🕊️"Middle-East Peace” Edition

President Trump marked the end of Israel’s two-year war in Gaza with a high-profile visit to the region, presenting the ceasefire and hostage release as the start of a new Middle East peace era. Speaking before Israel’s parliament, he celebrated the agreement as “the historic dawn of a new Middle East,” while also warning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against resuming fighting.

The day’s events underscored both the achievement and fragility of the truce. In Jerusalem, Trump met freed hostages and their families before traveling to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for a “peace summit” with Arab and international leaders. The meeting, however, notably excluded both Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu declined to attend after objections from Arab leaders, and Hamas refused to disarm as Trump’s plan requires.

Under the agreement, all 20 surviving Israeli hostages were released, along with about 1,700 Palestinian prisoners, while humanitarian aid resumed flowing into Gaza. Yet key issues remain unresolved, especially Hamas’s disarmament, Gaza’s future governance, and whether Israel will accept a two-state framework.

Trump’s 20-point peace plan envisions rebuilding Gaza, creating a multinational security presence, and restoring stability across the region, building on his earlier Abraham Accords. But experts say deep divides persist between Israel, Arab states, and the U.S. over long-term goals.

Behind the scenes, the negotiations were driven by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, who helped push both sides toward a deal following months of U.S. pressure. Trump portrayed the moment as a personal and historic triumph, but regional analysts warn that the agreement’s success will depend on sustained diplomacy, Hamas’s cooperation, and the administration’s follow-through—factors that remain uncertain.

Clay Bennett - Tribune Content Agency

Michael Ramirez - Creators

Bill Bramhall - Tribune Content Agency

Matt Davies - Andrews McMeel

Nick Anderson - Substack and Tribune Content Agency

Rick McKee - caglecartoons.com/cartoonist/rick-mckee

Pedro Molina - Tinyview and Tribune Content Agency

Lalo Alcaraz - Andrews McMeel

Jack Ohman - Substack and Tribune Content Agency

Dave Whamond - caglecartoons.com/cartoonist/dave-whamond

The government shutdown is now old enough to qualify for its own unemployment benefits, and House Speaker Mike Johnson says it might soon break records. Standing alone in the Capitol—because apparently everyone else has better things to do—Johnson declared he “won’t negotiate” with Democrats until they stop trying to keep Americans insured.

It’s Day 13 of what’s shaping up to be the most expensive game of “chicken” in U.S. history. Museums are closed, airports are chaos, and thousands of federal workers are being fired mid-shutdown by the Trump administration, which calls them “reductions in force” rather than “people losing their jobs.” Vice President JD Vance helpfully described the cuts as “painful.” It was not clear if he meant that as a compliment or not.

At the heart of this standoff: Republicans don’t want to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies because, well, too many people are using them successfully. Democrats want to keep millions of Americans from losing coverage, while the GOP insists that can wait. Preferably until after the economy collapses.

President Trump, meanwhile, is using his “One Big Beautiful Bill” to keep paying the military (he’s going to need them for the battle of Portland) while other departments twist in the wind. Education programs are gutted, after-school programs are shuttered, and special education funding is frozen. But don’t worry, the Pentagon’s R&D budget found $8 billion in loose change under the couch cushions to cover paychecks.

Johnson insists the shutdown is about “principles,” though so far those principles seem to include unpaid workers, uninsured families, and unlimited excuses. The last time Trump shut down the government—for his beloved border wall—it lasted 35 days. This time, Republicans might top that, proving once and for all that in Washington, failure isn’t just tolerated, it’s been elevated to an art form.