From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 02:21:41 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id B3EDFB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:21:41 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net B3EDFB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="DJkmEAk/"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 866B1BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:21:41 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f47.google.com (mail-ej1-f47.google.com
 [209.85.218.47])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 57CEABD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:21:41 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f47.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bf046d4da1fso525529666b.3
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:21:41 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781688100; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=HTPfqZ2jwVzSj7rP6ncKaC7pz/7gqxrL1uFcMrC+bnG6ZLNYyjk34arRoxA9kIN6g1
 TO2Z2Pp+0SmOqcWl5xN7jXD+nrpMY13eWZvjxJI8Eq9AKW2YFt0bMPMuLcdXwUShE0WA
 UgemkWorbtrNX91kc6Jea/FfBuBXUYLldWm/GcUy5gPcji+2ipMLuxEV+C8fEbbw1uD3
 taL5zC7pQXoOxrHnGhwGznzy1LFUTVRhRh5xOpa7Q0Duw9iXzfiogAR+aopVQMF661ew
 GKKKPTVhMRKTINo1Ys4HWo0z8HaaLxCDA9R++LqGFiotP2zzlT/ZyeqIM+2UtUTm8rQR
 wVcw==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=9uwXgadOf7lxAUbDYpQa3phNfFYE9J/9qw/WnCk0TLs=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=I2edu06LgexVbptYewfM6dc4EhTplwgTQqkTOp8xzmjQqjeKbLqPOTfhA4guqVimd+
 2rSL5gzYszU4EVGSwC7l5QMo/kIfEYiPk84A5Z+8CmKkUyhGXmqL9t5cbVikLHO60OU3
 MfqfqUuIu+K8ulJplC9jslGDlRcJbhLfpO3m2Gw9LV7skG8TJppvhNhKH87bcQopjXgy
 F3mwb4CisfJYkQv0x0zaA95C5dMHOuG2/hybdimr+ndn9oRbVx+q9NJQb4KUPar+xHYh
 XzmICtyj/9LaE6YYtGmwQgmW4NyCLlnfgx/cGXi/JnKhyMg8Wq6hJxN3Wo1v1PW1q6hL
 gYGg==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781688100; x=1782292900; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=9uwXgadOf7lxAUbDYpQa3phNfFYE9J/9qw/WnCk0TLs=;
 b=DJkmEAk/DZcYKHDzMg5CZRVhmQi8U9zi9HRl7d3px7XD9EhToIssP+wkUDmUJVzegf
 4qaiUfmjld6e97pq7tVHP+FVO/8iowE8QwHOx/Ua5W4IpHBOVk9VVbaeWSwiIxs/fy4a
 EM/Fnfy5jZ0lJZtgoMXt6vhCEbLVzs8efeMh91TvVnD2ppugZi3ZcNSUfE/yVV9bel3o
 qTY48MOTKk36i/e+j3NwGnvcAeCOMv5z5DGJ2K7bj3ZexOSEeRCmyYDAFdfrGj8bUhmb
 MJZe/cYksVUKyhqdq6COYo+iLGlunRc4LORcoJS4py4zo9wZHASihvO96ermh+JfO1m8
 eXzw==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781688100; x=1782292900;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=9uwXgadOf7lxAUbDYpQa3phNfFYE9J/9qw/WnCk0TLs=;
 b=f1nxYEJ8Ber7/azcbVIMXRuhh2nHiPha4aA9c7s/op4h60o8BK00MkP1jpN5RvHAQ9
 YNHTMVba5wyGjfGkgABPCik96ELnY4afytL38qHGhzc2M4DfmckJos1p+LhWUrXHCgEt
 qedrdImwrLyMZ/XOjw+2PymqDQdECH7MdIGjmxylQZXkwc3VaUJYbjbuZ0URb2wuBzxI
 K+Qyw9wRhHEAsBg4V7JVXkogE6q/McHyM7oVVpyhRSkw4mdT7MZGiQluzmm4nKz7cMef
 IGGYUEExC/wWkTMHTOXLFZQKrZozivD0yB+7TMgKQCHYIXbsRCB90idBMeZGDWlGN7YV
 jX9A==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yw6MjNHqd30OAI1js4TEJeTArvBZIy/JfgW4xl+hdLNU+tRq85m
 L4NJf4biP4wA2o6qW9d2zNZ9XzZZYsnTdEIW08OV391/MZbZT17ZzwY+Z2LRtSYBuKqBXuSFyIB
 kBEQwiO7FRQYo3IBiun+sv1bvPt3vt2bdd6Q3gcPcBg==
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OHLFcjtETyK5gPojXrtPLrzUHeO43JHBWbBQX7u7nQDt+fOwICTmu7hCgeOJjh
 Xk//t22outdRkxixNOQOjomf58mHaQ394ick5Wja2JifmXIIVuJb2XWhR1yTr2XwEsSSDKjiQUN
 7vieWhnsfCXs78WsKGf0oAXc+gaKhiIN61CLxO5SxZMnGSlHtlXtm2HDKMR4Ea19qfRcdyaWUn9
 ES324+gIwp3yoVPNOZWlRLIarCHL69P21VdEbEQTvOfPfqpI3DyHPfHaEf3CKYfjlB2R3oWIrwf
 eFmx9c0nIgTQ2UlGcikyqtyzqik8c6F6G+AOBoH9xi/+MhEw2dKCgU4mIMehAZ8dUW/XKBkmCUb
 Q8fI2MGqXzbMnA1Pv+CANyQaIWgl3AU+r0rO8kddTOh2fYIT+u3Q6GrlbHgjI3q91jKuIKZ8ntH
 ARrehC58kmBbWChyjG4B+sPoIQAAEt3nbi5KnleCBle4Ru+369HaO3SJO/cERlRq0A/GbbW0fff
 AhZ8ewXp9tOpSCnpYVrIfx+4NIGVllx3fgya9hLXhsk5QA=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:6886:b0:bee:280b:8be5 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a5419e4bmr119312266b.21.1781688099314; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 02:21:39 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:21:23 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cfoi9tJWBjNP72lWG0Y2WQzjjZtZR61lRvm1HgrVGIKO8tSK2s2z4Uf5_A
Message-ID: <CANbmmQmaUke86rsStKgWjzOinZdWmFEQhZtzy3MKUaCWDCmjhg@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="00000000000042a69706546f9603"
Subject: [Salon] The world economy will never be the same
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:21:41 -0000

--00000000000042a69706546f9603
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

The New York Times, June 17, 2026
[image: Two people are repairing boats in a dusty outdoor yard. One scrapes
paint from a white hull; another leans over a vessel.]
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/01eu6qYOxV5A0ondbvpcew~~/AAAAARA~/OtfS=
1emxjAXRzWZLWfBFXUCV7fuhgKfci-vv1orSHYHNbTg0It5zOV0bCsH_Dturm5LVlEODUy6Av9f=
2w3_s_gUlvgPbndH6yKsFKJ2LhGD7uh2ouJDhyRrlNnesqr173HJKnmbXflMS0ak0elADLmOW0A=
JwFWI81uqR8igRTtj_vog7mOQRTF6jffk5Sb4EOZsYQ6NN9bBEDiCSoKjJntKyq8g0UHS_tzVYd=
hy89-I7ukVoo9mak1F5ZiWVS2fQ5pudEWrIYbAqWrSWTpIkoDRJVXn_wEqQtrpkZ8u0S15WVhBX=
66UNo_0IbDbCQLnydpAVTVqArdpYzM9OMduD5c1XDPf5lq1nxnf-OucjhS4XXvdXpq7ilZj_15v=
pUWJ1>
Fishermen in the port of Tyre in southern Lebanon. Daniel Berehulak/The New
York TimesThe world economy will never be the same

Few corners of the world economy have been left untouched by the past four
months of war.

When Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, Middle East energy exports dried up
practically overnight. Oil and gas prices exploded. Inflation surged.

The economic fallout has taken the form of energy rations in Asia,
fertilizer shortages in Africa and grounded planes in Europe. It has
affected politics, too. President Trump is not the only leader whose
ratings have fallen as voters despair about the cost of living.

The huge toll of this war is one of the main reasons Trump has been so
eager to end it. It=E2=80=99s also one reason to think the current deal cou=
ld lead
to long-term peace: Many are desperate for this to be over.

But bringing a global economy back online after it has been operating at
reduced speed for months is not going to be easy =E2=80=94 or fast. As my c=
olleague
Patricia Cohen writes,
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/01eu6qYOxV5A0ondbvpcew~~/AAAAARA~/OtfS=
1emxjAXRzWZLWfBFXUCV7fuhgKfci-vv1orSHYHNbTg0It5zOV0bCsH_Dturm5LVlEODUy6Av9f=
2w3_s_gUlvgPbndH6yKsFKJ2LhGD7uh2ouJDhyRrlNnesqr173HJKnmbXflMS0ak0elADLmOW0A=
JwFWI81uqR8igRTtj_vog7mOQRTF6jffk5Sb4EOZsYQ6NN9bBEDiCSoKjJntKyq8g0UHS_tzVYd=
hy89-I7ukVoo9mak1F5ZiWVS2fQ5pudEWrIYbAqWrSWTpIkoDRJVXn_wEqQtrpkZ8u0S15WVhBX=
66UNo_0IbDbCQLnydpAVTVqArdpYzM9OMduD5c1XDPf5lq1nxnf-OucjhS4XXvdXpq7ilZj_15v=
pUWJ1>
expect
the economy to be =E2=80=9Ckicked onto a path of lower growth and higher pr=
ices=E2=80=9D
for some time to come.

Trust and logistics

When the preliminary agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz and lift the
U.S. blockade was announced, the relief in markets was immediate. Oil
prices fell to their lowest levels since early March.

But as my colleague Rebecca Elliott writes
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/PNaEr4eBtOR-gCksVdCTlg~~/AAAAARA~/ab1B=
E4W91U94OmoRWIV7gCWArpqELT5FyfMwm2rVSK2um6qEq6CqUvPO706MeSP29dOS9TJznxlNui8=
gIOYkMQBegTlNFIXT-XiTFPwADdaxRBoiy99mjNEui8vKslZZMMCjfbx8-sIlme1V82vVepxXCE=
mwXlss1u1P8sJilfdcS05OAHndlT6W0SlJybWT5senvSXUqSx0aIUR9ED89dxfBa-abwSmpdluR=
F7tCIicV5VJSt3SIpWO_hnz9Fwhfs_KelN54HMWqYJnVHeKNHb1a6E57igSq3fRjk-AlTQrIonr=
1r4rjmFx_nF5zuMtZV8vjt9RL2b0gNaQOB0vLWF4IrwlWlt2z9D_XpqMrKS47IFjFG6-3VwDMs_=
lTxSNWGVOhxdaE1yPxOX3R8rWfg~~>,
getting substantial amounts of oil and gas actually flowing again will take
a lot longer.

In the best of times, it can take weeks or months
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/79x4k6of1GmIPAy4_h2eDQ~~/AAAAARA~/Ai9N=
bwzRohQzonQ3ixvbdOjMe2l5PxNnkhP_upIkhcD5IE8waHDIsaVsl_w0hCMm2oh6kSf-MOL81sf=
17uL0NL-KCnFFASCpkwyKUhMW5bBvrR_tPkTm2TFy1AgbBqSjoLJtvHhuGQ6gZ9Shwwr3BVpH4F=
n2MZlKA9uoVC8Q-PwqcBcWg6iKrhXBGj9umrn6zsZhdU3_hbEpjRroM7xQKsPY6aXqjax1Zhi7K=
lYf1Fseyt8UKmNVxskeaDHRD67HPdW0-HKPsOcdDWblZmHoHHNxwiuhe1KxE6l-S8HPypYsJJ7o=
OqHasK5ZM97W0IBRHkLcvdZBbsaFS-EvSUepfkO_MoVPFhwEtk2u44YlzqBqKQ-8HN-9eFdjnvw=
jmjP6Sab2tcBDqy3uK1X0Zzd8hD6CYyRPncOxTek_D8tp8_U~>
to
get oil and gas from wells in the Middle East to buyers in China or Japan,
and these are far from the best of times.
[image: A large black and red tanker ship is docked. Ropes stretch into the
foreground, and a section of a yellow spool is on the right.]
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/PNaEr4eBtOR-gCksVdCTlg~~/AAAAARA~/ab1B=
E4W91U94OmoRWIV7gCWArpqELT5FyfMwm2rVSK2um6qEq6CqUvPO706MeSP29dOS9TJznxlNui8=
gIOYkMQBegTlNFIXT-XiTFPwADdaxRBoiy99mjNEui8vKslZZMMCjfbx8-sIlme1V82vVepxXCE=
mwXlss1u1P8sJilfdcS05OAHndlT6W0SlJybWT5senvSXUqSx0aIUR9ED89dxfBa-abwSmpdluR=
F7tCIicV5VJSt3SIpWO_hnz9Fwhfs_KelN54HMWqYJnVHeKNHb1a6E57igSq3fRjk-AlTQrIonr=
1r4rjmFx_nF5zuMtZV8vjt9RL2b0gNaQOB0vLWF4IrwlWlt2z9D_XpqMrKS47IFjFG6-3VwDMs_=
lTxSNWGVOhxdaE1yPxOX3R8rWfg~~>
An oil tanker docked at the Port of Fujairah, in the United Arab Emirates. =
Amr
Alfiky/Reuters

The strait is not yet open. There are concerns that it could be mined. When
it does open, the first step will be getting out the hundreds of stranded
vessels. That process alone could take weeks, U.S. officials say
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/2EP00yv6NUmrKVd_Rbb8hg~~/AAAAARA~/qR0o=
WpPaotAc0faUf0u_g2uoyQDGqTPN5PWtX35i1sNGd3zuA9LOWLkXzkfiKsfMkY7E8FxnAgF0iww=
XQ9M7SBGZFKTZ-MQqUaWprQh9B-jVnTf_Cq7Wv1q4vUTCYWYZ_7euz9TdmymikD_AnqlLH60cwx=
L8KI9L1zlIjmAcGnwd0mRh7jXRdVghTl64m7opQ5P4hO7SVB_w-BL0HYsv-jfpM1X4ZSv_8w7gE=
a1zKN9PINborbUJqox2S46d9Ly22YIWin29Qb2myCuSLspcEfmWY8ijOrM0oa1mn_zPrISFTkkq=
JRrbR2DppSebZMB0LuQOCbGjL_k4pwmbQuRe1oDalDF1TMNrBMpNaoinw6hX5OAI1ap-iO2mgOy=
lliFVVZy8hSuSfgVefNaW0AJu5A~~>
.

The next step =E2=80=94 firing up oil wells, refineries and other infrastru=
cture
that have been idle for months =E2=80=94 is another difficult task. Fixing =
any
infrastructure that was damaged in the war will take even more time, and
money.

For any of this to happen, energy producers in the Gulf need to trust that
the U.S.-Iranian deal will last. The best-case scenario for finding a new
equilibrium, Wael Sawan, the chief executive of Shell, told Rebecca, is six
to 12 months.

But restarting energy shipping isn=E2=80=99t just about getting trapped shi=
ps out
through the Strait of Hormuz. It=E2=80=99s also about persuading shipping c=
ompanies
to come back in =E2=80=94 and shipping executives are perhaps even more une=
asy than
energy executives. One told my colleague Jenny Gross it would take weeks or
even months for him to feel comfortable sending ships into the Persian Gulf
again.

A new global economy

If the U.S. and Iran eventually reach an agreement that enough parties have
faith in, there=E2=80=99s a good chance that energy infrastructure in the M=
iddle
East will eventually be rebuilt and that shipping will eventually rebound.

But the war has altered the global economic order in ways that already look
permanent, or at least enduring.

The cost of shipping may have permanently gone up. Iran wants to impose
fees on ships
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/R61JHYxjn6ib4SdHmK5uMg~~/AAAAARA~/lMXF=
7DrxVOn7lZaUhJCF17_mGc158XNgkEmphwszFwKBaSAI3OF80ROsiDDOlcNaVK88IyC5ogRs8dl=
QO-ojloaKoZfiqmXVeVqF44-278fgZvlnJbBjKwM5AgEFfQb26qnHEeu8KnnbpfcupL9TVWSv2e=
DBbHApVcFjQjjtWsDYt5y9QlNOWvrTirEdd-TQ5DAqng6bCVrA_uOvm4tIRXAoMiWdqXKF29jzW=
avuBf-f-6tuJM67PfP2Ckdb-WZcINEK8Vvo0LeAMIH77vPgG6UPW0R1Qc2NjHygmtvl3dBXjXnS=
xZpNtIw-9NfbSwST56mU0FhBAdfmRp5F9H7WMh4Uxzi8wqfs0gfGtfeBsSD0EXJPttG1Dr6mi1o=
q9W2Z>
that
pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Patricia wrote. And the fact that it has
demonstrated its power to disrupt shipping raises insurance costs
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/Cr_yrJHdY5oO_f2jF-sxyw~~/AAAAARA~/uRRy=
hSWaUT-vp9ShxPS_r1AmgaixQSHQlMKwC809xrRe83Jqbq0W7rl2oVN68D0inVl2T_7nS7iQnOh=
uA5oWiVddih1jLOUlj1rjVV9h5sPrtC8wRGWHGHj-3eLoKVeadlWEiNZkJegEtIYWe1F2xEA26y=
39xBBtIjhwBPt_zZ2QDQVxAHjk3mEQjh65dTlzlwY6BLhx_jH36B3fajxlrfh3AfKvCaP4giq2S=
T255ADrBlN2deAgdqcPFcVnnrMp8RsV2UKED60gnYlQiaMmUjCQp8gsPcIXsneIQX4dlYYkyKo6=
2FZ0FCp1DDD9yhjlEwb6pdROaL0n_XSE_VlnAo28yfUuIkxlvr6hAk5hNp-rMz2egRn3E0MkaVf=
s_j422JljgEA3GE0TSpw86Q9W_A~~>
.

The energy shock of the past four months is also =E2=80=9Csupercharging the=
 hunt
for alternatives=E2=80=9D to Middle East oil and gas, as Patricia put it. A=
 push
toward renewables looks likely to benefit China, the world leader in
producing wind turbines, batteries and solar panels. Russia, the
second-largest producer of crude oil and gas after the U.S., has gotten a
boost. And countries like Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina and Guyana
are all ramping up their oil production capacities.

The Gulf, a wealthy region that includes major global trade and financial
hubs, may never be the same. Attacks on five-star hotels and airports have
shaken its image as a beacon of stability in a volatile region.

Perhaps most importantly for many households, the world economy is no
longer on the path it was on at the start of 2026. Back then, Patricia
writes, economists were thinking about upgrading their forecasts for the
year. =E2=80=9CInflation was coming down, growth was picking up,=E2=80=9D t=
he World Bank=E2=80=99s
chief economist, Indermit Gill, said.

Now, central banks around the globe are raising interest rates
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/rR0H-XBTjKizEot7Z-Ju8w~~/AAAAARA~/o79v=
RfJnNEE-B3bCPRjT4wCcIoVhQdF3O0fA5feaLllpO0UiQC9QieP7OUYVfByAIKUWqvubYCvQzyV=
rxaTWEHaROdOt4-ZW-VxiHMkqVs1ZeHeembUCjIYJntmkVxERWc5qhVtx-cvtHqLgE8iUUR6DYZ=
qXyEocbZmHgkAm-ioOCQBZU-VJ5jTGs-aMigUUpLBVkzAk5_30ZN5CGRYouQnHRKxwPvEEWHBac=
7h0tw_zhq6g7VRFZFbG_eROw2oYCxk1avR93-AVuCze2qjvzW1OBHGBGgHTHePHDdQsDMLfYG_t=
9-Rso2A4Zv057hNmxZoMmTspk_XucgxffATLTBvwPv3VB3yav25R_kRjRSc-jjjxaBuXtywoAFZ=
Fv5v91JenpwSsI0YdD_vzcjEyONSMqguqEeoZFVic7gKemK4LKJnzbfiUCxPMVIzjMPiOhpJ2ia=
WfGbuEOnE09d4izOOc6gNmkuHa-SkY1NeWAYI~>
to
combat inflation. The World Bank just downgraded its global growth outlook.
A year that started out promising looks likely to be painful. And that=E2=
=80=99s if the
deal holds.

--00000000000042a69706546f9603
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr">The New York Times, June 17, 2026<div><table border=3D"0" =
cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;width=
:600px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center"=
><a href=3D"https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/01eu6qYOxV5A0ondbvpcew~~/AA=
AAARA~/OtfS1emxjAXRzWZLWfBFXUCV7fuhgKfci-vv1orSHYHNbTg0It5zOV0bCsH_Dturm5LV=
lEODUy6Av9f2w3_s_gUlvgPbndH6yKsFKJ2LhGD7uh2ouJDhyRrlNnesqr173HJKnmbXflMS0ak=
0elADLmOW0AJwFWI81uqR8igRTtj_vog7mOQRTF6jffk5Sb4EOZsYQ6NN9bBEDiCSoKjJntKyq8=
g0UHS_tzVYdhy89-I7ukVoo9mak1F5ZiWVS2fQ5pudEWrIYbAqWrSWTpIkoDRJVXn_wEqQtrpkZ=
8u0S15WVhBX66UNo_0IbDbCQLnydpAVTVqArdpYzM9OMduD5c1XDPf5lq1nxnf-OucjhS4XXvdX=
pq7ilZj_15vpUWJ1" class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-sdwaa1" target=3D"_bla=
nk" style=3D"color:rgb(40,110,208)"><img width=3D"500" height=3D"625" class=
=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-18ei5jy gmail-CToWUd" src=3D"https://static01=
.nyt.com/images/2026/06/17/multimedia/17int-theworld-iran-economy-twhk/17in=
t-theworld-iran-economy-twhk-jumbo.jpg" alt=3D"Two people are repairing boa=
ts in a dusty outdoor yard. One scrapes paint from a white hull; another le=
ans over a vessel." style=3D"border: 0px; height: auto; line-height: 13px; =
outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; display: inline-block; width: 498px; m=
ax-width: 500px; padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 8px;"></a></td></tr><tr=
><td class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-1b9cqt1" style=3D"border-collapse:c=
ollapse;text-align:center;width:600px;padding-bottom:15px;line-height:14px"=
><span class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-14cus5q" style=3D"display:inline-=
block;width:498px;max-width:500px;text-align:left"><span style=3D"color:rgb=
(102,102,102);font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;f=
ont-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size=
:14px;line-height:normal;font-family:georgia,serif">Fishermen in the port o=
f Tyre in southern Lebanon.=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"margin:0px;font-styl=
e:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-f=
eature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:11px;line-height:11px;=
font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(136,136,136);letter-spacing:0.01em">Dan=
iel Berehulak/The New York Times</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h2=
 style=3D"font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-=
kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:24p=
x;line-height:31px;font-family:nyt-cheltenham,georgia,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0=
);margin:0px 0px 10px">The world economy will never be the same</h2><p styl=
e=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-ad=
just:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:norma=
l;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51=
,51)">Few corners of the world economy have been left untouched by the past=
 four months of war.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;f=
ont-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-set=
tings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-famil=
y:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">When Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz,=
 Middle East energy exports dried up practically overnight. Oil and gas pri=
ces exploded. Inflation surged.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-sty=
le:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-=
feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px=
;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">The economic fallout has ta=
ken the form of energy rations in Asia, fertilizer shortages in Africa and =
grounded planes in Europe. It has affected politics, too. President Trump i=
s not the only leader whose ratings have fallen as voters despair about the=
 cost of living.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;font-=
variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-setting=
s:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-family:ge=
orgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">The huge toll of this war is one of the ma=
in reasons Trump has been so eager to end it. It=E2=80=99s also one reason =
to think the current deal could lead to long-term peace: Many are desperate=
 for this to be over.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;=
font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-se=
ttings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-fami=
ly:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">But bringing a global economy back on=
line after it has been operating at reduced speed for months is not going t=
o be easy =E2=80=94 or fast. As=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nl.nytimes.com/f/ne=
wsletter/01eu6qYOxV5A0ondbvpcew~~/AAAAARA~/OtfS1emxjAXRzWZLWfBFXUCV7fuhgKfc=
i-vv1orSHYHNbTg0It5zOV0bCsH_Dturm5LVlEODUy6Av9f2w3_s_gUlvgPbndH6yKsFKJ2LhGD=
7uh2ouJDhyRrlNnesqr173HJKnmbXflMS0ak0elADLmOW0AJwFWI81uqR8igRTtj_vog7mOQRTF=
6jffk5Sb4EOZsYQ6NN9bBEDiCSoKjJntKyq8g0UHS_tzVYdhy89-I7ukVoo9mak1F5ZiWVS2fQ5=
pudEWrIYbAqWrSWTpIkoDRJVXn_wEqQtrpkZ8u0S15WVhBX66UNo_0IbDbCQLnydpAVTVqArdpY=
zM9OMduD5c1XDPf5lq1nxnf-OucjhS4XXvdXpq7ilZj_15vpUWJ1" class=3D"m_-462164927=
0633772691css-sdwaa1" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(40,110,208)">my =
colleague Patricia Cohen writes,</a>=C2=A0expect the economy to be =E2=80=
=9Ckicked onto a path of lower growth and higher prices=E2=80=9D for some t=
ime to come.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;font-vari=
ant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:no=
rmal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-family:georgi=
a,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><span style=3D"font-weight:700">Trust and logi=
stics</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;font-vari=
ant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:no=
rmal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-family:georgi=
a,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">When the preliminary agreement to open the Str=
ait of Hormuz and lift the U.S. blockade was announced, the relief in marke=
ts was immediate. Oil prices fell to their lowest levels since early March.=
</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;f=
ont-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-st=
retch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-family:georgia,serif;colo=
r:rgb(51,51,51)">But as my colleague=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nl.nytimes.com=
/f/newsletter/PNaEr4eBtOR-gCksVdCTlg~~/AAAAARA~/ab1BE4W91U94OmoRWIV7gCWArpq=
ELT5FyfMwm2rVSK2um6qEq6CqUvPO706MeSP29dOS9TJznxlNui8gIOYkMQBegTlNFIXT-XiTFP=
wADdaxRBoiy99mjNEui8vKslZZMMCjfbx8-sIlme1V82vVepxXCEmwXlss1u1P8sJilfdcS05OA=
HndlT6W0SlJybWT5senvSXUqSx0aIUR9ED89dxfBa-abwSmpdluRF7tCIicV5VJSt3SIpWO_hnz=
9Fwhfs_KelN54HMWqYJnVHeKNHb1a6E57igSq3fRjk-AlTQrIonr1r4rjmFx_nF5zuMtZV8vjt9=
RL2b0gNaQOB0vLWF4IrwlWlt2z9D_XpqMrKS47IFjFG6-3VwDMs_lTxSNWGVOhxdaE1yPxOX3R8=
rWfg~~" class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-sdwaa1" target=3D"_blank" style=
=3D"color:rgb(40,110,208)">Rebecca Elliott writes</a>, getting substantial =
amounts of oil and gas actually flowing again will take a lot longer.</p><p=
 style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-si=
ze-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:=
normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(=
51,51,51)">In the best of times, it=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nl.nytimes.com/=
f/newsletter/79x4k6of1GmIPAy4_h2eDQ~~/AAAAARA~/Ai9NbwzRohQzonQ3ixvbdOjMe2l5=
PxNnkhP_upIkhcD5IE8waHDIsaVsl_w0hCMm2oh6kSf-MOL81sf17uL0NL-KCnFFASCpkwyKUhM=
W5bBvrR_tPkTm2TFy1AgbBqSjoLJtvHhuGQ6gZ9Shwwr3BVpH4Fn2MZlKA9uoVC8Q-PwqcBcWg6=
iKrhXBGj9umrn6zsZhdU3_hbEpjRroM7xQKsPY6aXqjax1Zhi7KlYf1Fseyt8UKmNVxskeaDHRD=
67HPdW0-HKPsOcdDWblZmHoHHNxwiuhe1KxE6l-S8HPypYsJJ7oOqHasK5ZM97W0IBRHkLcvdZB=
bsaFS-EvSUepfkO_MoVPFhwEtk2u44YlzqBqKQ-8HN-9eFdjnvwjmjP6Sab2tcBDqy3uK1X0Zzd=
8hD6CYyRPncOxTek_D8tp8_U~" class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-sdwaa1" targe=
t=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(40,110,208)">can take weeks or months</a>=
=C2=A0to get oil and gas from wells in the Middle East to buyers in China o=
r Japan, and these are far from the best of times.</p><table border=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;width:=
600px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center">=
<a href=3D"https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/PNaEr4eBtOR-gCksVdCTlg~~/AAA=
AARA~/ab1BE4W91U94OmoRWIV7gCWArpqELT5FyfMwm2rVSK2um6qEq6CqUvPO706MeSP29dOS9=
TJznxlNui8gIOYkMQBegTlNFIXT-XiTFPwADdaxRBoiy99mjNEui8vKslZZMMCjfbx8-sIlme1V=
82vVepxXCEmwXlss1u1P8sJilfdcS05OAHndlT6W0SlJybWT5senvSXUqSx0aIUR9ED89dxfBa-=
abwSmpdluRF7tCIicV5VJSt3SIpWO_hnz9Fwhfs_KelN54HMWqYJnVHeKNHb1a6E57igSq3fRjk=
-AlTQrIonr1r4rjmFx_nF5zuMtZV8vjt9RL2b0gNaQOB0vLWF4IrwlWlt2z9D_XpqMrKS47IFjF=
G6-3VwDMs_lTxSNWGVOhxdaE1yPxOX3R8rWfg~~" class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css=
-sdwaa1" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(40,110,208)"><img width=3D"50=
0" height=3D"625" class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-18ei5jy gmail-CToWUd" =
src=3D"https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/06/17/multimedia/17int-theworld=
-iran-economy-zhgq/17int-theworld-iran-economy-zhgq-jumbo-v2.jpg" alt=3D"A =
large black and red tanker ship is docked. Ropes stretch into the foregroun=
d, and a section of a yellow spool is on the right." style=3D"border: 0px; =
height: auto; line-height: 13px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; displ=
ay: inline-block; width: 498px; max-width: 500px; padding-top: 10px; paddin=
g-bottom: 8px;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-1b=
9cqt1" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center;width:600px;padd=
ing-bottom:15px;line-height:14px"><span class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-=
14cus5q" style=3D"display:inline-block;width:498px;max-width:500px;text-ali=
gn:left"><span style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,102);font-style:normal;font-varia=
nt:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:nor=
mal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:14px;line-height:normal;font-family:georg=
ia,serif">An oil tanker docked at the Port of Fujairah, in the United Arab =
Emirates.=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-vari=
ant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:no=
rmal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:11px;line-height:11px;font-family:georgi=
a,serif;color:rgb(136,136,136);letter-spacing:0.01em">Amr Alfiky/Reuters</s=
pan></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-s=
tyle:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;fon=
t-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25=
px;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">The strait is not yet ope=
n. There are concerns that it could be mined. When it does open, the first =
step will be getting out the hundreds of stranded vessels. That process alo=
ne could take weeks,=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/2E=
P00yv6NUmrKVd_Rbb8hg~~/AAAAARA~/qR0oWpPaotAc0faUf0u_g2uoyQDGqTPN5PWtX35i1sN=
Gd3zuA9LOWLkXzkfiKsfMkY7E8FxnAgF0iwwXQ9M7SBGZFKTZ-MQqUaWprQh9B-jVnTf_Cq7Wv1=
q4vUTCYWYZ_7euz9TdmymikD_AnqlLH60cwxL8KI9L1zlIjmAcGnwd0mRh7jXRdVghTl64m7opQ=
5P4hO7SVB_w-BL0HYsv-jfpM1X4ZSv_8w7gEa1zKN9PINborbUJqox2S46d9Ly22YIWin29Qb2m=
yCuSLspcEfmWY8ijOrM0oa1mn_zPrISFTkkqJRrbR2DppSebZMB0LuQOCbGjL_k4pwmbQuRe1oD=
alDF1TMNrBMpNaoinw6hX5OAI1ap-iO2mgOylliFVVZy8hSuSfgVefNaW0AJu5A~~" class=3D=
"m_-4621649270633772691css-sdwaa1" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(40,=
110,208)">U.S. officials say</a>.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-s=
tyle:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;fon=
t-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25=
px;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">The next step =E2=80=94 f=
iring up oil wells, refineries and other infrastructure that have been idle=
 for months =E2=80=94 is another difficult task. Fixing any infrastructure =
that was damaged in the war will take even more time, and money.</p><p styl=
e=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-ad=
just:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:norma=
l;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51=
,51)">For any of this to happen, energy producers in the Gulf need to trust=
 that the U.S.-Iranian deal will last. The best-case scenario for finding a=
 new equilibrium, Wael Sawan, the chief executive of Shell, told Rebecca, i=
s six to 12 months.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;fo=
nt-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-sett=
ings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-family=
:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">But restarting energy shipping isn=E2=
=80=99t just about getting trapped ships out through the Strait of Hormuz. =
It=E2=80=99s also about persuading shipping companies to come back=C2=A0<sp=
an style=3D"font-style:italic">in=C2=A0</span>=E2=80=94 and shipping execut=
ives are perhaps even more uneasy than energy executives. One told my colle=
ague Jenny Gross it would take weeks or even months for him to feel comfort=
able sending ships into the Persian Gulf again.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0=
px 15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-ke=
rning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;=
line-height:25px;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><span style=
=3D"font-weight:700">A new global economy</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0px =
0px 15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-k=
erning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px=
;line-height:25px;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">If the U.S=
. and Iran eventually reach an agreement that enough parties have faith in,=
 there=E2=80=99s a good chance that energy infrastructure in the Middle Eas=
t will eventually be rebuilt and that shipping will eventually rebound.</p>=
<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-=
size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretc=
h:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rg=
b(51,51,51)">But the war has altered the global economic order in ways that=
 already look permanent, or at least enduring.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0p=
x 15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-ker=
ning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;l=
ine-height:25px;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">The cost of =
shipping may have permanently gone up. Iran wants to=C2=A0<a href=3D"https:=
//nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/R61JHYxjn6ib4SdHmK5uMg~~/AAAAARA~/lMXF7DrxVOn=
7lZaUhJCF17_mGc158XNgkEmphwszFwKBaSAI3OF80ROsiDDOlcNaVK88IyC5ogRs8dlQO-ojlo=
aKoZfiqmXVeVqF44-278fgZvlnJbBjKwM5AgEFfQb26qnHEeu8KnnbpfcupL9TVWSv2eDBbHApV=
cFjQjjtWsDYt5y9QlNOWvrTirEdd-TQ5DAqng6bCVrA_uOvm4tIRXAoMiWdqXKF29jzWavuBf-f=
-6tuJM67PfP2Ckdb-WZcINEK8Vvo0LeAMIH77vPgG6UPW0R1Qc2NjHygmtvl3dBXjXnSxZpNtIw=
-9NfbSwST56mU0FhBAdfmRp5F9H7WMh4Uxzi8wqfs0gfGtfeBsSD0EXJPttG1Dr6mi1oq9W2Z" =
class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-sdwaa1" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color=
:rgb(40,110,208)">impose fees on ships</a>=C2=A0that pass through the Strai=
t of Hormuz, Patricia wrote. And the fact that it has demonstrated its powe=
r to disrupt shipping raises=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsl=
etter/Cr_yrJHdY5oO_f2jF-sxyw~~/AAAAARA~/uRRyhSWaUT-vp9ShxPS_r1AmgaixQSHQlMK=
wC809xrRe83Jqbq0W7rl2oVN68D0inVl2T_7nS7iQnOhuA5oWiVddih1jLOUlj1rjVV9h5sPrtC=
8wRGWHGHj-3eLoKVeadlWEiNZkJegEtIYWe1F2xEA26y39xBBtIjhwBPt_zZ2QDQVxAHjk3mEQj=
h65dTlzlwY6BLhx_jH36B3fajxlrfh3AfKvCaP4giq2ST255ADrBlN2deAgdqcPFcVnnrMp8RsV=
2UKED60gnYlQiaMmUjCQp8gsPcIXsneIQX4dlYYkyKo62FZ0FCp1DDD9yhjlEwb6pdROaL0n_XS=
E_VlnAo28yfUuIkxlvr6hAk5hNp-rMz2egRn3E0MkaVfs_j422JljgEA3GE0TSpw86Q9W_A~~" =
class=3D"m_-4621649270633772691css-sdwaa1" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color=
:rgb(40,110,208)">insurance costs</a>.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;f=
ont-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:aut=
o;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-heig=
ht:25px;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">The energy shock of =
the past four months is also =E2=80=9Csupercharging the hunt for alternativ=
es=E2=80=9D to Middle East oil and gas, as Patricia put it. A push toward r=
enewables looks likely to benefit China, the world leader in producing wind=
 turbines, batteries and solar panels. Russia, the second-largest producer =
of crude oil and gas after the U.S., has gotten a boost. And countries like=
 Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina and Guyana are all ramping up their=
 oil production capacities.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:n=
ormal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feat=
ure-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;fon=
t-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">The Gulf, a wealthy region that=
 includes major global trade and financial hubs, may never be the same. Att=
acks on five-star hotels and airports have shaken its image as a beacon of =
stability in a volatile region.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-sty=
le:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-=
feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px=
;font-family:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">Perhaps most importantly fo=
r many households, the world economy is no longer on the path it was on at =
the start of 2026. Back then, Patricia writes, economists were thinking abo=
ut upgrading their forecasts for the year. =E2=80=9CInflation was coming do=
wn, growth was picking up,=E2=80=9D the World Bank=E2=80=99s chief economis=
t, Indermit Gill, said.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 15px;font-style:norma=
l;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-=
settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:17px;line-height:25px;font-fa=
mily:georgia,serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)">Now, central banks around the globe=
 are=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/rR0H-XBTjKizEot7Z-=
Ju8w~~/AAAAARA~/o79vRfJnNEE-B3bCPRjT4wCcIoVhQdF3O0fA5feaLllpO0UiQC9QieP7OUY=
VfByAIKUWqvubYCvQzyVrxaTWEHaROdOt4-ZW-VxiHMkqVs1ZeHeembUCjIYJntmkVxERWc5qhV=
tx-cvtHqLgE8iUUR6DYZqXyEocbZmHgkAm-ioOCQBZU-VJ5jTGs-aMigUUpLBVkzAk5_30ZN5CG=
RYouQnHRKxwPvEEWHBac7h0tw_zhq6g7VRFZFbG_eROw2oYCxk1avR93-AVuCze2qjvzW1OBHGB=
GgHTHePHDdQsDMLfYG_t9-Rso2A4Zv057hNmxZoMmTspk_XucgxffATLTBvwPv3VB3yav25R_kR=
jRSc-jjjxaBuXtywoAFZFv5v91JenpwSsI0YdD_vzcjEyONSMqguqEeoZFVic7gKemK4LKJnzbf=
iUCxPMVIzjMPiOhpJ2iaWfGbuEOnE09d4izOOc6gNmkuHa-SkY1NeWAYI~" class=3D"m_-462=
1649270633772691css-sdwaa1" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(40,110,208=
)">raising interest rates</a>=C2=A0to combat inflation. The World Bank just=
 downgraded its global growth outlook. A year that started out promising lo=
oks likely to be painful. And that=E2=80=99s=C2=A0<span style=3D"font-style=
:italic">if</span>=C2=A0the deal holds.</p></div></div>

