ISIS has claimed responsibility for two attacks on Syrian security forces, marking the group’s first action since Ahmed al-Sharaa’s transitional government took office. The attacks targeted forces near Talul al Safa in southern Syria’s Suwayda province, an area known for its rugged terrain. A reconnaissance unit of the US-backed Free Syrian Army was ambushed, leaving one dead and three injured. Despite losing territory in 2017, ISIS maintains a presence in central Syria. The new government faces pressure from the US and allies to prevent ISIS resurgence, even as it struggles to establish authority in conflict-prone regions like Suwayda.
TRUMP BIDS MUSK FAREWELL
U.S. President Donald Trump bid farewell to Elon Musk, who is stepping down from leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, donning a “Dogefather” T-shirt, received a gold-colored key from Trump for his role in slashing federal agencies and staff. Trump praised Musk’s efforts to reform bureaucratic inefficiencies and confirmed some DOGE personnel would remain embedded in agencies. Musk, returning focus to Tesla, SpaceX, and X, hinted he would continue advising Trump and pursue his $1 trillion cost-cutting goal. Critics note severe consequences, including the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development, with research linking the cuts to mass global deaths.
CHINA THREATENS TAIWAN, US WARNS
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that China is actively preparing for a military invasion of Taiwan. He stated the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) trains daily for a possible assault, with President Xi Jinping setting a 2027 deadline for readiness. Hegseth called on Asian allies to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, citing China’s escalating aggression and regional threats like North Korea. He emphasized the urgency of unified action to deter Beijing, particularly over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Hegseth declared the Chinese threat as imminent and insisted allies must contribute proportionately.
US SENATORS VISIT KYIV AMID TENSIONS
US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, pushing for tougher sanctions on Russia amid renewed doubts over upcoming peace talks. The bipartisan visit follows Russia’s largest aerial assault in three years and growing frustration from President Trump over stalled diplomacy. The senators are co-sponsoring a bill to raise tariffs on nations importing Russian energy, with 82 Senate supporters. Meanwhile, Ukraine questions Russia’s commitment to talks scheduled in Istanbul, citing the absence of a Russian peace memorandum. Zelensky emphasized that talks must have a clear agenda, proposing a four-nation summit involving Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and the US.
TRUMP DOUBLES STEEL, ALUMINIUM TARIFFS
US President Donald Trump announced a tariff hike on steel and aluminium imports—from 25% to 50%—set to take effect on June 4. The move, declared during a rally at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania, aims to bolster the domestic industry but sparked backlash from the EU, which warned of potential countermeasures. The decision follows legal confusion and precedes a partial deal with Japan’s Nippon Steel. Concerns grow among US steelworkers and trade allies, as rising costs could strain transatlantic trade ties. Steel prices have surged 16% under Trump, with the US far outpacing Europe and China in production costs.
