Trump Signals U.S. Nearing End of Military Goals in Iran War, Shifts Hormuz Responsibility to Regional Nations 
Trump's Shifting War Goals Against Iran: A Timeline of Contradictions 
US-Iran War: Trump Eyes Military Exit as Markets React to Potential De-escalation 
Iran-Israel War Escalates: Long-Range Missiles, Nuclear Site Strikes, and Global Energy Crisis 
Palestinian Activist Leqaa Kordia Released from U.S. Immigration Detention After Judge's Order 
Trump Links DHS Funding to Voter ID Legislation 
S&P 500 Rebounds After Netanyahu's Statements on Iran's Military Setbacks 
TSA Absences Surge During Government Shutdown as ICE Agents Prepare Airport Deployment 
Robert Mueller, Former FBI Director and Special Counsel, Dies at 81 
U.S. Officials Express Optimism Over New CDC Director Selection Amid Vaccine Policy Turmoil 
Australian PM Albanese Heckled at Sydney Mosque During Eid al-Fitr Prayers 
Trump Threatens ICE Airport Deployment Amid TSA Shutdown Crisis 
Cuba Rejects U.S. Demands to Remove President Diaz-Canel Amid Ongoing Negotiations 
U.S.-Iran War Escalates: Marines Deploy, Strait of Hormuz Closure Drives Global Oil Crisis 
Ukraine-U.S. Peace Talks in Florida Target Ceasefire Framework and Defense Cooperation 
Trump Administration Quietly Approves $7 Billion in Unannounced Weapons Sales to UAE 
Trump Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Iran Over Strait of Hormuz, Threatens Power Grid Strikes 
Tensions remain in Europe due to the ongoing conflict between Russia, NATO, and Ukraine, with the US leading the efforts in warning Moscow against making any invasion. US President Joe Biden has formally approved the deployment of US troops to eastern Europe in the midst of fears.
Officials told CNN that Biden has officially approved the deployment of US troops to the region. The Pentagon is set to announce that additional thousands more troops would be dispatched to areas in Europe. Around 2,000 US troops would be stationed in Poland and a few thousand more to southeastern NATO countries, including Romania. The deployment may take place in the coming days.
Russia has deployed tens of thousands of troops to its borders with Ukraine, including Belarus. Washington has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin may order an invasion soon. While Moscow has denied planning any sort of invasion on Ukraine, the troop buildup remains, leading to fears that an incursion may happen.
Washington has repeatedly warned that Russia would face severe sanctions should an invasion happen, possibly targeting Russian oligarchs who have assets overseas. Moscow has turned in a list of guarantees it wants NATO and the US to agree on, including barring Ukraine from joining the alliance. Talks between US and Russian officials have also been unsuccessful as no breakthrough occurred.
In other related news, Biden announced that the overnight US raid in Syria has taken out Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. Women and children were also among the fatalities included in the raid that occurred. Biden confirmed al-Qurayshi’s death Thursday, praising the operation, and said that al-Qurayshi was responsible for the civilian deaths.
Qurayshi, according to Biden, blew himself up, including members of his family, calling the move an “act of cowardice.” ISIL has yet to confirm al-Qurayshi’s death.
“He chose to blow himself up – not just with a vest, but to blow up that third floor – rather than face justice for the crimes he has committed, taking several members of his family with him,” said Biden.
“I am determined to protect the American people from terrorist threats, and I’ll take decisive action to protect this country,” said the US leader.
