ACTUAL NEWS Briefing | June 25th, 2025

Olga Nesterova
Jun 25
10 min read

NATO Summit: Behind the Scenes

President Trump arrived late on Day One of the summit, heading straight to the NATO Family Dinner hosted by the King and Queen of the Netherlands. He was greeted with a firm handshake from the King.

The next morning began with another royal event — a breakfast hosted by the Dutch royal family.

Reportedly, the entire NATO summit was reduced to a single 2.5-hour plenary session to “keep Trump from getting bored,” with the official schedule adjusted accordingly.

Before the session, NATO Secretary General Rutte gave Trump room to speak about his “tremendous” (and highly questionable) strikes on Iran. Trump was supported by Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, who defended the claim that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been “destroyed and obliterated.” These assertions have since been debunked by The New York Times, CNN, and multiple watchdog groups.

Trump was also asked about his meeting with President Zelenskyy. His response: he’d be “talking about the obvious little problem Zelenskyy has,” while noting that “Putin was very nice offering help on Iran.”

Then came NATO’s one and only plenary session. Notably, Rutte sidestepped the fact that Spain has refused to commit to the 5% GDP defense spending target — a demand Trump is pressing all Allies to meet, even as the U.S. declines to commit itself.

Rutte also avoided any direct updates on aid or a strategic path forward for Ukraine — something reportedly avoided deliberately so as not to provoke Trump.

As expected, the summit concluded with vague language around the 5% GDP commitment (with the fine print that it is merely an “aim” by 2035). There was also a nod to “building a bridge for Ukraine in NATO” — a phrase coined by former President Biden last year, who proposed a NATO vote on Ukraine’s membership by this time.

Now, a year later, Zelenskyy is still pleading for additional air defense. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged more Mirage aircraft and announced a joint drone production initiative with Ukraine.

G7 FM Meeting and Final Press Conference

During the summit, the G7 Foreign Ministers also held a side meeting. There, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States will not pursue new sanctions against Russia, explaining that the U.S. “strives to make a deal.” He later reiterated this position in an interview with Politico.

Hungary's Viktor Orbán was even more direct, pledging that it would be his job to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.

The summit wrapped with an extended press conference, kicked off by an Australian journalist questioning Rutte about his open praise for Trump. Rutte defended his position, calling it “Trump’s achievement” in strengthening NATO.

Trump was then asked by a Ukrainian journalist about the delayed delivery of Patriot air defense systems. He replied that the U.S. “needs the few it has,” since others were already sent to Israel. He ended the exchange by wishing her — and her husband, a Ukrainian soldier — “good luck.”

Answering a question from an Australian journalist, Trump reiterated that his promise to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours was, “obviously sarcasm.”

NATO’s 5% Defense Pledge: Big Talk, Vague Plans

On June 25, 2025, NATO leaders released a declaration following their single plenary session at the Hague Summit, reaffirming the Alliance’s “ironclad” unity and commitment to Article 5 — that an attack on one is an attack on all. But beneath the rhetoric lies a familiar pattern: lofty goals, soft details.

Key Points from the Declaration:

5% Defense Investment Target by 2035: Allies pledged to spend 5% of GDP annually on defense and security-related needs.
- 3.5% for core defense spending and NATO capability targets.
- Up to 1.5% for infrastructure protection, cyber defense, civil resilience, innovation, and industrial base strengthening.
Annual National Plans: Member countries must submit incremental roadmaps toward these targets. A review is planned in 2029 to assess progress and adjust based on the strategic environment.
Support for Ukraine: Continued direct military and industrial support for Ukraine will count toward the 5% spending target.
Article 5 Reaffirmed — But With Caveats: The declaration reiterates commitment to collective defense. But in practice, triggering Article 5 requires two unanimous decisions:
- Agreement that an attack occurred.
- Agreement on a response.
  Think about it: In a scenario like a Russian move on a Baltic state, what happens if President Trump refuses to recognize it as an attack — or blocks a NATO response to "avoid nuclear war"?
Defense Industrial Cooperation: NATO aims to remove trade barriers between Allies*, boost joint production, and embrace new technology to modernize collective capabilities.

While the 5% goal sounds bold, the declaration lacks enforcement, timelines, or clarity on compliance.

In short: these are the promised vague statements from NATO — reduced to one page.

*more on that under the Global News

NATIONAL NEWS

Generational Wealth Shift: President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut legislation would effectively transfer wealth from younger Americans to older generations, nonpartisan analysts say. While the bill includes tax breaks for parents, newborns, and private-school students, analysts warn the trillions it adds to the $36.2 trillion national debt will disproportionately burden younger generations.
Judiciary Confrontation: In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration has filed a lawsuit naming federal judges as defendants, escalating its battle with the judiciary over rulings that have hindered key parts of its agenda.
South Sudan Deportation Dispute: The administration also accused a federal judge of defying the U.S. Supreme Court, following a ruling that blocked the rapid deportation of eight migrants to politically unstable South Sudan.
Federal Reserve Feud: Trump called Fed Chair Jerome Powell “terrible” and said he’s considering three or four candidates to replace him at the head of the U.S. central bank.
Vaccine Policy in Turmoil: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the U.S. will cut funding to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, claiming it “ignores safety” — without providing evidence. Health insurers are reportedly turning to outside experts as RFK Jr. revises national vaccine guidelines, raising industry concern. Meanwhile, Trump’s CDC director nominee defended vaccines as “life-saving” and rejected links to autism during a Senate confirmation hearing.
Crypto & Mortgages: The regulator overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has ordered the agencies to treat cryptocurrency as an asset in mortgage risk assessments — potentially allowing borrowers to use crypto to qualify for home loans.
Offshore Mining Push: The Trump administration unveiled new policies to speed up offshore critical minerals development, aiming to reduce delays and provide more certainty for industry.
Union Rights Protected: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from eliminating union bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal workers at 21 agencies, ruling the president’s executive order likely violated labor laws.
EV Infrastructure Funding Blocked: Another federal judge temporarily halted the administration’s attempt to withhold EV infrastructure funding from 14 states, including California, New York, and Illinois.
AI Regulation Fight: A battle is brewing in the Senate over a proposed 10-year federal ban on state-level AI regulation, with Republican and Democratic leaders split over whether to tie the measure to broadband infrastructure funding.
NSC Restaffing: The White House is reportedly rehiring previously dismissed National Security Council staff, under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as part of a quiet restructuring effort.
CBS Lawsuit Mediation: A mediator has proposed a $20 million settlement between President Trump and Paramount Global over a CBS News interview with former VP Kamala Harris, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Recession Warning: JPMorgan analysts predict U.S. trade policies may slow global economic growth and spark inflation, estimating a 40% chance of a U.S. recession in the second half of the year.
Auto Industry Tensions: A major trade group representing GM, Toyota, VW, Hyundai, and others criticized the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, accusing it of blocking progress and failing to modernize safety regulations.
Iran Fallout: The FBI is increasing its monitoring of threats from Iran, following Trump’s recent strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities. A classified report cited by The New York Times says the bombings only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months.
Fentanyl Sanctions: The U.S. Treasury sanctioned three Mexico-based financial institutions — CIBanco, Intercam Banco, and Vector Casa de Bolsa — as part of a new crackdown on fentanyl-related money laundering, the first enforcement under the FEND Off Fentanyl Act.

DEFENSE

Middle East: Iran and its network of proxy groups across the Middle East continue to pose a threat to U.S. forces in the region, despite being weakened by years of fighting on multiple fronts, according to Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the nominee to lead U.S. Central Command. During his confirmation hearing on June 24, Cooper also emphasized that the Islamic State remains an active threat in Syria, warranting the continued presence of U.S. troops.

Air Force Fitness Changes: The U.S. Air Force is preparing to update its physical fitness assessment, though specific details and timelines have yet to be announced. In a message to enlisted leaders, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi hinted that changes could include a two-mile run and a biannual testing cycle, replacing the current once-a-year model.

Space Force Expansion: As the Space Force accelerates its focus on space control, one of its acquisition divisions is expanding its role—shifting from just developing payloads to also operating satellites, signaling a more hands-on approach to orbital capabilities.

Defense Industry Readiness: The head of Northrop Grumman’s aeronautics division stated that if the government commits to funding, the defense industry is capable of quickly ramping up production of key assets, including aircraft.

UK Nuclear Posture: The United Kingdom will acquire at least 12 F-35 stealth jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, marking what the government describes as the most significant upgrade to its nuclear deterrent in a generation.

Missile Defense Milestone: After years of delays, the Missile Defense Agency announced that the Long-Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR)—a key element of President Trump’s "Golden Dome" missile defense vision—has successfully tracked an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)-like target in a live test for the first time.

