Category: Semafor

Thousands of US marines are being deployed to the Middle East. While their mission hasn’t been disclosed, their ability to launch quick, small-scale operations is raising the profile of Gulf islands that could become central to the war in the weeks ahead. Kharg, hundreds of kilometers north of the Strait ...

The Iranian strike that destroyed liquefied natural gas facilities in Ras Laffan, Qatar, last week has set off ripples that will affect the global economy until the end of the decade. The attack knocked out two LNG trains and a gas-to-liquids unit, cutting about 12.8 million tons a year of ...

Israel attacked a key Lebanese bridge over the weekend as Israeli authorities approved an expansion of attacks, in what Lebanon’s president called a “prelude to ground invasion.” Israeli forces have been hitting crossings over the Litani River and homes close to the border since a ground assault targeting Hezbollah began ...

The market capitalization of China’s top battery manufacturers has soared by $70 billion since the start of the Iran war, as investors predict the conflict will boost clean energy growth. BYD, CATL, and Sungrow have all outperformed global oil majors since the conflict began, the Financial Times noted; batteries are ...

The Pentagon will reportedly adopt Palantir as its main AI system after a fallout with Anthropic. The firm’s Maven model is already deeply embedded in US defense: It gathers battlefield data and identifies targets. The new move designates it the “program of record,” which streamlines its adoption across the military, ...

The Scoop US President Donald Trump’s security strategy for the Western hemisphere — which has already seen him unseat Venezuela’s leader and threaten to overthrow Cuba’s regime — is tangled up in a legal battle over Puerto Rico’s electricity grid. At least eleven projects aimed at improving power reliability for ...

The News Last year, bankers for Vox Media approached media companies and investors with a series of offers. According to three people familiar with the conversations, potential buyers could take over Vox’s podcast business, a growing network of more than 30 shows hosted by personalities like Kara Swisher, Scott Galloway, ...

The US temporarily waived sanctions on Iranian oil that’s already at sea, boosting the war economy of the nation Washington is waging war against. The move marks an effort to relieve pressure on global energy markets, as the conflict spurs major supply disruptions and sends prices soaring. White House officials ...

Ukraine has achieved its largest domestic territorial gains in more than two years after Elon Musk cut off Starlink internet service to Russian forces, showing how digital infrastructure is redefining the modern battlefield. The satellite internet service was vital for Russian drones, troop communications, and real-time battlefield surveillance; Moscow’s forces ...

China pitched itself to global executives as a “harbor of stability,” drawing a contrast to US volatility. Premier Li Qiang’s speech in Beijing on Sunday came as the world’s second-largest economy works to turn around a decline in foreign investment, which fell 9.5% in 2025. Li also pledged to pursue ...