quot;</font></b></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

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 Trump and the Week of So Much Losing
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Vance, Trump and the Week of So Much Losing

Dana Milbank,

Vice President JD Vance admitted this week to being a *=E2=80=9Cconspiracy
theorist,=E2=80=9D*
<https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/06/16/jd-vance-the-view-=
epstein/90572118007/>
so his paranoid mind must have been spinning during the closing minute of
President Donald Trump=E2=80=99s news conference at the G7 in France on Wed=
nesday.

Trump called on Peter Doocy, even though the Fox News correspondent had
already had a turn. Doocy, asking why Trump planned to skip the signing
ceremony in Switzerland for his Iran peace framework, suggested it might be
so that Vance, representing the United States, would take the fall =E2=80=
=9Cif it
doesn=E2=80=99t work out.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CI like that idea,=E2=80=9D replied Trump. =E2=80=9CIf it works out=
, I=E2=80=99m going to take the
credit. If it doesn=E2=80=99t work out, I=E2=80=99m blaming JD.=E2=80=9D

Trump had *made similar jokes in private*
<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/opinion/jd-vance-trump-iran-hungary-orb=
an.html>,
but now he was sacrificing Vance on, quite literally, the world stage. Over
Trump=E2=80=99s left shoulder, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vance=E2=80=
=99s chief rival
for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, managed to keep a straight
face. =E2=80=9CYou=E2=80=99d better be careful, JD,=E2=80=9D Trump added.

With that, Trump went off to Versailles for dinner (=E2=80=9CI sort of like=
 that
palace, has a lot of gold=E2=80=9D) and left his understudy to explain how =
the
United States managed to lose the war with Iran.

Trump had made Vance the face of the Iran war from the start, assigning him
the task of negotiating its end even though he had opposed its beginning.
This week, Vance suffered the exquisite bad luck of having the Iran deal
announced just as he was launching his book tour, which meant he would have
to face ABC, CBS, CNN, CNBC, Fox and others for previously scheduled
interviews.

Vance vigorously defended the deal, assuring all that =E2=80=9Cit=E2=80=99s=
 a great day for
the American people=E2=80=9D and that it=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cso brilliant th=
e way the president
structured this.=E2=80=9D He claimed that the deal meant that =E2=80=9CIran=
 will never
develop or procure a nuclear weapon,=E2=80=9D that =E2=80=9Cthey=E2=80=99ve=
 committed to destroy
and dispose of their stockpile of highly enriched material=E2=80=9D and tha=
t the
Strait of Hormuz =E2=80=9Cis going to be opened in a toll-free way for the =
long
term.=E2=80=9D

But then the text of the memorandum of understanding came out. There were
no enforcement provisions and only vague aspirations (Iran =E2=80=9Cagreed =
to
discuss the issue of enrichment=E2=80=9D) to be settled later. And Iran sto=
od to
receive $300 billion in new investment, perhaps $100 billion in frozen
assets, an end to all sanctions and freedom to keep its ballistic-missile
program.

The deal seemed so unfavorable that U.S. officials felt it necessary to
tell reporters not to focus on the actual text, assuring them that
they had *reached
a =E2=80=9Cgentleman=E2=80=99s agreement=E2=80=9D*
<https://x.com/alaynatreene/status/2067312892915937529> on the side with
the Iranian regime.

Now the zealots who have been terrorizing the world and chanting =E2=80=9CD=
eath to
America=E2=80=9D for 47 years are to be trusted as gentlemen?

Trump gave away the game in his G7 news conference, explaining that he was
facing dwindling oil supplies. =E2=80=9CWe run out of reserves in about fou=
r
weeks,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CWe would really run out, and it=E2=80=99l=
l be a time when you
wouldn=E2=80=99t be able to get it. And you want to see bedlam?=E2=80=9D

So he cried =E2=80=9Cuncle=E2=80=9D because he was afraid of gas lines.

But give Trump credit. He recently *said*
<https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/read-transcript-president-do=
nald-trump-interviewed-nbc-news-meet-press-rcna348508>
the United States was =E2=80=9Cin Vietnam 19 years because of stupid people=
.=E2=80=9D
Trump, the very stable genius, managed to lose the Iran war in just over
three months =E2=80=94 a marvel of efficiency.

And Vance gets the blame. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro *faulted him=
*
<https://x.com/atrupar/status/2067331463096201241?s=3D20> for the =E2=80=9C=
disaster=E2=80=9D
of an agreement: =E2=80=9CIn my opinion, the vice president, the chief nego=
tiator,
has not well served the president.=E2=80=9D Marc Thiessen condemned the *=
=E2=80=9CVance
peace deal.=E2=80=9D* <https://x.com/marcthiessen/status/206683249895326969=
8?s=3D20>
Sen. Lindsey Graham labeled Vance the *=E2=80=9Carchitect of the deal=E2=80=
=9D*
<https://x.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/2066294532220580103?s=3D20> and Ben
Domenech *lamented*
<https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/fox-ben-domenech-shreds-trump=
-145445422.html>
this =E2=80=9C=E2=80=98Hillbilly Obama=E2=80=99 kind of GOP.=E2=80=9D In Is=
rael, a TV host close to Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu *referred to Vance as =E2=80=9Cscum.=E2=80=9D*
<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/world/middleeast/israel-channel-14-trum=
p-criticism.html>

Vance, watching his presidential ambitions turn to nuclear dust, tried to
laugh it off on Megyn Kelly=E2=80=99s show.

=E2=80=9CWhat is the progress of the deal? How=E2=80=99s it going?=E2=80=9D=
 she asked.

=E2=80=9CHahahahahahaha.=E2=80=9D

She asked about Domenech=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Chillbilly=E2=80=9D insult.

=E2=80=9CHahahahahahaha.=E2=80=9D

She asked about Thiessen=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CVance peace deal=E2=80=9D line.

=E2=80=9CHahahaha. I wonder why he doesn=E2=80=99t call it the Trump deal.=
=E2=80=9D

Yes, Mr. Vice President, you=E2=80=99ve been set up. It=E2=80=99s a conspir=
acy

***

It can now be stated, with complete objectivity, that Trump has brought
scum to Washington.

Two weeks ago, he sat in the Oval Office, *boasting about his renovations*
<https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4594088/trump-makes-sp=
lash-oval-office-chart-reflecting-pool-skyscrapers/>
to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, accomplished through a $15 million
no-bid contract to paint the thing =E2=80=9CAmerican Flag Blue.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CWe did a fantastic job,=E2=80=9D Trump said. While renovation effo=
rts by President
Barack Obama =E2=80=9Cfailed miserably,=E2=80=9D Trump explained that he is=
 =E2=80=9Cvery good at
building things=E2=80=9D and these improvements would =E2=80=9Clast for 50 =
to 100 years
before you have to do anything.=E2=80=9D

They lasted for about five days. Then the pool filled up with *thick, green
algae*
<https://www.notus.org/metro/trump-american-flag-blue-reflecting-pool-is-gr=
een-with-algae>.
The National Park Service has been working furiously to fight the algal
bloom with hydrogen peroxide and ozone nanobubbles. As the saying goes:
Everything Trump Touches Turns to Green Slime.

There is so much losing for the administration right now.

Trump spent the last 18 months harassing then-Fed Chair Jerome Powell to
cut interest rates. Now his handpicked replacement, Kevin Warsh, is on the
job =E2=80=94 and the Fed this week signaled a rate *increase* is *more lik=
ely this
year*
<https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/federal-reserve-interest-rate-=
decision-bd700510>
than a cut, because of rising inflation. Warsh said the governors =E2=80=9C=
are
unambiguous and unanimous. This committee will deliver price stability.=E2=
=80=9D

Trump=E2=80=99s endorsed candidate for governor of Georgia lost in a primar=
y, and
Trump=E2=80=99s preferred candidate for Senate, who won, had already been l=
eading
before Trump endorsed him. Trump, once gifted at assigning nicknames, could
do no better than refer to the incumbent, Jon Ossoff, as =E2=80=9Cfailed Du=
mocrat
Senator, Os(jerk!)off.=E2=80=9D

Trump=E2=80=99s cage-fight extravaganza at the White House for his birthday=
 turned
ugly when one of the winning fighters *used his moment at the microphone*
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/06/15/after-white-house-bout-=
ufc-fighter-disparages-michelle-obama-man/>
to shout, =E2=80=9CMichelle Obama is a man!=E2=80=9D Trump had nothing to s=
ay about it.
Trump=E2=80=99s hapless FBI director, Kash Patel, boasted on social media t=
hat a
plot to attack the fighting exhibition had been foiled =E2=80=94 but he did=
 so *before
law enforcement could round up all the suspects*
<https://www.ms.now/news/kash-patel-white-house-ufc-attack-secret-service>.

Trump, with a post on his Truth Social platform heralding =E2=80=9Ca slight=
 bit of
intrigue,=E2=80=9D blew up attempts in Congress to renew a crucial surveill=
ance
program by insisting that it be attached to his attempt to restrict voting,
which has no chance of passing.

Trump also announced that Bill Pulte, a partisan with no intelligence
experience, would lead the nation=E2=80=99s intelligence services. Even tha=
t seems
more defensible than Trump=E2=80=99s pick for general counsel of the Federa=
l Labor
Relations Authority, who was asked at his confirmation hearing this week
about a *college publication he ran that featured a Jewish student with
horns and pitchfork*
<https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-federal-labor-board-pick-history-caro=
lina-review>.
=E2=80=9CI would not say it=E2=80=99s antisemitic,=E2=80=9D he testified.

Where does Trump, who appeared to be tired and breathing heavily in France
this week, find the energy to produce so many provocations? Maybe he was
inspired by the quote attributed to Teddy Roosevelt on a four-story banner
hanging from the Office of Personnel Management: =E2=80=9CCourage is not ha=
ving the
strength to go on; it is going on when you don=E2=80=99t have the strength.=
=E2=80=9D As my
friend Sammy Westfall at The Washington Post noted, TR *never said such a
thing.*
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/06/16/teddy-roosevelt-quote-a=
dorns-dc-building-he-probably-didnt-say-it/>

Yet Trump continues to live his best life: dining on asparagus with lobster
and caviar at Versailles; reportedly working with Los Angeles Olympics
organizers to *funnel business to his golf course*
<https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/16/olympic-organizers-collaborating-=
trump-golf-tournament-00962968?utm_content=3Dpolitico/magazine/Politics&utm=
_source=3Dflipboard>;
repurposing money meant for the Secret Service to *build his White House
ballroom*
<https://www.notus.org/congress/white-house-secret-service-funding-congress=
-ballroom-construction>;
using the White House to promote the Ultimate Fighting Championship, in
whose parent company *he owns stock*
<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/14/us/politics/trump-ufc-tko-group.html>;
and being hailed by winning UFC fighters at the White House like gladiators
saluting the emperor.

At the G7, Trump was his erratic self, comparing himself favorably to
Herbert Hoover, declaring that Iran has a =E2=80=9Cprimitive culture=E2=80=
=9D in which half
the people are named Mohammed, announcing that =E2=80=9CMexico has lost con=
trol of
their country=E2=80=9D and that =E2=80=9CAfghanistan is kissing our ass.=E2=
=80=9D He *called Obama*
<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/world/middleeast/trump-iran-deal-obama.=
html>
a =E2=80=9Cstupid son of a bitch.=E2=80=9D He reiterated that =E2=80=9Cthe =
word =E2=80=98affordability=E2=80=99 is
a fake word made up by the Democrats.=E2=80=9D And he proclaimed his love f=
or
strongmen. India=E2=80=99s Narendra Modi: =E2=80=9CLook at this man. He=E2=
=80=99s the most
beautiful looking man. He=E2=80=99s so nice, he=E2=80=99s like an angel.=E2=
=80=9D Egypt=E2=80=99s Abdel
Fattah el-Sisi: =E2=80=9CHe was in a hotel and I met him. *We fell in love,=
 deeply
in love* <https://x.com/atrupar/status/2067210512308265420?s=3D20>. ... We
had great chemistry, and I stayed twice as long as I was supposed to.=E2=80=
=9D

Most problematic, at least for Vance, was Trump=E2=80=99s praise for the Ir=
anian
regime. It was =E2=80=9Cnice=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Cfine=E2=80=9D and run by=
 =E2=80=9Cvery rational people=E2=80=9D who are
=E2=80=9Cgoing to behave much differently=E2=80=9D going forward, he attest=
ed.

He saw no reason to deny Iran ballistic missiles (=E2=80=9CThey have to hav=
e some=E2=80=9D)
or its frozen assets (=E2=80=9CWe have taken a lot of their money. It=E2=80=
=99s not our
money.=E2=80=9D). He admitted nothing in the deal was enforceable (=E2=80=
=9CDoesn=E2=80=99t have to
be=E2=80=9D) and dismissed the significance of Iran=E2=80=99s enriched uran=
ium stockpiles
(=E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s not important that we do it quickly=E2=80=9D).

But will he be able to convince Americans of this?

=E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s very tough,=E2=80=9D a self-pitying Trump said, =E2=
=80=9Cbecause I never get good
stories.=E2=80=9D

Yep. That must be the reason.

***

There are some three-dozen mentions of =E2=80=9Ctruth=E2=80=9D in Vance=E2=
=80=99s new memoir,
=E2=80=9CCommunion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CThe truth is the truth,=E2=80=9D he writes of his Christian belief=
s. He writes
elsewhere about =E2=80=9Csearching for deeper truths=E2=80=9D and about the=
 importance of
=E2=80=9Chonest (and sometimes uncomfortable) truths,=E2=80=9D and he lamen=
ts that =E2=80=9Cpeople
trafficked in comfortable lies rather than accepting uncomfortable truths.=
=E2=80=9D

Vance cites a biblical passage: =E2=80=9CWhatsoever things are true, whatso=
ever
things are honest =E2=80=A6 if there be any virtue, and if there be any pra=
ise,
think on these things.=E2=80=9D Vance wrote that the passage =E2=80=9Cmade =
me feel like God
was speaking to me.=E2=80=9D

Evidently, Vance disagreed with God on this point, because his book tour
produced the same mix of flagrant dishonesty, vitriol and moral compromise
he has shown before.

Trump never said that affordability was a =E2=80=9Choax=E2=80=9D or that he=
 loved =E2=80=9Cthe
inflation,=E2=80=9D Vance asserted. Trump was the one who wanted to =E2=80=
=9Cget everything
out there=E2=80=9D from the Epstein files, because he was the moral paragon=
 who
=E2=80=9Cnarced on him to the police and led ultimately to Jeffrey Epstein=
=E2=80=99s
downfall.=E2=80=9D

On Greg Gutfeld=E2=80=99s Fox News show, Vance *alleged*
<https://x.com/Acyn/status/2067073616861380608?s=3D20> that congressional
Democrats =E2=80=9Care just terrible people, so many of them=E2=80=9D and t=
hat =E2=80=9Ctoo many
Democrats don=E2=80=99t show appreciation for the country.=E2=80=9D At a st=
op on Long
Island, Vance announced that =E2=80=9Cthey=E2=80=99ve become anti-Christian=
 in the
Democratic Party. They=E2=80=99ve become anti-white.=E2=80=9D

We=E2=80=99ve *seen all this before*
<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/opinion/jd-vance-trump-iran-hungary-orb=
an.html>
from Vance, who went from calling Trump =E2=80=9CAmerica=E2=80=99s Hitler=
=E2=80=9D to being his
vice president, who excused anti-Indian bigotry even though his wife and
children are of Indian descent, who claimed Ohioans had =E2=80=9Ctheir pets
abducted and eaten=E2=80=9D by Haitian immigrants, who campaigned for the
Kremlin-allied, far-right nationalist Viktor Orb=C3=A1n before his defeat i=
n
Hungary, who *warned the pope*
<https://www.ncronline.org/vance-questions-pope-just-war-theory-hours-after=
-leo-honored-its-founder>
to =E2=80=9Cbe careful when he talks about matters of theology.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CWhat are you willing to excuse in the name of power?=E2=80=9D Sara=
 Haines, a
self-described Christian, asked Vance during his appearance on ABC=E2=80=99=
s =E2=80=9CThe
View=E2=80=9D this week.

Apparently, everything. Haines asked Vance to reflect on his 2016 tweet
<https://x.com/KFILE/status/1410647434359881732> about Trump: =E2=80=9CFell=
ow
Christians, everyone is watching when we apologize for this man. Lord help
us.=E2=80=9D Vance replied that he had been wrong about Trump and that =E2=
=80=9Cmany of the
things that people said about him weren=E2=80=99t actually true.=E2=80=9D

On Sean Hannity=E2=80=99s Fox News show, Vance anointed Trump as =E2=80=9Ca=
 person of
faith.=E2=80=9D

Now he=E2=80=99s deploying that same moral elasticity to sell the Iran deal=
.

He appeared in the White House briefing room Thursday to assure the country
that the agreement is a =E2=80=9Cwin for the American people and for the pr=
esident=E2=80=9D
and =E2=80=9Can amazingly transformative thing=E2=80=9D =E2=80=94 while som=
ehow also saying it
would be =E2=80=9Cno skin off our backs=E2=80=9D to abandon the framework b=
efore Iran got
its money.

Why does the administration, which previously said its =E2=80=9CNo. 1=E2=80=
=9D war aim was
to =E2=80=9Craze their missile industry=E2=80=9D and leave it =E2=80=9Cobli=
terated,=E2=80=9D now say it=E2=80=99s
=E2=80=9Cunfair=E2=80=9D to take away Iran=E2=80=99s ballistic-missile capa=
bility?

=E2=80=9CWe haven=E2=80=99t abandoned the mission, we=E2=80=99ve accomplish=
ed that particular part
of the mission,=E2=80=9D Vance ventured.

He even blasted members of Netanyahu=E2=80=99s Cabinet, warning them agains=
t
=E2=80=9Cattacking the only powerful ally that [they] have anywhere left in=
 the
entire world=E2=80=9D and telling them to =E2=80=9Cwake up and smell the re=
ality of the
situation that country is in.=E2=80=9D

Vance was far out on a limb. Is he worried that Trump is going to make him
the fall guy?

=E2=80=9CI think the president was joking,=E2=80=9D Vance replied.

Talk about a person of faith.

