U.S. military destroys 5 Iranian oil tankers. And, the Smithsonian head resigns
News
US Strikes Iran Oil Tankers, Israeli Settlements Sanctions, Smithsonian Head Retires
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U.S. Central Command announced that it destroyed five Iranian oil carriers in the Gulf of Oman and near Iran’s Kharg Island yesterday. In retaliation, Iran targeted U.S. troops stationed at an air base in Jordan. Since Saturday, the U.S. has struck eight Iranian crude tankers as part of its efforts to weaken Iran’s economic lifeline. Turmoil from this war has pushed Brent crude oil prices back above $100 a barrel today.
Details
– 🎧 The U.S.’ strategy in the region is unclear, as there’s little discussion around the future of U.S. military presence there, NPR’s Aya Batrawy tells Up First. Reducing troop levels could signal weakness to Iran and adversaries like Russia and China. Gulf states initially established U.S. bases as a deterrent, but they have instead been targeted by Iran, prompting Arab allies to seek stronger defense ties with other countries. The Pentagon has not disclosed the extent of damage to U.S. bases,
The United Kingdom announced a ban on imports from Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, accusing Israeli settlers of being “terrorists” who engage in “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians. The move aims to pressure Israel over settlement expansion, which the U.K. argues undermines the two-state solution. Canada and France have also imposed sanctions, intensifying international pressure on Israel. Israel retaliated quickly with the announcement of the closure of the British con
– 🎧 The ban is unlikely to significantly affect Israel’s economy because most exports from the West Bank consist of agricultural products, and Israel’s total agricultural exports to the U.K. are low, according to NPR’s Carrie Kahn. If the entire European Union, which is Israel’s top trading partner, joins in imposing sanctions, it could have severe consequences, according to Eran Yashiv, an economist at Tel Aviv University. Suleiman Dawabsha, the chairman of the Palestinian village of Duma, tell
Analysis
Smithsonian Institution head Lonnie G. Bunch announced yesterday that he would step down from his role at the end of the year. Bunch has spent nearly four decades with the organization, rising through the ranks starting as a curator before taking over the top position in 2019 and making history as the first African American and the first historian to lead the Smithsonian. His retirement announcement comes after more than a year of criticism from President Trump about the Smithsonian. In August 2
– 🎧 Bunch has denied any insinuation that his departure was influenced by pressure from Trump, NPR’s Andrew Limbong says. Trump and his administration have attempted to showcase the Smithsonian as a group of radical activists. Bunch said that one of his goals in the head role was to encourage Americans to embrace ambiguity and recognize that America is a complicated, multifaceted nation. During his time as the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, he d
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