Trump Reshapes Middle East Policy; Supreme Court Decision Looms as Global Tensions Escalate

Good Morning,

President Trump's controversial diplomatic maneuvers—from lifting Syrian sanctions to brokering new Middle Eastern arms deals with calls for "making money, not war"—have reshaped the international landscape virtually overnight. Meanwhile, violence continues in Gaza with the IDF targeting Hamas leadership in a hospital strike, further inflaming regional tensions. On the domestic front, the President has issued stark warnings about potential Supreme Court rulings, claiming they could have devastating consequences for American democracy.

Top Stories

• Are we heading for another world war – or has it already started? (www.theguardian.com)

• Trump announces plan to lift punishing sanctions on Syria (amp.cnn.com)

• Trump tells Middle East to make money not war after arms deal (www.thetimes.com)

• Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar Target of IDF strike at Gaza hospital (www.timesofisrael.com)

• Donald Trump Warns That Supreme Court Ruling Against Him Could Destroy US (www.newsweek.com)

United States

• Donald Trump Warns That Supreme Court Ruling Against Him Could Destroy US (www.newsweek.com)

• House Democrat forces long-shot vote on impeaching Trump (www.axios.com)

• DNC moves toward nullifying election of David Hogg, Malcolm Kenyatta as vice chairs (thehill.com)

• US health chief Kennedy to face lawmakers' questions on mass firings, measles (reuters.com)

• Newark problems and recent crashes put focus on air traffic controller shortage and aging equipment (apnews.com)

Africa

• Tennessee pastor kidnapped at gunpoint in South Africa recalls 'miracle' that saved his life (Fox News)

• Amnesty International criticizes Rwanda's deportation deal with the U.S. (africanews.com)

• Mercury in Senegal mines endangers families (africanews.com)

• Q-KON and Rivada Space Networks Partner for Next-Gen Secure Connectivity in Africa (TechAfrica News)

• White South Africans arrive in US after Trump administration granted them refugee status (Sky News)

• Senegal Unveils "Technological New Deal" for Digital Sovereignty and Innovation (TechAfrica News)

Middle East

• Trump’s Middle East trip: President plans to lift Syria sanctions as he touts Saudi Arabia deals (CNN)

• Trump condemns 'interventionalists,' pitches 'more hopeful future' in Middle East speech (Fox News)

• Israel says it intercepted a missile from Yemen, Houthis claim responsibility (reuters.com)

• Trump secures $600 bil. Saudi investment on first leg of Middle East trip (reuters.com)

• Trump has the 'opposite' approach to Saudi Arabia than Biden, Middle East representative says (Fox News)

Indo-Pacific

• Rodrigo Duterte Wins Philippines Mayoral Election From Jail Cell in The Hague (www.theguardian.com)

• An Airstrike in Central Myanmar Kills Up to 22 People at a Bombed School, Reports Say (apnews.com)

• China now more popular worldwide than the US (www.politico.eu)

• ‘Everyone’s rushing’: China’s factories race to ship goods amid US trade truce (www.scmp.com)

• iPhone Shipments Crash 50% in China as Local Brands Dominate (www.macrumors.com)

• Bloomberg: Chinese Weapons Gain Credibility After Pakistan-India Conflict (www.bloomberg.com)

• Dior’s China data breach exposes elite clients (jingdaily.com)

Europe

• What to know about possible Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Turkey (apnews.com)

• Putin won’t dare meet Zelenskyy, says EU’s Kallas (www.politico.eu)

• Russian economy in worse shape than Moscow says, report for EU shows (www.reuters.com)

• Trump blames 'brutal' Europe for soaring drug costs in bid to curb U.S. prices (fortune.com)

• Ukraine Considers Shift From Dollar to Euro (tol.org)

Latin America

• Jose Mujica, Uruguay's former leader, rebel icon and cannabis reformer, dead at 89 (reuters.com)

• Mexican security chief confirms cartel family members entered US in a deal with Trump administration (apnews.com)

• Peruvian prime minister resigns ahead of censure vote in Congress (reuters.com)

If you’re a legacy subscriber, and would like more info on how to manage your membership, please reach out to [email protected]

Interested in more from Atlas?

🌐Atlas Technologies: We are building world class OSINT technology that unifies the intelligence cycle by automating data collection, intelligence production and delivery to key stakeholders, all aligned with your priority intelligence requirements (PIRs). If you want to learn more, check out our website.

🛒Merch Store: Visit our merch store to shop our latest gear.

📰Newsletters: Check out our other publications to stay on top of the news and get insights from intelligence professionals.

• The Public Daily Briefing

• Apolitical 

• Table Stakes

• The BLUF 

• The Situation Room

If you'd like to get involved with Atlas, please contact us with your experience or ideas. If you're a solid fit, we'll be in touch.

Advertise with us || Contact Us

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 Atlas.1A