European Politics
Across Europe, populist parties are gaining electoral support but are increasingly excluded from government coalitions. This exclusion has sparked debates about democracy, with critics arguing that such measures could lead to voter frustration and potential unrest. AfD has criticized these moves as an attempt to stifle political opposition, arguing that their focus on law and order, border security, and national sovereignty naturally resonates with police officers.
In related news, Uli Grötsch, the police commissioner of the German Bundestag, has called for the removal of members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) from the police service, citing incompatibility with public service roles. This call contrasts with more moderate government voices. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU opposed the idea of blanket purges, emphasizing that loyalty to the constitution should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Professor David Betz from King’s College London has warned that several European countries are at risk of civil war, suggesting that the situation might be beyond political solutions due to social instability, economic decline, and demographic shifts. While some sources support Betz’s predictions, others, like The New York Times, present a more skeptical view, suggesting that Europe has mechanisms in place to address these issues.
Geopolitics
Iran conducted continued missile attacks on Israel, including targeting the Weizmann Institute for Science. Reports indicate that Israel’s Iron Dome system did not intercept these missiles. Iran has reportedly restored its air defenses after a cyberattack and continued its missile operations. The U.S. has redirected some weapon supplies from Ukraine to Israel, which might impact Ukraine’s military capabilities. Pepe Escobar reported on X that Iran’s air defense system was restored within 10 hours by Iranian technicians, showcasing their capability to recover quickly from such attacks.
China has condemned Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, describing them as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty. This stance reflects China’s strategic partnership with Iran and its growing geopolitical influence.
The U.S. has reportedly dispatched at least 25 air tankers to Europe and the Middle East, signaling a military response to the region’s escalating tensions. While the U.S. Department of Defense has not officially commented on the movement of these tankers, CNN noted that such deployments are routine for training and operational readiness. That said, President Trump reportedly vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, indicating a cautious approach to direct military engagement with Iran’s political leadership. Trump’s decision might be influenced by his desire to avoid another Middle Eastern conflict.
Shifting gears, the G7 summit in Canada has changed its focus to energy security, AI, critical mineral supply chains, and global economic stability, moving away from previous emphases on climate change and gender equality. This change reportedly reflects current geopolitical and economic challenges. Environmental and gender equality advocates have expressed disappointment over the lack of focus on these issues, arguing that sidelining them could set back global efforts significantly.
Energy
China’s construction of nearly 40 new nuclear reactors this century, compared to the U.S.’s two, has raised concerns about U.S. technological and geopolitical standing. While the U.S. remains the largest producer of nuclear energy, its aging infrastructure and slower regulatory processes contrast with China’s rapid advancements in nuclear technology, including thorium reactors. This situation has led some to call for a significant U.S. initiative in energy technology to keep pace with China’s developments. Industry experts have noted that China’s centralized planning has accelerated its nuclear and AI development, contrasting with the U.S.’s more decentralized approach.
Meanwhile, the integration of renewable energy sources into modern electric grids has reportedly introduced vulnerabilities, as demonstrated by a blackout in the Iberian Peninsula in April 2025. This event showed how slight frequency drops can lead to cascading failures due to the interconnected nature of grid components and the challenges in managing such complex systems. The shift towards renewables, which produce direct current (DC) and require inverters to sync with the grid’s alternating current (AC), has reportedly reduced the stabilizing inertia traditionally provided by conventional generators, potentially increasing the risk of blackouts.
US Politics
A new exclusive club named “The Executive Branch” opened in Washington, D.C., with an initiation fee of $500,000. The opening event was reportedly attended by tech billionaires, former Trump administration officials, and other notable figures. The club aims to offer a unique social experience in the capital, reflecting a trend among conservative elites towards high-cost, exclusive venues. The event featured an opulent spread of caviar, champagne, and lobster, with a nod to the “Make America Healthy Again” movement through the use of beef tallow in cooking.
Sources
The Achilles Heels of Modern Grids: Complexity, Coupling, and Comprehension
The addition of large number of “renewables” onto an old grid designed to run on AC generators has increased complexity — and thus vulnerability — beyond the point of human comprehension.
Source | Submitted by Barbara
MAGA’s Elite Club ‘The Executive Branch’ Opens with $500K Entry Fee and Star-Studded Guest List
“Caviar, Champagne And Lobster”: MAGA’s Exclusive $500K Private Club Launches – With Bessent, Bondi & RFK Jr. Partying With Tech Billionaires
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Iran Strikes Back: Israeli Defenses Fail as Conflict Escalates
Israel’s much touted Iron Dome is a total bust.
Source | Submitted by 2retired
China Condemns Israel for Striking Iran’s Nuclear Facilities, Citing Sovereignty Violation
“We strongly condemn the Israelis’ attack on Iran.”
Source | Submitted by George Hung
German Police Commissioner Demands Removal of AfD Members from Police Service
“AfD membership and work as a police officer are not compatible,” Grötsch told the Rheinische Post.
European Civil War Looms: Expert Warns Conflict is ‘Baked In’
“We are past the point at which normal politics is able to solve the problem.”
China’s Nuclear Power Surge Sparks U.S. ‘Sputnik Moment’ in AI Race
China’s rapid development of nuclear energy to power artificial intelligence (AI) “has triggered a Sputnik moment” among the United States’ reactor designers and operators, Oklo Chief Technology Officer Pat Schweiger said.
Trump Rejects Israeli Assassination Plot Against Iran’s Supreme Leader
“Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership,”
Canada’s G7 Summit Shifts Focus from Climate and Gender to Economic Stability and Security
“No Climate, No Gender: Canada’s G7 Summit Agenda Shows Shift In Priorities”
Europe’s Populist Surge Meets Political Barriers: The Rise and Exclusion of Right-Wing Parties
“We’re not doing natural politics anymore, and all it does is it convinces people that the system itself is invidious, and that there is no potential for peaceful political change.”
U.S. Sends 25 Air Tankers to Europe and Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
At least 25 air tankers en route to Europe/Middle East from the U.S. right now
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: AfD’s official X account, Bloomberg, Chinese Foreign Ministry, CNN, EnergyWire, Greenpeace Canada, Junge Freiheit, Pepe Escobar, The Hill, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post.
by peakcovid 
