The Monday Edition

Our Monday News Analysis | What the World Reads Now!

June 15, 2026

Helping to Heal a Broken Humanity (Part 96)

The Hague, 15 June 2026 | If you know of a decisive story, tell the world! We're still searching.

This week’s Reflections: America the Beautiful

America is a vast, diverse continent with a rich history,

stretching from the North Pole to the South Pole.

Its origins include civilizations such as the Maya, Olmec, Aztec, and Inca. Interactions with the Old World and Christianity helped shape a shared identity.

America excels at fostering values that motivate and influence people,
especially in key roles globally.

Saint Pope John Paul II
Adolfo López Mateos Hall of the Presidential Residence, Mexico City, Mexico
23 January 1999

Building the Bridge Foundation

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EDITORIAL | Yalta Anyone?

By Abraham A. van Kempen
15 June 2026

I know of only three world leaders who can help heal our broken humanity. The Nobel Peace Prize Committee honored me with a nomination on behalf of the Building the Bridge Foundation in The Hague, proposing that Presidents Trump, Xi, and Putin share the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize if they pursue and achieve world peace in the next few months. President Trump might be the ‘most valuable player.’ The United States is the only power that can contain the European Union – that is, the Blob (the Worldwide Deepstate) that has infiltrated the democratic institutions of the Collective West, particularly the EU-US/NATO Alliance and the 50 or so wannabe countries often referred to as the Coalition of the Willing.

If the former European empires move beyond their old neo-colonial aspirations, it could mark a significant and optimistic turning point in history, paving the way for a more constructive, multipolar world.

Last Friday, I promised that this week we’d revisit and explore Yalta. (But not so fast.)

I also wrote:

“If you're wondering why I often look back at history, it's because we really don't have a choice, even though we often reject its lessons. From where I stand, the wars in Eastern Europe, West Asia, and East Asia are winding down. Western dominance has mostly come to a screeching halt, partly thanks to President Trump, whether or not he knew what he was doing, or not. (I think he did.)

Today, we must prepare for tomorrow. The world cannot magically become multipolar. We must start by developing a hybrid form of global governance. There are ONLY three people on earth who can make things happen and make them stick.

Let’s meet in Yalta? Soon!

...

The wars are winding down. Some tinders are still smoldering, sparks remain, with a weakened EU still pushing to expand NATO, now in Armenia, and Israel ablaze in the greater Middle East, still seething, fuming, and outraged that peace is at hand. The European elites, including those in Israel, remain committed to shaping global affairs in line with their strategic goals, no matter the cost in human lives and treasure. President Trump no longer wants the United States to enforce such Eurocentric policies. Effectively, he has thrown the Blob under the bus – distanced himself from the European elites with all its consequences.

Isn’t it remarkable that former enemies are turning into allies under the saying “the enemy of my enemy is my friend’? If China and Russia can forge a friendship, the United States can too. Russia and Iran are also developing closer ties, which historically seems contradictory. Currently, there is speculation that India and China might collaborate, a development that seemed highly unlikely not long ago.

On the other hand, perhaps nations have no friends, just interests. And the prime directive is peace through prosperity. We all want to buy and sell products and services to each other. People everywhere need jobs. Take that to heart. I’ve traveled the world – 132 countries at last count. That’s what I’ve heard and seen. People don’t want to leave their countries, their people, their traditions, and their food. They want to work. Let’s help the world work at home.

PUTIN HOLDS A PHONE CALL WITH TRUMP - KREMLIN

Putin wished Trump a happy 80th birthday as the two leaders discussed Iran, Ukraine, and US-Russia relations

FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin. © Sputnik / Mikhail Mettsel

During a phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated US President Donald Trump on his 80th birthday. Presidential aide Yury Ushakov reported that Trump was "touched" by the gesture. The two leaders conversed for approximately an hour in a friendly and open tone, the official stated.

Read more ...

The Same Birthday

And, coincidentally, President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping share the same birthday. - Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946 (New York time). - Xi Jinping was born on June 15, 1953 (Beijing time). They are both Geminis, born on June 14 in New York time, considering the time zone difference.

