United Nations: A rare walkout by the United States over French criticism. On Monday, the American delegation made a striking exit from a United Nations Security Council session as the French ambassador began to speak. This unusual move followed France’s strong condemnation of Washington’s recent actions, labeling their comments as “hypocritical.” France had drawn parallels between the United States and nations like North Korea and Russia after a vote concerning human rights. Just days prior, the United States had been among ten countries in the General Assembly to vote against extending the mandate of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, for another four years. The French mission to the United Nations in Geneva had publicly stated on X that “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 meeting is highly uncommon. Officials close to the matter indicated that the American delegation was reportedly taken aback by France’s direct and “frontal” public attack.

Romania expels Russian diplomat amidst escalating drone incursions. Bucarest has declared a member of the Russian embassy persona non grata, informing Russian Ambassador Vladimir Lipaev of the decision on Monday, according to the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry. The individual must depart the country within five days. The expulsion follows a series of drone incidents over Romanian territory. On Monday, fragments of a Shahed-type drone, commonly deployed by the Russian military in Ukraine and shot down by a Romanian F-16 fighter jet, were presented to the ambassador. Romanian authorities had intercepted three drones late last week, with an additional incursion reported on Monday. The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry vehemently denied the accusations, dismissing them as “yet another propaganda stunt” and asserting that the “unfounded expulsion of a Russian diplomat will not go unanswered.”

Saudi Arabia reports drone attack originating from Iraq. Amidst a third consecutive day of quiet between the United States and Iran, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced that “Iran-backed terrorist militias” had targeted its national territory with drones. No group immediately claimed responsibility for this alleged attack. Separately, Yemen’s pro-Iranian Houthi rebels stated on Monday that they had struck Saudi oil infrastructure, a claim that Riyadh has not confirmed. The resumption of hostilities between Saudi Arabia, which backs the Yemeni government, and the Houthis began on July 13, breaking a four-year truce. On July 20, the Yemeni rebels declared their intention to blockade maritime traffic in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for vessels traveling to or from Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading crude oil exporter. Observers note that the Houthis’ actions are aimed at supporting their primary ally, Iran, while also pressuring Saudi Arabia and the international community to make political concessions regarding Yemen. Analysts express significant concern about the potential for the conflict in Yemen to intensify dramatically.

Chad withdraws from the International Criminal Court. N’Djamena officially announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday, citing a perceived disproportionate focus by the court on African nations. The Chadian government criticized that out of the thirteen investigations initiated by the ICC 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. Reports indicate that Frank Garcia, the US Under Secretary of State for African Affairs, urged Chad to reconsider its ICC membership during a recent phone call with Chad’s top diplomat. The United States launched a significant diplomatic offensive against the ICC in mid-July, characterizing the court as a “threat” to Americans, promising new sanctions, and encouraging its allies to follow suit in withdrawing.