This week, Saudi-backed Yemeni forces announced a major offensive operation against Houthi rebels; the U.S. pressured Russia to release more details surrounding a plague researcher’s death in Siberia; French students led massive protests against education policies; and the U.S. removed bombers from RAF Fairford due to Iranian drone threats.

This week, U.S. forces withdrew from Iraq after a two-decade military presence in the country, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran was involved in a suspected terrorism plot at a UK airbase, a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a stabbing in the cockpit, and President Trump hosted top AI executives at the White House.

This week, President Trump hosted President Xi Jinping for his first state visit to Washington in 11 years as the U.S. and China extended their trade truce; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and other world leaders addressed the 81st U.N. General Assembly; and the U.S. signed a defense agreement with Greenland and Denmark.

This week, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, the European Union invited Canada to work toward being its first “associate member,” tens of thousands of refugees fled Yemen as Iran-backed Houthi rebels stormed the Red Sea coast, and Sweden’s center-left opposition won in the country’s national election.

This week, oil prices surged amid an escalation in conflict in the Middle East, the U.K. and eleven other countries announced a ban on trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, President Trump imposed new trade restrictions on Canada after Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods took effect, and the far-right Alternative for Germany party dominated state elections in Saxony-Anhalt.

This week, the U.S. and Iran renewed air strikes, Russia barraged Ukraine with missiles, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake killed at least 34 people in Japan, and President Trump met with President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House.

Last week, the 2026 Aspen Security Forum brought together top national security voices, experts, business leaders, and innovators from across the political spectrum and around the globe. We were proud to host over 600 in-person attendees, including many from our Rising Leaders Program, which fosters the next generation of national security and foreign policy leaders. Additionally, thousands of virtual participants tuned into our programming from across the world. Thank you to all speakers, participants, and attendees!

The 2026 Aspen Security Forum concluded on Friday. We are pleased to share some of the highlights from our final day below.

The 2026 Aspen Security Forum continued yesterday in Aspen! We are pleased to share some of the highlights from our third day below. Tune in to the final sessions today by joining our livestream!

The 2026 Aspen Security Forum continued yesterday in Aspen! We are pleased to share some of the highlights from our second day below. Tune in to today's sessions by joining our livestream!

This week, U.S. launched fresh attacks on Iran following Iran's strike on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, and Trump-backed candidate Abelardo de la Espriella won the Colombian runoff presidential election. Read more below.