Israel's Incursion Into Lebanon, NATO and Strait Of Hormuz, Cuba's Blackout and Trump

Escalating tensions in the Middle East dominate this Up First episode, with a focus on the growing conflict in Lebanon, European reluctance to support U.S. actions against Iran, and political unrest in Cuba. Israel's expanding ground operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah are displacing a million people, raising concerns among U.S. allies about a potential full-scale invasion. Meanwhile, European nations are hesitant to join the U.S. in policing the Strait of Hormuz, prioritizing the conflict in Ukraine and viewing the situation with Iran as separate from their interests. Adding to global instability, Cuba faces a total blackout amid a U.S. oil blockade, prompting rare protests and raising questions about potential U.S. intervention, as President Trump suggests he could "take" the island.