Europeans push for renewed diplomacy with Iran as Trump mulls military action

The US Air Force is making big moves with its next-gen fighter program, and the spotlight this week is on "loyal wingman" drones like the F-47 and Fury. These autonomous bots are designed to fly alongside sixth-generation fighter jets, acting as force multipliers in potential conflicts. Anduril Industries, a key defense contractor, showed off full-scale models at the Paris Air Show and hinted that the Indo-Pacific—think rising tensions with China—is a priority deployment zone.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about flashy airshow displays—it’s a glimpse into how the Pentagon plans to stay ahead in an era where drones and AI are reshaping warfare. If these systems work as intended, they could give the US a serious edge in contested regions like the South China Sea, where human-piloted jets might face overwhelming odds. It’s also a signal that the military-industrial complex is betting big on human-machine teaming as the future of air combat.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has pushed back against calls to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, calling the proposed target "unreasonable and counterproductive" in a letter ahead of an upcoming NATO summit. The move signals a potential rift with allies pushing for higher military budgets amid global tensions.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about budgets—it’s a political stance with real consequences. Spain’s refusal to ramp up military spending could strain its relationships within NATO, especially as other members lean into heavier defense investments. It also raises questions about how Europe balances security needs with economic realities. For readers, it’s a glimpse into the tough trade-offs leaders face in an unstable world.

Russia and Ukraine have swapped prisoners of war for the second time in two days, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. While details on the numbers or conditions aren’t provided, the repeated exchanges suggest ongoing—if fragile—cooperation between the two sides, even amid heavy fighting.

Editor’s Note: Prisoner swaps are one of the few areas where Ukraine and Russia still engage directly, offering small but meaningful relief for soldiers and their families. These exchanges don’t signal peace, but they do show that behind the scenes, some channels remain open—which could matter if broader talks ever resume. For now, though, it’s a rare glimmer of humanity in a brutal war.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is making what’s being called a "historic" visit to Turkey, where he’ll sit down with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders are trying to mend long-frayed ties, rooted in century-old conflicts—including tensions over World War I-era disputes and Turkey’s close alliance with Azerbaijan.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another diplomatic handshake. Armenia and Turkey have been at odds for decades, with closed borders and deep-seated grievances. If this meeting leads to real progress, it could ease regional tensions and maybe even open doors for trade or cooperation. But given the weight of history, don’t expect overnight breakthroughs—it’s a tentative step, not a sprint.

Beijing’s top Hong Kong affairs official, Xia Baolong, met privately with the city’s business elite for three hours during his visit, marking his first such discussion since last November. The closed-door talks at government headquarters were followed by a lighter itinerary—checking out Ocean Park and Lamma Island. While details of the conversation are scarce, the meeting signals ongoing high-level engagement between Beijing and Hong Kong’s influential tycoons.

Editor’s Note: These low-profile but high-stakes chats matter because they offer a glimpse into how Beijing navigates Hong Kong’s complex economic and political landscape. With no public agenda, the meeting leaves room for speculation—is it routine relationship maintenance, or are there bigger moves afoot? Either way, it’s a reminder that behind Hong Kong’s bustling surface, quiet conversations among power players often shape what happens next.