Very true. It’s possible of course that when it finally appears the DIP will fudge certain key issues.

"Corrosive Complacency" And the failure to produce a funding roadmap for British defence

A stormy week for British defence, after Lord Robertson rounded on the government. I've written about the need to match words with deeds and of course cash open.substack.com/pub/markurba...

US-Iran ceasefire under strain - the signals pointing to escalation | The Fourcast Indicators YouTube video by Channel 4 News

Return to war or peace moves gathering pace? Lindsey Hilsum, Matt Frei decode the latest Middle East developments - or try to! - in today’s Fourcast pod youtu.be/R4jez7-gEo4?...

Reflecting on Iran as the US blockade comes into force A recording from Mark Urban's live video

Important day in the Middle East, with the US blockade on Iran having come into force a couple of hours ago (Monday) - here's my thoughts about what it might or might not mean for the wider conflict markurban.substack.com/p/reflecting...

LIVE SOON: Mark Urban and Nick Cohen on Iran Starting Apr 13 at 12:00 PM EDT

So much happening on the Iran front today so I'm doing a substack live with @nickcohen.bsky.social at 17.00 UK time this evening trying to make sense of it all. do join us open.substack.com/live-stream/...

As talks get underway in Pakistan, potential adversaries will be weighing the military weaknesses exposed in America's war against Iran. My latest for the Sunday Times (£) www.thetimes.com/world/middle...

Iran ceasefire: why ‘doomsday scenario’ global economic crash could still happen YouTube video by Channel 4 News

I’ve done another Channel 4 pod with @krishgm.bsky.social and Helia Ebrahimi and we look at today’s key indicators for the Iran war - political, military and economic youtu.be/y76k9aZH7ws?...

I've not seen anything yet to convince me that this was more than a pilot rescue Julie

How Far Will He Go? Despite Trump's language, Iran has so far out-escalated him

Trump threatened terrible destruction but Iran has so far managed escalation to its advantage - holding the region and world energy prices to ransom open.substack.com/pub/markurba...

alas no! but I will make a note to feast next 2nd April

Four Characters in Search of an Off Ramp Reading the runes on the Iran war end-game

How on earth to read the runes of the Iran war end game? Telltale signs of a search for closure markurban.substack.com/p/four-chara...

This is excellent. People who know what they are talking about

Thank you!

Given the scale of the Iran story I’ve been mobilised as a co-host for the @channel4news.bsky.social podcast and recorded this episode today with Matt Frei t.co/UqxCYmquGO

I’d describe the timing of this as “not great”.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Wars of Choice vs Wars of Survival And how starting the first could become the second for Netanyahu

A weekend read from me - on Trump and Netanyahu's aspirations for the Iran war, and what they could end up with markurban.substack.com/p/wars-of-ch...

Is Trump about to blink first in the ‘war of necessity’ in Iran? The US president has said he could ‘wind down’ strikes but might still decide to use reinforcements to launch a new wave of attacks

Iran has shown an appetite for escalation in recent days - so is Trump about to fold or is he stalling for time while the US builds up the forces to give him more options? My latest for the Sunday Times (£) www.thetimes.com/world/middle...

Trump Loses Control Iran has escalation dominance - for now anyway

Gloomily essential reading from @markurban.bsky.social this afternoon.

Trump Loses Control Iran has escalation dominance - for now anyway

The last 24 hours have shown us who now controls escalation in the Gulf - my latest substack markurban.substack.com/p/trump-lose...

@markurban.bsky.social: ‘Signs Iran's operations are being led dynamically despite the decapitation strategy:
- shift in drone attacks in recent days from UAE to eastern Saudi to threaten energy sector
- speed of Iranian response to Israeli strike of Pars gas field, hitting back at Qatar & Riyadh’

Thank you!

Stand by! I’m presenting the Times at One programme on Times Radio this week. We will have some great guests so do tune in!

The Hormuz Reckoning And how the neglect of one aspect of naval warfare is costing us dear

How the US and UK neglect of naval mine warfare could now cost us dearly in the Strait of Hormuz markurban.substack.com/p/the-hormuz...

Operation Higher Prices

The New Iran War First impressions

I found this extremely helpful by @markurban.bsky.social markurban.substack.com/p/the-new-ir...

The Russians have their own manufacturers

Tell Me How This Ends? Where the Iran war may go from here

The Iran war has escalated sharply, engulfing the wider region and destabilising the global economy. My latest blog is about where it might go from here markurban.substack.com/p/tell-me-ho...

The New Iran War First impressions

From international law to the state of warfare and the fate of Iran's opposition, my first impressions of this new war in the Middle East markurban.substack.com/p/the-new-ir...

Why is the US attacking Iran? Trump’s ‘huge gamble’ explained The American president appealed to the people of Iran to embrace their ‘hour of freedom’ and be rid of the regime in Tehran. It could go one of two ways

The US and Israel have attacked Iran - here’s my first take on the shape of this onslaught and the gamble it represents Why is the US attacking Iran? Trump’s ‘huge gamble’ explained

www.thetimes.com/article/1d36...