Transatlantic Defense Shift: Top NATO and U.S. officials reaffirmed President Trump’s stated commitment to the Alliance, but also signaled a coming strategic shift: Europe will be expected to take primary responsibility for its own defense as U.S. posture in the region evolves.

GLOBAL NEWS

NATO & Trump Diplomacy

Rutte’s Remark: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte likened President Donald Trump to a "daddy" stepping into a schoolyard fight, following Trump’s repeated profane outbursts this week directed at both Israel and Iran.
Spain Trade Threat: President Trump stated that the United States will make Spain pay twice as much for a trade deal in retaliation for Spain's refusal to meet NATO’s 5% of GDP defense spending target.

Middle East Developments

Israel–Iran Truce: A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding. Trump posted on social media that China will be allowed to continue buying Iranian oil, a message that seemed to contradict U.S. sanctions policy. A White House official later clarified he was referring to the Strait of Hormuz remaining open. Meanwhile, Iran’s legislature passed a bill suspending cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and requiring its top security council to approve any future inspections.
Papal Appeal: Pope Leo urged both Iran and Israel to avoid retaliation after 12 days of conflict, during which the U.S. supported Israel with airstrikes targeting Iran's uranium enrichment sites.
Disputed Impact of Iran Strikes: The Pentagon has assessed that U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months, according to seven sources cited by CNN. However, the White House press secretary claimed the sites were “totally obliterated.” The Trump administration subsequently canceled planned classified briefings for lawmakers. CIA Director John Ratcliffe insisted the damage was extensive, saying it would take years for Iran to rebuild. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Iran’s enrichment and weaponization efforts are U.S. “red lines” and expressed hope for a comprehensive peace agreement with Tehran.
Kremlin Response: The Kremlin stated it was too early to assess the real damage from the U.S. airstrikes. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded cautiously to Trump’s claim that the attacks had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program.
Congress Notification Dispute: President Trump told Congress the targeted Iranian facilities were part of a “nuclear weapons development program,” despite U.S. intelligence agencies maintaining no such program currently exists.

Asia & Africa Developments

Japan Missile Test: Japan conducted a missile test on its own territory for the first time, using a short-range, surface-to-ship missile. The country had previously run tests in U.S. and Australian territories due to safety concerns. This is part of Japan’s growing military posture aimed at deterring China.
Nigeria–Brazil Agriculture Deal: Nigeria and Brazil signed a $1 billion agreement to modernize Nigerian agriculture through mechanization, training, and service centers. The deal coincided with a visit by Brazil’s Vice President to Abuja and aligns with Nigeria's broader economic reform agenda to attract private investment.

U.S. Policy & International Aid

AI Legislation: A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is introducing legislation that would ban U.S. government agencies from using AI models developed in China, including from companies like DeepSeek.
U.S. Gaza Aid: The U.S. will provide $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, despite recent civilian deaths near its distribution sites. This marks the first reported direct financial contribution from the U.S. government to the group, which previously relied on private military contractors.

Trade & Environment

EU–U.S. Trade Tensions: The European Union plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, including Boeing aircraft, if the Trump administration moves forward with a 10% baseline tariff on EU imports. Brussels is seeking a better trade deal than what Washington recently struck with London.
Climate Warning & Flood Risk in China: Southern China is bracing for a tropical depression just weeks after Typhoon Wutip caused deadly flooding and mass evacuations. The World Meteorological Organization reported that Asia is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, intensifying extreme weather risks.

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TODAY IN HISTORY

1876 – Battle of the Little Bighorn: U.S. Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his troops were defeated and killed by Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. This became famously known as "Custer’s Last Stand."
1941 – Finland declares war on the Soviet Union as part of the Continuation War during World War II.
1947 – The Diary of Anne Frank is published: "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank, a Jewish teenager who hid from the Nazis during World War II, was first published in the Netherlands. It would go on to become one of the most influential books of the 20th century.
1951 – First color television broadcast by CBS in the United States (limited and short-lived due to technology limitations).
1950 – The Korean War begins: North Korean forces invaded South Korea, triggering the Korean War. The United Nations, led by the United States, intervened on behalf of South Korea, while China later supported the North.
1978 – The rainbow flag is first flown during the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade, becoming a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride.
1991 – Slovenia and Croatia declare independence: Both republics formally declared independence from Yugoslavia, marking the beginning of the Yugoslav Wars and the eventual breakup of the federation.
2009 – Michael Jackson dies: The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, died at the age of 50 in Los Angeles from acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication. His death shocked the world and prompted a global outpouring of grief.