Trump has decided to continue a long-term blockade on Iran instead of escalating military action or ending the conflict.

Source: WSJ

Artwork by U.S. troops stationed at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait during the Iran war.

Source

Trump:

We're doing a little Middle East work right now, too, as you might know. And we're doing very well. We have militarily defeated that particular opponent.

And we're never going to let that opponent ever — Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says Friedrich Merz meant his remark that Iran is “humiliating” the US as a warning to Tehran.

Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer, told Politico staff that company values—especially support for Israel—are non-negotiable.

He suggested employees who don’t align should leave:

“If the essentials are not a reason why to work for this company, I can only recommend to work for other companies.”

Military suicides in Israel are rising, with at least 10 active-duty soldiers and several others (including reservists and police) dying by suicide in 2026 so far.

Experts and soldiers say reduced mental health support—like canceled debriefings, fewer field officers, and ignored warning signs—may be contributing.

Source: Haaretz

An Israeli military unit that assaulted and detained a CNN team in the West Bank has returned to duty after a one-month suspension.

The incident involved a soldier putting a journalist in a chokehold; an investigation was opened, but no further discipline is known.

Source: CNN

Trump:

Trump posted this at 4:05 a.m. Eastern Time.

Mali’s Leader Assimi Goïta:

The situation is under control.

The attacks were of “extreme gravity”.

I promise the “complete neutralization” of those responsible.

People should not to panic or fall into “division and national fracture.”

Iran’s IRGC claims it recovered and neutralized multiple U.S. bombs after recent strikes.

They say they found “more than 15 heavy American missiles” in the south and ~55 more plus “thousands of bomblets” in another region.

Most notably, they claim an intact bunker-buster (GBU-57) was recovered for “reverse engineering.”

Germany’s top military cyber official rejects Palantir for now over data control concerns.

Vice Admiral Thomas Daum:

I don’t see that happening at all at the moment.

It is inconceivable… to grant industry staff access to the national database.

Ursula von der Leyen on Russia:

Russians feel that they live behind an iron curtain again… a digital iron curtain.

If history has one lesson, it’s that all walls eventually fall.

Ursula von der Leyen on Iran:

Any peace agreement will have to address Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program.

IDF troops invading Lebanon now trying to improvise solutions to counter Hezbollah drones.

Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of its Fateh-II missile system.

Type: Precision-guided rocket system (not ballistic).

Range: ~400 km.

NEW: France urges its citizens to leave Mali ASAP amid worsening security.

Situation described as “extremely volatile”.

Trigger: April 25 coordinated attacks across Mali (incl. Bamako).

Trump met with oil executives as the Iran war disrupts global supply and drives up prices.

Gas has risen to about $4.18 per gallon, creating political pressure, while the U.S. has limited options to ease the surge.

Source: Axios

North Korea’s nuclear arsenal is nearing a point where it could overwhelm U.S. missile defenses.

U.S. system: 44 interceptors (~$65 billion), usually 2 per target → can handle ~20–25 incoming missiles.

North Korea: producing 12–15 warheads/year, rapidly expanding stockpile.

ICBMs: multiple types (Hwasong-15/17/18/19), with dozens of launchers possible.

New tech: solid-fuel missiles + decoys make interception harder.

Source: Bloomberg

A new, large civilian flotilla is heading toward Gaza.

Scale: ~60–70 vessels currently (target 100+), 1,000–3,000 participants from 100+ countries.

Route: Departed Spain & France → regrouped in Sicily (Apr 26) → now crossing Mediterranean toward Gaza (some near Crete).

Mission: Deliver humanitarian aid, challenge Israel’s naval blockade, draw global attention.

Israel says the flotilla is Hamas-linked, imposed sanctions, likely to intercept.

Kremlin says Russia is not leaving OPEC+.