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Time:2026-07-12T12:46:26Z

US Senator Lindsey Graham has died at 71 after a brief illness, with widespread tributes and reactions across the political spectrum. The US-Iran conflict has escalated dramatically: the US launched strikes after Iran attacked a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Iran to retaliate against five Gulf nations and close the strategic waterway. Questions are mounting about US military readiness as weapons stockpiles remain depleted. Qatar's former ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has passed away at 74, leaving a legacy as the architect of modern Qatar. A New York Times investigation reveals how Russian intelligence operates a smuggling network out of Tokyo to evade sanctions and supply the war in Ukraine.

Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71

Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71Lindsey Graham, the Republican US Senator from South Carolina and a close ally of Donald Trump, has died at age 71 following a brief and sudden illness. News of his death was confirmed by multiple major news outlets, with tributes pouring in from across the political spectrum. Graham served as a key figure on the Senate Judiciary Committee and was one of Israel's strongest supporters in Congress. His death marks the end of a nearly three-decade political career in Washington.

Sources:
Lindsey Graham, one of Israel’s strongest US Senate allies, dies at 71 (Al Jazeera)
US Senator and close Trump ally Lindsey Graham dies after 'brief and sudden illness' (BBC)
Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator and Staunch Trump Ally, Dies at 71 (NYT)
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham dead at 71 (CBC)

US strikes Iran after Hormuz ship attack

US strikes Iran after Hormuz ship attackThe United States has launched military strikes against Iran in response to an attack on a civilian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by attacking five Gulf Arab nations and closing the strategic waterway, which is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. The US is demanding that Iran publicly guarantee the Strait remains open and cease attacks on ships. The escalation marks a significant intensification of the conflict between the two nations.

Sources:
US attacks Iran over ship being hit in Strait of Hormuz; Tehran responds by hitting Arab states (AP News)
US military says it is striking Iran in response to attack on civilian vessel in Strait of Hormuz (AP News)
US demands Iran publicly state that Strait of Hormuz is open and Tehran won’t attack ships anymore (AP News)
Iran attacks five Gulf nations, shuts Hormuz after US bombing: All to know (Al Jazeera)
US launches fresh strikes as Iran closes Strait of Hormuz (BBC)

US weapon stockpiles depleted amid Iran conflict

US weapon stockpiles depleted amid Iran conflictAs US military operations against Iran intensify, concerns are mounting over America's depleted weapons stockpiles and its ability to fight future wars. Analysts warn that sustained operations could strain US military readiness. Meanwhile, hard-liners in Iran are pushing to continue the fight, raising questions about whether the fragile ceasefire with the US can hold. NPR reports on what Iran stands to lose if diplomatic efforts collapse entirely.

Sources:
Iran war heats up while US weapon stocks remain depleted, risking military’s ability to fight future wars (CNN)
What does Iran stand to lose if the ceasefire with the U.S. collapses? (NPR)
Hard-Liners in Iran Want to Keep Fighting America (NYT)

Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa dies at 74

Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa dies at 74Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former ruler of Qatar, has died at the age of 74, according to the Qatar state news agency. He was widely regarded as the architect of modern Qatar, overseeing the country's transformation into a wealthy and influential nation on the global stage. His reign saw the launch of Al Jazeera, massive investments in natural gas infrastructure, and Qatar's emergence as a major diplomatic player in the Middle East.

Sources:
Qatar’s former ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at age 74, state news agency says (AP News)
Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies aged 74 (Al Jazeera)
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the architect of modern Qatar (Al Jazeera)
Key moments from former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s life (Al Jazeera)

Russian spy network smuggling tech out of Tokyo

A New York Times investigative report reveals how Russian intelligence operates a smuggling network out of Tokyo to funnel high-tech equipment into Russia for the war in Ukraine. The operation is run through the 20th Directorate of Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU), using the Aeroflot Tokyo office as cover. Reporters tracked a Russian intelligence officer named Maksim Vladimirovich Filchenkov, exposing the sophisticated evasion of international sanctions.

Sources:
Jane BradleyEarlier this year, I found myself on the 22nd floor of a Tokyo high rise. I was looking for a man named Maksim Vladimirovich Filchenkov, a Russian spy. (NYT)
Michael SchwirtzFilchenkov, officials told us, is part of the 20th Directorate of Russia’s military intelligence agency. The 20th works to smuggle high-tech equipment into Russia to support the war in Ukraine. (NYT)
Jane BradleyFilchenkov works out of the Tokyo office of Aeroflot, the Russian state-owned airline that has long been used as cover for Russian spies. I set out to track him down. (NYT)