NOTE: Nobody reads this blog. But . . .

For now, links to THIRTEEN-plus reports, analyses, commentaries, interviews and summaries (about 20): from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, Reuters, the Cradle, Reuters, Indian Punchline,  the Floutist, and Consortium News; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 3-26-26.) — MCM

* Among the news organizations with frequent war updates, photos and occasionally maps are Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, and Middle East Monitor: HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. AP and El País reports in Spanish are HERE and HERE. *

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Israel hits Tehran with wave of strikes and warns attacks on Iran ‘will escalate and expand,’ by Jon Gambrell and Davd Rising | AP  DUBAI — Israel threatened to “escalate and expand” its attacks on Iran today even as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that talks on ending the war were going well and gave Tehran more time to open the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, meanwhile, gave no signs of backing down. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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Trump grants Iran another extension on a deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Reported by  Tamara Keith and Steve Inskeep  | NPR  Citing ongoing talks with Iran, President Trump said on social media Thursday that he was delaying a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face destruction of its power plants. Click HERE to listen and, later, read; and HERE for all six Iran war-related reports today on NPR‘s “Morning Edition.”

FROM MARCH 26  Iran plans escalation against UAE over ‘active role’ in U.S.-Israeli war. From the Cradle. The Islamic Republic is preparing a “strong response” against the UAE due to the “active role” it has played in the ongoing US-Israeli war against it; a senior Iranian intelligence official told the Cradle on Thursday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH  26. Trump extends ‘pause’ on strikes on energy facilities and says talks going ‘very well,’ by Alisha Rahaman Sarkar, Dan Haygarth and Bryony Gooch | Reuters  Donald Trump has extended his pause on the threat to strike energy plants in Iran to ten days after claiming talks with Tehran are going “very well.” The U.S.president had given Tehran a deadline of Friday to enter negotiations to end the war or face the “total destruction” of its energy facilities. READ MORE . . .   Click HERE  and HERE  for reports from NPR and Middle East Eye.

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FROM MARCH 25  The U.S. and Iran can’t even agree on whether they’re talking. Mary Louise Kelly of NPR talks with colleagues Tom Bowman and Aya Batrawy about prospects for an off-ramp for the war. President Trump says Iran is “begging” for a deal. Iran says it has no intention of negotiating. Click HERE to listen and, later, read; and HERE for at least three other Iran war-related reports Thursday on NPR’s “All Things Considered” program.

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FROM MARCH 26  Trump hopes to de-escalate and find a way out of the protracted conflict with Iran, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The profound significance of the two successive Iranian missile strikes on Dimona nuclear research centre, the most heavily guarded site in the whole of Israel, is sinking in, and it inevitably shifts the trajectory of the U.S. war in Iran. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 26  Where are Iran’s allies and friends? Where Cuba’s? by Patrick Lawrence | The Floutist  Consider these following passages in a text that is now entered officially in the record of United Nations proceedings. I draw from Security Council Resolution 2817, which the 15–member Council passed on March 11. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 26  Iran war exposes cracks in BRICS wall, by Betwa Sharma | Special to Consortium News  NEW DELHI — U.S. economic pressure and geopolitical shocks, especially the attack on Iran, have revealed BRICS less as a unified bloc with a common strategic goal, than a collection of countries with overlapping interests that diverge sharply under pressure. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTNUED

For now, links to THREE reports: from the Associated Press, the Moscow Times, and the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking in their names or initial as highlighted. (Scroll down for UKRAINE 3-14-26 and today’s IRAN, CUBA and MEDIA so far.) — MCM

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Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as new offensive begins, by Barry Hatton | AP  The Iran war has deflected global attention from Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbor Ukraine as Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II enters its fifth year and an emboldened Kremlin undertakes a spring offensive. Neither side is easing up. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

For now, links to EIGHT-plus reports, commentary, interviews, analyses and summaries (about 15): from the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, Behind the Curtain, and ScheerPost; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 3-25-26. and up or down for today’s UKRAINE, CUBA and MEDIA so far.) — MCM

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U.S. source says allies will be equipped as Pentagon weighs shifting Ukraine aid to Middle East: report, by Tim Zadorozhnyy | The Kyiv Independent  The Pentagon is considering redirecting military aid intended for Ukraine to the Middle East, the Washington Post reported today, citing unnamed sources. The potential move comes as the U.S. expands operations against Iran. READ MOVE . . .

