Larry Lee
The Latest
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Russia’s Economy Shows Strain as Analysts Warn Putin Could Escalate Ukraine War Before Money Runs Short
Russia's economy returned to growth in the second quarter, but mounting pressure from wartime spending, sanctions and Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure is raising a potentially counterintuitive concern among analysts: President Vladimir Putin could have an incentive to escalate the war rather than wait for Moscow's financial position to deteriorate. 
Russia's economy returned to growth in the second quarter, but mounting pressure from wartime spending, sanctions and Ukrainian attacks on infrastructure is raising a potentially counterintuitive concern among analysts: President Vladimir Putin could have an incentive to escalate the war rather than wait for Moscow's financial position to deteriorate. -
UK Condemns Netanyahu’s ‘Islamic Republic of Britain’ Remark as ‘Completely Unacceptable’
The British government has formally rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he described the United Kingdom as an "Islamic republic" and repeated a provocative claim that Britain could become the first such state with nuclear weapons, adding another diplomatic dispute to already strained UK-Israel relations. 
The British government has formally rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he described the United Kingdom as an "Islamic republic" and repeated a provocative claim that Britain could become the first such state with nuclear weapons, adding another diplomatic dispute to already strained UK-Israel relations. -
Zelenskyy Warns Putin Is Preparing for Wider Escalation as North Korean Weapons Hit Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to intensify the war rather than pursue peace, pointing to expanding ballistic-missile production, North Korean military support and preparations for mobilization as Kyiv presses its allies for tougher sanctions and additional air-defense systems. 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to intensify the war rather than pursue peace, pointing to expanding ballistic-missile production, North Korean military support and preparations for mobilization as Kyiv presses its allies for tougher sanctions and additional air-defense systems. -
Ukraine Targets Russian Taneco Refinery in Drone Attack That Kills 13, Injures 75
Ukraine launched a long-range drone attack targeting an oil refinery deep inside Russia in a strike that Russian authorities said killed 13 people and injured 75, making it the deadliest Ukrainian attack inside Russia in more than two years as Kyiv intensifies efforts to disrupt Moscow's energy revenues. Ukraine launched a long-range drone attack targeting an oil refinery deep inside Russia in a strike that Russian authorities said killed 13 people and injured 75, making it the deadliest Ukrainian attack inside Russia in more than two years as Kyiv intensifies efforts to disrupt Moscow's energy revenues. -
U.S. Intelligence Warns Putin Could Test NATO With Limited Attack as American Missile Stockpiles Run Low
Russian President Vladimir Putin could consider a limited military or cyberattack against a NATO member within the next several years to test whether the alliance would respond collectively, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment reported by The Wall Street Journal, as Washington simultaneously confronts concerns about depleted stocks of some of its most important missiles. Russian President Vladimir Putin could consider a limited military or cyberattack against a NATO member within the next several years to test whether the alliance would respond collectively, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment reported by The Wall Street Journal, as Washington simultaneously confronts concerns about depleted stocks of some of its most important missiles. -
Iran Warns Gulf States of More Strikes as Trump Weighs Military Action, Oil Climbs Above $81
Oil prices climbed Thursday after reports that Iran warned Gulf governments it could target regional energy infrastructure if they fail to persuade President Donald Trump to halt U.S. military strikes, underscoring the fragile balance between escalating regional threats and ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. 
Oil prices climbed Thursday after reports that Iran warned Gulf governments it could target regional energy infrastructure if they fail to persuade President Donald Trump to halt U.S. military strikes, underscoring the fragile balance between escalating regional threats and ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. -
Iran Pushes Hormuz Strait Fee Proposal as Gulf States Back Voluntary Shipping Payments Amid U.S. Talks
Iran is seeking to introduce a voluntary payment system for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has reportedly gained support from several Gulf states as President Donald Trump's administration pauses military operations to pursue negotiations with Tehran. The proposal, reported by Reuters, emerges as the United States and Iran remain engaged in high-stakes diplomacy over regional security and maritime stability in one of the world's most strategically important waterways. 
Iran is seeking to introduce a voluntary payment system for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has reportedly gained support from several Gulf states as President Donald Trump's administration pauses military operations to pursue negotiations with Tehran. The proposal, reported by Reuters, emerges as the United States and Iran remain engaged in high-stakes diplomacy over regional security and maritime stability in one of the world's most strategically important waterways. -
Zelensky Identifies Three Growing Threats as North Korea, Iran and China Expand Support for Russia's War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused North Korea, Iran and China of playing increasingly significant roles in supporting Russia's war effort, warning that Kyiv is simultaneously confronting three distinct external threats ranging from troop deployments and drone supplies to satellite technology. Speaking in an interview with Sky News, Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing for the possibility that the involvement of Moscow's partners could deepen even further as the conflict enters another critical phase. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused North Korea, Iran and China of playing increasingly significant roles in supporting Russia's war effort, warning that Kyiv is simultaneously confronting three distinct external threats ranging from troop deployments and drone supplies to satellite technology. Speaking in an interview with Sky News, Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing for the possibility that the involvement of Moscow's partners could deepen even further as the conflict enters another critical phase. -
Iran Rejects U.S. Ceasefire Proposal as Trump Weighs ‘Massive Attack’ and Warns Tehran Over Houthi Strikes
Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal delivered through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, according to The New York Times, as President Donald Trump signaled he is nearing a decision on a possible large-scale military strike and warned Tehran it would be held responsible for future Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. 
Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal delivered through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, according to The New York Times, as President Donald Trump signaled he is nearing a decision on a possible large-scale military strike and warned Tehran it would be held responsible for future Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. -
Israel Believes Iran Moved Nuclear Centrifuges to Pickaxe Mountain as Trump Warns U.S. Could ‘Take Out’ Site
Israeli intelligence believes Iran has relocated thousands of nuclear centrifuges to the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex near Natanz, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, a development that comes as President Donald Trump warns the United States could strike the site and the White House weighs whether to pursue a ceasefire or expand military operations against Tehran. Israeli intelligence believes Iran has relocated thousands of nuclear centrifuges to the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex near Natanz, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, a development that comes as President Donald Trump warns the United States could strike the site and the White House weighs whether to pursue a ceasefire or expand military operations against Tehran.
