Trump and Rubio Escalate Military Threats Against Cuba

The Trump administration has again raised the spectre of military intervention in Cuba, with Rubio declaring a peaceful resolution ‘not high’ in likelihood and labelling Cuba a national security threat. Cuba insists the indictment of Raúl Castro is a ‘fraudulent case’ designed to justify intervention. Thousands rallied outside the US embassy in Havana in solidarity. The threats come while the US is already engaged in the Iran war.

Gaza Flotilla Activists Allege Rape and Sexual Abuse in Israeli Detention

Activists released from the Gaza Freedom Flotilla allege systematic abuse including sexual violence, beatings, and humiliation while held by Israeli forces. A detained doctor described conditions as akin to a ‘concentration camp.’ Israel’s prison service denies the allegations. Some 430 people were detained; several were hospitalized upon release.

Separately, Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed 10 people — including six paramedics and a child — in 24 hours. Forces also struck Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps in central Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement, while Gaza’s children face a worsening skin disease crisis as healthcare collapses.

Judge Dismisses Abrego Garcia Case as Vindictive Prosecution

A federal judge dismissed the criminal indictment against Kilmar Abrego García — the Salvadoran man wrongfully deported to El Salvador’s CECOT prison — ruling the prosecution was vindictive, launched only because he challenged his illegal deportation in court. The ruling is a significant rebuke of the Justice Department and adds to a pattern of judicial pushback against the administration’s immigration enforcement.

WHO Raises Ebola Risk in DRC to ‘Very High’

The WHO upgraded its risk assessment for the DRC Ebola outbreak from ‘high’ to ‘very high’ after suspected cases nearly tripled in a week to almost 750. Aid cuts and deep community distrust are impeding responders, while the outbreak disrupts life along the DRC-Uganda border — raising fears of cross-border spread. Officials describe the situation as ‘deeply worrisome.’

Tulsi Gabbard Resigns as Director of National Intelligence

Tulsi Gabbard resigned as Director of National Intelligence, citing her husband’s cancer diagnosis. Her 15-month tenure was turbulent: the ex-Democrat with no intelligence background repeatedly drew criticism for actions seen as flattering Trump rather than protecting intelligence integrity, and was largely absent during recent US military operations. Her departure raises questions about leadership continuity at the nation’s top intelligence post during the Iran war.

Frontlines Stabilize in Ukraine’s Favor as Diplomatic Deadlock Hardens

Zelensky reports 590 sq km liberated since January — confirmed by the DIA and NATO Secretary General Rutte, who noted Putin is ‘not very happy’ about Ukraine’s recent gains. Advances continue in Zaporizhia Oblast (Mala Tokmachka largely retaken), the Borova direction, and near Pokrovsk. Russian flag-raisings in Zaporizhia are assessed by ISW as staged cognitive warfare rather than real advances.

But the diplomatic picture is grim. Bloomberg reports some senior Kremlin officials privately believe the war has reached a ‘dead end,’ yet Putin remains committed to seizing all of Donbas by end of 2026 — framing anything less as defeat. Rubio acknowledged US-brokered talks have stalled; Zelensky met Macron, Starmer, and Merz on peace efforts and was invited to the NATO summit in Ankara. Bipartisan US senators are pressing the Pentagon to release delayed security assistance.

Starobilsk Strike Becomes Information Battleground

Ukraine struck what it identifies as the headquarters of Russia’s Rubikon UAV center in occupied Starobilsk, Luhansk Oblast. Russia claims the target was a student dormitory — 6 killed, 39 students injured — and Putin ordered military planners to prepare retaliation options. ISW cannot independently verify either account but assesses Russia is exploiting the dispute for its narrative of Ukrainian forces as the aggressor, consistent with longstanding Kremlin information operations.

UNHCR Warehouse Destroyed in Dnipro; Systematic Torture of POWs Documented

A Russian strike on May 20 destroyed a UNHCR aid warehouse in Dnipro, killing two and causing at least $1M in damage to shelter materials destined for frontline regions. Separately, Ukraine’s Ombudsman has documented 406 Ukrainian POWs tortured to death using 695 recorded methods. Forensic examination confirmed an Azov medic who survived Azovstal was killed in Russian custody by blunt-force chest trauma.