How voters feel about the economy: 4 takeaways from the latest polls

• Israel conducted a precision strike on an Iranian air defense system, signaling its capability and restraint to avoid broader conflict.
• The attack was a response to an unprecedented direct missile and drone attack by Iran on Israeli soil, marking a significant escalation in their long-standing tensions.

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Brookings Foreign Policy Fellow Valerie Wirtschafter examines the growing influence of Russian state-affiliated accounts on TikTok and compares it with their presence on other social media platforms like Telegram and X (formerly Twitter).

• Russian state-affiliated accounts are leveraging TikTok's reach to disseminate state-backed narratives.
• Despite lower overall activity compared to other platforms, the engagement per post on TikTok is significantly higher.

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• President Biden's public statements on the drone attack that killed 3 U.S. soldiers in Jordan shows the U.S. is keen to avoid war with Iran while focusing on Hezbollah's activities.
• The drone attack represents a significant escalation, marking the first US military casualty by enemy air power since 1953 and prompting a strategic withdrawal of Hezbollah from aggressive engagements with US forces in Iraq and Syria.

• The potential return of Donald Trump as President is influencing foreign governments' policy decisions, with some delaying actions in hope of better negotiations and others preparing for less favorable outcomes.
• The uncertainty surrounding US foreign policy under a potential Trump administration is causing both allies and adversaries to adjust their strategies far ahead of the US elections.

• Recent developments, particularly Russia's involvement in Ukraine and its reliance on Iran, have strained its relations with Israel, marking a departure from the previously improving ties under Putin's leadership.
• Russia's strategic positioning in the Middle East, balancing relationships with Israel, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, aiming to be a central player capable of engaging with all sides.