*Dana Milbank is a NOTUS Perspectives columnist.*


NOTUS =C2=B7 PO Box 3605 =C2=B7 Washington, DC 20007 =C2=B7 USA

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div styl=
e=3D"font-family:Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">=
<div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;color:=
rgb(18,19,24);font-family:Inter,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px">=
<div style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;margin:auto 0px;padding:48px"><h1=
 style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-style:normal;font-size-adjust:no=
ne;font-stretch:normal;font-size:42px;line-height:46px;font-family:Georgia,=
Arial,sans-serif;margin:24px 0px 0px;letter-spacing:-0.02em;text-align:cent=
er">Vance, Trump and the Week of So Much Losing</h1><p style=3D"background-=
repeat:no-repeat;margin:24px 0px 0px;padding:0px;text-align:center"><span s=
tyle=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><span style=3D"background-repeat:no-re=
peat;font-style:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-weight:600;font-stretch:n=
ormal;font-size:14px;line-height:18px;font-family:Inter,Arial,sans-serif;di=
splay:block">Dana Milbank</span><span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;=
width:1px;min-height:1px">,</span><span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repea=
t;display:block;font-style:italic;font-size-adjust:none;font-stretch:normal=
;font-size:14px;line-height:18px;font-family:Inter,Arial,sans-serif"></span=
></span></p></div></div><div style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;max-width=
:728px;margin:0px auto;color:rgb(18,19,24);font-family:Inter,Arial,Helvetic=
a,sans-serif;font-size:18px"><div style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;marg=
in-top:36px"><div style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><p style=3D"backgro=
und-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;m=
argin:0px 0px 30px">Vice President JD Vance admitted this week to being a <=
span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://www.usatoday.=
com/story/news/politics/2026/06/16/jd-vance-the-view-epstein/90572118007/" =
style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb=
(46,174,246);text-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">=
<u style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">=E2=80=9Cconspiracy theorist,=E2=
=80=9D</u></a></span> so his paranoid mind must have been spinning during t=
he closing minute of President Donald Trump=E2=80=99s news conference at th=
e G7 in France on Wednesday.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;fon=
t-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Trump ca=
lled on Peter Doocy, even though the Fox News correspondent had already had=
 a turn. Doocy, asking why Trump planned to skip the signing ceremony in Sw=
itzerland for his Iran peace framework, suggested it might be so that Vance=
, representing the United States, would take the fall =E2=80=9Cif it doesn=
=E2=80=99t work out.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;fo=
nt-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">=E2=80=
=9CI like that idea,=E2=80=9D replied Trump. =E2=80=9CIf it works out, I=E2=
=80=99m going to take the credit. If it doesn=E2=80=99t work out, I=E2=80=
=99m blaming JD.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-f=
amily:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Trump had <=
span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://www.nytimes.c=
om/2026/04/07/opinion/jd-vance-trump-iran-hungary-orban.html" style=3D"back=
ground-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);=
text-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"b=
ackground-repeat:no-repeat">made similar jokes in private</u></a></span>, b=
ut now he was sacrificing Vance on, quite literally, the world stage. Over =
Trump=E2=80=99s left shoulder, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vance=E2=80=
=99s chief rival for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, managed t=
o keep a straight face. =E2=80=9CYou=E2=80=99d better be careful, JD,=E2=80=
=9D Trump added.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Geo=
rgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">With that, Trump wen=
t off to Versailles for dinner (=E2=80=9CI sort of like that palace, has a =
lot of gold=E2=80=9D) and left his understudy to explain how the United Sta=
tes managed to lose the war with Iran.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-=
repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px=
">Trump had made Vance the face of the Iran war from the start, assigning h=
im the task of negotiating its end even though he had opposed its beginning=
. This week, Vance suffered the exquisite bad luck of having the Iran deal =
announced just as he was launching his book tour, which meant he would have=
 to face ABC, CBS, CNN, CNBC, Fox and others for previously scheduled inter=
views.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial=
,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Vance vigorously defended the =
deal, assuring all that =E2=80=9Cit=E2=80=99s a great day for the American =
people=E2=80=9D and that it=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cso brilliant the way the pre=
sident structured this.=E2=80=9D He claimed that the deal meant that =E2=80=
=9CIran will never develop or procure a nuclear weapon,=E2=80=9D that =E2=
=80=9Cthey=E2=80=99ve committed to destroy and dispose of their stockpile o=
f highly enriched material=E2=80=9D and that the Strait of Hormuz =E2=80=9C=
is going to be opened in a toll-free way for the long term.=E2=80=9D</p><p =
style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;l=
ine-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">But then the text of the memorandum of unde=
rstanding came out. There were no enforcement provisions and only vague asp=
irations (Iran =E2=80=9Cagreed to discuss the issue of enrichment=E2=80=9D)=
 to be settled later. And Iran stood to receive $300 billion in new investm=
ent, perhaps $100 billion in frozen assets, an end to all sanctions and fre=
edom to keep its ballistic-missile program.</p><p style=3D"background-repea=
t:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30p=
x 0px">The deal seemed so unfavorable that U.S. officials felt it necessary=
 to tell reporters not to focus on the actual text, assuring them that they=
 had <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://x.com/a=
laynatreene/status/2067312892915937529" style=3D"background-repeat:no-repea=
t;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:underl=
ine" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-re=
peat">reached a =E2=80=9Cgentleman=E2=80=99s agreement=E2=80=9D</u></a></sp=
an> on the side with the Iranian regime.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:n=
o-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0=
px">Now the zealots who have been terrorizing the world and chanting =E2=80=
=9CDeath to America=E2=80=9D for 47 years are to be trusted as gentlemen?</=
p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-se=
rif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Trump gave away the game in his G7 new=
s conference, explaining that he was facing dwindling oil supplies. =E2=80=
=9CWe run out of reserves in about four weeks,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CW=
e would really run out, and it=E2=80=99ll be a time when you wouldn=E2=80=
=99t be able to get it. And you want to see bedlam?=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D=
"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-heig=
ht:1.8;margin:30px 0px">So he cried =E2=80=9Cuncle=E2=80=9D because he was =
afraid of gas lines.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family=
:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">But give Trump c=
redit. He recently <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"h=
ttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/read-transcript-president-dona=
ld-trump-interviewed-nbc-news-meet-press-rcna348508" style=3D"background-re=
peat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-deco=
ration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background=
-repeat:no-repeat">said</u></a></span> the United States was =E2=80=9Cin Vi=
etnam 19 years because of stupid people.=E2=80=9D Trump, the very stable ge=
nius, managed to lose the Iran war in just over three months =E2=80=94 a ma=
rvel of efficiency.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:=
Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">And Vance gets th=
e blame. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro <span style=3D"background-rep=
eat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://x.com/atrupar/status/2067331463096201241?=
s=3D20" style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;c=
olor:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"=
_blank"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">faulted him</u></a></span>=
 for the =E2=80=9Cdisaster=E2=80=9D of an agreement: =E2=80=9CIn my opinion=
, the vice president, the chief negotiator, has not well served the preside=
nt.=E2=80=9D Marc Thiessen condemned the <span style=3D"background-repeat:n=
o-repeat"><a href=3D"https://x.com/marcthiessen/status/2066832498953269698?=
s=3D20" style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;c=
olor:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"=
_blank"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">=E2=80=9CVance peace deal.=
=E2=80=9D</u></a></span> Sen. Lindsey Graham labeled Vance the <span style=
=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://x.com/LindseyGrahamSC/s=
tatus/2066294532220580103?s=3D20" style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;back=
ground-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:underline" r=
el=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">=
=E2=80=9Carchitect of the deal=E2=80=9D</u></a></span> and Ben Domenech <sp=
an style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://www.yahoo.com/n=
ews/politics/articles/fox-ben-domenech-shreds-trump-145445422.html" style=
=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,1=
74,246);text-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u st=
yle=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">lamented</u></a></span> this =E2=80=9C=
=E2=80=98Hillbilly Obama=E2=80=99 kind of GOP.=E2=80=9D In Israel, a TV hos=
t close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu <span style=3D"background-repe=
at:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/world/middleeas=
t/israel-channel-14-trump-criticism.html" style=3D"background-repeat:no-rep=
eat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:unde=
rline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-=
repeat">referred to Vance as =E2=80=9Cscum.=E2=80=9D</u></a></span></p><p s=
tyle=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;li=
ne-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Vance, watching his presidential ambitions t=
urn to nuclear dust, tried to laugh it off on Megyn Kelly=E2=80=99s show.</=
p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-se=
rif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">=E2=80=9CWhat is the progress of the d=
eal? How=E2=80=99s it going?=E2=80=9D she asked.</p><p style=3D"background-=
repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margi=
n:30px 0px">=E2=80=9CHahahahahahaha.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-rep=
eat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:3=
0px 0px">She asked about Domenech=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Chillbilly=E2=80=9D ins=
ult.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,s=
ans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">=E2=80=9CHahahahahahaha.=E2=80=
=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sa=
ns-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">She asked about Thiessen=E2=80=99=
s =E2=80=9CVance peace deal=E2=80=9D line.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat=
:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px=
 0px">=E2=80=9CHahahaha. I wonder why he doesn=E2=80=99t call it the Trump =
deal.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georg=
ia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Yes, Mr. Vice Presiden=
t, you=E2=80=99ve been set up. It=E2=80=99s a conspiracy</p><p style=3D"bac=
kground-repeat:no-repeat;text-align:center;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-s=
erif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">***</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:=
no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px =
0px">It can now be stated, with complete objectivity, that Trump has brough=
t scum to Washington.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-famil=
y:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Two weeks ago, =
he sat in the Oval Office, <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a h=
ref=3D"https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4594088/trump-ma=
kes-splash-oval-office-chart-reflecting-pool-skyscrapers/" style=3D"backgro=
und-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);tex=
t-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"back=
ground-repeat:no-repeat">boasting about his renovations</u></a></span> to t=
he Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, accomplished through a $15 million no-=
bid contract to paint the thing =E2=80=9CAmerican Flag Blue.=E2=80=9D</p><p=
 style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;=
line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">=E2=80=9CWe did a fantastic job,=E2=80=9D =
Trump said. While renovation efforts by President Barack Obama =E2=80=9Cfai=
led miserably,=E2=80=9D Trump explained that he is =E2=80=9Cvery good at bu=
ilding things=E2=80=9D and these improvements would =E2=80=9Clast for 50 to=
 100 years before you have to do anything.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"backgrou=
nd-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;ma=
rgin:30px 0px">They lasted for about five days. Then the pool filled up wit=
h <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://www.notus.=
org/metro/trump-american-flag-blue-reflecting-pool-is-green-with-algae" sty=
le=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46=
,174,246);text-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u =
style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">thick, green algae</u></a></span>. Th=
e National Park Service has been working furiously to fight the algal bloom=
 with hydrogen peroxide and ozone nanobubbles. As the saying goes: Everythi=
ng Trump Touches Turns to Green Slime.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-=
repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px=
">There is so much losing for the administration right now.</p><p style=3D"=
background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-heigh=
t:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Trump spent the last 18 months harassing then-Fed Ch=
air Jerome Powell to cut interest rates. Now his handpicked replacement, Ke=
vin Warsh, is on the job =E2=80=94 and the Fed this week signaled a rate <i=
 style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">increase</i> is <span style=3D"backg=
round-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-bank=
ing/federal-reserve-interest-rate-decision-bd700510" style=3D"background-re=
peat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-deco=
ration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background=
-repeat:no-repeat">more likely this year</u></a></span> than a cut, because=
 of rising inflation. Warsh said the governors =E2=80=9Care unambiguous and=
 unanimous. This committee will deliver price stability.=E2=80=9D</p><p sty=
le=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line=
-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Trump=E2=80=99s endorsed candidate for governo=
r of Georgia lost in a primary, and Trump=E2=80=99s preferred candidate for=
 Senate, who won, had already been leading before Trump endorsed him. Trump=
, once gifted at assigning nicknames, could do no better than refer to the =
incumbent, Jon Ossoff, as =E2=80=9Cfailed Dumocrat Senator, Os(jerk!)off.=
=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Ar=
ial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Trump=E2=80=99s cage-fight =
extravaganza at the White House for his birthday turned ugly when one of th=
e winning fighters <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"h=
ttps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/06/15/after-white-house-bout-uf=
c-fighter-disparages-michelle-obama-man/" style=3D"background-repeat:no-rep=
eat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:unde=
rline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-=
repeat">used his moment at the microphone</u></a></span> to shout, =E2=80=
=9CMichelle Obama is a man!=E2=80=9D Trump had nothing to say about it. Tru=
mp=E2=80=99s hapless FBI director, Kash Patel, boasted on social media that=
 a plot to attack the fighting exhibition had been foiled =E2=80=94 but he =
did so <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://www.m=
s.now/news/kash-patel-white-house-ufc-attack-secret-service" style=3D"backg=
round-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);t=
ext-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"ba=
ckground-repeat:no-repeat">before law enforcement could round up all the su=
spects</u></a></span>.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-fami=
ly:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Trump, with a =
post on his Truth Social platform heralding =E2=80=9Ca slight bit of intrig=
ue,=E2=80=9D blew up attempts in Congress to renew a crucial surveillance p=
rogram by insisting that it be attached to his attempt to restrict voting, =
which has no chance of passing.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;=
font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Trump=
 also announced that Bill Pulte, a partisan with no intelligence experience=
, would lead the nation=E2=80=99s intelligence services. Even that seems mo=
re defensible than Trump=E2=80=99s pick for general counsel of the Federal =
Labor Relations Authority, who was asked at his confirmation hearing this w=
eek about a <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://=
www.notus.org/agencies/trump-federal-labor-board-pick-history-carolina-revi=
ew" style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color=
:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_bla=
nk"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">college publication he ran tha=
t featured a Jewish student with horns and pitchfork</u></a></span>. =E2=80=
=9CI would not say it=E2=80=99s antisemitic,=E2=80=9D he testified.</p><p s=
tyle=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;li=
ne-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Where does Trump, who appeared to be tired a=
nd breathing heavily in France this week, find the energy to produce so man=
y provocations? Maybe he was inspired by the quote attributed to Teddy Roos=
evelt on a four-story banner hanging from the Office of Personnel Managemen=
t: =E2=80=9CCourage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on whe=
n you don=E2=80=99t have the strength.=E2=80=9D As my friend Sammy Westfall=
 at The Washington Post noted, TR <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repea=
t"><a href=3D"https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2026/06/16/teddy-roos=
evelt-quote-adorns-dc-building-he-probably-didnt-say-it/" style=3D"backgrou=
nd-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text=
-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"backg=
round-repeat:no-repeat">never said such a thing.</u></a></span></p><p style=
=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-h=
eight:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Yet Trump continues to live his best life: dinin=
g on asparagus with lobster and caviar at Versailles; reportedly working wi=
th Los Angeles Olympics organizers to <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-r=
epeat"><a href=3D"https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/16/olympic-organize=
rs-collaborating-trump-golf-tournament-00962968?utm_content=3Dpolitico/maga=
zine/Politics&amp;utm_source=3Dflipboard" style=3D"background-repeat:no-rep=
eat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:unde=
rline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-=
repeat">funnel business to his golf course</u></a></span>; repurposing mone=
y meant for the Secret Service to <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repea=
t"><a href=3D"https://www.notus.org/congress/white-house-secret-service-fun=
ding-congress-ballroom-construction" style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;b=
ackground-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:underline=
" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-repea=
t">build his White House ballroom</u></a></span>; using the White House to =
promote the Ultimate Fighting Championship, in whose parent company <span s=
tyle=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://www.nytimes.com/202=
6/06/14/us/politics/trump-ufc-tko-group.html" style=3D"background-repeat:no=
-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:=
underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background-repeat=
:no-repeat">he owns stock</u></a></span>; and being hailed by winning UFC f=
ighters at the White House like gladiators saluting the emperor.</p><p styl=
e=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-=
height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">At the G7, Trump was his erratic self, comparin=
g himself favorably to Herbert Hoover, declaring that Iran has a =E2=80=9Cp=
rimitive culture=E2=80=9D in which half the people are named Mohammed, anno=
uncing that =E2=80=9CMexico has lost control of their country=E2=80=9D and =
that =E2=80=9CAfghanistan is kissing our ass.=E2=80=9D He <span style=3D"ba=
ckground-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/wo=
rld/middleeast/trump-iran-deal-obama.html" style=3D"background-repeat:no-re=
peat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:und=
erline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no=
-repeat">called Obama</u></a></span> a =E2=80=9Cstupid son of a bitch.=E2=
=80=9D He reiterated that =E2=80=9Cthe word =E2=80=98affordability=E2=80=99=
 is a fake word made up by the Democrats.=E2=80=9D And he proclaimed his lo=
ve for strongmen. India=E2=80=99s Narendra Modi: =E2=80=9CLook at this man.=
 He=E2=80=99s the most beautiful looking man. He=E2=80=99s so nice, he=E2=
=80=99s like an angel.=E2=80=9D Egypt=E2=80=99s Abdel Fattah el-Sisi: =E2=
=80=9CHe was in a hotel and I met him. <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-=
repeat"><a href=3D"https://x.com/atrupar/status/2067210512308265420?s=3D20"=
 style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rg=
b(46,174,246);text-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"=
><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">We fell in love, deeply in love</=
u></a></span>. ... We had great chemistry, and I stayed twice as long as I =
was supposed to.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-f=
amily:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Most proble=
matic, at least for Vance, was Trump=E2=80=99s praise for the Iranian regim=
e. It was =E2=80=9Cnice=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Cfine=E2=80=9D and run by =E2=
=80=9Cvery rational people=E2=80=9D who are =E2=80=9Cgoing to behave much d=
ifferently=E2=80=9D going forward, he attested.</p><p style=3D"background-r=
epeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin=
:30px 0px">He saw no reason to deny Iran ballistic missiles (=E2=80=9CThey =
have to have some=E2=80=9D) or its frozen assets (=E2=80=9CWe have taken a =
lot of their money. It=E2=80=99s not our money.=E2=80=9D). He admitted noth=
ing in the deal was enforceable (=E2=80=9CDoesn=E2=80=99t have to be=E2=80=
=9D) and dismissed the significance of Iran=E2=80=99s enriched uranium stoc=
kpiles (=E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s not important that we do it quickly=E2=80=9D)=
.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans=
-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">But will he be able to convince Ame=
ricans of this?</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Geor=
gia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">=E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s=
 very tough,=E2=80=9D a self-pitying Trump said, =E2=80=9Cbecause I never g=
et good stories.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-f=
amily:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Yep. That m=
ust be the reason.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;text-align:ce=
nter;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">=
***</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sa=
ns-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">There are some three-dozen mentio=
ns of =E2=80=9Ctruth=E2=80=9D in Vance=E2=80=99s new memoir, =E2=80=9CCommu=
nion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repe=
at:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30=
px 0px">=E2=80=9CThe truth is the truth,=E2=80=9D he writes of his Christia=
n beliefs. He writes elsewhere about =E2=80=9Csearching for deeper truths=
=E2=80=9D and about the importance of =E2=80=9Chonest (and sometimes uncomf=
ortable) truths,=E2=80=9D and he laments that =E2=80=9Cpeople trafficked in=
 comfortable lies rather than accepting uncomfortable truths.=E2=80=9D</p><=
p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif=
;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Vance cites a biblical passage: =E2=80=9C=
Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest =E2=80=A6 if there=
 be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.=E2=80=9D=
 Vance wrote that the passage =E2=80=9Cmade me feel like God was speaking t=
o me.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georg=
ia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Evidently, Vance disag=
reed with God on this point, because his book tour produced the same mix of=
 flagrant dishonesty, vitriol and moral compromise he has shown before.</p>=
<p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-seri=
f;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">Trump never said that affordability was =
a =E2=80=9Choax=E2=80=9D or that he loved =E2=80=9Cthe inflation,=E2=80=9D =
Vance asserted. Trump was the one who wanted to =E2=80=9Cget everything out=
 there=E2=80=9D from the Epstein files, because he was the moral paragon wh=
o =E2=80=9Cnarced on him to the police and led ultimately to Jeffrey Epstei=
n=E2=80=99s downfall.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;f=
ont-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">On Gre=
g Gutfeld=E2=80=99s Fox News show, Vance <span style=3D"background-repeat:n=
o-repeat"><a href=3D"https://x.com/Acyn/status/2067073616861380608?s=3D20" =
style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb=
(46,174,246);text-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">=
<u style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">alleged</u></a></span> that congre=
ssional Democrats =E2=80=9Care just terrible people, so many of them=E2=80=
=9D and that =E2=80=9Ctoo many Democrats don=E2=80=99t show appreciation fo=
r the country.=E2=80=9D At a stop on Long Island, Vance announced that =E2=
=80=9Cthey=E2=80=99ve become anti-Christian in the Democratic Party. They=
=E2=80=99ve become anti-white.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no=
-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0p=
x">We=E2=80=99ve <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"htt=
ps://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/07/opinion/jd-vance-trump-iran-hungary-orban.h=
tml" style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:transparent;colo=
r:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_bl=
ank"><u style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">seen all this before</u></a><=
/span> from Vance, who went from calling Trump =E2=80=9CAmerica=E2=80=99s H=
itler=E2=80=9D to being his vice president, who excused anti-Indian bigotry=
 even though his wife and children are of Indian descent, who claimed Ohioa=
ns had =E2=80=9Ctheir pets abducted and eaten=E2=80=9D by Haitian immigrant=
s, who campaigned for the Kremlin-allied, far-right nationalist Viktor Orb=
=C3=A1n before his defeat in Hungary, who <span style=3D"background-repeat:=
no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://www.ncronline.org/vance-questions-pope-just-w=
ar-theory-hours-after-leo-honored-its-founder" style=3D"background-repeat:n=
o-repeat;background-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration=
:underline" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"><u style=3D"background-repea=
t:no-repeat">warned the pope</u></a></span> to =E2=80=9Cbe careful when he =
talks about matters of theology.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:=
no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px =
0px">=E2=80=9CWhat are you willing to excuse in the name of power?=E2=80=9D=
 Sara Haines, a self-described Christian, asked Vance during his appearance=
 on ABC=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CThe View=E2=80=9D this week.</p><p style=3D"back=
ground-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.=
8;margin:30px 0px">Apparently, everything. Haines asked Vance to reflect on=
 <span style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat"><a href=3D"https://x.com/KFILE=
/status/1410647434359881732" style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;backgroun=
d-color:transparent;color:rgb(46,174,246);text-decoration:underline" rel=3D=
"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">his 2016 tweet</a>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"=
font-family:Inter,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;background-color:transparent">=
about Trump: =E2=80=9CFellow Christians, everyone is watching when we apolo=
gize for this man. Lord help us.=E2=80=9D Vance replied that he had been wr=
ong about Trump and that =E2=80=9Cmany of the things that people said about=
 him weren=E2=80=99t actually true.=E2=80=9D</span></p><p></p><p style=3D"b=
ackground-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height=
:1.8;margin:30px 0px">On Sean Hannity=E2=80=99s Fox News show, Vance anoint=
ed Trump as =E2=80=9Ca person of faith.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-=
repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margi=
n:30px 0px">Now he=E2=80=99s deploying that same moral elasticity to sell t=
he Iran deal.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgi=
a,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">He appeared in the Whit=
e House briefing room Thursday to assure the country that the agreement is =
a =E2=80=9Cwin for the American people and for the president=E2=80=9D and =
=E2=80=9Can amazingly transformative thing=E2=80=9D =E2=80=94 while somehow=
 also saying it would be =E2=80=9Cno skin off our backs=E2=80=9D to abandon=
 the framework before Iran got its money.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:=
no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px =
0px">Why does the administration, which previously said its =E2=80=9CNo. 1=
=E2=80=9D war aim was to =E2=80=9Craze their missile industry=E2=80=9D and =
leave it =E2=80=9Cobliterated,=E2=80=9D now say it=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cunfai=
r=E2=80=9D to take away Iran=E2=80=99s ballistic-missile capability?</p><p =
style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;l=
ine-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">=E2=80=9CWe haven=E2=80=99t abandoned the m=
ission, we=E2=80=99ve accomplished that particular part of the mission,=E2=
=80=9D Vance ventured.</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-fami=
ly:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">He even blaste=
d members of Netanyahu=E2=80=99s Cabinet, warning them against =E2=80=9Catt=
acking the only powerful ally that [they] have anywhere left in the entire =
world=E2=80=9D and telling them to =E2=80=9Cwake up and smell the reality o=
f the situation that country is in.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"background-repe=
at:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30=
px 0px">Vance was far out on a limb. Is he worried that Trump is going to m=
ake him the fall guy?</p><p style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat;font-famil=
y:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30px 0px">=E2=80=9CI thin=
k the president was joking,=E2=80=9D Vance replied.</p><p style=3D"backgrou=
nd-repeat:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;ma=
rgin:30px 0px">Talk about a person of faith.</p><p style=3D"background-repe=
at:no-repeat;font-family:Georgia,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.8;margin:30=
px 0px"><i style=3D"background-repeat:no-repeat">Dana Milbank is a NOTUS Pe=
rspectives columnist.</i></p></div></div></div></div><br></div></div><div><=
/div></div><div id=3D"m_1024020468143895925ydp4ae2dcd1yahoo_quoted_25779080=
09"><div style=3D"font-family:&#39;Helvetica Neue&#39;,Helvetica,Arial,sans=
-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a"><div><div id=3D"m_1024020468143895925y=
dp4ae2dcd1yiv8828670447"><div><center><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"=
 cellspacing=3D"0" width=3D"100%" id=3D"m_1024020468143895925ydp4ae2dcd1yiv=
8828670447canspamBarWrapper" style=3D"background-color:rgb(255,255,255);bor=
der-top:1px solid rgb(229,229,229);border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td=
 align=3D"center" valign=3D"top" style=3D"padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:2=
0px"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" id=3D"m_102402=
0468143895925ydp4ae2dcd1yiv8828670447canspamBar" style=3D"border-collapse:c=
ollapse"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center" valign=3D"top" style=3D"color:#606=
060;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;line-height:150%;=
padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:5px;padding-left:20px;text-align:center">=
<br>
                                        NOTUS =C2=B7 PO Box 3605 =C2=B7 Was=
hington, DC 20007 =C2=B7 USA
                                        <br>
                                        <br>