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Russia moves to arm Iran with advanced drones after U.S.-Israel strikes: report, by Julia Struck | Kyiv Post  Russia is reportedly completing a shipment of drones, medicine, and food to Iran, signaling a potential escalation in support for Tehran following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes, according to the Financial Times. READ MORE . . .

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U.S. and Iran harden their positions as Tehran keeps its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, by Jon Gambrell and David Rising | AP  DUBAI — Iran and the United States hardened their positions as a diplomatic push for a ceasefire in the Middle East war appeared to falter today. Tehran moved to formalize its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz while Washington prepared for the arrival of U.S. troops in the region that . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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Iran rejects Trump’s proposal to end the war and lays out its own terms. Reported by Daniel Estrin and A Martínez | NPR  Iran’s military command is rejecting a 15-point peace proposal from the U.S., saying it will not “come to terms” with Washington and laid out its own conditions. Click HERE to listen and, later, read; and HERE for links to all five or so Iran war-related reports on NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

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Pakistan says it is relaying messages between U.S. and Iran. From Middle East Eye. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar says this is part of ongoing mediation efforts supported by Turkey, Egypt and other countries. READ MORE . . .

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Iran ‘laying traps’ on Kharg Island as Trump mulls ‘high risk’ invasion: report. From the Cradle. “Iran has been laying traps and moving additional military personnel and air defenses to Kharg Island in recent weeks in preparation for a possible U.S. operation to take control of the island,” sources familiar with U.S. intelligence told CNN on Wednesday. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for several other Iran war-related reports from the Cradle.

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FROM MARCH 25  The 82nd Airborne is headed to the Middle East. Why? Reported by Tom Bowman | NPR  Thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division are expected to deploy to the Middle East. Iran publicly rejected a ceasefire proposal, though the White House says talks continue. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for links to at least two other Iran war-related reports from NPR’s “All Things Considered” on March 25.

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FROM MARCH 24 and 25  Palaver and parable: Trump’s babble, by Edward Curtin | Behind the Curtain / ScheerPost  One’s forgettery would have to be operating at full-speed to forget Trump’s past use of “negotiations” as a cover for attacking Iran. Click HERE or HERE to read more.

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TO BE CONTINUED

 

For now, links to two reports from the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on its name or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for CUBA 3-25-26, and up or down for this date’s UKRAINE, IRAN and MEDIA so far.) — MCM

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FROM MARCH 25  Cuban president says Raúl Castro involved in U.S. talks that are in early stages, by Andrea Rodríguez | AP  HAVANA — This comes as Cuba is plagued by nationwide blackouts resulting from a crumbling power grid and an ongoing oil blockade implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened tariffs on any country that provides oil to Cuba. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 25  Mexican President Sheinbaum says she will uphold Cuban doctor agreement as other countries dip out, by Megan Janetsky | AP  MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday said Mexico will continue to have Cuban doctors work in the country at a time when other nations across the Americas have ditched their agreements with Cuba’s government in the face of mounting U.S. pressure. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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MAY BE CONTINUED

Links to a report from National Public Radio and to commentary from Common Dreams via Consortium News; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names as highlighted. (Scroll down for MEDIA 3-9-26.  Scroll up for today’s UKRAINE, IRAN and CUBA so far.) — MCM

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FROM MARCH 18  Some clubs meet to talk about books. This Florida club discusses the news. From NPR. In the Tampa Bay area, there’s a new twist on book clubs. Instead of a novel, the club discusses news articles. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM MARCH 22  Truth, media, and the war on Iran, by Ramzy Baroud | Common Dreams / Consortium News  During both of his presidential terms, President Donald Trump has invested much of his public discourse not in unifying the nation but in deploying deeply hostile language against journalists who question his policies, rhetoric, or political conduct. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

Links to two reports from National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on its name or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for LEBANON 3-24-26 and IRAN and CUBA.) — MCM

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Israel says plan to expand into Lebanon will provide ‘defensive buffer.’ Reported by Lauren Frayer and A Martínez | NPR  Israel signals major expansion into Lebanon, with plans to control swaths of southern Lebanon in a bid for a “defensive buffer.” Click HERE and HERE to listen to this and a related report from NPR’s “Morning Edition,” and, later, read. 

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NOTE: Nobody reads this blog. But . . .