If Presidents Trump, Xi, and Putin meet in Yalta, they will have plenty to discuss. For now, they need to focus on convincing the Collective West to change its tune from “What’s mine is mine, what’s yours is mine also” to a new world of building bridges – Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.

Let’s observe how the wars are coming to an end. It would also be ideal if Americans could rally behind their president to foster better relations with former adversaries. It’ll be like pulling teeth for Americans to unite under a single flag. Americans have rarely been so divided, at each other’s throats.

Irrespective, America remains a continent of hope.

TRUMP’S IRAN DEAL IS ‘LOSE, LOSE, LOSE’ – US CONGRESSMAN

The emerging agreement restores the regional balance to a pre-war state after $100 billion in spending and numerous casualties, Seth Moulton says

US Representative Seth Moulton (D) speaks at the Massachusetts Democratic Party convention on May 30, 2026. © Getty Images

US President Donald Trump’s looming Iran peace deal looks like a “surrender document” and fails to deliver anything America did not have before the war, Democratic congressman Seth Moulton has said.

Read more ...

To be continued on Friday, 19 June 2026.

Enjoy your week,

Abraham A. van Kempen
Senior Editor

Building the Bridge Foundation, The Hague
A Way to Get to Know One Another and the Other

Remember! Diplomacy is catalytic—transformative —while military action is cataclysmic—destructive and catastrophic.

When faced with the options to be good, bad, or ugly, let’s build bridges, not burn them. After all, mutual deterrence reigns.

BREAKING NEWS | IRAN REJECTS TRUMP'S $$$ AND MAY ATTACK ISRAEL SOON [OR NOT] - W/ U.S. NAVY'S CHIEF MALCOLM NANCE

Watch this breaking news segment for a rapid, opinionated discussion on escalating tensions between Israel, Iran, Lebanon, and the United States.
Mario Nawfal and Navy Geopolitical Intelligence Expert Chief Malcolm Nance see Israel’s strike on Beirut as a calculated move to disrupt diplomacy and gauge American influence.
Their analysis highlights conflicting political motives, deterrence strategies, and the danger that limited retaliation might escalate into broader conflict. The tone is urgent, speculative, and sharply critical of Israeli and U.S. leadership.

Watch the Video Here (44 minutes, 29 seconds)

Host Mario Nawfal
Nawfal
14 June 2026

Mario’s discussion with Navy Geopolitical Intelligence Expert Chief Malcolm Nance provides a sharply critical perspective on the rising Israel-Iran-Lebanon crisis, emphasizing claims that Israel’s attack on Beirut interrupted a new diplomatic effort supported by the U.S. and Iran.

Chief Nance argues that the attack surpassed a key threshold for Tehran, possibly triggering retaliation. This scenario also complicates President Trump's position, as he reportedly sought to swiftly conclude a deal for political and symbolic reasons.

A recurring theme is that Trump is depicted as being motivated more by his personal legacy, public image, and the optics of concluding another conflict than by a focus on long-term diplomacy.
The analysis portrays Netanyahu and Israel as disruptors unwilling to accept limitations imposed by Washington.
Israel’s military and political leaders focus mainly on their security concerns, especially bringing back displaced residents from the north and decreasing Hezbollah’s rocket threat, even if this conflicts with U.S. diplomatic objectives.
Netanyahu may prefer continued confrontation because a finalized agreement could limit Israel’s freedom of action in Lebanon and against Iran.
Iran is depicted as attempting to balance retaliation with statecraft.
Tehran aims to preserve its credibility with allies such as Hezbollah and Lebanon, while also preventing an uncontrollable escalation.
Iran might carry out a limited missile test to demonstrate resolve without prompting a full-scale conflict.
The discussion also cautions that Hezbollah, the Houthis, or Israeli counterstrikes could escalate and broaden the conflict.

Overall, the conversation portrays a volatile regional standoff in which diplomacy, personal politics, military deterrence, and domestic pressures collide. The central analytical takeaway is that even if a diplomatic agreement is signed, the underlying conflict dynamics may remain unresolved, leaving the region vulnerable to renewed cycles of strike, retaliation, and escalation.

