Tensions Surge in Middle East and Beyond

Ilham Heydar oghlu Aliyev is an Azerbaijani politician who has been the fourth president of Azerbaijan since 2003. He has been the leader of the New Azerbaijan Party since 2005.

Jerome Hayden "Jay" Powell is an American central banker who has been the 16th chair of the Federal Reserve since 2018. He was previously both a lawyer and investment banker in the private sector before entering public service.

James Emanuel "Jeb" Boasberg is an American lawyer and jurist serving as the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. He was appointed in 2011 by President Barack Obama and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Boasberg previously served as a judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia from 2002 to 2011, having been appointed by President George W. Bush.

Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.

Kim Jong Un is a North Korean politician who serves as both the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the president of the State Affairs Commission. A member of the Kim family, he is the third supreme leader of North Korea, as well as the fifth child of Kim Jong Il, his predecessor as supreme leader, and a grandson of Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea.

The prime minister of the Republic of Korea (Korean: 국무총리) is the deputy head of government and the second highest political office of South Korea. The prime minister is appointed by the president of the Republic of Korea, with the National Assembly's approval. The prime minister may be a member of the National Assembly, but this is not required to hold the office.

Nicolás Maduro Moros is a Venezuelan politician and former union leader who has been the de jure president of Venezuela since 2013. On 3 January 2026, US forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores; they were transported to the US and charged with drug trafficking to which they pleaded not guilty. Although he was de facto removed from power, according to the Venezuelan government and interim president Delcy Rodríguez, he is still the de jure president of Venezuela. Prior to his presidency, he served as the vice president of Venezuela under President Hugo Chávez from 2012 to 2013 and as minister of foreign affairs from 2006 to 2012.