CNBC Daily Open: U.S. Navy faces mental health challenges as Mideast conflict drags on

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One on August 14, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Samuel Corum | Getty ImagesHello, this is Justina Lee writing to you from Singapore. Welcome to another edition of CNBC's Daily Open.Challenges aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln are affecting the mental health of U.S. soldiers, as the Middle East conflict drags on. Trump continues to double down on his Middle East rhetoric, claiming the Straight of Hormuz would soon become U.S. territory while advancing his Gaza plan. U.S. relations with South Korea are also under renewed focus, after Trump asked the Pentagon on Sunday to scale back planned joint military exercises. What you need to know todayThe prolonged Middle East conflict, which has dragged into its sixth month, has begun to take a toll on U.S. soldiers. Mental health challenges aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have been acknowledged by U.S. Central Command Adm. Brad Cooper, following reports that a sailor had jumped overboard amid the aircraft carrier's long Middle East deployment. The Lincoln, which has been deployed for more than eight months, has been facing reports of widespread morale and mental he...