                                    </td>
                                </tr>
                            </tbody></table>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </tbody></table><br>
               =20
            </center></div></div></div>
            </div>
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Subject: [Salon] Trump Wants a New Contractor in the War on Hezbollah. Syria
 Doesn't Want the Job
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*https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-06-18/ty-article/=
.premium/trump-wants-a-new-contractor-in-the-war-on-hezbollah-syria-doesnt-=
want-the-job/0000019e-d7bf-d6a3-a5be-f7ff7ab30000
<https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-06-18/ty-article/=
.premium/trump-wants-a-new-contractor-in-the-war-on-hezbollah-syria-doesnt-=
want-the-job/0000019e-d7bf-d6a3-a5be-f7ff7ab30000>*

6/18/26

*Trump Wants a New Contractor in the War on Hezbollah. Syria Doesn't Want
the Job *-
[image: Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa meeting U.S. President Donald
Trump at the White House last year.]
*Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa meeting U.S. President Donald Trump at
the White House last year. Credit: Syrian Presidency Press Office/Handout
via AP*

*The president of the United States, in a moment of honesty and based on
his experience as a real estate entrepreneur, presented his new plan for
solving the war in Lebanon. "If Israel can't do the job without killing
everyone else, he'll do the job, Syria will do the job," Donald Trump said
on Tuesday, referring to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, during a meeting
with the Qatari prime minister at the G7 meeting in France.*

*"He's [al-Sharaa] very capable. And he's been very good for me. He's
protected everything that I've asked for=E2=80=A6 And if Israel can't do th=
e
job without killing everyone else, he'll do the job."*

*That's how it is in a business where time is money. When a construction
project takes too long to complete and results in too many houses being
needlessly demolished, there's no choice but to replace the contractor.
Israel should have been alert to the fact that Trump doesn't see eye to eye
with it about the Lebanon theatre, which has rapidly turned from an Israeli
battleground into a bargaining chip for Iran in a game Trump has already
forfeited.*
<https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections>
[image: President Ahmed al-Sharaa, then-leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat
Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), addresses a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad
Mosque in December 2024.]
*President Ahmed al-Sharaa, then-leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir
al-Sham (HTS), addresses a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque
in December 2024. Credit: Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP*

*Because, beyond Iran's aspirations for preserving Hezbollah's standing and
strength, Lebanon is an inseparable part of the tangible guarantees Tehran
is demanding as proof that the U.S. can meet its commitments. The
cease-fire in Lebanon, like its demand for the early release of billions of
dollars frozen in overseas banks and the lifting of the Hormuz blockade, is
all one package of opening conditions Iran demanded before negotiations
begin on Friday.*

*The idea of handing over the war with Hezbollah from Israel to the Syrian
contractor is a little reminiscent of the far-fetched idea of using Kurdish
militias to help overthrow the Iranian regime. Al-Sharaa, a Sunni leader
who overthrew the Assad regime, despises Iran and has a long-standing feud
with Hezbollah (which murdered many of his men during the Syrian civil
war), should be passionately motivated to crush the organization. He has a
growing army and a handful of militias that may just be chomping at the bit
for new wars after al-Sharaa clamped down on them after taking power. What
could be better than a bloody gang war inside Lebanon that will annihilate
Hezbollah within "two or three weeks"?*

*But if we take seriously the latest twist in Trump's strategic thinking,
note that the same Iran that dictated the terms of the cease-fire in
Lebanon to him and Israel could just as easily demand that Syrian forces
stay out of Lebanon.*

   - *Israel's defeat in Iran isn't a disaster =E2=80=93 it's an opportunit=
y to
   face the truth Gideon Levy*
   - *IDF officials: Iran deal could force military to backtrack Lebanon
   incursion Yaniv Kubovich*
   - *'Quiet scarier than noise': Residents of northern Israel feel
   abandoned =E2=80=93 again Adi Hashmonai*

*But it is unlikely that Iran will have to intervene at all, since
Al-Sharaa has already made it clear that he is not interested in the
project. With all the respect and friendship he has for Trump, and Syria's
dependence on the U.S. administration, a military entanglement in Lebanon,
while Syria itself is seething with violence and is not yet stabilized
militarily and administratively, is not a realistic option.*

*Al-Sharaa recently made clear that "the time when Syria intervened
militarily in Lebanon is over." The two countries held complex talks over
many long weeks about how to improve bilateral relations, among other ways
by an exchange of prisoners, coordinating border controls to prevent
smuggling and especially delineating their joint border, a subject that is
closely connected to negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.*
[image: Israeli army soldiers patrol along the northern road near Moshav
Margaliot in the Upper Galilee bordering Lebanon on June 9, 2026, after a
shooting incident at IDF soldiers operating in the Ramim Ridge area.]
*Israeli army soldiers patrol along the northern road near Moshav Margaliot
in the Upper Galilee bordering Lebanon on June 9, 2026, after a shooting
incident at IDF soldiers operating in the Ramim Ridge area. Credit:
AFP/JALAA MAREY*

*At the same time, Syria demanded that Lebanon coordinate any diplomatic
move with Israel regarding security arrangements and the Israeli presence
on Lebanese territory. Damascus is concerned that if Lebanon agrees to a
continued Israeli presence on its territory, even temporarily, it could
serve as a precedent for Israel receiving American permission to remain on
Syrian territory.*

*Above and beyond these issues, Lebanon still bears the trauma of Syria's
years-long presence in Lebanon. Any hint of a Syrian return, even in a war
against Hezbollah, makes the Lebanese anxious.*

*But even if in his heart of hearts al-Sharaa did want to make war on
Hezbollah, his political and military policies are subject to Saudi
consent, or at least close coordination with Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is
funding a large part of Syria's current expenses and, with Turkey, which
was a critical ally in Al-Sharaa's bringing down the Assad regime, is today
helping to rebuild the Syrian army. Both countries are investing heavily
not only in stabilizing Syria and reviving its economy, but also see eye to
eye on the urgent need to enable the government of Lebanon to reassert
sovereignty over all its territory.*

*A week ago, a Hezbollah member of the Lebanese parliament, Al Fayyad,
revealed that a Hezbollah delegation had met with Turkish officials, who
assured them that Syria had no intention of sending an army into Lebanon.*
[image: This picture taken from a position in the Upper Galilee in northern
Israel, near the Israel-Lebanon border, shows Israeli army vehicles
positioned along the border on June 17, 2026.]
*This picture taken from a position in the Upper Galilee in northern
Israel, near the Israel-Lebanon border, shows Israeli army vehicles
positioned along the border on June 17, 2026. Credit: AFP/JACK GUEZ*

*Turkey's ability to make commitments on behalf of Syria should come as no
surprise. What is interesting is that Hezbollah turned to Turkey out of
recognition of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo=C4=9Fan's ability to
influence Trump, thereby giving Ankara a foothold in a place in which it
has rarely been active (except for humanitarian aid). That places Ankara in
competition with Israel.*

*In the meantime, fearing massive pressure from Washington on the Lebanon
issue and after consulting with Turkey, al-Sharaa decided to postpone his
trip to Washington that had been planned for mid-June. No new date for the
meeting with Trump has been set.*

*Syria will not intervene in Lebanon, but no one can ignore the sharpened
arrow that Trump shot at Netanyahu when he cast serious doubt on Israel's
ability to achieve the goals for which it occupied a swathe of Lebanese
territory, killed thousands of people, and destroyed villages and towns.
The immediate implication is that Israel's room for maneuver in Lebanon
will be shrinking even further. Coordination between Washington and
Tehran is closer than that between Trump and Netanyahu, who is still trying
to convince him that the drops falling on him are summer rain.*
[image: People react as Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem
addresses crowds via a giant screen during the first day of Ashura
commemorations at the mausoleum of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah
in Beirut's southern suburbs on June 17, 2026.]
*People react as Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem addresses
crowds via a giant screen during the first day of Ashura commemorations at
the mausoleum of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut's
southern suburbs on June 17, 2026. Credit: AFP/ANWAR AMRO*

*In this murky atmosphere, another meeting between the Israeli and Lebanese
delegations is planned for next Monday. With negotiations between Iran and
the U.S. beginning in the background, it is still unclear what will be on
the agenda.*

*Will Israel be required to present a timetable for the establishment of
the "pilot zones" from which it is supposed to withdraw and allow the
deployment of Lebanese forces? Is there a clear Iranian condition for a
comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon? If so, what is the
U.S. position? Will the Lebanese government be able to continue
implementing the Hezbollah disarmament plan, or will Iran veto that? In
short, how will it be possible to advance negotiations with Lebanon on
security coordination and later on formal relations when these are subject
to the success or failure of negotiations between Iran and the U.S.?*

