New York Times

1. For Iran, Flexing Control Over Waterway Is New Deterrent

   Iran’s government could emerge from the conflict with a blueprint to keep adversaries at bay, regardless of any restrictions on its nuclear program.

2. In Qatar, Trapped Between the U.S. and Iran, War Forced a Reckoning

   The gas-rich Gulf nation is in a state of “strategic shock” after the war dealt a serious blow to its economy, sending ripples around the world.

3. Luxury Brands Bet on the Middle East. War Has Damaged Their Plans.

   High-end brands such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès are looking to other regions as sales in Persian Gulf nations plummet.

4. Syrian Billionaires Needed a Favor in Washington. They Invoked the Trump Name.

   The attempt by the Khayyats to influence foreign policy while discussions are underway about potential Trump family deals is an increasingly common feature of the president’s second term.

5. U.S. Installs a Trump Loyalist to Lead ‘Grand Conspiracy’ Case Into Trump Foes

   A former lawyer for President Trump’s campaign, Joseph diGenova, is said to be planning to split time between Miami and Fort Pierce, where a grand jury overseen by a Trump-favored judge sits.