Who leaked documents on the war in Ukraine?
As many as thousands of U.S. officials have the security clearances needed to gain access to documents that were leaked last month, but clues left online may help investigators narrow down the pool of possible suspects, U.S. officials said. It is not only unclear who is responsible, but also why and what kind of damage the release of the material may have done.
Officials at the White House, the Justice Department and the Pentagon have said little about the investigation into the leaked materials, which appear to detail national security secrets on Ukraine, Russia and a range of other countries. While some documents were doctored, those revisions appear to have been made later.
The classified material highlights weaknesses in the militaries of both Ukraine and Russia, and could potentially damage America’s ability to collect information in the future. It is possible, former officials said, that the motivation may not have been overtly political.
Where did the materials come from? The evidence that this is a leak, and not a hack, appears strong. The material may be popping up on platforms like Discord, Twitter, 4chan and the Telegram messaging app, but what is being circulated are photographs of printed briefing reports.
In other news from the war in Ukraine:
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In this video, see how Ukrainian military psychologists are training soldiers to confront trauma.
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The U.S. State Department designated Evan Gershkovich, the reporter charged with espionage in Russia, as “wrongfully detained,” a finding that means he is seen as the equivalent of a political hostage.
Italy rescues ‘hundreds’ of migrants
The Italian Coast Guard said yesterday that it had dispatched rescue operations for two overcrowded boats carrying a total of about 1,200 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
It was a latest in a string of missions to aid boats that had found themselves in distress, as rough seas made crossing from Africa to Europe particularly perilous. The Italian authorities said that, since Friday, they had rescued an additional 2,000 people making the journey.
Organizations monitoring such crossings have raised concerns about the high number of migrants fleeing war and poverty who are risking the journey across the Mediterranean. Calls have increased for Europe as a whole to find a more coherent way of dealing with the arrivals and to devote more resources to the problem.
The rescue operations come amid a furious debate in Italy about how to handle the arrivals. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has promised to enact a “naval blockade” against migrant boats and has tried to force charity-run ships rescuing migrants to return to an Italian port after each mission, limiting the number of migrants they can help.
Concerns: With different countries enacting a patchwork of responses, migrant-rights advocates say that lives are being put in danger. “The situation is completely chaotic,” said Felix Weiss, a spokesman for Sea-Watch International, an organization that runs rescue ships in the central Mediterranean.
Netanyahu had never formally confirmed the ouster, which set off widespread unrest and led the government to suspend its judicial plan until the summer. But Monday’s announcement came amid a wider effort within Israel to project unity at a time of division and upheaval, and amid fears that Israel’s enemies had been emboldened by the instability created by the judicial plan.
Gallant’s reinstatement was greeted with relief in much of the country, as there have been growing calls for greater expressions of military strength after a rise in attacks from Israel’s neighbors, as well as spiraling violence in the occupied West Bank. Rockets fired from Lebanon last week summoned memories of the devastating 2006 war with the Lebanese militia Hezbollah.
Context: Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has repeatedly expressed excitement in recent weeks about Israel’s internal crises, creating the impression that he views them as an opportunity to attack Israel. There are also signs of a growing partnership between Hezbollah and Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist militia that controls the Gaza Strip.
News from the Middle East: After eight years of crushing civil war in Yemen, a new round of talks this week has raised a glimmer of hope for a breakthrough in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
THE LATEST NEWS
Around the World
Some German museums have begun to give back cups, candlesticks, teapots and other items of crafted silver that Jews were forced to surrender to the Nazis.
For Michael Hayden, receiving his grandfather’s silver kiddush cup was an overwhelming experience. “I felt deeply moved,” he said. “It was a profound connection to my grandfather who I never knew.”
For more: In medieval times, England was home to a significant Jewish community that touched almost every part of life. You can uncover their stories, if you know where to look.
SPORTS NEWS FROM THE ATHLETIC
Premier League: Six teams plan to tour the U.S. this summer.
How Chelsea is losing on the balance sheet as well as on the pitch: Inside the accounts of the first Premier League team to lose £1 billion.
From The Times: Norms dictating attire in competitive running are changing.
ARTS AND IDEAS
Decoding your dog
Owners tend to misunderstand their dog’s behavior, according to animal behavior experts. A pup that’s rolling over might want a tummy rub — but he might also be making a plea for some space. And while a dog’s wagging tail might communicate joy, it might also mean that she’s about to lash out.
Doggy distress: An anxious pup may show she’s scared by licking her lips, yawning, lifting a front paw, shedding hair, scratching, shaking, panting or pacing. A dog bugging its eyes to show the whites is a phenomenon called “whale eye” that may connote distress.
Socializing: We tend to assume dogs are more extroverted than they really are or miss the signs that they are uncomfortable and need help. “People who love dogs love to meet new dogs. But not all dogs like to meet new people or dogs,” said Brian Hare, an evolutionary anthropologist at Duke University.
Animal instincts: Owners often attribute their dog’s actions to feelings that they’re not really having. A dog might lick your face not because he loves you, but because he hopes to get a taste of what you recently ate. And that “guilty” expression on your dog’s face? Research shows she most likely doesn’t feel sheepish; she’s probably just responding to your anger.
PLAY, WATCH, EAT
What to Cook
That’s it for today’s briefing. See you tomorrow. — Natasha
P.S. The Times is inviting illustrators to share their work with our art directors for a portfolio review. Apply here.
“The Daily” is on Tennessee’s Republican-controlled House, which expelled two young Black Democrats, one of whom has since been reinstated.
You can reach Natasha and the team at briefing@nytimes.com.
