The ongoing Strait of Hormuz closure due to the Iran war has caused global refined product shortages and price spikes. The article argues that reforming the Jones Act via an Energy Security Waiver Program would allow Gulf Coast refiners to more efficiently supply East and West Coast markets, lowering prices and reducing supply vulnerabilities. Temporary waivers have helped but a permanent fix is needed to ensure long-term energy security without harming the domestic shipbuilding industry.

Beijing believes time favors its unification goals with Taiwan, as it develops military and economic capabilities to deter U.S. intervention. China sees growing confidence in its rise and U.S. decline, with polls showing decreasing support for independence among Taiwan's youth. While not ruling out force, China prefers to avoid costly conflict before achieving full developmental potential. Key tests will come in 2028 with Taiwan and U.S. elections. China may escalate coercive measures like quarantine or territorial incursions if it perceives moves toward formal independence, but full invasion remains unlikely in the near term.

Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has called for a new European defense alliance, arguing that NATO's current form is insufficient due to growing doubts over US security guarantees under President Trump. He proposed a 'coalition of the willing' of European countries meeting strict criteria, including a 5% defense spending target, to organize continental defense independently. The proposed alliance would include an Article 5-like security guarantee and a mechanism to exclude non-compliant members. Rasmussen emphasized NATO would remain central but Europe must provide its own conventional defense, and urged integrating Ukraine into the proposed framework. He has discussed the idea with political leaders in Berlin but has no firm commitments yet. The remarks mark a significant shift for Rasmussen, a longtime advocate of strong transatlantic ties.

Taiwan's opposition-dominated parliament passed a record special defense budget of nearly €21 billion, significantly lower than President Lai Ching-te's original proposal but double the initial proposal from KMT's Cheng Li-wun. The budget is heavily tied to US weapons purchases, including HIMARS and howitzers, and allocates funds for a new 'T-Dome' missile defense shield. The timing is seen as a signal to the US ahead of President Trump's visit to China, with Taiwan seeking to demonstrate its commitment to self-defense as demanded by Washington.

Marcos Perestrello, president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, advocates for a decisive European pillar within NATO to strengthen the alliance amid US threats and troop withdrawals. He emphasizes that this pillar should be built inside NATO, not outside it. Perestrello highlights strong US congressional support for NATO but stresses that Europe must increase defense spending, referencing the 5% GDP target by 2035. He also criticizes current NATO support for Ukraine as insufficient to force Russia into serious negotiations.

The hacking group ShinyHunters launched a cyber attack on Instructure's Canvas learning management system, causing widespread outages at an estimated 9,000 educational institutions across the US, Canada, and Australia. The attack disrupted end-of-year exams and coursework, with some universities canceling exams and advising students to log out. The group reportedly demanded a ransom, and discussions regarding extortion payments may be ongoing. The incident prompted US Senator Chuck Schumer to call for stronger cybersecurity defenses.

Following the Supreme Court's rejection of IEEPA-based tariffs, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is pursuing alternative legal mechanisms (Section 301 and Section 122) to maintain and make permanent President Trump's tariff policies, despite political pushback from Republicans concerned about high prices ahead of the 2026 midterms.

At a UN Arria-formula session, US Ambassador Jeff Bartos reaffirmed the Trump administration's opposition to Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank, stating that stability in the territory is vital for Israel's security. He condemned violence against civilians and reiterated US commitment to working with regional and international partners for peace and coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis.

The Trump administration had been considering establishing a working group to develop control procedures for new AI models after Anthropic's 'Mythos' model raised national security concerns. Vice President JD Vance, alarmed during a call with AI company CEOs including Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, and Satya Nadella, warned that Mythos could enable cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. The White House is now considering an executive order for formal oversight of advanced AI models and has asked Anthropic to limit access to Mythos for critical infrastructure operators. National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross has been assigned to lead the response, which may include new safety measures and limits on private firms' influence over government use of AI tools.

Background: The White House had moved to reintegrate Anthropic into government use and weighed an executive order for formal government review of new AI models. Today's development: The Trump administration is now considering executive actions to regulate advanced AI models ahead of President Trump's trip to China, where AI safety may be on the agenda. National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett suggested an executive order could create an oversight process similar to FDA drug approval for new AI models. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles publicly emphasized safety, signaling a shift from earlier pro-growth rhetoric. Possible measures include an AI and cybersecurity executive order, deployment and testing rules, and licensing for government use of AI. White House meetings this week included tech and financial services companies, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wanting banks involved. Google, xAI, and Microsoft signed pre-deployment testing deals with the Center for AI Standards and Innovation.

