Axios

The U.S. is boosting its forces in the Middle East in preparation for a possible Iranian attack against Israel and sending to the region more warships and fighter jets, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Why it matters: The Biden administration is convinced Iran is going to attack Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week and is preparing to counter it, three U.S. officials told Axios.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif weathered a toxic storm of transphobic abuse on social media after her Italian opponent quit 46 seconds into their Thursday bout, dragging the Olympic Games into a bitter and misinformation-filled debate over transgender and intersex athletes.

Why it matters: Human biology is complex, and transgender advocates have long warned that transphobia and a constant stream of online misinformation will also harm cisgendered men and women who don't comport to perceived societal norms about identity.

President Biden privately demanded in a "tough" call Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stop escalating tensions in the region and move immediately toward a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, two U.S. officials told Axios.

Why it matters: Biden and his top aides are deeply frustrated by the fallout from Israel's assassinations in Beirut and Tehran, which took place less than a week after Netanyahu's first visit to the Oval Office in four years.

PARIS — The U.S. men's soccer team was eliminated from Olympic competition on Friday after falling to Morocco 4-0 at Parc de Princes stadium.

Why it matters: It's a disappointing end for the team, which made it to the quarterfinals by finishing with two wins and a loss in group play.

After Simone Biles cemented her status as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time at the Paris Olympics, she took an apparent dig at former President Trump on Friday.

Why it matters: It's one of the few overtly political moments at the Paris Games but underscores Biles' sense of triumph after she drew flak from Trump's now-running mate JD Vance for leaving the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health.

Israel's assassination spree in Iran and Lebanon has brought the Middle East closer to a devastating regional war than at any point since Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

Why it matters: The dangerous spiral of escalation could drag the U.S. deeper into the regional crisis and lead to mass suffering well beyond Gaza, where hopes for a ceasefire and hostage deal are slipping away after months of careful negotiations.

Evan Gershkovich's long-awaited release from a Russian prison Thursday came from thousands of hours of advocacy through quiet diplomacy and official channels, Wall Street Journal Publisher Almar Latour told Axios in an interview Thursday.

Why it matters: The release of Gershkovich as part of a prisoner exchange between seven countries — including Russia, the U.S. and Germany — represents a historic milestone for press freedoms around the world.

Freed Americans Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva arrived in the U.S. late Thursday after being released in a historic prisoner exchange with Russia earlier in the day.

The big picture: President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined families and others at Joint Base Andrews to welcome Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich, ex-U.S. Marine Whelan and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Kurmasheva, who's a U.S.-Russian citizen.

The U.S. State Department said Thursday that it is recognizing opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia as the rightful winner of Venezuela's presidential elections.

Why it matters: President Nicolás Maduro has claimed, without evidence, that he won Sunday's contest. The U.S. government says there is "overwhelming evidence" González won.

The world's biggest automakers are faltering in China.

Why it matters: China was once a source of significant sales growth for foreign automakers like Volkswagen, Toyota and General Motors.

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone Thursday as the Biden administration seeks to prevent the series of Israeli assassinations in Beirut and Tehran from escalating into regional war.

Why it matters: The Biden administration is convinced Iran is going to attack Israel within days in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week and is preparing to counter it, three U.S. officials told Axios.

Before Evan Gershkovich was released from Russian prison Thursday, he asked the Russian government for one thing — the chance to interview the man behind his imprisonment, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Why it matters: The audacious request came shortly after Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in prison. His release was part of one of the largest prisoner swaps between Moscow and the West since the Cold War.

PARIS — Simone Biles captured the women's all-around gold in Paris on Thursday, besting Brazil's Rebeca Andrade, with American Sunisa Lee capturing Bronze.

Why it matters: The first- and third-place finishes are yet another victory for the decorated athletes, both of whom faced an uncertain path to Paris.

The Biden administration is convinced Iran is going to attack Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week and is preparing to counter it, three U.S. officials told Axios.

Why it matters: U.S. officials say they expect any Iranian retaliation to be from the same playbook as their Apr. 13 attack on Israel — but potentially larger in scope — and it could also involve the Lebanese Hezbollah.

The U.S. was pushing to include former Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a prisoner exchange before he died under mysterious circumstances in February, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a press briefing on Thursday.

Why it matters: Sullivan said that the U.S. was attempting to secure Navalny's freedom throughout negotiations that eventually culminated with Thursday's historic prisoner swap between Russia, the U.S. and other countries.

Go deeper: Full Axios coverage

Huge congrats today to Jeffrey Baldwin, who was just named the director of the LIBRE Institute, a center-right organization focused on Latinos' political power.

• Jeffrey was previously a bankruptcy administrator for a North Carolina non-profit.
• Jeffrey is also a board member of the Carter G. Woodson Charter School.
• He's an aspiring pilot and a competitive yacht racer.

🎤 Would you like to nominate someone who recently accomplished something? Let us know by replying to this email!

Central California Latinos whose families span multiple generations have a growing political influence and could help decide control of the U.S. House.

Through the lens: Axios Latino tried to capture images of people trying to make a difference in their community, along with areas of historical significance to U.S. Latinos.

A Latino Republican mayor in a majority Democratic Central California city has dramatically turned his community around by fighting corruption, focusing on public safety and revamping abandoned lots into gardens.

Why it matters: Saul Ayon, a retired sheriff's deputy, tells Axios that McFarland, California, is an example of how a community of farm workers and immigrants can come together despite political tensions.

A multifaith advocacy coalition is pulling together Central California Latinos to pressure politicians to shed partisan battles and tackle local issues.

Why it matters: PICO California's convening and training of Latino farm workers and laborers is quietly transforming towns and communities that are battling poverty.

A newly awakened and fiercely independent Latino political movement is taking shape in Central California.

Why it matters: The Central California Valley — where Cesar Chavez once launched the Delano Grape Strike and Boycott — has one of the highest proportions of Latinos.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan were released in a historic prisoner exchange between Russia, the U.S. and Germany, President Biden said Thursday.

Why it matters: The swap is one of the largest between Moscow and Western countries since the Cold War.

The Israeli Mossad assassinated Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh by detonating an explosive device planted in advance in his bedroom at the Iranian government official residence in Tehran, two sources with knowledge of the issue confirmed to Axios.

Why it matters: The fact that the Mossad managed to plant the explosive device in a high-security facility shows not only the deep penetration of Israeli intelligence services inside Iran but also the vulnerabilities of the Iranian intelligence and security apparatus.

Israel's military said Thursday that it has intelligence confirming its July 13 airstrike killed Hamas' top military commander, Mohammed Deif.

Why it matters: Israeli officials say Deif was one of the primary masterminds of the Oct. 7 attacks that killed some 1,200 people. If confirmed, his death would mean Israel killed Hamas' top military commander and top political leader in just over two weeks.

Artificial intelligence is making its presence felt at the Paris Games, but mostly in a supporting role.

Our thought bubble: While it is tempting to cast this year as "The first AI Olympics," it's more accurate to think of it as the last Games in which the technology remains confined to the sidelines.

Olympic triathlon athletes swam in Paris' River Seine on Wednesday after officials determined the water to be safe following days of delays stemming from pollution concerns, per a statement from the sport's governing body.

Why it matters: The Seine was polluted for decades and underwent a $1.5 billion cleanup before the Olympics so it could be used for triathlon and marathon events.

Three men accused of plotting the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks have "entered into pretrial agreements," the Pentagon announced Wednesday evening.

The big picture: Alleged 9/11 plot leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi were initially charged and arraigned with two others in 2008 in connection with the attack and have been held at the U.S. military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.