Good morning.

🇶🇦 Hamas Claims Leaders Survived Israeli Strike on Doha HQ

Israel struck a Hamas residential compound in Qatar's capital with 15 fighter jets firing 10 munitions, killing five Hamas members including chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya's son, though Hamas claimed its negotiating team discussing Trump's ceasefire proposal survived the assassination attempt. Netanyahu called the strike "fully justified" targeting leaders who organized the October 7 attack, while Qatar condemned the "cowardly" violation of its sovereignty and the White House said bombing a sovereign ally "does not advance Israel or America's goals" despite eliminating Hamas being "worthy." The attack triggered international condemnation from the UN, France, and UK warning of regional escalation, while hostage families expressed "shaking with fear" that the strike could jeopardize their relatives' lives as Trump assured Qatar's leaders "such a thing will not happen again on their soil" after directing his envoy to warn them of the impending attack. More - BBC

🇫🇷 Macron Names Lecornu New PM

President Emmanuel Macron appointed Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu as France's fifth prime minister in two years, tasking the 39-year-old longtime ally with passing a 2026 budget through a divided parliament after François Bayrou's ouster. Lecornu, the only minister serving continuously since Macron took office in 2017, faces the same challenge as his predecessors with lawmakers across the spectrum rejecting Macron's policies and calling for new elections. Marine Le Pen said Macron had "fired his last shot" and new parliamentary elections were inevitable, while Socialist lawmakers refused participation, calling the appointment "a slap in the face for parliament," as France's CAC 40 has fallen 3.2% compared to 5.5% gains for European peers amid political turmoil that sparked sharp increases in business uncertainty comparable to when Macron dissolved parliament. More - Bloomberg

Europe Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇦🇱 Albania, 🇧🇾 Belarus, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇦 Bosnia And Herzegovina, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇰 Macedonia, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇸🇲 San Marino, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇨🇭 Switzerland

Regional News Summary

Swiss Post has temporarily halted shipments of goods to the United States, a decision influenced by new US regulations and the expiration of the 'de minimis' loophole. This pause is part of a broader trend, with 25 nations suspending postal services to the US, citing the country's non-compliance with international postal agreements [SOURCE - Swissinfo].

Despite these challenges, Switzerland's medtech industry is advocating for a deal with the EU to ensure the continued supply of medicines and medical devices, underscoring the sector's resilience amidst regulatory hurdles [SOURCE - Swissinfo]. However, the Swiss economy is grappling with a pilot shortage affecting the aviation sector and rising rents that could strain household budgets [SOURCE - Le News].

In France, political turmoil is brewing as President Macron expresses full support for his embattled Prime Minister amidst calls for a vote of confidence in Parliament, which is expected to fail [SOURCE - International Business Times]. Concurrently, the French economy faces a fiscal deficit that requires innovative solutions, even as inflation shows signs of cooling [SOURCE - Financial Times].

Socially, France is grappling with a surge in child homelessness, prompting criticism of political inaction [SOURCE - RFI]. Additionally, two teenagers have been detained for alleged plots against the Eiffel Tower and synagogues, highlighting ongoing security concerns [SOURCE - TASS].

On the international front, France, alongside the UK and Germany, is poised to reimpose sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, a move that has drawn condemnation from Russia [SOURCE - Financial Times]. Meanwhile, France is collaborating with Germany and Poland to counter Russian interference in Moldova, reflecting a proactive stance in regional security [SOURCE - The Sun].

In Eastern Europe, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a focal point. Russia has made significant territorial gains, advancing into the crucial Dnipropetrovsk region, which could alter the dynamics of the conflict [SOURCE - France 24]. In response, Ukraine has initiated a lithium project with the US to bolster its mineral deals amidst the ongoing war [SOURCE - Financial Times].

International support for Ukraine continues to grow, with Norway and Germany financing new Patriot systems to enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities [SOURCE - Rio Times]. NATO has pledged additional financial support, reinforcing the commitment of Western allies to Ukraine's sovereignty [SOURCE - SHTF Plan].

As tensions escalate, US Vice President Vance has indicated that Russia has made significant concessions towards a peace deal, raising hopes for a resolution [SOURCE - AsiaOne].

MENA Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇧🇭 Bahrain, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇮🇶 Iraq, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇰🇼 Kuwait, 🇱🇧 Lebanon, 🇱🇾 Libya, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, 🇸🇾 Syria, 🇹🇳 Tunisia, 🇾🇪 Yemen

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇴🇲 Oman, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

Regional News Summary

Syria is at the forefront of diplomatic negotiations, with President Bashar al-Assad announcing "advanced negotiations" with Israel regarding a potential security agreement. This comes amid increased Israeli military activity in Syria, including recent strikes that resulted in the deaths of six Syrian soldiers near Damascus. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has also expressed a willingness to withdraw forces from Lebanon if Hezbollah is disarmed, a statement that could have implications for Syria's security dynamics [SOURCE - Ynet News]. Concurrently, the U.S. is actively brokering discussions between Israel and Syria, with a U.S. envoy meeting Assad to discuss regional developments [SOURCE - Al-Monitor].

In a historic shift, Saudi Arabia and Syria have signed a $24 billion investment deal, covering multiple sectors such as energy and infrastructure, signaling a thaw in relations between the two nations [SOURCE - Times of India]. Additionally, Syria is strengthening ties with Italy, focusing on cooperation in the health sector [SOURCE - SANA].

The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire, with a record number of aid workers killed, primarily in Gaza, underscoring the region's ongoing crisis [SOURCE - Global Research]. However, there are signs of gradual recovery, as some Syrian refugees are returning home, bringing their caravans with them, indicating a small step towards normalcy [SOURCE - Syria Direct].

In Egypt, the government is actively mediating the Israel-Hamas conflict, seeking to broker a ceasefire while also engaging in talks with the UAE to enhance regional stability [SOURCE - The Jerusalem Post]. However, Egypt's human rights record is under scrutiny, with the UN rights chief calling for an end to the arbitrary detention of critics and a crackdown on social media [SOURCE - The Sun].

The conflict in Yemen has escalated dramatically, with Israeli airstrikes on the capital Sanaa killing at least ten people, including the Houthi-backed Prime Minister. This military action was reportedly in response to missile attacks from Houthi rebels [SOURCE - DNA India]. The situation has raised concerns about a broader conflict in the region, with the Houthi rebels vowing retaliation [SOURCE - ABNA24].

In Iraq, the government is contemplating the deportation of foreign extremists, a move that could significantly impact national security as the U.S. military redeploys its forces in the country [SOURCE - The Jerusalem Post]. Meanwhile, Iraq and Iran are calling for unified Islamic action to address the crisis in Gaza, reflecting the interconnected nature of regional politics [SOURCE - ABNA24].

As tensions rise, the international community is reacting to Israel's military operations and its impact on Gaza. Protests against Israel have erupted globally, and various countries are reassessing their diplomatic ties with Israel in light of the ongoing conflict [SOURCE - The Jerusalem Post].

Carpe tomorrow!