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Year: 2026

Another NATO ally signs onto European nuclear umbrella as continent boosts self-defense

Another NATO ally signs onto European nuclear umbrella as continent boosts self-defense

France has added a ninth European country to President Emmanuel Macron’s growing nuclear deterrence initiative as European governments move to take on a larger role in its own defense following years of pressure from President Donald Trump to shoulder more of NATO’s security burden. Norway announced Wednesday that it will join France’s so-called “forward deterrence” initiative, becoming the latest country to participate in discussions over how France’s nuclear arsenal could contribute to European security. The effort also includes Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Greece and the United Kingdom. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stressed that “our deterrence will continue to be provided by NATO” and said France had consulted both NATO and the U.S. as the initiative expanded. EUROPE STEPS UP TO FUND ITS OWN DEFENSE, PROVIDE SECURITY FOR UKRAINE AFTER TRUMP THREATS The expansion comes as European governments race to strengthen its militaries amid concerns that Russia could eventually push beyond Ukraine and threaten NATO territory. It also marks another step in Macron’s effort to position France at the center of a more self-reliant European security framework as NATO allies increase defense spending and military cooperation. It also follows years of warnings from Trump that the U.S. should not continue carrying a disproportionate share of Europe’s defense burden. “If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them,” Trump said in 2025 when discussing NATO allies that fail to meet defense spending commitments. Trump repeatedly has argued that European countries relied too heavily on American military power while underinvesting in their own defenses. At NATO’s summit in The Hague earlier in 2026, alliance members agreed to a new goal of spending 5% of GDP on defense and defense-related investments by 2035, a dramatic increase from NATO’s longstanding 2% benchmark. France has not announced plans to permanently station nuclear weapons in nations participating in the initiative and retains sole authority over any decision involving its nuclear arsenal. Instead, participating countries will take part in discussions, planning and exercises related to French nuclear deterrence while France signals that the security of its European partners is increasingly tied to its own. Macron also has said participating countries could temporarily host French strategic air forces as part of the initiative. Macron has increasingly positioned France as a leader in Europe’s push to take greater responsibility for its own security. France is the European Union’s only nuclear-armed country, and the French president has argued that France’s nuclear deterrent should play a larger role in protecting the continent as governments across Europe increase military spending and expand defense cooperation. MOCKING HIM AS ‘MICRON,’ RUSSIA WARNS MACRON AGAINST MAKING NUCLEAR ‘THREATS’ France built an independent nuclear deterrent during the Cold War under President Charles de Gaulle. France conducted its first nuclear test in 1960 and developed its own arsenal in part to ensure the country would never be entirely dependent on Washington for its security. The arrangement leaves open questions about exactly what commitments France is making. For decades, Europe’s ultimate nuclear backstop has been the U.S. which stations nuclear weapons in several NATO countries including Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands as part of the alliance’s broader deterrence posture. France’s proposal is less explicit, seeking to strengthen deterrence by making Russia consider the possibility that threats against European allies could implicate French security interests without offering a formal nuclear guarantee. The initiative highlights how some European governments are looking to strengthen regional defense arrangements even as the U.S. remains NATO’s dominant military power and primary nuclear guarantor. It also comes as Trump and Macron continue a relationship marked by both cooperation and public disagreements. In March, Trump rated Macron an “8 out of 10″ as an ally while discussing French support for a U.S.-led effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz. “Not perfect, but it’s France,” Trump said. “We don’t expect perfect.” At the same time, Macron has increasingly pushed for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense and has publicly broken with Washington on several foreign policy issues, including criticism of U.S. military actions in the Middle East. Those tensions reflect a broader challenge facing NATO as European governments seek to strengthen their own military capabilities while continuing to rely heavily on the United States for much of the alliance’s military power and nuclear deterrence.