--00000000000042a69706546f9603--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 02:32:59 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 187DEB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:32:59 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 187DEB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="nAZcY/Iz"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 07C00BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:32:59 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ed1-f54.google.com (mail-ed1-f54.google.com
 [209.85.208.54])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id D9A53BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:32:58 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ed1-f54.google.com with SMTP id
 4fb4d7f45d1cf-6919f40a0c8so10305664a12.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:32:58 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781688777; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=cEl46Q2C4wY+Ythi7RBuy9goLlIXXWamz4fBlKneDRA8/FBaD1722c063IvNr82r8P
 uxzP0ZrjQ+s1m2e7UFn19v0u0HuMZcovaabH1IxiTVVzt/rlvpl7e2KEoapCw5eYc4nW
 VluhRluEgLWwCWBW0JsjWgB1DQZQ8RKEE+saxudKChOZOil2h/N7Ez7hBtpMy6l9xD9Q
 XBrD8fIUGTYx0cGuw+HNb0GrLp/+8odf/dMsYPJJ1SEKp/B36e/d9xw9Hd1iixqgqIzv
 pVHdqUTLU0W2B/d5obRHoGSQnPXEsMErNh8aPEMkp2n1u0igVNGYGSwJY+kp6ify9LGR
 cpuA==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=aPxO/tTr3Nb8oLorNT9vOaQrWjxRBsGa7oPI0nlxy9M=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=c+WJAK53fd2XBQEv82CL2GvNZbqFexeADJzzRsZWC4ZQMvlz6CGsDon6CivWKRuiCO
 8iwsioGhCsdq4jW3MedvY74zSRrUJdIX6hDXqtuuEoZxFv0BcRB7jVnKHjIvSTPQN7ju
 80+ov27HR0A0KTNlq6FUg3uNAh9Z4YGkLl2sX2FcPo51GAAB+AwyvHANRB0BkRfa6fLd
 UV1e8FhBBgOGCqkP1FQKzyowRAudWP+BJcd0GdHHGqPUFzgdljzGL8GxHQiQ9aUo3Oux
 fExHhLvutOBwhYJBzs4jcdoED9rplzL1WzZFKIv5C+OIO3RaRvtYmR9MKaZJvSKxwYVa
 yElA==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781688777; x=1782293577; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=aPxO/tTr3Nb8oLorNT9vOaQrWjxRBsGa7oPI0nlxy9M=;
 b=nAZcY/IzYesTLuRoy5eArin224VA/y05jroWmBdOyVhr7lG8VhZKYE41wzHRIW/jQA
 QVr5Cx/A1s1f8LyWxdYFK38i30yLtFa8BIKoINB9XbZOWuplyl0IPqk74gc8MyByW9Zi
 i7ZzaBvsdl0tScxHQYI3kriPhFWYC6T77HrS0bNKc4X14mmVo7LiTnlz+NeZGVc096EA
 2VCzU3V4AnjtodG5zimHuyvS/cibu4ClMBPQ4stprGf67jkYvgR3dzutyQ/Stn4dHgOk
 Sdw1e7x5WezLqEF36TdDAZFII28LP1BeQr8WgFYLush4ODacQA9Lc+TF0W7lNx31qmDr
 D5kQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781688777; x=1782293577;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=aPxO/tTr3Nb8oLorNT9vOaQrWjxRBsGa7oPI0nlxy9M=;
 b=hSn+Ad8HV2xU5Oh/L7aX47R64+MboFouBPWMdrEzAr+DWRW0X1n2WNNkKgtHPpWr54
 OBaJ46f7avlJH1AraRNBhZOSQNLUzQLss6Rsl21q4qC+3bYYm7GOJI69UnXqJXNIRRch
 iLfN/0E7ecaPLhHPow/eoZJVpEyPNxARnT9XoRzQ5KURkmUPU+n3ibcOqya9Wz7cShc6
 3CtiRFeYt6ExubWHDSEjEdsX7hSK2Dsau1lc8ktqtgm3aBb57C4pue1+Uu5wA4SPmu8R
 qadaPSZpOVb6F5tJhBkK7vDjeeKQU8yGFVp/oSHPOsaP9zpOUNxSe0HCxYQJYIO/2QFT
 pang==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Ywc5kKJM1aAv6Xnwj5+4gHCdbS7Rs7M5coIm5wpXDZ1yLc9pF7i
 3Bxi+XEhRupJtxnnYKpLNxad9MXkBith7oK8HF5gtZtENxMUxdoKaHoyuudEkwSmYk1cRRDi91f
 OZRy38VM81dBjFpGXZIVqrBkEqyO5hbZuaBnqi8k=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OFUZQbUWq+Rbqcj0u65pbqRcGp/m8BxsocqXCfUmZ8KOljIYu2bZN4nuUUfAW4
 zpllYNg62dubwgUNetXSiyhi0AHv+S1DShfgR6Wk4rQFRAQ6E+1XiRllMNPUGkyVPiJ8Sk3uzvc
 v3QyyzxbZ+wRV44eCtuKNl5qn/P1xX+nSgo6viu+muQcZw3nmNwOgh+6BdG5UN+l7v2abpjMSxb
 p1xoiqhyBcgvqIZ+jyOtRJeXJGu5/KONskC0iSmPspx6/Ekj+ccWrZkAhCVun5EgVFdEeXGxrLF
 FKhXKhHSkAD5q26pjbQvB1CNQzNVrmV5+Rwcw54ePyc/O+pQ8iGitl811GjAFSf7Un2Gqa1Udii
 tCocDeruTaeaupsIs8foYzTXNlDWoxDWv5vHe20oJ551mg9QvzmeftW58KUEPgTKvHPTUK3jxhi
 khCCbA3/sVEJ44ttUzokwKu1n7+RlOSlIs4klcr9D+F/3Ees31JSW7klRxFHIZ099HSk4jmslYO
 VRgNxeOfB8E7gOfmy/Z1iwo55XMIOWlGJmrYC6lRUoRMBg=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:d02:b0:be2:d66:eb4d with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a7abd063mr234645166b.44.1781688776927; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 02:32:56 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzB_yUOdZUCKatNMGQg-p9XU-joj3UUsfeGOgZAeA41QEw@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzB_yUOdZUCKatNMGQg-p9XU-joj3UUsfeGOgZAeA41QEw@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:32:39 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CczovcXPvsGLEzJzeP_NEWrL-BXHjnoQPwZYuW2Bk_klelNdOMAXVK0zaA
Message-ID: <CANbmmQn4a5GWTJjUmpvUNn6wk8Y27JM_Q6WG8+8ATe43ECc-Mw@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000a62cf106546fbe43"
Subject: [Salon] Haaretz editorial: "A Government Addicted to War,
 Blind to Its Limits (6/16/26)
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:32:59 -0000

--000000000000a62cf106546fbe43
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/2026-06-16/ty-article-opinion/a-=
government-addicted-to-war-blind-to-its-limits/0000019e-ccd2-d45a-ab9e-cdfa=
93870000
<https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/2026-06-16/ty-article-opinion/a-=
government-addicted-to-war-blind-to-its-limits/0000019e-ccd2-d45a-ab9e-cdfa=
93870000>*

*A Government Addicted to War, Blind to Its Limits - Haaretz Editorial*
[image: People return to their village following the announcement of an
initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, assessing
their destroyed house in southern Lebanon, Monday, June 15, 2026.]
*People return to their village following the announcement of an initial
ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, assessing their
destroyed house in southern Lebanon, Monday, June 15, 2026. Credit:
Mohammed Zaatari/AP *

*Israel's attempt to torpedo the agreement between the United States and
Iran didn't work out well. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thought that
attacking Beirut's Dahiyeh neighborhood on Sunday would result in an
Iranian attack on Israel and the resumption of war, but his plan failed.
Yet this fiasco by him and his government =E2=80=93 coupled with the possib=
ility
that in their next military adventure, it's not certain Israel will be able
to count on America =E2=80=93 didn't lead them to recognize the limits of f=
orce or
spawn any sense of humility in them.*

*The same folly is now repeating itself in Lebanon. Defense Minister Israel
Katz was quick to announce that Israel's presence in Lebanon would continue
"indefinitely," stressing, "we oppose an Israel Defense Forces withdrawal
from Lebanon." National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also joined this
dangerous display of arrogance, saying, "Trump's agreement is not binding"
on Israel. And how could they manage without the third leg of this triad of
destruction, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich? He asserted, "The agreement
with Iran is bad for Israel and for the entire free world ... We will be
put to the test in Lebanon. That is our war."*

*Instead of acceding to Lebanon's pragmatic, pro-Western government, which
has sought (in an unprecedented manner) to launch negotiations in an effort
to weaken Hezbollah, Israel preferred to continue fighting, weaken the
government and bolster Hezbollah's status. Netanyahu's insistence on not
withdrawing from southern Lebanon, even as he has been forced to engage in
bizarre negotiations conducted by ambassadors with no authority, is one of
the main reasons why Lebanon's government has been unable to secure any
achievements against Hezbollah.*
[image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a news conference,
following a U.S.-Iran deal, in Jerusalem, June 15, 2026.]
*Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a news conference,
following a U.S.-Iran deal, in Jerusalem, June 15, 2026. Credit: Ronen
Zvulun/ REUTERS*

*Israel appears to be trapped in a loop of strategic misunderstanding.
Netanyahu refuses to understand with regard to Lebanon today what he
refused to understand with regard to Iran earlier =E2=80=93 when he scorned=
 the
nuclear agreement U.S. President Barack Obama signed with Iran in 2015,
urged U.S. President Donald Trump to abandon that agreement three years
later (spurring Tehran to start amassing enriched uranium) and then pushed
for an attack on Iran twice over the last year. This he did even though
Washington forced Israel to halt the 12-day war last June, and even though
it was clear that when America resumed negotiations with Iran, the
positions were identical to what they had been before that war.*
*Netanyahu and his government refuse to recognize the limits of force and
the weakness of their own policies. By entrenching themselves in their
militarism, they are lengthening the list of victims. And by their
pointless confrontation with Trump, they are deepening the damage Israel is
incurring in America.*

*Instead of shutting down fronts, they insist on keeping them open. And
instead of enabling Israelis to lead somewhat normal lives after three
nightmarish years, they prefer to perpetuate the state of emergency. We
should never forget that Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas will continue to be our
enemies. But it's also possible to find new partners and, with them and
through them, pave paths to diplomatic agreements whose benefits would be
far greater.*

*The above article is Haaretz's lead editorial, as published in the Hebrew
and English newspapers in Israel.*

--000000000000a62cf106546fbe43
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/edito=
rial/2026-06-16/ty-article-opinion/a-government-addicted-to-war-blind-to-it=
s-limits/0000019e-ccd2-d45a-ab9e-cdfa93870000" target=3D"_blank">https://ww=
w.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/2026-06-16/ty-article-opinion/a-government-=
addicted-to-war-blind-to-its-limits/0000019e-ccd2-d45a-ab9e-cdfa93870000</a=
></font></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><=
b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"line=
-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rg=
b(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>A Government Addic=
ted to War, Blind to Its Limits - Haaretz Editorial</i></font></h1><div sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"People re=
turn to their village following the announcement of an initial ceasefire ag=
reement between the United States and Iran, assessing their destroyed house=
 in southern Lebanon, Monday, June 15, 2026. Credit: Mohammed Zaatari/AP" a=
lt=3D"People return to their village following the announcement of an initi=
al ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, assessing their =
destroyed house in southern Lebanon, Monday, June 15, 2026." width=3D"412" =
height=3D"239" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-cd37-d035-a3df-=
ddff66190000/d3/09/4c7127654438ba874a795f73d452/377825.jpg?&amp;width=3D420=
&amp;height=3D244&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display=
:block"></div></div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">People return to their vill=
age following the announcement of an initial ceasefire agreement between th=
e United States and Iran, assessing their destroyed house in southern Leban=
on, Monday, June 15, 2026.</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: Mohammed Zaatari/AP<=
span>=C2=A0</span></span></font></b><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27=
,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Israel&#39;s attempt to torpedo t=
he agreement between the United States and Iran didn&#39;t work out well. P=
rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thought that attacking Beirut&#39;s Dahiye=
h neighborhood on Sunday would result in an Iranian attack on Israel and th=
e resumption of war, but his plan failed. Yet this fiasco by him and his go=
vernment =E2=80=93 coupled with the possibility that in their next military=
 adventure, it&#39;s not certain Israel will be able to count on America =
=E2=80=93 didn&#39;t lead them to recognize the limits of force or spawn an=
y sense of humility in them.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color=
:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The same folly is now repe=
ating itself in Lebanon. Defense Minister Israel Katz was quick to announce=
 that Israel&#39;s presence in Lebanon would continue &quot;indefinitely,&q=
uot; stressing, &quot;we oppose an Israel Defense Forces withdrawal from Le=
banon.&quot; National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also joined this da=
ngerous display of arrogance, saying, &quot;<a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,21=
0);max-width:100%">Trump&#39;s agreement is not binding</a>&quot; on Israel=
. And how could they manage without the third leg of this triad of destruct=
ion, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich? He asserted, &quot;The agreement wi=
th Iran is bad for Israel and for the entire free world ... We will be put =
to the test in Lebanon. That is our war.&quot;</font></b></p><p style=3D"ma=
x-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Instead =
of acceding to Lebanon&#39;s pragmatic, pro-Western government, which has s=
ought (in an unprecedented manner) to launch negotiations in an effort to w=
eaken Hezbollah, Israel preferred to continue fighting, weaken the governme=
nt and bolster Hezbollah&#39;s status.<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"color:=
rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">Netanyahu&#39;s insistence on not withdrawi=
ng from southern Lebanon</a>, even as he has been forced to engage in bizar=
re negotiations conducted by ambassadors with no authority, is one of the m=
ain reasons why Lebanon&#39;s government has been unable to secure any achi=
evements against Hezbollah.</font></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><di=
v style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Ne=
tanyahu holds a news conference, following a U.S.-Iran deal, in Jerusalem, =
June 15, 2026. Credit:   Ronen Zvulun/ REUTERS" alt=3D"Israeli Prime Minist=
er Benjamin Netanyahu holds a news conference, following a U.S.-Iran deal, =
in Jerusalem, June 15, 2026." width=3D"412" height=3D"276" src=3D"https://i=
mg.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-cd38-d45a-ab9e-cdfa024d0000/6e/1e/e533b53f4674=
84bff0b1e923010f/381675.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D281&amp;cmsprod" =
style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><b><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margi=
n-bottom:0.25em">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a news con=
ference, following a U.S.-Iran deal, in Jerusalem, June 15, 2026.</span><sp=
an>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bott=
om:0.25em">Credit: Ronen Zvulun/ REUTERS</span></font></b><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Israel appe=
ars to be trapped in a loop of strategic misunderstanding. Netanyahu refuse=
s to understand with regard to Lebanon today what he refused to understand =
with regard to Iran earlier =E2=80=93 when he scorned the nuclear agreement=
 U.S. President Barack Obama signed with Iran in 2015, urged U.S. President=
 Donald Trump to abandon that agreement three years later (spurring Tehran =
to start amassing enriched uranium) and then pushed for an attack on Iran t=
wice over the last year. This he did even though Washington<span>=C2=A0</sp=
an><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">forced Israel to halt =
the 12-day war last June</a>, and even though it was clear that when Americ=
a resumed negotiations with Iran, the positions were identical to what they=
 had been before that war.</font></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%;color=
:rgb(27,27,27)"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><h3 style=3D"max-width:100%">=
<b style=3D"font-size:small;background-color:transparent"><font face=3D"geo=
rgia, serif">Netanyahu and his government refuse to recognize the limits of=
 force and the weakness of their own policies. By entrenching themselves in=
 their militarism, they are lengthening the list of victims. And by their p=
ointless confrontation with Trump, they are deepening the damage Israel is =
incurring in America.</font></b></h3></div></div><div style=3D"max-width:10=
0%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><p></p></div></div></div></div><p st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"=
>Instead of shutting down fronts, they insist on keeping them open. And ins=
tead of enabling Israelis to lead somewhat normal lives after three nightma=
rish years, they prefer to perpetuate the state of emergency. We should nev=
er forget that Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas will continue to be our enemies. B=
ut it&#39;s also possible to find new partners and, with them and through t=
hem, pave paths to diplomatic agreements whose benefits would be far greate=
r.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><em style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The above article is H=
aaretz&#39;s lead editorial, as published in the Hebrew and English newspap=
ers in Israel.</font></b></em></p></div></div>
</div>
</div>
</div></div>

--000000000000a62cf106546fbe43--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 02:36:06 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 3DA97B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:36:06 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 3DA97B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="s15R6u+C"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 3182CBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:36:06 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f51.google.com (mail-ej1-f51.google.com
 [209.85.218.51])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id E6556BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:36:05 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f51.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bec354815b9so520658866b.3
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:36:05 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781688964; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=ZP2Ub8Um/2a8D4flAhetVpwL7zNKpGOGxUVmLWJnyqDgcCjC7SgHcpTy5vkaQmeLDn
 /HSItH3jCMusmHMmrEHLjg+ybwQ2QAOAnCWLzzrMDWXI2gI3Q9LaH9VnUYNunXDWq9m+
 Vijh0osNIrAwsK2N8EjwH/Pe8+/5KSStv+luKmFgna542z1AEXQBSkhVammZHZBpgBFO
 0MCrxrGdy8ODOwfAhkoH0gNwy75/80N0cRJbp2yJ4Zla7I1KV9RL9eHFbA5wst90ukgK
 P+HWUH2Wf2LAMug8rzIUG5gJdIs4iwc/DmDArQ21+5CQB+JP5XFWeeec5P6QCSecGjPS
 4+ow==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=yTwSpssCNvpLFyh8R83wk0egK6O9ATIApx/e+FMy8cE=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=LyUI94tf8jGo4TvNzszwti6oWoRuoyhiXAwDIcpLX7ktVWR1++6dgHdOdbrZA0ghKM
 zi1RUGi4lKbxn6yqbsHSk+hibCfGH8EtvYUxgn/GJqa5nLphaPPAn+gsHj95ij8KKzvi
 fklq7LP4QtPnp4DfkDwMrTa5jy5G3M/WcZ/qKzaPwlIQAqXoGx3loh8vfZMbw9pSLcQk
 ffrnJCi6q5dQhsdJ0+n+1nNoSYWR93iVKs7UYs7/ZwUgoLl02qXDXLqFaYlq5hb5VLDt
 C809DvqsyKg0fzthUc3vufET+TJ0d6/vDIJKAv2KUMQ6r3XeLKInk/r1p+4wyMlkqZw1
 jZVw==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781688964; x=1782293764; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=yTwSpssCNvpLFyh8R83wk0egK6O9ATIApx/e+FMy8cE=;
 b=s15R6u+C/sTE267yGvOY+D02nBldHYDiFG0ZhQUSC3k+0PBqtr73BKtIlUu/bmhaH3
 qo3V3FTkkswniY5vq6XQlIZlp4LzdX/ZiauVyBfpuWQhXioTvB1sP85U1hVxTjPGq2QV
 0KjirW4uVRBI92dj3paTMLmUvQ98Wl5ppMC2IlZYvtZV3PBYqERR3JwRjtYunbBNI0N5
 TzRLXTsrXe6pfIjky2uuNY0Kj62qG1Z7dZ4Mmb4jk9tNb+bdxfxwwu2p5dyxfBghTMb8
 EkInyE8p1krGsaoq1pzEfTlrV2aX1Mc4tUP1+QYQczb/MxXH6IvuPrcRcc9jnnTvOaC/
 cjkw==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781688964; x=1782293764;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=yTwSpssCNvpLFyh8R83wk0egK6O9ATIApx/e+FMy8cE=;
 b=h2ZRoreBvtLyYJo7d//1DPS1LGbwm/brwf3jGtTf7PCq2CjGdnaCAEDEzQYayE4Tgn
 VzWk55I9a7KeseyCrOywJ5wShkBvuFgXLb3szrxSHUT0qT8frZ74n/klcPg9QFKeHW7A
 T6xw8LSGlPLOp1ll9tNWMo92yWeOcyQhXGoelchj0AMo5QIsi5l+nGccVMXvCshuAHow
 Z8n8ASKfT6Qu6x2daOHv6+V8/UT86pAGSiuv51uhW4UKe81kUP1g5TjRgJsF0yLFh9Ms
 5U11euKNemoHxcn/Sen4rbrbjA292oLt0xZdrURHzNrP9MRf7cHjuDGqkQONwnIvsKOJ
 pLOQ==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YwI3Lh9AF2n7OkpeDeLIPyF+562k9XtFbM2A7JQyIWsANHf/4/B
 kh7wzlrzR7cunGv4yRuLvyFKstGwXlcJpZpW9YOk+J6NuJOoNAJGHpMW+fABIxzgOy35HZw78Ki
 +Vlte4ZCjiCzUzusClFvHdpqBBx0RZCQmwxJ8+NmUqQ==
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OH+VRXhe8fPFpu3Lm/NAMwFRXm8JmKbKdH/BKhUTsGAwAVju9X0xXdvcDZQIcD
 f4NcHAS0+zEKR2ItlbD1UCP2Q8nE8jEFx1+FSwHS+451o3xP0toukl54ZLtCTdsLT7DMEiYxAom
 CfURroHj+m+ZsBXEdmUQN7eFhCR0ansBhaHNnx7J8cZlErdLTL/oPB8pbCVP5YqiLZWFxo0SDub
 hjOSByrzVRCrbK2gvuij7U0Ok5NplKSKkbRMq4gv+LoxHB8CciCDe2JHcKmP2Gg53eXv59LaHOi
 kuusqGzivBco8DPK3b0STuyILob//obrcyeNC8Eaw0DYaTgYoIL/KewXcx14bJCU4/J8Omy5aBZ
 lMxjfbvE0xa9FFhUY+oiHdlDKpGuc6BSZPIBMAQQLuQCOdwV6y/mFVBN9N632whrsoFl+7Gug0b
 P17QQBApwyw5KycTL16ETiQWitahjk/gLfFNy6I8Sa+SchfydSVgGjWs9o9zklPnbt7WMvkHoXw
 4MwONg4rY+Po1ddy5Kf+H37FjYBCfeD0C/lWzTZYOUW4JE=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:906:f5a8:b0:bed:8f7e:d84b with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05d2ca301fmr155555966b.43.1781688963746; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 02:36:03 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:35:47 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cdd6FexEpxYzrK6chWkMRDhY8fJTqpHRKoKJWvM1rAASbcT1-MU13EV5XU
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=sTrmxepRBJwDxkZdYrQQF1z2=YKdxYMhVjMh54_C2xA@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000c8d12e06546fc958"
Subject: [Salon] Trump Is Losing the Hawks Who Once Defended the Iran War
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:36:06 -0000

--000000000000c8d12e06546fc958
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Trump Is Losing the Hawks Who Once Defended the Iran War
Many of the conservatives who cheered on the president worry that the peace
agreement doesn=E2=80=99t go far enough to deter Iran

By
Philip Wegmann <https://www.wsj.com/news/author/philip-wegmann>

 and
Lindsay Wise <https://www.wsj.com/news/author/lindsay-wise>

Updated June 16, 2026   The Wall Street Journal



[image: Senator Lindsey Graham walking in a hallway, pointing his finger
while surrounded by other people.]Sen. Lindsey Graham said he wants to see
the text of the agreement, saying =E2=80=99the way Iran describes it is awf=
ul.=E2=80=99 Tom
Williams/CQ Roll Call/ZUMA Press

Quick Summary

   -

   -

   -


<https://www.wsj.com/news/author/wsj-artificialintelligencetools>

   -

   Hawkish conservatives fear President Trump=E2=80=99s preliminary peace d=
eal with
   Iran will embolden Tehran and undermine U.S.-Israeli interests.View more

WASHINGTON=E2=80=94Many of the hawkish conservatives who rushed to Presiden=
t
Trump=E2=80=99s defense at the beginning of the war with Iran
<https://www.wsj.com/topics/place/iran> now fear he is at risk of losing at
the negotiating table, emboldening Tehran and setting back joint
U.S.-Israeli interests in the process.

