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Semafor security

US reacts to Israeli strikes: GOP backs Israel, Democrats push diplomacy

Capitol Hill was largely split along party lines over Israel’s strikes against Iran, though some MAGA leaders were skeptical.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

US orders evacuations for personnel across the Middle East

The decision came as Israel is reported to be readying an operation in Iran.
The US embassy in Baghdad.The US embassy in Baghdad. Ahmed Saad/Reuters

Germany announces new 1.9B euro Ukraine aid boost

The announcement came as NATO leadership and European foreign ministers met to discuss defense spending amid rising fears of Russian aggression.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr ZelenskiyFabrizio Bensch/Reuters

Iran announces new enrichment site after UN nuclear watchdog censure

The International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday said Iran was not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation duties, the first such censure against the country in 20 years.
A view of the International Atomic Energy Agency laboratories.Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

Pentagon set to review AUKUS nuclear submarine deal: Report

A number of US administration officials have criticized the landmark defense agreement with the UK and Australia.
The Virginia-class attack submarine USS California (SSN 781) underway during sea trials.Chris Oxley/US Navy via DVIDS

UK, Canada, and other nations sanction two Israeli ministers amid rising Gaza tensions

Israel’s finance and security ministers will be barred from entering the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway under the sanctions.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-GvirAmmar Awad/Reuters

Russia launched largest drone attack of the war, Ukraine says

Russia fired almost 500 drones at Ukraine ahead of a major prisoner swap.

Russia plans multi-pronged attack on Ukraine following drone strikes, US officials say

Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv Saturday.

NATO agrees ambitious defense spending expansion

The US and NATO leadership pushed to increase the alliance’s spending target from 2% of each member country’s GDP to 5%.

Iran nuclear talks appear to stall

Tehran ‘is drafting a negative response’ to the latest American proposal, an Iranian diplomat said.

UK moving to ‘war-fighting readiness’ to counter global threats

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would move to ‘war-fighting readiness’ as it seeks to deter Russian aggression.

Trump will likely ‘walk away’ from both Russia and Ukraine if he can’t get a peace deal: Ian Bremmer

If Trump fails to convince Moscow to agree to a ceasefire, he will likely walk away from both Ukraine and Russia, Bremmer said at Semafor’s World Economy Summit.

US scales back Greenland visit after criticism

US President Donald Trump’s expansionist overtures are creating a ‘permissive space’ for other world leaders bent on territorial acquisition, analysts argued.

DOGE reviews nuclear contractors

A review of National Nuclear Security Administration contractors has sparked concern within the agency that it could lose manpower at a critical time.

UK clamps down on Russian espionage, as Moscow ramps up pressure on Europe

Russia is increasingly reliant on private intelligence operatives and criminals to carry out espionage missions, UK security experts said.

Trump ratchets up pressure on Ukraine as Republicans urge a thaw

While military aid may be paused, his other options range from a revived minerals deal to looser Russia sanctions.

Iran expands stockpile of near-weapons grade uranium by 50%

Tehran’s growing uranium stockpile is of “serious concern,” the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog warned.

How Trump toppled his party’s national security orthodoxy

The president has seen little pushback so far from Republican hawks.