Politics Desk
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Some close to the White House say the U.S. won the initial strikes but Iran now controls the tempo. That could force hard choices: keep fighting from the air, risk putting boots on Iranian soil, or accept Iran’s ability to disrupt oil and gas prices before midterms.
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Joe Kent, the head of the National Counterterrorism Center and a vocal Trump supporter, quit in protest after accusing Israeli officials and pro-Israel U.S. media of pushing the United States into a war with Iran.
A leading democracy research group concludes the United States has lost its long-term status as a liberal democracy, with a rapid concentration of power in the presidency and sharper declines in civil rights and free expression.
At a Kennedy Center event, President Trump publicly disclosed that Rep. Neal Dunn, 73, had been told he faced a terminal heart diagnosis and was expected to die by June. The disclosure surprised and embarrassed Republican leaders, who had kept the diagnosis private. Trump said he intervened, arranging a Walter Reed admission that he says changed the outcome.
The Venice Biennale says it handed over all requested papers to the Culture Ministry and insists it respected sanctions on Russia. Deputy PM Matteo Salvini criticized what he called "russophobia" after a Russian ballerina's invite was canceled in Rome, while also acknowledging Russia's aggression and Italy's support for Ukraine.
Killing Iran’s supreme leader was a massive shock, but the system was built to keep running. Constitutional rules, a three-person interim council and the IRGC’s muscle mean the regime is more likely to harden than collapse.
Iran's moves around the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting almost 20% of world oil flows. Energy prices are spiking, and that raises the real risk of higher inflation, slower growth and even a global recession.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the conflict involving Iran cannot be solved by force and must be addressed through political channels, he told reporters on 17 March 2026.
Tehran says at least 56 museums, monuments and cultural sites have been hit since the fighting began on February 28. UNESCO has verified damage to major landmarks including Golestan Palace and several Isfahan sites. International law prohibits attacks on cultural property, but parties disagree about what was targeted.
Matteo Salvini says Italy will protect its national interests over the Strait of Hormuz, rejects sending warships, and calls oil firms in to stop price speculation.
Israel says overnight strikes in Tehran killed Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. The strikes set off a cascade of alerts, regional clashes, and diplomatic moves.
After a high court setback on tariffs, former President Trump erupted on Truth Social, widening his fight to include judges, the Fed, the media and even his own allies.