INTEL ROUNDTABLE W/ JOHNSON & MCGOVERN - WEEKLY WRAP 12-JUNE

This edition of the Intel Roundtable offers a sharp critique of U.S. power under President Trump, portraying the Iran conflict as proof of the government's bluffing strength while revealing underlying weaknesses.

Trump’s repeated claims of peace, victory, and control are presented as empty theatrics masking strategic failure, military exhaustion, and foreign-policy dependence.
Johnson and McGovern argue that Washington is no longer merely overconfident; it is dangerously delusional, manipulated by outside influence, and hostile to internal dissent.
The result is a portrait of a superpower losing credibility abroad while turning coercive at home through surveillance, censorship, and punishment of critics.

Watch the Video Here (33 minutes, 28 seconds)

Host: Judge Andrew Napolitano
Judging Freedom
13 June 2026

Judge Napolitano’s discussion with former CIA analysts Larry Johnson and Ray McGovern provides a strong critique of U.S. foreign policy under President Trump, highlighting the Iran conflict as an example of impulsive decision-making, strategic disarray, and diminishing credibility.

Johnson and McGovern suggest that Trump’s repeated claims of an upcoming peace deal have lost political significance due to a lack of tangible diplomatic progress. His sudden shifts from threatening extensive bombing to declaring successful negotiations are viewed not as strategic adaptability but as a sign of disarray at the highest level of government.

The analysis highlights a significant gap between American rhetoric and its real capabilities. Johnson and McGovern describe the United States as overextended, drained, and less able to shape outcomes in Iran, Ukraine, or the Red Sea.

Claims of strength stand in contrast to missile shortages, drained petroleum reserves, unsuccessful military pressure campaigns, and adversaries that have adapted more effectively than Washington anticipated.

In this framing, the Iran war exposes not merely Trump’s limitations, but the erosion of the mythology of American invincibility.

The discussion is also sharply critical of Israel’s role in shaping U.S. decisions. The speakers portray Washington as dangerously compromised by Israeli influence, surveillance, and proposed intelligence-sharing arrangements that could bind future presidents to policies against U.S. interests. Their argument suggests that foreign-policy autonomy has been hollowed out by a combination of political pressure, intelligence penetration, and official fear of dissent. Officials who challenge the dominant narrative are described as facing career destruction, investigation, or marginalization.

At home, the critique broadens and deepens in concern. Efforts to punish critics of the Iran war serve as evidence that the government is moving toward authoritarian tendencies:

Silencing speech
Limiting freedom of movement, and
Viewing dissent as a form of subversion.

The debate over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) highlights this concerning trend, indicating that surveillance authorities exceed legal boundaries. Overall, the discussion presents the crisis as more than merely a failed military strategy; it underscores a government that is losing international credibility and neglecting constitutional limitations domestically.

Key Quotes

“Who believes him?” — “Nobody.”
“Unpredictable is an understatement.”
“Nobody believes it.”
“He has lost credibility.”
“It’s the old boy who cried wolf phenomenon.”
“The credibility of the United States has been very, very damaged by Donald Trump.”
“What we’re beginning to understand… are not just the limits of Trump, but the limits of American power.”
“We thought the United States was invincible, and instead it’s vincible.”
“The United States has thrown everything it has short of nuclear weapons at Iran and has been unable to break them.”
“We have to look in the mirror. We’ve become that very thing that we claim that we were trying to fight against.”
“The only reason they want to get rid of him is that they don’t like what he says.”
“We’re all under surveillance. We have to cope with that, and we have to not let ourselves be inhibited by it.”

BREAKING: IRAN DEAL BEING FINALIZED RIGHT NOW – W/ SPECIAL FORCES OFFICER LT. COL. ANTHONY AGUILAR

Mario’s talk with Lt. Col. Aguilar underscores a pivotal moment in U.S.-Iran talks, blending hope for a memorandum of understanding with doubts about enforcement, regional trust, and conflicting goals.

The conversation links Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz, frozen Iranian assets, and nuclear concessions as interconnected bargaining issues.

