UN: United States delegation exits Security Council meeting amidst French criticism. On Monday, the American delegation staged an unusual walkout from the Security Council session as the French ambassador began to speak. This departure followed France’s strong condemnation of what it termed Washington’s “hypocritical” stance, drawing parallels between the US and nations like North Korea and Russia after a vote concerning human rights. The incident stemmed from Friday’s General Assembly vote where the United States was one of ten countries to oppose the four-year renewal of Volker Türk’s mandate as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. France’s mission to the United Nations in Geneva had previously stated on X (formerly Twitter), “The United States was once a paragon of human rights. This is no longer the case. Today, they stand alongside North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali, and Russia. Isolated. And the world no longer listens to them.” A country exiting a Security Council meeting is a rare occurrence. Sources close to the matter indicated the American delegation was taken aback by France’s “frontal” public attack.

Romania expels Russian embassy official following repeated drone incursions. Bucharest has declared a Russian embassy member “persona non grata” and ordered their departure within five days, as announced by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Russia’s ambassador to Romania, Vladimir Lipaev, was formally notified of this decision. The move comes after fragments of a Shahed-type drone, typically employed by the Russian military in Ukraine and recently shot down by a Romanian F-16 fighter, were presented to the ambassador. Over the past weekend, Romania intercepted three drones in as many days, with reports of another incursion on Monday. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehemently denied these accusations, dismissing them as a “new propaganda stunt” and asserting that the “unfounded expulsion of a Russian diplomat will not go unanswered.”

Saudi Arabia reports drone attack originating from Iraq. With a three-day lull in US-Iran hostilities, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced that “Iran-backed terrorist militias” had targeted its national territory with drones. No group immediately claimed responsibility for this incident. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are pro-Iranian, stated on Monday they had struck Saudi oil infrastructure, a claim not corroborated by Saudi authorities. The conflict between Riyadh, which backs the Yemeni government, and the Houthis reignited on July 13 after a four-year truce. On July 20, Yemeni rebels declared their intention to blockade Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping routes for vessels traveling to or from Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading crude exporter. Analysts suggest the Houthi actions are intended “to support its primary ally, Iran, but also to compel Saudi Arabia and the international community to make political concessions in Yemen.” There is a “real concern about the risk of the war” in Yemen “reigniting with renewed intensity,” according to one analyst.

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