Your BRIGHT Week in Review

Plus: Dinner and a Movie

Photo of the Week

The Artemis II crew will return today at approximately 8:07 p.m. ET.

Reexamining NATO

Fox News reported President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy toward NATO following tensions over the Iran conflict. Ahead of a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte on Wednesday, Trump criticized allies for limited support, calling NATO a “one-way street” and warning, “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself… the U.S.A. won’t be there.”

Rubio echoed the reassessment, saying, “After this conflict… we are going to have to reexamine that relationship.” European nations blocked airspace and bases during U.S. strikes, deepening divisions as leaders like Emmanuel Macron stressed the operation “was not our operation.”

Fox News noted, “European nations have felt the brunt of the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for its natural gas supply and expressed frustration that they were not consulted prior to the start of the Iranian conflict.”

Following Wednesday’s meeting between Trump and Rutte, Reuters reported:

“He is clearly disappointed with many NATO allies, and I can see his point,” Rutte said on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” ‌after spending more than two hours at the White House. “This was a very frank, very open discussion, but also a discussion between two good friends.”

Rutte spoke hours after White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt quoted Trump as saying of NATO: “They were tested, and they failed,” during the Iran war.

Two-Week Ceasefire Reached

Fox News reported President Trump agreed to pause U.S. strikes on Iran for two weeks to allow negotiations over a potential 10-point peace deal. He credited conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Earlier, Trump warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by an 8 p.m. deadline or face attacks on infrastructure but signaled optimism about diplomacy,.

In a post on Truth Social and X, he said Iran’s proposal is a “workable basis” for agreement. He said the U.S. has “already met and exceeded all Military objectives.”

Iran indicated it would halt defensive operations if attacks stop. Fox News reported:

The Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran responded in a statement, thanking Sharif and Munir for their “tireless efforts” to end the war in the region, and agreeing to cease defensive operations if attacks against Iran are halted.

For a period of two weeks, Iran said safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz “will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces” and with “due consideration of technical limitations.”

Israel has also agreed to suspend its bombing campaign in Iran as part of the last-minute deal.

Sharif wrote in a statement the ceasefire will apply “everywhere,” including Lebanon, effective immediately.

UPDATE: Hormuz choke point persists as Iran halts oil traffic despite Trump ceasefire (Fox News)

FBI Warning: Your Friend’s Sketchy App Knows More About You Than You Think

The New York Post reported the FBI is warning that popular mobile apps may collect extensive personal data, even from people who never download them directly. Information such as names, emails, and phone numbers can be accessed through others’ contact lists if permissions are granted. The apps are mostly foreign-developed and examples include CapCut, Temu, Lemon8, and SHEIN. The agency cautioned that some apps can “persistently collect data… not just within the app or while the app is active,” and may store it on foreign servers where governments could access it.

The FBI urged users to limit permissions, avoid third-party downloads, and watch for signs like unusual battery drain or data usage.

Middle Class Shrinks…Because Everyone Got a Raise?

Newsmax cited a new report that found the shrinking middle class reflects upward mobility, not decline. Economists at the American Enterprise Institute say “millions of families have moved into higher income brackets as overall living standards improved.” Using purchasing power, upper-middle-income households grew from 10% in 1979 to 31% in 2024, while those below middle class fell to 35%. “The shrinking core middle class is due to a booming upper-middle class,” the authors wrote.

Poverty and near-poverty rates also dropped significantly. Median incomes rose more than 50% after inflation. Newsmax noted, “The AEI report suggests that, despite those concerns, long-term trends show broad upward mobility, even as higher costs for housing, education, and healthcare weigh on household budgets.”

What I’m Reading This Week

When I had cable, Bravo reality shows were my must-see TV. One of my favorites was Shahs of Sunsets — a show that followed Persian friends (who became enemies or friends depending the drama) in Beverly Hills. Ten years ago or so, Reza, one of the main characters in the show, announced the title of his book and I’ve been waiting for it ever since just because the title is SO GOOD. I’m a sucker for wordplay.

From the description of Memoirs of a Gay Shah by Reza Farahan:

At just four years old, Reza Farahan left Iran for what was supposed to be a quick family trip to Los Angeles. But while he was soaking up the California sun, revolution erupted back home, and Reza’s short stay turned into permanent exile.

Caught between cultures, identities, and expectations, Reza was an outsider in every sense of the word. He was a half-Muslim, half-Jewish, gay Persian kid just trying to survive 1980s America―a place that saw him as a threat, even when all he wanted was to belong. But with an unapologetic spirit and bold personality, Reza was never destined to simply fit in. He was meant to shine.

Definitely a step or two below Lionel Shriver, but it is sure to be a fun and quick read.

Dinner and a Movie

If you’re looking for entertainment a little more highbrow than Shahs of Sunset, check out Argo. It also has title wordplay but you’ll have to watch the movie to hear it.

This week I’m sharing this recipe from a few days ago because it was such a good combination of flavors — Ham & Cheese Croissant Sandwich with Fig Jam & Dijonnaise.