Its main focus is on whether a diplomatic breakthrough can endure external actions, especially from Israel, and if Washington can reliably manage its responsibilities toward Iran and regional allies.

Watch the Video Here (36 minutes, 57 seconds)

Host Mario Nawfal
Nawfal
13 June 2026

Mario’s conversation with Lt. Col. Aguilar expresses cautious optimism about a potential U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding while highlighting the process's fragility.

The main concern is not just the signing of a deal but whether its linked obligations can be enforced afterward. Lebanon stands out as the most urgent flashpoint: Iran seems to want an Israeli withdrawal and a ceasefire included in the agreement, whereas Israel might oppose restrictions on its actions against Hezbollah.

This presents a significant credibility challenge for Washington, as it must reassure Iran while also addressing Israel’s security concerns.

Lt. Col. Aguilar also contextualizes the Strait of Hormuz, frozen Iranian assets, nuclear concessions, and Gulf state diplomacy within a larger regional realignment.

Iran could become more strategically powerful if it secures economic relief, establishes regional revenue mechanisms, and gains recognition for its role in Gulf security.
The agreement's sustainability relies on trust, verification, and restraint—particularly from Israel, Iran, and the United States.
The analysis indicates that silence and decreased military activity are encouraging signs, yet any inflammatory remarks or strikes could swiftly undermine the negotiations.

FROM TEHRAN PROF. SYED M. MARANDI | WHERE WILL THE COMING IRAN WAR NEGOTIATIONS LEAD? – THE CHRIS HEDGES REPORT

As new negotiations launch between the parties involved in the Iran War, existential questions regarding the future of Israel and the global economy remain contingent on complex geopolitical variables.
To parse through these possibilities, Iranian academic Prof. Syed M. Marandi joins The Chris Hedges Report.

Watch the Video Here (39 minutes, 52 seconds)

Host Chris Hedges
The Chris Hedges Report
14 June 2026

Chris Hedge’s discussion with Prof. Syed M. Marandi frames the proposed U.S.–Iran peace framework as fragile and strategically shaped by Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.

The conversation accepts Iranian claims of battlefield success, political resilience, and negotiating strength. The argument that U.S. and Israeli objectives failed is plausible.
The strongest insight is the emphasis on mistrust: Iran’s skepticism toward U.S. commitments is grounded in a history of failed agreements and alleged ceasefire violations.
However, the debate frequently shifts from analysis into advocacy, relying on charged language and broad claims about Israel, the United States, and regional governments. Its treatment of Gaza, Lebanon, sanctions, and nuclear policy raises important issues.
Economically, the warning about energy disruption is serious, yet the forecast of global crisis is asserted rather than rigorously substantiated.
Overall, the discussion is valuable as a window into a pro-Iranian strategic perspective, but it should be viewed critically.

EXCLUSIVE: ‘I CAME TO SEE RUSSIA BECAUSE GLOBAL HEGEMONY IS COLLAPSING’ – ANDREW TATE

“I came to see Russia because global hegemony is collapsing. The US is a dying empire, and they all go out with a bang,” says Andrew Tate.
“And the cherry on top: despite the Western media’s negative portrayal of Moscow,” Andrew says, “it has it all – beauty, cleanliness, food – you name it”.
Ready to see the truth laid bare? Dive in now. This interview is one you can’t afford to skip

Western media largely functions as propaganda and fails to genuinely inform the public.

Watch the Video Here (52 minutes, 14 seconds)

Host Former CNN Correspondent Rick Sanchez
HomeShowsSanchez Effect
9 June 2026

On the latest episode of Sanchez Effect, Rick sits down with a man who needs no introduction.

Andrew Tate doesn’t hold back on Russia’s surging clout, especially in its powerful partnership with China, and he’s convinced the post-WWII order is about as secure as a paper cup in a hurricane.
He argues that the media’s portrayal of men as emasculated is a deliberate strategy to prevent revolutions, while warning that insecure masculinity fuels consumption, addiction, and the loss of traditional values.
Without a filter, he says the ‘Epstein class’ tunes the algorithms that shape our reality, feeding us curated lies.

The Sanchez Effect is a journalistic rebellion ... in search of truth.

