Filling a US-shaped gap

As the U.S. aggressively reduces its military commitment to Europe, Türkiye is positioning itself to fill the void, leveraging its $10B defense industry and regional pacts while looking to secure more at the upcoming NATO summit.

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Russian Strikes Kill 11 in Overnight Kyiv Attack

Russia launched ballistic missiles and drones at Kyiv overnight, killing at least 11 people, injuring 54 and damaging 20 residential buildings.

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Anti-Immigrant Protests Spread in South Africa: 900 Arrested

Thousands took to streets across South Africa on Tuesday, demanding undocumented migrants leave.

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Germany's Chancellor Merz:

We can no longer accept the extraordinarily high levels of sick leave in our companies.

We are abolishing sick leave by telephone and introducing the requirement to submit a medical certificate from the very first day of illness.

We know this is a tough decision. But we can no longer afford this competitive disadvantage caused by prolonged absences from work.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

Germany will remain a strong and stable country in this turbulent world.

Germany will provide protection, but not impose constraints.

Germany will be bold, but not reckless. Germany will give every citizen the freedom and room to shape their own lives.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

I understand the longing for the old days—for what has passed, for the past. But we cannot hide in the past.

In this new era, we must act with determination and drive change forward. We simply have to develop enthusiasm for our country's future.

We are strengthening ourselves so that we can live well in this new era.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

We are fully aware of our dependencies on China, but we are equally aware that those dependencies are mutual.

With 450 million consumers, the European Union is the largest export market for many countries around the world.

US-Iran Talks in Qatar End, Set to Resume After Khamenei's Funeral

US and Iran negotiators concluded indirect talks in Doha on the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian assets with the next round set after Khamenei's July 9 funeral, no resolution on the strait's status.

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A Russian intelligence operation utilized sanctioned oil tankers to deploy surveillance drones over European nuclear facilities.

▪️Long-range military UAVs used
▪️Strategic sites in UK, France, and Germany
▪️Shadow fleet acted as mobile launch platforms

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Chancellor Merz announces overhaul of Germany's labor rules to counter high corporate absenteeism.

▪️Telephone sick leave abolished
▪️First-day medical certificates are now mandatory
▪️Move aimed at fixing competitive economic disadvantages

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Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif will attend Ali Khamenei’s July 4–9 funeral events in Iran.

Sharif’s trip also comes as Pakistan and Qatar try to help ease tensions between the US and Iran.

Troop Casualties in Russia-Ukraine War Surpass 2 Million Mark

A new study reveals the total number of killed or wounded troops in the Russia-Ukraine war has topped two million, with Russian forces bearing the brunt of the losses.

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Russian forces have reportedly lost a Ka-52 attack helicopter.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker:

We certainly do not support the protectionist language that oftentimes many of the European defense initiatives have included that would cut out allies, not just the United States, but all non-EU allies, including Türkiye and others.

That's one area that may come up during the summit.

Source: Anadolu

Merz's ally CSU leader Markus Söder:

No social benefits for people who are staying unlawfully, or for anyone wanted on an arrest warrant.

The law will be tightened ruthlessly in some areas.

The state must not allow itself to be walked all over.

This is in the interest of fairness and justice for all those who work and pay their contributions.

Following the abolition of Bürgergeld, there will be complete data exchange between social authorities and immigration authorities.

No one will be able to claim anymore that they did not know what the situation was.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

Data protection has itself become a bureaucratic monster.

We are now making it leaner, simplifying the rules and simplifying data protection itself.

We are generally abolishing all reporting obligations to public authorities.

The number of company compliance officers will also be significantly reduced.

Whatever is not regulated by EU regulations, we will leave alone.

Large crater in Moscow region from intercepted ballistic missile; Ukrainian developer denies FP-9 link.

A large crater from an intercepted operational-tactical (ballistic) missile was found in Moscow region on June 30.

The nature of the target is indicated by the altitude of the air-defense engagement, the severity of ground damage, and Russia's Ministry of Defense subsequently confirming the intercept in its official summary.

However, Denis Shtilerman, chief designer and co-owner of Ukrainian company Fire Point, has publicly denied speculation that the missile was their FP-9, currently under development.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani:

We carry for Lebanon nothing but love, respect, cooperation, and the determination to overcome the bad legacy that the peoples of both countries have suffered from.

We want to open a new and prosperous relationship that will benefit future generations, and one from which our peoples will benefit in a healthy way.

We also hope this relationship will contribute to prosperity in both countries, as well as to ending instability and the conflicts taking place in the region.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani:

Syria's official position is to reject all Israeli attacks against Lebanon.

We also reject all acts of shelling and displacement that have affected the Lebanese people during the recent period.

This is our firm position, and we remain committed to it.

Reporter: If the United States were to pressure the Lebanese government to accept Syrian involvement in disarming Hezbollah, would you agree to that?

Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam: No, no, neither he nor I will answer this question.

I believe President Ahmed al-Sharaa has already answered this question—and more.

On behalf of Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, there is nothing to add to what President Ahmed al-Sharaa said, and I have nothing to add either.

Germany rejected Trump's call for unconditional NATO loyalty.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said, "NATO is not about blind obedience" and stressed that alliance decisions are made by "free consensus of all member states", not dictated by any one country.

Source: Spiegel