Links to EIGHTEEN reports: from the Cradle, Middle East Eye, Agence France-Presse, Common Dreams, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 3-24-26, and up or down for LEBANON and CUBA.) — MCM

* Among the news organizations with frequent war updates, photos and occasionally maps are Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, and Middle East Monitor: HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. AP and El País reports in Spanish are HERE and HERE. *

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U.S. drafts 15-point ceasefire plan for Iran war as Tehran says Washington ‘negotiating with itself.’ From the Cradle. U.S. President Donald Trump’s government has proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan to end the war with Iran, including the same U.S. demands that Tehran has repeatedly rejected Hebrew and western media outlets reported late on Tuesday. READ MORE . . .

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NEWER  UK to host talks on mission to reopen Hormuz, says official. From Middle East Eye. Britain and France will chair military talks this week involving around 30 nations to form a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a UK defence official has told AFP. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for AFP report in English and French, and HERE and HERE for headlines of others.

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FROM MARCH 24  Trump to send 3,000 more troops to Mideast as Saudi Crown Prince pushes Iran ground invasion, by Brett Wilkins | Common Dreams  The Pentagon is preparing to deploy around 3,000 troops to the Middle East as thousands of Marines also head to the region amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, stoking fears of a possible ground invasion that is reportedly being pushed by Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler. READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for March 24 report from AP.   Click HERE and HERE for two reports today from NPR. 

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Unknown traders placed over half a billion in bets minutes before Trump claimed ‘productive’ talks with Iran: report. From the Cradle. Traders placed more than $500 million in oil bets minutes before U.S. President Donald Trump claimed talks were happening with Iran and that he was postponing his planned strikes on the Islamic Republic’s power infrastructure, according to the Financial Times. READ MORE . . .

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U.S. eyes swift Middle East return of minesweepers held up in Singapore, official says. From Reuters. The U.S. Navy hopes to expedite the return to the Persian Gulf of two ships refitted for minesweeping now undergoing maintenance in Singapore, a senior US official said today, as concerns mount over Iranian threats to mine the Strait of Hormuz. READ MORE . . .

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Iran grants Thai tanker safe Hormuz passage free of charge. From the Cradle. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow facilitated the safe passage of an oil tanker through Hormuz after coordinating with Tehran, Reuters reported today, adding that no fees were charged, despite disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 24   Iran begins to charge select vessels up to $2m for Hormuz transit. From the Cradle. Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi revealed on Sunday that Tehran has begun charging transit fees of up to $2 million for some vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz, describing the move as a shift toward a new “sovereign regime” over the strategic waterway. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 24  Saudi Arabia, UAE ‘inching toward’ joining U.S.-Israeli war on Iran: report. From the Cradle. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf governments are considering joining the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran directly, hoping they can establish “deterrence” and “punish” Tehran after its heavy retaliatory strikes on Washington’s military bases in regional states, sources told the Wall Street Journal on Monday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 24  Airstrikes hit Iran as it attacks Israel and Gulf states, while diplomatic efforts gather pace, by Jon Gambrell, David Rising and Samy Magdy | AP  DUBAI — With thousands more U.S. Marines on their way to the Gulf, both sides firing barrages and Iran denying any negotiations are taking place, the war’s tempo remained high on Tuesday, a day after Trump delayed his self-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s chokehold on that crucial waterway has snarled international shipping, sent fuel prices skyrocketing, and . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE to read same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE and HERE for two reports from Reuters.

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FROM MARCH 24  Trump declares victory and claims Iran offers a ‘prize’ in talks Iran denies having. From NPR. President Trump said on Tuesday Iran made a valuable offer to reach a deal with the United States, in negotiations that Iranian officials have so far denied are taking place. He would not specify . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 24  Iran tells UN: ‘Non-hostile’ ships can transit Strait of Hormuz. From Reuters. UNITED NATIONS — Iran has told the United Nations Security Council and the International Maritime Organisation that “non-hostile vessels” may transit the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Iranian authorities, according to a note seen by Reuters on Tuesday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 24  Food delivery drivers are being squeezed by higher gas prices. Reported by Bill Chappell | NPR  The effects of the war in Iran are far-reaching, extending to drivers for DoorDash and Uber Eats. They’re paying more for gas — and being squeezed by competition. DoorDash is rolling out some relief.  Click HERE to listen and, later, read; and HERE for link to another Iran war-related report Tuesday from NPR’s “All Things Considered” program. 

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For now, links to THREE reports: from the Associated Press and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for CUBA 3-23-26. Scroll up for LEBANON and IRAN.) — MCM

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Islandwide blackouts bring life in Cuba to a near total halt. A Martínez of NPR asks CNN’s Havana Bureau Chief Patrick Oppmann about Cuba’s power blackouts, which have brought the country to a near total halt. Click HERE to listen and read. 

