Belgium's Defence Minister Theo Francken:

Türkiye should be included in the SAFE mechanism created to finance Europe's defense capacity.

Some countries say no, let it be without Türkiye.

But from Belgium's perspective, the stance is very clear. Türkiye should be included in SAFE as soon as possible.

IRGC FPV drone operators hit a target painted as a U.S. UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during military drills.

Prof. Nathalie Tocci | European Foreign Policy Expert | Johns Hopkins SAIS, Europe:
 

The middle powers debate post-Trump is far more normative than before.
 
Canadian PM Mark Carney framed it well, despite him not naming them specifically - there are wannabe empires out there: Russia, America, possibly China.
 
And then there are middle & small powers that have an interest in rules, laws & norms.
 
The rules-based order may have become a fiction that needs rethinking - but rethinking doesn't mean abandoning rules altogether. It means reinterpreting, revising & building on them.
 
Middle powers have no interest in the law of the jungle & the survival of the fittest. And that is a very different conversation.

FULL INTERVIEW

NEW: The Pentagon is considering renaming the Iran war “Operation Sledgehammer” if the ceasefire collapses and Trump resumes major combat operations.

Source: NBC

Prof. Nathalie Tocci | European Foreign Policy Expert | Johns Hopkins SAIS, Europe:
 

EU autonomy has two sides - how much you produce yourself in industry, energy & defense, and how much you diversify partnerships with others.
 
We're already seeing diversification in trade. US tariffs pushed the EU to sign trade agreements with Mercosur, India, Indonesia & Australia in just a few months - something that would never have happened otherwise.
 
This is just the beginning. Diversification in energy, climate, industry & defense is coming.

FULL INTERVIEW

The Congressional Budget Office says Trump’s proposed Golden Dome missile shield could cost $1.2 trillion over 20 years — far above the Pentagon’s $185 billion estimate.

French President Macron:

We have millions of young people who are 100% French and 100% Malian, 100% French and Algerian, 100% French and Senegalese, and so on.

And that is an immense opportunity to succeed together with this continent.

French President Macron says that anti-France narratives in Africa are being pushed by foreign powers, calling “the Russians and others” the “real colonizers of the 21st century.”

French President Macron:

Sport represents 2% of global GDP worldwide.

In Africa, it is only 0.5% of GDP.

That is not normal because, in reality, there is a kind of looting of athletes who go to other countries.

French President Macron:

Mali’s coup leaders preferred their own security over the fight against terrorism.

WATCH: Reza Pahlavi criticizes President Trump’s Iran strategy:

On the one hand said people need to rise and at the same time say wait, we are negotiating. It's confusing the hell out of everyone.

You cannot send mixed signals.

Trump:

When the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well, Militarily, against us, it’s virtual TREASON in that it is such a false, and even preposterous, statement. They are aiding and abetting the enemy! All it does is give Iran false hope when none should exist.

These are American cowards that are rooting against our Country. Iran had 159 ships in their Navy — Every single ship is now resting at the bottom of the sea. They have no Navy, their Air Force is gone, all Technology is gone, their “leaders” are no longer with us, and the Country is an Economic Disaster.

Only Losers, Ingrates, and Fools are able to make a case against America!

📸 Marco Rubio wearing the exact same gray Nike Tech sweatsuit that Nicolás Maduro was wearing in his arrest photos.

U.S. intelligence assessments say Iran still retains much of its military capability despite Trump administration claims that it was “decimated.”

Officials believe Iran has regained access to most of its missile sites and underground facilities, including 30 of 33 sites along the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is also estimated to still have about 70% of its missile stockpile and mobile launchers.

Intelligence reports suggest Iran recovered faster than expected and remains capable of threatening U.S. warships and oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: NYT

Iraq and Pakistan have reached separate agreements with Iran to secure oil and LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iraq reportedly secured safe passage for two oil tankers, while Pakistan arranged LNG deliveries from Qatar via Iran-approved routes.

Iran is said to be shifting from blocking Hormuz to controlling access, with other countries now exploring similar deals.

Source: Reuters

Trump:

Trump:

I WANT YOU!

Trump:

CNBC incorrectly reported that the Great Jensen Huang, of Nvidia, was not invited to the incredible gathering of the World’s Greatest Businessmen/women proudly going to China. In actuality, Jensen is currently on Air Force One and, unless I ask him to leave, which is highly unlikely, CNBC’s reporting is incorrect or, as they say in politics, FAKE NEWS!

It is an Honor to have Jensen, Elon, Tim Apple, Larry Fink, Stephen Schwarzmann, Kelly Ortberg (Boeing), Brian Sikes (Cargill), Jane Fraser (Citi), Larry Culp (GE Aerospace), David Solomon (Goldman Sachs), Sanjay Mehrotra (Micron), Cristiano Amon (Qualcomm), and many others journeying to the Great Country of China where I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to “open up” China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People’s Republic to an even higher level!

In fact, I promise, that when we are together, which will be in a matter of hours, I will make that my very first request. I have never seen or heard of any idea that would be more beneficial to our incredible Countries!