June 29, 2026
Elections, Middle East Tensions, and Interviews
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Today, we will look at the unfolding situation in the Middle East, a series of interviews from last week, and several historical snapshots.
Let’s get to it.
The Week Ahead
-The United States Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings this week to conclude its current term.
-Colorado will hold a statewide primary election on Tuesday.
Arkansas will hold several runoff elections.
-Wednesday marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
-The Democratic Republic of Congo will assume the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council.
-Saturday marks 250 years since American colonists declared independence from British rule.
-Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will meet in Saint Lucia on Sunday.
-The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners (OPEC+) will hold a ministerial meeting.
Major Developments
-The United States and Iran exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend after Washington accused Tehran of violating the terms of a ceasefire deal by striking a Singapore-flagged vessel in the strategic waterway.
Iran launched drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait as it threatened a “complete halt” to negotiations that are expected to reconvene this week.
Yesterday, the two countries agreed to halt their exchanges and to go ahead with the negotiations.
Global oil prices rose during the brief spat.
Meanwhile, the average U.S. gas price stood at $3.86 yesterday amid the ongoing tensions in the region, according to AAA.
-Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow secured victory in the state’s Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate on Saturday night.
Trump had endorsed Letlow over incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict him in his 2021 impeachment trial. Cassidy, who was first elected in 2014, placed third in the initial primary vote last month.
Cassidy has since clashed with Trump, joining a group of Republican lawmakers who are either retiring or have been defeated in their respective primary races.
-Vice President JD Vance appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher on Saturday night.
View a clip of it here:
-California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prospective 2028 presidential candidate, called for “a true minimum tax on billionaires” in a video posted to his social media.
View it here:
-Former President Joe Biden scorned Trump in remarks at an event hosted by the Maryland Democratic Party on Saturday night.
View it here:
-In an interview with NPR, former Vice President Mike Pence scorned the Trump administration for abandoning what he said are traditional conservative principles.
-John Bolton, who served as national security adviser in the first Trump administration, pleaded guilty for retaining classified information after leaving office.
-New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sat for a wide-ranging interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl last week, where he said that the Democratic Party “has to be willing to fight for working people.”
View it here:
In a separate interview with Karl, a bipartisan group of lawmakers called for working across the political aisle ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
View it here:
-In a new interview, historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin spoke of her late husband, Richard Goodwin, and his involvement in the Kennedy administration.
View it here:
-On this day in 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act into law, establishing the Interstate Highway System.
In 2007, Apple’s iPhone went on sale for the first time, revolutionizing the technology industry.
Other Links:
Trump Picks Lance Schroyer as New ICE Director - The New York Times
Trump’s Great American State Fair attendees say they haven’t noticed politics overshadowing the celebration - NBC
Johnson says he will send housing bill to Trump on Monday - Politico
Trump slams new book about presidency by NYT reporters, alleges it’s ‘mostly made up’ - The Hill
Pete Buttigieg and his kids were targeted by child services swatting call: Police - ABC
Bill Maher Set to Receive Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Center - The New York Times
Scott Wiener says harassment made it ‘impossible’ to stay at S.F. Trans March - San Francisco Chronicle
Texas education board votes to make Bible passages required reading - ABC
Nebraska Democrats warn of new political party for spoiler candidates - Nebraska Public Media
Telescope captures most detailed image yet of Milky Way’s heart: “Cosmic magnifying glass” - CBS
US CDC raises Ebola outbreak response to highest level - Reuters
Burkina Faso severs diplomatic ties with France - BBC
South Africa races to ease growing tensions ahead of planned anti-immigration marches - Africa News
Venezuela earthquake death toll rises above 1,400 as search for survivors continues - NBC
U.S. Officials Said to Be Frustrated With Machado’s Call for Help - The New York Times
Mexico’s World Cup joy muted in regions gripped by cartel violence - AP
17 injured when vehicle plows into World Cup revelers in Mexico - NBC
Political dissident who fled China by boat arrives in Canada, his friend says - CBS
China strips generals, ex-financial regulator, politburo member of lawmaker posts - Reuters
Beijing investigating rare light aircraft crash which killed pilot, injured 13 - Reuters
China widens Japan export curbs, targeting drone makers, nuclear firms and defense institutes - CNBC
Ukraine’s drone assault ignites major Russian oil refinery, as Putin acknowledges ‘difficult period’ - AP
Unease deepens in Russia as Ukraine steps up long-range strikes - The Washington Post
Peruvians say they were promised jobs in Russia, but landed on the front lines in Ukraine - CNN
Central Europe sizzles as heat records are smashed in Switzerland, Denmark and Czech Republic - AP
Trump presses Syria to take on Hezbollah, raising alarm in Lebanon and Israel - AP
Netanyahu: Erdogan calling for Israel’s destruction is taken ‘very seriously,’ we will alert US to remarks - The Times of Israel
That’s all for today. See you tomorrow.
Notes:
https://scowcroft.substack.com/p/tsg-weekly-calendar-june-29-july
Interesting television interview with Senators Kelly (D) and Young (R) as well as with Mayor Mamdani. 🗽 Interesting articles on crime and soccer in Mexico as well as rumblings about a third party in Nebraska. 💡 Thank you, Jacob; nice to see you back and I hope things are progressing well for you. 🫱🏻🫲🏽