Follow us on social

google cta

iran

Trump nukes
Middle East

Turns out having nukes provided the US very little leverage

The weapon Washington insists Iran must never possess proved largely incapable forcing Tehran to capitulate or prevent it from retaliating in this war

US Navy Arabian Sea
Military Industrial Complex

US can huff & puff, but without a political fix Iran won't come down

Military force — and even economic pressure — without clearly defined outcomes has been the downfall of US war policy for decades

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stand for the playing of the U.S. and Iraqi national anthems prior to a bilateral meeting at the Pentagon
Middle East

As Baghdad tries to please Trump, Iran tells Iraqi militias not to disarm

The new prime minister is trying to balance between Tehran and Washington without sparking new civil conflict. So far, it's not working.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chat after signing a joint defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Middle East

The Mecca Pact could be an opportunity for Iran

The Saudi-Pakistani-Turkish defense pact could create space for Tehran in an emerging regional security architecture.

A display shows currency exchange information, in the Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, August 17, 2026.
Middle East

How Iran has staved off economic collapse despite the US-Israeli war

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has promised 'unprecedented' squeeze on Tehran. Why hasn't this worked already?

MQ-9 Reaper drone
QiOSK

The Iran war flushed $1.3 billion of Reaper drones down the drain

The military has lost 25% of its fleet over the past five months