Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Still Absent From Father's Funeral
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was absent as funeral prayers for his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were held early on July 5, more than four months after he was killed during US-Israeli strikes at the outset of the war in the Middle East.

Trump Holds Calls With Zelenskyy, Putin Amid Ukraine Deadlock
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Kremlin said President Donald Trump spoke separately with the Ukrainian and Russian leaders as efforts to end the war remained stalled, with Kyiv and Moscow deadlocked over key issues.

Ahead Of High-Stakes NATO Summit, Ex-US Envoy To OSCE James Gilmore Says Alliance Is Renewing Itself
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

WASHINGTON – As NATO leaders prepare for a pivotal July 7-8 summit in Ankara amid Russia's war against Ukraine and renewed tensions in the Middle East, former US Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) James Gilmore says the alliance is undergoing a difficult but ultimately strengthening transformation rather than entering a period of decline.
In an interview with RFE/RL, Gilmore, who served during President Donald Trump's first administration, argues...

Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Set For NATO Summit Amid US Push To End Russia's War
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

US President Donald Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of this week's NATO summit in Ankara, the White House announced on July 5, as Washington seeks to revive stalled diplomacy over Russia's war while pressing European allies to take greater responsibility for the continent's defense.
The announcement came a day after Trump held separate telephone conversations with Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring the administration's...

Russia Launches Fresh Attack On Kyiv Following Zelenskyy Warning Of Impending Strike
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, early on July 6, with reports of residents being trapped inside a damaged building near the city center and others seeking safety in public shelters.

Khamenei Funeral Procession Underway Amid Heavy Security, Airspace Curbs
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

Iranian authorities imposed extensive security measures across Tehran on July 6, including the closure of the capital's airspace, as public funeral ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei got underway.

Rutte Says NATO Allies On Track To Match US Defense Spending, Backs Ukraine Support
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

On the eve of the NATO summit in Ankara, the alliance’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte said European members and Canada are on track to bring their defense spending into line with that of the United States, which has long criticized Europe's lack of military spending and perceived "free riding."

Trump Heads To Ankara As NATO Faces Defining Tests From Ukraine To Middle East
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

US President Donald Trump has departed for Ankara, where NATO leaders are gathering for what could become one of the alliance's most consequential summits in years.

Six Things To Watch For As NATO Summit Kicks Off In Turkey
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

NATO leaders are meeting in the Turkish capital, Ankara, for the alliance’s annual summit on July 7-8 in the shadow of the Iran war and American complaints that not all European allies are pulling their weight when it comes to defense spending.

Crimea Goes Dark As Ukrainian Drones Target Electrical Grid
Photo Galleries - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

An escalating energy crisis is underway in Crimea as blackouts sweep the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula and local Kremlin-installed authorities set up "emergency assistance centers."

US Renews Strikes On Iran After Vessels Hit In Hormuz Strait
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

The United States said its military has struck several targets in Iran in response to recent attacks by Tehran on several vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

NATO's Challenge Is Adapting To Changing Transatlantic Order, RAND's Cecire Says
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

As NATO leaders gather in Ankara for a summit expected to shape the alliance's future direction, European capitals are looking to what many see as the meeting's defining challenge: whether the alliance can demonstrate political unity at a moment of profound geopolitical change.

NATO's 'Tremendous Unity' And Other Takeaways From The Summit In Turkey
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

The NATO summit in Turkey got off to a rocky start, with US President Donald Trump slamming Spain for failing to spend on defense and other alliance members for refusing to pitch in during the Iran war. But by the end of the day, unity was the key word from leaders, including the US president.

US Strikes Targets In Iran Hours After Trump Vows To Hit 'Hard'
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

The US military said it had launched new strikes on targets in Iran just hours after President Donald Trump said a cease-fire accord with Tehran was "over" and threatened to "hit them [Iran] hard tonight."

Trump Says US Agrees To Further Talks With Iran, But Warns Cease-Fire Is 'Over'
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

US President Donald Trump said Iran has as requested that “talks” between the two countries continue, although he emphatically warned Tehran that the current cease-fire is no longer in effect amid a flurry of tit-for-tat strikes by both sides.

Brazil Orders Russian Man Who Spent Years As 'Deep-Cover' Agent in US, Netherlands Deported
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

A Brazilian judge ordered a Russian man who spent years building a secret “deep-cover” identity to infiltrate organizations in the United States and Netherlands on behalf of Russian intelligence deported.

Ukraine Intensifies Attacks On Russian Energy Sites, Reportedly Forcing Halt To Azov Traffic
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

Ukraine launched multiple strikes against Kremling energy assets, including oil terminals and tankers at sea, reportedly forcing Moscow to halt shipping through a major waterway as Kyiv intensifies what it has labeled its "long-range sanctions" against Russia.

US Expands Pressure Campaign With New Sanctions On Iran's Financial Networks
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

The United States imposed sweeping new sanctions targeting an Iranian businessman accused of managing a global financial network for Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and several exchange houses that Washington says have helped Tehran evade sanctions and maintain access to foreign currency.

US Senators, Administration Agree To Advance Russia Sanctions Bill; Kyiv Hails Move
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

A bipartisan group of US senators said they had reached an agreement with the Trump administration to advance long-delayed legislation aimed at imposing tougher economic penalties on Russia and countries that continue to support Moscow’s war economy.

US Says Iran Acknowledged 'Mistake' In Strait Attacks Ahead Of Oman Talks
News - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RSS)

Senior US officials have said that Iran has privately acknowledged it made a mistake by attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz