The Long Brief

Foreign Minister ‌Beate ⁠Meinl-Reisinger said in a statement that the ​roofs of diplomatic ​buildings were covered with an "antenna forest" that could be used for spying. Including the three expelled today, Austria has expelled 14 Russian diplomats since 2020.

3/3: Iran Will Attack Ship Entering Hormuz as Part of Project Freedom In a renewed escalation on the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom," aimed at guiding stranded ships out of the transport hotspot to counter economic disruptions with no peace deal in sight. The Joint Maritime Information Center said the US has established an “enhanced security area” near shipping routes and urged coordination with Omani authorities. According to Al Jazeera, whether the escort will be fully provided by naval forces remains unclear, as Iranian authorities stress that any vessel entering the region will need Iranian approval. Source: Associated Press, Al Jazeera

2/3: EU–Mercosur Deal Enters Into Force Provisionally Amid French Opposition The long-awaited free trade agreement between the European Union and the four countries of the Mercosur bloc in South America, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, is being provisionally applied as of May 1st, with its final entry still dependent on a vote by the European Parliament. The deal is expected to gradually eliminate most tariffs, hoping to boost EU exports amid tensions with China and the US. Critics, especially France, worry that the influx of South American products, especially beef, will cause unfair competition for European farmers, as states like Brazil and Argentina have lower production costs and less stringent health and environmental regulations. Though initially on board in 2019, when the deal was concluded, French President Emmanuel Macron has since advocated for tougher safeguards and more mirror clauses. Source: Le Monde

1/3: Didn't check the news over the weekend? The WeekEnd Brief is here to catch you up! 1: UK Terrorism Threat Level Raised to "Severe" After Golders Green Stabbing The UK terrorism threat level has been raised to “severe” by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Center after the Golders Green stabbings last week, during which a man attempted to "stab Jewish members of the public,” injuring a man in his 70s and a man in his 30s. The previous level of "substantial" meant an attack was likely; the new designation means an attack is highly likely in the next 6 months. This is the second-highest level of the five terrorism threat levels. “The terrorist threat level in the UK has been rising for some time, driven by an increase in broader Islamist and extreme rightwing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based in the UK," according to the Home Office. Source: The Guardian

Keep up with the latest global political insights on The Long Brief! Here is What Happened Last Week! 👇 twitter.com/longbrief/stat…

Read the Full Article here: longbrief.com/is-the-iran-wa…

The operation is not within the alliance's scope. Could it still be the conflict that breaks it apart? Learn more by clicking the link below.

Read the Full Article here: longbrief.com/is-the-iran-wa…

A delicate balance could be tipped with this disagreement. Learn more about how and why by clicking the link below.

Ecuador has begun fracking in the Amazon rainforest for the first time, state oil company Petroecuador confirmed. The new hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, project is to take place near the Colombian border. Fracking is the extraction of natural gas and petroleum from subterranean bedrock, utilizing industrial quantities of water to break open rocks. The move is criticized by environmentalists and Indigenous leaders for its use of water, chemical contamination, and even for causing micro-earthquakes. Oil revenues account for a significant share of Ecuador's export earnings, which have been declining due to aging infrastructure and years of underinvestment. Source: Deutsche Welle

Read our Article here: longbrief.com/is-the-iran-wa…

Eight weeks into the US-Israeli war with Iran, the US President is pressuring European allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that all countries relying on it share responsibility. Learn more from our Article below!

6/6: Thank you for reading our full thread! To learn more about the EU's democracy problem, read our latest article here: longbrief.com/the-eu-must-ad… Follow The Long Brief on X, Facebook, and Instagram! Don't forget to check out our website for in-depth analysis at longbrief.com.

5/6: These tools have failed to tackle the disruption caused by Orban's government. Could a discussion for reforms begin after him? Read the Full Article here: longbrief.com/the-eu-must-ad…

1/6: Current tools are insufficient. Reforms are needed; it is in the interest of all. Learn more by reading our full thread and reading the full article at the link below.