Stop talking about Epic Fury
Iran, the Red Sea, the US, Venezuela, and Southeast Asia.
Hello,
Here are the five things you need to know today:
IRAN. Ahead of his summit, Trump wants to change the subject.
RED SEA. The Houthis re-enter the conflict.
UNITED STATES. Higher core inflation sets Warsh up for a fight.
VENEZUELA. Eyes converge on a chunk of Guyana.
SOUTHEAST ASIA. The scammers shift, but not too far.
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IRAN. Sledgehammer argument
Ahead of his summit, Trump wants to change the subject.
Donald Trump said he didn’t need Xi Jinping’s help as he accused the media of “virtual treason” and officials leaked the name “Operation Sledgehammer” should combat resume. Beijing didn’t want anyone to toll Hormuz, Washington said.
INTELLIGENCE. China no doubt agrees that tolls are bad, but judging from the recent passage of several ships to Pakistan via Iran-controlled channels, it can probably live with them. Trump, on the other hand, can’t afford for the war to go on, even as he claimed Tuesday “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation” in his military planning. Axios reported that strikes were set to resume, with the clock reset for 60 more days without Congressional approval.
FOR BUSINESS. A heavy strike on Iran during his talks with Xi could be a way to look tough, as China’s assistance is quietly sought. And while it could also backfire, none of Trump’s options look particularly good. Beyond a US nuclear-armed submarine’s conspicuous arrival in the Mediterranean, the same special-forces support vessel that appeared off Venezuela was last week spotted in Diego Garcia. Brent prices are stuck in a ~$107 range, anticipating escalation.
RED SEA. Eilat to the party
The Houthis re-enter the conflict.
The IDF intercepted a drone “from the east” over the southern port of Eilat Tuesday, though sirens failed to sound per protocol. Hotels across the city were last week booked until November by US military personnel, local media reported.
INTELLIGENCE. Yemen was the likely source of the attack, the first such strike since