Iran: Forewarnings and a Funeral, NATO, Le Pen

Summary

It’s been a week of shifting alliances, escalating tensions and political drama. NATO leaders gathered in Turkey for another pivotal summit, where President Trump arrived questioning the alliance’s loyalty before leaving in a markedly warmer mood, as attention also turned to his relationship with President Zelensky and the future of Western support for Ukraine. In the Middle East, Iran held days of public mourning for its late Supreme Leader while fresh exchanges with the United States cast further doubt over hopes for a lasting ceasefire. In France, Marine Le Pen's political fortunes were transformed by a landmark appeal court ruling that reignited her presidential ambitions, while on the football pitch Les Bleus moved a step closer to a third World Cup title as Kylian Mbappé forcefully responded to racist abuse from a Paraguayan senator.