Beginning Wednesday, a department representative stated that all papers must utilize 14-point Times New Roman to satisfy the president's "One Voice for America's Foreign Relations directive," asserting the older style is "more formal and professional."

CNN noted that this decision overturns the Biden administration's 2023 initiative to enhance document accessibility. Then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken originally approved the transition to Calibri following guidance from internal disability and diversity groups.

A December 9 cable sent to US diplomatic outposts, cited by Reuters, declared the adjustment was meant to "restore decorum and professionalism to the Department's written work products and abolish yet another wasteful DEIA program."

Typography experts explain that sans-serif fonts like Calibri lack the extending features of Times New Roman, creating a cleaner look that often aids individuals with dyslexia or vision challenges.

While the Americans with Disabilities Act recommends sans-serif formats, the American Psychological Association permits serif options like Times New Roman, recognizing that modern assistive technologies allow users to adjust display settings.

"Serif typefaces remain the standard in courts, legislatures, and across federal agencies where the permanence and authority of the written record are paramount," the spokesperson explained to CNN.

Lucas de Groot, the original designer of the Calibri typeface, expressed astonishment at the reversal on Wednesday.

In an interview with CNN on the program "What We Know," de Groot remarked, "I was a little bit shocked by the news. I think it's hilarious and also a bit of a sad decision. I mean, Calibri was designed to be very well readable on screen in small sizes."

The creator added that he failed to understand why the font has been categorized as "woke."

"I have no idea," de Groot laughed. "I don't know what the woke thing in it is."

He emphasized that his design philosophy prioritized clarity for people suffering from visual impairments.

"Designing a typeface in general is for me always a task to make it as well readable as possible and also to give it a sympathetic voice, a friendly voice," de Groot told CNN. "I think Times is a step back into the past."

This stylistic pivot coincides with President Donald Trump's targeted dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion mandates across federal agencies.

In January, Trump executed an order to eliminate "radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing." While the administration has since sidelined staff working on these initiatives and pressured private companies to follow suit, courts have struck down some measures, specifically regarding DEI in schools, CNN reported.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has raised the prospect of the 63-year-old socialist leader relocating to the gas-rich emirate, which is facilitating negotiations, a senior Trump administration source disclosed to The Post.

Five administration officials – three serving and two former – told The Post they view the arrangement as plausible.

"Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE love to do stuff like this. It helps build chits with the US," an administration-connected source remarked to The Post. "All three compete against each other – in the region and for the ultimate affection of the US."

However, a source knowledgeable about Qatar's Venezuela mediation efforts insisted to The Post that Maduro is not seeking residences in Doha. Qatar's rulers previously facilitated a Trump-proposed peace framework between Israel and Hamas, and the emirate had been hosting senior Hamas figures before Israeli airstrikes in September targeted them for elimination.

"It is untrue that Maduro is fleeing to Qatar," this person stated, according to The Post.

Trump contacted Maduro last week demanding immediate resignation, with the embattled Venezuelan leader reportedly suggesting a power transfer to his vice president alongside comprehensive amnesty for himself and confederates, The Post learned.

The State Department declined to comment when contacted, according to The Post.

Last month, the Trump administration classified Maduro and his associates as foreign terrorist organization members, broadening US military authority for Venezuela operations, The Post reported. Rubio branded the purported Cartel de los Soles, allegedly commanded by Maduro, "responsible for terrorist violence."

The White House has invoked the terrorist classification to legitimize military operations against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in Caribbean waters, including a September 2 dual strike that eliminated survivors, according to The Post.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt justified the continuing boat operations – which have eliminated at least 80 individuals – by citing "self-defense to protect Americans and vital United States interests."

Trump convened Monday afternoon with Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and additional senior officials to evaluate subsequent actions against Maduro, The Post reported.

US officials are presently collecting intelligence to shape recommendations, with a determination anticipated later this week or early next week, according to The Post.

One prospect involves targeting suspected narcotics smugglers within Venezuela's territorial boundaries – extending 12 nautical miles from shore, The Post learned. Such operations would intensify political demands on Trump to obtain congressional war authorization, as legislators across party lines have already rejected the boat operations conducted without their approval.

