SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET:

ISTANBUL – It's happened again, of course.  The terror attacks across the globe are coming regularly, and the Islamic holy month of Ramadam has eight more days.  Ramadan is a favorite period for jihadist attacks.  The attack at Istanbul's airport tonight killed an estimated 36 people and injured more than 140.  It is one of a series of Islamic extremist attacks that we've seen since last fall.  The White House response, as usual, did not mention Islamic terrorism.  (Apparently the attack was carried out by characters from "The Wizard of Oz.")  Hillary Clinton mentioned "radical jihadism," about as far as she can go with Barack still in the White House, and an improvement over Obama's phrasing.  Trump said, "The terrorist threat has never been greater.  Our enemies are brutal and ruthless and will do anything to murder those who do not bend to their will. We must take steps now to protect America from terrorists, and do everything in our power to improve our security to keep America safe."  Perfectly fine, except there were no specifics, a major flaw in Trump's statements.  I fear more attacks are coming, and soon.

GOOD IDEA? – FROM BLOOMBERG:   ESPN has nothing on this summer's Republican national convention.   Donald Trump’s campaign aides are lining up a slate of iconic sports figures to appear at the national convention in Cleveland next month—including former undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, former Indiana University basketball coach Bobby Knight and NASCAR chief Brian France, people familiar with the planning told Bloomberg Politics.  Talks are in the works with a broad slate of other celebrities and top athletes, so the list of those appearing at the convention will grow, organizers said.  But much of Trump’s current list of sports champs seems to be more targeted at male voters age 45 and older, rather than minority and female voters.   Trump has boasted in the past about his endorsement by Tyson, who has re-emerged in popular culture in recent years with roles in popular movies like “Hangover” and the publishing of a well-received memoir.  "Mike Tyson endorsed me, I love it,” Trump said in April in Indiana. “You know, all the tough guys endorse me. I like that.”  I can't say I'm enthusiastic.  Trump should be building his image as a potential president, not planning a celebrity circus.  Inevitably, some of the sports figures he's inviting, like Bobby Knight and Mike Tyson, have controversial pasts.  If the celebs are just window dressing, that might be okay.  But if they're the main show, instead of serious political figures, it could be a further embarrassment for Trump.

OUR NEW FRIEND, IRAN – FROM THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON:  Iran on Tuesday threatened to restart its contested nuclear program in violation of last summer’s international agreement if the United States and other countries fail to move forward with a massive sanctions relief program aimed at bolstering the Iranian economy, according to comments by a top Iranian leader.  Alaeddin Boroujerdi, chair of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission, warned that the Islamic Republic would “resume large-scale uranium enrichment” if leaders feel the international community is not doing enough for Iran under the nuclear deal.  “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s response to the other side’s non-compliance with the implementation of the nuclear deal will be uranium enrichment,” Boroujerdi was quoted as saying in Iran’s state-controlled press.  The comments come on the heels of a similar warning issued by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei earlier this month.  Such warmth.  Meanwhile, Iran continues to test long-range ballistic missiles and sponsor terrorism.  We shouldn't relax any sanctions until we are absolutely sure of Tehran's compliance.  And how can we be sure?

June 29,  2016