Marine combat veteran bets big on Hispanic outreach in bid to flip Dem-held House seat

Marine combat veteran bets big on Hispanic outreach in bid to flip Dem-held House seat

A congressional candidate in New Mexico is betting that his Hispanic ties — and military background — are just the thing historically Democratic voters will need to go Republican in the fall. “I connect with them on that level. They wanted somebody with law enforcement or military experience, which, you now know, I have both,” Greg Cunningham said, referring to the Hispanic community in the state’s 2nd Congressional District. “One of the reasons that I decided to run — that I feel so strongly about this is, you know, Hispanic culture is at its core a conservative culture.” Cunningham’s hope that the GOP can win over the Hispanic vote, a historically Democratic voting bloc, continues longstanding efforts from Republicans to flip the script among minorities, especially in fringe districts that could decide the balance of power in 2026. That’s especially true in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District — currently held by Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M. It’s one of thirteen that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024, but that sent a Democratic representative to Congress anyway. The Cook Political Report indicates the district “leans” Democratic, despite a D+0 rating. Cunningham, who became the default GOP candidate after a lone primary challenger dropped out in April, will be the first new GOP candidate voters will consider since 2018. Former Rep. Yvette Herrell, who has been the candidate since then, last lost in 2024 by 4.2% to Vasquez. Cunningham believes his background is uniquely suited to the challenges of the district. A Marine reconnaissance veteran who served in combat, Cunningham joined the Albuquerque Police Department, spent years on patrol and narcotics, worked as a DEA task force officer on federal drug and cartel cases and later operated in undercover roles before transitioning into private security. TRUMP MAKES PLAY FOR BLUE-LEANING STATE AS HE BRIEFLY DETOURS FROM THE BATTLEGROUNDS “I love Yvette Herrell, but I am a different person in every way, shape, and form. And what I bring to CD2 and to this race is exactly what we need,” Cunningham said. Specifically, Cunningham believes that his background will help address high levels of crime and narcotics that have persisted despite lowered levels of illegal immigration. “The human invasion portion of that equation is solved. The law enforcement, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, all of those challenges are the same exact challenges that I faced when I worked down there 20 years ago. Nothing has changed,” Cunningham said. But more than his practical knowledge and experience, Cunningham said he hopes to appeal to values central to the Hispanic community. “We value our families, we value our culture, we value our faith. And so, I think when you take Republican or Democrat, take the donkey or the elephant out of it, and you start speaking to people on a core level, who are you?” Cunningham said. HOUSE GOP RUSHES TO COURT CRITICAL VOTING BLOC WHILE FACING UPHILL MIDTERM BATTLE “We all want the very same things,” he added. New Mexico is roughly 50% Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Like all Democratic strongholds and competitive districts, Cunningham believes half the battle will be convincing voters that Republicans can secure the seat in the first place. “I just have to convince [New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District] why we can win this,” Cunningham said.

Mamdami marks Pride Month, says honoring ‘queer and transgender’ contributions would take more than 30 days

Mamdami marks Pride Month, says honoring ‘queer and transgender’ contributions would take more than 30 days

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked the beginning of June’s Pride Month with a Monday post on X, saying it would take longer than just one month to honor the ways in which “queer and transgender” residents have benefited the city over time. “It would take far more than a month to honor the contributions of queer and transgender New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote. “From the Cercle Hermaphroditos in 1895, the first trans advocacy group in the United States, to the drag balls of the Harlem Renaissance, to the Stonewall uprising, to the Lesbian Herstory Archives, to ACT UP!, founded in 1987 as queer people fought for their lives while the Reagan administration looked away, New York City’s history has long been shaped by queer and trans New Yorkers,” he continued. ‘THIS IS NOT THE NEW YORK CITY I KNEW’: JEWS, MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS UNITE AT ANTI-MAMDANI RALLY “To all our queer and trans neighbors: you deserve a City where you can afford to live safely, openly, and joyfully. Happy Pride, New York City,” he added. The Democratic National Committee also issued a post on X marking June’s Pride Month, stating, “Love openly. Live authentically. Happy Pride!” NYPD COMMISSIONER ‘PROUDLY’ LEADS ISRAEL PARADE AS GRAND MARSHAL; MAMDANI BREAKS TRADITION, AVOIDS EVENT Various Democratic figures also expressed their support. “During #PrideMonth we celebrate love, freedom and the courage to live authentically. From San Francisco to communities across our nation, we honor the trailblazers and activists who expanded the promise of equality and pledge to carry on the work they began. Happy #Pride!” former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a post on X. MAMDANI’S ‘COGE’ ROLLOUT GETS DOGE’S ATTENTION AFTER CRITICS SAY HE RIPPED OFF ELON MUSK Former Vice President Kamala Harris declared in a post, “Pride is joy. Pride is courage. Pride is a celebration. And Pride is the ongoing fight to ensure every person can live as their authentic self. This month and every month, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and all those continuing the fight for equality. Happy Pride!”