Trump declared on October 23 he was preparing congressional notification of plans for land operations inside Venezuela, but has delayed while pursuing Maduro's negotiated resignation and departure, according to The Post.

During Tuesday's Cabinet session, Trump issued warnings about striking land-based Venezuelan narcotics traffickers – and indicated Colombian operators also face danger, The Post reported. "Anybody that's doing that and selling it into our country is subject to attack," Trump declared. "No, not just Venezuela."

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Kushner told an Israeli official about his work against the backdrop of significant challenges in the existing framework around Hamas disarmament and which nation would risk deploying its troops in direct military combat with Hamas terrorists. No country has yet indicated willingness to take on this role.

Egypt has trained a 5,000-strong Gazan force with American and Israeli approval to fight Hamas, though their willingness to engage in combat remains uncertain. Furthermore, as we reported Tuesday, Kushner explained that western Gaza will not undergo rehabilitation until the Strip is demilitarized and Hamas surrenders its weapons. Kushner recognizes achieving these objectives presents formidable challenges, which explains his parallel work on alternatives.

Concurrently, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told the recent Diplomatic-Security Cabinet meeting that the military is developing a contingency plan if American efforts fail. Zamir said the alternative approach will be briefed to ministers shortly.

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Members of the media raise their hands to ask U.S. Vice President JD Vance questions, in Kiryat Gat, Israel, October 21, 2025. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

He said his vice presidential responsibilities stem from Trump's trust, with the role being "very dependent on the president of the United States" and his accomplishments possible "because the president trusts me and he's empowered me with a lot of responsibilities." Vance praised Trump as someone who "is such a unique person unbelievably people have no idea," noting he "really sleeps less and still has more energy than anybody that I know that's 40 years younger than he is" – "trust me I've seen it from the inside he has unbelievable energy." Trump "has unbelievable instincts" and "automatically understands when somebody is trying to get one over on him," Vance explained.

Trump privately discussed a 2028 "dream ticket" pairing Vance with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his "best friend in the administration." Vance considers this "premature," maintaining focus on current work with the belief that "if we take care of business the politics will take care of itself."

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The American headquarters in Kiryat Gat, which the US military defines as a Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Israel, was established to oversee implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. But while the agreement seems to be teetering, the impact of the foreign soldiers' presence – predominantly Americans – is already being felt throughout the city.

The headquarters is new and being set up at a rapid and impressive rate. The desire of their leaders to monitor developments closely explains the arrival of some many at the site. However, at this early phase, the crowds of soldiers, officers, and civilians still don't precisely know their purpose. Until Secretary of State Marco Rubio's arrival, they didn't even bother sitting at their computer workstations, and only when they approached the desks did someone issue an instruction to sit in chairs to create an appearance of "quiet, working."

The hundreds of people who arrived to serve at the facility still don't understand their role, for the straightforward reason that everything remains in organizational phases. Nobody possesses plans yet, not even vague ones, regarding future direction. They only have good intentions.

The American base established near Kiryat Gat introduces a new category of people distinct from the local environment. Beyond the delivery companies benefiting from new and hungry clients, dating apps are also suddenly displaying intriguing profiles of men and women in numbered uniforms who are interested in integrating and mingling with the Israeli public.

Restaurants throughout the city are also experiencing the shift. "They're very polite, not like Israelis," said Sheriel Drobitzky, who owns Cafe Plugot and the Geronimo hamburger restaurant in the city. "They love the food, come in groups and take over a table. The cafe also has cheeseburgers, which is different from other restaurants in the area."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to visit the American headquarters in Kiryat Gat Wednesday evening for the first time. The new base, anticipated to remain here for the next five years, is transforming the character of Kiryat Gat – complete details in the full article this weekend.

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Video: Marco Rubio during his visit to the Gaza command center / Credit: CONTACT

The new headquarters is being set up at a rapid and impressive pace. The Americans, as it happens, know how to improvise on the dime just as capably as the Israelis. Their leaders' determination to closely follow developments is the reason for their aerial convoy to the site – not to provide Israeli babysitting, as critics suggest.

