All issues | May 23rd, 2026 Edition
A tense diplomatic dance between escalation and negotiation defined the past seven days, as the US-Iran conflict entered a precarious new phase with Trump pausing strikes while simultaneously warning Tehran's destruction is imminent. Across Europe, the strain of war-driven inflation tightened its grip on economies and politics alike, while the continent's attention was also pulled toward an escalating Ebola emergency in Central Africa and a mounting crisis of violent protest and far-right agitation at home.
The week opened with Trump announcing he had postponed planned airstrikes on Iran at the request of Gulf leaders, only to immediately warn that "the clock is ticking" and "there won't be anything left" of Iran without a deal. This was no simple shift — it was a pattern of simultaneous coercion and outreach. Iran submitted a new truce proposal via Pakistan, which Trump later acknowledged as a "very good chance" for resolution, while simultaneously Iran's supreme leader's son ordered enriched uranium to remain in the country, hardening the negotiating position. Meanwhile, Israel prepared for renewed strikes as early as next week, with Trump and Netanyahu reportedly clashing in a tense phone call over whether to pursue diplomacy or war. The Strait of Hormuz remained effectively blocked a month and a half after the ceasefire, driving up global energy prices, and drones struck near the UAE's only nuclear plant — an act widely attributed to Iranian proxies. One reading of this is that Trump is attempting to force a diplomatic resolution through maximum pressure and military credibility, but the gap between his public ultimatums and Iran's internal decisions suggests the path to a deal remains narrow.
The Iran war's economic bite became undeniable this week. Euro zone business activity slumped as energy costs surged, threatening to deepen the household squeeze that has already fueled political instability across the continent. Inflation fears clouded the G7 agenda, and a transatlantic rift emerged over Trump's decision to ease oil sanctions on Russia — a move that undercuts Europe's position. At home, the Netherlands faced its own compounding crises: the Ter Apel asylum center swelled to over 2,300 people (300 above capacity), prompting selective admissions, while violent protests against asylum shelters spurred an emergency cabinet meeting and the creation of a "flying team" to support municipalities. The Court of Audit concluded bluntly that the cabinet promises more than it can deliver, with short-term goals unmet and long-term objectives slipping. This pattern suggests a government struggling to maintain credibility as overlapping pressures — migration, energy costs, public safety — erode its room to maneuver.
Beijing became the stage for a carefully choreographed display of great-power positioning. Xi Jinping hosted Putin in Beijing just days after meeting Trump, signing new cooperation documents that emphasized strategic partnership. China confirmed it would purchase 200 Boeing jets following the Trump summit — a trade gesture — while simultaneously, reports emerged that Chinese forces had secretly trained Russian soldiers late last year. This dual-track approach signals Xi's intent to manage competing relationships without committing to either side's agenda fully. At the same time, NATO foreign ministers gathered in Sweden under a cloud of uncertainty, as Trump's decision to send 5,000 troops to Poland contradicted earlier signals of withdrawal, leaving allies scrambling to interpret Washington's intentions. The US continued pressing NATO for greater involvement in the Iran war, but the message from European capitals was one of caution and confusion.
A coordinated Iranian campaign against Jewish and dissident targets in Europe came into sharper focus this week. German prosecutors indicted two men for plotting to assassinate Jewish leaders on Tehran's behalf, while a UK court heard that the 2024 stabbing of journalist Pouria Zeraati was carried out by men working for Iran. In the Netherlands, the suspect in attacks on Jewish targets was described by experts as likely directed by Iran. A separate report revealed that Iran moved billions through Binance to fund military networks. Meanwhile, Amnesty International recorded 2,707 executions globally in 2025 — a 78% increase from 2024 and the highest since record-keeping began — with Iran accounting for 2,159 of them. The pattern points to a regime under military pressure that is simultaneously escalating its proxy operations abroad and tightening internal repression at home.
What began as a regional outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo escalated rapidly across the week. The WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, after 246 cases and 80 deaths. By May 20, the numbers had grown to 600 suspected cases and 139 deaths, with the WHO warning that the rare Bundibugyo variant — for which no vaccine exists — may be spreading faster than initially thought. Containment efforts have been complicated by the closure of USAID and cuts to the CDC, which had maintained surveillance networks in the region. The Red Cross scaled up operations and opened a donation account, but the combination of a deadly, untreatable virus and weakened public health infrastructure suggests the outbreak will dominate headlines for weeks to come.