The Knesset will return from recess on Monday in what could be a fight for the political life or death of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's coalition.
Why it matters: After losing its majority in the Knesset, the fragile coalition will have a hard time passing legislation and faces a huge risk of crumbling before the session is over.
The Biden administration last week asked the Israeli government to consider increasing its military aid to Ukraine, U.S. and Israeli officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: Taking a careful approach to the war, Israel has so far refused Ukraine's requests for advanced weaponry, and only last month agreed to send thousands of helmets and bulletproof vests for medical teams and first responders. But as Israel takes a more critical public line against Russia, it's signaling it is increasingly open to supplying Ukraine with certain nonlethal military equipment.
Relations between Russia and Israel are at one of their lowest points in years after the Russian foreign minister falsely claimed Adolf Hitler had "Jewish blood," which he used to justify calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a Nazi.
Why it matters: Israel condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of committing war crimes, but for more than two months, it has taken a careful approach to the war in Ukraine to ensure military cooperation with Russia in Syria continues.
President Biden committed in an Oval Office meeting on Monday to engage directly with the Assad regime to find a solution that will bring Austin Tice home, the parents of the American journalist abducted in Syria in 2012 tell Axios.
Why it matters: The Tices believe that the president's personal involvement will signal to Syria that the U.S. government views their son's freedom as a priority and will negotiate in good faith after years of sanctions and isolation.
The European Commission on Wednesday announced plans for a phased ban on all Russian oil by the end of the year, in a proposed sixth round of sanctions aimed at pressing President Vladimir Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine.
Why it matters: Russia is the world's second-largest crude oil exporter and Europe, unlike the U.S., is hugely reliant on Russian oil, gas and coal, per Axios' Ben Geman.
Chad Wolf twice delayed an intelligence report on Russian interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election when he was acting Department of Homeland Security secretary, according to the DHS Office of Inspector General.
Why it matters: The OIG report found the decision and altering of the report seemed to be "based in part on political considerations," after a staffer said it was held because it "made President Trump look bad and hurt President Trump's campaign." Wolf told the OIG it was delayed due to concerns about quality, including that it "was not well written."
The surprise prisoner exchange that led to Trevor Reed's release from Russia is emboldening the families of other hostages to apply new pressure on the Biden administrationto make deals for their loved ones.
Driving the news: More than a dozen families of American hostages and wrongful detainees will appear in front of the White House on Wednesday morning — some remotely and others in person — to demand to meet with President Biden and share their proposals.
NASA administrator Bill Nelson told a Senate hearing Tuesday that "we see every reason that the Russians are going to continue" their work on the International Space Station "for the immediate future."
Driving the news: The head of Russia's space agency Roscosmos over the weekend reportedly said the agency would give partner's one year notice before it would end its work on the ISS. Nelson called reports about the comments and Roscosmos leaving "misleading," saying Russia is "not pulling out" of the ISS.
The first evacuees from the besieged Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol arrived in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday after a "harrowing journey," according to the UN.
State of play: At least 101 people were evacuated, but the city's mayor says around 200 civilians remain inside the fortress-like steel mill. Russia, meanwhile, says around 2,000 Ukrainians fighters are inside the plant. Neither number has been confirmed.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the relatives of a Uyghur detained in Xinjiang that she will bring up the woman's detention with her Chinese counterparts.
Why it matters: Raising individual cases with Chinese authorities in some cases results in "proof of life" contact between the detainee and their family members outside China, and it communicates to Beijing that its actions in Xinjiang are under scrutiny.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Ukrainian lawmakers Tuesday that their country's defense against Russia's aggression is its "finest hour," echoing Britain's wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The big picture: Johnson, in the the first address to Ukraine's parliament by a Western leader since Russia's invasion began, predicted "Ukraine will win. Ukraine will be free."
A court in Fiji ruled Tuesday that the U.S. can seize a superyacht worth $325 million that American officials say is owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, according to Bloomberg.
Why it matters: The U.S. Department of Justice created a task force in March to enforce sanctions, including asset seizures, placed on Russian officials for facilitating the Kremlin's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
The White House and the Israeli prime minister’s office discussed holding a regional leaders' meeting as part of President Biden’s visit to the Middle East toward the end of June, two Israeli officials told Axios.
Why it matters: A regional leaders' meeting headed by Biden would signal U.S. leadership and commitment in the Middle East at a time when the U.S. is seen as withdrawing from the region.
Chinese regulators are signaling they may ease a year-long crackdown on Chinese tech giants as the country's leaders prioritize shoring up a flagging economy.
Why it matters: Loosening restrictions on one of China's most vibrant sectors could remove one source of downward pressure on an economy gutted by COVID lockdowns.But it could also slow progress towards Chinese President Xi Jinping's goal of restructuring a major sector of the economy.
President John F. Kennedy in 1962 readied a speech that would have announced a punishing bombing run on Cuba, which could have led to nuclear war. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower drafted an apology speech in case the D-Day operation of 1944 failed.
Driving the news:Jeff Nussbaum, a veteran Democratic speechwriter who left the White House last month, unearths these historical gems in a new book, “Undelivered," out next week.
President Biden's approval rating among everyday Ukrainians shot up by 20 points between January and April, as the U.S. led and steadily ramped up efforts to arm Ukraine against Russia's invasion, according to polling by Rating Group Ukraine.
Why it matters: The prevailing sentiment about Western assistance and solidarity has been overwhelmingly positive within Ukraine, despite some recurring frustrations from Kyiv about the pace and scale of sanctions and military aid.