Early details, such as reports that a preliminary peace deal eventually
could unlock billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds, have turned once
loyal allies into critics. They worry the deal doesn=E2=80=99t do enough to=
 curb
Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear ambitions and offers economic relief to Tehran that =
could
allow the regime to rebuild its missile arsenal. Some Trump allies have
expressed frustration in recent days that the administration hadn=E2=80=99t=
 yet
released the text of the agreement the president announced Sunday.

Two influential voices who have privately advised Trump throughout the
war=E2=80=94retired Army Gen. Jack Keane, a Fox News contributor, and Marc
Thiessen, a onetime chief speechwriter for former President George W.
Bush=E2=80=94have raised pointed concerns about the deal.

=E2=80=9CI can=E2=80=99t square some of the things that are coming out of t=
he
administration from reliable sources. That=E2=80=99s what I find so disturb=
ing,=E2=80=9D
Keane told Fox News on Monday night. Thiessen called early reports about
the agreement =E2=80=9Cutterly disastrous.=E2=80=9D Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.=
, S.C.), another
hawkish adviser to Trump, has said he is eager to see the text of the deal.

Senior Trump administration officials said the U.S. and Iran have discussed
sanctions relief, restoring Tehran=E2=80=99s access to some of its estimate=
d $100
billion in frozen funds and a $300 billion fund to facilitate
reconstruction and repair of war damage. Officials have said Iran won=E2=80=
=99t
receive taxpayer money.

A U.S. official said Iran will only get access to frozen funds if it can
demonstrate that it will abide by the terms of the agreement, including by
neutralizing its highly enriched uranium and reopening the Strait of
Hormuz. The official pushed back on criticism from conservative hawks,
arguing that the deal meets the president=E2=80=99s objectives and ensures =
that
Iran won=E2=80=99t obtain a nuclear weapon.
Trump: All Hell Will Rain Down if Iran Gets Nuclear Weapon
You may also like
Click for Sound
Speaking on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting, President Trump said the deal
with Iran was =E2=80=98fair=E2=80=99 but Tehran would face the =E2=80=98ult=
imate consequences=E2=80=99 if
they acquired a nuclear weapon. Photo: Mandel Ngan/Agence
France-Presse/Getty Images

Trump=E2=80=99s allies on Capitol Hill have stopped short of openly critici=
zing the
deal, but have said they need more information. Under federal law, Congress
has the power to review any Iran nuclear deal and potentially vote on it.

=E2=80=9CI want to see it myself,=E2=80=9D Graham said of the preliminary a=
greement. =E2=80=9CThe way
Iran describes it is awful
<https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/what-iran-and-the-u-s-are-saying-abo=
ut-their-deal-f7796213?mod=3Darticle_inline>.
The way we describe it makes sense to me,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CLet=E2=
=80=99s look at it and
see what it actually is.=E2=80=9D Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.=
D.) said
Tuesday that Senate Republicans had requested the text of the agreement
along with briefings from the administration. =E2=80=9CThey=E2=80=99ve got =
to, you know,
get this in front of us, and hopefully this will happen sooner rather than
later,=E2=80=9D Thune said.

While details remain murky, a more concrete picture of the preliminary
agreement is starting to emerge. The memorandum of understanding includes
an extended pause in the fighting, lifts the U.S. and Iranian blockades in
the Strait of Hormuz and sets the stage for extended talks on Iran=E2=80=99=
s
nuclear program. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Tuesday
<https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/the-trump-iran-deal-allows-tehran-to=
-immediately-sell-oil-37a1ebe5?amp%3Breflink=3Darticle_copyURL_share&mod=3D=
article_inline>
that
the deal allows Iran to immediately begin selling oil and fuel.

Vice President JD Vance did a round of television interviews this week to
sell the agreement and push back on the criticism. =E2=80=9CIranians don=E2=
=80=99t get a
dime unless they behave and change their behavior,=E2=80=9D Vance said Mond=
ay
evening during a Fox News interview. He stressed that the reconstruction
fund would come from Gulf states in the region, not the U.S.

Tensions among Trump=E2=80=99s outside advisers over the deal have spilled =
into
public view.

When Mark Levin, a Trump ally, called on the administration to release the
text of the deal, former Trump campaign aide Alex Bruesewitz chastised the
Fox News host on social media, accusing him of panicking unnecessarily.
Levin, whom Trump previously praised for his analysis of the Iran war,
replied that Bruesewitz was =E2=80=9Ca fool.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CIf the president signed a bad deal, many of us who cheered and sto=
od by
him and thought that his action in Iran was heroic, will be extraordinarily
disappointed,=E2=80=9D Ben Shapiro, the popular conservative commentator, s=
aid in
an interview. =E2=80=9CIt is not enough to win the first half of the basket=
ball
game.=E2=80=9D he said, =E2=80=9CYou have to close it out.=E2=80=9D

The unpopular war has dragged down Trump=E2=80=99s approval ratings and fra=
ctured
part of the coalition that catapulted him to the presidency a second time.
Both Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, influential conservative podcasters
who campaigned on his behalf, earned a Trump rebuke and MAGA exile after
they blasted the Iran war as a betrayal of an America-first foreign policy
inspired by Israel. Now, the path to peace threatens to alienate the more
hawkish conservatives who stuck with the president during the conflict.
[image: Conservative radio host Erick Erickson speaks at his conservative
political conference.]Conservative radio host Erick Erickson, seen in 2023,
has called the preliminary deal =E2=80=98an American surrender.=E2=80=99 CH=
ENEY ORR/REUTERS

=E2=80=9CIf the only people who end up liking this deal are the people who =
have
spent months screaming at Trump for taking on a 47-year enemy of the U.S.=
=E2=80=A6.
then it will be, definitionally, a bad deal,=E2=80=9D Shapiro said.

At issue for hawkish conservatives is whether enough of Trump=E2=80=99s sta=
ted war
aims have been achieved. While Trump regularly argues the Iranian regime
has been downgraded and its military destroyed, critics of the deal contend
that the =E2=80=9Cunconditional surrender=E2=80=9D the president promised t=
o force on the
Iranians at the beginning of the conflict hasn=E2=80=99t arrived. Conservat=
ive
talk-radio host Erick Erickson opened his program Monday by condemning the
deal as =E2=80=9Can American surrender.=E2=80=9D

Erickson predicted that Tehran would ultimately emerge emboldened by its
ability to choke off global oil supplies in the Strait of Hormuz and by
reconstruction dollars that come from a peace deal. =E2=80=9CThey beat Iran
militarily and are now going to surrender at the negotiating table,=E2=80=
=9D he
said of the administration in an interview.

A phalanx of pro-Israel columnists and podcasters had fended off attacks on
Trump=E2=80=99s right flank for months. But their private group chats began=
 to
light up over the weekend as the president prepared to celebrate his 80th
birthday with an Ultimate Fighting Championship cage match on the South
Lawn of the White House. The concern communicated over calls and texts was
that Trump only had an appetite for a winning headline, not the kind of
enduring peace in the Middle East they think can only be achieved by
permanently cowing Iran.

=E2=80=9CThe cardinal sin of American foreign policy for decades is not fin=
ishing
what we started,=E2=80=9D Josh Hammer, a conservative Newsweek columnist, s=
aid,
adding, =E2=80=9CTrump has earned enough credibility on Iran to continue to=
 earn
the benefit of the doubt for at least a smidgen longer.=E2=80=9D

Not all pro-Israel conservatives have expressed concerns about the deal.
Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, who chairs the Republican Jewish
Coalition, said he was waiting to see what was in the deal, but wouldn=E2=
=80=99t
=E2=80=9Cat this point be second-guessing the president, who has been the b=
est
friend that the Jewish state has had in the White House.=E2=80=9D

Vance, one of the administration=E2=80=99s most prominent skeptics of forei=
gn wars,
is scheduled to travel Friday to Switzerland to sign the deal that he
helped negotiate. It could be both a crowning achievement of his time in
office=E2=80=94and, potentially, a political liability as he mulls his own =
White
House ambitions.

=E2=80=9CThe American people don=E2=80=99t like war, they like even less lo=
sing wars,=E2=80=9D
cautioned Shapiro. =E2=80=9CIf this deal is perceived as an American loss, =
and the
vice president brokered that deal then the political consequences will be
significant.=E2=80=9D

Vance has dismissed the =E2=80=9Cpropagandists=E2=80=9D who are worried tha=
t Iran is
getting too much in the deal.

=E2=80=9CThe big print in the actual agreement,=E2=80=9D the vice president=
 told Fox News
Tuesday morning, =E2=80=9Cis they don=E2=80=99t get any of that stuff unles=
s they totally
transform themselves as a country, and if they do, that=E2=80=99s a huge wi=
n for
everybody.=E2=80=9D

Copyright =C2=A92026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

Appeared in the June 17, 2026, print edition as 'Tehran Accord Draws Doubts
>From Hawks'.

--000000000000c8d12e06546fc958
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail-article-header gmail-css-cnekfb e1opct=
qs5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-top:32px;margin-bottom:25px;dire=
ction:ltr;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Retina,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;fo=
nt-size:17px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-j6808u e11lw8gk12" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin-left:10px;margin-right:10px"><div class=3D"gmail-crawle=
r gmail-css-1mmb8lj-StyledBox e1vnmyci0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><d=
iv class=3D"gmail-css-l74hns-StyledBox e1vnmyci0" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin-bottom:8px"><h1 class=3D"gmail-css-1mag4xw-StyledHeadline-Styl=
ed-Styled-Styled emwm06f0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-s=
ize:40px;line-height:40px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:&quot;Escrow Comp=
ressed&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif">Trump Is Losing the Hawks W=
ho Once Defended the Iran War</h1></div><h2 class=3D"gmail-css-eq0jiq-Norma=
lDek-NormalDek-Styled-Styled-Styled emwm06f0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;color:rgb(85,85,85);direction:ltr;font-size:18px;line-height:1=
.25;font-weight:400">Many of the conservatives who cheered on the president=
 worry that the peace agreement doesn=E2=80=99t go far enough to deter Iran=
</h2></div></div></div><div id=3D"gmail-cx-articlecover" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box"></div><div class=3D"gmail-crawler gmail-css-j6808u e11lw8gk12=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:10px;margin-right:10px"><div c=
lass=3D"eew040j1 gmail-css-1rqaeba" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;directio=
n:ltr"><div class=3D"eh42cdm6 gmail-css-4nm965-AuthoringContainer" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;height:auto;width:620px"><div class=3D"=
gmail-css-1th2wme" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-flex"><div=
 class=3D"eh42cdm5 gmail-css-5h3nb1-AuthoringContent" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box;width:234.2px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-159gcdb" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;display:flex;height:auto"><div class=3D"gmail-css-11k10ko" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-flex"><div class=3D"epvx9354 gm=
ail-css-nb8fez-BylineContainer" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;f=
ont-family:Retina,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:20p=
x;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px;color:rgb(34,34,=
34)"><p class=3D"epvx9352 gmail-css-1fmy8f5-AuthorPlaintext" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px;display:inline">By=C2=A0</p><a href=3D"https://=
www.wsj.com/news/author/philip-wegmann" target=3D"_self" aria-label=3D"Auth=
or page for Philip Wegmann" class=3D"epvx9353 gmail-css-1y23mou-AuthorLink"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><=
span class=3D"gmail-css-17x5lw" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex=
;height:20px"><span class=3D"gmail-css-1wc2zh5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;display:block">Philip Wegmann</span></span></a><p class=3D"e=
pvx9352 gmail-css-1fmy8f5-AuthorPlaintext" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;display:inline">=C2=A0and=C2=A0</p><a href=3D"https://www.wsj.com=
/news/author/lindsay-wise" target=3D"_self" aria-label=3D"Author page for L=
indsay Wise" class=3D"epvx9353 gmail-css-1y23mou-AuthorLink" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;display:inline-block;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span class=3D"g=
mail-css-17x5lw" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;height:20px"><=
span class=3D"gmail-css-1wc2zh5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
display:block">Lindsay Wise</span></span></a></div></div></div><div class=
=3D"gmail-css-11paagg" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-=
css-125u1fj" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;height:10.8px"><di=
v class=3D"gmail-css-1o99qvy" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline=
-flex"><div class=3D"gmail-css-nr8oy5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;displ=
ay:flex;height:auto"><p class=3D"es486sg1 gmail-css-1r8enoi-TimeTag" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(111,111,111);font-family:Ret=
ina,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;letter-spaci=
ng:0px;font-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px;display:inline-block"><span st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box">Updated=C2=A0</span>June 16, 2026=C2=A0 =C2=
=A0The Wall Street Journal</p><p class=3D"es486sg1 gmail-css-1r8enoi-TimeTa=
g" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(111,111,111);font-fa=
mily:Retina,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;lett=
er-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px;display:inline-block">=
<br></p><p class=3D"es486sg1 gmail-css-1r8enoi-TimeTag" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(111,111,111);font-family:Retina,Arial,Helv=
etica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;letter-spacing:0px;font-st=
retch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px;display:inline-block"><br></p></div></div></=
div></div></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-media-layout gmail-cs=
s-13plya0-Layout-baseCss ertdlv30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;backgroun=
d-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repe=
at:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box;width:62=
0px;margin:0px 32px 22px 0px;clear:both"><span class=3D"gmail-css-u314cv" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:block;padding-top:0px;height:auto;wid=
th:620px;border-radius:0px"><img alt=3D"Senator Lindsey Graham walking in a=
 hallway, pointing his finger while surrounded by other people." width=3D"7=
00" height=3D"467" src=3D"https://images.wsj.net/im-12833277?width=3D700&am=
p;height=3D467" class=3D"gmail-css-1hzqsjo" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box=
; opacity: 1; display: block; border-radius: inherit; margin-bottom: 8px; m=
ax-width: 100%; width: 620px; height: auto;"></span><span class=3D"e1m33gv8=
0 gmail-css-426zcb-CaptionSpan e1m33gv81" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;fo=
nt-size:14px;line-height:1.42857;margin-bottom:4px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font=
-family:Retina,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:n=
ormal">Sen. Lindsey Graham said he wants to see the text of the agreement, =
saying =E2=80=99the way Iran describes it is awful.=E2=80=99=C2=A0</span><s=
pan class=3D"gmail-css-7jz429-Credit eq0esvu0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;direction:ltr;font-size:12px;line-height:1.42857;text-transform:uppercas=
e;color:rgb(111,111,111);font-family:Retina,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;lett=
er-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal">Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/ZUMA Press</s=
pan></div><div class=3D"gmail-media-layout gmail-css-13plya0-Layout-baseCss=
 ertdlv30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-image:none;background-=
position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-ori=
gin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box;width:620px;margin:32px 32px 22p=
x 0px;clear:both"><div class=3D"gmail-css-15uf6ki" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;border-color:rgb(235,235,235);border-style:solid;border-width:0.8px;=
border-radius:8px;width:620px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1oteowz" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box"><h3 class=3D"gmail-css-18mb4bh" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px"><button aria-expanded=3D"false" aria-controls=3D"nk-1-=
content" id=3D"gmail-nk-1-control" class=3D"gmail-css-1l0mm0c" style=3D"mar=
gin:0px;width:586.4px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(34,34,34)=
;border-color:rgb(34,34,34);border-width:0.8px;font-family:Retina,Arial,Hel=
vetica,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;font-weight:500;letter-spa=
cing:0px;font-style:normal;font-stretch:normal;display:flex;border-style:no=
ne"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1gwez8i" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;text-al=
ign:start;margin-right:8px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-kvi38l" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;letter-spacing:0=
px;font-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px;display:flex;max-height:24px"><p c=
lass=3D"gmail-css-1yyu7y3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddin=
g-top:3px">Quick Summary</p></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1cwczap" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex"></div></button></h3><div class=
=3D"gmail-nk-accordion-exit-done gmail-css-84bues" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;overflow:hidden;max-height:0px"><div aria-labelledby=3D"nk-1-control=
" id=3D"gmail-nk-1-content" role=3D"region" class=3D"gmail-css-goxws4" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border-style:none;border-color:rgb(34,34,34);bor=
der-width:0.8px"><div aria-disabled=3D"true" disabled class=3D"gmail-css-17=
6uobr" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><ul role=3D"list" class=3D"gmail-css=
-17pafyp" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;list-style:=
none"><li class=3D"gmail-css-czt13m" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div c=
lass=3D"gmail-css-143fi60" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:24p=
x;display:flex"><div aria-hidden=3D"true" class=3D"gmail-css-9z9f5y" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);margin-right:8px"></div><p cl=
ass=3D"gmail-css-rarnh9" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rg=
b(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:14px;line-height:2=
0px;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px"></p></div></l=
i><li class=3D"gmail-css-czt13m" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div class=
=3D"gmail-css-143fi60" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:24px;di=
splay:flex"><div aria-hidden=3D"true" class=3D"gmail-css-9z9f5y" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);margin-right:8px"></div><p class=
=3D"gmail-css-rarnh9" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(3=
4,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:14px;line-height:20px=
;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px"></p></div></li><=
li class=3D"gmail-css-czt13m" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D=
"gmail-css-1y1odwv" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex"><div aria-=
hidden=3D"true" class=3D"gmail-css-9z9f5y" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;c=
olor:rgb(34,34,34);margin-right:8px"></div><p class=3D"gmail-css-rarnh9" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exc=
hange,Georgia,serif;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;letter-spacing:0px;font=
-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px"></p></div></li></ul><p class=3D"gmail-cs=
s-mojrp6" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(111,111,111);=
font-family:Retina,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:18=
px;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px"><a href=3D"htt=
ps://www.wsj.com/news/author/wsj-artificialintelligencetools" tabindex=3D"-=
1" class=3D"gmail-css-1awxlyl" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inlin=
e;color:rgb(34,34,34)"></a></p></div></div></div></div><ul role=3D"list" cl=
ass=3D"gmail-css-17pafyp" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;list-style:none"><li class=3D"gmail-css-czt13m" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1y1odwv" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;d=
isplay:flex"><div aria-hidden=3D"true" class=3D"gmail-css-9z9f5y" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);margin-right:8px"></div><p class=
=3D"gmail-css-rarnh9" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(3=
4,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:14px;line-height:20px=
;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px"><span class=3D"g=
mail-css-1elmi0c" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:block"><span class=
=3D"gmail-css-c83my8" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:572.4px;overflow=
:hidden;display:-webkit-box;text-overflow:ellipsis">Hawkish conservatives f=
ear President Trump=E2=80=99s preliminary peace deal with Iran will embolde=
n Tehran and undermine U.S.-Israeli interests.</span><a class=3D"gmail-css-=
1k43ryz" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline;text-decoration:unde=
rline;font-weight:bold">View more</a></span></p></div></li></ul></div></div=
><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;col=
or:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size=
:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">WASHINGTON=E2=80=94Many of the hawkish conservati=
ves who rushed to President Trump=E2=80=99s defense at the beginning of the=
 war with=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.wsj.com/topics/place/iran" target=3D"=
_blank" class=3D"ekxajjj0 gmail-css-i0lbhy-OverridedLink" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;display:inline;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-decoration:none;borde=
r-bottom:1px solid rgb(34,34,34)">Iran</a>=C2=A0now fear he is at risk of l=
osing at the negotiating table, emboldening Tehran and setting back joint U=
.S.-Israeli interests in the process.=C2=A0</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2=
u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:lt=
r;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">Ear=
ly details, such as reports that a preliminary peace deal eventually could =
unlock billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds, have turned once loyal =
allies into critics. They worry the deal doesn=E2=80=99t do enough to curb =
Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear ambitions and offers economic relief to Tehran that =
could allow the regime to rebuild its missile arsenal. Some Trump allies ha=
ve expressed frustration in recent days that the administration hadn=E2=80=
=99t yet released the text of the agreement the president announced Sunday.=
</p><div class=3D"gmail-paywall gmail-css-1u1nl00-PaywalledContentContainer=
 e1qcjy9n0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u e=
ew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;f=
ont-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">Two in=
fluential voices who have privately advised Trump throughout the war=E2=80=
=94retired Army Gen. Jack Keane, a Fox News contributor, and Marc Thiessen,=
 a onetime chief speechwriter for former President=C2=A0George W. Bush=E2=
=80=94have raised pointed concerns about the deal.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css=
-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direc=
tion:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1=
em">=E2=80=9CI can=E2=80=99t square some of the things that are coming out =
of the administration from reliable sources. That=E2=80=99s what I find so =
disturbing,=E2=80=9D Keane told Fox News on Monday night. Thiessen called e=
arly reports about the agreement =E2=80=9Cutterly disastrous.=E2=80=9D Sen.=
=C2=A0Lindsey Graham=C2=A0(R., S.C.), another hawkish adviser to Trump, has=
 said he is eager to see the text of the deal.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg=
6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction=
:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">=
Senior Trump administration officials said the U.S. and Iran have discussed=
 sanctions relief, restoring Tehran=E2=80=99s access to some of its estimat=
ed $100 billion in frozen funds and a $300 billion fund to facilitate recon=
struction and repair of war damage. Officials have said Iran won=E2=80=99t =
receive taxpayer money.=C2=A0</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:=
Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">A U.S. official s=
aid Iran will only get access to frozen funds if it can demonstrate that it=
 will abide by the terms of the agreement, including by neutralizing its hi=
ghly enriched uranium and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The official push=
ed back on criticism from conservative hawks, arguing that the deal meets t=
he president=E2=80=99s objectives and ensures that Iran won=E2=80=99t obtai=
n a nuclear weapon.</p><div class=3D"gmail-media-layout gmail-css-c4tfi7-La=
yout-baseCss ertdlv30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 32px 16px =
0px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;ba=
ckground-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border=
-box;clear:both;float:left;width:300px"><div id=3D"gmail-videoAB999044-DD8E=
-4380-BF42-B996006596C7" class=3D"gmail-css-ealaep gmail-video-player gmail=
-null" aria-label=3D"Trump: All Hell Will Rain Down if Iran Gets Nuclear We=
apon" tabindex=3D"-1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;height:533.4px;margin-=
bottom:8px;padding-bottom:533.4px;background-size:contain;background-positi=
on:center center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-color:rgb(0,0,0);wi=
dth:300px"><div id=3D"gmail-wrapper-videoAB999044-DD8E-4380-BF42-B996006596=
C7" class=3D"gmail-video-wrapper gmail-player-tiny gmail-vertical" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;height:533.4px;width:300px;background-image:initial;=
background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initi=
al;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;overflow:hidden"><div =
class=3D"gmail-video-inner" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;height:533.4px;w=
idth:300px"><div style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div id=3D"gmail-video-tit=
le-videoAB999044-DD8E-4380-BF42-B996006596C7" class=3D"gmail-styles__videoT=
itleContainer_yxrznMmvlIV9qj6yFBzx gmail-video-fade-out gmail-styles__verti=
calTitleContainer_c6Q9x4pEIpUKNGE8dA4g" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;widt=
h:300px;height:533.4px;background:0px 0px;opacity:0"><div class=3D"gmail-st=
yles__videoTitle_U9SYiPmz2RCZ5XleRocg" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0px;line-height:20px;color:rgb(255,255=
,255);font-family:&quot;Escrow Condensed&quot;,Georgia,serif;opacity:0;font=
-size:16px;padding:100px 30px 75px;height:auto;background:linear-gradient(r=
gba(10,10,10,0) 0px,rgba(10,10,10,0.8) 30%,rgb(10,10,10) 100%)">Trump: All =
Hell Will Rain Down if Iran Gets Nuclear Weapon</div></div><div class=3D"gm=
ail-styles__modal_ouBuFdfx93f8ydRarEXC gmail-styles__slide_e70vZMOa09mBjMrB=
mdAj gmail-styles__fadeOut_vqMZIKZ36Cy7RXhKtcCQ" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;padding:10px;background-color:rgba(34,34,34,0.75);opacity:0;width:466p=
x;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-styles__textContainer_enbjNc5svJOoQXsXe=
FKz" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-styles__headerText=
_sD85A3OjA2vB9TNiy9xo" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-family:&quot;Ret=
ina Narrow&quot;,Retina,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:rgb=
(244,244,244);text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1px">You may also lik=
e</div><div class=3D"gmail-styles__videoTitle_bGCgyfA5eWEJpfv0UBMn" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-family:&quot;Escrow Condensed&quot;,Georgia,=
serif;font-size:22px;font-weight:700;line-height:22px;color:rgb(255,255,255=
)"></div></div><button tabindex=3D"-1" class=3D"gmail-styles__closeBtn_KsjP=
RqwU0rq0xeRVsak8" style=3D"margin:0px;height:11px;background-image:initial;=
background-position:0px 0px;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initi=
al;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;border-width:0px;borde=
r-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;padding:0px;width:11px"></button></d=
iv><div id=3D"gmail-adContainer-videoAB999044-DD8E-4380-BF42-B996006596C7" =
class=3D"gmail-styles__container_RMJhcW_K8zjzIA0pSp78" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;height:533.4px;width:300px;overflow:hidden"><div class=3D"gmail-=
styles__topBackground_p6vEi5z8NSK59rb73YYw" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
background:linear-gradient(to top,rgba(34,34,34,0) 0px,rgba(34,34,34,0.11) =
38%,rgba(34,34,34,0.33) 100%);border-radius:0px;height:132px;width:300px"><=
/div></div><div id=3D"gmail-video-controls-container-videoAB999044-DD8E-438=
0-BF42-B996006596C7" class=3D"gmail-video-controls-container" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;width:300px;height:130px"><div class=3D"gmail-video-contr=
ols-background gmail-video-fade-out" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;height:=
130px;width:300px;background:linear-gradient(-180deg,transparent 0px,rgba(0=
,0,0,0.11) 19%,rgba(0,0,0,0.33) 50%,rgba(0,0,0,0.9) 100%);opacity:0"><div i=
d=3D"gmail-video-controls-videoAB999044-DD8E-4380-BF42-B996006596C7" class=
=3D"gmail-video-controls" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;opacity:0;display:=
flex;width:300px;padding:0px 11px 0px 20px;height:52px;line-height:46px;dir=
ection:ltr"><button type=3D"button" aria-label=3D"Play" class=3D"gmail-vide=
o-play-pause gmail-f-l" style=3D"margin:15px 15px 0px 0px;border-width:0px;=
border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;background-image:initial;backgr=
ound-position:0px 0px;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;bac=
kground-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;opacity:0.8;height:32px;text=
-align:inherit;font-size:17px;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;paddi=
ng:0px"></button><div id=3D"gmail-video-volume-videoAB999044-DD8E-4380-BF42=
-B996006596C7" class=3D"gmail-video-volume gmail-f-l" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box;width:auto;opacity:0.8;margin-right:5px;height:32px;display:inlin=
e-block;border:0px;background-color:transparent;color:inherit;text-align:in=
herit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;padding:0px;margin-top:15px">=
<button aria-label=3D"Mute" type=3D"button" id=3D"gmail-video-volume-g-vide=
oAB999044-DD8E-4380-BF42-B996006596C7" class=3D"gmail-video-volume-g-videop=
layer" style=3D"margin:0px;border-width:0px;border-style:none;border-color:=
currentcolor;background-image:initial;background-position:0px 0px;backgroun=
d-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;backgrou=
nd-clip:initial;opacity:0.8;height:32px;display:block;text-align:inherit;fo=
nt-size:17px;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;padding:0px;width:32px=
"></button></div><button id=3D"gmail-video-cc-videoAB999044-DD8E-4380-BF42-=
B996006596C7" aria-label=3D"Captions" type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-video-=
cc gmail-f-r" style=3D"margin:15px 15px 0px auto;border-width:0px;border-st=
yle:none;border-color:currentcolor;background-image:initial;background-posi=
tion:0px 0px;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-o=
rigin:initial;background-clip:initial;opacity:0.8;height:32px;text-align:in=
herit;font-size:17px;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;padding:0px"><=
/button><button type=3D"button" aria-label=3D"Save to queue" class=3D"gmail=
-video-save-queue gmail-f-r" style=3D"margin:15px 15px 0px auto;border-widt=
h:0px;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;background-image:initial;=
background-position:0px 0px;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initi=
al;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;opacity:0.8;height:32p=
x;text-align:inherit;font-size:17px;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit=
;padding:0px"></button><button id=3D"gmail-video-fullscreen-videoAB999044-D=
D8E-4380-BF42-B996006596C7" aria-label=3D"Fullscreen" class=3D"gmail-video-=
fullscreen gmail-f-r" style=3D"margin:15px 15px 0px auto;border-width:0px;b=
order-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;background-image:initial;backgro=
und-position:0px 0px;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;back=
ground-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;opacity:0.8;height:32px;text-=
align:inherit;font-size:17px;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;paddin=
g:0px"></button></div></div></div><button id=3D"gmail-video-sound-videoAB99=
9044-DD8E-4380-BF42-B996006596C7" aria-label=3D"Click for Sound" class=3D"g=
mail-styles__clickForSoundWrapper_ieGTJFwdf85NQLwPhQrC" style=3D"margin:0px=
;display:flex;height:25px;padding:15px 12px;border-radius:20px;overflow:hid=
den;font-family:Retina,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:500;font-size:16px;=
line-height:30px;letter-spacing:-0.5px;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-image:in=
itial;background-position:0px 0px;background-size:initial;background-repeat=
:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;border-width:0px=
;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor">Click for Sound</button></div=
></div></div></div>Speaking on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting, President =
Trump said the deal with Iran was =E2=80=98fair=E2=80=99 but Tehran would f=
ace the =E2=80=98ultimate consequences=E2=80=99 if they acquired a nuclear =
weapon.=C2=A0<span style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">Photo: Mandel Ngan/Agenc=
e France-Presse/Getty Images</span></div><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew0=
40j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font=
-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">Trump=E2=
=80=99s allies on Capitol Hill have stopped short of openly criticizing the=
 deal, but have said they need more information. Under federal law, Congres=
s has the power to review any Iran nuclear deal and potentially vote on it.=
=C2=A0</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;=
font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">=E2=80=9CI want to see it myself,=E2=80=
=9D Graham said of the preliminary agreement. =E2=80=9CThe<a href=3D"https:=
//www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/what-iran-and-the-u-s-are-saying-about-thei=
r-deal-f7796213?mod=3Darticle_inline" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"ekxajjj0 g=
mail-css-i0lbhy-OverridedLink" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inlin=
e;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgb(34,3=
4,34)">=C2=A0way Iran describes it is awful</a>. The way we describe it mak=
es sense to me,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CLet=E2=80=99s look at it and see=
 what it actually is.=E2=80=9D Senate Majority Leader=C2=A0John Thune=C2=A0=
(R., S.D.) said Tuesday that Senate Republicans had requested the text of t=
he agreement along with briefings from the administration. =E2=80=9CThey=E2=
=80=99ve got to, you know, get this in front of us, and hopefully this will=
 happen sooner rather than later,=E2=80=9D Thune said.</p><p class=3D"gmail=
-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);d=
irection:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0=
px 1em">While details remain murky, a more concrete picture of the prelimin=
ary agreement is starting to emerge. The memorandum of understanding includ=
es an extended pause in the fighting, lifts the U.S. and Iranian blockades =
in the Strait of Hormuz and sets the stage for extended talks on Iran=E2=80=
=99s nuclear program. The Wall Street Journal=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.w=
sj.com/world/middle-east/the-trump-iran-deal-allows-tehran-to-immediately-s=
ell-oil-37a1ebe5?amp%3Breflink=3Darticle_copyURL_share&amp;mod=3Darticle_in=
line" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"ekxajjj0 gmail-css-i0lbhy-OverridedLink" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-decor=
ation:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgb(34,34,34)">reported earlier Tuesday<=
/a>=C2=A0that the deal allows Iran to immediately begin selling oil and fue=
l.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font=
-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">Vice President=C2=A0JD Vance=C2=A0did a roun=
d of television interviews this week to sell the agreement and push back on=
 the criticism. =E2=80=9CIranians don=E2=80=99t get a dime unless they beha=
ve and change their behavior,=E2=80=9D Vance said Monday evening during a F=
ox News interview. He stressed that the reconstruction fund would come from=
 Gulf states in the region, not the U.S.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u e=
ew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;f=
ont-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">Tensio=
ns among Trump=E2=80=99s outside advisers over the deal have spilled into p=
ublic view.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,s=
erif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">When Mark Levin, a Trump ally, call=
ed on the administration to release the text of the deal, former Trump camp=
aign aide Alex Bruesewitz chastised the Fox News host on social media, accu=
sing him of panicking unnecessarily. Levin, whom Trump previously praised f=
or his analysis of the Iran war, replied that Bruesewitz was =E2=80=9Ca foo=
l.=E2=80=9D</p><div class=3D"gmail-ad-portal" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x"></div><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;f=
ont-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">=E2=80=9CIf the president signed a bad de=
al, many of us who cheered and stood by him and thought that his action in =
Iran was heroic, will be extraordinarily disappointed,=E2=80=9D=C2=A0Ben Sh=
apiro, the popular conservative commentator, said in an interview. =E2=80=
=9CIt is not enough to win the first half of the basketball game.=E2=80=9D =
he said, =E2=80=9CYou have to close it out.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-c=
ss-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);dir=
ection:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px=
 1em">The unpopular war has dragged down Trump=E2=80=99s approval ratings a=
nd fractured part of the coalition that catapulted him to the presidency a =
second time. Both=C2=A0Tucker Carlson=C2=A0and Megyn Kelly, influential con=
servative podcasters who campaigned on his behalf, earned a Trump rebuke an=
d MAGA exile after they blasted the Iran war as a betrayal of an America-fi=
rst foreign policy inspired by Israel. Now, the path to peace threatens to =
alienate the more hawkish conservatives who stuck with the president during=
 the conflict.</p><div class=3D"gmail-media-layout gmail-css-13plya0-Layout=
-baseCss ertdlv30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-image:none;bac=
kground-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;backgr=
ound-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box;width:620px;margin:32px =
32px 22px 0px;clear:both"><span class=3D"gmail-css-u314cv" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;display:block;padding-top:0px;height:auto;width:620px;border=
-radius:0px"><img alt=3D"Conservative radio host Erick Erickson speaks at h=
is conservative political conference." width=3D"700" height=3D"466" src=3D"=
https://images.wsj.net/im-76839037?width=3D700&amp;height=3D466" class=3D"g=
mail-css-1hzqsjo" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; opacity: 1; display: blo=
ck; border-radius: inherit; margin-bottom: 8px; max-width: 100%; width: 620=
px; height: auto;"></span><span class=3D"e1m33gv80 gmail-css-426zcb-Caption=
Span e1m33gv81" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-size:14px;line-height:1=
.42857;margin-bottom:4px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Retina,Arial,Helve=
tica,sans-serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal">Conservative radio =
host Erick Erickson, seen in 2023, has called the preliminary deal =E2=80=
=98an American surrender.=E2=80=99=C2=A0</span><span class=3D"gmail-css-7jz=
429-Credit eq0esvu0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;direction:ltr;font-size=
:12px;line-height:1.42857;text-transform:uppercase;color:rgb(111,111,111);f=
ont-family:Retina,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretc=
h:normal">CHENEY ORR/REUTERS</span></div><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew0=
40j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font=
-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">=E2=80=9C=
If the only people who end up liking this deal are the people who have spen=
t months screaming at Trump for taking on a 47-year enemy of the U.S.=E2=80=
=A6. then it will be, definitionally, a bad deal,=E2=80=9D Shapiro said.</p=
><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;col=
or:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size=
:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">At issue for hawkish conservatives is whether eno=
ugh of Trump=E2=80=99s stated war aims have been achieved. While Trump regu=
larly argues the Iranian regime has been downgraded and its military destro=
yed, critics of the deal contend that the =E2=80=9Cunconditional surrender=
=E2=80=9D the president promised to force on the Iranians at the beginning =
of the conflict hasn=E2=80=99t arrived. Conservative talk-radio host Erick =
Erickson opened his program Monday by condemning the deal as =E2=80=9Can Am=
erican surrender.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:Exc=
hange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">Erickson predicted t=
hat Tehran would ultimately emerge emboldened by its ability to choke off g=
lobal oil supplies in the Strait of Hormuz and by reconstruction dollars th=
at come from a peace deal. =E2=80=9CThey beat Iran militarily and are now g=
oing to surrender at the negotiating table,=E2=80=9D he said of the adminis=
tration in an interview.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:Exc=
hange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">A phalanx of pro-Isr=
ael columnists and podcasters had fended off attacks on Trump=E2=80=99s rig=
ht flank for months. But their private group chats began to light up over t=
he weekend as the president prepared to celebrate his 80th birthday with an=
 Ultimate Fighting Championship cage match on the South Lawn of the White H=
ouse. The concern communicated over calls and texts was that Trump only had=
 an appetite for a winning headline, not the kind of enduring peace in the =
Middle East they think can only be achieved by permanently cowing Iran.</p>=
<p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;colo=
r:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:=
18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">=E2=80=9CThe cardinal sin of American foreign poli=
cy for decades is not finishing what we started,=E2=80=9D Josh Hammer, a co=
nservative Newsweek columnist, said, adding, =E2=80=9CTrump has earned enou=
gh credibility on Iran to continue to earn the benefit of the doubt for at =
least a smidgen longer.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-fami=
ly:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">Not all pro-Is=
rael conservatives have expressed concerns about the deal. Former Minnesota=
 Sen. Norm Coleman, who chairs the Republican Jewish Coalition, said he was=
 waiting to see what was in the deal, but wouldn=E2=80=99t =E2=80=9Cat this=
 point be second-guessing the president, who has been the best friend that =
the Jewish state has had in the White House.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-=
css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);di=
rection:ltr;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0p=
x 1em">Vance, one of the administration=E2=80=99s most prominent skeptics o=
f foreign wars, is scheduled to travel Friday to Switzerland to sign the de=
al that he helped negotiate. It could be both a crowning achievement of his=
 time in office=E2=80=94and, potentially, a political liability as he mulls=
 his own White House ambitions.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-famil=
y:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">=E2=80=9CThe Am=
erican people don=E2=80=99t like war, they like even less losing wars,=E2=
=80=9D cautioned Shapiro. =E2=80=9CIf this deal is perceived as an American=
 loss, and the vice president brokered that deal then the political consequ=
ences will be significant.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040=
j0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-f=
amily:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">Vance has d=
ismissed the =E2=80=9Cpropagandists=E2=80=9D who are worried that Iran is g=
etting too much in the deal.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1qg6i2u eew040j0" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:E=
xchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;margin:0px 0px 1em">=E2=80=9CThe big p=
rint in the actual agreement,=E2=80=9D the vice president told Fox News Tue=
sday morning, =E2=80=9Cis they don=E2=80=99t get any of that stuff unless t=
hey totally transform themselves as a country, and if they do, that=E2=80=
=99s a huge win for everybody.=E2=80=9D</p></div><p class=3D"gmail-css-16ae=
pit e1jdulti0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">Copyright =C2=A92026=C2=A0Do=
w Jones &amp; Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b=
1cdeb8</p><div class=3D"gmail-css-nyleem eew040j4" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;clear:left"></div><p class=3D"gmail-css-xyk2wy-PrintheadlineBlurb e1=
bioyoo0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;=
font-size:14px;font-style:italic;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:22px">Appe=
ared in the June 17, 2026, print edition as &#39;Tehran Accord Draws Doubts=
 From Hawks&#39;.</p></div></div>

