U.S.-Saudi Security Deal: The State Department approved nearly $5B in glide bomb sales to Saudi Arabia, including JDAM-ER kits, citing air-defense upgrades amid the Iran-linked regional conflict. Post-War Planning: Axios reports Trump is drafting a “day after” Middle East strategy to contain Iran via a regional alignment, while pushing Gaza and Israel-Syria/Israel-Lebanon security tracks and normalization steps. Iran Escalation Signals: The NYT says Iran has grown more confident in striking across the region and may be weighing major escalation, while also judging a comprehensive endgame deal is unlikely. War-Label Fight in Washington: Trump and JD Vance again downplayed the Iran conflict as “not a war,” even as officials avoid a clear end date—sparking fallout over benefits for families of fallen service members. Press Freedom Clash: A federal judge let the Pentagon proceed with firing three Stars and Stripes journalists, dealing another blow to the paper’s independence case. Rights Groups vs. Israel Tech Ties: Civil rights and advocacy groups urged Congress to drop a 2027 defense bill provision that would deepen U.S.-Israel military technology cooperation. Syria Tourism Push: Damascus hotels report improving occupancy as the new government markets tourism, though traffic remains low. Kenya Industrial Exit: Kenya ordered Tata Chemicals to leave Magadi, accusing it of exporting raw soda ash instead of processing locally. Gaza Displacement Warning: Israeli ministers renewed calls for removing Palestinians from Gaza, reviving fears of forced expulsion ahead of elections.