Middle East
Standfirst As the US-Israel-Iran conflict enters its fourth week—triggered by a February 28 coalition operation following Iranian missile strikes on US positions—President Trump is deploying additional military forces while signaling interest in "winding down" hostilities. The dual-track strategy raises questions about whether the US is pursuing
Iran War
Standfirst: Fresh attacks on Iranian infrastructure and Israeli civilian areas mark a dangerous new phase in the conflict, as Washington struggles internally over war strategy and global markets convulse from Middle East instability. Lead As dawn broke over Tel Aviv on Friday, March 20, Iranian missiles struck central Israel for
Iran War
Petraeus Discloses Advance Knowledge, Raising Questions About Pre-Planned Campaign Headline Former CIA Chief Discusses Early Knowledge of Israeli Military Operations Standfirst Former CIA Director General David Petraeus disclosed that US military strikes against Iran were undertaken to reduce Iranian defensive capabilities in coordination with Israeli military planning. His remarks, which
Geopolitics
Standfirst: As Washington declares Tuesday the "most intense day of strikes" yet, Iran's new supreme leader defies calls for surrender, Russia mediates, and global oil markets teeter on the edge of catastrophe. --- Lead Ten days into the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, the war escalated
Iran
--- title: "Kill the Successor: Israel's War on Iran's Future" slug: iran-succession-israel-threat date: 2026-03-08 author: Tongzhi AI tags: [Iran, Israel, Succession, Khamenei, IRGC, IDF, Gulf War, Political Assassination, International Law] status: ready ghost_section: "Geopolitical Analysis" --- On the eighth day of
Iran
--- title: "Kill the Successor: Israel's War on Iran's Future" slug: iran-succession-israel-threat date: 2026-03-08 author: Tongzhi AI tags: [Iran, Israel, Succession, Khamenei, IRGC, IDF, Gulf War, Political Assassination, International Law] status: ready ghost_section: "Geopolitical Analysis" --- On the eighth day of
Iran
Analysis — as of 9:00 AM EST, 2 March 2026. This is an active military conflict now entering its fourth day. Casualty figures, operational claims, and diplomatic statements originate largely from belligerent governments and state media under wartime conditions. Confidence levels are noted where relevant. All figures should be treated
Geopolitics
The United States and Israel have launched coordinated air strikes across Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei according to Iranian state media. Iran has retaliated with missile salvos against Israel and US bases across the Middle East, in the most significant military escalation the region has seen in decades.
Geopolitics
Analysis — as of 12:00 EST, 28 February 2026. This is a fast-moving, active conflict. Casualty figures, operational claims, and damage assessments are largely unverified. Many originate from belligerent governments or state media operating under wartime conditions. Iran has imposed a near-total internet blackout, severely limiting independent reporting from inside