Ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz are rising as the US and Iran hit each other's economies instead of reaching a deal — bad for global trade, oil, and US troops stuck in the region.

• Talks to end the Middle East war are stalled, with control of the Strait of Hormuz the main sticking point.
• The US plans new economic measures to pressure Iran into backing down, while more ships come under attack in the waterway.
• Morale on US carriers is low, with reports of bad food, broken conditions, and sailors questioning why they're there.
• Settler violence in the occupied West Bank — families cut off from water and power — keeps peace out of reach.
• South Korea is expanding solar power to cut its dependence on Middle East oil, while Trump cancels solar projects and puts a 15% tariff on solar and microchip materials.

Outlook: With no deal in sight, expect more attacks on ships and economies, keeping oil and trade at risk in the near term.