July 9, 2026 - Trump Departs Turkey on Old AF1

Tough Love in Tel Aviv

Rahm Emanuel flew to Tel Aviv this week and did something rare in American politics - he said the hard thing to the audience least likely to want to hear it.

In a speech Wednesday at Tel Aviv University, the former White House chief of staff, congressman, mayor, and ambassador - son of a Jerusalem-born father who fought in Israel's war of independence - told Israelis the alliance with the United States “cannot stand or survive as it has been.” His most searing indictment was aimed at us. For too long, he said, American policy assumed the best thing Washington could do was stand behind Israel's government “without conditions, without demands, and without consequences when we disagreed.” His verdict: “That has been our mistake.”

He was just as unsparing toward the extremes, calling the pursuit of a so-called Greater Israel “as self-destructive and fanatical as the chant ‘from the river to the sea.’” Both, he argued, are fantasies chanted by fanatics. Read the speech and decide for yourself.

Agree or disagree with his 23-state solution, give him this: note how he's exploring a presidential run. While others chase viral clips, Emanuel is releasing detailed policy, biking through New Hampshire, and workshopping his ideas with Bill Clinton. In Israel, he visited a hospital where Israeli and Palestinian doctors train together, met with a hostage's family, and deliberately avoided Israeli politicians so as not to meddle in their coming elections. That's substance. That's listening.

It's also what campaigning used to look like: showing up, saying something, and risking the room.

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President Trump departed Turkey aboard the older Air Force One at the Secret Service's urging as a precaution amid renewed tensions with Iran, raising fresh questions about whether the expedited retrofit of the Qatari-donated replacement aircraft included the advanced security systems found on the longtime presidential jet.

The New York Times

The U.S. launched a second consecutive day of strikes against Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz, targeting coastal defenses and infrastructure in response to attacks on commercial shipping, as President Trump warned Tehran that any further aggression would trigger an even stronger U.S. response.

Axios

Maine Democrat Graham Platner suspended his Senate campaign against Republican Sen. Susan Collins after a woman accused him of sexual assault in 2021, prompting allies including Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders to pull their support and Chuck Schumer to warn the party would not invest if he stayed on the ballot.

NBC News

Graham Platner's Senate campaign faced renewed scrutiny after a sexual assault allegation, with critics arguing his earlier controversies—including a former Nazi-associated tattoo, offensive online posts, and allegations about his personal conduct—had already raised serious questions about his judgment and fitness for office.

The Atlantic

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A new AP-NORC poll found sharp divisions among American Jews over Israel and the war in Gaza, with religious Jews generally expressing stronger support for Israel than secular Jews, while disagreements over the conflict continue to strain families, friendships, and political identities.

Associated Press

The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals are set, with France facing Morocco, Spain meeting Belgium, Norway taking on England, and Argentina battling Switzerland as the remaining eight teams compete for a place in the semifinals and a chance at the championship.

Al Jazeera

Egypt accused FIFA of unfair officiating after its 3-2 World Cup loss to Argentina, with players, coaches, and the national federation criticizing key refereeing and VAR decisions while suggesting the controversial calls unfairly influenced the outcome of the Round of 16 match.

Yahoo! Sports

A federal judge ordered the release of $5.8 million held in escrow to E. Jean Carroll after the Supreme Court let a civil verdict against President Trump stand, while Trump's legal team immediately appealed to block the payment and continue challenging the ruling.

PBS NewsHour

A new Wall Street Journal-NORC poll found Americans have grown less confident in capitalism and democracy over the past decade, with support for the economic system declining significantly and only about one-third believing the country still offers a reliable path to good jobs and the American dream.

The Wall Street Journal

HBO Max medical drama 'The Pitt' topped the 2026 Emmy nominations with 25, followed by 'Hacks' with a comedy-record 24 and freshman series 'Widow's Bay' with 19, as Mariska Hargitay prepares to host the Sept. 14 ceremony on NBC and Peacock.

The Hollywood Reporter