United Nations: US delegation exits security council meeting amidst French criticism. A rare diplomatic incident unfolded on Monday as the American delegation abruptly left a Security Council session. This walkout occurred when the French ambassador began speaking, with the US denouncing France’s remarks as “hypocritical.” France had previously drawn parallels between Washington and nations like North Korea and Russia following a vote concerning human rights defense. Last Friday, the United States was among ten countries in the General Assembly to vote against the four-year renewal of the mandate for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. The French mission to the United Nations in Geneva had reacted strongly on X, stating, “The United States was once a model for human rights. This is no longer the case. Today, they find themselves alongside North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali, and Russia. Isolated. And the world no longer listens.” Such an exit from a Security Council meeting is highly unusual. Sources close to the situation indicated that the American delegation was taken aback by France’s direct public attack.

Romania expels Russian embassy member following repeated drone incursions. Bucharest has declared a member of the Russian embassy “persona non grata,” informing Russian Ambassador Vladimir Lipaev of the decision on Monday. The individual is required to leave Romania within five days. This expulsion follows a series of drone incidents over Romanian airspace. On Monday, fragments of a Shahed-type drone, typically utilized by the Russian military in Ukraine and reportedly shot down by a Romanian F-16 fighter jet, were presented to the ambassador. Over the past weekend, Romanian authorities intercepted three drones in three days, with an additional incursion reported on Monday. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehemently “rejected these unfounded accusations,” labeling them a “new propaganda spectacle.” The ministry warned that “the baseless expulsion of a Russian diplomat will not go unanswered.”

Saudi Arabia reports drone attack launched from Iraq. As a three-day lull in direct conflict between the United States and Iran continued, the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced that “Iran-backed terrorist militias” had targeted Saudi national territory with a drone attack. No group immediately claimed responsibility for this specific incident. Meanwhile, Yemen’s pro-Iranian Houthi rebels stated on Monday they had targeted Saudi oil infrastructure, a claim not confirmed by Saudi Arabia. Riyadh, which supports the Yemeni government, and the Houthi movement resumed hostilities on July 13th after a four-year truce. On July 20th, the Yemeni rebels declared their intention to blockade Red Sea and Gulf of Aden traffic for vessels traveling to or from Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading crude oil exporter. Observers suggest the group’s actions are “to support its primary ally, Iran, but also to compel Saudi Arabia and the international community to make political concessions in Yemen.” Experts express significant concern about “the risk of the war” in Yemen “resuming with greater intensity.”

Chad announces withdrawal from International Criminal Court. N’Djamena formally justified its decision on Monday to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing the court’s disproportionate focus on African nations. The Chadian government criticized that out of the 13 investigations initiated by the ICC since its inception, nine “concern African states, compared to four opened in other regions of the world.” This move appears to have been influenced by the United States. According to reports, Frank Garcia, the US Under Secretary of State for African Affairs, urged Chad to reconsider its ICC membership during a telephone conversation with Chad’s foreign minister last Thursday. The United States launched a significant diplomatic offensive against the ICC in mid-July, which it views as a nemesis, accusing it of “threatening” Americans, promising new sanctions, and encouraging its partners to withdraw.