Jun 2 2026

President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu at Odds Over Lebanon Strikes Creating Problems for Negotiations with Iran

Posted originally on CTH on June 1, 2026 | Sundance

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu representing Israel, and President Donald Trump representing the United States, apparently had a testy telephone call about ongoing Israeli strikes against Hezbollah attacks from Lebanon.

Iran, essentially IRGC control officers who now control the government, had previously said their terms for negotiation required Israel to stop strikes into Lebanon against their allies in Hezbollah. However, under the cover of that term, Hezbollah restarted rocket attacks from Lebanon against Israel. Yesterday, Israel began counter-attack operations against Hezbollah, which led to Iran saying the terms of the negotiation were now violated, and they would stop discussions with the USA.

[NOTE – This overall dynamic is very similar to Saudi Arabia coming under fire about a month ago, and their anger toward the USA for essentially saying Saudi had to accept the attacks so that diplomatic talks could continue. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salmon rejected the expectation and challenged President Trump with Saudi allied base cooperation.]

Apparently, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu had a strong discussion, some have leaked a very angered and open exchange, about Netanyahu launching strikes into Lebanon again.

On social media, it looks like this. Netanyahu put’s the Israel position via X:

[source]

President Trump responds to Netanyahu’s intentions with a phone call and then a follow-up on his Truth Social Account:

From leaks of the background conversation, a very testy narrative appears:

AXIOS – “President Trump lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon in an expletive-laden call on Monday, two U.S. officials and a third source briefed on the call told Axios.” {source}

♦ ♦ ♦

NY Post – President Trump reportedly tore into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, demanding the leader resist strikes on Hezbollah in an expletive-laden phone call.

The tense call came after Iran threatened to withdraw from negotiations with the US after Israel ordered strikes on terrorists in southern Beirut — with Axios reporting the president at one point asking, “What the f–k are you doing?”

“You’re f–king crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this,” a US official told Axios, summarizing Trump’s comments.

Another source described Trump as sounding “pissed,” and claimed the president “steamrolled” the Israeli prime minister on the call. “Bibi said, ‘OK, OK, just make sure everything is taken care of,’” the second official said.

The president was reportedly aware Hezbollah had been firing on Israeli troops but concerned that Netanyahu was disproportionately escalating the situation — and potentially hurting US negotiations with Tehran.

Shortly after the call, Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social: “I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back. (read more)

It is easy to see both sides in this dynamic.

It is also easy to see how Iran can manipulate the Hezbollah third-party aspect against Israel, as Iran previously did directly with attacks against Saudi Arabia. Iran demanding Israeli attacks against their friends in Hezbollah must stop in order to negotiate. When the attacks stop, Iran then tells their friends to attack Israel.

This is the duplicitous evil within the approach of Iran that Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States have previously said makes negotiations with Iran impossible.

Brent crude surged as much as 7.1% above $97.50 and WTI climbed over $94.50 per barrel on Monday, reversing recent declines. The rally was driven by fears over the Strait of Hormuz and potential closure of Bab el-Mandeb, both critical to global oil flows. Analysts warn that even with a deal, supply relief would be gradual, while disruptions could keep prices elevated despite weak demand in China and Europe.

Analysts outline two scenarios: a credible peace deal could trigger an immediate $20 per barrel drop as Gulf shipping resumes, or prolonged deadlock could push prices toward historic highs if chokepoints remain blocked. Iran’s leverage over Hormuz and demands for larger concessions suggest talks could drag on. With inventories falling and reserves depleting, a mid-year supply crunch looms if diplomacy fails {source}

Jun 2 2026

July 25 Conference in Tampa – Understanding the World Economy

Posted originally on Jun 2, 2026 by Martin Armstrong |

Understanding the World Economy

An Introduction to Cycles of Confidence

Most people are taught to view the economy through headlines, political debates, and short-term events. Yet beneath the daily noise are long-term cycles that influence markets, governments, business activity, and even society itself.

Join Martin Armstrong for a special educational event designed to introduce attendees to the concept of confidence cycles and how they shape the world around us. This presentation will provide an accessible overview of the theories and observations that have made Martin Armstrong one of the most recognized independent economic thinkers in the world.

