Hundreds of Fake Pro-Trump Avatars Emerge on Social Media

Well it’s been a good run folks but I think it’s time to cut the hard line before the infection gets worse.

Hundreds of Fake Pro-Trump Avatars Emerge on Social Media www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/b...

Not our finest moment

Iran’s Regime has Changed—for the Worse The U.S.-Israeli attack fast-tracked the ascent of hard-liners and apocalyptic religious followers, raising doubts about a lasting peace.

Oh well!

“The U.S.-Israeli attack fast-tracked the ascent of hard-liners and apocalyptic religious followers, raising doubts about a lasting peace”

www.wsj.com/world/middle...

Will the Cease-Fire With Iran Hold? Podcast Episode · The Foreign Affairs Interview · April 8 · 31m

Insightful analysis

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

A Harrowing Race Against Time to Find a Downed U.S. Airman in Iran

If you read to the end of the story you find out we lost two more planes during the rescue

www.nytimes.com/2026/04/05/u...

It’s unamerican that the March madness final game is not on network tv

Lebanon and its Inheritors In the Shia vision of history, born of centuries of oppression and marginality, a time comes when the mighty are humbled; the lowly who kept the faith rise up and inherit the earth free from oppressor...

It’s good to remember what happened last time Israel occupied Lebanon

www.foreignaffairs.com/lebanon/leba...

How Can America Defeat Iran? With John Spencer Podcast Episode · School of War · March 27 · 44m

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

War is not just about what you can achieve militarily, it’s about using violence to cause political effects and achieve political goals.
For most political goals you need legit leaders on the other side that can make deals. So killing all leaders may not be a great idea

John Spencer now using the term “neurological warfare” to describe (and celebrate) US/Israel ability to kill an entire layer of leadership all at the same time.
He suggests the effects so significant that it is in itself a military strategy.
There are some problems he does not acknowledge

I WITNESSED LETHALITY!

a group of soldiers kneeling in the rain ALT: a group of soldiers kneeling in the rain

Led by the widely feared Kuwaiti shock troops I’m sure

They'll fight to the last American soldier. Stunning, and also brave.

The loser decides when the war is over.

Open access article

“The drone revolution: Towards a synthesis in the drone debate”

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

How Donald Trump May Have Sabotaged His Chances for a Deal with Iran The Iranian regime has shut down the Strait of Hormuz, destabilizing global markets and leaving the U.S. with no good options.

Bleak assessment.

“If Iran and the Gulf states destroy one another’s sources of wealth, if Iran turns into another failed state, if there’s chaos throughout the region, Israel would reign over all of it in a militarized fortress.”

www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...

Added to list:

5. Brathwaite, *Symbols and Sacrifice in War*

Gulf countries want Trump to end Iran war — but not yet, officials say The Saudis and Emiratis fear a deal that leaves the region less stable, and they have indicated support for an escalated campaign to force concessions from Tehran.

Gulf counties want the US to not only continue the war but also to escalate it.
So I’m assuming they’ll be sending us a check for $200+ billion?

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...

As a guilty pleasure this summer I plan to write a review article on “modern war”. Thinking of including these books from 2025-25. Any others?

1. Gady, *How the United States Would Fight China*

2. O’Brien, *War and Power*

3. Fox, *Maneuver is Dead*

4. Connable, *Ground Combat*

Hegseth Invokes Divine Purpose to Justify Military Might

So are we mujahideen now?

Hegseth Invokes Divine Purpose to Justify Military Might www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/u...

Opinion | The U.S. Ammo Shortage Is Worse Than You Think Congress and the Pentagon need to revitalize the U.S. defense industry base—and they need to act fast.

Huh?

“The Chinese industrial base, which is on a wartime footing…”

www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...

The real question is what can’t they do?

If they’re wearing cross trainers it isn’t boots on the ground

Trump’s Complaint About Israeli Strike on Gas Field Exposes Divergent Strategies

This alone would be a massive scandal for the Biden administration

“the United States was thinking about releasing more from the Strategic Oil Reserve, which the administration had failed to refill to capacity in the run-up to the war.”

www.nytimes.com/2026/03/19/u...

U.S. War Planes and Helicopters Kick Off Battle to Reopen Hormuz The effort has taken on new urgency nearly three weeks into the war with Iran, as oil prices soar above $100 a barrel.

Southern flank?

“The A-10 Warthog is now engaged across the southern flank, targeting fast-attack watercraft in the Strait of Hormuz,”

www.wsj.com/world/middle...

Islamic State Containment Is Collapsing in Syria Less than a month after the repeal of Caesar Act sanctions, Syria’s transitional president Ahmad al Sharaa launched an offensive against the Kurdish-led

We should be paying attention to this

warontherocks.com/2026/03/isla...

State Department cut jobs with deep expertise in Middle East as Iran crisis escalates The widening war in Iran is exposing big gaps at the State Department, especially in the bureau that handles the Middle East.

State Department cut jobs with deep expertise in Middle East as Iran crisis escalates
apnews.com/article/iran...

Trump Refers to Pearl Harbor in Front of Japanese Leader While Discussing Iran Attack President Trump made a reference to Pearl Harbor in front of the Japanese leader, when asked why he didn’t notify allies about the U.S.’s plan to attack Iran. “You don't want to signal too much. We we...

LOLLLLLLL

Trump: “Who knows better about surprises than Japan? Hey, why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?”

www.wsj.com/livecoverage...