--000000000000c8d12e06546fc958--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 06:29:21 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id EAC89B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:29:20 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net EAC89B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="RLA/G0KA"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id DF629BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:29:20 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f42.google.com (mail-ej1-f42.google.com
 [209.85.218.42])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 9A4DDBD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:29:20 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f42.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bed2b9bfa02so754176066b.1
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:29:20 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781702959; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=YPyvOUqY3SEMxDkyrl8U6mhOrS+Xx3xWVQ5u9nElJq2Y24QDWBjHv+i+2h2ugqFhPm
 0ttnl8PvajlCZlETZe5N6CBKG4IZ6Gs3M7oe30CQJM96mxqpYOTpw0RprTw1KgeEjaew
 kKSHldc4aU+me8PS8od3TPj+3GVfpxWBCPhUNIzvfnQsnv5iFAL77JrBhoIh3MLPX6rN
 loFnoj5rm8MV8PechIizu64zCB4MQaWt16v5+/iLy9PuJfpZ3tqZJgCIoLNErxsy97oh
 ChPIvFjH0UZRiIpfDSqATUXunR0Ow7tRUsr+Pp0N6tO+ykXyO4drLfl/zHttm32EoLct
 4oUA==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=CDHTFo41Nw8Mkdt+dKwwdH5gkMx0st25AEdVtXnJSEk=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=PljCNchfzjMKSSWM5Wlsf3efyBM/xZvObkOilgSsfNi9A6xWeRkG0hd23E2jfJgZTN
 3NyjCyynoIWxVEs1AdgWp2dWI/jHvKtMiQpaGeUlFmkXUy0tBmb/j2sbcTTgLEAaaHu/
 soTjGHPa0kVuftvlxJEVfHYIE5HjIOoIxG7E7+A3C5oG1C0oAVIskoVttRgd6Yxh5Mep
 adTMTngYeAfmTXb4unHYt/D2/T3VQKSiV/cSDLf8WFu4+tBohelYlq7PeXU5P7+8rEhS
 RdEuon4MgtVpd3JfVQMihN8oZZ9xS+NczVr6zp3SnqvISSxO6u/ATbtC8DlFU23fwZRm
 jmSA==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781702959; x=1782307759; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=CDHTFo41Nw8Mkdt+dKwwdH5gkMx0st25AEdVtXnJSEk=;
 b=RLA/G0KAcRHXb5+MjApxsrfufHHS0Bhgm46+lRW4+oRC03s8iMsx1yECs56JWMuhhz
 bFZ6DrTj+axJwplxMmAvU2DlounVfkL3JqFWnIcvPGUrXvE/zMOUFM8FsbB/Sz62bgIw
 3VzXJsajfNYYeymHpfoQNgj5Cq8WXsvADfapfdEuRScI9jr8zMQvasezjxQ6X90P35F2
 Ytf1p4CVjy7PMG8EKXhKelxTT0U+iVKc1w0/hzlezmyl7TK7U6Mow+74kBBA6PfRCO/B
 U15jkz5+hsrRrQfP/yBNGrL6IrfWo58cdToc6y8YaBNFb7PTupa6OAF+jmNvqrT85FTF
 0hyg==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781702959; x=1782307759;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=CDHTFo41Nw8Mkdt+dKwwdH5gkMx0st25AEdVtXnJSEk=;
 b=bKTIHEVT3X1MJ6riY+0mUbjDFfw26QX+UY5TFeNkm0sdgdjRlhE5H08MhX9H9d2Gnr
 Tbql0G+/nMIQD9bBTYVv7GElmifsct7OKETot0Z7oM8zfXbZemRbgN0/kLhY2zFI5udk
 aWSvA+3EBjQ4ZlVsdeloLzh0Ygg4TZ8Ghz0XH7guyP+AseeRiKv6mg4mDcj552jE9S/W
 kKvX4bVgXmboIFcIuYPWAyM0grSWSINJPTqUdwBTbSEWe0CW1Qj9YZtSynaYCYb6tPPc
 TnECvKRkGcTmU01ANp77MP7hgqYQDMpm4NatFEPnowQjTowV/oeUQEqyI2q5DtoSl3+P
 EHRQ==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Ywo1P5IPg+nbYOIqqSpI6mku06uFrPASUSPW1aAJ1+3C2KyDFm3
 crVzGFpr1htKlbMQUq28CrY3TBgP9V2NpocDqpvWz6r1QcdFsvataWjRKS5Y+myZzdhseeBSUrh
 au5pMRuZIHxauT49avIUHXdQNqM59WzzSP1nC4rFvfw==
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OEEtRpihU6nI1XJD4bZvymSgOrwJEm4B/cHWJIRFnQ6Xv5ECBawa9RUF9GEin0
 gzW5UWZnpZjPGVnkHb0xEl5yUbnzZxEKiOmRggTZJxuUeHXr1SIyf8Y0Q0oUdfMqVIbMkciwqUG
 +1mGN6PCM4OL0yc4fGM5uhAHcU5k40LXnu8T9Nub/lSJ0owUP/+F+Ay9Qyzcs6wGmIHIvSJp+4b
 noghnZhTUQtxyhKDGUPBTkwYNaHqlGRMAjLcLaU4449sPrYmrc4fNJNdc7TfV2yw1Bny0Fn+7BU
 viTt+IIeVhkdNC5FztomFVuIBmzePtMBN/UbjfA2pq2HrYYbsQmED3g8STIqbOppISW1BY0IvK2
 X+PNlR8h6L3JlvdBT44RUm+EDBKtLU7S+1V+hclli0PxaGIYKnn1l937SvyGpFTojBNBUxPfVlZ
 G/2gy8WJvUF+08s13JfnQI/c0pxgthpFFPdqwdnayrm9hJuNiii8QndetQU7R6BMSpDXSbZHSqD
 fTcAQEcUKMAtMDmc4lD/FiE/pAYDoDJY2vYzJlye3XBQoIs4/DZcuSEew==
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:1c87:b0:c03:cad0:f003 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a2742c67mr272112866b.14.1781702958272; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 06:29:18 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:29:00 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CdmBsTXdtJlYwJoyzImtgv2m1BQdPvrHwBZYDamGugJm6-2QXcuhf_dgeU
Message-ID: <CANbmmQnxj9XZFYWbMr1FXDm_jPVAoQXP_F6fksXy1sCi_G6zxw@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000ec53f00654730baa"
Subject: [Salon] Presidential Prevarication
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:29:21 -0000

--000000000000ec53f00654730baa
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9OTE1OTg3JmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb2=
0mcD00NjE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPWRlZmF1bHQmd=
XRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljLWRhaWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2=
MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0=
f3ee3B12b7e1db>
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9OTE1OTg4JmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb2=
0mcD00NjE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPXN0YXRpYyZ1d=
G1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYx=
NiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbA/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f=
3ee3D500a20dd>
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9OTE1OTkwJmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb2=
0mcD00NjE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPXN0YXRpYyZ1d=
G1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYx=
NiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbA/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f=
3ee3E0bd6c23e>
[image: Tom Nichols]
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL2F1dGhvci90b20tbmljaG9scy8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljLWRhaW=
x5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJ=
nV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmbGN0Zz02N2I1ZTVhZThlNDhjZTVjOGIwZjNlZTM/67b5e5ae8e48=
ce5c8b0f3ee3B0370d06a>
Tom Nichols
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL2F1dGhvci90b20tbmljaG9scy8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljLWRhaW=
x5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJ=
nV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmbGN0Zz02N2I1ZTVhZThlNDhjZTVjOGIwZjNlZTM/67b5e5ae8e48=
ce5c8b0f3ee3C0370d06a>STAFF
WRITER

Trump=E2=80=99s comments at today=E2=80=99s G7 summit revealed that he does=
n=E2=80=99t understand
the war he started=E2=80=94or the words that come out of his own mouth.
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9ODkzNzQzJmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb2=
0mcD00NjE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPWRlZmF1bHQmd=
XRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljLWRhaWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2=
MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0=
f3ee3F09aac3c9>
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9ODkzNzQ0JmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb2=
0mcD00NjE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPXN0YXRpYyZ1d=
G1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYx=
NiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbA/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f=
3ee3Hc477c29e>
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9ODkzNzQ2JmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb2=
0mcD00NjE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPXN0YXRpYyZ1d=
G1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYx=
NiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbA/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f=
3ee3Ie19a2f35>
Presidential Prevarication
[image: Trump]

(Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty)

*View in browser*
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzLzIwMjYvMDYvdHJ1bXAtZzctY29tbWVudHMtbWlzdW5kZX=
JzdHNhbmQtbWlkZGxlLWVhc3QvNjg3NTY5Lz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktb=
mV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRt=
X21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c=
8b0f3ee3B129c978f>

Donald Trump arrived in France yesterday for this morning=E2=80=99s G7 summ=
it and
promptly confirmed America=E2=80=99s capitulation to Iran. Instead of merel=
y
repeating the outlines of what looks to be a terrible peace deal, however,
Trump made a series of statements so bizarre, even by his usual standards,
that they raise the question of whether the president still understands the
words that come out of his own mouth.

The president began with a classic Trumpian move, daring his listeners to
forget today what they knew yesterday. Just this winter, Trump had promised
the Iranian people that the tyrants who ruled them would be gone. But now?
=E2=80=9CI never cared about regime change,=E2=80=9D he told reporters, wav=
ing away his
failure to achieve a primary strategic goal by denying that it had ever
been a goal at all.

Things got a little weirder, however, when he described the Iranians who
have stepped in to replace the regime leaders killed in U.S. strikes:
=E2=80=9CWe=E2=80=99re dealing with people that I think are very rational p=
eople. And they
were nice to deal with.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CThey were strong people, smart people,=E2=80=9D he added. And then=
 he dropped this
remarkable claim: =E2=80=9CThey=E2=80=99re not radicalized, and they=E2=80=
=99re, you know, looking
to help their country.=E2=80=9D

This definitely not-radicalized group that Trump seems to like includes the
new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei (whose father, wife, and son were
killed by U.S. strikes), and the still-standing Islamic Revolutionary Guard
Corps, all of whom have shown no compunction about lashing out in any
direction during Trump=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Ccease-fire,=E2=80=9D the make-bel=
ieve pause in the war
during which no one actually ceased firing.

Trump=E2=80=99s description of the current regime in Tehran as a bunch of s=
well
guys was brewed in a heavy-duty vat of wishful thinking. It=E2=80=99s an ex=
treme
version of Trump=E2=80=99s tendency, when he=E2=80=99s been outplayed by po=
werful enemies,
to describe his opponents as basically reasonable people. (He has done the
same over the years with dictators and autocrats in North Korea
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzL2FyY2hpdmUvMjAxOS8wNi93aHktZG9lLWRvbmFsZC10cnVtcC=
1rZWVwLXByYWlzaW5nLWtpbS1qb25nLXVuLzU5MDgzMC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljL=
WRhaWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0=
dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmbGN0Zz02N2I1ZTVhZThlNDhjZTVjOGIwZjNlZTM/67b5e5a=
e8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bf19446b6>,
Russia, and China, among other countries.) This is his way of assuring the
public that he did not get taken to the cleaners=E2=80=94because, of course=
, his
affable partners would never do that.

Trump fared no better talking about the Iranian nuclear program. Iran=E2=80=
=99s
stockpile of highly enriched uranium exists largely because Trump
unilaterally called off U.S. participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan
of Action, the 2015 agreement that was meant to prevent Iran from enriching
uranium beyond minimal levels for civilian uses. After the U.S. and Israeli
attacks last year, and yet more pounding during Operation Epic Fury, that
uranium remains underground, either hidden in storage or buried beneath
tons of rubble; some of it can likely be recovered and enriched for
military uses. Trump has said, repeatedly
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY25uLmN=
vbS8yMDI2LzA1LzI5L3BvbGl0aWNzL2lyYW4td2FyLW51Y2xlYXItc3RvY2twaWxlLWV4cGxhaW=
5lZD91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yM=
DI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZsY3RnPTY3YjVl=
NWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bd0ea70d7>,
that Iran must hand it over.

Until today.

=E2=80=9CI call it the nuclear dust, their enriched material, right?=E2=80=
=9D Trump said.
(Why he calls it this remains a mystery.) Does America still insist on its
removal from Iran? Well, maybe.

=E2=80=9CThe whole mountain has collapsed on top. We have cameras on it,=E2=
=80=9D Trump
said. =E2=80=9CYou could make the case =E2=80=98Why are you even bothering?=
=E2=80=99 =E2=80=99cause it=E2=80=99s
not really valuable. It=E2=80=99s, you know, it=E2=80=99s probably half a m=
illion dollars=E2=80=99
worth. It=E2=80=99s not very valuable stuff, but I think psychologically we=
 wanna
get it.=E2=80=9D

The United States and Israel ostensibly went to war with Iran last summer
over the prospect of the Tehran regime developing a bomb, and that same
threat has supposedly been at the center of America=E2=80=99s largest milit=
ary
operation in decades=E2=80=94but now the highly enriched uranium isn=E2=80=
=99t very
valuable? The president wants it for =E2=80=9Cpsychological=E2=80=9D reason=
s? (This is
reminiscent of his comment that America should seize Greenland because it
was =E2=80=9Cpsychologically=E2=80=9D important
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1=
lcy5jb20vMjAyNi8wMS8wOC91cy9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC1pbnRlcnZpZXctcG93ZXItbW9yYW=
xpdHkuaHRtbD91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29ud=
GVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZsY3Rn=
PTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bc9ae12e8>
to
him.) Does the commander in chief understand what he=E2=80=99s saying? More
important, will Iran keep tons of highly enriched uranium under this new
deal or not?

=E2=80=9CThe biggest thing,=E2=80=9D Trump said today, is that =E2=80=9CIra=
n will not have a
nuclear weapon.=E2=80=9D That=E2=80=99s fine, except that it didn=E2=80=99t=
 have one before,
either, and now it has an even greater incentive to get one. But nuclear
issues are very complex and technical, so let=E2=80=99s move on to Trump=E2=
=80=99s comments
about something less complicated: Middle Eastern politics.

Once again, the president seemed unable to comprehend either the situation
or his own words. No one outside of the Trump administration has yet seen
the final memorandum of understanding that Trump and the Iranians have
signed, least of all, according to some reports, the Israelis
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9HdXl=
Bei9zdGF0dXMvMjA2Njg3NjQ1MTgxMTM4OTcxMz9zPTIwJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1hdGxhbnRpYy=
1kYWlseS1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTIwMjYwNjE2JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xld=
HRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJmxjdGc9NjdiNWU1YWU4ZTQ4Y2U1YzhiMGYzZWUz/67b5e5a=
e8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3B43ad3ee7>.
If the outlines of the deal are in line with the administration=E2=80=99s o=
wn
talking points
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9taWN=
oYWVsZHdlaXNzL3N0YXR1cy8yMDY2OTI0ODEwOTIwMTczNjExP3M9MjAmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW=
F0bGFudGljLWRhaWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZ=
T1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmbGN0Zz02N2I1ZTVhZThlNDhjZTVjOGIwZjNl=
ZTM/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bc20e4cac>,
it=E2=80=99s bound to cause serious agita in Jerusalem: The terms reportedl=
y
require a cessation of Israeli hostilities with Hezbollah in Lebanon, a
tricky condition considering that Israel was not a party to the
negotiations. This is probably why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
announced
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmN=
vbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2NlOG12Nmw2ZWV6bz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbH=
ktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImd=
XRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMw/67b5e5ae8e48c=
e5c8b0f3ee3Bf15e5c0e>yesterday
that Israel would maintain its presence in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria for =E2=
=80=9Cas
long as necessary.=E2=80=9D

Trump, in other words, is trying to deal away Israel=E2=80=99s right to def=
end
itself, treating it less as a sovereign country and more as a kind of 51st
U.S. state run by an annoying governor who needs to get with the program.
But what if Iran=E2=80=99s proxy Hezbollah attacks Israel? According to the
president, the Israelis need to calm down, and he minimized Hezbollah as =
=E2=80=9Ca
little pinprick out there that constantly rears its head.=E2=80=9D

Besides, Trump has an answer for the problem of Hezbollah: Outsource its
elimination to the Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Trump said that he
suggested to Israel to =E2=80=9Clet Syria take care of Hezbollah, =E2=80=99=
cause to be
honest with you, I think they do a better job of doing it.=E2=80=9D

It=E2=80=99s true that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the organization now in power =
in
Syria, has plenty of experience fighting against Hezbollah
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL2ludGVybmF0aW9uYWwvYXJjaGl2ZS8yMDI0LzEwL2hlemJvbGxhaC13YXItYW=
dhaW5zdC1zeXJpYS82ODAyMTIvP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1hdGxhbnRpYy1kYWlseS1uZXdzbGV0d=
GVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTIwMjYwNjE2JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVt=
PWVtYWlsJmxjdGc9NjdiNWU1YWU4ZTQ4Y2U1YzhiMGYzZWUz/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3B1=
39925d7>.
But Syria, a regime still trying to get its legs under it, is not going to
march next door and pacify Lebanon=E2=80=94especially not with Israel occup=
ying
parts of Syria.

Trump has never shown very much concern about the conduct of Israeli
military operations anywhere (including the war in Gaza, which he viewed
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucGJzLm9=
yZy9uZXdzaG91ci9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC11cmdlcy1pc3JhZWwtdG8tZmluaXNoLXVwLWl0cy=
1nYXphLW9mZmVuc2l2ZS1hbmQtd2FybnMtYWJvdXQtZ2xvYmFsLXN1cHBvcnQtZmFkaW5nP3V0b=
V9jYW1wYWlnbj1hdGxhbnRpYy1kYWlseS1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTIwMjYwNjE2=
JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJmxjdGc9NjdiNWU1YWU4ZTQ=
4Y2U1YzhiMGYzZWUz/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bc7f2dfbb>
primarily
as a public-relations problem). But now that he needs to rein in Jerusalem
at Tehran=E2=80=99s behest, he has taken the position that the Israelis are=
 causing
too much damage in Lebanon. And in a stunning reminder that alliances for
Trump are only expedients, he pivoted to praising al-Sharaa and criticizing
Israel, saying that if Israel =E2=80=9Ccan=E2=80=99t do the job without kil=
ling everyone
else, he=E2=80=99ll do the job.=E2=80=9D

This kind of flip-flop illustrates Trump=E2=80=99s view of global politics:=
 States
are just a bunch of playing cards that he can rearrange at will, which
makes watching him talk about foreign policy this way like watching someone
cheating at solitaire. Even now, after many years as president, he is
constantly frustrated to find out how little leverage he has when other
nations refuse to abandon their own interests and do as he commands.

Trump=E2=80=99s comments about the Middle East may not make any sense, but =
one
thing that has emerged in 4K clarity is that the only world leader who got
pantsed worse than Trump in all of this was Netanyahu. No one should pity
Israel=E2=80=99s prime minister: He brought this situation upon himself
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1=
lcy5jb20vMjAyNi8wNC8wNy91cy9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC1pcmFuLXdhci5odG1sP3V0bV9jYW=
1wYWlnbj1hdGxhbnRpYy1kYWlseS1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTIwMjYwNjE2JnV0b=
V9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJmxjdGc9NjdiNWU1YWU4ZTQ4Y2U1=
YzhiMGYzZWUz/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3B8494f548>
and
his nation. Netanyahu, along with the Iran-war hawks
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXR=
sYW50aWMuY29tL25hdGlvbmFsLXNlY3VyaXR5LzIwMjYvMDYvbWVtb3JhbmR1bS11bmRlcnN0YW=
5kaW5nLWRlYWwtbWlnaHQtaGFwcGVuLzY4NzU1NC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljLWRha=
Wx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVy=
JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmbGN0Zz02N2I1ZTVhZThlNDhjZTVjOGIwZjNlZTM/67b5e5ae8e4=
8ce5c8b0f3ee3Bf08963aa>
in
the United States, somehow thought that he could be smart or flattering or
persuasive enough to avoid the inevitable burn that comes from trusting
Donald Trump. Netanyahu refused to see that Trump, when it comes to
self-interest, is as predictable as a sunrise: When something he=E2=80=99s =
involved
with goes bad, he walks away and lets others suffer the chaos he=E2=80=99s =
created.

In the past, Trump has tried to conjure new circumstances by speaking them
aloud and attempting to wish them into existence
<https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9lZGl0aW9uLmN=
ubi5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMC8xMC9wb2xpdGljcy9jb3ZpZC1kaXNhcHBlYXJpbmctdH=
J1bXAtY29tbWVudC10cmFja2VyLz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xld=
HRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1=
bT1lbWFpbCZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3=
B646f4f86>.
His tired garble in France, however, is something different. It suggests
that Trump, more than ever, is unable to fathom what=E2=80=99s happening in=
 the
world around him and has been reduced to turning all of his previous
statements upside down: A regime that was once the epitome of evil is now a
reasonable partner; nuclear material that once represented an existential
threat to America might now sit in Iran forever; Syria and Iran and Israel
and Lebanon will now do things that they would never do, just because he
wants them to.

None of this makes any sense, except as desperate rationalizations from a
man who cannot face facts and admit defeat. Trump has always had a tenuous
relationship with the truth, but evidence is mounting that on the most
important questions of war and peace, the president of the United States
seems to be losing his grip on reality itself.