An investigation by Hondurasgate and Canal Red has leaked 37 authenticated voice notes from WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram alleging US and Israeli initiatives to advance interests in Honduras and destabilize left-leaning governments in Latin America. The recordings claim Israeli interests secured Trump's pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, reveal plans for disinformation campaigns targeting Mexico and Colombia, and outline proposals for a new US military base in Honduras, private economic development zones, and AI investment. The recordings also suggest Israeli support for Hernandez's potential return to power and include conversations about a digital journalism unit funded by Honduras and Argentina's Javier Milei to attack Colombian and Mexican governments.

The Democracy Perception Index by the Alliance of Democracies Foundation shows the US net rating dropped to -16%, below Russia's -11% and China's +7%. The decline is linked to Trump administration policies including tariffs, tensions with NATO, reduced Ukraine support, and threats regarding Greenland. The survey of 94,000 respondents across 98 countries was released ahead of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit.

U.S. allies and partners, particularly Gulf Arab states and Taiwan, are bypassing traditional U.S.-led cooperation frameworks to directly partner with Ukraine for battle-tested counter-drone and asymmetric warfare capabilities. This trend is accelerated by the Trump administration's unilateralism, resource constraints from the Iran war, and Ukraine's unique combat experience. The authors argue Washington should shift from a 'hub' to a 'node' posture to remain influential in this emerging network.

Toyota reported a £3bn hit from the Iran war, including a 400bn yen increase in materials costs and 270bn yen in lost sales. The US-Israeli attacks on Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted global supply chains, particularly affecting Asian manufacturers reliant on Gulf exports. Toyota's operating profits dropped to 3.8tn yen, with further declines forecast for the next fiscal year.

Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz through drone threats and insurance repricing demonstrates a new model for maritime coercion that Russia could apply to the Danish Straits and Turkish Straits. Russia has the drone capability (Geran-2, Gerbera) and has already probed NATO airspace near the Baltic. The mechanism requires only credible threat, not actual sinking, to trigger insurance withdrawal and shipping collapse. Europe's LNG terminals in the Baltic and Black Sea grain trade are vulnerable. Recommended countermeasures include a NATO war-risk monitoring cell, sovereign reinsurance facilities, and persistent counter-drone postures at chokepoints.

Background: The Trump administration imposed sweeping sanctions on Cuba in early May, threatening military takeover and tightening the economic blockade. Today: Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez warned in an ABC News interview that US policy under President Trump could lead to a 'bloodbath in Cuba' and a humanitarian catastrophe, and stated that Cuba will exercise its right to legitimate defense if attacked militarily. He said there has been 'no progress' in bilateral talks and that issues related to Cuba's political system or internal affairs are not negotiable. Cuba separately condemned new sanctions and an executive order signed on May 1 that tightens economic, financial, and commercial restrictions, accusing Washington of escalating the blockade to 'extreme and unprecedented levels.' The country continues to face a fuel crisis and widespread power outages.

Robert Malley, a former lead US negotiator for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), assesses that current negotiations are more complex than in the past. He attributes this to the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and notes that while Iran's nuclear program has been significantly damaged by Israeli and US strikes, making a temporary suspension of enrichment more realistic, the overall political landscape has become more difficult.

California's struggles with housing, public safety, and disaster response are driving voter frustration in the 2026 governor and Los Angeles mayor races. The Democratic field for governor is fragmented: former Biden Health Secretary Xavier Becerra leads after former Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out due to sexual assault allegations; billionaire Tom Steyer has spent at least $132 million positioning himself as the most left-wing candidate; former Rep. Katie Porter remains in single digits after resurfaced footage of her berating a staffer; and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan attracts Silicon Valley funding. Republicans Steve Hilton (Trump-endorsed former Fox News host) and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (former Oath Keepers member) lead the GOP field, with Hilton arguing one-party Democratic rule has destroyed the California Dream. In Los Angeles, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass faces challenges from City Councilmember Nithya Raman (democratic socialist) and reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, who blames Bass for the January wildfires that destroyed his home. Pratt's campaign gains viral momentum, including an AI-generated ad depicting Bass as Joker and Newsom as a French aristocrat. The races highlight broader Democratic governance failures.

The Pentagon released an initial tranche of 162 declassified files documenting reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), now termed unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs). The release follows a directive from President Trump in February. The files include old state department cables, FBI documents, and eyewitness accounts, but offer no conclusive evidence of extraterrestrial activity. The Pentagon plans further releases on a rolling basis.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné has called for a 'European Preference' policy, warning that countries not opening their markets to EU companies will be excluded from EU public procurement. This stance comes amid rising trade tensions with the U.S. and concerns over Chinese competition, with Séjourné arguing that giving EU taxpayers' money to local companies strengthens Europe's hand in global trade negotiations.