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:geor=
gia,serif;background-color:transparent"><a href=3D"https://www.haaretz.com/=
israel-news/israel-security/2026-06-18/ty-article/.premium/trump-wants-a-ne=
w-contractor-in-the-war-on-hezbollah-syria-doesnt-want-the-job/0000019e-d7b=
f-d6a3-a5be-f7ff7ab30000" target=3D"_blank">https://www.haaretz.com/israel-=
news/israel-security/2026-06-18/ty-article/.premium/trump-wants-a-new-contr=
actor-in-the-war-on-hezbollah-syria-doesnt-want-the-job/0000019e-d7bf-d6a3-=
a5be-f7ff7ab30000</a></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><br></=
div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">6/18/26</div><div dir=3D"ltr"><di=
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gin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>Trump Wants a New Contractor in th=
e War on Hezbollah. Syria Doesn&#39;t Want the Job </i></font><font size=3D=
"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">-=C2=A0</font></font></h1><div style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"Syria&#39;s President =
Ahmad al-Sharaa meeting U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House last=
 year. Credit: Syrian Presidency Press Office/Handout via AP" alt=3D"Syria&=
#39;s President Ahmad al-Sharaa meeting U.S. President Donald Trump at the =
White House last year." width=3D"412" height=3D"239" src=3D"https://img.haa=
rets.co.il/bs/0000019b-0dd2-d153-abbf-edf731910001/ed/f5/431164774bf49baffb=
c2aaf91e0e/306449.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D244&amp;cmsprod" style=
=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><font face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top=
:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Syria&#39;s President Ahmad al-Sharaa meeting=
 U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House last year.</span><span>=C2=
=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.2=
5em">Credit: Syrian Presidency Press Office/Handout via AP</span></b></font=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000=
"><b>The president of the United States, in a moment of honesty and based o=
n his experience as a real estate entrepreneur, presented his new plan for =
solving the war in Lebanon. &quot;If Israel can&#39;t do the job without ki=
lling everyone else, he&#39;ll do the job, Syria will do the job,&quot; Don=
ald Trump said on Tuesday, referring to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, d=
uring a meeting with the Qatari prime minister at the G7 meeting in France.=
</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" co=
lor=3D"#000000"><b>&quot;He&#39;s [al-Sharaa] very capable. And he&#39;s be=
en very good for me. He&#39;s protected everything that I&#39;ve asked for=
=E2=80=A6 And<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"max-width:100%">if Israel can&#=
39;t do the job<span>=C2=A0</span></a>without killing everyone else, he&#39=
;ll do the job.&quot;</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b>That&#39;s how it is in a business=
 where time is money. When a construction project takes too long to complet=
e and results in too many houses being needlessly demolished, there&#39;s n=
o choice but to replace the contractor. Israel should have been alert to th=
e fact that Trump doesn&#39;t see eye to eye with it about the Lebanon thea=
tre, which has rapidly turned from an Israeli battleground into a bargainin=
g chip for Iran in a game Trump has already forfeited.</b></font></p><a hre=
f=3D"https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections" style=3D"text-decoratio=
n:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif" c=
olor=3D"#000000"></font></b></a><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D=
"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"President Ahmed al-Sharaa, then-leader of Sy=
ria&#39;s Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), addresses a crowd at the cap=
ital&#39;s landmark Umayyad Mosque in December 2024. Credit: Abdulaziz Keta=
z/AFP" alt=3D"President Ahmed al-Sharaa, then-leader of Syria&#39;s Islamis=
t Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), addresses a crowd at the capital&#39;s landma=
rk Umayyad Mosque in December 2024." width=3D"412" height=3D"276" src=3D"ht=
tps://img.haarets.co.il/bs/00000197-e665-d508-a997-e6659e400000/39/58/27879=
b1f46daa151e2a9e3fc7392/170871.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D281&amp;cm=
sprod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><fon=
t face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b><span style=3D"max-width:100=
%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">President Ahmed al-Sharaa, then-l=
eader of Syria&#39;s Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), addresses a crowd=
 at the capital&#39;s landmark Umayyad Mosque in December 2024.</span><span=
>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom=
:0.25em">Credit: Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP</span></b></font><p style=3D"max-width=
:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b>Because, beyond I=
ran&#39;s aspirations for preserving Hezbollah&#39;s standing and strength,=
 Lebanon is an inseparable part of the tangible guarantees Tehran is demand=
ing as proof that the U.S. can meet its commitments. The cease-fire in Leba=
non, like its demand for the early release of billions of dollars frozen in=
 overseas banks and the<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"max-width:100%">lifti=
ng of the Hormuz blockade</a>, is all one package of opening conditions<spa=
n>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"max-width:100%">Iran demanded before negotiation=
s begin</a><span>=C2=A0</span>on Friday.</b></font></p><div style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div =
style=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin=
-bottom:0.4em"></p><h5 style=3D"margin:1em 0px;max-width:100%"><b style=3D"=
color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:small;background-color=
:transparent">The idea of handing over the war with Hezbollah from Israel t=
o the Syrian contractor is a little reminiscent of the far-fetched idea of =
using Kurdish militias to help overthrow the Iranian regime. Al-Sharaa, a S=
unni leader who overthrew the Assad regime, despises Iran and has a long-st=
anding feud with Hezbollah (which murdered many of his men during the Syria=
n civil war), should be passionately motivated to crush the organization. H=
e has a growing army and a handful of militias that may just be chomping at=
 the bit for new wars after al-Sharaa clamped down on them after taking pow=
er. What could be better than a bloody gang war inside Lebanon that will an=
nihilate Hezbollah within &quot;two or three weeks&quot;?</b></h5></div></d=
iv></div></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" co=
lor=3D"#000000"><b>But if we take seriously the latest twist in Trump&#39;s=
 strategic thinking, note that the same Iran that dictated the terms of the=
 cease-fire in Lebanon to him and Israel could just as easily demand that S=
yrian forces stay out of Lebanon.</b></font></p><ul style=3D"max-width:100%=
"><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><a style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b><span style=3D"max-width:100%"></span>Is=
rael&#39;s defeat in Iran isn&#39;t a disaster =E2=80=93 it&#39;s an opport=
unity to face the truth<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Gi=
deon Levy</span></b></font></a></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><a style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b><spa=
n style=3D"max-width:100%"></span>IDF officials: Iran deal could force mili=
tary to backtrack Lebanon incursion<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%">Yaniv Kubovich</span></b></font></a></li><li style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><a style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#00=
0000"><b><span style=3D"max-width:100%"></span>&#39;Quiet scarier than nois=
e&#39;: Residents of northern Israel feel abandoned =E2=80=93 again<span>=
=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Adi Hashmonai</span></b></font>=
</a></li></ul><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" col=
or=3D"#000000"><b>But it is unlikely that Iran will have to intervene at al=
l, since Al-Sharaa has already made it clear that he is not interested in t=
he project. With all the respect and friendship he has for Trump, and Syria=
&#39;s dependence on the U.S. administration, a military entanglement in Le=
banon, while Syria itself is seething with violence and is not yet stabiliz=
ed militarily and administratively, is not a realistic option.</b></font></=
p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#00000=
0"><b>Al-Sharaa recently made clear that &quot;the time when Syria interven=
ed militarily in Lebanon is over.&quot; The two countries held complex talk=
s over many long weeks about<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"max-width:100%">=
how to improve bilateral relations</a>, among other ways by an exchange of =
prisoners, coordinating border controls to prevent smuggling and especially=
 delineating their joint border, a subject that is closely connected to neg=
otiations between Lebanon and Israel.</b></font></p><div style=3D"max-width=
:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"Israeli army soldiers pa=
trol along the northern road near Moshav Margaliot in the Upper Galilee bor=
dering Lebanon on June 9, 2026, after a shooting incident at IDF soldiers o=
perating in the Ramim Ridge area. Credit: AFP/JALAA MAREY" alt=3D"Israeli a=
rmy soldiers patrol along the northern road near Moshav Margaliot in the Up=
per Galilee bordering Lebanon on June 9, 2026, after a shooting incident at=
 IDF soldiers operating in the Ramim Ridge area." width=3D"412" height=3D"2=
76" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-d65a-dae9-afdf-defb5bc1000=
0/9e/47/33662b594a09a5a0081f3affa267/299309.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=
=3D281&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></d=
iv></div><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b><span style=3D"=
max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Israeli army soldier=
s patrol along the northern road near Moshav Margaliot in the Upper Galilee=
 bordering Lebanon on June 9, 2026, after a shooting incident at IDF soldie=
rs operating in the Ramim Ridge area.</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=
=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: AFP/JALA=
A MAREY</span></b></font><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia,=
 serif" color=3D"#000000"><b>At the same time, Syria demanded that Lebanon =
coordinate any diplomatic move with Israel regarding security arrangements =
and the Israeli presence on Lebanese territory. Damascus is concerned that =
if Lebanon agrees to a continued Israeli presence on its territory, even te=
mporarily, it could serve as a precedent for Israel receiving American perm=
ission to remain on Syrian territory.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b>Above and beyond th=
ese issues, Lebanon still bears the trauma of Syria&#39;s years-long presen=
ce in Lebanon. Any hint of a Syrian return, even in a war against Hezbollah=
, makes the Lebanese anxious.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b>But even if in his heart of=
 hearts al-Sharaa did want to make war on Hezbollah, his political and mili=
tary policies are subject to Saudi consent, or at least close coordination =
with Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is funding a large part of Syria&#39;s current ex=
penses and, with Turkey, which was a critical ally in Al-Sharaa&#39;s bring=
ing down the Assad regime, is today helping to rebuild the Syrian army. Bot=
h countries are investing heavily not only in stabilizing Syria and revivin=
g its economy, but also see eye to eye on the urgent need to enable the gov=
ernment of Lebanon to reassert sovereignty over all its territory.</b></fon=
t></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#0=
00000"><b>A week ago, a Hezbollah member of the Lebanese parliament, Al Fay=
yad, revealed that a<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"max-width:100%">Hezbolla=
h delegation had met with Turkish officials</a>, who assured them that Syri=
a had no intention of sending an army into Lebanon.</b></font></p><div styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"This pictu=
re taken from a position in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel, near the =
Israel-Lebanon border, shows Israeli army vehicles positioned along the bor=
der on June 17, 2026. Credit: AFP/JACK GUEZ" alt=3D"This picture taken from=
 a position in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel, near the Israel-Lebano=
n border, shows Israeli army vehicles positioned along the border on June 1=
7, 2026." width=3D"412" height=3D"276" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/=
0000019e-d82c-deca-ab9e-dc7f01130000/f3/ea/b69af0224f819295356f34e8a9e9/408=
096.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D281&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"margin:0.5e=
m 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><font face=3D"georgia, serif" c=
olor=3D"#000000"><b><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-=
bottom:0.25em">This picture taken from a position in the Upper Galilee in n=
orthern Israel, near the Israel-Lebanon border, shows Israeli army vehicles=
 positioned along the border on June 17, 2026.</span><span>=C2=A0</span><sp=
an style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: =
AFP/JACK GUEZ</span></b></font><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b>Turkey&#39;s ability to make commitments=
 on behalf of Syria should come as no surprise. What is interesting is that=
 Hezbollah turned to Turkey out of recognition of Turkish President Recep T=
ayyip Erdo=C4=9Fan&#39;s ability to influence Trump, thereby giving Ankara =
a foothold in a place in which it has rarely been active (except for humani=
tarian aid). That places Ankara in competition with Israel.</b></font></p><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">=
<b>In the meantime, fearing massive pressure from Washington on the Lebanon=
 issue and after consulting with Turkey, al-Sharaa decided to postpone his =
trip to Washington that had been planned for mid-June. No new date for the =
meeting with Trump has been set.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%">=
<font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b>Syria will not intervene=
 in Lebanon, but no one can ignore the sharpened arrow that Trump shot at N=
etanyahu when he cast serious doubt on Israel&#39;s ability to achieve the =
goals for which it occupied a swathe of Lebanese territory, killed thousand=
s of people, and destroyed villages and towns. The immediate implication is=
 that Israel&#39;s room for maneuver in Lebanon will be shrinking even furt=
her.<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"max-width:100%">Coordination between Was=
hington and Tehran<span>=C2=A0</span></a>is closer than that between Trump =
and Netanyahu, who is still trying to convince him that the drops falling o=
n him are summer rain.</b></font></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"People react as Hezbollah Secretary-Gen=
eral Sheikh Naim Qassem addresses crowds via a giant screen during the firs=
t day of Ashura commemorations at the mausoleum of former Hezbollah leader =
Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut&#39;s southern suburbs on June 17, 2026. Credit:=
 AFP/ANWAR AMRO" alt=3D"People react as Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh =
Naim Qassem addresses crowds via a giant screen during the first day of Ash=
ura commemorations at the mausoleum of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasra=
llah in Beirut&#39;s southern suburbs on June 17, 2026." width=3D"412" heig=
ht=3D"275" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-d82b-deca-ab9e-dc7b=
f8470000/91/2e/a8c30fde49f09823c97c135a8d51/410783.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp=
;height=3D280&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:blo=
ck"></div></div><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b><span st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">People react =
as Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem addresses crowds via a gi=
ant screen during the first day of Ashura commemorations at the mausoleum o=
f former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut&#39;s southern suburbs=
 on June 17, 2026.</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%;m=
argin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: AFP/ANWAR AMRO</span></b></f=
ont><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000=
000"><b>In this murky atmosphere, another meeting between the Israeli and L=
ebanese delegations is planned for next Monday. With negotiations between I=
ran and the U.S. beginning in the background, it is still unclear what will=
 be on the agenda.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"=
georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000"><b>Will Israel be required to present a t=
imetable for the establishment of the &quot;pilot zones&quot; from which it=
 is supposed to withdraw and allow the deployment of Lebanese forces? Is th=
ere a clear Iranian condition for a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from s=
outhern Lebanon? If so, what is the U.S. position? Will the=C2=A0<a style=
=3D"max-width:100%">Lebanese government<span>=C2=A0</span></a>be able to co=
ntinue implementing the Hezbollah disarmament plan, or will Iran veto that?=
 In short, how will it be possible to advance negotiations with Lebanon on =
security coordination and later on formal relations when these are subject =
to the success or failure of negotiations between Iran and the U.S.?</b></f=
ont></p></div></div>
</div>
</div>
</div></div>

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Subject: [Salon] Vance to Israel
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https://x.com/Megatron_ron/status/2067715546339229937
Some of the shocking statements made today by Vice President Vance:

- Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is
sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment

- If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be
attacking the only powerful ally (Trump) that I have anywhere left in the
entire world.

- The Iranians don't give up the right of self-defense in their country.
You can't tell a country =E2=80=94 whether Israel or Iran =E2=80=94 that th=
ey're not
allowed to have any self-defense.

- The Omanis, the Iranians, and the Gulf Coast Coalition together will
figure out a proper security framework for the Straits in the future.

- We seem to be right on the cusp of a major breakthrough in the agreement,
and then all of a sudden there's a major explosion that goes off in a
civilian population center in Beirut, and a lot of people who have nothing
to do with Hezbollah lose their lives.

- On the frozen funds, the amount of money =E2=80=94 I honestly don't know.=
 I've
heard numbers north of 100 billion dollars. I've actually heard numbers
north of 200 billion dollars. Most of it is not in United States accounts;
most of it's either in the Gulf, or in Europe, or somewhere else.

- We will withdraw troops to the pre-conflict level, we're not going to
keep a couple of extra aircraft carrier groups over there

- Over the last three months, two-thirds of the defensive weapons that have
protected Israel have been built by American hands and paid for by American
tax dollars.

--0000000000005f06c506548f71e0
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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><a href=3D"https://x.com/Megatron_ron/status/=
2067715546339229937" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"backgrou=
nd-color:transparent">https://x.com/Megatron_ron/status/2067715546339229937=
</a></div>
Some of the shocking statements made today by Vice President Vance:<br>
<br>
- Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is symp=
athetic to the nation of Israel at this moment<br>
<br>
- If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacki=
ng the only powerful ally (Trump) that I have anywhere left in the entire w=
orld.<br>
<br>
- The Iranians don&#39;t give up the right of self-defense in their country=
. You can&#39;t tell a country =E2=80=94 whether Israel or Iran =E2=80=94 t=
hat they&#39;re not allowed to have any self-defense.<br>
<br>
- The Omanis, the Iranians, and the Gulf Coast Coalition together will figu=
re out a proper security framework for the Straits in the future. <br>
<br>
- We seem to be right on the cusp of a major breakthrough in the agreement,=
 and then all of a sudden there&#39;s a major explosion that goes off in a =
civilian population center in Beirut, and a lot of people who have nothing =
to do with Hezbollah lose their lives. <br>
<br>
- On the frozen funds, the amount of money =E2=80=94 I honestly don&#39;t k=
now. I&#39;ve heard numbers north of 100 billion dollars. I&#39;ve actually=
 heard numbers north of 200 billion dollars. Most of it is not in United St=
ates accounts; most of it&#39;s either in the Gulf, or in Europe, or somewh=
ere else. <br>
<br>
- We will withdraw troops to the pre-conflict level, we&#39;re not going to=
 keep a couple of extra aircraft carrier groups over there<br>
<br>
- Over the last three months, two-thirds of the defensive weapons that have=
 protected Israel have been built by American hands and paid for by America=
n tax dollars.<br>
</div></div>

--0000000000005f06c506548f71e0--

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From: Mayraj Fahim <fmayraj@yahoo.com>
To: salon@listserve.com, Elizabeth Murray <emurray404@aol.com>
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 https://x.com/tparsi/status/2067668154470347201
JD Vance is not changing the conversation about Israel in the US. He is changing the entire paradigm:

He is reminding the Israelis that they are alone and - though he doesn't use this word - much disliked internationally. Israel should not undermine the only strong friend they have left.

"If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have left."

And, he is reminding them of their utter dependence on the United States.

Because 2/3 of the weapons that have protected Israel (!!) "have been built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars."

