US and Iranian delegations meet in Pakistan for historic peace talks to end a six-week war that's killed thousands and destabilized global markets, while Hungary's voters reject Viktor Orban's alignment with Russia. Congress returns Monday facing a DHS shutdown, expiring surveillance law, and $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request. The US faces reduced diplomatic leverage in Middle East negotiations despite superior military power, as analysts argue America cannot win wars through force alone. Hungary's younger challenger Peter Machaud is gaining ground against 16-year incumbent Viktor Orban by attacking corruption and promising closer EU ties, capitalizing on voter frustration with inflation and economy.