RT’s flagship show is hosted by Rick Sanchez, an Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning journalist known for challenging the status quo. “When only one side of a story is allowed, I push even harder.

If Moscow is off-limits, that’s exactly where I want to be, because truth often lies in the places we’re told not to investigate.”

GUEST EDITORIAL | PUFFY PUTIN PERIL: THE WEST’S LATEST ATTEMPT TO SCARE ITSELF

Headlines about the Russian president’s looks and ‘erratic’ behavior are a symptom of terminal Russophrenia

© Sergey Bobylyov / RIA

By Tarik Cyril Amar, a historian from Germany working at Koç University, Istanbul, on Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe, the history of World War II, the cultural Cold War, and the politics of memory

@tarikcyrilamartarikcyrilamar.substack.comtarikcyrilamar.com

Substack.com
13 June 2026

We are living in dangerous times. In the Middle East, the Israeli-American duo has been involved in war, terror, destruction, and genocide. They also threaten the global economy by blocking fossil fuels. Even Friedrich Merz, a less perceptive German politician, has acknowledged this risk.

In the Far East, Taiwan's government is so determined to antagonize mainland China that Taipei’s reactions seem almost as irrational as Berlin's. Meanwhile, in the West, Germany's elite struggles to fund Ukraine as Kyiv and allies attack pipelines, damaging its fragile economy. In the East, Taipei is upset when the Philippines and Japan negotiate Taiwan’s maritime boundaries, but this anger is directed at Beijing.

In the EU, what’s called a "garden" of "values" is a chaotic jungle of confusion and corruption. Recent foreign policy failures have led European leaders to unite against the incompetent Kaja Kallas. Her tenure as EU foreign minister has been marked by blunders, and her superiors are considering dismissing her and abolishing the position.

Experiencing utter incompetence that not only gets you fired but drags others down—perhaps only the Baltic Girl Boss Wonder could do that. Or it might be another power move by the EU’s German queen and the US viceroy, Ursula von der Leyen. Either way, madness continues.

Read more
‘Secret’ talks in Kyiv, Zelensky’s letter, China and economic resilience: Putin at SPIEF

We could add more frightening evidence, but the situation is already bleak. It's understandable to be a gloomy doomsayer. The odd part is when fear becomes inverted.

From a NATO-EU perspective, Russia might seem unsettling. After proxy conflicts, sanctions, and propaganda, it's hard to gauge Moscow's mood. As a NATO-EU official, you probably wouldn't know, since you've refused to communicate or listen to Russia. Feeling uneasy might stem from your professional conscience—though not necessarily morally, given you likely lack it.

Suppressing foolish mistakes has a high cost. Freud called this "affective debility," meaning self-deception dulls your mind. Over time, it risks making you truly imbecilic.

The recent surge of hysterical scare stories about Russia in the West, especially Britain, follows a pattern. At the SPIEF, The Independent published a piece that disguised fiction as analysis with the headline ‘’Puffy-looking’ Putin is acting weirder than ever – and that should chill us to the bone.’’ It exaggerated a dangerous figure in the Kremlin, suggesting he considers staged incidents, nuclear terrorism, and might blow up Europe or Britain because Russia is losing the war—while noting he looks ‘puffy’!

All of this is supported (though somewhat exaggerated) by a senior British military officer claiming the situation is worse than ever in his lifetime. He and his soldiers, along with some spies, regularly issue Cassandra-like warnings at least twice a month; it seems to be their routine.

Read more
Ukraine is causing more regime change in the EU than in Russia

Indeed, there's an overproduction of men and women in khaki, warning about a big Russian wolf. Politico even has a collection called 'The 5 doomiest Russia warnings from Britain’s military chiefs.' Surely, this isn’t linked to rising defense budgets or military profits.

The West often claims Russia is defeated, with Putin close to death or regime change, and sees Ukraine (and the West) winning the war. Some predict Russia might attack all of Europe soon. Rare exceptions exist, like a NATO commander from Trump’s US revealing Moscow isn't seeking conflict.

In short, we refer to Russophrenia: those affected imagine Schrödinger’s Russia—half-dead and thriving—about to invade their living room on a tank.

