Who’s calling the shots?: Trump and Netanyahu both look to sway the war in Iran

The latest escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict, triggered by Israeli strikes on Beirut and Tehran against U.S. wishes, has exposed a growing rift between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu—two leaders whose personal ambitions and political survival instincts are now at odds. Despite Trump’s push for a swift ceasefire and de-escalation, Netanyahu appears driven by domestic pressures, including a corruption trial and the need to secure Israel’s northern border against Hezbollah. Yossi Mecklenburg of Chatham House argues that while both leaders are transactional and self-serving, Trump holds real leverage through military aid, UN influence, and intelligence cooperation—tools that could constrain Israel if relations sour. Yet Netanyahu’s long-term strategy of military independence, fueled by bravado and a desire to reduce U.S. dependency, may be dangerously misaligned with Washington’s interests. Meanwhile, the global financial world braces for a historic IPO wave from OpenAI, SpaceX, and Anthropic, with valuations nearing $1 trillion and $1.8 trillion respectively—yet oil prices have remained surprisingly stable despite Middle East tensions, thanks largely to China’s massive strategic oil drawdowns and declining demand. In the arts, British Bangladeshi artist Camilla Ahmed’s immersive textile installation at Leighton House reclaims forgotten weaving traditions, challenging static museum curation by inviting viewers to engage with the cultural origins of craft.