The Evening: Iran Signals, G7, Lost Bayou Ramblers, and More

Newsletter - June 16, 2025

Iran Signals It Wants to De-Escalate Hostilities with Israel and Negotiate

Iran has been urgently signaling that it seeks an end to hostilities and resumption of talks over its nuclear programs, sending messages to Israel and the U.S. via Arab intermediaries, Middle Eastern and European officials said, as the WSJ reports.

Trump Will Not Sign G7 Statement on Iran and Israel

President Trump has decided not to sign onto a statement calling for de-escalation between Iran and Israel that is being prepared by the Group of 7 industrialized nations, according to a White House official, as the NYT reports.

G8 or G9?

President Trump kicked off his time at the Group of Seven summit on Monday by suggesting that Russia and maybe even China should be part of the organization, as the AP reports.

Executive Education

Looking for the tools to navigate times of uncertainty and significant change with minimum disruption? The CSIS Global Strategy Lab combines virtual and in-person experiences to deliver the strategic insight, global perspective, and communication tools required to drive success in times of change. Register by August 29 to join a community of seasoned leaders from across the private sector, government, and nonprofits.

Audio Briefs

CSIS now offers audio versions of our latest analysis. Listen to the latest commentary by CSIS's Daniel Byman, "What to Know About the Israeli Strike on Iran."

In That Number

4 per cent

Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, has increased roughly 4 per cent since the fighting between Israel and Iran began last week.
Source: FT

Critical Quote

I'd say Iran is not winning this war.

iDeas Lab

The vast majority (91 percent) of services value added in Japanese gross exports are not foreign, but originate from Japan. Read the full analysis here.

The Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab at CSIS enhances our research with the latest in cutting-edge web technologies, design, and multimedia.

Optics

Photo: Photo by Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images

Missiles fired from Iran are pictured in the night sky over Jerusalem on June 14, 2025.

Recommended Reading

"How the Israel-Iran War Might End" by CSIS's Daniel Byman and Iselin Brady in Foreign Policy.

This Town Tomorrow

At 10:00 a.m., the CSIS Southeast Asia Program hosts the Fifteenth Annual South China Sea Conference and discusses the state of play in the South China Sea.

Later, at 11:00 a.m., the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program unpacks a new CSIS report, The Russian Wartime Economy: From Sugar High to Hangover.

And earlier, at 9:00 a.m., the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace holds a conversation on Southeast Asia's future amid the trade wars.

Video

Last week, CSIS's Victor Cha and Erin L. Murphy outlined recommendations for the future of the G7, noting that it must broaden its scope, enhance its capabilities, and add new voices to its deliberations. Watch the full video here.

Podcasts

CSIS's Seth Jones, Emily Harding, and Benjamin Jensen join the podcast for an emergency episode to discuss Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, leadership and other targets.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Smiles

The excellent music journal, Relix, has a new video series out that gives a behind the scenes look at an eclectic group of bands. This one features the Lost Bayou Ramblers, who are one of my favorite Louisiana Cajun acts.

I invite you to email me at aschwartz@csis.org and follow me on X @handrewschwartz