Saturday Afternoon Updates: Multiple U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iranian Strikes + More — 7/18/26
Everything you need to know this Saturday
fHi all, Ben here. It’s Saturday.
Before we get into it, a couple things. First, if you are in an area with bad air quality from the fires, I hope you are staying safe.
I also again want to say thank you and share a really exciting update. The response to the book I wrote with my brothers, WTF America?!: The Way Out of This Hell and Back to Democracy, has been incredible. You all showed up in a massive way. It’s already an Amazon bestseller in its category, and it’s not even out until October. If you haven’t preordered yet, you can do so here.
Okay. Let’s get into what’s actually happening, because, well, a lot is happening.
Top stories we’re tracking today:
Iran strikes Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan with ballistic missiles, hitting areas near US troops and fighter jets
CENTCOM confirms two US service members killed in action in Jordan on July 17 defending against Iranian missile and drone attacks, with one more missing in action and four others medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals before being discharged
A second Iranian strike in two days hits a Kuwaiti power and desalination plant, sparking a major fire
The US strikes a desalination plant in Jask, Iran, cutting off drinking water to roughly 20 villages and 10,000 people
Iran warns it will target Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports and the ports of Fujairah and Jebel Ali if the US keeps hitting Iranian infrastructure
US destroys six more bridges in Iran’s Hormozgan province, fueling speculation about a ground invasion of Iranian territory
Iran formally exits the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, with Iran’s Supreme Leader saying the US president’s signature has proven worthless and warning of “unforgettable lessons” ahead for Washington
Ukraine hits Russia’s largest e-commerce logistics hub, run by Wildberries, deep inside Russian territory near Moscow and Tambov
Ukrainian drones destroy a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber at Engels air base, flying roughly 800 kilometers to hit it
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces sink or damage another 13 Russian “shadow fleet” vessels, bringing the two week total past 170
The Russian stock market keeps sliding, dropping below the 2000 level even as oil prices climb
Zelenskyy reports deadly overnight Russian strikes on Odesa, Kyiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia, including more than 130 drones and 13 missiles in one night
Trump spends Saturday morning on “Executive Time” at his Bedminster golf course while all of this unfolds
Trump reposts Tim Sheehy attacking Canada over wildfire smoke, calling him “a winner,” as the smoke-tariff feud with Ottawa escalates
The New York Times publishes an interview with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Gaza and inequality
Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski takes a shot at American healthcare, contrasting it with European values
Before I go any further, if you haven’t yet joined as a paid subscriber, consider doing so now by clicking here to support our work. This is how we grow. It will give you access to all recaps like this, our exclusive Ask-the-Editor series, and more. Plus, it is the best way to help support the growth of this network.
Let’s start.
Trump Is on His Golf Course While the Middle East Burns
It’s Saturday morning and Donald Trump’s public schedule says he is “participating in Executive Time” at Bedminster. Closed press. No cameras. Meanwhile, American troops are sitting in the middle of a region Trump has set on fire, and we’ve just learned some horrifying news.