As a point of comparison, no one in the Biden admin ever spoke like this about Israel when Netanyahu was blowing through Biden's so-called red lines on Gaza...
     On Friday, June 19, 2026 at 12:43:12 AM GMT+5, Elizabeth Murray via Salon <salon@listserve.com> wrote:  
 
 https://israelpalestinenews.org/netanyahu-mouthpiece-turn-on-trump/-- 
Salon mailing list
Salon@listserve.com
https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon
  
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<div>                https://x.com/tparsi/status/2067668154470347201<br>JD =
Vance is not changing the conversation about Israel in the US. He is changi=
ng the entire paradigm:<br><br>He is reminding the Israelis that they are a=
lone and - though he doesn&#39;t use this word - much disliked internationa=
lly. Israel should not undermine the only strong friend they have left.<br>=
<br>&quot;If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be=
 attacking the only powerful ally that I have left.&quot;<br><br>And, he is=
 reminding them of their utter dependence on the United States.<br><br>Beca=
use 2/3 of the weapons that have protected Israel (!!) &quot;have been buil=
t by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars.&quot;<br><br>As a=
 point of comparison, no one in the Biden admin ever spoke like this about =
Israel when Netanyahu was blowing through Biden&#39;s so-called red lines o=
n Gaza...<br>            </div>            <div class=3D"yahoo_quoted" styl=
e=3D"margin:10px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid #ccc;padding-left:1ex;=
">                        <div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helve=
tica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;">                    =
            <div>                        On Friday, June 19, 2026 at 12:43:=
12 AM GMT+5, Elizabeth Murray via Salon &lt;salon@listserve.com&gt; wrote: =
                   </div>                    <div><br></div>               =
     <div><br></div>                                                <div><d=
iv id=3D"yiv7802124302"><div><div style=3D"font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sa=
ns-serif;font-size:16px;" class=3D"yiv7802124302yahoo-style-wrap"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><a rel=3D"nofollow noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" href=3D"=
https://israelpalestinenews.org/netanyahu-mouthpiece-turn-on-trump/">https:=
//israelpalestinenews.org/netanyahu-mouthpiece-turn-on-trump/</a></div></di=
v></div></div>-- <br>Salon mailing list<br><a ymailto=3D"mailto:Salon@lists=
erve.com" href=3D"mailto:Salon@listserve.com">Salon@listserve.com</a><br><a=
 href=3D"https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon" target=3D"_blan=
k">https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon</a><br></div>         =
   </div>                </div>
------=_Part_129482_1321599764.1781825410630--

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Subject: [Salon] Israeli foreign agent took over The Charlie Kirk Show days
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Charlie Kirk=E2=80=99s media empire and his right-wing activist organizatio=
n,
Turning Point USA (TPUSA), have come under the control of the
Israel-directed forces he spent his last months antagonizing
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Israeli foreign agent took over The Charlie Kirk Show days after his killin=
g
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1823&utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreema=
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Charlie
Kirk=E2=80=99s media empire and his right-wing activist organization, Turni=
ng Point
USA (TPUSA), have come under the control of the Israel-directed forces he
spent his last months antagonizing

The Grayzone <https://substack.com/@thegrayzone>
Jun 18
<https://substack.com/@thegrayzone>

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RjNE1UYzNPREE1Tnl3aVpYaHdJam94TnpnME16Y3dNRGszTENKcGMzTWlPaUp3ZFdJdE5EYzBOe=
lkxSWl3aWMzVmlJam9pY0c5emRDMXlaV0ZqZEdsdmJpSjkuaTVZLXVkS05tMXY3bzh3cTVYV3Jw=
aWtWYWhTMmZGZEI0Y1d0MjY1aFVFbyIsInAiOjIwMjUzMTgyMywicyI6NDc0NzY1LCJmIjp0cnV=
lLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE3NzgwOTcsImV4cCI6MjA5NzM1NDA5NywiaXNzIjoicH=
ViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.FxvGgpxHImEEV8bxZqEG9EGx4j10VD6Lts1uS=
UMXJGE?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>

READ IN APP
<https://open.substack.com/pub/thegrayzone/p/israeli-foreign-agent-took-ove=
r-the?utm_source=3Demail&redirect=3Dapp-store&utm_campaign=3Demail-read-in-=
app>

<https://substack.com/redirect/5f600317-49e4-4d8a-a514-1afa5345b26f?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
*By Max Blumenthal*

The Charlie Kirk Show is now distributed by a federally registered agent of
Israel tasked with seeding American media with Zionist propaganda. It is
part of a whopping $46 million dollar annual contract between the Israeli
government and Brad Parscale, the former chief of staff for Donald Trump=E2=
=80=99s
2020 presidential campaign. This may be the largest lobbying contract in
the history of foreign influence operations in the US.

On September 10, 2025, Kirk was assassinated during the first stop on his
American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley State University. Eight days later,
Parscale registered as a foreign agent of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, assuming responsibility for a propaganda blitz
<https://substack.com/redirect/893ee588-9348-4518-952c-e9495d9f40f4?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
=E2=80=9Ctailored to Gen Z audiences across platforms, including TikTok, In=
stagram,
YouTube, podcasts, and other relevant digital and broadcast outlets.=E2=80=
=9D

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my
work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Upgrade to paid
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVncmF5em9uZS5zdWJzdG=
Fjay5jb20vc3Vic2NyaWJlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9cG9zdCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtY2hlY=
2tvdXQmbmV4dD1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnRoZWdyYXl6b25lLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbSUyRnAlMkZp=
c3JhZWxpLWZvcmVpZ24tYWdlbnQtdG9vay1vdmVyLXRoZSZyPTFlb2diJnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ=
5WDJsa0lqb3lNelkwTkRreExDSnBZWFFpT2pFM09ERTNOemd3T1Rjc0ltVjRjQ0k2TVRjNE5ETT=
NNREE1Tnl3aWFYTnpJam9pY0hWaUxUUTNORGMyTlNJc0luTjFZaUk2SW1Ob1pXTnJiM1YwSW4wL=
jV0RXBnVk9YLVlWaUM3SDY4VmZWQWptampsZU14Vm9wel8xdDFneVJzYTQiLCJwIjoyMDI1MzE4=
MjMsInMiOjQ3NDc2NSwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzc4MDk3LCJleHA=
iOjIwOTczNTQwOTcsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.LN5lg4t0M=
cIrBW7mmzY17Aum68gOBt0UddBmsEzmkD8?&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_source=3Dsubscri=
be-widget-preamble&utm_content=3D202531823>

The deal meant that the Charlie Kirk Show, which had been distributed by
the Salem Media Network since 2020, was placed under the control of a
foreign agent for Israel, with Parscale assuming a role as Salem=E2=80=99s =
Chief
Strategy Officer. According to the terms
<https://substack.com/redirect/893ee588-9348-4518-952c-e9495d9f40f4?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
of the contract, Parscale=E2=80=99s Clock Tower would =E2=80=9Cintegrate it=
s pro-Israel
messaging into Salem Media Network properties.=E2=80=9D

According to a December 2025 report by Radio Ink
<https://substack.com/redirect/65882372-47d2-4e82-8b12-e26919a45c98?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>,
The Charlie Kirk Show =E2=80=9Cwill continue as a podcast
<https://substack.com/redirect/44ff3497-e497-49fe-a0c9-6509f80d2221?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
on the Salem Podcast Network, as Salem Media =E2=80=98will maintain its clo=
se
professional and personal relationship with Turning Point USA.=E2=80=99=E2=
=80=9D

=E2=80=9CSalem has been so gracious through this process and even encourage=
d us to
continue broadcasting the show on the Salem Radio Network,=E2=80=9D said An=
drew
Kolvet, the TPUSA spokesman and host of The Charlie Kirk Show.

Since Kirk=E2=80=99s killing, his successors have done their best to bury h=
is
vehement opposition to war on Iran, as well as his public fits of disgust
with Netanyahu and his army of lobbyists in the US. Kirk=E2=80=99s widow an=
d
replacement as TPUSA CEO, Erika Kirk, now insists
<https://substack.com/redirect/d8c7aeff-d4c3-44ec-a1db-83f023901dd3?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
that she and her husband never wavered in their support for Israel. She has
also been unwilling to state
<https://substack.com/redirect/a246255a-6827-4865-8c4c-63616c4e0e1b?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
what her late husband would have thought about the war the US and Israel
waged on Iran this year.

=E2=80=9CMy husband isn=E2=80=99t here to say whether or not we should be a=
t war with
Iran,=E2=80=9D Erika Kirk said in response to a question at a May 2026 TPUS=
A event.
=E2=80=9CI would love for him to be here right now and tell us if we should=
 or
should not.=E2=80=9D
[image: X avatar for @HotSpotHotSpot]

HOT SPOT
@HotSpotHotSpot
=F0=9F=87=BA=F0=9F=87=B8=F0=9F=87=AE=F0=9F=87=B7 Erika Kirk says she can=E2=
=80=99t answer whether or not Charlie Kirk would
support a US invasion of Iran because he=E2=80=99s dead "It's frustrating w=
hen you
have people speaking for him=E2=80=9D
[image: Image]

3:13 PM =C2=B7 Mar 25, 2026 =C2=B7 3.06K Views
3 Replies =C2=B7 2 Reposts =C2=B7 22 Likes
<https://substack.com/redirect/9a7234dc-79bb-4be7-ab75-fb95fc6d7472?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>

However, in the months before his killing, Kirk left little mystery about
where he stood on the US imposing war on Iran. In one of many tirades
against attacking Iran, he slammed
<https://substack.com/redirect/14530e2a-4054-4288-9f07-accd6d018ac3?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
Sen. Lindsey Graham and other cheerleaders for war as =E2=80=9Cpathological=
ly
insane.=E2=80=9D He went on to warn that a regime change war inevitably =E2=
=80=9Ccreates a
quagmire. And then there is civil war.=E2=80=9D

As The Grayzone reported, in the weeks leading up to Kirk=E2=80=99s killing=
, the
TPUSA founder agonized
<https://substack.com/redirect/e4265ef6-6c40-4713-8330-8d02ecf621e7?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
over the growing pressure he felt from Israel=E2=80=99s cutouts, and from N=
etanyahu
himself, to preside over a blitzkreig of youth-oriented Zionist propaganda.
On August 6, 2025, just over a month before his death, Kirk openly raged
against Jewish =E2=80=9Cleaders=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Cstakeholders=E2=80=9D=
 harassing him for his criticism
of Israeli policies. =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s all of the sudden: =E2=80=98oh, =
Charlie: he=E2=80=99s no longer
with us.=E2=80=99 Wait a second=E2=80=94what does =E2=80=98with us=E2=80=99=
 mean, exactly? I=E2=80=99m an American,
okay? I represent this country,=E2=80=9D he fulminated to podcast host Megy=
n Kelly.

Days before Kirk=E2=80=99s public rant, he attended a private retreat conve=
ned in
the Hamptons by Zionist billionaire Bill Ackman. There, as The Grayzone
revealed
<https://substack.com/redirect/63bc44f1-c49b-41f3-a4dc-8206249d374e?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>,
an Israel lobby operative named Natasha Hausdorff unloaded on Kirk for
complaining about =E2=80=9Cmoral blackmail=E2=80=9D from Tel Aviv. By this =
point, Kirk had
rejected a massive infusion of Israel-directed donations to TPUSA, and was
on his way to refusing a personal offer from Netanyahu to visit Jerusalem.
He was also providing space on stage at TPUSA events for some of the most
outspoken right-wing critics of Israel, from Tucker Carlson to Megyn Kelly
to the anti-Zionist Jewish comedian Dave Smith.

On September 6, 2025, an arch-Zionist centi-millionaire named Robert
Shillman denounced Kirk from the dais at a private gala in Los Angeles,
expressing regret for showering his fortune on TPUSA now that its founder
had turned against Israel. As The Grayzone revealed
<https://substack.com/redirect/f536c5cf-3b92-49fa-9ad4-e52f47085a8f?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>,
Shillman had just withdrawn a $2 million donation to TPUSA as punishment
for Kirk=E2=80=99s heresy.

Four days later, Kirk was shot through the neck by a sniper in front of
thousands of attendees of his so-called American Comeback Tour.

Just over a week after the shocking assassination, the Israeli Foreign
Ministry effectively took control over the Charlie Kirk Show through its
lobbying contract with Parscale=E2=80=99s Clock Tower X. Given the statemen=
ts Kirk
made both publicly and in private to confidants about Israel in the weeks
before his killing, it seems unlikely he would have consented to any
agreement that gave a registered lobbyist for Israel responsibility for
distributing his show.

Days later, on September 15, one of the most visible propagandists of
Netanyahu=E2=80=99s political network in the US, Ben Shapiro, appeared in T=
PUSA
studios to make a dramatic announcement. Seated beside Kirk=E2=80=99s forme=
r
co-hosts, Shapiro declared
<https://substack.com/redirect/3979eb1d-fbc9-4f23-8d8f-52b091bdde68?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
that his Daily Wire outlet was donating $1 million to TPUSA to supposedly
=E2=80=9Cbring people back to Christ, and bring people back to church, and =
back to
biblical values.=E2=80=9D
[image: X avatar for @LaurenWitzkeDE]

Lauren Witzke
@LaurenWitzkeDE
IT=E2=80=99S A SET UP! Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire "donates" $1M to TPUSA to h=
elp
"bring people back to Christ, and bring people back to church, and back to
biblical values," as Charlie wanted. This sounds good, but the truth is,
this is money spent to enforce Christian Zionism and
[image: Image]

7:30 PM =C2=B7 Sep 16, 2025 =C2=B7 3.05M Views
2.67K Replies =C2=B7 5.93K Reposts =C2=B7 33.3K Likes
<https://substack.com/redirect/644c7aae-6ee5-4d66-aa16-5a550252d584?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>

Given that the Daily Wire was bleeding money
<https://substack.com/redirect/41b769c7-356f-4375-b492-a8f4d6744068?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>,
laying off staff
<https://substack.com/redirect/599805c2-6612-47e5-9699-420edd6ec100?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
and losing viewers
<https://substack.com/redirect/74353de9-d06d-465b-9f03-93afe1a79369?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
at a rapid rate by this point, the whopping donation raised questions about
whether Shapiro was serving as a pass-through for Israel lobbyists
exploiting Kirk=E2=80=99s unexpected death to restore control over TPUSA.

To date, there is no evidence that the state of Israel was responsible for
the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Yet it is undeniable that Kirk=E2=80=99s=
 killing
removed one of the greatest obstacles to Israel=E2=80=99s plans to compel T=
rump to
launch a massive regime change war on Iran.

As The Grayzone reported
<https://substack.com/redirect/e4265ef6-6c40-4713-8330-8d02ecf621e7?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>,
Kirk was the only figure in Trump=E2=80=99s inner circle to personally appe=
al to
the president against committing US forces to Israel=E2=80=99s 12-day-long =
assault
on Iran during June 2025. Trump =E2=80=9Cbarked=E2=80=9D at Kirk, according=
 to a source,
and angrily dispatched him. Days later, Trump ordered US airstrikes on
Iranian nuclear facilities, setting the stage for Operation Epic Fury the
following year. This account has since been confirmed
<https://substack.com/redirect/944688d9-2cc9-47f8-ad12-8e0ae58ffe99?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
by Vice President J.D. Vance.

When Trump launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, he initiated
a military imbroglio that would fulfill Kirk=E2=80=99s most dire warnings a=
bout the
war=E2=80=99s consequences. But as the economically catastrophic effects of=
 the war
unfolded, and the US failed to achieve a single stated military objective,
Kirk=E2=80=99s successors at TPUSA ignited an angry internet backlash when
they willfully
misrepresented his views
<https://substack.com/redirect/988ce008-3f1f-41b3-bd7b-4192b93a1ff4?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
on attacking Iran.

For her part, Erika Kirk has worked to bring TPUSA back into line with the
Israeli agenda which her martyred husband defied.

