Russia-Ukraine Economic Pressure: Russia’s economy posted its first quarterly contraction in three years, shrinking 0.2% in Q1 2026 as war spending, sanctions, inflation, and labor shortages bite. Carrier Homecoming: The USS Gerald R. Ford strike group returned to Norfolk after an 11-month, record deployment, bringing nearly 4,500 sailors back from operations including the Caribbean and support tied to Iran. Israel-Hamas Strike: Israel says it killed Hamas’ senior military leader Izz al-Din al-Haddad in a “precise strike” in Gaza City, as funerals follow and Israel vows to keep targeting commanders. Taiwan Arms Politics: Trump again framed Taiwan arms sales as a “negotiating chip” with China, while Taiwan presses for clarity and Beijing warns of conflict risk. Counter-Drone Push: The U.S. Army is testing its Bumblebee counter-drone system in Morocco to blunt cheap FPV threats. Missile Shield Upgrade: Washington is accelerating Golden Dome planning amid fears hypersonics and swarms could overwhelm existing homeland defenses. Europe Rearmament Cost Shock: European defense spending is surging, but ministers warn prices for military gear have jumped 50%+ as demand outpaces supply. Japan-Philippines Maritime Defense: Japan plans to share maritime monitoring info with Southeast Asia, supporting adoption of Japanese MDA services. AI for Work: Morocco hosts an AI summit on the future of work, aiming to position Casablanca as a regional AI hub.