--000000000000ec53f00654730baa
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><blockquote type=3D"cite"><div style=3D"font-family:Helvet=
ica;font-size:12px;background-color:rgb(231,227,219)"><div style=3D"backgro=
und:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0px auto;max-width:600px"><table align=3D"cente=
r" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" s=
tyle=3D"border-collapse:collapse;background-image:initial;background-positi=
on:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-ori=
gin:initial;background-clip:initial;width:600px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"bo=
rder-collapse:collapse;direction:ltr;font-size:0px;padding:0px;text-align:c=
enter"><div style=3D"margin:0px auto;max-width:600px"><table align=3D"cente=
r" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" s=
tyle=3D"border-collapse:collapse;width:600px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"borde=
r-collapse:collapse;direction:ltr;padding:16px 0px 12px"><div style=3D"max-=
width:100%;width:600px;direction:ltr;display:inline-block;vertical-align:to=
p"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presenta=
tion" width=3D"100%" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td styl=
e=3D"border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:top;padding:0px 24px"><table b=
order=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=
=3D"100%" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center=
" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;padding:0px;word-break:break-word"><div=
 style=3D"font-family:Courier,monospace;font-size:12px;letter-spacing:0.5px=
;line-height:18px;text-transform:uppercase;color:rgb(94,106,116)">TUESDAY, =
JUNE 16, 2026<div style=3D"line-height:0"><div><table align=3D"center" bord=
er=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"border-collapse:colla=
pse"><tbody><tr><td colspan=3D"2" align=3D"center" style=3D"border-collapse=
:collapse;line-height:1px"></td></tr><tr><td colspan=3D"2" style=3D"border-=
collapse:collapse;line-height:1px"><a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/=
click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXRsYW50aWMuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9OTE1O=
Tg3JmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb20mcD00NjE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVl=
NWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPWRlZmF1bHQmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljLWR=
haWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dG=
VyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3B12b7e1db" rel=3D"nofollo=
w" target=3D"_blank"></a></td></tr><tr><td align=3D"left" style=3D"border-c=
ollapse:collapse;line-height:1px"><a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/c=
lick/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXRsYW50aWMuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9OTE1OT=
g4JmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb20mcD00NjE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlN=
WFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPXN0YXRpYyZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFp=
bHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXI=
mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbA/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3D500a20dd" rel=3D"nofollow"=
 target=3D"_blank" style=3D"display:block;max-width:116px;max-height:15px">=
</a></td><td align=3D"right" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;line-height:=
1px"><a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6=
Ly9zbGkudGhlYXRsYW50aWMuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9OTE1OTkwJmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGE=
lNDBnbWFpbC5jb20mcD00NjE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdH=
BlPXN0YXRpYyZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29ud=
GVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbA/67b5e=
5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3E0bd6c23e" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"d=
isplay:block;max-width:19px;max-height:15px"></a></td></tr></tbody></table>=
</div></div></div></td></tr><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;word-=
break:break-word"><div style=3D"height:12px;line-height:12px">=E2=80=8A</di=
v></td></tr><tr><td align=3D"center" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;back=
ground-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;ba=
ckground-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;p=
adding:0px;word-break:break-word"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cel=
lspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;bord=
er-spacing:0px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;width:552p=
x"><img alt=3D"" src=3D"https://cdn.theatlantic.com/thumbor/ZNYhJAVQgDfGa6_=
_v45o5a04XTE=3D/1200x208/media/img/newsletters/header_image/2023/11/ATL_New=
sletterHeader_TheDaily/original.png" width=3D"552" height=3D"auto" class=3D=
"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"border: 0px; height: auto; line-height: 13px; outli=
ne: currentcolor; display: block; width: 552px; font-size: 13px;"></td></tr=
></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div>=
</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style=3D"margin:0px auto;max-width:600=
px"><table align=3D"center" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0=
" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;width:600px"><tbo=
dy><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;direction:ltr;padding:24px 0px=
 12px"><div style=3D"max-width:100%;width:600px;line-height:0;display:inlin=
e-block;direction:ltr"><div style=3D"max-width:25%;width:98px;direction:ltr=
;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle"><table border=3D"0" cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"bor=
der-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;ver=
tical-align:middle;padding:0px 24px"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" =
cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"border-coll=
apse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center" style=3D"border-collapse:col=
lapse;padding:0px;word-break:break-word"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D=
"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"border-collapse:collap=
se;border-spacing:0px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;wid=
th:50px"><a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0=
cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXRsYW50aWMuY29tL2F1dGhvci90b20tbmljaG9scy8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWd=
uPWF0bGFudGljLWRhaWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRtX3NvdX=
JjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmbGN0Zz02N2I1ZTVhZThlNDhjZTVjOGIwZ=
jNlZTM/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3B0370d06a" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"Tom=
 Nichols" src=3D"https://cdn.theatlantic.com/thumbor/j2-i4XcevjYzQulZawSaHc=
wmICI=3D/144x144/media/None/Nichols_head_1/original.jpg" width=3D"50" heigh=
t=3D"50" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"border: 0px; height: 50px; line-he=
ight: 13px; outline: currentcolor; border-radius: 100%; display: block; wid=
th: 50px; font-size: 13px;"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody=
></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style=3D"max-width:70%;width:=
420px;direction:ltr;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle"><table bord=
er=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D=
"100%" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-co=
llapse:collapse;vertical-align:middle;padding:0px"><table border=3D"0" cell=
padding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=
=3D"border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"left" style=3D"border=
-collapse:collapse;padding:0px;word-break:break-word"><div style=3D"font-fa=
mily:Ubuntu,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:1"><h3 st=
yle=3D"font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times =
New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;margin:0px;padding-bottom:4px;font-weight:400;f=
ont-size:18px"><a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.72827=
5/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXRsYW50aWMuY29tL2F1dGhvci90b20tbmljaG9scy8_dXRtX2Nhb=
XBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljLWRhaWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRt=
X3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmbGN0Zz02N2I1ZTVhZThlNDhjZTV=
jOGIwZjNlZTM/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3C0370d06a" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"=
color:rgb(33,39,44);text-decoration:none">Tom Nichols</a></h3><span style=
=3D"font-family:Courier,monospace;text-transform:uppercase;color:rgb(94,106=
,116);font-size:12px;line-height:18px">STAFF WRITER=C2=A0</span></div></td>=
</tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></td></tr></tbod=
y></table></div><div style=3D"margin:0px auto;max-width:600px"><table align=
=3D"center" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presen=
tation" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;width:600px"><tbody><tr><td style=
=3D"border-collapse:collapse;direction:ltr;padding:12px 0px 0px"><div style=
=3D"max-width:100%;width:600px;direction:ltr;display:inline-block;vertical-=
align:top"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"=
presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr>=
<td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:top;padding:0px 24px">=
<table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentatio=
n" width=3D"100%" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse"><tbody></tbody></table=
></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style=
=3D"margin:0px auto;max-width:600px"><table align=3D"center" border=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"border-co=
llapse:collapse;width:600px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collap=
se;direction:ltr;padding:0px"><div style=3D"max-width:100%;width:600px;dire=
ction:ltr;display:inline-block;vertical-align:top"><table border=3D"0" cell=
padding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=
=3D"border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:colla=
pse;vertical-align:top;padding:0px 24px"><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin=
:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quo=
t;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-siz=
e:19px;line-height:28.5px">Trump=E2=80=99s comments at today=E2=80=99s G7 s=
ummit revealed that he doesn=E2=80=99t understand the war he started=E2=80=
=94or the words that come out of his own mouth.</p><table border=3D"0" cell=
padding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=
=3D"border-collapse:collapse"><tbody></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></ta=
ble></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style=3D"margin:0px auto;max=
-width:600px"><table align=3D"center" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellsp=
acing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;width:6=
00px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;direction:ltr;paddin=
g:12px 0px"><div style=3D"max-width:100%;width:600px;direction:ltr;display:=
inline-block;vertical-align:top"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cell=
spacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"border-collapse=
:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:=
top;padding:0px 24px"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"=
0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse">=
<tbody><tr><td align=3D"left" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;padding:0px=
;word-break:break-word"><div style=3D"font-size:13px;font-family:Ubuntu,Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1"><div style=3D"font-size:0px"><table =
align=3D"center" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" style=3D"=
border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td colspan=3D"2" align=3D"center" sty=
le=3D"border-collapse:collapse;line-height:1px"></td></tr><tr><td colspan=
=3D"2" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;line-height:1px"><a href=3D"https:=
//link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXRsYW50aW=
MuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9ODkzNzQzJmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb20mcD00N=
jE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPWRlZmF1bHQmdXRtX2Nh=
bXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljLWRhaWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXR=
tX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3F0=
9aac3c9" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank"></a></td></tr><tr><td align=3D"=
left" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;line-height:1px"><a href=3D"https:/=
/link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXRsYW50aWM=
uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9ODkzNzQ0JmxpPSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb20mcD00Nj=
E4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPXN0YXRpYyZ1dG1fY2Ftc=
GFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1f=
c291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbA/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Hc47=
7c29e" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"display:block;max-width:=
116px;max-height:15px"></a></td><td align=3D"right" style=3D"border-collaps=
e:collapse;line-height:1px"><a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/click/4=
6187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9zbGkudGhlYXRsYW50aWMuY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9ODkzNzQ2Jmxp=
PSZlPWZyZWVtYW4uY2FybGElNDBnbWFpbC5jb20mcD00NjE4NzQ2MiZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU=
0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMyZzdHBlPXN0YXRpYyZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbm=
V3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX=
21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbA/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Ie19a2f35" rel=3D"nofollow" targe=
t=3D"_blank" style=3D"display:block;max-width:19px;max-height:15px"></a></t=
d></tr></tbody></table></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tb=
ody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style=3D"margin:0px =
auto;max-width:600px"><table align=3D"center" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0=
" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse=
;width:600px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;direction:lt=
r;padding:12px 0px 0px"><div style=3D"max-width:100%;width:600px;direction:=
ltr;display:inline-block;vertical-align:top"><table border=3D"0" cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"bor=
der-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;ver=
tical-align:top;padding:0px 24px"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cel=
lspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"border-collaps=
e:collapse"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"left" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse=
;padding:0px;word-break:break-word"><div style=3D"font-family:AGaramondPro,=
&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font=
-size:13px;line-height:1"><h1 style=3D"padding:16px 0px 0px;margin:0px 0px =
24px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-size:32px;line-height:40px;font-weight:400;bo=
rder-top:1px solid rgb(231,19,26)">Presidential Prevarication</h1></div></t=
d></tr><tr><td align=3D"center" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;padding:0=
px;word-break:break-word"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=
=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;border-spaci=
ng:0px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;width:552px"><img =
alt=3D"Trump" src=3D"https://cdn.theatlantic.com/thumbor/KnWgsSUs81rufdk1Ba=
FEcHzPIuE=3D/700x394/media/newsletters/2026/06/2026_06_16_The_Daily_Trumps_=
G7_Comments_on_the_Middle_East-1/original.jpg" width=3D"552" height=3D"auto=
" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd gmail-a6T" tabindex=3D"0" style=3D"cursor: pointer;=
 outline: currentcolor; border: 0px; height: auto; line-height: 13px; displ=
ay: block; width: 552px; font-size: 13px;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td><=
/tr><tr><td align=3D"left" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;padding:4px 0p=
x 0px;word-break:break-word"><div style=3D"font-family:Courier,monospace;fo=
nt-size:12px;line-height:15px;color:rgb(94,106,116)"><div style=3D"margin:0=
px">(Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty)</div></div></td></tr><tr><td style=3D"borde=
r-collapse:collapse;word-break:break-word"><div style=3D"height:24px;line-h=
eight:24px">=E2=80=8A</div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></ta=
ble></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style=3D"margin:0px auto;max=
-width:600px"><table align=3D"center" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellsp=
acing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;width:6=
00px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;direction:ltr;paddin=
g:0px"><div style=3D"max-width:100%;width:600px;direction:ltr;display:inlin=
e-block;vertical-align:top"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"border-collapse:coll=
apse"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:top;p=
adding:0px 24px"><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,3=
9,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times N=
ew Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px"><a href=3D"ht=
tps://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXRsYW=
50aWMuY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzLzIwMjYvMDYvdHJ1bXAtZzctY29tbWVudHMtbWlzdW5kZXJzd=
HNhbmQtbWlkZGxlLWVhc3QvNjg3NTY5Lz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3=
c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21=
lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0=
f3ee3B129c978f" target=3D"_blank"><em>View in browser</em></a></p><p style=
=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);fon=
t-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&=
quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">Donald Trump arrived i=
n France yesterday for this morning=E2=80=99s G7 summit and promptly confir=
med America=E2=80=99s capitulation to Iran. Instead of merely repeating the=
 outlines of what looks to be a terrible peace deal, however, Trump made a =
series of statements so bizarre, even by his usual standards, that they rai=
se the question of whether the president still understands the words that c=
ome out of his own mouth.</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20p=
x;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Gara=
mond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-=
height:28.5px">The president began with a classic Trumpian move, daring his=
 listeners to forget today what they knew yesterday. Just this winter, Trum=
p had promised the Iranian people that the tyrants who ruled them would be =
gone. But now? =E2=80=9CI never cared about regime change,=E2=80=9D he told=
 reporters, waving away his failure to achieve a primary strategic goal by =
denying that it had ever been a goal at all.</p><p style=3D"text-align:left=
;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondP=
ro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;f=
ont-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">Things got a little weirder, however, whe=
n he described the Iranians who have stepped in to replace the regime leade=
rs killed in U.S. strikes: =E2=80=9CWe=E2=80=99re dealing with people that =
I think are very rational people. And they were nice to deal with.=E2=80=9D=
</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(3=
3,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Time=
s New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">=E2=80=9CT=
hey were strong people, smart people,=E2=80=9D he added. And then he droppe=
d this remarkable claim: =E2=80=9CThey=E2=80=99re not radicalized, and they=
=E2=80=99re, you know, looking to help their country.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=
=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);fon=
t-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&=
quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">This definitely not-ra=
dicalized group that Trump seems to like includes the new supreme leader, M=
ojtaba Khamenei (whose father, wife, and son were killed by U.S. strikes), =
and the still-standing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, all of whom have =
shown no compunction about lashing out in any direction during Trump=E2=80=
=99s =E2=80=9Ccease-fire,=E2=80=9D the make-believe pause in the war during=
 which no one actually ceased firing.</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin=
:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quo=
t;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-siz=
e:19px;line-height:28.5px">Trump=E2=80=99s description of the current regim=
e in Tehran as a bunch of swell guys was brewed in a heavy-duty vat of wish=
ful thinking. It=E2=80=99s an extreme version of Trump=E2=80=99s tendency, =
when he=E2=80=99s been outplayed by powerful enemies, to describe his oppon=
ents as basically reasonable people. (He has done the same over the years w=
ith dictators and autocrats in=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com=
/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXRsYW50aWMuY29tL3BvbGl0aWNzL2Fy=
Y2hpdmUvMjAxOS8wNi93aHktZG9lLWRvbmFsZC10cnVtcC1rZWVwLXByYWlzaW5nLWtpbS1qb25=
nLXVuLzU5MDgzMC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljLWRhaWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2=
NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmb=
GN0Zz02N2I1ZTVhZThlNDhjZTVjOGIwZjNlZTM/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bf19446b6" t=
arget=3D"_blank">North Korea</a>, Russia, and China, among other countries.=
) This is his way of assuring the public that he did not get taken to the c=
leaners=E2=80=94because, of course, his affable partners would never do tha=
t.</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb=
(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Ti=
mes New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">Trump fa=
red no better talking about the Iranian nuclear program. Iran=E2=80=99s sto=
ckpile of highly enriched uranium exists largely because Trump unilaterally=
 called off U.S. participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, t=
he 2015 agreement that was meant to prevent Iran from enriching uranium bey=
ond minimal levels for civilian uses. After the U.S. and Israeli attacks la=
st year, and yet more pounding during Operation Epic Fury, that uranium rem=
ains underground, either hidden in storage or buried beneath tons of rubble=
; some of it can likely be recovered and enriched for military uses. Trump=
=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM=
6Ly93d3cuY25uLmNvbS8yMDI2LzA1LzI5L3BvbGl0aWNzL2lyYW4td2FyLW51Y2xlYXItc3RvY2=
twaWxlLWV4cGxhaW5lZD91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1d=
G1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFp=
bCZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bd0ea70d=
7" target=3D"_blank">has said, repeatedly</a>, that Iran must hand it over.=
</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(3=
3,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Time=
s New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">Until toda=
y.</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb=
(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Ti=
mes New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">=E2=80=
=9CI call it the nuclear dust, their enriched material, right?=E2=80=9D Tru=
mp said. (Why he calls it this remains a mystery.) Does America still insis=
t on its removal from Iran? Well, maybe.</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;mar=
gin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&=
quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-=
size:19px;line-height:28.5px">=E2=80=9CThe whole mountain has collapsed on =
top. We have cameras on it,=E2=80=9D Trump said. =E2=80=9CYou could make th=
e case =E2=80=98Why are you even bothering?=E2=80=99 =E2=80=99cause it=E2=
=80=99s not really valuable. It=E2=80=99s, you know, it=E2=80=99s probably =
half a million dollars=E2=80=99 worth. It=E2=80=99s not very valuable stuff=
, but I think psychologically we wanna get it.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"text=
-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family=
:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Ti=
mes,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">The United States and Israel o=
stensibly went to war with Iran last summer over the prospect of the Tehran=
 regime developing a bomb, and that same threat has supposedly been at the =
center of America=E2=80=99s largest military operation in decades=E2=80=94b=
ut now the highly enriched uranium isn=E2=80=99t very valuable? The preside=
nt wants it for =E2=80=9Cpsychological=E2=80=9D reasons? (This is reminisce=
nt of his comment that America should seize Greenland because it was=C2=A0<=
a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3=
cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNi8wMS8wOC91cy9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC1pbnRlcnZpZXctcG93Z=
XItbW9yYWxpdHkuaHRtbD91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1=
dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWF=
pbCZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bc9ae12=
e8" target=3D"_blank">=E2=80=9Cpsychologically=E2=80=9D important</a>=C2=A0=
to him.) Does the commander in chief understand what he=E2=80=99s saying? M=
ore important, will Iran keep tons of highly enriched uranium under this ne=
w deal or not?</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0=
px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&qu=
ot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5=
px">=E2=80=9CThe biggest thing,=E2=80=9D Trump said today, is that =E2=80=
=9CIran will not have a nuclear weapon.=E2=80=9D That=E2=80=99s fine, excep=
t that it didn=E2=80=99t have one before, either, and now it has an even gr=
eater incentive to get one. But nuclear issues are very complex and technic=
al, so let=E2=80=99s move on to Trump=E2=80=99s comments about something le=
ss complicated: Middle Eastern politics.</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;mar=
gin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&=
quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-=
size:19px;line-height:28.5px">Once again, the president seemed unable to co=
mprehend either the situation or his own words. No one outside of the Trump=
 administration has yet seen the final memorandum of understanding that Tru=
mp and the Iranians have signed, least of all, according to some reports,=
=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM=
6Ly94LmNvbS9HdXlBei9zdGF0dXMvMjA2Njg3NjQ1MTgxMTM4OTcxMz9zPTIwJnV0bV9jYW1wYW=
lnbj1hdGxhbnRpYy1kYWlseS1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTIwMjYwNjE2JnV0bV9zb=
3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJmxjdGc9NjdiNWU1YWU4ZTQ4Y2U1Yzhi=
MGYzZWUz/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3B43ad3ee7" target=3D"_blank">the Israelis<=
/a>. If the outlines of the deal are in line with=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://l=
ink.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly94LmNvbS9taWNoYWVsZHdla=
XNzL3N0YXR1cy8yMDY2OTI0ODEwOTIwMTczNjExP3M9MjAmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGlj=
LWRhaWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV=
0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmbGN0Zz02N2I1ZTVhZThlNDhjZTVjOGIwZjNlZTM/67b5e5=
ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bc20e4cac" target=3D"_blank">the administration=E2=80=99s=
 own talking points</a>, it=E2=80=99s bound to cause serious agita in Jerus=
alem: The terms reportedly require a cessation of Israeli hostilities with =
Hezbollah in Lebanon, a tricky condition considering that Israel was not a =
party to the negotiations. This is probably why Prime Minister Benjamin Net=
anyahu=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/a=
HR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2FydGljbGVzL2NlOG12Nmw2ZWV6bz91dG1fY2FtcGFp=
Z249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc29=
1cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4Yj=
BmM2VlMw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bf15e5c0e" target=3D"_blank">announced=C2=
=A0</a>yesterday that Israel would maintain its presence in Gaza, Lebanon, =
and Syria for =E2=80=9Cas long as necessary.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"text-a=
lign:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:A=
GaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Time=
s,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">Trump, in other words, is trying=
 to deal away Israel=E2=80=99s right to defend itself, treating it less as =
a sovereign country and more as a kind of 51st U.S. state run by an annoyin=
g governor who needs to get with the program. But what if Iran=E2=80=99s pr=
oxy Hezbollah attacks Israel? According to the president, the Israelis need=
 to calm down, and he minimized Hezbollah as =E2=80=9Ca little pinprick out=
 there that constantly rears its head.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"text-align:l=
eft;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramo=
ndPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,seri=
f;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">Besides, Trump has an answer for the p=
roblem of Hezbollah: Outsource its elimination to the Syrian leader Ahmed a=
l-Sharaa. Trump said that he suggested to Israel to =E2=80=9Clet Syria take=
 care of Hezbollah, =E2=80=99cause to be honest with you, I think they do a=
 better job of doing it.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px=
 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Ad=
obe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19=
px;line-height:28.5px">It=E2=80=99s true that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the org=
anization now in power in Syria, has plenty of experience=C2=A0<a href=3D"h=
ttps://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXRsY=
W50aWMuY29tL2ludGVybmF0aW9uYWwvYXJjaGl2ZS8yMDI0LzEwL2hlemJvbGxhaC13YXItYWdh=
aW5zdC1zeXJpYS82ODAyMTIvP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1hdGxhbnRpYy1kYWlseS1uZXdzbGV0dGV=
yJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTIwMjYwNjE2JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPW=
VtYWlsJmxjdGc9NjdiNWU1YWU4ZTQ4Y2U1YzhiMGYzZWUz/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3B139=
925d7" target=3D"_blank">fighting against Hezbollah</a>. But Syria, a regim=
e still trying to get its legs under it, is not going to march next door an=
d pacify Lebanon=E2=80=94especially not with Israel occupying parts of Syri=
a.</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb=
(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Ti=
mes New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">Trump ha=
s never shown very much concern about the conduct of Israeli military opera=
tions anywhere (including the war in Gaza, which he=C2=A0<a href=3D"https:/=
/link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucGJzLm9yZy9uZXd=
zaG91ci9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC11cmdlcy1pc3JhZWwtdG8tZmluaXNoLXVwLWl0cy1nYXphLW=
9mZmVuc2l2ZS1hbmQtd2FybnMtYWJvdXQtZ2xvYmFsLXN1cHBvcnQtZmFkaW5nP3V0bV9jYW1wY=
Wlnbj1hdGxhbnRpYy1kYWlseS1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTIwMjYwNjE2JnV0bV9z=
b3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJmxjdGc9NjdiNWU1YWU4ZTQ4Y2U1Yzh=
iMGYzZWUz/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bc7f2dfbb" target=3D"_blank">viewed</a>=
=C2=A0primarily as a public-relations problem). But now that he needs to re=
in in Jerusalem at Tehran=E2=80=99s behest, he has taken the position that =
the Israelis are causing too much damage in Lebanon. And in a stunning remi=
nder that alliances for Trump are only expedients, he pivoted to praising a=
l-Sharaa and criticizing Israel, saying that if Israel =E2=80=9Ccan=E2=80=
=99t do the job without killing everyone else, he=E2=80=99ll do the job.=E2=
=80=9D</p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color=
:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quo=
t;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">This=
 kind of flip-flop illustrates Trump=E2=80=99s view of global politics: Sta=
tes are just a bunch of playing cards that he can rearrange at will, which =
makes watching him talk about foreign policy this way like watching someone=
 cheating at solitaire. Even now, after many years as president, he is cons=
tantly frustrated to find out how little leverage he has when other nations=
 refuse to abandon their own interests and do as he commands.</p><p style=
=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);fon=
t-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&=
quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">Trump=E2=80=99s commen=
ts about the Middle East may not make any sense, but one thing that has eme=
rged in 4K clarity is that the only world leader who got pantsed worse than=
 Trump in all of this was Netanyahu. No one should pity Israel=E2=80=99s pr=
ime minister: He brought this situation=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://link.theatl=
antic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyNi8wNC8=
wNy91cy9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC1pcmFuLXdhci5odG1sP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1hdGxhbnRpYy=
1kYWlseS1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PTIwMjYwNjE2JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xld=
HRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJmxjdGc9NjdiNWU1YWU4ZTQ4Y2U1YzhiMGYzZWUz/67b5e5a=
e8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3B8494f548" target=3D"_blank">upon himself</a>=C2=A0and his=
 nation. Netanyahu, along with the=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://link.theatlantic=
.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXRsYW50aWMuY29tL25hdGlvbmFs=
LXNlY3VyaXR5LzIwMjYvMDYvbWVtb3JhbmR1bS11bmRlcnN0YW5kaW5nLWRlYWwtbWlnaHQtaGF=
wcGVuLzY4NzU1NC8_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF0bGFudGljLWRhaWx5LW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX2=
NvbnRlbnQ9MjAyNjA2MTYmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmb=
GN0Zz02N2I1ZTVhZThlNDhjZTVjOGIwZjNlZTM/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0f3ee3Bf08963aa" t=
arget=3D"_blank">Iran-war hawks</a>=C2=A0in the United States, somehow thou=
ght that he could be smart or flattering or persuasive enough to avoid the =
inevitable burn that comes from trusting Donald Trump. Netanyahu refused to=
 see that Trump, when it comes to self-interest, is as predictable as a sun=
rise: When something he=E2=80=99s involved with goes bad, he walks away and=
 lets others suffer the chaos he=E2=80=99s created.</p><p style=3D"text-ali=
gn:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,39,44);font-family:AGa=
ramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,Times,=
serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">In the past, Trump has tried to co=
njure new circumstances by speaking them aloud and attempting to=C2=A0<a hr=
ef=3D"https://link.theatlantic.com/click/46187462.728275/aHR0cHM6Ly9lZGl0aW=
9uLmNubi5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMC8xMC9wb2xpdGljcy9jb3ZpZC1kaXNhcHBlYXJpb=
mctdHJ1bXAtY29tbWVudC10cmFja2VyLz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249YXRsYW50aWMtZGFpbHktbmV3=
c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0yMDI2MDYxNiZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21=
lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZsY3RnPTY3YjVlNWFlOGU0OGNlNWM4YjBmM2VlMw/67b5e5ae8e48ce5c8b0=
f3ee3B646f4f86" target=3D"_blank">wish them into existence</a>. His tired g=
arble in France, however, is something different. It suggests that Trump, m=
ore than ever, is unable to fathom what=E2=80=99s happening in the world ar=
ound him and has been reduced to turning all of his previous statements ups=
ide down: A regime that was once the epitome of evil is now a reasonable pa=
rtner; nuclear material that once represented an existential threat to Amer=
ica might now sit in Iran forever; Syria and Iran and Israel and Lebanon wi=
ll now do things that they would never do, just because he wants them to.</=
p><p style=3D"text-align:left;margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:rgb(33,=
39,44);font-family:AGaramondPro,&quot;Adobe Garamond Pro&quot;,&quot;Times =
New Roman&quot;,Times,serif;font-size:19px;line-height:28.5px">None of this=
 makes any sense, except as desperate rationalizations from a man who canno=
t face facts and admit defeat. Trump has always had a tenuous relationship =
with the truth, but evidence is mounting that on the most important questio=
ns of war and peace, the president of the United States seems to be losing =
his grip on reality itself.</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></=
tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></blockquote></di=
v>

--000000000000ec53f00654730baa--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 06:33:05 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 1A0FAB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:33:05 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 1A0FAB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="b4uPnGl4"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 0BAFBBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:33:05 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f48.google.com (mail-ej1-f48.google.com
 [209.85.218.48])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id DCF22BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:33:04 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f48.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bec423a5265so1054703666b.1
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:33:04 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781703183; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=K2Z1J8K0eLjBK/Xg+8x0m3UA1gGuiuL1gj/5k+jbO9q5y0lFkeDFG3bFZPkQNQt3WC
 4ED+tQuUcsgVIwuJvUe8soYqvnMWQPnULrY5erPdZr49j7uw4yrXo3//RvTqAoIEG2Ts
 rMIdi2QNaKyOqbvPAM8fNun7oQMqCW4WrLb3NcX97GurZYed4ePy/LbvVwmN6wwrXtA7
 y96cx5tV0TCiPhzfe62K+CNfgyQUkZGjI2BmSipU3XZvMsmpKkUYAMyBxKYdZcQMbnyG
 cSXptbvkUdcnA3pfiwa6qnY2Uq2gOnLdwLKgJOJlrejZIlE5rxXny21xp3OoCrCjnVYC
 SNpA==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=BpqhLnWKeNHKkAkO9t+iAPuAHJVyzIhKy6aQZ3tsLOY=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=L5zoPalKtToyi73rAFCv2swzcYW3CEyCYNFwq4627upANUur5nvLfh1fbDD6V1Vn0v
 hgkN2DGcO3zb/MO4mZSMk00m4rSooO/GaEZ/mfytgTF/mjnXXYEsp135Nf5adI+Ux/8B
 hwzoKlb0psWVc7A31VAodWHx8xyx6Jn854toC0ZtFjTVpq1zWErA7LJ5+h58BELcYW0k
 GuiMqu0mnco7TyOeExm+iyyBwjj9Bp8G+RYbgIUXMF7aBvuiaPjx+p+9QAI3gxSg0sxx
 HYQ4tjG4vdnlXWwz6+0Ho6Bnm2B3CsugbglLXv1Y0Xxw0NOOiTiL+XWlCeiB9YPZIweO
 pw8g==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781703183; x=1782307983; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=BpqhLnWKeNHKkAkO9t+iAPuAHJVyzIhKy6aQZ3tsLOY=;
 b=b4uPnGl4fzPRynpdjcDZNB9vJE9Fkbm1PX+urxayJEx0BJ45SDIUmMCZ39kavEfhaM
 4O/z77ouktXFbmAzOcDAXTJTsM4IJAiPR2bdsB9zqBoa2KE6+IIeH+aQLzqiwZ9Jvwlh
 OXVJIWLaxxZKqxqVSRinB66rZmAMr89ZMP+XtDuHxRvV3JazBpllQLrCAaL4CC/4hLHM
 JfCK6VjcAkeDpkk1xamXw3OFNyYT2Zi6RIvfoN9Ksc+Ud2eDUBcph2zbqMM7UZKgibTI
 kfrekP/KwYdjOvQcEhS0y3xJG0e6jPXZQSjj2flbJNGcKQbxTpzSkONN8h1FtcA9Dp4S
 LB+A==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781703183; x=1782307983;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=BpqhLnWKeNHKkAkO9t+iAPuAHJVyzIhKy6aQZ3tsLOY=;
 b=Jxr7kf/kGMr3SiKI/Q0fCvJvC5EXrSnldYSYcTXCRcD4aY3hlns2sYCo006ANB3YxK
 5Mv7CPIXbrNPaJw6AMWrfucF4U7LA+Vj7w68nEpXbj+cuWx+a7SOL2Ga+aA6RjubnwHB
 /6dNWXBoSJ9k2BAc1gQ/LY77l9yLJtPNMM8f/ox/00vdfYYogqjgMkgS3VakvW9+bOn4
 cpqj3ZAwRZh8m4We9LBW+GUcCMYjP/mFjF3efN6YWw4dhztN+6r5/h+M1KRNGBBz8rIa
 mSHeqTt3CtRYy6fbip/scw7ZpJ1eAJjMzvZh7utqDapJOosA2g1P6lmc8OiBPXmnGDK2
 axvA==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YxSU4+aKdreJKehzxO8+elX64B9/9+annvuR2EgRhTibA3c+7/d
 iEouOfyQ+G6K4cQ/XOPGbAg4WSkG3Ex9CA04t/vSRC8y52hUyJaks0LrKlT0I0AzIvJGXpk2TxE
 gpymU4v9mfmXSaGF4rzVPnfPwDiqxEvn3u3EW4d9J6Q==
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OEg3O37jEe2vEUEHnVMoo8I8JnjE9gwYOvKFtg1WeIszYUGyjgqF7B07WdjbQa
 I9LSg4DpBDus+hr4OlDAO3zpyt0IBQ8CoQAHu7JTsKEUd7NENs5DIahMwma/WcsMI1j7xWlB6Vd
 qQtLS1thFug/xQzrRiSaodf8j//MUC+Ss6JKxbbDlQLabsAZ14jW4EYV3WUjdZFKvUc7S3Wqh6/
 Hh52VArRyqmSiTEoSMsniozRpq0N016rTzzs8LRFE+EWXaL+J6DazbrzpBhi1uCCEiL9bmV3SvQ
 BK3m/mn/qyJ93mUaL5T5itbYH3TrEM0uvKgaWua7fk9oGymwoga3NuS+x0cPpbqEtBHGud2dL3L
 k/XnZSYcMZi/jaG/nhdlF9DT3IwsuvgjObbMQeNEOThTDYJwC3lLL9O/xLOeclTYw+1gIUL+Q8K
 0gHKB8SMM4yhX1jJwCGQuo5/fEetHJZZMDwygQ7yCZY1xI6wHMJr3e1SpcBoWSuYOqv1RtT6wkC
 fzdy4FUfL7W6+QfgiZl3X0x6lbjMpCdDuygrSiEUOsBMmw=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:b19:b0:bda:d9e1:4e1d with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a4814484mr173158966b.34.1781703182854; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 06:33:02 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:32:47 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cew0Lb060w18nwUqgVciRDEvZBwYG1WxQWCrrqpMmAzevMjaESyH_tfkZw
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=+JEvFz4pkYrkWHX8o7GQaPW2Zbp08F5zndbVU+OKZNw@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000004f2e910654731920"
Subject: [Salon] Agony as 'befuddled' Trump 'implodes' on the world stage
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:33:05 -0000

--0000000000004f2e910654731920
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

https://www.alternet.org/trump-health-problems/

Agony as 'befuddled' Trump 'implodes' on the world stage: report
[image: Agony as 'befuddled' Trump 'implodes' on the world stage: report]
U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron walk to
take part in a family photo before a cultural performance and concert
during the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 16, 2026.
REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
<https://www.alternet.org/author/adamlynch>Adam Lynch
<https://www.alternet.org/author/adamlynch>
June 16, 2026

Former MS NOW analyst David Shuster said
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DPtYx_4urqWI&t=3D35s> Trump=E2=80=99s =E2=
=80=9Cword salad and
cognitive confusion=E2=80=9D was undeniably on display at this week=E2=80=
=99s G7 summit in
France.

