The Evening: Trump-Putin Call, Israel-Syria Talks, Space Junk, and More

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Good Evening,

It's Thursday, July 3rd.

Note: The Evening will be “gone fishin’” until July 14. Happy 4th of July!!!

Trump Holds First Call With Putin After Pause in Ukraine Weapons Shipments

President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone on Thursday, in the two leaders’ first conversation since the U.S. paused a series of weapons shipments for Ukraine. Trump urged Putin to quickly end the war in Ukraine but the Russian president refused, according to a Kremlin briefing on the call. The White House has yet to release its own summary, as the WSJ reports

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Top Russian Naval Commander Latest General to be Killed by Ukraine

A Ukrainian strike killed a decorated Russian naval commander in Russia’s Kursk region, officials said Thursday, the latest high-ranking general killed by Ukraine since the war began, as The Washington Post reports

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Israel and Syria in U.S.-Brokered Talks to End Border Conflict

Syria and Israel are engaged in “meaningful” talks through the United States that aim to restore calm along their border, according to Thomas J. Barrack Jr., one of President Trump’s key envoys to the Middle East, as the NYT reports

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Full EU-U.S. Trade Deal Impossible Before Deadline

A final EU-U.S. trade deal is “impossible” before July 9, so the two sides are aiming for a less detailed “agreement in principle”, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday ahead of talks in Washington, as FT reports

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Executive Education

Founded on the four key pillars CSIS is best known for—leadership, executive communication, strategy and gaming, and geopolitics—the CSIS Global Strategy Lab

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is a blended virtual and in-person learning experience for seasoned professionals leading their organizations through complex challenges. Register

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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 Critical Questions by CSIS's Cynthia R. Cook and Audrey Aldisert, "Overcoming the Barriers to Forward Deterrence

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In That Number

60

Israel has agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza as President Trump warns Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen, as he sought to reinvigorate peace talks.

Source: The Guardian

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Critical Quote

“Artificial intelligence is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the U.S. AI will leave a lot of white-collar people behind.”

—Ford Motor Chief Executive Jim Farley

iDeas Lab

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In a new episode of The Negotiator Files, Franklin Miller, Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and as Senior Director for Defense Policy and Arms Control on the National Security Council staff, discusses his role in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) I and II negotiation and verification processes while offering advice for the next generation of arms control experts. Watch the full video here.

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

Optics

(Photo credit: Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images.) A honor guard carries a portrait and coffin during a funeral ceremony for Ukrainian fighter pilot Maksym Ustymenko at Maidan Nezalezhnosti on July 3, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Recommended Reading

"Power Access for AI: The Flexibility Compact

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" by CSIS's Arushi Sharma Frank.

This Town Upcoming

On Monday at 2:00 p.m.

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, the CSIS Freeman Chair in China Sudies discusses the rule of law in China, the country's rights protection movement, and what we can learn from 709 in understanding today's China.

On Tuesday at 12:00 p.m.

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, the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program explores Denmark’s role in European and transatlantic security, the state of U.S.-Danish defense relations, the future of NATO following last month’s Hague summit.

Also on Tuesday, at 2:00 p.m.

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, CSIS's Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program breaks down China’s new “super embassy” in central London.

Video

Senator Andy Kim and CSIS's Dr. Victor Cha discussed the key challenges and opportunities across various sectors that will shape the future of trilateral relations among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific. Watch the video here.

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Podcasts

Mara Dias, Water Quality Initiative senior manager at the Surfrider Foundation

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, joins the podcast to discuss how the Foundation's Blue Water Task Force helps monitor water quality at beaches across the country and the public health implications of reducing contamination.

Listen on Spotify

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& Apple Podcasts

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Smiles

I hope that everyone has a happy and healthy July 4th! Independence Day is one of my very favorite holidays and I hope you all have the opportunity to enjoy it with those closest to you.

This time of year, I’m always thinking about Southern California and the Pacific ocean. That’s why the new surf music inspired instrumental album by roots musicians Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives hits close to home. The record “Space Junk” is currently available only in vinyl form, but it is soon to be streaming everywhere. In the meantime, Stuart is promoting it on YouTube with some super cool videos. “Space Junk is California music… the blue skies, the legacy, the romance, and a lot of friendly ghosts. The atmosphere makes you do a little better,” Stuart said. See for yourself.

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I invite you to email me at [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

and follow me on Twitter @handrewschwartz

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The Evening is my daily guide to key insights CSIS brings to the events of the day. It is composed by Lauren Adler, Ava Rose, and the External Relations team.

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Connect w/ H. Andrew Schwartz



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