🇺🇸🇮🇳🇵🇭⚡- The US is planning on replacing India with the Philippines in the QUAD strategic partnership, Foreign Policy reports.

The partnership began to fade due to India's poor commitments, including failing to meet US demands in curbing illegal and sanctioned Russian oil, a deterioration of relations with Washington last year, and failing to host the QUAD 2025 summit.

Note, India's replacement with the Philippines is something the so-called 'realists' at the Quincy Institute have long argued for.

🇺🇸⚡️- BREAKING: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has resigned, according to Fox News.

🇲🇱⚡️- The JNIM ambushed a Malian military convoy yesterday. At least 7 soldiers were claimed to have been killed by the JNIM. Local authorities report at least 25 deaths.

🇲🇱🇲🇷⚡️- Mauritania issued a formal complaint to Mali after a group of protesters turned violent in front of the Mauritanian Embassy in Mali. Threats have been made online by Malians to target Mauritanian shops and communities in Mali, claiming Mauritania supports the insurgent armed groups operating in Mali.

🇲🇱⚡️- The JNIM is still enforcing a partial blockade around Bamako.

Dozens of vehicles were burnt this week according to the BBC, citing local sources.

🇷🇺🇲🇱⚡️- The Africa Corps mercenaries bombarded several buildings in Kidal this morning. No victims reported by either side. The regional governorate building of Kidal was reportedly destroyed.

🇺🇲⚡️- "I am deeply grateful for the trust President Trump placed in me and for the opportunity to lead the Office of the DNI for the last year and a half.

Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026. My husband, Abraham, has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. He faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months. At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle." - Tulsi Gabbard in a post on X, with the following letter.

🇺🇸⚡️- The White House forced Gabbard to resign from her post, according to Reuters.

🇺🇲⚡️- "Unfortunately, after having done a great job, Tulsi Gabbard will be leaving the Administration on June 30th. Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together. I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever. Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her. Her highly respected Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence. President DONALD J. TRUMP." - President Donald Trump on Truth Social.

🇨🇺🇷🇺🇨🇳⚡- "China and Russia have in recent years expanded their intelligence operations in Cuba, investing in electronic-eavesdropping facilities used to spy on U.S. military sites in Florida and roughly tripling the number of intelligence personnel to staff them since 2023," - The Wall Street Journal citing officials familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments.

🇸🇩🇪🇹🇦🇪⚡- Hostile Turkish-made Akinci drone over Sudan's capital Khartoum.

Sudanese monitors report it's an Ethiopian or Emirati operated drone.

🇺🇸🇨🇺⚡- "I believe the liberation of the wonderful people of Cuba from the clutches of communism is close at hand.

Cuba Libre," - Lindsey Graham.

🇪🇺🇲🇽⚡️- The European Union and Mexico signed a bilateral agreement lowering tariffs between the two markets.

🇻🇳🇵🇭🇮🇳⚡- After the Philippines, Vietnam is close to signing a deal with India for New Delhi's BrahMos cruise missiles.

🇮🇷⚡️- Iran has closed its airspace in the western part of the country to all non-day flights until Monday.

🇶🇦🇮🇷⚡- The Qatari delegation has departed from Tehran.

🇺🇸⚡️- Democrats in Maryland are now moving forward with plans to eliminate the GOP House district in the state, betraying their promise to the GOP in Indiana to not redistrict.

This promise triggered the skirmish between Trump and Indiana lawmakers over redistricting.

🇺🇸🇮🇷⚡️- The Trump Administration has been preparing today for a new round of military strikes against Iran, according to CBS News. So far, no final decision has been made.

Multiple members of the U.S. military and intelligence community have canceled their Memorial Day plans in anticipation of the potential strikes.

🇵🇸🇮🇱⚡- A squadron of Israeli jets flying over the West Bank, heading in an eastwards direction.

🇮🇶⚡️- Initial reports: Fighter jets have been heard above Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.