Today's Headlines and Commentary

The final round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group began yesterday in Vienna. According to BBC News, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif announced that though the Islamic Republic was ready to negotiate seriously, it would not “kneel in submission” to other nations. However, Reuters indicates that during the resumed talks, Iran reduced the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges it seeks. Still, former State Department official and current Brookings Institution senior fellow Robert Einhorn noted that it will be difficult for the parties to reach an agreement by the July 20 deadline.  But, he said, “an extension is more advantageous to the U.S. than Iran.” The Wall Street Journal has more on his remarks. Coverage of Iraq continues. The New York Times today provides a helpful geographical explanation of the situation. Meanwhile, a Quinnipiac University poll indicates that the majority of Americans disapprove of President Obama’s current handling of the Iraq crisis. Politico has more. Al Jazeera reports that Saudi Arabia has deployed 30,000 troops to its border with Iraq, following alleged accounts that Iraqi border guards had been ordered to abandon their posts. Iraqi military spokesperson Lieutenant General Qassim Atta vehemently denied the reports, announcing, “[t]his is false news aimed at affecting the morale of our people and the morale of our heroic fighters.” BBC News also has the story. Yesterday, President Obama spoke with Saudi King Abdullah after the Middle East leader pledged $500 million to help ease the Iraqi humanitarian crisis. The President thanked the King, and the two discussed the ongoing situation in Iraq and its implications for the entire region. In a press statement, Secretary of State John Kerry supported the Saudis’ generosity. The Hill has more. Meanwhile, Vice President Biden called the Speaker of the previous session of Iraq’s Council of Representatives, Osama al-Nujaifi. The Hill highlights the two leaders' discussion of the need for a new Iraqi unity government. Yesterday, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) met with Syrian rebel leaders. Afterward, he announced, “[f]urther reluctance to support moderate Syrian opposition forces in fighting more effectively against both Assad and ISIS will only fuel the growing danger that the current threats in Syria and Iraq now pose to the United States and our national interests.” The Hill shares his remarks. The Defense Department says the U.S. vessel Cape Ray has finished receiving Syrian chemical weapons from the Danish container ship Ark Futura. The U.S. ship is now headed into international waters, where it will neutralize the chemicals. The Department of Homeland Security releases news that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be enforcing “enhanced security measures.” In an interview with MSNBC, Secretary Jeh Johnson noted his concern over foreign militants traveling to join the fighting in Syria. His statements follow a report from the Hill of the arrest of a Colorado woman who sought to join ISIS. Yesterday, Clara shared news of the alleged revenge killing of Palestinian teenager Muhammad Hussein Abu Khdeir. Secretary Kerry responded to the tragic news. The Washington Post reports that since then, intense fighting has broken out between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters in East Jerusalem. The Times notes that Palestinians today shot roughly 30 rockets at southern Israel, resulting in major property damage. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera shares that Israel conducted air strikes on 15 sites in the Gaza Strip, leaving eleven people hurt. According to the Post, tensions between Israelis and Palestinians [have] flared to their worst level in years.” Following the announcement of U.S. fines against French bank BNP Paribas, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the U.S. guilty of blackmailing France into not supplying Russia with Mistral-class warships. The Post has more. After talks with North Korean officials yesterday, Japan has agreed to lift some unilateral sanctions against Pyongyang. Al Jazeera has details. Meanwhile, the Times shares that President Xi Jinping of China and President Park Geun-hye of South Korea are meeting today. Chun Yungwoo, the national security adviser to the former South Korean President, remarked, “China is trying to draw the Republic of Korea as far away as possible from Japan and the United States.” According to BBC News, the two leaders affirmed their mutual opposition to North Korea’s nuclear program in a joint press conference. Yesterday, Clara noted that U.S. World Cup fans had temporarily changed the Wikipedia page of the U.S. Secretary of Defense from Chuck Hagel to Tim Howard. Secretary Hagel has since called Howard to congratulate him on his performance during Tuesday’s game between the U.S. and Belgium. Politico and the Hill share the story. Last week, Ritika shared that House of Cards was looking to  film a couple of episodes at the UN Security Council in New York. Alas, Foreign Policy reports that Russia has denied the show’s request. Email the Roundup Team noteworthy law and security-related articles to include, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for additional commentary on these issues. Sign up to receive Lawfare in your inbox. Visit our Events Calendar to learn about upcoming national security events, and check out relevant job openings on our Job Board.