At the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Yan Xuetong, dean of Tsinghua University's Institute of International Relations, debated Israeli officer Elad Shoshan.

Yan said on Israel's civilian protection claims:

"You killed more than 70,000 civilians!... The fact is not decided by you... It is not decided by your government. Your government has no legitimacy or the right to decide or defend what is fact."

On the war ending with Hamas releasing hostages, he added:

"No, this kind of propaganda have too many. No one believe it! Too many! Too much! No one believe it, except a few Israelis."

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani will visit Washington on Thursday for the first high-level Syrian trip in over 25 years, aiming to persuade Congress to lift the remaining US sanctions on Syria.

Sen. Lindsey Graham told Axios he plans to meet Shaibani and other lawmakers to discuss ending the "Caesar sanctions," which have targeted the Assad regime since 2020.

Source: Axios

Some Pentagon lawyers and defense officials are voicing concerns over the legality of Trump’s expanded military campaign targeting Latin American drug cartels.

The concerns focus on whether the strikes, which have killed suspected traffickers in international waters, are legally justified and whether US service members involved could face personal liability.

Source: WSJ

Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu, especially after Israel’s strike on Hamas negotiators in Qatar threatened to derail peace talks.

“He’s f—ing me,” Trump told aides, upset that Netanyahu ignored his push for a negotiated cease-fire in favor of military force.

Source: WSJ

Ukrainian troops captured a Kenyan man near Vovchansk who says he was duped into joining Russia’s army while visiting as a tourist.

After signing what he thought was a job contract, his passport and phone were seized, and he was sent to the front.

A closer look at China's J-20 jet at the Changchun Air Show.

Several senior US diplomats working on Syria were abruptly removed from the Syria Regional Platform in Istanbul last week.

The shake-up comes as US envoy Tom Barrack pushes to unify Syria under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Officials say policy remains unchanged, but sources link the exits to tensions over the SDF’s resistance to ceding autonomy.

Source: Reuters

BIG: Philippines Defense Minister Gilbert Teodoro announced in parliament that the country will stop buying new arms from Israel.

DR Congo: Despite the US-brokered deal, clashes continue between army forces and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.

The army captured Luola in Walikale-Banakindi, North Kivu, from M23 rebels.

Netanyahu speaks for 2 minutes about how Israel did not kill Charlie Kirk.

"Somebody fabricated a monstrous lie that Israel was involved in Charlie Kirk’s murder. It is insane, false, outrageous."

Sudan: Senior commander Colonel Khala Mohammed Ismail Takizo of the UAE-backed RSF was reported killed by SAF in clashes in Bara.

WHO chief says that the Gaza hospitals are on the brink of collapse.

Burkina Faso: ECOWAS chair Julius Maada Bio made a surprise visit to meet Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, marking the first such trip to an AES member state.

JD Vance on Venezuela:

I wouldn't go fishing right now in that area of the world.

NEW: Ukrainian drones have reached Russia's Bashkiria, 1,300 km from the border.

The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat petrochemical complex in Salavat has reportedly been attacked.

Spain will create a task force to investigate human rights violations in Gaza and share evidence with the International Criminal Court.

US Senator Bernie Sanders:

The intent is clear. The conclusion is inescapable: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

NEW: Syria and Israel will conclude agreements before the end of the year.

Source: AFP

Togo: Former defense minister and government critic Margueritte Gnakade arrested at her home in Lomé, known for calls for leadership change and support for June 6 movement.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in Türkiye for his 3-day visit.

He will meet with Turkish President Erdogan today.

Japan, following US pressure, plans not to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state for now, citing concerns about relations with the US and Middle East stability.

Source: Asahi Shimbun