Middle East
Was the MOU meant to be trashed?
Evidence now suggests at a minimum, the Trump admin used the June agreement to stall and weaken Iran's leverage with really no intent on carrying it out
October 22, 2026
Evidence now suggests at a minimum, the Trump admin used the June agreement to stall and weaken Iran's leverage with really no intent on carrying it out
Combined with tariffs, Trump's conflict with Iran and subsequent shipping disruptions are squeezing agriculture and sparking short-sighted bailouts
While going back to the status quo ante — free transit through the waterway — seems unlikely, there's a proven way ahead that won't breach sovereignty or shut off access
In battleground races across the country, Republicans have lost access to one of the president's most salient — and longstanding — campaign slogans
As midterms approach, the conflict and its consequences loom large as campaign issues
On one hand there's more economic resilience than expected but on the other, everyone appears waiting for the other shoe from the war to drop
