July 20, 2026
War, Interviews, and Apollo 11
Good morning, everyone!
Here, every day, I seek to capture everything you need to know for the day to be informed.
We live in a tumultuous and ever-changing world that seems to get only more volatile and uncertain by the day. In this environment, it is as if events are unfolding so quickly that we are unable to fully process them. I believe that we have become overwhelmed by this reality, and thus, disillusioned.
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Today, we will look at the situation in the Middle East, several U.S. election battles, and the anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.
Let’s get to it.
The Week Ahead
-The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a $95 billion reconciliation bill this week.
-Andy Burnham is set to take office as British prime minister.
-President Donald Trump will host Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House on Tuesday.
-Arizona will hold a statewide primary election.
-Foreign ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will meet in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, on Thursday.
-The rescheduled White House Correspondents Dinner will be held on Friday.
Trump is expected to attend.
Major Developments
-Three U.S. service members were killed and another was wounded in Iranian attacks in Iraq and Jordan over the weekend, marking the first U.S. troop casualties since fighting between Washington and Tehran resumed two weeks ago.
Since President Donald Trump ordered Operation Epic Fury on February 28, seventeen U.S. soldiers have been killed.
Yesterday evening, U.S. Central Command said it was carrying out strikes against Iran “for the ninth consecutive night.”
-The average U.S. gas price stood at $3.99 yesterday, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to AAA.
Prices have fluctuated drastically since the beginning of the conflict, with the average cost of a gallon rising from under $3.00 in late March to peak at just over $4.50 in early May.
Meanwhile, inflation in the United States cooled to 3.5% last month, down from 4.2% in May.
On a monthly basis, prices climbed by 0.4% from May to June.
-Troy Jackson effectively secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate over the weekend.
-House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly confronted Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders over his support for progressive challengers to Democratic incumbents.
-Trump endorsed South Carolina Senator Darline Graham to serve a full term in the seat long held by her late brother, Lindsay Graham.
Despite the endorsement, Congressman Ralph Norman announced his bid for the Republican nomination, quickly gaining the support of Turning Point USA.
Congressman Russell Fry could soon jump into the race.
-According to a new poll, Democrats hold only a slight edge in the race for control of Congress ahead of November’s general election.
-In an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal published over the weekend, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said she would not support Trump’s “SAVE America” election bill.
Last week, North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis pledged to stall the legislation on the Senate floor.
-Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, King Felipe VI of Spain, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez attended the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final yesterday alongside Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 to win the tournament, marking the country's second World Cup title.
-Over the weekend, Russia launched one of its largest ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine since its full-scale invasion of the country four years ago.
-New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sat for an interview with The New York Times’ Lulu Garcia-Navarro last week, where he spoke of his insurgent movement in the Democratic Party and the possible arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
-In an interview with NPR, Hunter Biden discussed his recent media appearances with Candace Owens and Nick Fuentes.
-Former President Barack Obama spoke about the Reconstruction Era in a new podcast interview.
View it here:
-PBS reaired its American Experience documentary on John F. Kennedy last week.
View part one here:
-According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, President Richard Nixon’s legacy is being revived and rebranded by young conservatives online.
-On this day in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin walked on the Moon while Michael Collins orbited above.
On the lunar surface, Armstrong said, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
From the Oval Office, President Nixon spoke to the astronauts, saying it was “the most historic telephone call ever made.”
He added, “For every American, this has to be the proudest day of our lives.”
Watching live on air, CBS’ Walter Cronkite said he was “speechless.”
Other Links:
Trump calls for Congress to add Iran to Russia sanctions bill in Graham’s honor - The Hill
Trump shifts his tone on Jimmy Carter while grappling with Iran, inflation and his own legacy - AP
‘Pulte got really scared’: Inside the White House debate over Trump’s elections speech - Politico
Usha Vance gives birth to fourth child, vice president announces - CNN
In Arizona’s Primaries, Democrats Fight Over a House Seat They Need Badly - The New York Times
Jon Ossoff, amid presidential chatter, hits Trump over elections - The Hill
These AIPAC-Backed Democrats Voted to Nix Israel Aid. AIPAC Punished Them. - The New York Times
Social-Media Influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate Are Arrested in Miami - The Wall Street Journal
Senegal: Faye, ex-president Macky Sall hold high-stakes meeting - Africa News
Nigeria: Child malnutrition worsens as cost of living climbs - Africa News
Mali rebels ambush an army convoy, killing or capturing scores of soldiers - AP
‘You cannot hide from a drone strike’: The terror falling from the sky in Sudan - CNN
Cuban dissident Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara goes into exile in US - BBC
Brazil calls Trump’s 25% tariff unjust and vows to impose reciprocal tariffs - AP
7.3-magnitude earthquake strikes off coast of southern Mexico - NBC
5.5 magnitude earthquake hits Peru’s Andes region and kills at least 6 people - AP
Venezuela’s Official Death Toll From Twin Quakes Rises to 5,208 - Bloomberg
Iran war, Myanmar crisis and South China Sea rifts under the spotlight in ASEAN ministerial talks - AP
Trump Pursues a Deeper Bond With China’s Leader, Despite Hostile Speech - The New York Times
US lifts some Hong Kong sanctions imposed by Trump, autonomy status unchanged - Reuters
Democratic Taiwan must not become ‘China’s Taiwan,’ president says - NBC
Trump to fund Maga-aligned projects in Europe as he reorders US aid - Financial Times
New EU border system tripling time at passport control, airport boss says - BBC
UK police say former politician and TV personality Ann Widdecombe was killed in ‘targeted attack’ - ABC
Increased Cooperation With U.S. Has Put Jordan in Iran’s Cross Hairs - The New York Times
Israel’s parliament dissolves ahead of Oct. 27 elections - AP
Netanyahu buys political loyalty with controversial legislation ahead of election - CNN
That’s all for today. See you tomorrow.
Notes:
https://scowcroft.substack.com/p/tsg-weekly-calendar-july-20-26
I admire your thoroughness and unbiased approach. I look forward to reading the letter in its entirety whenever possible.