Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) meets with Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi (L) in Tehran, Iran, May 21, 2026.
(Iranian Foreign Ministry / Handout / Anadolu via Getty Images) Danny and Derek have come to terms with their disappointment with the new Star Wars film and can now bring you the summary of the news. This week: In Iran, negotiations stall as Trump considers continuing the war (2:00 a.m.), the Islamic Republic attempts to institutionalize control of the Strait of Hormuz (8:49 a.m.) and fuels protests spreading around the world (1:09 p.m.); IDF continues daily bombings in Lebanon while Hezbollah drones restrict IDF ground operations (3:10 p.m.); Trump plans call with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te (18:32); Xi and Putin hold uneventful summit in Beijing (9:47 p.m.); Sudanese forces gain ground in Blue Nile State (23:23); US-Nigerian operation kills Islamic State leader (25:26); Ebola spreads from northeastern DRC (27:45); in NATO news, the United States is reducing its forces in Europe (30:25); Labor challengers emerge against Keir Starmer (33:36); Peru confirms a Fujimori-Sanchez runoff for its presidential election (35:23); Washington creates new pretexts against Cuba (36:49); Trump seeks permanent US presence in Greenland (41:15); and the costs of the “Golden Dome” are estimated at $1.2 trillion (43:55).
Note: After recording time, Donald Trump reversed his decision reduce American troops in Poland. Additionally, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has changed due to Oman’s interest in collecting “tolls.”
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Daniel Bessner Daniel Bessner is a historian of American foreign relations and co-host of American prestigea podcast about international affairs.
Derek Davison Derek Davison is a writer and analyst specializing in international affairs and American foreign policy. He is the editor of Foreign exchange newsletter, co-host of American prestige podcast and former editor-in-chief of LobéLog.
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