
US Seeks a Peace Deal in Rwanda-Congo Conflict by July
The US wants Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo to sign a peace deal by July, according to a top State Department official for Africa.
Technical teams from both countries will be in Washington next week to discuss ending a conflict between the two nations that has left more than a million people displaced, thousands dead and a large swath of mineral-rich eastern Congo under Rwanda-backed rebel control.
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Bloomberg
36 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Israel Strike on Iran Sparks Risk Off Sentiment; Iran Retaliates
Oil spikes and stocks sell off after Israel launched a broad offensive on Iranian military and nuclear targets overnight. Iran retaliates and blames the US for Israel's attack, while the US denies any involvement. Nadia Martin Wiggen of Svelland Capital sees further gains in crude prices amid risks of escalation in the conflict. Thomas Wagner of Knighthead Capital Management, speaking at Le Mans, says the Fed needs to cut given inflation is below target and concerns over growth persist. (Source: Bloomberg)
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Will Israel attack Iran? Trump warns of 'massive conflict' over nuclear program
WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump says he doesn't want Israel to attack Iran while he's actively negotiating an agreement that could prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The possibility of an imminent Israeli attack on its longtime foe Iran was great enough that Trump said he ordered the evacuation of some American diplomats in the Middle East this week. "There's a chance of massive conflict. We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said, 'We got to tell them to get out,' because something could happen. Soon," Trump said at a White House event. "And I don't want to be the one that didn't give any warning, and missiles are flying into their buildings. It's possible. So I had to do it." Trump's comments came a day after the U.S. abruptly pulled some diplomats out of Iraq. A subsequent report from the New York Times said American and European officials were warning of a possible Israeli attack that could turn the region into a tinder box or undercut the Trump administration's nuclear negotiations. "As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in, because I think that would blow it. Might help it, actually. But it also could blow it," Trump told reporters on June 12. "Whether or not we get there, I can't tell you, but it will happen soon." Trump has also threatened to bomb Iran if diplomacy fails. His special envoy Steve Witkoff has been working to secure a deal to curb Iran's uranium enrichment program and plans to travel to Oman on Sunday for a sixth round of talks. Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and the head of Israel's spy agency, Mossad chief David Barnea, were also expected to meet with Witkoff. Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the phone on June 9 after a meeting at Camp David with military and national security officials. The White House declined to say what the leaders discussed or who Trump met with at the presidential retreat. Then, on June 11, the administration withdrew personnel from the U.S. embassy in Iraq without explanation. The State Department said its embassies in Bahrain and Kuwait had not changed their staffing and remained fully operational. The move came as Trump said in an interview with "Pod Force One" that he was feeling less confident about an Iranian nuclear deal. However, he told reporters on June 12: "We're fairly close to an agreement. We are fairly close to a pretty good agreement. It's got to be better than pretty good, though." Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump warns Israeli attack could 'blow' Iran nuke talks


Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Trump Eyes 'New Golden Age' for US Nuclear Umbrella on China's Doorstep
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States aims to pursue a "new golden age" in its relationship with Japan as the two countries recently discussed America's extended deterrence—commonly known as the nuclear umbrella—amid China's military buildup, a State Department official told Newsweek. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. Why It Matters The U.S. has committed to defending Japan through extended deterrence, which refers to the pledge to deter and respond to nuclear and non-nuclear threats against allies and partners, including, if necessary, through the use of nuclear weapons. Over 30 countries are protected by America's nuclear umbrella, a recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report stated. According to the Pentagon, China continues its rapid nuclear expansion and is estimated to possess over 600 warheads in its nuclear arsenal—making it the third largest in the world. The Chinese military has significantly expanded its medium-range ballistic missile fleet, which is capable of striking Japan as well as U.S. military bases located there. What To Know The Extended Deterrence Dialogue was held from June 5-6 at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, the U.S. State Department and the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Monday. The bilateral dialogue was hosted by the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command. The U.S. side was represented by officials from the State Department and the Pentagon, while the Japanese delegation included officials from Japan's foreign and defense ministries, as well as the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., according to the command. Established in 2010, the bilateral discussion allows both governments to address strategic deterrence, including nuclear and missile defense policy, Japan's foreign ministry said. "Our tailored dialogues with allies in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific have become deeper and broader," the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command told Newsweek, adding that these efforts strengthen allied understanding of U.S. nuclear deterrence posture and capabilities. This iteration, which was the first held under the second Trump administration, included a visit to the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command's training facilities. Officially released photos show the Japanese delegation taking a close look at America's B-52H strategic bomber fleet. The U.S. Air Force operates 76 B-52H bombers, according to the Federation of American Scientists, 46 of which are capable of carrying nuclear cruise missiles. This type of bomber was deployed to Guam—a U.S. military hub in the western Pacific Ocean—last month. The United States hosted Japan for an Extended Deterrence Dialogue (EDD) at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana on June 5-6, 2025. — U/S of State for Arms Control & Int'l Security (@UnderSecT) June 9, 2025 Since 2022, this dialogue between Washington and Tokyo has taken place at key locations of the U.S. nuclear triad, which comprises strategic bombers, ballistic missile submarines, and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command added. Last year, American and Japanese officials met at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, where the Japanese delegation visited the U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) mission. The base operates Minuteman III ICBMs on full alert around the clock. What People Are Saying A U.S. State Department official told Newsweek: "This [Extended Deterrence Dialogue] advanced President Trump's determination to pursue a new golden age for U.S.-Japan relations and to further enhance U.S. extended deterrence." The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command told Newsweek: "The United States does not face the challenging international environment alone. Our network of allies and partners in the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific is an asymmetric advantage that our adversaries can never hope to match." What Happens Next? The U.S. is also likely to enhance its extended deterrence to South Korea—another treaty ally in Northeast Asia—in order to better counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.