Politics

• US-Iran Deal Slowed by Web of Go-Betweens Facilitating Talks
  President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the US and Iran are on the cusp of a deal to end their conflict. The reality has proved more elusive — in part because of the nature of the negotiations themselves.
• Trump Taps Wall Street Top Cop Clayton as Intelligence Chief
  President Donald Trump said he is nominating Jay Clayton to be the next director of national intelligence, following backlash over his selection of housing regulator Bill Pulte to serve in the role on an acting basis.
• Trump Insists Iran Deal Is Close After Scrapping New Strikes
  President Donald Trump pulled back threatened military strikes against Iran, a stark reversal that came just hours after he vowed to hit the Islamic Republic “VERY HARD” and threatened to seize its oil infrastructure.
• Europe Braces for Drastic Cuts to US NATO Wartime Contributions
  Europe is bracing for drastic cuts to the military assets the US would send to the continent’s rescue during a war or crisis, including some gear it cannot replace, according to people familiar with the matter.
• Canada, France Agree to Deepen Defense Ties, Share Classified Data
  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to deepen defense and industrial cooperation and ease exchanges of classified information, as Canada seeks to strengthen ties with Europe amid volatile US trade policy.
• Putin Vows to Expand Starlink Rival With Aim to Step Up Attacks
  Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country is expanding a constellation of domestically produced satellites as he vowed to step up strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.
• Judge Rejects DOJ Assurance ‘Weaponization’ Fund Is Defunct
  A federal judge in Virginia will allow a lawsuit to proceed challenging the Trump administration’s plans for a $1.8 billion fund for alleged victims of political “weaponization,” despite assurances from US officials that the plan won’t move forward.
• Starmer Vows to Fight On After Defense Chief’s Resignation
  UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged not to step down over a dispute with of his former defense chief, signaling that he would try to hold onto the job through a key election next week.
• UK Defense Chief Warns of ‘Challenges’ Amid Spending Fight
  The UK’s new defense secretary, Dan Jarvis, warned industry and military leaders there are “significant challenges ahead” a day after his predecessor quit in a clash with the Treasury over spending.
• Starmer Appoints Dan Jarvis as New UK Defense Secretary
  Keir Starmer picked Dan Jarvis as the UK’s defense secretary, as the embattled prime minister tries to reassert control and prevent John Healey’s exit from worsening a leadership crisis at the ruling Labour Party.
• UK Defense Secretary’s Ugly Exit Shatters Starmer’s Legacy
  In a rousing speech in Munich in February, Keir Starmer vowed to “spend more, faster” to counter the threat from Russia. Four months later, his defense secretary quit over the embattled UK premier’s failure to follow through, destroying his best shot at a lasting legacy.
• Chile Seeks Venezuela Diplomatic Reset to Advance Migration Plans
  Chile’s foreign affairs minister is eager to resume full diplomatic relations with Venezuela before the government’s term ends in 2030 to facilitate the return of tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants. The ball is now in Venezuela’s court, he said.
• Brazil Seeks Talks With Congress to Block Costly Bills
  Brazil’s economic team is seeking to negotiate with Congress to prevent final approval of three bills that would add more than 170 billion reais ($33 billion) to the nation’s budget over the next 10 years, Planning Minister Bruno Moretti said.
• UN Atomic Watchdog Will Prioritize Iran as Potential Deal Looms
  The United Nations atomic watchdog will make verifying the full scope of Tehran’s nuclear capabilities its top priority, as Iran and the US edge toward a possible agreement to end the war in the Middle East, according to the organization’s chief.
• Kazakh Ruling Party Offers Merger With New Pro-President Group
  Kazakhstan’s ruling Amanat party proposed to merge with a newly-formed grouping as President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev continues to remodel the political system in Central Asia’s largest oil producer.