On December 13, 2025, Kirk=E2=80=99s widow starred in a televised town hall=
 hosted
by self-described =E2=80=9CZionist fanatic=E2=80=9D
<https://substack.com/redirect/3f9a6f6a-cca2-491f-9019-d8b19b457c9c?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
Bari Weiss and broadcast by CBS News, which had been purchased by the
billionaire Israeli asset
<https://substack.com/redirect/ddbe18ad-b614-4d54-8a2b-521052696e82?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
David Ellison four months prior. During the carefully stage-managed and
cringeworthy spectacle, Weiss nudged Kirk on her late husband=E2=80=99s vie=
ws on
Israel.

=E2=80=9CCharlie used to say: Jew hate is brain rot,=E2=80=9D Erika Kirk in=
sisted
<https://substack.com/redirect/d8c7aeff-d4c3-44ec-a1db-83f023901dd3?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>.
She then recounted a junket to Jerusalem in which she =E2=80=9Csaw the Bibl=
e come
alive in Technicolor.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CHow could you hate that place?=E2=80=9D she wondered, referring to=
 the state of
Israel.
[image: X avatar for @Antunes1]

=F0=9D=90=80=F0=9D=90=8D=F0=9D=90=93=F0=9D=90=94=F0=9D=90=8D=F0=9D=90=84=F0=
=9D=90=92
@Antunes1
Erika Kirk, in tears, condemns antisemitism: =E2=80=9CHow could you hate th=
e jewish
people?=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CCharlie used to say: Jew hate is brain rot=E2=80=
=9D =E2=80=9CHow could you hate
that place [Israel]?=E2=80=9D We can all see what this is now.
[image: Image]

