The briefing for Monday, August 10.

U.S. employers unexpectedly cut 23,000 jobs last month, according to Friday's Labor Department report. Revisions shaved 103,000 jobs off payrolls in May and June combined. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%, but only because 264,000 Americans left the job market entirely. Forecasters had expected job creation to approach 100,000 in July.

Local public schools eliminated 50,000 positions in July, restaurants and bars cut 26,000, and retailers reduced staff by 19,000. The share of Americans working or looking for work fell to 61.4%, the lowest since February 2021. When fewer people compete for jobs, unemployment rates can drop even as economic conditions weaken.

The July numbers mark a sharp reversal for the American labor market and present a political setback for President Donald Trump less than three months before midterm elections. The Republican party seeks to maintain full control of Congress in November. Rising costs continue to impact both household decisions and business hiring, with trips to grocery stores and gas stations more painful than last year.

Syria and Russia have reached an agreement ending Moscow's military use of two strategic Mediterranean coastal bases, Syria's Foreign Ministry announced Sunday. Under the deal, Syria will take control of the Hmeimem air base and the commercial berth at Tartus port as part of its civil administration. The military facilities at both sites will become joint training and qualification centers.

Russia served as the top political and military ally of ousted President Bashar Assad between 2011 and 2024 during Syria's conflict against an Islamist-led opposition. Throughout that period, the Hmeimem air base near Latakia and the Tartus naval base were key Russian outposts in the eastern Mediterranean. Moscow did not interfere during the insurgency that overthrew Assad, but provided the longtime Syrian leader and his family asylum.

The Foreign Ministry called the arrangement a reorganizing of the Russian presence along Syria's coast, describing it as the most significant development since negotiations began approximately a year and a half ago. Syria's new leadership under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has aimed to maintain strong bilateral ties with Moscow while also bolstering relationships with the United States, Europe, and neighboring Arab countries. Washington has lifted most sanctions on Syria, and France appointed an ambassador for the first time in 14 years.

Oman reported positive talks with Iran over securing a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran warned Sunday that any deal would not lead to immediate reopening of the vital waterway. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said discussions were in their final stages but that reopening remains subject to other conditions being met, including compensation from the U.S. for alleged violations of the June ceasefire agreement.

Iran has effectively blockaded the strait since February, when the U.S. and Israel began attacking the country. The waterway typically handles around a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas flows. Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, Iran's security chief, told the Tasnim news agency that the strait would not reopen until the U.S. corrects its behavior, listing six demands including halting threats, removing its naval blockade of Iranian ports, and releasing frozen assets.

Recent discussions have focused on establishing a new route through the strait with joint Iranian-Omani responsibility. Vice President JD Vance said Saturday that work remains to be done despite progress, telling Fox News that the administration is applying diplomatic, economic, and military tools. He downplayed reports of Iran seeking transit fees, saying Tehran has indicated no plans to toll the strait. Meanwhile, the UAE reported Saturday that Iran targeted an Adnoc tanker with a missile as it passed through the waterway.

President Trump issued two executive orders Thursday attempting to place new restrictions on birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court struck down a previous attempt in June. The administration said the orders were made with adjustments keeping the Court's decision in mind, though legal challenges are expected. The orders focus on restricting automatic citizenship to specific categories rather than broad limitations.

The new restrictions target children born to adults with connections to foreign embassies or organizations, as well as anyone considered an alien enemy of the United States. U.S. immigration law already excludes babies born to foreign diplomatic officers accredited to the U.S., including ambassadors, ministers, and embassy staff. The executive orders expand on these existing exclusions with new categories.

The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, with limited exceptions already recognized by Supreme Court precedent. Trump's renewed push to restrict birthright citizenship highlights the administration's broader drive to limit who can become an American. The specific language around alien enemies and diplomatic connections will likely face court scrutiny in coming weeks.

Turkey's parliament opened debate Monday on legislation advancing a peace initiative to end decades of conflict with Kurdish militants. The bill, filed Wednesday by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, includes provisions for an effective pardon for former PKK fighters. The proposal was submitted with support from 360 parliamentary deputies, with more expected to sign on.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, declared its decision to disarm and disband last year following a call from imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan. The group staged a symbolic disarmament ceremony in northern Iraq and announced withdrawal of fighters from key Turkish locations. However, the PKK still retains the bulk of its weapons, and a decommissioning mechanism will rely on confirmation by the National Security Council that the group has disbanded.

The legislation would provide rehabilitation for about 4,000 PKK members not directly involved in violence once the group dissolves, suspending some prison sentences and postponing investigations for five to ten years depending on offense severity. Those convicted of intentional killings and sentenced to life terms before 2005 are excluded, including Ocalan and senior PKK figures. The measures would allow return of PKK members based in Syria, Iraq, or exile in Europe. Parliament's Justice Committee will consider the bill Friday before a general assembly debate.