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FROM MARCH 24  As U.S. pressure grows for leadership change in Cuba, a Castro could be the next president, by Dáica Coto | AP  SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — As U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for change in Cuba’s leadership, speculation is mounting about who, if anyone, might replace Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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FROM MARCH 24  Cuba sends doctors on medical missions. The U.S. isn’t a fan. Reported by Gabrielle Emanuel | NPR  Cuba proudly says its “medical brigades” show solidarity with their fellow countries in the Global South. But the program is not solely altruistic. It’s also one of the largest sources of foreign money for the island as the countries receiving the small army of health workers pay Cuba for them. Click HERE to listen and read.

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First, a link to a report from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name as highlighted. (Scroll down for today’s IRAN, WEST BANK and LEBANON so far.) — MCM

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Top PMU commander, over a dozen fighters killed in new U.S. strikes on Iraq. From the Cradle. A top commander in the Popular Mobilization Units and over a dozen others were killed in U.S. airstrikes on Iraq early Monday, marking yet another escalation by Washington and Tel Aviv against the country. READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED

NOTE: Nobody reads this blog. But . . .

For now, links to NINE-plus reports, analyses, commentaries, interviews and summaries (a dozen or so): from the Associated Press, CraigMurray.org.uk via Consortium News, National Public Radio, and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 3-23-26, and up or down for today’s IRAQ, WEST BANK and LEBANON so far.) — MCM

* Among the news organizations with frequent war updates, photos and occasionally maps are Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, and Middle East Monitor: HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. AP and El País reports in Spanish are HERE and HERE. *

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NEWER  Missile slams into Tel Aviv as Iran targets Israel and Gulf countries, while strikes hit Tehran, by Jon Gambrell, David Rising and Samy Magdy | AP  DUBAI — Airstrikes battered Iran and Iranian missiles and drones targeted Israel’s Tel Aviv and sites across the Mideast today, even as President Donald Trump said the United States was in talks with the Islamic Republic to end the war. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE for report from NPR.

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Trump says the U.S. in talks with Iran to end the war, which Iran denies. Reported by Aya Batrawy and Michel Martin | NPR  Trump’s claim of “very good” talks with Iran contrasts sharply with Tehran’s denial, as escalating tensions and backchannel diplomacy raise fears of a wider war in the Gulf. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for all four Iran war-related reports from NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

FROM MARCH 21  Seeing Trump clearly, by Craig Murray | CraigMurray.org.uk / Consortium News  What if Trump’s apparently chaotic thought processes and intuitive decision making are all a blind, a charade? What if we are really witnessing, in the Middle East and more widely, a carefully constructed plan with very definite objectives? Has Trump in fact . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 23  Trump said the U.S. is having ‘conversations’ with Iran. Reported by Aya Batrawy and Scott Detrow | NPR  After days of brinkmanship, President Trump announces a sudden delay in planned strikes on Iran’s power grid, citing “very good and productive” talks aimed at ending the escalating war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for links to all four Iran war-related NPR reports on Monday’s “All Things Considered” program.

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FROM MARCH 23  Netanyahu ‘frustrated’ with Mossad over failed color revolution attempt in Iran: report. From the Cradle. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embraced a Mossad plan to spark a popular uprising at the start of the Iran war and is now “frustrated” that the plan has failed, the New York Times reported on Sunday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 23  Rising number of U.S. troops oppose Iran war, refuse to ‘die for Israel’: report. From the Cradle. More and more U.S. troops deployed to West Asia are expressing doubts about fighting in the war against Iran, including having to “die for Israel,” the Huffington Post reported on Monday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 23  Australia, New Zealand, South Korea to impose emergency energy measures amid Hormuz shutdown. From the Cradle. Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea are preparing emergency measures to contain rising fuel costs and supply risks triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, local media reported on Monday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH  20  U.S. demands trillions in ‘war ransom’ from GCC allies: report. From the Cradle. U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to extort Gulf allies for trillions of dollars to wage a war on Iran, allegedly on their behalf, according to an Omani journalist speaking to BBC Arabic on Friday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 23  Why big tech is a target in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, by Jamal Meselmani | The Cradle  Digital infrastructure has moved from the periphery of war to its operational core. Intelligence gathering, drone coordination, and battlefield decision-making increasingly depend on cloud systems and artificial intelligence platforms. The architecture of contemporary conflict is therefore built as much on corporate-run networks as on conventional military hardware. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED