Iran Sanctions Escalate: The U.S. Treasury just expanded its Iran-linked counterterrorism sanctions, adding a wide web of people, companies, and vessels to the OFAC SDN list under its “Economic Fury” push, with many facing secondary sanctions risk. Pacific Trust Strain: New reporting says Washington is quietly undermining relationships with Pacific Island partners—while a separate GAO look highlights staffing and payment delays that complicate Compact obligations for the Marshall Islands, FSM, and Palau. Ocean Recovery Spotlight: A rare science mission is now surveying remote Marshall Islands atolls, including Ujelang, to track how marine life rebounds after nuclear-era displacement. Shipping Risks in the Black Sea: A Russian drone strike hit a Marshall Islands-flagged, Chinese-linked cargo vessel near Odesa, underscoring how war is spilling into international shipping lanes. Local Safety Gaps: At Kwajalein, harassment reports are said to languish as women describe slow or incomplete law-enforcement follow-through. Geopolitics in Focus: Guam security talks warn Micronesia is no longer on the sidelines of U.S.-China competition.