Israel and Hezbollah Play a Risky Tit-for-Tat, Leaving Region on Edge

Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, faced backlash for considering Daniel Davis, a critic of Israel's war in Gaza, for a top post managing briefings for President Trump. Davis, a senior fellow at Defense Priorities, received criticism from hawkish Republicans and former intelligence officials for his views on Israel and military intervention. Gabbard ultimately decided not to name Davis to the position, highlighting a foreign policy divide within the administration. Full Article

DEWA is seeking international developers for the 1,600MW 7th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, featuring photovoltaic solar panels and a 1,000MW battery storage system. Expected to produce 4.5TWh annually, this project will increase Dubai's clean energy share to 34% by 2030, reducing CO2 emissions by 8 million tons yearly. The phase is set to be operational between 2027-2029, showcasing a sustainable model for renewable energy integration. Full Article

Amid sanctions impacting its economy, Iran is considering talks with the US but is reluctant to make significant concessions. President Trump has called for a new nuclear deal with Tehran, leading to a potential negotiation. Iran is open to limited discussions on its nuclear program, seeking sanctions relief to address economic challenges. Full Article

Turkey's military has continued deadly attacks on P.K.K. fighters in Syria and Iraq despite the group's founder, Abdullah Ocalan, calling for disarmament. The P.K.K. demanded Ocalan's release for peace talks, but Turkey has not entertained the idea, aiming for a unilateral surrender by the P.K.K. Both sides have not reached a cease-fire agreement, with Turkey vowing to eliminate all terrorists and the P.K.K. seeking greater rights for Kurds. Full Article

A senior official at U.S. Agency for International Development instructed employees to clear classified safes and personnel files through shredding or burning, as the agency faces dismantlement by the Trump administration. The destruction of documents, possibly relevant to ongoing court cases, has raised concerns about compliance with federal records preservation laws. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has overseen the firing of thousands of employees, cancellation of contracts, and relocation of the agency to the State...

Israel announced it killed a senior Hezbollah militant responsible for drones and missiles in Lebanon, while also releasing Lebanese prisoners as a "goodwill" gesture. Despite a ceasefire, Israel continued airstrikes to prevent Hezbollah from rearming. Lebanon reported casualties from Israeli strikes, as Israel agreed to release detainees and establish joint working groups to address border disputes in southern Lebanon. Full Article