Shuster had plenty of fodder to choose from at the event. While speaking
with the Emir of Qatar Trump <https://www.alternet.org/2020/11/trump> launc=
hed
into a rambling geography lesson that would fail most any 7th Grader.

=E2=80=9CWorking with Qatar and the people of Qatar was really a pleasure,=
=E2=80=9D Trump
told Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. =E2=80=9CThey were tough and str=
ong.
They are the closest to Iran, physically. With other countries I=E2=80=99ve=
 noticed
they=E2=80=99ve got to travel about 45 minutes to get there. But you, you c=
an walk
right across the border.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CNo. You cannot walk across the border from Qatar to Iran because t=
hey are
separated by the Persian Gulf,=E2=80=9D Shuster informed viewers of his Reb=
el HQ
podcast <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DPtYx_4urqWI&t=3D35s>. =E2=80=9CD=
id Trump
confuse Qatar with Kuwait or Iraq? Who knows? And who knows where Trump=E2=
=80=99s
mind was as he sat around the table with G7 members for a working meeting.=
=E2=80=9D

Shuster then cited the brutal tableside moment when French President
Emmanuel Macron asked participants to turn and face the cameras. Trump
ignored the request, seeming oblivious and spacing out despite the whole
table facing forward in expectation. Shuster pointed out that Italy Prime
Minister Giorgia Meloni appeared to be fumbling with a notebook and was
looking down, and it only appeared that Trump bounced back and took notice
of the camera op after Meloni faced the camera and smiled.

=E2=80=9COnly then did Trump seem to snap out of it and catch on,=E2=80=9D =
said Shuster.

Shuster also referenced the long, painful moment Trump took clutching at
the hand of Macron=E2=80=99s wife Brigitte Macron and holding it awkwardly =
=E2=80=9Ca full
15 seconds before releasing it,=E2=80=9D even as the first lady made effort=
s to
pull back.

=E2=80=9CAs everybody can see Trump has gained some weight since his last G=
-7
summit,=E2=80=9D said Shuster adding identifying arrows to the president=E2=
=80=99s
protuberant belly and hips. =E2=80=9CBut it=E2=80=99s his confusion that ha=
s taken world
leaders and international leaders by storm. At the end of the G7 arrival
photo op, Trump was told to exist stage left. He wandered to the right.=E2=
=80=9D

=E2=80=9CThe other side,=E2=80=9D international leaders called out to him b=
efore he
wandered off.

=E2=80=9CThis way,=E2=80=9D urged Macron.

=E2=80=9CTo be fair these large photo ops can be confusing for everybody, b=
ut
Donald Trump=E2=80=99s physical appearance, including his weight
<https://www.alternet.org/trump-doesnt-like-fat-people-the-narcissistic-pro=
jection-behind-trumps-bad-governance/>,
the heavy makeup <https://www.alternet.org/trump-health-claims-bruising/> o=
n
his hand and his befuddled facial expressions
<https://www.alternet.org/trump-health-2677041206/> are getting noticed,=E2=
=80=9D
said Shuster. =E2=80=9CAnd Trump=E2=80=99s apparent health challenges are r=
aising more
questions about his judgement, or lack of judgement.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CDoes Donald Trump really know or understand what is in the emergin=
g Iran
peace deal?=E2=80=9D demanded Shuster. =E2=80=9CDoes Trump even remember wh=
y he took the
U.S. to war with Iran to begin with?=E2=80=9D

- YouTubewww.youtube.com <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DPtYx_4urqWI&t=
=3D35s>

--0000000000004f2e910654731920
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><a href=3D"https://www.alternet.org/trump-health-problems/=
">https://www.alternet.org/trump-health-problems/</a><br><div><br></div><di=
v><div id=3D"gmail-sPost_0_0_7_0_0_0_0_6_1_2_0_1_1_0" class=3D"gmail-post-p=
artial gmail-article__splash-custom" style=3D"margin-bottom:39px;color:rgb(=
31,31,31);font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:17.6px;ove=
rflow:hidden"><div class=3D"gmail-post-splash-custom gmail-clearfix" style=
=3D"zoom:1"><div class=3D"gmail-row gmail-px10" style=3D"overflow:hidden"><=
div class=3D"gmail-rm-col-center gmail-col gmail-sm-mb-1" style=3D"font-siz=
e:1.6rem;line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:40px;float:left;box-sizing:border-bo=
x;padding-left:10px;padding-right:10px;width:838.7px"><div class=3D"gmail-w=
idget__body gmail-clearfix gmail-sm-mt-1" style=3D"zoom:1;margin-bottom:10p=
x"><div class=3D"gmail-headline-container" style=3D"margin-top:10px;margin-=
bottom:30px"><h1 class=3D"gmail-headline gmail-h1" style=3D"margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;font-size:30px;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-family:Poynter,sans-serif">=
Agony as &#39;befuddled&#39; Trump &#39;implodes&#39; on the world stage: r=
eport</h1></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-widget__head" style=3D"margin-bot=
tom:10px"><img role=3D"img" alt=3D"Agony as &#39;befuddled&#39; Trump &#39;=
implodes&#39; on the world stage: report" aria-label=3D"Agony as &#39;befud=
dled&#39; Trump &#39;implodes&#39; on the world stage: report" src=3D"https=
://www.alternet.org/media-library/u-s-president-donald-trump-and-french-pre=
sident-emmanuel-macron-walk-to-take-part-in-a-family-photo-before-a-cultura=
l-performan.jpg?id=3D66947913&amp;width=3D1245&amp;height=3D700&amp;quality=
=3D50&amp;coordinates=3D0%2C104%2C0%2C105" class=3D"gmail-rm-lazyloadable-i=
mage gmail-rm-hero-media" width=3D"1245" height=3D"700" style=3D"border: 0p=
x; vertical-align: middle; max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: 818.7px; o=
bject-fit: cover;"></div><div class=3D"gmail-widget__body gmail-clearfix gm=
ail-sm-mt-1" style=3D"zoom:1;margin-bottom:10px"><div class=3D"gmail-photo-=
credit" style=3D"margin-top:10px;color:rgb(103,103,103);font-size:12px;widt=
h:auto;font-family:franklin-gothic-atf,sans-serif">U.S. President Donald Tr=
ump and French President Emmanuel Macron walk to take part in a family phot=
o before a cultural performance and concert during the G7 summit, in Evian-=
les-Bains, France, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein</div><div class=
=3D"gmail-post-author-list" style=3D"margin:20px 0px 0px;display:inline-blo=
ck;color:transparent;font-size:0px;line-height:20px;vertical-align:top;font=
-family:franklin-gothic-atf,sans-serif"><div class=3D"gmail-post-author" st=
yle=3D"display:inline"><a href=3D"https://www.alternet.org/author/adamlynch=
" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(11,13,101);text-decor=
ation:none;opacity:1"></a><a href=3D"https://www.alternet.org/author/adamly=
nch" class=3D"gmail-post-author__name gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(11,13,101);text-decoration:none;opacity:1;display:inline-block;vertic=
al-align:middle;font-family:Cabin,sans-serif;font-size:16px">Adam Lynch</a>=
</div></div><span class=3D"gmail-post-date" style=3D"margin:20px 0px 0px;fo=
nt-family:Cabin,sans-serif;display:inline-block;color:rgb(103,103,103);font=
-size:16px;line-height:20px;height:20px;vertical-align:top">June 16, 2026</=
span></div></div></div></div></div><div id=3D"gmail-sPost_0_0_7_0_0_0_0_6_1=
_2_0_1_1_2" class=3D"gmail-post-partial gmail-article__splash-custom" style=
=3D"margin-bottom:39px;color:rgb(31,31,31);font-family:&quot;Open Sans&quot=
;,sans-serif;font-size:17.6px;overflow:hidden"><div class=3D"gmail-post-spl=
ash-custom gmail-clearfix" style=3D"zoom:1"><div class=3D"gmail-row gmail-p=
x10" style=3D"overflow:hidden"><div class=3D"gmail-rm-col-center gmail-col =
gmail-sm-mb-1" style=3D"font-size:1.6rem;line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:40px=
;float:left;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:10px;padding-right:10px;widt=
h:838.7px"><div class=3D"gmail-widget__body gmail-clearfix gmail-sm-mt-1" s=
tyle=3D"zoom:1;margin-bottom:10px"><div class=3D"gmail-body gmail-js-expand=
able gmail-clearfix gmail-js-listicle-body gmail-css-listicle-body-26770499=
45" style=3D"zoom:1;margin:auto;color:rgb(49,49,49);font-size:20px;line-hei=
ght:34px;font-family:Georgia,sans-serif;width:654.95px"><div class=3D"gmail=
-body-description"><p>Former MS NOW analyst David Shuster=C2=A0<a href=3D"h=
ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DPtYx_4urqWI&amp;t=3D35s" rel=3D"noopener n=
oreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(11,13,101);text-decoration:none;opacity:1">said</a>=C2=A0Trump=E2=80=
=99s =E2=80=9Cword salad and cognitive confusion=E2=80=9D was undeniably on=
 display at this week=E2=80=99s G7 summit in France.</p><p>Shuster had plen=
ty of fodder to choose from at the event. While speaking with the Emir of Q=
atar=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.alternet.org/2020/11/trump" class=3D"gmail=
-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(11,13,101);text-decoration:none;opaci=
ty:1">Trump</a>=C2=A0launched into a rambling geography lesson that would f=
ail most any 7<span style=3D"font-size:15px;line-height:0;vertical-align:ba=
seline">th</span>=C2=A0Grader.</p><p>=E2=80=9CWorking with Qatar and the pe=
ople of Qatar was really a pleasure,=E2=80=9D Trump told Emir Sheikh Tamim =
bin Hamad Al Thani. =E2=80=9CThey were tough and strong. They are the close=
st to Iran, physically. With other countries I=E2=80=99ve noticed they=E2=
=80=99ve got to travel about 45 minutes to get there. But you, you can walk=
 right across the border.=E2=80=9D</p><p>=E2=80=9CNo. You cannot walk acros=
s the border from Qatar to Iran because they are separated by the Persian G=
ulf,=E2=80=9D Shuster informed viewers of his=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.y=
outube.com/watch?v=3DPtYx_4urqWI&amp;t=3D35s" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" t=
arget=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(11,13,=
101);text-decoration:none;opacity:1">Rebel HQ podcast</a>. =E2=80=9CDid Tru=
mp confuse Qatar with Kuwait or Iraq? Who knows? And who knows where Trump=
=E2=80=99s mind was as he sat around the table with G7 members for a workin=
g meeting.=E2=80=9D</p><p>Shuster then cited the brutal tableside moment wh=
en French President Emmanuel Macron asked participants to turn and face the=
 cameras. Trump ignored the request, seeming oblivious and spacing out desp=
ite the whole table facing forward in expectation. Shuster pointed out that=
 Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appeared to be fumbling with a noteboo=
k and was looking down, and it only appeared that Trump bounced back and to=
ok notice of the camera op after Meloni faced the camera and smiled.</p><p>=
=E2=80=9COnly then did Trump seem to snap out of it and catch on,=E2=80=9D =
said Shuster.</p><p>Shuster also referenced the long, painful moment Trump =
took clutching at the hand of Macron=E2=80=99s wife Brigitte Macron and hol=
ding it awkwardly =E2=80=9Ca full 15 seconds before releasing it,=E2=80=9D =
even as the first lady made efforts to pull back.</p><p>=E2=80=9CAs everybo=
dy can see Trump has gained some weight since his last G-7 summit,=E2=80=9D=
 said Shuster adding identifying arrows to the president=E2=80=99s protuber=
ant belly and hips. =E2=80=9CBut it=E2=80=99s his confusion that has taken =
world leaders and international leaders by storm. At the end of the G7 arri=
val photo op, Trump was told to exist stage left. He wandered to the right.=
=E2=80=9D</p><p>=E2=80=9CThe other side,=E2=80=9D international leaders cal=
led out to him before he wandered off.</p><p>=E2=80=9CThis way,=E2=80=9D ur=
ged Macron.</p><p>=E2=80=9CTo be fair these large photo ops can be confusin=
g for everybody, but Donald Trump=E2=80=99s physical appearance,=C2=A0<a hr=
ef=3D"https://www.alternet.org/trump-doesnt-like-fat-people-the-narcissisti=
c-projection-behind-trumps-bad-governance/" target=3D"_self" class=3D"gmail=
-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(11,13,101);text-decoration:none;opaci=
ty:1">including his weight</a>, the=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.alternet.or=
g/trump-health-claims-bruising/" target=3D"_self" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-t=
racked" style=3D"color:rgb(11,13,101);text-decoration:none;opacity:1">heavy=
 makeup</a>=C2=A0on his hand and his=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.alternet.o=
rg/trump-health-2677041206/" target=3D"_self" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-track=
ed" style=3D"color:rgb(11,13,101);text-decoration:none;opacity:1">befuddled=
 facial expressions</a>=C2=A0are getting noticed,=E2=80=9D said Shuster. =
=E2=80=9CAnd Trump=E2=80=99s apparent health challenges are raising more qu=
estions about his judgement, or lack of judgement.=E2=80=9D</p><p>=E2=80=9C=
Does Donald Trump really know or understand what is in the emerging Iran pe=
ace deal?=E2=80=9D demanded Shuster. =E2=80=9CDoes Trump even remember why =
he took the U.S. to war with Iran to begin with?=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gm=
ail-shortcode-media gmail-shortcode-media-youtube"><span class=3D"gmail-rm-=
shortcode" style=3D"display:block;padding-top:368.4px"></span><small class=
=3D"gmail-image-media gmail-media-caption" style=3D"font-size:14px;display:=
block;color:rgb(255,255,255);font-style:italic">- YouTube</small><small cla=
ss=3D"gmail-image-media gmail-media-photo-credit" style=3D"font-size:14px;d=
isplay:block;color:rgb(255,255,255);font-style:italic"><a href=3D"https://w=
ww.youtube.com/watch?v=3DPtYx_4urqWI&amp;t=3D35s" target=3D"_blank" class=
=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(11,13,101);text-decoration:n=
one;opacity:1">www.youtube.com</a></small></p></div></div></div></div></div=
></div></div></div></div>

--0000000000004f2e910654731920--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 06:35:29 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id F00FEB0858
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:35:28 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net F00FEB0858
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="kyRG/Lq5"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id E7355BD06C; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:35:28 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f51.google.com (mail-ej1-f51.google.com
 [209.85.218.51])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id B7BBFBD04E
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:35:28 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f51.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bec3ffb95dbso845843666b.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:35:28 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781703327; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=JLvnCAfq2lEo2+mVGayyCvcBbU+K/S6foJ/Mp4CycUpxOCasPr+lidOYf+zC00hSXa
 l/9KZivJbETvgr9moyCEiKJhhulMuCn/W3ypGcEYAjvvZ5sz7F6KC7oePF+Tl3y6Ii07
 KtqpNg6Y1LSURfoX7LOdTF4NsTu+E3zy9PNA+eh72O2hMjjJpirRXeQvo8I6/Vl/4Rmr
 cQd+6sIXC6jDRqfB1/ziG+m3GSJElm4b3CeLGPJPc66eQeMElOnq7e/HVq9Hk9iTnC3t
 d6sDNpq0Bnp7sUbezcOv+wYRLd40hPFqD4Bm7/nHSd731wUiCQ+sH9NYr5YNYwQMbcTg
 1Wow==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=qyejvt7btOz3bk0lhMP43X82GJ+bXaGYCViWYKqQMmU=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=YW+cE4YdVn5LZm3MyT4I6zpJp3EGH6Ua6vz1ABSbDvNbK27SvUlPakOV9jwD2Ug4zb
 de0ixR7ExuOPRzOnS275inf85wmFO6FBUXPEN9R1JS/RZ9WTtmCI7WUZnHXVgiF/M0M5
 SBhAtxneQMBhZbZWTqofAm2ZG+SqKlZjR0HHAdY4xDfH+1xFo+3/4+F+d4ebHrzTotnk
 xT4L+PQ3NTWPm1cHnLWldvolJ3p7dGISFir4BCgg56rVjOtLMPP4m9BrIdX5IZG6prrU
 CUugB8IwjYpXfV+oxLkufxJGHw0h7bEE/KB6Vi1svO2eyvj0WJR9F2xVU2EiCjtiRS15
 D58w==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781703327; x=1782308127; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=qyejvt7btOz3bk0lhMP43X82GJ+bXaGYCViWYKqQMmU=;
 b=kyRG/Lq5w+ZEgmm0NBUjVqEoszOUaR9UIyKVPpdQbhWUB1QOmt0C29cqCn4hEeUdFT
 NsDsFIConpkuo8BN2GAOthc/SJb0WFpxKVH8BxmnRzuabKXkMRXqspP6FaqNRGxTP0QU
 vbETo2f0g+Y8ffvLowQv9Lg06wat9Txms3zxRdXRpud3StVhVlomq8QeT5InJUXGw6o+
 28W3gPaJDdmKqVMpn/OlzrYwvQmxru3WxQkNUs77aP96CvhwBL7plIBAP/xsE/dc+ZDL
 O1oCLm+aa9QPCagXbnJe2+K1FsZ2S8B07M5rsufVRBu8kotSEyhfhO/qxp7UV3L33LyY
 QSFQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781703327; x=1782308127;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=qyejvt7btOz3bk0lhMP43X82GJ+bXaGYCViWYKqQMmU=;
 b=rlLZRV48DgCnakVUQhaA3QZW0/wqCZfukhTJloCd0xZjyOU0PDVOshF8jxt0lbQNUz
 pnI/CVv1t0GHgg8nWQm4uKHQ2TwU7pNjfKz9Ix1j9L6nXnKF3nf7M825diHIsGuarRo9
 e5unege3pJGDNKpe3hOLJbEVNgbZ7njOI2NVJlzNIPrqth3BLDQ4UemIsQEV5nkvyOBK
 Y4QePBgaCqcRtcE8fej2tNwFJRxFtFEXFJIroCdaJuAxifJ8jOx/6vN+s3kwSLsyaywU
 HpO/YXA05uzWC38rqd8aI72MyoccMmblAK/uHmYI+rfYmaFBPj+YI3Q1E9Ns6eU32TO5
 TTdw==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YwfgxwtqAP5OzbjVsJ+QwwMaJiz62FoDx69sK1MF3TOMkyj6iIT
 5OFM30HxpUiDxu0QWUKI6lCNFP/F5aH/lmXK63StBnL+4wY6StUnNjYZgZ+x1hiUDSyjPOg1qtj
 YJWZHixy8IgYKaEShnpbRXlIjiMvhsCVF+N1ShGg=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7ckaLjidIEkSXtnABcJH7V3B78Op5+mXxpX5PVPAXcEtWmAtQqe9e/Y8qlX5AbL
 MKqPfxkiZ7xMW72ZyB44OZG4raNA+zqIGuvTnkepZ2Q5tqAC8Am2F8ev5WOTrnUB4w6aFb8K+SW
 0jBTLJQYOGdw90oWkaGhElsHROMIlXff5K9OdzBdTG/mhFUwKH3JsjNOES+nOI4pS+J6j0CWgek
 lcctU2Rzjk1Vrp7jTA5dYxgYGuyN6RaiBTfKYGizACZdTVpLMff50u8h8xgy2veBCFxNjK74p9V
 jieFPDO3BakHo4uoy6qYcpKyu5Gh/wa6rhuj28YMqO814dckFr0RpY2ayWcgTiUTVakmEip0JiJ
 0P7RBWD99JySUkvVNzsOUvTBCHdNJn1MOtDIejQCIuZpJKUiH2Eh/tPj6Wc2BRv8KgEx1Fcn3yi
 mQLSmORNF6VWJEw5gGRGO/oLKMtuG9ekybsZheS6hTJQnv7h0GFlayxZBGCkNUeKQOpjtoRbTaB
 ldjrsqUC/SuLLYrV1xBDX39q6CNDcuBa6eqmmqtGTMCVCg=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:75f5:b0:bec:6c5c:ccea with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a660aad9mr196710366b.19.1781703326510; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 06:35:26 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzC2H0VarVEShpx4v0Z9wKjz0Xu-=1=q5ECNvf1x0gomGw@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzC2H0VarVEShpx4v0Z9wKjz0Xu-=1=q5ECNvf1x0gomGw@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:35:09 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CdqTxjnhfW2kEL2dV2gnE_kTHFlgv9N3dagWuRTupEq6jUzgA3ngQafabM
Message-ID: <CANbmmQkfrrXALE6HrkJT6WSRv-dAb0vyKch3Y9gtNDPtK7XLhw@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000df3526065473212d"
Subject: [Salon] The defeat of Israel's regional strategy
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:35:29 -0000

--000000000000df3526065473212d
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/2067127362089893943

[image: user avatar] <https://x.com/RnaudBertrand>
Arnaud Bertrand <https://x.com/RnaudBertrand>
@RnaudBertrand <https://x.com/RnaudBertrand>
This video - probably more than any other - illustrates the extent to which
Israel's regional strategy has resulted in strategic defeat. I mean: they
had one big enemy - Iran - and one big friend - the US - and these two are
now negotiating a deal, while Israel is being told it's an inconvenience
that be should be replaced by a former Al Qaeda commander, because he's
more humane and kills less civilians. If that's not strategic defeat, I
don't know what is.
[image: user avatar] <https://x.com/FoxNews>
Fox News <https://x.com/FoxNews>
@FoxNews <https://x.com/FoxNews>
Jun 16 <https://x.com/FoxNews/status/2066859840169803873>
BREAKING: President Trump publicly rebukes Israel over its war against
Hezbollah. "Israel's fighting Hezbollah too long and too many people are
being killed." Trump said he opposed strikes that destroy apartment
buildings filled with civilians and revealed he urged Israel to Show more
01:08
6:09 AM =C2=B7 Jun 17, 2026
<https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/2067127362089893943>107.9KViews
<https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/2067127362089893943>

--000000000000df3526065473212d
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><a href=3D"https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status=
/2067127362089893943" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif;=
background-color:transparent">https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/2067127362=
089893943</a></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><br></div><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-gap-2" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;display:flex;color:rgb(15,20,26);font-family:TwitterChirp,-apple-sy=
stem,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-se=
rif;font-size:15px"><div class=3D"gmail-relative gmail-flex gmail-w-10 gmai=
l-shrink-0 gmail-justify-center gmail-self-stretch" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:fl=
ex;width:40px"><div class=3D"gmail-relative gmail-z-10" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px"><a cl=
ass=3D"gmail-min-size gmail-flex gmail-overflow-hidden gmail-rounded-full g=
mail-bg-gray-300 gmail-min-h-10 gmail-min-w-10 gmail-size-10 gmail-transiti=
on gmail-duration-200 gmail-hover:brightness-90" href=3D"https://x.com/Rnau=
dBertrand" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid rgb(228, 234,=
 236); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: inherit; text-decoration: inherit;=
 display: flex; width: 40px; height: 40px; min-height: 40px; min-width: 40p=
x; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 9999px; background-color: rgb(186, 203,=
 212); transition-property: color, background-color, border-color, outline-=
color, text-decoration-color, fill, stroke, --tw-gradient-from, --tw-gradie=
nt-via, --tw-gradient-to, opacity, box-shadow, transform, translate, scale,=
 rotate, filter, -webkit-backdrop-filter, backdrop-filter, display, content=
-visibility, overlay, pointer-events; transition-timing-function: cubic-bez=
ier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1); transition-duration: 0.2s;"><img alt=3D"user avatar" c=
lass=3D"gmail-size-full gmail-brightness-100 gmail-[dynamic-range-limit:sta=
ndard]" src=3D"https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1387256201293959168/3h5=
yYupT_normal.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid rgb(22=
8, 234, 236); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; display: b=
lock; max-width: 100%; height: 40px; width: 40px; dynamic-range-limit: stan=
dard;"></a></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-min-w-0 gmail-flex-1 =
gmail-flex-col" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234=
,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex;min-width:0px"><div class=3D"gmai=
l-flex gmail-items-start gmail-justify-between gmail-gap-2" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;di=
splay:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-overflow-hidden gmail-flex-col gmail-items-=
start gmail-gap-0 gmail-min-w-0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px =
solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;min-width:0px;overflow:hidden=
"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-max-w-full gmail-shrink-0 gmail-items-cent=
er gmail-gap-1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234=
,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex;max-width:100%"><a class=3D"gmail=
-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-break-all gmai=
l-text-text gmail-line-clamp-1 gmail-text-body gmail-font-bold gmail-hover:=
underline" href=3D"https://x.com/RnaudBertrand" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(15,2=
0,26);text-decoration:inherit;display:-webkit-box;overflow:hidden;max-width=
:100%;line-height:20px;font-weight:700;word-break:break-all;white-space:pre=
-wrap">Arnaud Bertrand</a><div class=3D"gmail-shrink-0" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px"><div =
class=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-=
break-words gmail-text-text gmail-text-body gmail-font-normal" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px=
;max-width:100%;line-height:20px;word-break:break-word;white-space:pre-wrap=
"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-gap-1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;bord=
er:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex"><span ro=
le=3D"button" tabindex=3D"0" aria-label=3D"Verified account" class=3D"gmail=
-flex gmail-cursor-pointer gmail-items-center" type=3D"button" aria-haspopu=
p=3D"dialog" aria-expanded=3D"false" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:=
0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex"></span></di=
v></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-min-w-0 gmail-items-cent=
er gmail-gap-2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234=
,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex;min-width:0px"><a class=3D"gmail-=
font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-break-words gma=
il-text-gray-700 gmail-no-underline gmail-[font-feature-settings:&#39;ss01&=
#39;] gmail-line-clamp-1 gmail-text-body gmail-font-normal" href=3D"https:/=
/x.com/RnaudBertrand" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(2=
28,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(82,99,111);text-decoration-lin=
e:none;text-decoration-style:inherit;text-decoration-color:inherit;display:=
-webkit-box;overflow:hidden;max-width:100%;font-feature-settings:&quot;ss01=
&quot;;line-height:20px;word-break:break-word;white-space:pre-wrap">@RnaudB=
ertrand</a></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-shrink-0 gmail-items-=
center gmail-gap-1 gmail-whitespace-nowrap" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex;white=
-space:nowrap"><button class=3D"gmail-gap-1 gmail-inline-flex gmail-items-c=
enter gmail-border gmail-border-solid gmail-font-bold gmail-has-[svg:only-c=
hild]:px-0 gmail-transition gmail-disabled:pointer-events-none gmail-focus-=
visible:outline gmail-disabled:opacity-50 gmail-justify-center gmail-bg-bac=
kground gmail-rounded-full gmail-text-text gmail-h-8 gmail-min-w-8 gmail-px=
-4 gmail-[&amp;&gt;svg]:size-[1.125rem] gmail-text-subtext1 gmail-hover:bg-=
mix-current gmail-hover:bg-mix-amount-10 gmail-active:bg-mix-current gmail-=
active:bg-mix-amount-15 gmail-focus-visible:bg-mix-current gmail-focus-visi=
ble:bg-mix-amount-10 gmail-outline-current gmail--my-2 gmail-size-8 gmail-m=
in-w-8 gmail-shrink-0 gmail-border-transparent gmail-bg-transparent gmail-p=
-0 gmail-text-gray-700 gmail-hover:bg-blue-500/10 gmail-hover:text-blue-500=
 gmail-focus-visible:outline-blue-500" aria-label=3D"More" type=3D"button" =
aria-haspopup=3D"dialog" aria-expanded=3D"false" style=3D"border-width: 1px=
; border-style: solid; border-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding=
: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; font-s=
tretch: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px; font-family: inherit; =
font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inhe=
rit; font-language-override: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-=
variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; color: rgb(15, 20, 26=
); opacity: 1; border-radius: 9999px; appearance: button; cursor: pointer; =
margin-block: -8px; display: inline-flex; width: 32px; height: 32px; min-wi=
dth: 32px; flex-shrink: 0; align-items: center; justify-content: center; ga=
p: 4px; padding-inline: 0px; outline-color: currentcolor; transition-proper=
ty: color, background-color, border-color, outline-color, text-decoration-c=
olor, fill, stroke, --tw-gradient-from, --tw-gradient-via, --tw-gradient-to=
, opacity, box-shadow, transform, translate, scale, rotate, filter, -webkit=
-backdrop-filter, backdrop-filter, display, content-visibility, overlay, po=
inter-events; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1); tra=
nsition-duration: 0.15s;"></button></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gm=
ail-flex gmail-flex-col gmail-gap-3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:=
0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex;color:rgb(15=
,20,26);font-family:TwitterChirp,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Seg=
oe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:15px"><div dir=3D"a=
uto" class=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap g=
mail-break-words gmail-text-text gmail-text-body gmail-font-normal" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;max-width:100%;line-height:20px;word-break:break-word;white-space:p=
re-wrap"><span class=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-=
pre-wrap gmail-break-words gmail-text-inherit gmail-text-[length:inherit] g=
mail-font-normal" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,2=
34,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:100%;font-size:inherit;word-break:=
break-word;color:inherit">This video - probably more than any other - illus=
trates the extent to which Israel&#39;s regional strategy has resulted in s=
trategic defeat.

