United Nations: diplomatic clash erupts between US and France. A rare incident unfolded at the UN Security Council on Monday when the American delegation exited the chamber as the French ambassador began speaking. The US representatives condemned France’s remarks as “hypocritical,” following France’s comparison of Washington to nations like North Korea and Russia. This diplomatic spat stemmed from a recent vote concerning human rights. On Friday, the United States was among ten nations in the General Assembly that voted against renewing the four-year mandate for Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. France’s mission to the United Nations in Geneva had sharply criticized the US on X, stating, “The United States was once a model for human rights. This is no longer the case. Today, they find themselves alongside North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali, and Russia. Isolated. And the world no longer listens to them.” Such an abrupt departure from a Security Council session is highly unusual. Sources close to the matter indicated the American delegation was taken aback by France’s direct public attack.

Romania expels Russian diplomat amid drone incursions. Bucharest has declared a member of the Russian embassy persona non grata, demanding their departure within five days, as announced by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Russian Ambassador Vladimir Lipaev received notification of this decision. The expulsion follows repeated drone incursions into Romanian airspace. On Monday, fragments of a Russian-made Shahed drone, reportedly used in Ukraine and intercepted by a Romanian F-16 fighter jet, were presented to the ambassador. Romania reported intercepting three drones over the past weekend, with another incursion noted on Monday. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehemently rejected these accusations, dismissing them as a “new propaganda stunt” and asserting that the “unfounded expulsion of a Russian diplomat will not go unanswered.”

Saudi Arabia targeted by drone attack from Iraq. While a three-day calm prevailed between the United States and Iran, the Saudi Ministry of Defense reported that “Iran-backed terrorist militias” had launched a drone attack targeting national territory. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault. Meanwhile, Yemen’s pro-Iranian Houthi rebels announced on Monday their own targeting of Saudi oil infrastructure, a claim not confirmed by Saudi Arabia. Hostilities between Riyadh, which supports the Yemeni government, and the Houthis resumed on July 13 after a four-year truce. The Yemeni rebels had previously declared on July 20 their intent to blockade Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping to and from Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading crude exporter. Analysts suggest the Houthi actions aim to support their primary ally, Iran, and pressure Saudi Arabia and the international community for political concessions in Yemen. Concerns are mounting over the potential for the conflict in Yemen to escalate significantly.

Chad announces withdrawal from International Criminal Court. N’Djamena justified its decision on Monday by citing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) perceived overemphasis on African nations. The Chadian government criticized that out of 13 investigations opened by the Court since its inception, nine “concern African states, compared to four opened in other regions of the world.” This move appears to have been influenced by the United States. During a phone conversation last Thursday, Frank Garcia, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, reportedly urged Chad’s foreign minister to reconsider the nation’s ICC membership. The United States initiated a significant diplomatic offensive against the ICC in mid-July, an institution it views as a “threat” to Americans, promising new sanctions and encouraging its partners to withdraw.