10:35 PM =C2=B7 Dec 14, 2025 =C2=B7 2.8M Views
1.82K Replies =C2=B7 1.65K Reposts =C2=B7 23.4K Likes
<https://substack.com/redirect/a0a8e213-109e-4301-aa7c-5cbba5760120?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><br></div><div style=3D"font-kerning:auto"><i=
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"display:none;font-size:1px;color:#333333;line-height:1px;max-height:0px;ma=
x-width:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden">Charlie Kirk=E2=80=99s media empire =
and his right-wing activist organization, Turning Point USA (TPUSA), have c=
ome under the control of the Israel-directed forces he spent his last month=
s antagonizing</div><div style=3D"display:none;font-size:1px;color:#333333;=
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tion:auto;text-align:start;unicode-bidi:isolate;color:rgb(54,55,55);font-fa=
mily:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui,-apple-syste=
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tps://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D474765&amp;post_id=3D2025=
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Jwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI1MzE4MjMsImlhdCI6MTc4MTc3ODA5NywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzcwMDk3LCJpc=
3MiOiJwdWItNDc0NzY1Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.i5Y-udKNm1v7o8wq5XWrpik=
VahS2fFdB4cWt265hUEo" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:none" ta=
rget=3D"_blank">Israeli foreign agent took over The Charlie Kirk Show days =
after his killing</a></h1><h3 dir=3D"auto" style=3D"direction:auto;text-ali=
gn:start;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-family:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-s=
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UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:normal;margin:4px 0 0;c=
olor:#777777;line-height:24px;font-size:18px;margin-top:12px">Charlie Kirk=
=E2=80=99s media empire and his right-wing activist organization, Turning P=
oint USA (TPUSA), have come under the control of the Israel-directed forces=
 he spent his last months antagonizing</h3><table role=3D"presentation" wid=
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px;text-decoration:none" href=3D"https://substack.com/@thegrayzone" target=
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ortant;vertical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;widt=
h:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td style=
=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table></div><h4 style=3D"font-fa=
mily:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui,-apple-syste=
m,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&=
#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#3=
9;;font-weight:bold;margin:1em 0 0.625em 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:=
1.16em;font-size:calc(1.125em*1)"><strong>By Max Blumenthal</strong></h4><p=
 style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:=
16px"><span>The Charlie Kirk Show is now distributed by a federally registe=
red agent of Israel tasked with seeding American media with Zionist propaga=
nda. It is part of a whopping $46 million dollar annual contract between th=
e Israeli government and Brad Parscale, the former chief of staff for Donal=
d Trump=E2=80=99s 2020 presidential campaign. This may be the largest lobby=
ing contract in the history of foreign influence operations in the US.</spa=
n></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;fo=
nt-size:16px"><span>On September 10, 2025, Kirk was assassinated during the=
 first stop on his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley State University. =
Eight days later, Parscale registered as a foreign agent of the Israeli Min=
istry of Foreign Affairs, assuming responsibility for a </span><a href=3D"h=
ttps://substack.com/redirect/893ee588-9348-4518-952c-e9495d9f40f4?j=3DeyJ1I=
joiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:r=
gb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>propaganda =
blitz</span></a><span> =E2=80=9Ctailored to Gen Z audiences across platform=
s, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, podcasts, and other relevant digit=
al and broadcast outlets.=E2=80=9D</span></p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;l=
ine-height:26px"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;direction:ltr!important;font-=
weight:400;text-decoration:none;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMa=
cSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple=
 Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;color:=
#363737;line-height:1.5;max-width:560px;margin:24px auto;display:block;text=
-align:center;padding:0px 32px"><div style=3D"margin-top:16px;font-family:s=
ystem-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helveti=
ca,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#=
39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-size:18px;max-width:384px;width:fit-content;li=
ne-height:22px;display:flex;text-align:center;font-weight:400;margin-left:a=
uto;margin-right:auto"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);li=
ne-height:26px;font-size:16px">This Substack is reader-supported. To receiv=
e new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscribe=
r.</p></div><div style=3D"margin:0 0 1em;direction:ltr;font-size:16px;line-=
height:26px"><div style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;font-size:=
16px;line-height:26px;text-align:center;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https=
://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVncmF5em9uZS5zdWJzdGFjay5j=
b20vc3Vic2NyaWJlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9cG9zdCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtY2hlY2tvdXQ=
mbmV4dD1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnRoZWdyYXl6b25lLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbSUyRnAlMkZpc3JhZW=
xpLWZvcmVpZ24tYWdlbnQtdG9vay1vdmVyLXRoZSZyPTFlb2diJnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa=
0lqb3lNelkwTkRreExDSnBZWFFpT2pFM09ERTNOemd3T1Rjc0ltVjRjQ0k2TVRjNE5ETTNNREE1=
Tnl3aWFYTnpJam9pY0hWaUxUUTNORGMyTlNJc0luTjFZaUk2SW1Ob1pXTnJiM1YwSW4wLjV0RXB=
nVk9YLVlWaUM3SDY4VmZWQWptampsZU14Vm9wel8xdDFneVJzYTQiLCJwIjoyMDI1MzE4MjMsIn=
MiOjQ3NDc2NSwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzc4MDk3LCJleHAiOjIwO=
TczNTQwOTcsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.LN5lg4t0McIrBW7=
mmzY17Aum68gOBt0UddBmsEzmkD8?&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_source=3Dsubsc=
ribe-widget-preamble&amp;utm_content=3D202531823" style=3D"font-family:syst=
em-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,=
Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;=
Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;border:none=
;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;text-ali=
gn:center;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;text-decoration:none!im=
portant;margin:0 auto;background-color:#fdda0d;color:#363737!important;padd=
ing:12px 20px;height:auto" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:#363737;t=
ext-decoration:none">Upgrade to paid</span></a></div></div></div></div><p s=
tyle=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16=
px"><span>The deal meant that the Charlie Kirk Show, which had been distrib=
uted by the Salem Media Network since 2020, was placed under the control of=
 a foreign agent for Israel, with Parscale assuming a role as Salem=E2=80=
=99s Chief Strategy Officer. According to the </span><a href=3D"https://sub=
stack.com/redirect/893ee588-9348-4518-952c-e9495d9f40f4?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2I=
ifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,5=
5);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>terms</span></a><span=
> of the contract, Parscale=E2=80=99s Clock Tower would =E2=80=9Cintegrate =
its pro-Israel messaging into Salem Media Network properties.=E2=80=9D</spa=
n></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;fo=
nt-size:16px"><span>According to a December 2025 report by </span><a href=
=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/65882372-47d2-4e82-8b12-e26919a45c98?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank">Radio Ink</a=
><span>, The Charlie Kirk Show =E2=80=9Cwill </span><a href=3D"https://subs=
tack.com/redirect/44ff3497-e497-49fe-a0c9-6509f80d2221?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2Ii=
fQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55=
);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank">continue as a podcast</a><sp=
an> on the Salem Podcast Network, as Salem Media =E2=80=98will maintain its=
 close professional and personal relationship with Turning Point USA.=E2=80=
=99=E2=80=9D</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);li=
ne-height:26px;font-size:16px">=E2=80=9CSalem has been so gracious through =
this process and even encouraged us to continue broadcasting the show on th=
e Salem Radio Network,=E2=80=9D said Andrew Kolvet, the TPUSA spokesman and=
 host of The Charlie Kirk Show.</p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(=
54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>Since Kirk=E2=80=99s killi=
ng, his successors have done their best to bury his vehement opposition to =
war on Iran, as well as his public fits of disgust with Netanyahu and his a=
rmy of lobbyists in the US. Kirk=E2=80=99s widow and replacement as TPUSA C=
EO, Erika Kirk, now </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/d8c7aef=
f-d4c3-44ec-a1db-83f023901dd3?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGM=
YZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underli=
ne" target=3D"_blank"><span>insists</span></a><span> that she and her husba=
nd never wavered in their support for Israel. She has also been </span><a h=
ref=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/a246255a-6827-4865-8c4c-63616c4e0e1b?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D=
"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>unw=
illing to state</span></a><span> what her late husband would have thought a=
bout the war the US and Israel waged on Iran this year.</span></p><p style=
=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">=
<span>=E2=80=9CMy husband isn=E2=80=99t here to say whether or not we shoul=
d be at war with Iran,=E2=80=9D Erika Kirk said in response to a question a=
t a May 2026 TPUSA event. =E2=80=9CI would love for him to be here right no=
w and tell us if we should or should not.=E2=80=9D</span></p><table role=3D=
"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D=
"0" style=3D"background:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(54,55,55);display:flex;m=
ax-width:550px;margin:32px auto;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);direction:lt=
r;border-radius:12px;padding:16px 16px 12px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-sy=
stem,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-seri=
f,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol=
&#39;;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:400;box-sizing:border-box=
;margin-bottom:20px;margin-top:20px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"padding:0px"><=
a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/9a7234dc-79bb-4be7-ab75-fb95fc6d747=
2?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=
=3D"text-decoration:none;color:inherit;display:block" target=3D"_blank"><ta=
ble role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cel=
lpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" b=
order=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"ver=
tical-align:middle"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!loY=
w!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.substack.com%2=
Fprofile_images%2F1606046502060703745%2F7NFqnCtp.jpg" alt=3D"X avatar for @=
HotSpotHotSpot" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:none;vertical-align:m=
iddle;max-width:100%;width:40px;height:40px;min-width:40px;min-height:40px;=
object-fit:cover;margin:0px;display:inline;border-radius:50%" width=3D"40" =
height=3D"40"></td><td width=3D"12" style=3D"min-width:12px"></td><td style=
=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" bord=
er=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><div style=3D"l=
ist-style:none;color:unset;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:=
unset;margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;=
Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;=
,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:600">HOT SP=
OT</div></td></tr><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line=
-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-fam=
ily:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,He=
lvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#3=
9;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400">@HotSpotHotSpot</div></td></t=
r></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"12"><td=
></td></tr><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;font-size:15px=
;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-app=
le-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans=
-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI S=
ymbol&#39;;font-weight:400;white-space:pre-wrap">=F0=9F=87=BA=F0=9F=87=B8=
=F0=9F=87=AE=F0=9F=87=B7 Erika Kirk says she can=E2=80=99t answer whether o=
r not Charlie Kirk would support a US invasion of Iran because he=E2=80=99s=
 dead &quot;It&#39;s frustrating when you have people speaking for him=E2=
=80=9D</div></td></tr><tr height=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><img src=3D"h=
ttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lv5b!,w_550,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:go=
od,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%=
2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F__ss-rehost__tw-video-preview-13_2036823727854206976.jp=
g" alt=3D"Image" style=3D"border:none;vertical-align:middle;margin:0 auto;d=
isplay:inline;width:auto;height:auto;max-width:100%;max-height:420px;border=
-radius:8px"></td></tr><tr height=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><table role=
=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=
=3D"0" style=3D"width:100%"><tbody><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;fo=
nt-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);=
margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe =
UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;=
Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400"><span style=
=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">3:13 PM =C2=
=B7 Mar 25, 2026</span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-deco=
ration:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 </span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:=
unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">3.06K Views</span></div><div style=3D=
"border-bottom:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);width:100%;height:0;font-size:16px;l=
ine-height:26px"></div><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line-he=
ight:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family=
:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helve=
tica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,=
&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400"><span style=3D"list-style:none;c=
olor:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">3 Replies</span><span style=3D"l=
ist-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 </span><=
span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">2=
 Reposts</span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:u=
nset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 </span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;te=
xt-decoration:unset;margin:0">22 Likes</span></div></td></tr></tbody></tabl=
e></td></tr></tbody></table></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p style=3D"margi=
n:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>How=
ever, in the months before his killing, Kirk left little mystery about wher=
e he stood on the US imposing war on Iran. In one of many tirades against a=
ttacking Iran, he </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/14530e2a-=
4054-4288-9f07-accd6d018ac3?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ=
8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline=
" target=3D"_blank"><span>slammed</span></a><span> Sen. Lindsey Graham and =
other cheerleaders for war as =E2=80=9Cpathologically insane.=E2=80=9D He w=
ent on to warn that a regime change war inevitably =E2=80=9Ccreates a quagm=
ire. And then there is civil war.=E2=80=9D</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0=
 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>As The G=
rayzone reported, in the weeks leading up to Kirk=E2=80=99s killing, the TP=
USA founder </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/e4265ef6-6c40-4=
713-8330-8d02ecf621e7?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lc=
FEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline" targ=
et=3D"_blank"><span>agonized</span></a><span> over the growing pressure he =
felt from Israel=E2=80=99s cutouts, and from Netanyahu himself, to preside =
over a blitzkreig of youth-oriented Zionist propaganda. On August 6, 2025, =
just over a month before his death, Kirk openly raged against Jewish =E2=80=
=9Cleaders=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Cstakeholders=E2=80=9D harassing him for hi=
s criticism of Israeli policies. =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s all of the sudden: =
=E2=80=98oh, Charlie: he=E2=80=99s no longer with us.=E2=80=99 Wait a secon=
d=E2=80=94what does =E2=80=98with us=E2=80=99 mean, exactly? I=E2=80=99m an=
 American, okay? I represent this country,=E2=80=9D he fulminated to podcas=
t host Megyn Kelly.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55=
,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>Days before Kirk=E2=80=99s publ=
ic rant, he attended a private retreat convened in the Hamptons by Zionist =
billionaire Bill Ackman. There, as </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/r=
edirect/63bc44f1-c49b-41f3-a4dc-8206249d374e?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJ=
aTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-dec=
oration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>The Grayzone revealed</span></a>=
<span>, an Israel lobby operative named Natasha Hausdorff unloaded on Kirk =
for complaining about =E2=80=9Cmoral blackmail=E2=80=9D from Tel Aviv. By t=
his point, Kirk had rejected a massive infusion of Israel-directed donation=
s to TPUSA, and was on his way to refusing a personal offer from Netanyahu =
to visit Jerusalem. He was also providing space on stage at TPUSA events fo=
r some of the most outspoken right-wing critics of Israel, from Tucker Carl=
son to Megyn Kelly to the anti-Zionist Jewish comedian Dave Smith.</span></=
p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-s=
ize:16px"><span>On September 6, 2025, an arch-Zionist centi-millionaire nam=
ed Robert Shillman denounced Kirk from the dais at a private gala in Los An=
geles, expressing regret for showering his fortune on TPUSA now that its fo=
under had turned against Israel. As </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/=
redirect/f536c5cf-3b92-49fa-9ad4-e52f47085a8f?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZIS=
JaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-de=
coration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>The Grayzone revealed</span></a=
><span>, Shillman had just withdrawn a $2 million donation to TPUSA as puni=
shment for Kirk=E2=80=99s heresy.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;c=
olor:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>Four days later, =
Kirk was shot through the neck by a sniper in front of thousands of attende=
es of his so-called American Comeback Tour.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0 =
0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>Just ov=
er a week after the shocking assassination, the Israeli Foreign Ministry ef=
fectively took control over the Charlie Kirk Show through its lobbying cont=
ract with Parscale=E2=80=99s Clock Tower X. Given the statements Kirk made =
both publicly and in private to confidants about Israel in the weeks before=
 his killing, it seems unlikely he would have consented to any agreement th=
at gave a registered lobbyist for Israel responsibility for distributing hi=
s show.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-he=
ight:26px;font-size:16px"><span>Days later, on September 15, one of the mos=
t visible propagandists of Netanyahu=E2=80=99s political network in the US,=
 Ben Shapiro, appeared in TPUSA studios to make a dramatic announcement. Se=
ated beside Kirk=E2=80=99s former co-hosts, Shapiro </span><a href=3D"https=
://substack.com/redirect/3979eb1d-fbc9-4f23-8d8f-52b091bdde68?j=3DeyJ1IjoiM=
WVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(5=
4,55,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>declared</span>=
</a><span> that his Daily Wire outlet was donating $1 million to TPUSA to s=
upposedly =E2=80=9Cbring people back to Christ, and bring people back to ch=
urch, and back to biblical values.=E2=80=9D</span></p><table role=3D"presen=
tation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" sty=
le=3D"background:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(54,55,55);display:flex;max-widt=
h:550px;margin:32px auto;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);direction:ltr;borde=
r-radius:12px;padding:16px 16px 12px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,Bl=
inkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;=
Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;f=
ont-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:400;box-sizing:border-box;margin=
-bottom:20px;margin-top:20px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"padding:0px"><a href=
=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/644c7aae-6ee5-4d66-aa16-5a550252d584?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"te=
xt-decoration:none;color:inherit;display:block" target=3D"_blank"><table ro=
le=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpaddi=
ng=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=
=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical=
-align:middle"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7Uc3!,f_=
auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.substack.com%2Fprof=
ile_images%2F2022795905523683330%2F7e8WSG9Y.jpg" alt=3D"X avatar for @Laure=
nWitzkeDE" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:none;vertical-align:middle=
;max-width:100%;width:40px;height:40px;min-width:40px;min-height:40px;objec=
t-fit:cover;margin:0px;display:inline;border-radius:50%" width=3D"40" heigh=
t=3D"40"></td><td width=3D"12" style=3D"min-width:12px"></td><td style=3D"v=
ertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D=
"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><div style=3D"list-s=
tyle:none;color:unset;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset=
;margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe=
 UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39=
;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:600">Lauren Witz=
ke</div></td></tr><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line=
-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-fam=
ily:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,He=
lvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#3=
9;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400">@LaurenWitzkeDE</div></td></t=
r></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"12"><td=
></td></tr><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;font-size:15px=
;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-app=
le-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans=
-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI S=
ymbol&#39;;font-weight:400;white-space:pre-wrap">IT=E2=80=99S A SET UP! Ben=
 Shapiro&#39;s Daily Wire &quot;donates&quot; $1M to TPUSA to help &quot;br=
ing people back to Christ, and bring people back to church, and back to bib=
lical values,&quot; as Charlie wanted. This sounds good, but the truth is, =
this is money spent to enforce Christian Zionism and</div></td></tr><tr hei=
ght=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/=
fetch/$s_!9TXp!,w_550,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https=
%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F__ss-reho=
st__tw-video-preview-13_1968034545308946432.jpg" alt=3D"Image" style=3D"bor=
der:none;vertical-align:middle;margin:0 auto;display:inline;width:auto;heig=
ht:auto;max-width:100%;max-height:420px;border-radius:8px"></td></tr><tr he=
ight=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"aut=
o" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"width:100%"><t=
body><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;=
text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family:system-ui=
,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial=
,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe=
 UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400"><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset=
;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">7:30 PM =C2=B7 Sep 16, 2025</span><span st=
yle=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 =
</span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;mar=
gin:0">3.05M Views</span></div><div style=3D"border-bottom:1px solid rgb(0,=
0,0,.1);width:100%;height:0;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"></div><div sty=
le=3D"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset=
;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkM=
acSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Appl=
e Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-=
weight:400"><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unse=
t;margin:0">2.67K Replies</span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;=
text-decoration:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 </span><span style=3D"list-style:no=
ne;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">5.93K Reposts</span><span st=
yle=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 =
</span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;mar=
gin:0">33.3K Likes</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody>=
</table></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:r=
gb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>Given that the Daily Wi=
re was </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/41b769c7-356f-4375-b=
492-a8f4d6744068?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXY=
qlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D=
"_blank"><span>bleeding money</span></a><span>, </span><a href=3D"https://s=
ubstack.com/redirect/599805c2-6612-47e5-9699-420edd6ec100?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ=
2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55=
,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>laying off staff</s=
pan></a><span> and </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/74353de9=
-d06d-465b-9f03-93afe1a79369?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMY=
Z8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underlin=
e" target=3D"_blank"><span>losing viewers</span></a><span> at a rapid rate =
by this point, the whopping donation raised questions about whether Shapiro=
 was serving as a pass-through for Israel lobbyists exploiting Kirk=E2=80=
=99s unexpected death to restore control over TPUSA.</span></p><p style=3D"=
margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><spa=
n>To date, there is no evidence that the state of Israel was responsible fo=
r the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Yet it is undeniable that Kirk=E2=80=
=99s killing removed one of the greatest obstacles to Israel=E2=80=99s plan=
s to compel Trump to launch a massive regime change war on Iran.</span></p>=
<p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-siz=
e:16px"><span>As The Grayzone </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redire=
ct/e4265ef6-6c40-4713-8330-8d02ecf621e7?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7=
B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decorati=
on:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>reported</span></a><span>, Kirk was t=
he only figure in Trump=E2=80=99s inner circle to personally appeal to the =
president against committing US forces to Israel=E2=80=99s 12-day-long assa=
ult on Iran during June 2025. Trump =E2=80=9Cbarked=E2=80=9D at Kirk, accor=
ding to a source, and angrily dispatched him. Days later, Trump ordered US =
airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, setting the stage for Operation E=
pic Fury the following year. This account has since been </span><a href=3D"=
https://substack.com/redirect/944688d9-2cc9-47f8-ad12-8e0ae58ffe99?j=3DeyJ1=
IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:=
rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>confirmed<=
/span></a><span> by Vice President J.D. Vance.</span></p><p style=3D"margin=
:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>When=
 Trump launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, he initiated a mi=
litary imbroglio that would fulfill Kirk=E2=80=99s most dire warnings about=
 the war=E2=80=99s consequences. But as the economically catastrophic effec=
ts of the war unfolded, and the US failed to achieve a single stated milita=
ry objective, Kirk=E2=80=99s successors at TPUSA ignited an angry internet =
backlash when they </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/988ce008=
-3f1f-41b3-bd7b-4192b93a1ff4?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMY=
Z8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underlin=
e" target=3D"_blank"><span>willfully misrepresented his views</span></a><sp=
an> on attacking Iran.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54=
,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>For her part, Erika Kirk has=
 worked to bring TPUSA back into line with the Israeli agenda which her mar=
tyred husband defied.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,=
55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>On December 13, 2025, Kirk=E2=
=80=99s widow starred in a televised town hall hosted by self-described </s=
pan><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/3f9a6f6a-cca2-491f-9019-d8b19b=
457c9c?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" =
style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><=
span>=E2=80=9CZionist fanatic=E2=80=9D</span></a><span> Bari Weiss and broa=
dcast by CBS News, which had been purchased by the billionaire </span><a hr=
ef=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/ddbe18ad-b614-4d54-8a2b-521052696e82?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D=
"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>Isr=
aeli asset</span></a><span> David Ellison four months prior. During the car=
efully stage-managed and cringeworthy spectacle, Weiss nudged Kirk on her l=
ate husband=E2=80=99s views on Israel.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20p=
x 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>=E2=80=9CCha=
rlie used to say: Jew hate is brain rot,=E2=80=9D Erika Kirk </span><a href=
=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/d8c7aeff-d4c3-44ec-a1db-83f023901dd3?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank"><span>insist=
ed</span></a><span>. She then recounted a junket to Jerusalem in which she =
=E2=80=9Csaw the Bible come alive in Technicolor.=E2=80=9D</span></p><p sty=
le=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px=
"><span>=E2=80=9CHow could you hate that place?=E2=80=9D she wondered, refe=
rring to the state of Israel.</span></p><table role=3D"presentation" width=
=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"backgro=
und:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(54,55,55);display:flex;max-width:550px;margi=
n:32px auto;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);direction:ltr;border-radius:12px=
;padding:16px 16px 12px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemF=
ont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color E=
moji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-size:14px=
;line-height:20px;font-weight:400;box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:20px;=
margin-top:20px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"padding:0px"><a href=3D"https://su=
bstack.com/redirect/a0a8e213-109e-4301-aa7c-5cbba5760120?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2=
IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"text-decoration:=
none;color:inherit;display:block" target=3D"_blank"><table role=3D"presenta=
tion" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbod=
y><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspac=
ing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle">=
<img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!qK0n!,f_auto,q_auto:goo=
d,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.substack.com%2Fprofile_images%2F19=
88040024571379712%2F53o-xe8A.jpg" alt=3D"X avatar for @Antunes1" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;border:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:100%;width=
:40px;height:40px;min-width:40px;min-height:40px;object-fit:cover;margin:0p=
x;display:inline;border-radius:50%" width=3D"40" height=3D"40"></td><td wid=
th=3D"12" style=3D"min-width:12px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"=
><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0"=
 cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset=
;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;margin:0;font-family=
:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helve=
tica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,=
&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:600">=F0=9D=90=80=F0=9D=90=8D=F0=9D=
=90=93=F0=9D=90=94=F0=9D=90=8D=F0=9D=90=84=F0=9D=90=92</div></td></tr><tr><=
td><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decor=
ation:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-sy=
stem,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-seri=
f,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol=
&#39;;font-weight:400">@Antunes1</div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><=
/tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><div style=
=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;font-size:15px;line-height:20px;text-decora=
tion:unset;margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,=
&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji=
&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400;wh=
ite-space:pre-wrap">Erika Kirk, in tears, condemns antisemitism: =E2=80=9CH=
ow could you hate the jewish people?=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CCharlie used to say:=
 Jew hate is brain rot=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CHow could you hate that place [Isr=
ael]?=E2=80=9D We can all see what this is now.</div></td></tr><tr height=
=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fet=
ch/$s_!yJ4R!,w_550,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A=
%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F__ss-rehost_=
_tw-video-preview-13_2000331968978841609.jpg" alt=3D"Image" style=3D"border=
:none;vertical-align:middle;margin:0 auto;display:inline;width:auto;height:=
auto;max-width:100%;max-height:420px;border-radius:8px"></td></tr><tr heigh=
t=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" =
border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"width:100%"><tbod=
y><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;tex=
t-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-a=
pple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sa=
ns-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI=
 Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400"><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;te=
xt-decoration:unset;margin:0">10:35 PM =C2=B7 Dec 14, 2025</span><span styl=
e=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 </=
span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margi=
n:0">2.8M Views</span></div><div style=3D"border-bottom:1px solid rgb(0,0,0=
,.1);width:100%;height:0;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"></div><div style=
=3D"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;c=
olor:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMac=
SystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple =
Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-we=
ight:400"><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;=
margin:0">1.82K Replies</span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;te=
xt-decoration:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 </span><span style=3D"list-style:none=
;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">1.65K Reposts</span><span styl=
e=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 </=
span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margi=
n:0">23.4K Likes</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></=
table></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-heigh=
t:26px;margin-bottom:0"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;direction:ltr!importan=
t;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,=
BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#3=
9;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;=
;color:#363737;line-height:1.5;max-width:560px;margin:24px auto;display:blo=
ck;text-align:center;padding:0px 32px"><div style=3D"margin-top:16px;font-f=
amily:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,=
Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&=
#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-size:18px;max-width:384px;width:fit-con=
tent;line-height:22px;display:flex;text-align:center;font-weight:400;margin=
-left:auto;margin-right:auto"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55=
,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">This Substack is reader-supported. To=
 receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid su=
bscriber.</p></div><div style=3D"margin:0 0 1em;direction:ltr;font-size:16p=
x;line-height:26px"><div style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;fon=
t-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-align:center;border-radius:4px"><a href=
=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVncmF5em9uZS5zdWJ=
zdGFjay5jb20vc3Vic2NyaWJlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9cG9zdCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtY2=
hlY2tvdXQmbmV4dD1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnRoZWdyYXl6b25lLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbSUyRnAlM=
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