This event is not limited to investors, traders, or finance professionals. It is intended for anyone interested in understanding the forces that drive economic change, including students, business owners, retirees, professionals, entrepreneurs, and curious minds seeking a broader perspective on the world economy.

What You’ll Learn:

• The role confidence plays in economic and political change

• How cycles influence markets, governments, and society

• Why economic trends often repeat throughout history

• The interconnected nature of the global economy

• The foundations of Martin Armstrong’s approach to analyzing world events

Important Information:

• This is an educational event only

• No financial advice will be provided

• No market forecasts or investment recommendations will be discussed

• This event is designed as an introduction to the concepts behind cycles of confidence

• The event will not be live-streamed

• Attendance is available exclusively in-person

This event is also an excellent opportunity to introduce friends, family members, or colleagues to Martin Armstrong’s work. If you have ever wanted to share these ideas with someone important in your life, this presentation provides the perfect starting point.

We do not anticipate offering this event again in the foreseeable future. For those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Martin Armstrong’s theories on the global economy, this may be a unique opportunity.

Learn. Understand. See the Bigger Picture.

Reserve your seat today:
https://armstrongeconomics.ticketspice.com/understanding-world-economy

Jun 2 2026

Colombia Nationalist Candidate Abelardo de la Espriella Wins First Round Presidential Election

Posted originally on CTH on June 1, 2026 | Sundance

In a remarkable come from behind victory, Colombia’s nationalist presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has won the first round in the election. Mr De la Espriella is a MAGA-aligned nationalist. His opposition, Ivan Cepeda is a leftist aligned globalist.

Mr De la Espriella, a lawyer and political outsider, won nearly 44 percent of the vote while Iván Cepeda won around under 41 percent, according to Colombian media. This was a surprising victory for the upstart politician who gained support from the people in Colombia who want a strong leader to eliminate corruption, gangs and criminal cartel activity.

Mr De la Espriella (pictured left) has to make all campaign appearances behind a bulletproof shield due to criminal cartels who target him.

Espriella has aligned himself with President Trump, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele and Argentina’s Javier Milei. A resurgence of nationalism and anti-corruption in the Americas. Interestingly, ever since Marco Rubio dissolved USAID there has been a return to national sovereignty throughout Latin America.

VIA NBC – […] Neither candidate had more than 50% of the vote in the first round of the election Sunday. With 100% of votes tallied, de la Espriella — running as a candidate for Defensores de la Patria, a party he founded — was leading with more than 43% of the vote. Cepeda, of the incumbent party, Pacto Histórico, was trailing at just over 40%.

President Gustavo Petro, who endorsed Cepeda, said he would not accept the preliminary count released by the country’s electoral authority, claiming that some of the software private companies used to count votes was flawed and that the results were not binding.

[…] The country’s electoral body, the National Civil Registry, reveals preliminary results in advance of final, official results. The chief of the office, Hernán Penagos, said in March that the preliminary count of this year’s congressional elections reached 99.8% precision — a historic high — compared with the final results.

Juanita Goebertus, the Americas director of Human Rights Watch, said Sunday on X that Colombia’s electoral system was “independent and trustworthy.”

“It is regrettable that the president is sowing unjustified doubts,” Goebertus wrote.

“De la Espriella and Cepeda will proceed to the second round. The election results must be respected,” she added, calling on the international community to rally around the National Civil Registry.

Sunday’s results set the stage for a showdown between Cepeda, a left-wing senator who helped negotiate Colombia’s historic 2016 peace deal, and de la Espriella, a lawyer and political outsider who has positioned himself as an ally to U.S. President Donald Trump and has vowed to crack down on crime. (read more)

Because neither candidate reached 50 percent, the runoff election will be held on June 21.

“For the Trump administration, a Colombia that recommits itself to security cooperation, counternarcotics efforts, and stronger democratic institutions would be a major win and an important step forward towards restoring stability across the Western Hemisphere,” Melissa Ford Maldonado of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) told Fox News Digital from Colombia.” {source}

Colombia is divided into 32 departments. The Capital District of Bogotá is the country’s largest city hosting the main financial and cultural hub. Other urban areas include Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Bucaramanga, Pereira, Santa Marta, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Villavicencio and Manizales. It covers an area of 1,141,748 square kilometers and has a population of around 52 million.