I mean: they had one big enemy - Iran - and one big friend - the US - and t=
hese two are now negotiating a deal, while Israel is being told it&#39;s an=
 inconvenience that be should be replaced by a former Al Qaeda commander, b=
ecause he&#39;s more humane and kills less civilians.

If that&#39;s not strategic defeat, I don&#39;t know what is.</span></div><=
div class=3D"gmail-transition-colors gmail-focus-visible:outline-2 gmail-fo=
cus-visible:outline-blue-500 gmail-focus-visible:outline-offset-[-2px] gmai=
l-rounded-2xl gmail-border gmail-border-gray-200 gmail-overflow-hidden gmai=
l-cursor-pointer gmail-hover:bg-gray-100/50" role=3D"link" tabindex=3D"0" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing: border-box; border: 1px solid rgb(206, 217, 222); margi=
n: 0px; padding: 0px; cursor: pointer; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 16p=
x; transition-property: color, background-color, border-color, outline-colo=
r, text-decoration-color, fill, stroke, --tw-gradient-from, --tw-gradient-v=
ia, --tw-gradient-to; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2,=
 1); transition-duration: 0.15s;"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-p-3 gmail-=
flex-col gmail-gap-1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(2=
28,234,236);margin:0px;padding:12px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-flex =
gmail-min-w-0 gmail-flex-1 gmail-flex-col gmail-gap-1" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display=
:flex;min-width:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-min-w-0 gmail-items-cen=
ter gmail-gap-1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,23=
4,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex;min-width:0px"><a class=3D"gmail=
-min-size gmail-flex gmail-overflow-hidden gmail-rounded-full gmail-bg-gray=
-300 gmail-min-h-6 gmail-min-w-6 gmail-size-6 gmail-transition gmail-durati=
on-200 gmail-hover:brightness-90" href=3D"https://x.com/FoxNews" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid rgb(228, 234, 236); margin: 0px; p=
adding: 0px; color: inherit; text-decoration: inherit; display: flex; width=
: 24px; height: 24px; min-height: 24px; min-width: 24px; overflow: hidden; =
border-radius: 9999px; background-color: rgb(186, 203, 212); transition-pro=
perty: color, background-color, border-color, outline-color, text-decoratio=
n-color, fill, stroke, --tw-gradient-from, --tw-gradient-via, --tw-gradient=
-to, opacity, box-shadow, transform, translate, scale, rotate, filter, -web=
kit-backdrop-filter, backdrop-filter, display, content-visibility, overlay,=
 pointer-events; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1); =
transition-duration: 0.2s;"><img alt=3D"user avatar" class=3D"gmail-size-fu=
ll gmail-brightness-100 gmail-[dynamic-range-limit:standard]" src=3D"https:=
//pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1988465685639380992/PNFNFL7O_normal.jpg" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid rgb(228, 234, 236); margin:=
 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; display: block; max-width: 100%=
; height: 24px; width: 24px; dynamic-range-limit: standard;"></a><div class=
=3D"gmail-shrink-1 gmail-flex gmail-items-center gmail-text-gray-700 gmail-=
[&amp;&gt;span:not(:empty)~span:not(:empty)]:before:content-[&#39;=C2=B7&#3=
9;] gmail-[&amp;&gt;span:not(:empty)~span:not(:empty)]:before:px-1 gmail-[&=
amp;&gt;span:not(:empty)~span:not(:empty)]:before:shrink-0 gmail-min-w-0 gm=
ail-overflow-hidden" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(22=
8,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex;min-width:0px;overflow:hidde=
n;color:rgb(82,99,111)"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display=
:contents"><div class=3D"gmail-overflow-hidden gmail-flex gmail-items-cente=
r gmail-gap-1 gmail-min-w-0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px soli=
d rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex;min-width:0px;overfl=
ow:hidden"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-max-w-full gmail-shrink-0 gmail-i=
tems-center gmail-gap-1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rg=
b(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex;max-width:100%"><a class=
=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-break=
-all gmail-text-text gmail-line-clamp-1 gmail-text-body gmail-font-bold gma=
il-hover:underline" href=3D"https://x.com/FoxNews" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(1=
5,20,26);text-decoration:inherit;display:-webkit-box;overflow:hidden;max-wi=
dth:100%;line-height:20px;font-weight:700;word-break:break-all;white-space:=
pre-wrap">Fox News</a><div class=3D"gmail-shrink-0" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px"><div clas=
s=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-brea=
k-words gmail-text-text gmail-text-body gmail-font-normal" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;max=
-width:100%;line-height:20px;word-break:break-word;white-space:pre-wrap;col=
or:rgb(15,20,26)"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-gap-1" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;displa=
y:flex"><span role=3D"button" tabindex=3D"0" aria-label=3D"Verified account=
" class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-cursor-pointer gmail-items-center" type=3D"butt=
on" aria-haspopup=3D"dialog" aria-expanded=3D"false" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:f=
lex"></span></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-min-w-0 =
gmail-items-center gmail-gap-2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px s=
olid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex;min-width:0px"><a=
 class=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail=
-break-words gmail-text-gray-700 gmail-no-underline gmail-[font-feature-set=
tings:&#39;ss01&#39;] gmail-line-clamp-1 gmail-text-body gmail-font-normal"=
 href=3D"https://x.com/FoxNews" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px s=
olid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(82,99,111);text-deco=
ration-line:none;text-decoration-style:inherit;text-decoration-color:inheri=
t;display:-webkit-box;overflow:hidden;max-width:100%;font-feature-settings:=
&quot;ss01&quot;;line-height:20px;word-break:break-word;white-space:pre-wra=
p">@FoxNews</a></div></div></span><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0=
px;display:contents"><a class=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-wh=
itespace-pre-wrap gmail-break-words gmail-text-gray-700 gmail-text-body gma=
il-font-normal gmail-hover:underline gmail-inline-flex gmail-w-fit gmail-sh=
rink-0 gmail-whitespace-nowrap" href=3D"https://x.com/FoxNews/status/206685=
9840169803873" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,=
236);margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(82,99,111);text-decoration:inherit;di=
splay:inline-flex;width:fit-content;max-width:100%;line-height:20px;word-br=
eak:break-word;white-space:pre-wrap">Jun 16</a></span></div></div><div dir=
=3D"auto" class=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-w=
rap gmail-break-words gmail-text-text gmail-line-clamp-5 gmail-text-body gm=
ail-font-normal" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,23=
4,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:-webkit-box;overflow:hidden;max-width=
:100%;line-height:20px;word-break:break-word;white-space:pre-wrap"><span cl=
ass=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-br=
eak-words gmail-text-inherit gmail-text-[length:inherit] gmail-font-normal"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0p=
x;padding:0px;max-width:100%;font-size:inherit;word-break:break-word;color:=
inherit">BREAKING: President Trump publicly rebukes Israel over its war aga=
inst Hezbollah.

&quot;Israel&#39;s fighting Hezbollah too long and too many people are bein=
g killed.&quot;

Trump said he opposed strikes that destroy apartment buildings filled with =
civilians and revealed he urged Israel to</span><button class=3D"gmail-font=
-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-break-words gmail-t=
ext-primary gmail-text-[length:inherit] gmail-font-normal" style=3D"border-=
width:0px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:400;font-stretch=
:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:TwitterChirp,-ap=
ple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,s=
ans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;letter-spacing:inherit;color:rgb(0,0,0);opacity:1;border-radius:=
0px;max-width:100%;word-break:break-word"> Show more</button></div></div></=
div><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-relative gmail-overflow-hidden" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;overflow:hidden"><div class=3D"gmail-w-full" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;width:564=
.8px"><div class=3D"gmail-group gmail-relative gmail-isolate gmail-z-0 gmai=
l-flex gmail-aspect-video gmail-h-full gmail-w-full gmail-overflow-hidden g=
mail-bg-black gmail-tabular-nums" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px=
 solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;isolation:isolate;display:fl=
ex;height:317.7px;width:564.8px;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgb(0,0,0)=
;font-variant-numeric:tabular-nums"><div class=3D"gmail-absolute gmail-star=
t-0 end-0 gmail-top-0 gmail-bottom-0 gmail-flex gmail-w-full" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;=
display:flex;width:564.8px"><button type=3D"button" aria-label=3D"Play" cla=
ss=3D"gmail-absolute gmail-start-0 end-0 gmail-top-0 gmail-bottom-0 gmail-z=
-0 gmail-cursor-pointer gmail-appearance-none gmail-border-0 gmail-bg-trans=
parent gmail-p-0" style=3D"border-width:0px;border-style:solid;border-color=
:rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;letter-spacing:inheri=
t;opacity:1;border-radius:0px"></button><div class=3D"gmail-pointer-events-=
none gmail-absolute gmail-inset-0 gmail-z-10 gmail-flex gmail-items-center =
gmail-justify-center" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(2=
28,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex"><img alt=3D"" class=3D"gma=
il-absolute gmail-inset-0 gmail-z-0 gmail-h-full gmail-w-full gmail-object-=
cover" src=3D"https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/2066859616835719168=
/img/dvdy7iYtV2X_kLHX.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px sol=
id rgb(228, 234, 236); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; d=
isplay: block; max-width: 100%; height: 317.7px; inset: 0px; z-index: 0; wi=
dth: 564.8px; object-fit: cover;"><button class=3D"gmail-gap-1 gmail-inline=
-flex gmail-items-center gmail-border gmail-border-solid gmail-font-bold gm=
ail-has-[svg:only-child]:px-0 gmail-transition gmail-disabled:pointer-event=
s-none gmail-focus-visible:outline gmail-disabled:opacity-50 gmail-justify-=
center gmail-h-14 gmail-min-w-14 gmail-px-8 gmail-[&amp;&gt;svg]:size-6 gma=
il-text-headline2 gmail-bg-black/80 gmail-border-transparent gmail-outline-=
white gmail-text-white gmail-rounded-full gmail-active:bg-mix-black gmail-a=
ctive:bg-mix-amount-15 gmail-focus-visible:bg-mix-black gmail-focus-visible=
:bg-mix-amount-10 gmail-hover:bg-mix-black gmail-hover:bg-mix-amount-10 gma=
il-pointer-events-auto gmail-z-10" type=3D"button" aria-label=3D"Play" styl=
e=3D"border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; border-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)=
; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; fo=
nt-weight: 700; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 17px; line-height: 20px; =
font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inher=
it; font-kerning: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; font-feature-se=
ttings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit;=
 color: rgb(255, 255, 255); opacity: 1; border-radius: 9999px; appearance: =
button; cursor: pointer; pointer-events: auto; z-index: 10; display: inline=
-flex; height: 56px; min-width: 56px; align-items: center; justify-content:=
 center; gap: 4px; padding-inline: 0px; outline-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); =
transition-property: color, background-color, border-color, outline-color, =
text-decoration-color, fill, stroke, --tw-gradient-from, --tw-gradient-via,=
 --tw-gradient-to, opacity, box-shadow, transform, translate, scale, rotate=
, filter, -webkit-backdrop-filter, backdrop-filter, display, content-visibi=
lity, overlay, pointer-events; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4=
, 0, 0.2, 1); transition-duration: 0.15s;"></button></div><div class=3D"gma=
il-pointer-events-none gmail-absolute gmail-start-0 end-0 gmail-bottom-0 gm=
ail-z-20 gmail-flex gmail-flex-col gmail-px-1 gmail-pb-2 gmail-opacity-0" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;=
padding:0px 0px 8px;display:flex;opacity:0"></div><div class=3D"gmail-point=
er-events-none gmail-absolute gmail-z-[1] gmail-flex gmail-bottom-3 gmail-s=
tart-3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-pointer-events-auto =
gmail-flex" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236=
);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-items=
-center gmail-gap-0.5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(=
228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-inlin=
e-flex gmail-h-5 gmail-shrink-0 gmail-items-center gmail-rounded-sm gmail-p=
x-2 gmail-bg-translucent-black-77" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0p=
x solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:inline-flex;height:=
20px;border-radius:14.4px;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.77)"><div class=3D"=
gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-break-wor=
ds gmail-text-white gmail-line-clamp-1 gmail-text-subtext2 gmail-font-norma=
l" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:=
0px;padding:0px;display:-webkit-box;overflow:hidden;max-width:100%;font-siz=
e:13px;line-height:16px;word-break:break-word;white-space:pre-wrap;color:rg=
b(255,255,255)">01:08</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>=
</div><div class=3D"gmail-shrink-1 gmail-flex gmail-items-center gmail-text=
-gray-700 gmail-[&amp;&gt;span:not(:empty)~span:not(:empty)]:before:content=
-[&#39;=C2=B7&#39;] gmail-[&amp;&gt;span:not(:empty)~span:not(:empty)]:befo=
re:px-1 gmail-[&amp;&gt;span:not(:empty)~span:not(:empty)]:before:shrink-0"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0p=
x;padding:0px;display:flex;color:rgb(82,99,111)"><span class=3D"gmail-conte=
nts" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margi=
n:0px;padding:0px;display:contents"><a class=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-=
w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-break-words gmail-text-gray-700 gmai=
l-text-body gmail-font-normal gmail-hover:underline gmail-inline-flex gmail=
-w-fit" href=3D"https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/2067127362089893943" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;pa=
dding:0px;color:rgb(82,99,111);text-decoration:inherit;display:inline-flex;=
width:fit-content;max-width:100%;line-height:20px;word-break:break-word;whi=
te-space:pre-wrap">6:09 AM =C2=B7 Jun 17, 2026</a></span><span class=3D"gma=
il-contents" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,23=
6);margin:0px;padding:0px;display:contents"><a class=3D"gmail-font-chirp gm=
ail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-break-words gmail-text-gray-=
700 gmail-text-subtext1 gmail-font-normal gmail-hover:underline gmail-inlin=
e-flex gmail-items-center gmail-gap-1" href=3D"https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/=
status/2067127362089893943" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid=
 rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(82,99,111);text-decorati=
on:inherit;display:inline-flex;max-width:100%;font-size:14px;line-height:16=
px;word-break:break-word;white-space:pre-wrap"><span class=3D"gmail-font-ch=
irp gmail-max-w-full gmail-whitespace-pre-wrap gmail-break-words gmail-text=
-text gmail-text-[length:inherit] gmail-font-bold" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;border:0px solid rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:1=
00%;font-size:inherit;font-weight:700;word-break:break-word;color:rgb(15,20=
,26)">107.9K</span><span class=3D"gmail-font-chirp gmail-max-w-full gmail-w=
hitespace-pre-wrap gmail-break-words gmail-text-gray-700 gmail-text-[length=
:inherit] gmail-font-normal" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:0px soli=
d rgb(228,234,236);margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:100%;font-size:inherit;=
word-break:break-word">Views</span></a></span></div></div></div><div dir=3D=
"ltr"><div style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:small"><br></div></=
div>
</div></div>

--000000000000df3526065473212d--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 06:38:45 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 9B2A4B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:38:45 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 9B2A4B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="F7Exg1eJ"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 90397BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:38:45 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f50.google.com (mail-ej1-f50.google.com
 [209.85.218.50])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 8E3E4BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:38:45 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f50.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bdb3fd39045so847470866b.3
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:38:45 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781703524; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=klqCZ/r5aMSIwdD42AKJOzfA94WN/qCL4Vn+KBW6+EYnKwn8urhLcYeYOgINsSEpel
 C6093t4XueDi389A/bXqA0P2DCvOgyHF0R/WKCxnUPmstB73VkRzHUsbYu3Sn9SlR6SO
 IMYljtVAJbwQR2jGqcb++e/tAuNTvDVBg/c8kZUq7vgP3tnaC8GdCmJH5a3YwsDe954S
 kspj6LcbCwa8ikvHPgwJx/+wwG+8A5Fz+6y2bKSFsplG608GDW08IkMsQBNDPq5GOoWb
 6vcLtDedAEmSZ2MZA9pXwUeQmIETt8SZ05O3fs+l+mXh5oiib/IC0GvW8atCDHfqCdAR
 pbGQ==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=CAawKY8SwW/89Mi0wfbAhFAB95NwnoedP9kbkzAd7fQ=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=AfHcPqVajgkJqALyctxIfUbCz1BfTVYTUB78MXAHMJZBBztoYWantXN6qi6t4XRU6F
 AkTegzik5zZZSSDZtUiHBpOmt8EI+K5IaTGQuKNjI/kLUXYrJbqghedjwG5DuLYIZxqm
 DJROIj3wkf5ltGLKdy7osOLQTCGy7jQXQ2iOXbwvKcZSkNvYRDcMvjgBZ3OWeee9l8UJ
 ZNlk1dTVxLi7j2ETKdvlFel354AYsSElYVJ1c6PpnlbxxuEOpIf79I3riqBg5dNkGTy9
 VvmOjnPVugch1OiWC0EpwrNxJOfLOtDzyELgrzYnX497DDNFgCIrdr1z7zdVOdr5TyPl
 NIpw==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781703524; x=1782308324; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=CAawKY8SwW/89Mi0wfbAhFAB95NwnoedP9kbkzAd7fQ=;
 b=F7Exg1eJLaLs68wKMNRepH+U5yogTdeogSxhMOwPks0s26MJ4zHZA8NPSHDBvjsgHh
 8bjuV8/2HpRCa60Hstgu9PpSKMOmAOlT9YyTwBKaXGBDaH+hHiAZaiblCkE+Zn1Tk9Yc
 koXeejSFBxa5dYjcbx2Pd6fX1zNqhs+oo6SE4L+xZdu6/hPcd48+OK+ecfSNvWkaPOjE
 JjFm5t+TseDfPLWPDEeFe77hc0NcJA28AaVsd0lqfwCEGDTlZp+Y+z2kr8dBbNJFHMIm
 eewdhXaoSqBkgt8BLS06mCgash1TBn1jHIr1hJvq5QDgb2es4RMT6IkYm0jNyQQKBWjA
 YBmA==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781703524; x=1782308324;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=CAawKY8SwW/89Mi0wfbAhFAB95NwnoedP9kbkzAd7fQ=;
 b=kLR6km0O9AMhJnhYgYae9NXdkCTyk6TW7P2rtkuB8Q34izJLLF6uZUSdZzNAGj06vf
 jpVEshU9DpJKRu6g3GXWcARJyWx216U1o871Qb7IQpfIdc4A0K9xLgCnkvg9aG7/DXus
 AySP/kU8v00/bqnRRfqK0H1MwLrYYhnwL5UgXcbiOL4zkBqEt+Y28E35glzfdWLh619D
 O69ue8pMWy34/Y6bYfV7wuwRpPhw17sF48YVzy9XPSNm1e/BOtjoO0jyc9d0J3HJtpKm
 J/70ofU6ksCDTCFuoCE+8bhcM1WBjwQrZx/4fQFNhGjWGfNcIuzFMq/bRMITmGoDeQ2s
 3gjw==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YyI29uE2Sd9mzEdRX9lkBByyltJ3v1duNa5dZITrRw1zCmv4eaC
 vmecB2vY405WQNaGcoOW0QQNluHucOx4tJKH5EQo7WI1vPxxFG1BcgWX6yKO1DG0CL2/d7nvqWU
 UBq5aJ3zLpdj/2eIHg64hdbUX4CqFrNnxZFAAz1kTww==
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7cnvC6/j3vIyapTZ6DhUmdMIiVqtJnL0MfqpdMY4Il0mV1tGN5eLdZeaVFwSf5r
 spV/c+C4gT9rabiJkT8RtZmAwMHVwCOzNPsdy3MCEPmv4xJrFtOD3c7ZwUWRJCAyGeLpqCmqtMW
 F2G2wFye4bNRt17esbYrG9h0UDin52Ukldk3COmxssrCu7gpCXjW9b6UNo/D757/T1UWzPlQ6bg
 9M9+JU+oFwKGSK2O+kldQIF3ZloEi2Kxjl5FyMjfGqim5+QZepbMAlTmM+kFf+OWR1hdD4+BGFo
 BrUc2xV7y/MvjMFQxs5xaGW7PkNkctT66TekrpgesjUQtT+8subYbzQQaWsOWQOSc4VEJaXaiMd
 HyAWlDmfmuhzcTE+SD1LhzDtRgFnqHLi1UD8pr7050VVuUG/j8O8vm0A316gSDNNb1esO/C6L7F
 QlKbnKRVAjLPz3JH59O6efmSbE4Z4rDBM14uxrC+QGNao9cerR6Vk9MFk8xdmyzr1A/VJ2QRoha
 5h2IM5nYU+MHqeCqhu6V9BRgFvmzTA9shcY9j/tvOzoMUs=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:3e9d:b0:bef:87ca:aed1 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a85a45e0mr325206866b.25.1781703523674; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 06:38:43 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:38:27 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Ce3Ir7lNFcN2J0BXAQNRRKY_26iLkH-R_fzLInI8i3VGq_I68Qf8XOaF3U
Message-ID: <CANbmmQkLNv5+c5bE_bzjRcML5UCv2=_8Fi9m4kCh43VwBpHBuw@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000009fba660654732d21"
Subject: [Salon] Psychologist says Trump is the sickest person he has ever seen
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:38:45 -0000

--0000000000009fba660654732d21
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-psychologist-says-is-the-sickest-person-he-has-ever-seen/

--0000000000009fba660654732d21
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"

<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-psychologist-says-is-the-sickest-person-he-has-ever-seen/">https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/06/quick-hit-psychologist-says-is-the-sickest-person-he-has-ever-seen/</a></div>

--0000000000009fba660654732d21--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 06:44:49 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 31CC7B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:44:49 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 31CC7B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="lMMhLhOS"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 2A27BBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:44:49 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f45.google.com (mail-ej1-f45.google.com
 [209.85.218.45])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id DE19DBD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:44:48 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f45.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bec4639953dso988042566b.1
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:44:48 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781703887; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=eN4pf1OHsYIbSzNp2BH+3MOpZu1LMdTxROSsW8R1H9lVlcTaUNNpK//louYvgbPTzz
 MwJVADu1iXclRvFoNGTly9FbjMyUHvXzpHUFslH3nqSee8ElTcVr5j0ImOxRiW3ctVCx
 8xaPy1S1TKWALsOxvazzth+c4vYpCJgf+81eQUXo0j+HKbx1nRi4JtJRklZIDNzBLar9
 aHmoVqm4K7vvrlKUPiGyqULX6V0yLNtObmHCMBHxuPDWsVqLh64jBexs1T5v49woauNg
 UwyqO8BjAcFzwo+bodV1x/WNYzvlryZLigOngzgvLb5jQAfXFZSNQu9Vm85tRNNkBo8K
 rGfA==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=BQhRqEd1mZrMBaiVPjWV5UyiScOiwFqJuO85yf4cc44=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=TNhTN2wMetGP3bSdvuIkVlCaB8wlmez1WPjh63e26gscsjXd2Oiz+lePeCvYj5mRLo
 1svXhSULeZICWUddw03V2Z8E+dJJvyWP94LPn4FbDVW/N7X6FysN2IB1yDTqnrjyA+vR
 WGhzTNTNh8UJSwuHNcWF3CrHGw0o41gzFITH1x1daP+bpLw0SFM3f4+nDBspFq0yHW0W
 qHX/V4JQhjUB641qbubCGVSE92Czfg0kzMQIV7GaI1dRhoenzd7+y8OAjH00DpxaDqoO
 Kms7s1srrUucMcoMa/V30BlAgu0vsjYinMqw7Ypql326tIeiIxLRY5djKESybBlzBEwB
 9I4A==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781703887; x=1782308687; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=BQhRqEd1mZrMBaiVPjWV5UyiScOiwFqJuO85yf4cc44=;
 b=lMMhLhOSzcvt5eDhuUuB8ubXa3yixR++gwZZVaQBvxKOIQbct/KhgDc3BPRMXQwglv
 5upcdzL7adO55gROkkQ2DGZNu2h5nf6Xiz7VBmz6pJ+zdIVQlT4059PpC/AI5dOkGZEg
 rwIZfPU4VDzUVNe8TLZSfuelm9HSocHk4Cf9kv3c1Dfj0NrFYI87xExOMOIlqu2n+m3I
 5KtVSjFV3CBlgmPPJJEizGjtNjeAGTjdjvqA4c2xs/UhzISsvAoDoScdHHM7l3LHLjVk
 Ps3c/DZ8rz2mBrdgrO0VZLTJ7EYvWE741JgN5+5RLIJJ/wxIqMXd5NKPyJFhCEFs9DYA
 VKKQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781703887; x=1782308687;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=BQhRqEd1mZrMBaiVPjWV5UyiScOiwFqJuO85yf4cc44=;
 b=NWszyx6N0iSomgZc0ZS++r/ZW08OI+u1CXu5jJ1j1VvFFtxfN67LyH7waimQ+RN48+
 8zxYDw+MYdrCpfTLuIVu8yc7OtATOabrmLpGkhr5Q29YXCEuGUXC74JHtTjHx6d6vABk
 0aIwdGRawXZ6OqqQwjebMSFimUt+ds+cvcnStejRli7kKFCPTVVI3X8VaGXIBtTxgbwH
 dYAeM2n6yj80f5QISaZOzr8rxYdGRx3jgCaj0dPiaMwpH6/N81dEO8oEy/SsLO9T26zl
 EqhiHtF8xaCii/WhlCsUIM/ETUdsT7kzQ1U+lqpDccxpu6s8wGo5bJ1b+OfWME78mtui
 oP/w==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YwBhjhczdlce9bVU2c9vGg/1grXJllwNzSc+0vGObpKLjqD08gl
 b1h3Tbd8VR/uuYV0V8vvZ46VVxwQMksa05I37VQ+4cdhkSwyH7CQa6p0CRkFcPdBH5AU/xAAMUh
 5LOJrC8J4kAfqx/LfFExNtK4PYb6HRLWn2GS+EXU=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OE++FQAQTVA2K4RqDSziB/F7ENpsqohUxjnAND2dG9PTuQsutpSZp3a4rL4STU
 7nUOlCd8XkaO2B9OpHNSnBq5dKHuszT2acsq7ttmLVujM1Cs5BrWhlulzTkCO2uuKcGth975SBS
 pUd4Ons2KhnIBfpoe8JHXFykE8/ulTsH4GiBtq/gjcCdW6hbCkkLC0wMgNcfV8IHPybwW8zL/7w
 T9CJqpd3A2vhMmwlmKNLgmNHcPSHxcynRqIDZ10o365cqzCrrt7ZDVFTvCYoTkNtl1Sr4O5QBT3
 4qvZXoUDeNiFpTXuQeIOmSVBKkBb/I52INThJMPEdXNYdK/Pt/p7MSdh3mvOQgz6BonAoLfJvxL
 G+TmMI9FjibwGdJGFPyFryZ+MQQL0bSYYnrH1OWKkqcJU5WziMZBjLfm/ZKBKuiaCSphBijy+yf
 LnKBm2IktpHkt/zVAHbAyC+UOwFWmoLJKWCcPD2fCKj+XA9OWpYBUEOFENs3ppGtZmudWUqqcsR
 ncIpn1w9b/hwvE0qwi+JOIhq5xYQZJLnaI0n+KN2ld/66E=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:75d3:b0:bfb:13b8:2ac4 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a5120041mr155140466b.13.1781703886519; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 06:44:46 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <4F833559-189E-440B-B189-8C16B6F2A511@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <4F833559-189E-440B-B189-8C16B6F2A511@gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:44:30 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CddP-DBLyhzdBn_D05dvv82sexhI9LyHoTcsTsFYYEeBBo5RygnnjiFt5A
Message-ID: <CANbmmQm4MyM3-XzKNPvsgxaE378dXZjj7bCn24_EuH7XRZcQPQ@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="00000000000040434606547343bd"
Subject: [Salon] Why the US and Israel Diverged on Iran Peace
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:44:49 -0000

--00000000000040434606547343bd
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

https://search.app/68TEhggueQEJhkz67

Why the US and Israel Diverged on Iran Peace
June 16, 2026
By: Leon Hadar <https://nationalinterest.org/profile/leon-hadar>

   - are this link on Facebook
   <https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnationalinterest.=
org%2Fblog%2Fmiddle-east-watch%2Fwhy-the-us-and-israel-diverged-on-iran-pea=
ce%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook>
   - Share this page on X (Twitter)
   <https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnationalinterest.o=
rg%2Fblog%2Fmiddle-east-watch%2Fwhy-the-us-and-israel-diverged-on-iran-peac=
e%3Futm_source%3Dtwitter%26utm_campaign%3Dweb-share>
   - Share this link on LinkedIn
   <https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite?url=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnati=
onalinterest.org%2Fblog%2Fmiddle-east-watch%2Fwhy-the-us-and-israel-diverge=
d-on-iran-peace%3Futm_source%3Dlinkedin%26utm_campaign%3Dweb-share>
   - Share this page on Reddit
   <https://reddit.com/submit?url=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnationalinterest.org%2Fbl=
og%2Fmiddle-east-watch%2Fwhy-the-us-and-israel-diverged-on-iran-peace%3Futm=
_source%3Dreddit%26utm_campaign%3Dweb-share&title=3DWhy+the+US+and+Israel+D=
iverged+on+Iran+Peace>
   - Email a link to this page
   <?body=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnationalinterest.org%2Fblog%2Fmiddle-east-watch%2=
Fwhy-the-us-and-israel-diverged-on-iran-peace%3Futm_source%3Demail%26utm_ca=
mpaign%3Dweb-share&subject=3DWhy+the+US+and+Israel+Diverged+on+Iran+Peace>

*The end of the Iran War closely resembles that of the 1973 Yom Kippur War.=
*

History, as the great powers of the Middle East have never quite managed to
learn, does not repeat itself exactly. Fifty-three years separate the
October ceasefire that ended the Yom Kippur War
<https://nationalinterest.org/tags/yom-kippur-war> and the rickety truce
<https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06/16/world/iran-war-trump-us-deal> now
descending on the Iran-Israel-America conflagration
<https://nationalinterest.org/tags/iran-war> of 2025=E2=80=932026. And yet,=
 for
anyone who has spent time studying the peculiar geometry of the
US-Israel =E2=80=9Cspecial
relationship
<https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/israel-has-always-been=
-the-us-junior-partner>,=E2=80=9D
the two endings feel eerily familiar, a reminder that Washington=E2=80=99s
friendship, however genuine, has always come with asterisks written in very
fine print.

