An average of at least 47 women and girls were killed each day during the war in Gaza, according to the UN, and more than 750 Palestinians have been killed in the six months since the ceasefire was announced in October. From Reuters:
New: The Pentagon is sending thousands of additional troops into the Middle East in the coming days while considering additional strikes or ground operations, U.S. officials said www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
The vote to block Trump from further strikes on Iran failed as Dem Sen. John Fetterman joined Republicans in voting against the resolution
Gorka’s demeanor has rankled some conservative political operatives who have called him abrasive.
Michael Anton pulled himself out of consideration for deputy national security adviser last fall when he was informed that Gorka would be working with him
The NCTC job opening follows Joe Kent’s resignation over the war in Iran, which he said could increase the chances the United States falls prey to a terrorist attack. Gorka holds the exact opposite position:
Gorka has been involved in broadening the administration's definition of terrorist threats to include far-left groups, a move that has raised concerns among civil liberties groups
Scoop: Sebastian Gorka is angling to become the next head of the National Counterterrorism Center, a position that would give him broad powers over America’s vast counterterrorism apparatus, per sources 🧵 washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/04/15/sebastian-gorka-counterterrorism-center/
As Iran’s near-total internet blackout extends into its seventh week, Iranian businesses and academics are arguing that the shutdown not only violates citizens’ rights but further destabilizes the country’s already weakened economy www.nytimes.com/2026/04/13/w...
Trump’s solution is now for the US Navy to blockade the entire strait under the theory that this will pressure Iran to agree to a deal that doesn’t involve charging a toll. Energy prices about to go up…
New: Trump agrees to suspend his threat to end Iranian civilization "for a period of two weeks"
New: Hegseth’s rosy claims about Iran war contradict reality, officials say. From me, @nakashimae and @TaraCopp www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Other US officials said Hegseth’s focus on launch volume is dubious even if his numbers were close to accurate. “You saw a bunch of missile and drone attacks at the start — and then it dropped off precipitously. That was Iran preserving their magazine"
Another source of contention is Hegseth's claim on March 31 that the number of Iranian missile and drone launches had fallen to a lower level than any other 24-hour period since the war began.
A major source of contention is Hegseth’s characterization of the U.S. effort to destroy Iran’s vaunted missile and drone program:
The downing of the F-15E and A-10 fighter jets drew attention to Hegseth's earlier remarks boasting about “complete control of Iranian skies” and “uncontested airspace" but it's not just his claims about air dominance that are drawing scrutiny
New: Pete Hegseth's triumphant portrayal of the conflict in Iran has alarmed U.S. officials who are concerned the statistics he often promotes are misinforming both the public and the president 🧵
New: Trump is now threatening to destroy Iran’s entire “civilization” another vow that would amount to a colossal war crime that he says will “probably” happen
As U.S. rescue forces departed Iran, they had to blow up two C-130 cargo planes and at least two MH-6 “Little Bird” helicopters after the planes got stuck in the terrain wapo.st/3QkcyFa
U.S. rescues missing crew member in Iran after fighter jet shot down www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
With Mideast in conflict, Pope Leo criticizes those who invoke God for war www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
New: A U.S. fighter jet crashed in southern Iran, prompting a search and recovery mission for the two-person crew, marking the first known instance of an American aircraft going down inside hostile territory in the month-long conflict www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
NEW: The high-risk plan to seize Iran’s uranium in a commando raid that would require building a runway in Iran and dropping in excavation equipment amid incoming fire, came at Trump’s request, signaling his interest in the complex operation www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
New: The U.S. State Department defends Israel's controversial death penalty law: "The U.S. respects Israel’s sovereign right to determine its own laws and penalties for individuals convicted of terrorism. We trust that any such measures will be carried out with a fair trial"
NBC: Under intl law, hitting civilian infrastructure is prohibited. Why is POTUS threatening war crimes?
LEAVITT: POTUS has made it quite clear to the Iranian regime their best move is to make a deal or else
N: Which objectives would destroying a desalination plant help?
LEAVITT: Haley, go ahead
Rubio says Iran claiming control of an international waterway would set "incredible precedent"
The Army is investigating why Apache attack helicopters flew near Kid Rock’s home and No Kings protests www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Sounds about right
Trump was asked about today's WaPo scoop on the Pentagon considering diverting Ukraine military aid to the Middle East, the latest potential tradeoff for sustaining the war in Iran.
“We do that all the time … we take from one and we use for another" www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Trump's confidence in his interlocutors with Iran was proven, he says, a few days ago in discussions with an unnamed president who said 8 ships would be allowed through the Hormuz Strait and then they were. "I said, 'Well, I guess we're dealing with the right people'"
D.C. cherry blossoms have officially reached “peak bloom,” friends www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026...
