China watching as US missile stocks drain over Iran
Interceptor shortages loom and threaten to turn a regional fight with Iran into a deterrence crisis over Taiwan
Pete Hegseth roasted for claiming ‘We didn’t start’ war on Iran
His comment that the US will expedite the operation by not getting bogged down in ‘stupid rules of engagement’ alarmed observers
Trump’s strike on Iran hits China where it hurts
Iran supplied around 15% of China’s crude imports and it’s not clear how readily or cheaply Beijing can replace that supply on the fly
Killing Khamenei was easy — toppling Iran’s regime is not
Founders designed Islamic Republic to survive decapitation, and Khamenei’s martyrdom means a hardliner will replace him
The day America lost the Middle East
Forget whether Iran’s leaders deserved it — the war test is whether the region is more stable in five years than it was last week


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FEBRUARY 27, 2026
Beijing tightens the screws in showdown with Takaichi
- Chinese sanctions aim to hinder Japan’s defense build-up
- Germany’s economic stress test moves to Stuttgart
- Slow gains, decisive intent in war-torn eastern Ukraine
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Trump’s Golden Dome is a destabilizing pipe dream
The wiser way: pare back Golden Dome, strengthen deterrent resilience and turn adversaries’ fears into diplomatic leverage
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Before Trump bombing, Oman FM called US-Iran deal ‘within reach’
Mediator said Iran had committed to renouncing the possibility of amassing ‘nuclear material that will create a bomb’
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