Politics and Government

• Trump Is ‘Chest-Beating’ Over a Retreat - The round table convenes to discuss the start to Trump’s 2026, from Greenland to Minnesota and Venezuela.
• Iran Braces for Weekend of Protests. Here’s What to Know. - Demonstrations that began as outrage at the state of the economy have spread to cities across the country, amid an escalating crackdown by the authorities.
• Trump Eyes Greenland, and Europe Figures Its Best Bet Is a Negotiation - European officials were stunned that President Trump restated his desire for Greenland after a yearlong effort to dissuade him, according to diplomats and others.
• How Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s Leader, Became Vital to Trump’s Plans for the Country - Delcy Rodríguez, a guerrilla’s daughter, started out as a provocateur. She pivoted to revive a ravaged economy, making her vital to U.S. plans to run Venezuela.
• Trump Urges Oil Companies to Speed Work in Venezuela - The president met with executives on a day when the U.S. seized another tanker carrying Venezuelan oil.
• What to Know About the Protests in Iran - Galloping inflation, a currency crisis and anger at the regime have fueled demonstrations across the country.
• Buy Greenland? Take It? Why? An Old Pact Already Gives Trump a Free Hand. - Analysts say the Cold War agreement allows the president to increase the American military presence almost at will.
• Europe Tries to Come to Terms With Trump’s Intervention in Venezuela - Needing U.S. support to fend off Russia in Ukraine, European leaders have been cautious about criticizing President Trump on Greenland, Iran, Venezuela and much else.
• After Trump’s Military Victory in Venezuela, Cuba’s Economy Is in ‘Freefall’ - With widespread power outages, medicine shortages and rising food prices, experts say Cuba’s economy has never been worse, with the crisis coming just as the supply of Venezuelan oil is threatened.
• Tim Walz Says He Ended Minnesota Governor Run to Shield Residents From Trump - “I don’t think any governor in history has had to fight a war against the federal government every single day,” Gov. Walz said after ending his re-election bid.