Israel says it will halt attacks on Iran, continue operations in southern Lebanon

Tehran shoots, Trump still wants to talk

This Daily Kickoff reports on escalating Israel-Iran tensions, U.S.-Israel security framework talks, allegations against Senate candidate Graham Platner, and new national security appointments within the Vance and Trump orbits.

U.S. scrambles to contain Israel-Iran escalation after renewed attacks

Millions of people across northern Israel heard a familiar sound from their phones late Sunday night: an alert from Israel’s Homefront Command, notifying them for the first time in two months, of an incoming ballistic missile attack from Iran. Just after sunrise, residents of Israel’s center — from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem — received the... <a href="">Read More</a>

Israeli startup founders receive warm reception at New York Tech Week

There’s a mantra in the Israeli startup world that its founders are months behind their American counterparts. New York Tech Week gave them a chance to close that gap, according to investors who descended on Manhattan last week.  Michael Morgenstern, head of startups at financial technology platform Airwallex, which teamed up with Andreessen Horowitz —... <a href="">Read More</a>

Pro-Israel voices offer reassurance about Vance’s new national security advisor

Vice President JD Vance tapped Cliff Sims last month as his national security advisor last month, picking a longtime GOP operative with close relationships across the party’s ideological spectrum on foreign policy.&nbsp; The hire bolsters Vance’s foreign policy operation at a time when intraparty fissures are widening over the lack of diplomatic or military progress... <a href="">Read More</a>

Democrats grilled over Graham Platner’s baggage

Top Democrats faced questions over Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner’s scandals on Sunday, days after The New York Times shared details of abusive behavior alleged by past romantic partners. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who has endorsed Platner, said he continues to support him even as he criticized Platner’s past behavior and said his campaign should... <a href="">Read More</a>