Miami World Cup host committee co-chair Rodney Barreto announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured him ICE will not conduct immigration enforcement at World Cup matches. Barreto stated that ICE will not be present at stadiums and that the federal government will ensure orderly passport processing. The assurance aims to prevent the tournament from becoming a venue for immigration raids, amid heightened enforcement under the Trump administration. Barreto also criticized the security failures at the 2024 Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium, noting that the Miami committee is implementing improved perimeter controls.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on the FBI to provide a public progress update on its investigation into the 2022 killing of Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by Israeli forces in the West Bank. The CPJ described the lack of concrete progress as a failure by the US government, noting no formal witness interviews or evidence gathering in Israel or Palestine. Abu Akleh's family also expressed that justice remains elusive. The CPJ urged an independent and impartial investigation free from political considerations.

Pope Leo XIV's first year as pontiff has been marked by a public feud with US President Donald Trump over the Iran conflict, which has strained US-Vatican relations. Despite the tensions, Leo has emphasized a pastoral mission of unity and healing divisions within the Catholic Church. His low-key, unifying approach, which contrasts with Pope Francis's style, has strengthened church unity and attracted new donors, including 25 new families to The Papal Foundation. His English-speaking background has resonated with US Catholics and donors. Cardinal Timothy Dolan compared Leo to St. Joseph, highlighting his calm and mission-focused demeanor. On the eve of his first anniversary, Leo met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican in a diplomatic effort to ease tensions, following Trump's persistent attacks on the pope.

The US Marine Corps announced plans to deactivate all remaining F/A-18 Hornet squadrons by 2030 and eliminate six associated maintenance specialties, as it transitions to an all-F-35 fleet. Marines in affected roles are encouraged to retrain for F-35 positions or face reassignment. The phase-out will occur regionally at bases in South Carolina, California, and Texas.

US President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met privately at the White House, exchanging compliments but avoiding a joint press appearance, signaling unresolved disagreements on trade, crime, and the case of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Analysts view the meeting as a pragmatic effort to de-escalate tensions ahead of elections in both countries.

L3Harris Technologies has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to develop core elements of the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), a secure digital infrastructure for the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) strategy. The work aims to integrate sensors and shooters across all domains, enhancing data integration and networking for modern military operations.

Taiwan's first Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS), Hai Kun (SS-711), successfully conducted its first weapon system verification test on May 6, launching two Mk 48 Mod 6 Advanced Technology heavyweight torpedoes. The test validated the combat system's ability to detect, track, and engage targets. The submarine is expected to be delivered to the Taiwanese Navy in July 2026, delayed from the original December 2025 timeline due to foreign sub-system integration issues. The torpedoes were acquired via a US Foreign Military Sale approved in 2020.

The US State Department announced it will begin revoking passports of Americans who owe more than $2,500 in child support, enforcing a rarely-used 1996 federal law. The policy targets those with significant outstanding debt and aims to strengthen compliance with child support obligations. Affected individuals outside the US may obtain emergency travel documents to return.

Roger Stone, a longtime ally of Donald Trump, has registered as a foreign agent to lobby for Myanmar's military junta, receiving $50,000 per month to rebuild relations between Myanmar and the US, focusing on trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief. The junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, faces international isolation and accusations of war crimes. Stone's contract is with the DCI Group, and civil society group Justice for Myanmar condemned the arrangement as profiting from a heavily sanctioned regime committing atrocities.

The US Marine Corps has issued a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal to develop autonomous robots capable of assembling Expeditionary Airfield (EAF) matting, a task currently performed manually by Marines. The robots must operate on uneven terrain, handle heavy mat sections with precision, and withstand harsh conditions. The project includes three phases, with a deployable prototype expected by 2026. This initiative aims to reduce physical strain, hazards, and manpower requirements for constructing airfields in remote or contested environments.

U.S. Marines from VMFA-251 demonstrated improved ground communications for F-35 operations using the Digital Interoperability (DI) kit during WTI course 2-26 at MCAS Yuma. The kit enabled real-time Link 16 data relay to ground crews, direct pilot-maintainer communication via F-35 ICS cable, and shared radio frequencies, streamlining turnaround operations and enhancing efficiency.

The US Army has established the Marne Unmanned Center of Excellence at Fort Stewart, Georgia, a homegrown schoolhouse to train soldiers on drone operations. The center, operational since March, combines academic instruction, virtual simulators, and increasingly challenging flight tests to push operators beyond their comfort zone. Soldiers spend 40 to 50 hours on virtual drones before flying real ones, learning maneuvers, reconnaissance, and attack techniques. The training includes one-way attack drones and coordination with air traffic control. The initiative reflects the Army's push to integrate drones into every formation as unmanned aircraft reshape modern warfare.