"There has never been anything like this," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said while visiting the place two days ago. Indeed, there never has been. An international blend of Israelis, Americans, French, Germans, Canadians, Cypriots, Greeks, and others moves through the enormous hangars. I even thought I spotted a United Arab Emirates flag in the corner.

Nevertheless, it's uncomfortable to report that at this preliminary stage, the crowds of soldiers, officers, and civilians don't precisely know what to do with themselves yet. Before Rubio's arrival, they didn't even trouble themselves to sit at their computer workstations. Only when he neared the work stations did someone issue instructions to occupy the chairs to generate the appearance of "quiet, working." I was present to observe it.

The hundreds of dedicated people who arrived to serve at the location don't know what to do, for the straightforward reason that everything remains in organizational phases. Nobody possesses plans yet – even unclear ones – for where to proceed from here, only good intentions. The war halted abruptly, and this represents a tremendous international accomplishment. Nevertheless, the practical path forward is extremely complicated, and its execution will prove more challenging.

Here's what's absent: A unified international force, certainty regarding the nations that will comprise it, coordination methods between the different armies that will function within it, work plans, schedules, orderly directives, guidelines on what occurs in problematic scenarios, and evidently also a Security Council resolution without which the force – which obtained the acronym ISF – won't be established whatsoever. This is likely not the entire list.

Pressure on Hamas

Preparing each of these stages will require time, especially if the Security Council intervenes midway. Consequently, even though the Americans and the Israelis assisting them are all functioning at Trump speed, in the optimal scenario, weeks will elapse before the ISF commences dismantling Hamas from its armaments, demolishing the tunnels, and demilitarizing Gaza. In the less favorable and more probable scenario, months will elapse.

Those already thoroughly exploiting the transitional period are Hamas murderers. It's been five days they haven't returned the deceased hostages, signifying they're flagrantly violating the ceasefire agreement. Hamas is re-establishing its regime in the half of the Strip that remained under its control. It can be assumed that the organization is also restoring terror infrastructure at an expedited pace. That's what it exists for, ultimately.

Hamas' restoration while the ISF organizes is hazardous to Israel, naturally, but equally important – it jeopardizes Trump's plan. Every day that elapses without someone mowing the terror lawn will render the ISF's future work more challenging, perhaps even unfeasible. We've witnessed in the past the West's struggles in eradicating terror in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Because ultimately – this is at minimum the intention – a moment will come when the international force will need to confront Hamas terrorists directly. Following two years of war, the organization is presently at the peak of its weakness. Trump's interest ought to be that this situation continues. Nevertheless, time plays into the terrorists' advantage. Like a phoenix, they're reconstructing themselves afresh in Gaza's dunes – construction that opposes the interests of both the US and Israel. Trump himself, and also Rubio on Friday, once more emphasized they're committed to eliminating Hamas.

What, consequently, must be accomplished so the 20-point plan's objectives don't evaporate? The answer is that the transitional period until the ISF begins work must be exploited in a manner that won't undermine the plan. How? The US must permit Israel to do in Gaza precisely what it authorizes IDF forces to do in Lebanon. Specifically, not allow terror to rear its head. No, this doesn't jeopardize the ceasefire. The Israelis don't desire the war's renewal either. They overwhelmingly endorsed the plan the president presented.

Nevertheless, there are intermediate situations where there's no full war, but also not sitting with zero activity facing strengthening terror. This is what's occurring in Lebanon, in Judea and Samaria, and also in various theaters where the US functioned for many years and justifiably against terror.

Allow the IDF to operate

Trump's plan was and remains beneficial for Israel, the region and peace. Nevertheless, until the international community advances to its subsequent sections, and so the force will possess the capability to do so, the IDF must be permitted to operate also in Gaza's western side.

