The United States and Israel’s war with Iran dominated headlines this week. Were you following along with the conflict—as well as other news from around the globe?

Have feedback? Email [email protected] to let me know your thoughts.

The United States and Israel’s war with Iran dominated headlines this week. Were you following along with the conflict—as well as other news from around the globe?

1. Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday, which leader of a Muslim-majority country offered to mediate a cease-fire?

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Indonesia stopped short of condemning the strikes, instead expressing its regret over the failure of negotiations between the United States and Iran, FP’s Joseph Rachman reports in Southeast Asia Brief.

2. What part of their bilateral relationship did India and Canada agree to strengthen on Monday?

Meanwhile, India is walking a diplomatic tightrope concerning the war in Iran, voicing concern and calling for de-escalation, FP’s Michael Kugelman writes in South Asia Brief.

3. Muslims in Nigeria on Monday protested the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The protests were organized by a group of Shiite Muslim Nigerians. What is the name of their organization?

Islamic Movement in Nigeria

Shia Muslims of Nigeria

Revolutionary Islam-Nigeria

While the protests were largely peaceful, experts warn that war in Iran could make U.S. military personnel and assets in Nigeria targets for militant groups that are sympathetic to Tehran, FP’s Nosmot Gbadamosi reports in Africa Brief.

4. U.S. President Donald Trump hosted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House on Tuesday, praising Germany for allowing the U.S. military to do what amid its ongoing war with Iran?

Land jets on German naval vessels in the region

Purchase German weapons at a discount

Use German intelligence to locate Iranian leaders

Use some German military bases

Europe’s response to the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran was an exercise in mental gymnastics, Nathalie Tocci argues.

5. The United States on Tuesday launched military operations targeting “narcoterrorists” together with which Latin American country?

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s efforts to crack down on drug-related crime, in part through cooperation with the United States, have not led to a reduction in homicides, FP’s Catherine Osborn reports in Latin America Brief.

6. What did German intelligence accuse Russia of concealing on Wednesday?

The extent of Russian casualties in Ukraine

The true cost of the war in Ukraine

The number of weapons Moscow has sold to Iran

President Vladimir Putin’s deteriorating mental condition

Meanwhile, Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy continue to damage Moscow’s ability to fund its war effort, FP’s Keith Johnson reports.

7. At the annual assembly of China’s National People’s Congress on Thursday, Premier Li Qiang announced the country’s economic goals. What did he say?

Beijing will invest in producing more weapons systems.

Chinese citizens would be provided stimulus checks.

Beijing was going to pursue more trade deals in Africa.

He set target GDP growth at 4.5 percent to 5 percent.

This is the weakest projected growth China has announced in decades, with the exception of 2020, when Beijing chose not to set a goal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FP’s Alexandra Sharp reports in World Brief.

8. Trump announced on Thursday that he was removing Kristi Noem from her position as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Markwayne Mullin is Trump’s nominee to replace Noem. What is Mullin’s current occupation?

U.S. senator from Oklahoma

Owner of a plumbing business

U.S. representative from Arkansas

Mayor of Houston, Texas

Noem will assume the role of special envoy for the “Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative, FP’s John Haltiwanger and Rishi Iyengar report in Situation Report.

9. Researchers at the Netherlands’ Rijksmuseum confirmed as genuine a painting that was put on display on Wednesday for the first time in decades. Which renowned Dutch artist painted the piece, titled “Vision of Zacharias in the Temple”?

The researchers concluded that Rembrandt painted the work in 1633, when he was in his late 20s, Reuters reports.

10. In research published Thursday, scientists documented their efforts to grow chickpeas in moon-like conditions for future lunar missions. However, the researchers have not yet been able to taste the chickpeas. Why?

The lunar soil simulant destroyed the crops.

They’re being tested for metal accumulation.

The chickpeas are taking longer to grow than expected.

Worms infested the chickpea crop.

While the chickpeas could grow in a soil mixture of up to 75 percent lunar simulant, a diet of pure lunar soil led to early deaths for the chickpea crop, Reuters reports.

It’s a big world out there! Brush up on global goings-on by subscribing to World Brief, Foreign Policy’s flagship daily newsletter.

Great job! Now, dig deeper by subscribing to Foreign Policy’s one-stop regional newsletters: Africa Brief, China Brief, Latin America Brief, South Asia Brief, and Southeast Asia Brief.

Perfection! You’re a pro who needs the in-depth insights offered in Situation Report, our newsletter on national security and defense.

Have feedback? Email [email protected] to let me know your thoughts.

© Foreign Policy