A recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals a significant decline in bipartisan support for Israel, with nearly half of Democrats now believing Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. This stark shift comes as divisions emerge within Republican ranks and public opinion moves away from decades of consistent backing. While the initial Israeli response to Hamas’ October 7th attack is still deemed justified by a majority of those with an opinion, current military actions face increasing skepticism across the political spectrum.
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During a NATO summit, President Trump announced the U.S. will grant Ukraine a production license to build its own Patriot missile interceptors, a significant request from President Zelenskyy. While this move aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense against ongoing Russian aggression, companies manufacturing the advanced Patriot system were reportedly not yet informed. Trump also indicated potential U.S. interest in purchasing Ukrainian drones, acknowledging Ukraine’s success in adapting to new technologies and their advances in drone warfare. Amidst these developments, Trump expressed a degree of sympathy for Russia regarding the war’s impact.
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Russia’s largest oil refinery in Omsk, owned by Gazprom Neft, has reportedly halted operations following a Ukrainian drone strike on Monday. The attack, which targeted the refinery approximately 3,000 km from Ukraine, damaged the CDU-10 crude distillation unit, accounting for a significant portion of its processing capacity, and forced the shutdown of a second primary processing unit due to supporting infrastructure damage. This halt in operations at Russia’s top gasoline producer is expected to exacerbate fuel shortages across the country.
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Alexei Zhuravlev, a Russian lawmaker, stated that exterminating up to half of Ukraine’s population would be acceptable to eradicate “Nazism.” During an interview, Zhuravlev claimed that if Ukrainians do not change their views, they must be destroyed, with the presence of a weapon being a defining criterion for identification. This statement aligns with Russia’s long-standing “denazification” narrative used to justify its invasion of Ukraine, a claim widely disputed by international experts and Western allies.
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These attacks on commercial vessels, specifically targeting nine Russian “shadow fleet” tankers in the Sea of Azov and two more in Taganrog Bay, signal Ukraine’s expanding strategy to disrupt Russia’s war effort and oil exports. This campaign, part of a broader 40-day operation authorized by President Zelenskyy, has also seen strikes on Russian military targets and energy infrastructure in occupied Crimea and southern Ukraine. While two tankers were damaged and two individuals sustained minor injuries, no oil spill was reported due to the vessels being unladen.
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This incident follows a disturbing trend of escalating antisemitic hostility in Spain. French Jewish tourists were reportedly harassed and verbally abused with antisemitic slurs after leaving a synagogue in Barcelona. This event, characterized by a growing crowd and feared physical attack, underscores the increasing reports of anti-Jewish sentiment across the country, including cemetery desecration and intimidating demonstrations. The Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain is investigating the matter and calling for authorities to address this concerning rise in antisemitism.
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Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Office of the President, stated that Russia has achieved readiness for a potential attack on the European Union. This assessment indicates a shift in Kremlin planning, where readiness is now considered achievable even while the conflict in Ukraine continues. Russian planning documents suggest a benchmark for operational readiness by early 2027, though Budanov cautioned that this reflects preparation and capability rather than a confirmed decision to attack. This warning aligns with NATO intelligence, which has also identified potential timelines for Russia to regain offensive capacity against alliance members.
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US military commanders reportedly bypassed warnings that their database of strike targets in Iran was outdated before launching an attack on a primary school in Minab, resulting in the deaths of over 150 schoolchildren and teachers. Despite receiving intelligence that the target list needed re-vetting due to old data, senior officials proceeded with the strike, allegedly for expediency at the war’s outset. The school was targeted based on outdated information, as recent images showed it had been separated from a former adjacent military facility. The Department of Defense’s delayed investigation into the bombing has drawn criticism, with officials accused of being “quick to bomb, slow to investigate.”
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The Gazette now offers audio versions of its articles, powered by Instaread. This new feature allows readers to listen to content, though occasional mispronunciations may occur. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility for a wider audience.
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President Zelenskyy argued for Ukraine’s NATO membership at the alliance’s summit, emphasizing the country’s developed defensive capabilities and its crucial role in deterring Russian aggression. He highlighted Ukraine’s advancements in drone and missile technology, which have enabled strikes deep into Russian territory, and asserted that integrating these capabilities would strengthen NATO’s collective defense. However, the prospect of Ukraine joining remains distant, with key allies hesitant due to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy also underscored the urgent need for Europe to develop its own anti-ballistic missile defense systems due to shortages of US-supplied interceptors.
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John Q. Hosedrinker