The Independent article exemplifies an absurd genre, claiming, “Russia is finished, and that’s why it threatens us more." This Russophobia is so flimsy that one might question the author's connection to reality.

Don’t take my word for it—see for yourself. The address and panel Q&A with Putin at the SPIEF are available online. The Russian Presidential Office often publishes full videos of Putin's events, usually with good English dubbing. I know this because I understand Russian and English.

Read more
Putin responds to Zelensky’s meeting proposal

After a quick fact-check, it's clear that "puffy" is a flexible term in modern British English. For example, Sir Keir Starmer often appears more visibly lobster-red, unless he looks pale and pasty from fear of scandals or potential defeat.

More importantly, you'll hear Putin deliver a mostly factual, dry speech filled with statistics and careful language. Whether you love or dislike him, The Independent's claim that he is a loose cannon is false and fiction.

Putin’s response to Zelensky’s misleading letter was unfriendly and sharp but composed and serious. It highlighted Ukraine’s rudimentary tactics and dishonesty and how these actions impede meaningful negotiations.

What we should fear in the West about Russia is that our elites—politicians, media personalities, and academics—are suffering from a contagious epidemic of Russophrenia. They are cynical propagandists who try to brainwash us, which is concerning. Worse, many seem unable to stop believing their own lies, even when obvious. This explains why a major newspaper published something so false and easy to check. The West's prolonged information war has ultimately harmed itself.

Tarik Cyril Amar is a historian specializing in international politics. He holds a BA in Modern History from Oxford University, an MSc in International History from the London School of Economics, and a PhD in History from Princeton University.

Dr. Amar has held fellowships at the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute and has directed the Center for Urban History in Lviv, Ukraine. Originally from Germany, he has lived in the UK, Ukraine, Poland, the USA, and Turkey.

His book, 'The Paradox of Ukrainian Lviv: A Borderland City between Stalinists, Nazis, and Nationalists,' was published by Cornell University Press in 2015. He is preparing to publish a study on the political and cultural history of Cold War television spy stories and is also working on a new book about the global response to the war in Ukraine.

Dr. Tarik Cyril Amar has appeared on several programs, including multiple interviews on Rania Khlalek Dispatches and Breakthrough News.

His website is https://www.tarikcyrilamar.com/; he is on Substack under https://tarikcyrilamar.substack.com, and tweets at @TarikCyrilAmar.

BONUS | TALKING WITH TUCKER CARLSON

John Mearsheimer:

On June 9, 2026, I had a roughly two-hour conversation with Tucker Carlson covering the Iran war, the Ukraine war, and various other topics. I found our discussion engaging as we tried to make sense of the rapidly unfolding, often complex events around us.

Watch the Video Here (2 hours, 29 minutes, 50 seconds)

Host Tucker Carlson
Tucker Carlson
11 June 2026

This two-hour, 29-minute, 50-second video is worth watching.

BUILDING THE BRIDGE! | A WAY TO GET TO KNOW THE OTHER AND ONE ANOTHER

Making a Difference – The Means, Methods, and Mechanisms for Many to Move Mountains

Photo Credit: Abraham A. van Kempen, our home away from home on the Dead Sea

By Abraham A. van Kempen
Senior Editor
Updated 19 January 2024

Those who commit to 'healing our broken humanity' build intercultural bridges to learn to know and understand one another and others. Readers who thumb through the Building the Bridge (BTB) pages are not mindless sheep following other mindless sheep. They THINK. They want to be at the forefront of making a difference. They're seeking the bigger picture to expand their horizons. They don't need BTB or anyone else to confirm their biases.

Making a Difference – The Means, Methods, and Mechanisms for Many to Move Mountains

Accurate knowledge fosters understanding, dispels prejudice, and sparks a desire to learn more about the subject. Words have an extraordinary power to bring people together, divide them, forge bonds of friendship, or provoke hostility. Modern technology offers unprecedented possibilities for good, fostering harmony and reconciliation. Yet, its misuse can cause untold harm, leading to misunderstandings, prejudices, and conflicts.

Continue reading

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