Trump believes, rightfully, in "peace through strength." The most precise implementation of this principle is cutting down the emerging terror in recent days inside Gaza. This is the method to guarantee the ISF will have easier work, meaning its success in maintaining peace in the future will be greater.

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Xi has consistently emphasized that "reunification" is inevitable and cannot be prevented by outside influences, which refers to Washington's political and military support to Taipei, since bringing Taiwan under Beijing's control became a core principle of his "China Dream" after 2012, The Wall Street Journal notes. The statement that Washington "does not support" Taiwanese independence, adopted by the Joe Biden administration, is no longer sufficient for Xi, who seeks a position explicitly opposing independence. Such a move is more than semantics for Xi; it would signal a US alignment with Beijing against Taiwanese sovereignty, shifting away from a neutral position and further cementing his power domestically.

Differing from the language of not supporting Taiwanese independence used during the previous administration, a State Department spokesperson conveyed that, "We have long stated that we oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side," also noting that, "China presents the single greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." Beijing believes the potential for an economic bargain can entice President Trump to switch his position on Taiwan, people familiar with the situation confirmed. "Driving a wedge between Washington and Taipei is the holy grail of the Taiwan problem for Beijing," said former Obama administration senior national-security official Evan Medeiros, adding that Chinese leader "Xi likely sees the coming period of interactions with Trump as the best opportunity to try to pull Washington and Taipei apart," The Wall Street Journal reports. Furthermore, Liu Pengyu, a spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in the US, confirmed that "China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges or military ties" between the US and Taiwan, The Wall Street Journal writes.

High-level talks were recently facilitated by an agreement President Trump and Chinese leader Xi brokered for the sale of the social-media app TikTok to American investors, leading to a planned meeting at the Asia-Pacific summit in South Korea. The US relationship with Taiwan has simultaneously grown more uncertain following President Trump's relative silence on military intervention and a promise from Chinese leader Xi that "China wouldn't invade Taiwan" during his presidency, Fox News reported in August.

Questions about prioritizing a trade deal over supporting Taipei were raised by the Trump administration's recent denial of a US transit stop to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and the delay of some military aid. The administration's focus remains on deterring China from "taking military actions against Taiwan" by encouraging Taipei to increase its self-defense capabilities, while a senior administration official affirmed, "The U.S.'s one-China policy, which provides for executive-branch interactions with both sides of the Taiwan Strait, remains the same as the first Trump administration," according to The Wall Street Journal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's private reassurance of nonsupport for Taiwanese independence to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was publicized by Beijing without US permission in January, which "irked" Secretary Rubio, The Wall Street Journal reported, and the Joe Biden-era phrase was later removed from a State Department fact sheet.

Ivan Kanapathy, a senior national-security official, advocates improving deterrence against a forced takeover of Taiwan and previously argued in an article published last year by the Brookings Institution that US officials should avoid public statements of nonsupport for independence because they create doubt. Chinese leader Xi is still expected to consistently utilize every opportunity with President Trump to push the American leader into officially opposing Taiwanese independence. "No U.S. policy change on Taiwan will happen overnight," said Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, as quoted by The Wall Street Journal. "China will push for its position persistently and repeatedly so as to inch forward, and in the process undermine Taiwan's confidence in U.S. commitment."

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A FIFA investigation was launched last year regarding claims of discrimination by the Palestinian soccer Association against the Israeli association. FIFA is also investigating whether teams from Israeli settlements in the West Bank playing in Israeli competitions violate its rules. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has a close relationship with US President Donald Trump and regularly visits the White House, as reported by Sky News. Infantino, who was in New York for the UN General Assembly this week, referenced the war during a speech about a "divided world, in an aggressive world," after receiving an award.

