HEADLINESEthiopia Egypt Dam Clash Tests International LawSaudi F35s Signal Possible Israel NormalizationAfghanistan Reconstruction Waste Tops Thirty BillionThe time is now 12:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.This hour’s update spans the Middle East, Africa, and beyond to the United States, offering clear context for security, diplomacy, and domestic policy as it touches Israel and the Jewish world, with attention to US policy stances and international developments.In the Nile basin, Ethiopia is arguing that Egypt’s response to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile is designed to raise tensions and pressure regional actors. Ethiopian officials say Cairo has used threats and leverage to influence the dispute, which centers on control of water resources that cross borders and affect downstream populations. The dispute remains a test of international law, regional cooperation, and the interests of nations reliant on the Nile for irrigation, power, and stability. Israel, like many regional partners, watches the outcome closely as a factor in broader regional security calculations and in how external powers shape diplomacy around transboundary water issues.On security and diplomacy, observers note that Saudi Arabia’s delivery of new F-35s could be a potential milestone on a broader path toward closer regional normalization. Still, many in the Israeli policy and defense communities urge caution and careful assessment of the pace and scope of any such changes. The question for Israeli decision-makers is how to balance the potential benefits of greater regional alignment and intelligence sharing with concerns about concessions, timelines, and reciprocal steps that would accompany any deeper ties.Domestically, Israel’s government has approved a substantial hasbara budget for 2026, totaling 2.35 billion NIS for campaigns and influencers intended to promote Israel worldwide, with 1 billion NIS already authorized. The move reflects a strategic priority to shape international narratives about Israel, even as it stirs debate at home over resource allocation and the effectiveness of public diplomacy in an increasingly crowded information environment.In reporting from Washington, the final comprehensive review by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction documents 1,327 instances of waste, fraud, and abuse from 2002 through 2021, totaling about 30 billion dollars in misused funds. The assessment highlights systemic gaps in oversight and accountability across a long engagement, underscoring the ongoing scrutiny of US reconstruction efforts and the lessons that policymakers pull forward for future operations in complex theaters.In US political news, President Trump has named Shalom Baranes, a Jewish immigrant who rose to prominence as an architect in Washington, to lead the design work on the White House East Wing ballroom project. Baranes, who came to the United States with the help of HIAS after fleeing antisemitic environments in Libya, brings a modernist portfolio to a landmark assignment. His selection comes amid a broader conversation about immigration, public service, and how personal histories intersect with national institutions.Across the sports landscape, Israelis and international audiences are being invited to watch high-profile World Cup matches featuring Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. The schedule is being shaped to avoid the hottest periods of the day in North America, ensuring safer, more comfortable viewing as fans anticipate battles between two of the sport’s most storied rivals.In broader global political movements, there is fresh attention to Brazil as well: Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro has indicated his father intends to seek the presidency in 2026, a development that has caused market reactions and triggered analysis within Brazil’s political spectrum about the future direction of the country’s leadership and its stance in the region.As this hour closes, the global picture remains one of interlocking challenges and opportunities: water security and regional diplomacy in Africa and the Middle East, strategic shifts in defense and diplomacy in the Gulf, transparency and governance in US foreign engagements, immigration and public service in American government, and the enduring interest of the Jewish world and Israel in shaping and being shaped by those currents. We will continue to monitor developments, keeping the focus on facts, context, and the implications for security, stability, and global dialogue.Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.SOURCEShttps://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-879368https://...
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