Nick Schifrin

It was perhaps the single worst act of civilian killing in Russia’s war on Ukraine. The bombing of a theater in Mariupol came to symbolize Ukrainian sacrifice, and revealed Putin’s true intentions. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses one of Russia’s most notorious war crimes with James Verini, author of “The Theater: Courage and Survival in the Defining Atrocity of the Ukraine War."

The Israeli parliament has dissolved, paving the way for October elections. The country's longest-serving leader is bracing for one of his toughest reelection fights. Benjamin Netanyahu faces national questioning over his leadership during and since the Oct. 7 attacks, including a constitutional crisis pitting his government against the judiciary. Producer Karl Bostic reports with Nick Schifrin.

President Trump's top military advisors were on Capitol Hill to make the case for the war in Iran, and additional money to fund the Pentagon. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine argued for an additional $67 billion, what Hegseth called an urgent and necessary injection of funds. Nick Schifrin reports.

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia announced a landmark deal that would give the kingdom a civilian nuclear program using American technology, and might allow for uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia. Critics warn it could lead to further nuclear proliferation. Nick Schifrin reports and Geoff Bennett discusses more with John Wolfsthal.

International oil prices topped $100 a barrel after Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed they attacked two oil tankers in the Red Sea, raising new fears of disruptions to global energy supplies. In response, President Trump warned that if the Houthis attack another ship, the U.S. would inflict “major military punishment.” He also warned of escalation inside Iran. Nick Schifrin reports.

It was a shocking military operation that removed Venezuela's president from power, followed by a surprising declaration by President Trump that the U.S. was going to run the country. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses the remote U.S. leadership and how an earthquake has exposed its flaws with William Brownfield, Rick de la Torre, Laura Cristina Dib and Andrés Martínez-Fernández.

The exchange of fire between the United States and Iran has paused in the last few days. One challenge the U.S. has confronted in the war with Iran has been the shortfall in ballistic missile and drone defense systems. Nick Schifirn discussed more with Jerry McGinn. He was a senior official in the Defense Department’s Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy.

The late Sen. Lindsey Graham was remembered as a tireless fighter for South Carolina and an influential fixture on the world stage during a memorial service in Washington. President Trump eulogized Graham after hosting two of Graham's strongest international allies, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Nick Schifrin reports.

Violence surged in the West Bank this past weekend when Palestinians say Israeli settlers burned two mosques following deadly clashes. The UN accuses Israeli settlers of increasing their attacks and footprint in the West Bank, the land that Palestinians hope will be their future state. Israel says it is Palestinians committing the violence. Producer Karl Bostic and Nick Schifirn report.

President Trump said his decision not to escalate the war in Iran over the weekend was Iran's "last chance" to make a deal. He also said he called off attacks because Gulf allies asked him to do so. Threatening new strikes and then calling them off is something Trump has done many times. Nick Schifrin discussed the latest with Dania Thafer, executive director of the Gulf International Forum.