Rubio Opens First Direct Israel-Lebanon Talks in Three Decades

Today's Playbook was delayed following a brief API service interruption at 06:50 AM PT; this edition is current as of 10:45 AM PT. Today's lead: Secretary Rubio convenes the first direct Israel-Lebanon talks in three decades — a historic U.S.-mediated session that Hezbollah is already calling a betrayal. Also tracking: the Iran nuclear deal fracturing over a 20-year enrichment ban that Senate Republicans say doesn't go nearly far enough, and Italy's suspension of its Israel defense pact signaling accelerating European pressure. Plus: Tucker Carlson's 'slave to Israel' slur and the Hasan Piker-Hamas news cycle underscoring how normalized anti-Israel rhetoric has become on both ends of the spectrum. Eight wire items and a legislative calendar with Yom HaShoah-week state actions.