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President Trump’s abrupt decision to accept a two-week ceasefire with Iran, after threatening to destroy Iranian civilization, has sparked debate over his negotiating strategy and the limits of US leverage. While some hail the deal as a diplomatic victory, others question the sustainability of such high-stakes brinkmanship.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized US envoys for visiting Moscow but not Kyiv, while Ukrainian and Russian officials called for renewed US-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine following a Middle East ceasefire. Concerns grow in Europe over US commitment as talks remain stalled.
Representatives from about 30 NATO member states are set to visit Japan in mid-May, marking the highest-level delegation of its kind. The visit underscores deepening Japan-NATO ties and concerns over US reliability under President Trump, with talks focusing on China and Russia policy and defense cooperation.
A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran has halted 39 days of conflict, but the agreement leaves many questions unresolved. The death of Iran's supreme leader and significant military losses are confirmed, yet the war's long-term strategic impact and the potential for the Strait of Hormuz to become a permanent leverage point remain uncertain.
US President Donald Trump has reportedly considered withdrawing from NATO over European allies' refusal to join the US-Israeli war on Iran. The rift has sparked concerns about the alliance's future, though some sources suggest Trump's threats may be bluster.
President Donald Trump met NATO chief Mark Rutte amid reports he is considering punishing allies who declined to support the US war with Iran, including moving US troops. Rutte acknowledged Trump's disappointment while defending European contributions.
US Vice President JD Vance used a visit to Budapest to praise Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's energy policies and criticize European leaders for not doing enough to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Vance also accused the EU of election meddling in Hungary, while Orban stressed the need for US cooperation to address Europe's energy crisis.
The Pentagon says Iran's military has been rendered ineffective for years to come, framing the campaign as a limited success; analysts see a broader shift in US doctrine toward small, integrated partnerships, with Israel at the center.
Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev said energy markets may take months to stabilize even if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. His comments come amid a US-Iran ceasefire announced by President Trump, with talks planned in Islamabad.
The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire shortly before a US deadline expired, with Tehran accepting temporary safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military leaders mediated the pause, with talks planned in Islamabad. Both sides have framed the truce as progress while differing on longer-term terms including control of the waterway.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called for South Korea and Japan to collaborate at the U.N. level to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing global supply disruptions. He also suggested a bilateral logistics agreement and stressed trilateral security cooperation amid North Korean threats.
Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French nationals held in Iran since May 2022 on espionage charges, have returned to France following their release from Evin prison in November. Their return was announced by President Emmanuel Macron, who thanked Oman for mediation efforts, and comes amid regional tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
US President Donald Trump warned Iran that 'a whole civilization will die tonight' if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his deadline. The threat drew condemnation from Pope Leo and raised international law concerns, as the US and Israel continued strikes on Iranian infrastructure. A two-week ceasefire was later announced.
Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated living soldier and a Victoria Cross recipient, has been arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war crime murder related to incidents in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police and the Office of the Special Investigator. His arrest has sparked a mix of political support and condemnation, with a trial expected years away.
As the US-Iran standoff intensifies, President Trump has issued new threats against Iran's infrastructure, while Tehran claims to have downed US warplanes and warns the Strait of Hormuz may close. The conflicting narratives underscore the fragility of diplomatic efforts ahead of a key deadline.
President Trump has threatened Iran with military action if a deal isn't reached by Tuesday's deadline, while negotiations continue through Pakistani intermediaries. Iran has rejected current proposals, and UK officials have criticized Trump's rhetoric as the conflict escalates.
Elbit Systems says it will begin delivering Watchkeeper X drones to Romania under a $428.75 million contract after delays prompted Bucharest to threaten cancellation. The two sides differ on the cause of the delay, with Elbit citing force majeure and Romania weighing the deal's future.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Sunday, pledging security cooperation and discussing food security. The visit is part of Kyiv's broader diplomatic push across the Middle East, offering drone-defense expertise in exchange for support amid its war with Russia.
Germany's defence minister has suspended a little-noticed provision requiring men aged 17 to 45 to seek military approval for stays abroad longer than three months, following widespread criticism. The rule, part of the Military Service Modernisation Act aimed at boosting defences amid Russian threats, will not apply while military service remains voluntary.
President Trump's renewed threats to withdraw from NATO highlight long-simmering tensions with allies over burden-sharing and military support. The US provides close to two-thirds of NATO's budget, yet Congress has legislated to prevent any unilateral exit without Senate approval.