Mission unaccomplished
Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Ukraine, Russia, South Korea, and Cuba.
Hello,
Here are the five things you need to know today:
IRAN: A ‘very complete’ war is still a complete shambles.
ISRAEL. LEBANON. A recurring conflict looks set to continue.
UKRAINE. RUSSIA. Trump phones a friend.
SOUTH KOREA. Seoul fears for an indispensable partnership.
CUBA. Amid distraction, Rubio keeps his eye on the prize.
And don’t forget to connect with me on LinkedIn.
IRAN. Hold your TACOs
A ‘very complete’ war is still a complete shambles.
Oil prices fell back to around $90 after Donald Trump said the war was "very complete" with operations "very far ahead". Advisers had been urging an exit plan, the Wall Street Journal said. Iran said only it could "determine the end of the war.”
INTELLIGENCE. It’s no secret Trump wants out, but his comments reinforce an approach more suited to reality TV (or insider trading) than warfare. Washington’s visible panic and claims to a timeline simply bolster Iran’s escalation dominance. Like Trump’s earlier claims of quick resolution, from Ukraine’s 24-hour hopes, to his assurances at the start of Epic Fury, any false promises could remain as an electoral liability long after Monday’s relief rally is forgotten.
FOR BUSINESS. It is easier to start a war than to end one. Not only is Trump dealing with Mojtaba Khamenei but Benjamin Netanyahu. Both Iran and Israel continue to describe the conflict in absolutist terms. And Yemen’s Houthis have now entered the fray, with Saudi Arabia acknowledging for the first time the interception of two drones. A second Iranian missile has been shot down over Turkey. An Ipsos poll finds most Americans expect gas prices to keep rising.
ISRAEL. LEBANON. Up close and personal
A recurring conflict looks set to continue.
The UN estimated Monday 700,000 had been displaced since fighting resumed between Hezbollah and Israel. Lebanon said nearly 500 had been killed. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's son was seriously wounded in an attack.
INTELLIGENCE. Hezbollah has always been the more immediate threat to Israel, and