The Iran conflict abroad threatens the affordability crisis at home, as an oil price spike ripples through to pump prices Americans see every day. Why it matters: This has become one defining tension of President Trump's second term — foreign policies that could undercut core domestic promises to lower prices for American consumers, just months ahead of midterm elections. - That tension has been on display with global trade: Trump imposed steep import taxes aimed at leveling the trade playing field, but the result has been higher goods prices for consumer staples. The big picture: Gas prices have been a deflationary tailwind for Trump. Prices are down more than 7% in January compared to the same period a year ago, putting downward…
Ukraine could send drone specialists to help down Iranian drones if its partners help to broker a ceasefire in its four-year war with Russia, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says.
In his first live address since striking Iran, President Trump said the initial U.S. military plan called for four to five weeks of combat operations — but that the campaign is moving "substantially ahead" of schedule. Why it matters: Trump has floated several possible timelines and "off ramps ," keeping his plans vague as reporters have pressed him on the scope, duration and goals of the massive U.S.-Israel bombing campaign. - Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said at a Pentagon press conference Monday that Operation Epic Fury will take time, but declined to provide specifics. - "President Trump has all the latitude in the world to talk about how long it may or may not take — four…
