Cabot Phillips

The massive drone attack killed at least two people and injured 18. Russian officials reported downing over 240 of the drones nationwide. Moscow's mayor called it the biggest assault on the capital since the war began, forced all four international airports to halt operations after railway tracks and buildings were reportedly damaged.

The massive drone attack killed at least two people and injured 18. Russian officials reported downing over 240 of the drones nationwide. Moscow's mayor called it the biggest assault on the capital since the war began, forced all four international airports to halt operations after railway tracks and buildings were reportedly damaged.

The display of force by Ukraine took place hours before Kyiv's delegation was set to meet U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saudi Arabia to push a proposed air truce. The Kremlin says its air defense has performed well, but expects more attacks, while declining to comment on the truce proposal ahead of the talk's outcome.

The display of force by Ukraine took place hours before Kyiv's delegation was set to meet U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saudi Arabia to push a proposed air truce. The Kremlin says its air defense has performed well, but expects more attacks, while declining to comment on the truce proposal ahead of the talk's outcome.

Hours later, Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire deal, putting the ball in Russia's court.

Hours later, Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire deal, putting the ball in Russia's court.

So this all started back on inauguration day when President Trump signed an executive order freezing all funding for foreign aid and ordering a review of the tens of billions of dollars going out the door. According to Trump, the program was rife with fraud and poured the taxpayer funds into causes that he said did not serve the interests of the American people.

So this all started back on inauguration day when President Trump signed an executive order freezing all funding for foreign aid and ordering a review of the tens of billions of dollars going out the door. According to Trump, the program was rife with fraud and poured the taxpayer funds into causes that he said did not serve the interests of the American people.

So for the last seven weeks, the State Department and Doge have been reviewing all 6,200 programs within USAID. And on Monday, before he left for Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83% of them had been cut.

So for the last seven weeks, the State Department and Doge have been reviewing all 6,200 programs within USAID. And on Monday, before he left for Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83% of them had been cut.

Writing on X, Rubio said, quote, "...the 5,200 contracts that are now canceled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, and in some cases even harmed, the core national interests of the United States."

Writing on X, Rubio said, quote, "...the 5,200 contracts that are now canceled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, and in some cases even harmed, the core national interests of the United States."

In consultation with Congress, we intend for the remaining 18% of programs we are keeping, approximately 1,000, to now be administered more effectively under the State Department. Here's Rubio speaking last month about his efforts to reform USAID.

In consultation with Congress, we intend for the remaining 18% of programs we are keeping, approximately 1,000, to now be administered more effectively under the State Department. Here's Rubio speaking last month about his efforts to reform USAID.

Now, for context, last fiscal year, USAID dispersed about $40 billion to more than 100 countries. While it was initially created in 1961 to promote humanitarian interests, Republicans say that in recent decades, more and more funding has gone to overtly political or just downright wasteful programs.

Now, for context, last fiscal year, USAID dispersed about $40 billion to more than 100 countries. While it was initially created in 1961 to promote humanitarian interests, Republicans say that in recent decades, more and more funding has gone to overtly political or just downright wasteful programs.

Well, the White House issued a memo with some of the more controversial examples. It included $1.5 million for DEI inclusion in Serbian workplaces, $47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia, $32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru, $2 million for sex changes and LGBT activism in Guatemala. You get the idea. Hmm.

Well, the White House issued a memo with some of the more controversial examples. It included $1.5 million for DEI inclusion in Serbian workplaces, $47,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia, $32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru, $2 million for sex changes and LGBT activism in Guatemala. You get the idea. Hmm.

The Trump administration has also raised concerns over USAID funding making its way into the hands of American enemies. For example, federal prosecutors say up to $10 million worth of USAID funds went towards food for the Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda-linked terror group in Syria.

The Trump administration has also raised concerns over USAID funding making its way into the hands of American enemies. For example, federal prosecutors say up to $10 million worth of USAID funds went towards food for the Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda-linked terror group in Syria.