Referencing the difficulty of sanctioning countries, Infantino said there are 80 ongoing conflicts. He added, "I suffer when I see children suffer. I cry when I see mothers crying, whether it's in Gaza... anywhere in the world." Sky News reported yesterday that European soccer officials are holding high-level talks about a possible ban, though no decision has been reached. Officials have debated why Russia remains banned for the war in Ukraine, yet Israel can still play in European competitions. UEFA, the European soccer federation where Israel plays and through which it would try to qualify for the tournament, previously said the conflicts started differently, with Russia's unprovoked invasion and Israel's response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. However, a UN commission has since accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, which Israel denies, leading to UN advisers calling for Israeli teams to be expelled.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the administration's commitments to Jerusalem just at the start of the week: the return of all the hostages and a future for the Gaza Strip, and more importantly for Israel – without Hamas. Yet, even while relying on Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu is deeply concerned and cannot hide it. He is worried about diplomatic isolation and Israel becoming ostracized among Western nations. While his senior ministers are confident this is a linguistic slip of the tongue, his close associates say it is a recognition of the forecast. The proof of this is that the conference at the Ministry of Finance was not the first time Netanyahu spoke about Sparta. The previous evening, in a restricted security briefing with the security establishment's top leadership regarding the Gaza City campaign and its impact on the hostages, Netanyahu repeated the same chilling prediction to those present, word for word: We must be prepared to be self-reliant.

He learned this lesson during the Biden administration's tenure, when the previous administration imposed a brutal weapons embargo, masked in pleasant words, which endangered our fighters on the battlefield – no new deals and no munitions. Even then, in discussions with him, Netanyahu sounded concerned. Very concerned. Following the discovery of the empty inventories in the American warehouses in Israel on October 7 because of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Israel expanded its production lines and began working on ammunition manufacturing 24/7. So what is the source of the new chilling forecast? The threats heard from European nations which, as Netanyahu aptly described them, are subject to blackmail from Muslim immigrants at home. These accelerated the realization that also held a significant place in the Nagel Committee's conclusions – a move toward independent security production so that in the next war, we will not require approval for every shell our soldiers fire in the area.

Netanyahu's series of explanations immediately after his dark prophecy was intended not to create a situation of diplomatic isolation from thin air with the words of his mouth. He addressed this at a press conference he convened Tuesday evening, where he explained once again that he was only referring to the issue of security independence. According to Netanyahu, there is an impact on the stock market and the markets, and a late clarification is better than a prolonged silence, yet it is not possible to sugarcoat the coming political reality: The actions against us in the UN and the European Union could have crippling effects on Israel worldwide. With all due respect to the threat of a boycott at the Eurovision contest, this is more than just a singing competition in which Israel may or may not perform.

This is the reason why the campaign for Gaza City is the great gamble that Netanyahu took on the continuation of the war in light of Hamas' foot-dragging and insolent demands. At this stage, he could have gone out and explained that the credit for continuing the war has run out and that losses should be minimized, the hostages should be taken, and Hamas' demands should be met. But from a future perspective, such a compromise, had he succumbed to it, would have been a cause for regret for generations.

Hamas would have remained in place, and the civilians of the Gaza border communities would have remained in the crosshairs, and subsequently, the residents of all of Israel. Because cowardice in the region is perceived as weakness, and flight invites the next attack. The entry of the IDF into Gaza under the guidance of the diplomatic echelon will not be easy and is expected to last more than two months. This will also be the last major campaign in the Strip and it is intended to achieve what has not yet been achieved – Hamas' surrender to Israel's demands, the return of the hostages, and conditions for a conclusion that will ensure long-term security. To this end, Netanyahu will need to continue to juggle the diplomatic arena to prevent a scenario of complete isolation on the one hand and to provide a future of prosperity and security on the other by completing the military mission.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he does not rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders "wherever they may be," as Arab and Muslim leaders held a summit in support of Qatar following last week's Israeli strike in the Gulf state.

Rubio urged Qatar to continue its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas to secure a cease-fire in the Gaza war, saying there was "a very short window of time" to reach a deal.

"If any country in the world can help mediate it, Qatar is the one. They're the ones that can do it," Rubio said as he departed Tel Aviv for Doha. Qatar called the Israeli strike "cowardly and treacherous," but stressed it would not deter it from its role as mediator alongside Egypt and the United States. "We have a close partnership with the Qataris. In fact, we have an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, which we've been working on, we're on the verge of finalising," Rubio added.

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