NOTE: Nobody reads this blog. But . . .

First, links to NINE-plus reports, commentaries, analyses, interviews and summaries (25 or so): from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, the Cradle, Consortium News, and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted. (Scroll down for IRAN 3-19-26.) — MCM

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

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Global oil and energy prices are reeling as the war in the Middle East escalates. Reported by Carrie Kahn and Steve Inskeep | NPR  Israel and Iran continue to exchange airstrikes with a focus on energy infrastructure. President Trump says Israel acted alone in striking a key gas field and better not do it again. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for links to all nine Iran war-related reports today on NPR‘s “Morning Edition.”

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Seven U.S. allies endorse Hormuz ‘coalition,’ offer ‘no commitment’ for military action. From the Cradle. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada issued a joint statement on 20 March in support of a potential “coalition” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while specifying “no commitment” to a concrete military role. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for several other Iran war-related reports from the Cradle.

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Days 19 & 20: War on Iran, by Joe Lauria | Special to Consortium News  The past two days of the aggression against Iran has exposed a significant split between the master, Israel, and its more powerful servant, the United States. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 19  Israel is rapidly killing Iran’s leaders. Experts warn the strategy could backfire, by Sam Metz | AP  As a strategy, targeted killing has rarely been employed against a state. While it may provide tangible achievements that leaders can brand as victories it rarely addresses the underlying grievances that propel conflicts. Click HERE to read, and HERE for links to other Iran war-related AP reports.

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FROM MARCH 19  As the Iran war continues, what are the potential off-ramps for Trump? Reported by Ailsa Chang, Connor Donevan and Tinbete Ermyas  |  NPR  The Trump administration says the Iran war will end when the president decides. Thomas Wright of the Brookings Institution argues that’s easier said than done. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for links to at least four Iran war-related reports Thursday on NPR’s “All Things Considered” program.

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Tit-for-tat strikes on energy assets gift Iran another tactical lever, by Sean Mathews | Middle East Eye  The U.S. “clumsy” handling of attacks on Iran’s energy assets has handed Tehran a lever of escalation dominance in a rapidly spiraling war, according to two Arab officials. “First . . . READ MORE . . .

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The U.S.-Israeli strategy against Iran is failing, by Sami Al-Arian | Middle East Eye  The aggression launched by the United States and Israel against Iran has produced a striking strategic paradox. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED