Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel will remain in southern Lebanon ‘for as long as necessary,’ openly defying the terms of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed on 19 June 2026.
Category: Geopolitics
Posted inGeopolitics
Germany’s Bundeswehr hits 36-year spending high at $114bn as Pistorius eyes Europe’s top army
Germany’s combined defense outlay reached €108 billion in 2026 — the first time since 1990 that Berlin has exceeded 2% of GDP on military spending — as Chancellor Merz pursues Europe’s strongest conventional army.
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Hegseth declares NATO’s era of freeriding over in Brussels troop review
Hegseth ordered a six-month review of US troops in Europe on June 18, saying allies who denied base access during Iran operations had been ‘shameful.’
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G7 Évian closes without communiqué as leaders back tougher Russia pressure
The 52nd G7 summit in Évian ended June 17 with no joint communiqué but a package of pledges on Ukraine air defence, oil and gas sanctions, and energy resilience.
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North Korea opens a new road bridge to Russia as sanctions evasion deepens
A new road bridge between North Korea and Russia opens June 19 as Pyongyang’s trade with China hits an eight-year high and sanctions evasion deepens.
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Britain, France and Germany push Trump on Ukraine peacekeeping at G7 Évian
European heavyweights are pressing Trump at the G7 Évian summit to back a ceasefire along current front lines and authorise a NATO peacekeeping force on Ukrainian soil.
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Trump declares Iran deal complete as Hormuz shipping prepares to resume
President Trump announced on June 14 that the US-Iran ceasefire deal is now complete, with the Strait of Hormuz set to reopen and a formal signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland.
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Iran sets Khamenei’s funeral for July after four months of wartime delay
Iran announced on 13 June 2026 that ceremonies for Supreme Leader Khamenei, killed in a US-Israeli airstrike in February, will begin in Tehran on 4 July.
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Pakistan declares Iran-US deal text agreed as Tehran awaits supreme leader’s sign-off
Pakistan announced on June 12 that the US and Iran have agreed a final deal text including nuclear dismantlement and Strait of Hormuz reopening, with Iran’s supreme leader’s approval the last remaining step.
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Trump cancels Iran strikes and signals a deal could be signed this weekend
President Trump on June 11 called off planned strikes on Iran and said a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities could be signed as early as this weekend, potentially reopening the Strait of Hormuz.