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Secretary of State Rubio told the Munich Security Conference that Washington aims to "revitalise" rather than abandon the transatlantic alliance, as President Trump signalled he is considering a limited military strike on Iran, saying the world would know within "probably 10 days" whether diplomacy or force would follow.

Elsewhere, Washington is reportedly pushing NATO allies to wind down missions in Iraq and Kosovo, the EU has hit back at claims Europe cannot guarantee its own security without the US, and Germany has opened preliminary talks with France over extending its nuclear umbrella.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇪🇺 Rubio reassures Europe on transatlantic alliance at Munich: Secretary of State Rubio told the Munich Security Conference that Washington sought to "revitalise" rather than abandon the transatlantic alliance, striking a markedly different tone to JD Vance's address at the same event last year. Ursula Von der Leyen said she was "very much reassured," though Rubio made clear the US expects Europe to invest more in its own defence and take a harder look at its immigration and trade policies.

2️⃣ 🇬🇧🇮🇴 Trump urges UK to scrap Chagos deal despite day-old US endorsement: President Trump called on Starmer not to "give away Diego Garcia," directly contradicting the State Department's official backing of the handover issued just 24 hours earlier. The UK Foreign Office held firm, calling the deal the "only way" to secure the base's long-term future, while opposition leaders used the U-turn to demand the agreement be scrapped entirely.

3️⃣🇩🇪🇫🇷 Germany publicly presses France to lift defence spending: Foreign Minister Wadephul urged France to back its European sovereignty rhetoric with actual investment, saying Paris had fallen short of NATO's 5% GDP target. Chancellor Merz separately revealed preliminary talks with Macron over extending France's nuclear umbrella to Germany, a prospect that quickly drew pushback from within his own coalition. 

4️⃣ 🇺🇸🇵🇸 EU leaders slam Trump's Gaza Board of Peace for sidelining UN: EU foreign policy chief Kallas told the Munich Security Conference that Trump's Board of Peace omitted all references to Gaza, the UN, and Palestinian participation required by the original UN Security Council resolution. Trump-appointed Gaza envoy Mladenov warned that without rapid progress, the second phase of the ceasefire risks collapsing into renewed war.

5️⃣ 🇹🇷🇮🇱🇸🇴 Erdogan rejects Israel's recognition of Somaliland: President Erdogan warned during a visit to Ethiopia that Israel's move — the first recognition of Somaliland by any country — risks destabilising an already volatile region. Somaliland's foreign ministry hit back, urging Turkey to stop inflaming tensions, while Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed used the meeting to press Erdogan for help securing sea access for his landlocked nation.

Major Story

🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump signals possible military strike on Iran

President Trump said he is considering a limited military strike on Iran to pressure its leadership into agreeing a deal over its nuclear programme, adding the world would know within "probably 10 days" whether diplomacy or military action would follow. The remarks came as the US continued expanding its military presence near Iran, with deployments including the USS Gerald R. Ford — the world's largest warship — and the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, alongside additional destroyers, combat ships, and fighter jets. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was preparing a draft agreement to hand to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff within days, while satellite imagery showed Iran reinforcing military facilities and Supreme Leader Khamenei publicly warned US forces. 

Trump used similar deadline rhetoric last July while simultaneously pursuing strikes, with officials still publicly discussing the possibility of talks the day before US missiles hit Iranian nuclear facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer. Any sustained military campaign would carry domestic political risks, with polls indicating growing public disapproval of Trump's handling of key issues and parts of his base opposed to prolonged foreign conflicts.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇶 US pushes NATO to end Iraq mission in major reset, Politico reports: Washington has reportedly asked allies to terminate NATO's Iraq advisory mission as early as September, wind down its Kosovo peacekeeping force, and bar Ukraine and Indo-Pacific partners from formal proceedings at July's Ankara summit. Four diplomats described the drive as a "return to factory settings," though it is facing resistance from allies who warn the moves risk destabilising both regions.

2️⃣ 🇷🇺🇪🇺 Russia threatens naval retaliation over shadow fleet crackdown: Senior Russian official Patrushev warned Moscow's navy could "break any blockade" on its shadow fleet and signalled interest in monitoring European-flagged vessels in return. European governments have so far struggled to develop a legal mechanism for physically stopping the estimated 1,500 tankers helping Russia circumvent western sanctions on oil exports.

3️⃣ 🇺🇸🇵🇭🇨🇳 US plans more missile deployments to Philippines amid South China Sea tensions: Following bilateral talks in Manila, the two allies issued a joint statement condemning China's "illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive activities" and confirmed plans to expand US missile and unmanned system deployments. Philippine Ambassador Romualdez said discussions covered "upgraded" launchers Manila may eventually purchase, framing the move as purely deterrent.

4️⃣ 🇪🇺🇺🇸 Von der Leyen pushes back on NATO chief over European defence: Commission President von der Leyen publicly rebuked NATO Secretary General Rutte's claim that Europe "can't" guarantee its own security without the US, calling on EU leaders to activate the bloc's mutual defence clause under Article 42.7. She also urged closer ties with the UK and warned the EU would "not flinch" on its digital sovereignty rules amid US pressure.

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