Monday briefing

The threat of a wider conflict with Iran

Hamas’s October 7 attacks in Israel and the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip have emboldened a newly aggressive Iran. After launching dozens of attacks across the region, Iranian proxy groups have come into direct conflict with US forces twice in the past week, and Washington is openly threatening airstrikes if the violence does not subside.

Iran’s nuclear program has dramatically increased. International inspectors announced last month that Iran has initiated a tripling of its enrichment of near-bomb-grade uranium. It is now estimated that Iran has the fuel for at least three nuclear weapons. U.S. intelligence officials believe the enrichment needed to convert that fuel into bomb-grade material will take weeks.

U.S. and European intelligence officials say they do not believe the Iranians want direct conflict with the U.S. or Israel, a scenario that officials suspect would not end well. But Tehran seems more than willing to push the boundaries.

A new power dynamic: Since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Iran is no longer isolated. There is suddenly talk of some kind of alliance with both Russia and China, two members of the UN Security Council who in a previous era supported Washington in its efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear program.

Other news from the region:

Russian attacks killed eleven civilians in Ukraine

Ukrainian officials said Saturday that a barrage of Russian rocket attacks on a town and village close to the eastern front line had killed at least 11 people, including five children, and wounded 10. The Russian government did not immediately comment on the reports.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said in a statement that rescue operations were underway. “The Russian attack simply targeted ordinary, private homes,” Mr. Zelensky said.

Russia and Ukraine are engaged in an escalating cycle of air strikes. Moscow has hit Ukrainian territory with some of the largest attacks since the war began almost two years ago, killing 90 civilians and wounding more than 400 in five days. According to the UN, Kiev has targeted Russia’s Belgorod region in apparent retaliation.

To the ground: Ukrainian combat medics are the first line of treatment for soldiers injured on the battlefield. They race against time in an attempt to save lives.

Voters go to the polls in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was all but guaranteed a fourth consecutive term after elections ended yesterday in a low-turnout election marred by a crackdown on the opposition.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the main opposition party, has boycotted the election as unfair and has called for a nationwide strike. The situation had remained tense in the days leading up to the election, with episodes of violence – including arson on a train in Dhaka that killed four people and the torching of polling stations – across the country.

She had no next of kin, no funeral, and no further instructions: only that her ashes would be buried at Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, just north of New York City.

But who was this woman who had died more than 2,000 miles away? And why would she be buried all alone in a pet cemetery?

Lives lived

Major Mike Sadler, a World War II navigator who guided Britain’s first special forces across North Africa, has died aged 103.

SPORTS NEWS

The Football Food Revolution: The Twitter account influence it all.

A welcome correction: The Africa Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup may finally get the respect they deserve.

Allez les Canadiens: Officials have been trying to bring back the Quebec hockey team, a nationalist symbol, for nearly three decades.

Big in 2024: Which PGA Tour and LIV players could do that star this year?

ARTS AND IDEAS

Eddie Izzard’s political ambitions

For The New York Times Magazine, David Marchese spoke with comedian Eddie Izzard about her entry into British politics, coming out as transgender, and how losing her mother as a child made her wary of love as an adult. This is a lightly edited excerpt. Read the full interview.

Last December you stood for election for the second time and for the second time you did not win. What did you learn from these two efforts?

You only learn from failure; you never learn from success. I know I can appeal to the average voter. Everyone votes emotionally. I know I could be a good politician. I could be good in Parliament.

But the question was: what did you learn?

Sorry, here’s my point: I can reach people. Some people say, “Oh, you’re going to do comedy.” I say, “No, Glenda Jackson: very seriously. She misbehaved during her years in parliament.” I know once I get through it, I’ll be fine. If you look at the history of people getting into parliament, it usually takes a number of elections. It’s not uncommon.

RECOMMENDATIONS