Begin with the mechanics. In October 1973, with Israeli armor encircling
Egypt <https://nationalinterest.org/tags/egypt>=E2=80=99s Third Army on the=
 western
bank of the Suez Canal <https://nationalinterest.org/tags/suez-canal>, and
with Israeli Prime MinisterGolda Meir
<https://nationalinterest.org/tags/golda-meir>=E2=80=99s government poised =
to
deliver a conclusive military blow, the Nixon administration did something
that would become a recurring feature of American statecraft: it saved the
enemy from total defeat and called the result a diplomatic triumph. Henry
Kissinger <https://nationalinterest.org/tags/henry-kissinger>, the supreme
practitioner of what he might have called =E2=80=9Cconstructive ambiguity
<https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20531702.2020.1761656>=E2=80=
=9D and
what his critics called breathtaking cynicism, brokered a ceasefire that
rescued Egyptian President Anwar Sadat=E2=80=99s battered forces and handed
Washington the enviable role of the region=E2=80=99s indispensable mediator=
.

Israel <https://nationalinterest.org/tags/israel> accepted, not because it
wanted to, but because it had no real choice. The US airlift that had
resupplied Israeli forces, Operation Nickel Grass
<https://www.amcmuseum.org/history/operation-nickel-grass/>, had also
created a dependency. Those who supply the ammunition tend to acquire a
veto over their beneficiary=E2=80=99s operations.

Jump forward five decades. In June 2025, after 12 days
<https://nationalinterest.org/tags/12-day-war> of Israeli and American
airstrikes that targeted Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear facilities
<https://nationalinterest.org/tags/operation-midnight-hammer> and military
infrastructure, President Donald Trump
<https://nationalinterest.org/tags/donald-trump> announced a ceasefire,
publicly, on social media, with characteristic flourish, before Jerusalem
had fully signed on. Washington, having achieved its core objective of
degrading Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear program, was satisfied. Israel, which had =
its own
list of targets yet to be struck, was told, in effect, =E2=80=9Cenough=E2=
=80=9D. Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
<https://nationalinterest.org/tags/benjamin-netanyahu>=E2=80=99s government
complied, albeit with visible reluctance, as it would again when the
conflict reignited in February 2026 and another ceasefire was eventually
imposed through Pakistani mediation in April.

The pattern is so consistent it might as well be doctrine. America
intervenes, America decides when the fighting stops, and Israel, the
nominal partner, discovers that the =E2=80=9Cspecial relationship=E2=80=9D =
has a hierarchy
that becomes most visible precisely at the moment of victory.

The differences between 1973 and 2025=E2=80=932026 are real and should not =
be
elided. In 1973, Israel was attacked; the United States rushed arms to
prevent its defeat. In 2025=E2=80=932026, it was Israel and the United Stat=
es that
struck first, a joint operation against Iranian nuclear sites that both
governments had been contemplating, in various forms, for the better part
of two decades. The adversaries also differ in kind: Sadat=E2=80=99s Egypt =
was a
Soviet <https://nationalinterest.org/tags/soviet-union>-aligned state with
a conventional-warfare army; the Islamic Republic of Iran, in its weakened
post-October 7 condition, was a regional hegemon whose proxies Israel had
systematically dismantled in the preceding years.

Yet the underlying geometry of the US-Israel relationship remains
stubbornly unchanged. In both cases, Washington found itself in the
uncomfortable position of having to manage not only the enemy but also its
ally. In both cases, the United States discovered that Israel=E2=80=99s str=
ategic
objectives and America=E2=80=99s, so neatly aligned in the heat of crisis, =
begin to
diverge the moment the endgame comes into focus.

Kissinger, in his unsentimental way, understood this perfectly in 1973. He
wanted to *use* Israel=E2=80=99s battlefield success as leverage, not as a
conclusion. A destroyed Egyptian Third Army would have been a humiliation
that hardened Arab opinion for a generation; a rescued Egypt, grateful for
American intervention, might be peeled away from Moscow and brought into
Washington=E2=80=99s orbit. Israel=E2=80=99s victory opened the Arab world =
to American
diplomacy.

Trump=E2=80=99s calculus, characteristically less articulated but no less r=
eal,
followed a similar logic. Having struck Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear facilities i=
n 2025,
he wanted an Iran chastened but not destroyed. Similarly, in 2026, after it
became clear that the Islamic Republic would not collapse after the
targeted killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
<https://nationalinterest.org/tags/li-khamenei>, Trump wanted an Iran that
could eventually sign an agreement, reopen the Strait of Hormuz
<https://nationalinterest.org/tags/strait-of-hormuz>, and allow the
president to declare a historic deal. A maximalist Israeli campaign that
continued to aim for toppling the Iranian regime risked generating exactly
the kind of chaos, a power vacuum, regional escalation, a nuclear program
dispersed into unknown hands, that Washington had gone to war to prevent.

Hence the pattern, repeated across both conflicts and over five decades:
America provides the strategic umbrella, absorbs the costs of regional
entanglement, and then insists on shaping the outcome in accordance with
its own interests, which are not identical to Israel=E2=80=99s, however muc=
h the
two governments prefer to pretend otherwise.

The aftermath of the Yom Kippur War is remembered, with the benefit of
hindsight, as a qualified Israeli victory that paradoxically opened the
door to peace. The 1979 Camp David Accords
<https://nationalinterest.org/tags/camp-david-accords>, arguably the most
consequential diplomatic achievement in the region=E2=80=99s modern history=
, grew
directly from the soil tilled by Kissinger=E2=80=99s post-1973 shuttle dipl=
omacy.
Egypt left the Soviet orbit, signed a separate peace with Israel, and the
Arab coalition that had threatened Israel=E2=80=99s existence fractured irr=
eparably.

But for Israel in late 1973, none of this was visible. What was visible was
the shock of an intelligence failure that had nearly proved catastrophic,
the death of nearly 2,700 soldiers, a society shaken to its core, and a
sense, troubling and not entirely irrational, that even the United States,
its patron and arms supplier, had kept it on a leash during the critical
final hours.

The aftermath of the 2025=E2=80=932026 conflict is likely to present its ow=
n
ambiguous ledger. Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear program has been set back by month=
s,
according to some American intelligence assessments, potentially longer if
the strikes proved as effective as claimed. The regime survived the
decapitation strikes, appointing Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader and
continuing to resist. The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz sent ripple
effects through global energy markets. And Israel, having fought across
multiple fronts, Gaza, Lebanon, and now Iran, is exhausted.

What the 2026 ceasefire negotiations have revealed, in the fragile
memorandum of understanding announced by mediators, is that the fundamental
questions remain unresolved: Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear program, its ballistic =
missile
arsenal, and the reconstruction of its military capacity. After 1973, the
guns have stopped, but the underlying conflict has not been concluded,
merely deferred, at considerable human and economic cost, to the next
administration or the next crisis.

Observers on both sides of the American debate will draw their preferred
lessons. Those inclined to see the US-Israel relationship through a
sentimental lens will emphasize the partnership=E2=80=94the airlift in 1973=
, the
joint strikes in 2025, the diplomatic cover provided across both conflicts.
Those inclined toward a more realist accounting will note what the
historical record makes unmistakable: when American and Israeli objectives
diverge, it is Israel that is asked to defer.

This is not necessarily a betrayal, nor is it inexplicable. A great power
with global commitments to manage, energy markets to stabilize, alliance
structures to maintain, and domestic politics to navigate cannot simply
subcontract its foreign policy to a smaller ally with existential stakes
and a different time horizon. Kissinger understood this, even if he said so
more tactfully in public than he did in private. Trump, whose
transactionalism cuts through the diplomatic underbrush with the subtlety
of a Caterpillar D9, has made the same calculation in his own idiom.

The question for Israel, the question that Israeli strategists and
politicians have been debating in earnest since 1973, is what to make of a
patron whose support is indispensable and whose constraints are
inescapable. The answer, available to Israeli leaders willing to look
squarely at the record, is that the special relationship is real but
bounded; that American power can save Israel from its worst dangers but
cannot be counted on to let Israel finish every fight on its own terms; and
that the morning after every American-brokered ceasefire will require
Israel to rebuild its deterrence, reconstitute its alliances, and prepare
for the next round that the ceasefire did not prevent, merely postpone.

The Middle East that greeted the Yom Kippur War ceasefire in October 1973
was reorganizing itself for a long transition, one that produced,
eventually, a cold but durable peace between Israel and Egypt, the
hollowing out of pan-Arabism <https://nationalinterest.org/tags/arab-world>=
 as
an ideological force, and the eventual emergence of Iran as the region=E2=
=80=99s
principal disruptive power. It is not entirely fanciful to wonder whether
the 2026 ceasefire might similarly set in motion a long, painful
transition, one whose endpoint no one can yet discern, but which will
likely look quite different from the maximalist visions advanced by either
Netanyahu or Trump during the heat of the campaign.

In the meantime, Israel finds itself where it has so often found itself
since 1948: militarily formidable, diplomatically dependent, and navigating
the yawning gap between what it feels it needs to survive and what its
indispensable ally is prepared to permit. The morning after the guns go
quiet is always, for Jerusalem, a morning of reckoning=E2=80=94with what wa=
s
achieved, what was left undone, and what price will be paid, years hence,
for the terms that Washington imposed.

Fifty-three years on, the lesson of 1973 has not changed. It has merely
been confirmed, again, at a higher cost and to a wider audience.
About the Author: Leon Hadar

*Dr. Leon Hadar* <https://www.fpri.org/contributor/leon-hadar/>*, a
contributing editor with *The National Interest*, is a former senior fellow
at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) and a former research
fellow in foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. He has taught
international relations, Middle East politics, and communication at
American University in Washington, DC, and the University of Maryland,
College Park. A columnist and blogger with *Haaretz *(Israel) and
Washington correspondent for *The Business Times of Singapore*, he is a
former United Nations bureau chief for *The Jerusalem Post*.*

--00000000000040434606547343bd
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><a href=
=3D"https://search.app/68TEhggueQEJhkz67" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_bla=
nk">https://search.app/68TEhggueQEJhkz67</a><br><div class=3D"gmail-header =
gmail-header--post gmail-header--immersive gmail-header--min-height-none gm=
ail-header--has-media" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0p=
x;max-width:none;overflow-x:hidden;text-align:center;color:rgb(22,22,22);fo=
nt-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"><div class=3D"=
gmail-header__layout" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:55.=
9075px;display:flex;height:409.875px;min-height:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-he=
ader__content" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;displa=
y:flex;max-width:1600px;width:1600px"><div class=3D"gmail-header__metadata"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:none;color=
:inherit"><div class=3D"gmail-header__metas" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;padding:0px;column-gap:0.5em;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-=
header__meta gmail-header__meta--taxonomy" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;padding:0px;font-family:&quot;Work Sans&quot;,sans-serif;font-siz=
e:16.96px"><br><span style=3D"color:inherit;font-size:68px;font-family:&quo=
t;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;background-color:transparent">Why the US and=
 Israel Diverged on Iran Peace</span></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-=
header__metadata" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;max-width:none=
;margin:0px;color:inherit"><div class=3D"gmail-header__metas" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;column-gap:0.5em;display:flex"><di=
v class=3D"gmail-header__meta gmail-header__meta--date" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-family:&quot;Work Sans&quot;,sans-s=
erif">June 16, 2026</div><div class=3D"gmail-header__meta gmail-header__met=
a--taxonomy" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-fam=
ily:&quot;Work Sans&quot;,sans-serif">By:=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationali=
nterest.org/profile/leon-hadar" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(178,42,57)">Leon Hadar</a></div><=
/div></div><div class=3D"gmail-share" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin=
:0px;padding:0px;max-width:none;color:inherit"><div class=3D"gmail-share__l=
ayout" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:13.9769px;display:=
flex"><ul class=3D"gmail-share__list" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;displa=
y:flex;list-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px"><li class=3D"gmail-share__it=
em gmail-share__item--facebook" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px"><a class=3D"gmail-share__link gmail-share-block__link--facebook=
" href=3D"https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnationalint=
erest.org%2Fblog%2Fmiddle-east-watch%2Fwhy-the-us-and-israel-diverged-on-ir=
an-peace%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0.25em;text-decoration:none;co=
lor:rgb(178,42,57);display:flex;line-height:1"><span class=3D"gmail-a11y" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;height:1px;overflow:hi=
dden;width:1px;border:0px;white-space:nowrap">are this link on Facebook</sp=
an><span aria-hidden=3D"true" class=3D"gmail-share__icon-wrap" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;margin:auto;padding:0px;display:flex"></span></a></li><l=
i class=3D"gmail-share__item gmail-share__item--twitter" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;padding:0px;margin:0px"><a class=3D"gmail-share__link gmail-sh=
are-block__link--twitter" href=3D"https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=3Dht=
tps%3A%2F%2Fnationalinterest.org%2Fblog%2Fmiddle-east-watch%2Fwhy-the-us-an=
d-israel-diverged-on-iran-peace%3Futm_source%3Dtwitter%26utm_campaign%3Dweb=
-share" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;padding:0.25em;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(178,42,57);display:=
flex;line-height:1"><span class=3D"gmail-a11y" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;padding:0px;height:1px;overflow:hidden;width:1px;border:0px;w=
hite-space:nowrap">Share this page on X (Twitter)</span><span aria-hidden=
=3D"true" class=3D"gmail-share__icon-wrap" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:auto;padding:0px;display:flex"></span></a></li><li class=3D"gmail-sha=
re__item gmail-share__item--linkedin" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;paddin=
g:0px;margin:0px"><a class=3D"gmail-share__link gmail-share-block__link--li=
nkedin" href=3D"https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite?url=3Dhttps%=
3A%2F%2Fnationalinterest.org%2Fblog%2Fmiddle-east-watch%2Fwhy-the-us-and-is=
rael-diverged-on-iran-peace%3Futm_source%3Dlinkedin%26utm_campaign%3Dweb-sh=
are" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in:0px;padding:0.25em;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(178,42,57);display:fle=
x;line-height:1"><span class=3D"gmail-a11y" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;height:1px;overflow:hidden;width:1px;border:0px;whit=
e-space:nowrap">Share this link on LinkedIn</span><span aria-hidden=3D"true=
" class=3D"gmail-share__icon-wrap" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:au=
to;padding:0px;display:flex"></span></a></li><li class=3D"gmail-share__item=
 gmail-share__item--reddit" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;padding:0px;marg=
in:0px"><a class=3D"gmail-share__link gmail-share-block__link--reddit" href=
=3D"https://reddit.com/submit?url=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnationalinterest.org%2Fbl=
og%2Fmiddle-east-watch%2Fwhy-the-us-and-israel-diverged-on-iran-peace%3Futm=
_source%3Dreddit%26utm_campaign%3Dweb-share&amp;title=3DWhy+the+US+and+Isra=
el+Diverged+on+Iran+Peace" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0.25em;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(=
178,42,57);display:flex;line-height:1"><span class=3D"gmail-a11y" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;height:1px;overflow:hidden;wid=
th:1px;border:0px;white-space:nowrap">Share this page on Reddit</span><span=
 aria-hidden=3D"true" class=3D"gmail-share__icon-wrap" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:auto;padding:0px;display:flex"></span></a></li><li class=
=3D"gmail-share__item gmail-share__item--email" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;padding:0px;margin:0px"><a class=3D"gmail-share__link gmail-share-block=
__link--email" href=3D"mailto:?body=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fnationalinterest.org%2F=
blog%2Fmiddle-east-watch%2Fwhy-the-us-and-israel-diverged-on-iran-peace%3Fu=
tm_source%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dweb-share&amp;subject=3DWhy+the+US+and+I=
srael+Diverged+on+Iran+Peace" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0.25em;text-decoration:none;color:r=
gb(178,42,57);display:flex;line-height:1"><span class=3D"gmail-a11y" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;height:1px;overflow:hidden=
;width:1px;border:0px;white-space:nowrap">Email a link to this page</span><=
span aria-hidden=3D"true" class=3D"gmail-share__icon-wrap" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:auto;padding:0px;display:flex"></span></a></li></ul><=
/div></div></div></div></div><h2 class=3D"gmail-wp-block-heading" id=3D"gma=
il-h-the-end-of-the-iran-war-closely-resembles-that-of-the-1973-yom-kippur-=
war" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(22,22,=
22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-weight:400;line-hei=
ght:1.1;font-size:43.04px;max-width:960px"><em style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;padding:0px">The end of the Iran War closely resembles that o=
f the 1973 Yom Kippur War.</em></h2><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB =
Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">History, as the great powers of t=
he Middle East have never quite managed to learn, does not repeat itself ex=
actly. Fifty-three years separate the October ceasefire that ended the=C2=
=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags/yom-kippur-war" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);background-=
image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));background-p=
osition:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px">Yom=
 Kippur War</a>=C2=A0and the=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.nytimes.com/live/2=
026/06/16/world/iran-war-trump-us-deal" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);background-image:linear-gradient(rg=
ba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));background-position:100% 100%;backgr=
ound-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px">rickety truce</a>=C2=A0now =
descending on the=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags/iran-wa=
r" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,21=
7);background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2)=
);background-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size=
:100% 0px">Iran-Israel-America conflagration</a>=C2=A0of 2025=E2=80=932026.=
 And yet, for anyone who has spent time studying the peculiar geometry of t=
he US-Israel =E2=80=9C<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-e=
ast-watch/israel-has-always-been-the-us-junior-partner" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);background-image:li=
near-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));background-position:=
100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px">special rel=
ationship</a>,=E2=80=9D the two endings feel eerily familiar, a reminder th=
at Washington=E2=80=99s friendship, however genuine, has always come with a=
sterisks written in very fine print.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rg=
b(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">=
</div><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:96=
0px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font=
-size:20px">Begin with the mechanics. In October 1973, with Israeli armor e=
ncircling=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags/egypt" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);backgrou=
nd-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));backgroun=
d-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px">=
Egypt</a>=E2=80=99s Third Army on the western bank of the=C2=A0<a href=3D"h=
ttps://nationalinterest.org/tags/suez-canal" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);background-image:linear-gradie=
nt(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));background-position:100% 100%;b=
ackground-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px">Suez Canal</a>, and wi=
th Israeli Prime Minister<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags/golda=
-meir" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,11=
6,217);background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,=
0.2));background-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-=
size:100% 0px">Golda Meir</a>=E2=80=99s government poised to deliver a conc=
lusive military blow, the Nixon administration did something that would bec=
ome a recurring feature of American statecraft: it saved the enemy from tot=
al defeat and called the result a diplomatic triumph.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https=
://nationalinterest.org/tags/henry-kissinger" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);background-image:linear-gradi=
ent(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));background-position:100% 100%;=
background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px">Henry Kissinger</a>, =
the supreme practitioner of what he might have called =E2=80=9C<a href=3D"h=
ttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20531702.2020.1761656" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);backgrou=
nd-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));backgroun=
d-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px">=
constructive ambiguity</a>=E2=80=9D and what his critics called breathtakin=
g cynicism, brokered a ceasefire that rescued Egyptian President Anwar Sada=
t=E2=80=99s battered forces and handed Washington the enviable role of the =
region=E2=80=99s indispensable mediator.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;colo=
r:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20=
px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-widt=
h:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;=
font-size:20px"><a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags/israel" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);backg=
round-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));backgr=
ound-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0p=
x">Israel</a>=C2=A0accepted, not because it wanted to, but because it had n=
o real choice. The US airlift that had resupplied Israeli forces,=C2=A0<a h=
ref=3D"https://www.amcmuseum.org/history/operation-nickel-grass/" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);backgroun=
d-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));background=
-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px">O=
peration Nickel Grass</a>, had also created a dependency. Those who supply =
the ammunition tend to acquire a veto over their beneficiary=E2=80=99s oper=
ations.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot=
;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-=
family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">Jump forward five=
 decades. In June 2025, after=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/=
tags/12-day-war" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;colo=
r:rgb(0,116,217);background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(=
0,116,217,0.2));background-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;b=
ackground-size:100% 0px">12 days</a>=C2=A0of Israeli and American airstrike=
s=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags/operation-midnight-hamm=
er" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,2=
17);background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2=
));background-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-siz=
e:100% 0px">that targeted Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear facilities</a>=C2=A0and mi=
litary infrastructure,=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags/do=
nald-trump" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb=
(0,116,217);background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116=
,217,0.2));background-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;backgr=
ound-size:100% 0px">President Donald Trump</a>=C2=A0announced a ceasefire, =
publicly, on social media, with characteristic flourish, before Jerusalem h=
ad fully signed on. Washington, having achieved its core objective of degra=
ding Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear program, was satisfied. Israel, which had its o=
wn list of targets yet to be struck, was told, in effect, =E2=80=9Cenough=
=E2=80=9D. Prime Minister=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags=
/benjamin-netanyahu" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;=
color:rgb(0,116,217);background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),r=
gba(0,116,217,0.2));background-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repe=
at;background-size:100% 0px">Benjamin Netanyahu</a>=E2=80=99s government co=
mplied, albeit with visible reluctance, as it would again when the conflict=
 reignited in February 2026 and another ceasefire was eventually imposed th=
rough Pakistani mediation in April.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb=
(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"><=
/div><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960=
px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-=
size:20px">The pattern is so consistent it might as well be doctrine. Ameri=
ca intervenes, America decides when the fighting stops, and Israel, the nom=
inal partner, discovers that the =E2=80=9Cspecial relationship=E2=80=9D has=
 a hierarchy that becomes most visible precisely at the moment of victory.<=
/p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0p=
x;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Gara=
mond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&=
quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">The differences between 1=
973 and 2025=E2=80=932026 are real and should not be elided. In 1973, Israe=
l was attacked; the United States rushed arms to prevent its defeat. In 202=
5=E2=80=932026, it was Israel and the United States that struck first, a jo=
int operation against Iranian nuclear sites that both governments had been =
contemplating, in various forms, for the better part of two decades. The ad=
versaries also differ in kind: Sadat=E2=80=99s Egypt was a=C2=A0<a href=3D"=
https://nationalinterest.org/tags/soviet-union" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);background-image:linear-gra=
dient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));background-position:100% 100=
%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px">Soviet</a>-aligned =
state with a conventional-warfare army; the Islamic Republic of Iran, in it=
s weakened post-October 7 condition, was a regional hegemon whose proxies I=
srael had systematically dismantled in the preceding years.</p><div class=
=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px=
;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sa=
ns-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px=
;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garam=
ond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">Yet the underlying geometry of the US-=
Israel relationship remains stubbornly unchanged. In both cases, Washington=
 found itself in the uncomfortable position of having to manage not only th=
e enemy but also its ally. In both cases, the United States discovered that=
 Israel=E2=80=99s strategic objectives and America=E2=80=99s, so neatly ali=
gned in the heat of crisis, begin to diverge the moment the endgame comes i=
nto focus.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&q=
uot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);fo=
nt-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">Kissinger, in =
his unsentimental way, understood this perfectly in 1973. He wanted to=C2=
=A0<em style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px">use</em>=C2=
=A0Israel=E2=80=99s battlefield success as leverage, not as a conclusion. A=
 destroyed Egyptian Third Army would have been a humiliation that hardened =
Arab opinion for a generation; a rescued Egypt, grateful for American inter=
vention, might be peeled away from Moscow and brought into Washington=E2=80=
=99s orbit. Israel=E2=80=99s victory opened the Arab world to American dipl=
omacy.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;=
EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-f=
amily:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">Trump=E2=80=99s ca=
lculus, characteristically less articulated but no less real, followed a si=
milar logic. Having struck Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear facilities in 2025, he wa=
nted an Iran chastened but not destroyed. Similarly, in 2026, after it beca=
me clear that the Islamic Republic would not collapse after the targeted ki=
lling of=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags/li-khamenei" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);bac=
kground-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));back=
ground-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% =
0px">Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei</a>, Trump wanted an Iran that could event=
ually sign an agreement, reopen the=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinteres=
t.org/tags/strait-of-hormuz" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,21=
7,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));background-position:100% 100%;background-repeat=
:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px">Strait of Hormuz</a>, and allow the pr=
esident to declare a historic deal. A maximalist Israeli campaign that cont=
inued to aim for toppling the Iranian regime risked generating exactly the =
kind of chaos, a power vacuum, regional escalation, a nuclear program dispe=
rsed into unknown hands, that Washington had gone to war to prevent.</p><di=
v class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&q=
uot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;E=
B Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">Hence the pattern, repeated acr=
oss both conflicts and over five decades: America provides the strategic um=
brella, absorbs the costs of regional entanglement, and then insists on sha=
ping the outcome in accordance with its own interests, which are not identi=
cal to Israel=E2=80=99s, however much the two governments prefer to pretend=
 otherwise.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&=
quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);f=
ont-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">The aftermath=
 of the Yom Kippur War is remembered, with the benefit of hindsight, as a q=
ualified Israeli victory that paradoxically opened the door to peace. The 1=
979=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags/camp-david-accords" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);b=
ackground-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));ba=
ckground-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100=
% 0px">Camp David Accords</a>, arguably the most consequential diplomatic a=
chievement in the region=E2=80=99s modern history, grew directly from the s=
oil tilled by Kissinger=E2=80=99s post-1973 shuttle diplomacy. Egypt left t=
he Soviet orbit, signed a separate peace with Israel, and the Arab coalitio=
n that had threatened Israel=E2=80=99s existence fractured irreparably.</p>=
<div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamon=
d&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quo=
t;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">But for Israel in late 1973,=
 none of this was visible. What was visible was the shock of an intelligenc=
e failure that had nearly proved catastrophic, the death of nearly 2,700 so=
ldiers, a society shaken to its core, and a sense, troubling and not entire=
ly irrational, that even the United States, its patron and arms supplier, h=
ad kept it on a leash during the critical final hours.</p><div class=3D"gma=
il-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-wi=
dth:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-seri=
f;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddin=
g:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quo=
t;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">The aftermath of the 2025=E2=80=932026 confli=
ct is likely to present its own ambiguous ledger. Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear pr=
ogram has been set back by months, according to some American intelligence =
assessments, potentially longer if the strikes proved as effective as claim=
ed. The regime survived the decapitation strikes, appointing Mojtaba Khamen=
ei as supreme leader and continuing to resist. The disruption in the Strait=
 of Hormuz sent ripple effects through global energy markets. And Israel, h=
aving fought across multiple fronts, Gaza, Lebanon, and now Iran, is exhaus=
ted.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB=
 Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-fam=
ily:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">What the 2026 ceasef=
ire negotiations have revealed, in the fragile memorandum of understanding =
announced by mediators, is that the fundamental questions remain unresolved=
: Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear program, its ballistic missile arsenal, and the re=
construction of its military capacity. After 1973, the guns have stopped, b=
ut the underlying conflict has not been concluded, merely deferred, at cons=
iderable human and economic cost, to the next administration or the next cr=
isis.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;E=
B Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-fa=
mily:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">Observers on both s=
ides of the American debate will draw their preferred lessons. Those inclin=
ed to see the US-Israel relationship through a sentimental lens will emphas=
ize the partnership=E2=80=94the airlift in 1973, the joint strikes in 2025,=
 the diplomatic cover provided across both conflicts. Those inclined toward=
 a more realist accounting will note what the historical record makes unmis=
takable: when American and Israeli objectives diverge, it is Israel that is=
 asked to defer.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-fam=
ily:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,=
22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">This is =
not necessarily a betrayal, nor is it inexplicable. A great power with glob=
al commitments to manage, energy markets to stabilize, alliance structures =
to maintain, and domestic politics to navigate cannot simply subcontract it=
s foreign policy to a smaller ally with existential stakes and a different =
time horizon. Kissinger understood this, even if he said so more tactfully =
in public than he did in private. Trump, whose transactionalism cuts throug=
h the diplomatic underbrush with the subtlety of a Caterpillar D9, has made=
 the same calculation in his own idiom.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color=
:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20p=
x"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width=
:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;f=
ont-size:20px">The question for Israel, the question that Israeli strategis=
ts and politicians have been debating in earnest since 1973, is what to mak=
e of a patron whose support is indispensable and whose constraints are ines=
capable. The answer, available to Israeli leaders willing to look squarely =
at the record, is that the special relationship is real but bounded; that A=
merican power can save Israel from its worst dangers but cannot be counted =
on to let Israel finish every fight on its own terms; and that the morning =
after every American-brokered ceasefire will require Israel to rebuild its =
deterrence, reconstitute its alliances, and prepare for the next round that=
 the ceasefire did not prevent, merely postpone.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni=
-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:96=
0px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font=
-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;=
max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,san=
s-serif;font-size:20px">The Middle East that greeted the Yom Kippur War cea=
sefire in October 1973 was reorganizing itself for a long transition, one t=
hat produced, eventually, a cold but durable peace between Israel and Egypt=
, the hollowing out of=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://nationalinterest.org/tags/ar=
ab-world" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0=
,116,217);background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,2=
17,0.2));background-position:100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;backgrou=
nd-size:100% 0px">pan-Arabism</a>=C2=A0as an ideological force, and the eve=
ntual emergence of Iran as the region=E2=80=99s principal disruptive power.=
 It is not entirely fanciful to wonder whether the 2026 ceasefire might sim=
ilarly set in motion a long, painful transition, one whose endpoint no one =
can yet discern, but which will likely look quite different from the maxima=
list visions advanced by either Netanyahu or Trump during the heat of the c=
ampaign.</p><div class=3D"gmail-tni-poster" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quo=
t;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font=
-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px">In the meantime,=
 Israel finds itself where it has so often found itself since 1948: militar=
ily formidable, diplomatically dependent, and navigating the yawning gap be=
tween what it feels it needs to survive and what its indispensable ally is =
prepared to permit. The morning after the guns go quiet is always, for Jeru=
salem, a morning of reckoning=E2=80=94with what was achieved, what was left=
 undone, and what price will be paid, years hence, for the terms that Washi=
ngton imposed.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;=
max-width:960px;color:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,san=
s-serif;font-size:20px">Fifty-three years on, the lesson of 1973 has not ch=
anged. It has merely been confirmed, again, at a higher cost and to a wider=
 audience.</p><h3 class=3D"gmail-wp-block-heading" id=3D"gmail-h-about-the-=
author-leon-hadar" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;co=
lor:rgb(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;line-heigh=
t:1.15;font-size:32.96px;max-width:960px"><span style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;padding:0px">About the Author: Leon Hadar</span></h3><p styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;max-width:960px;color:rgb=
(22,22,22);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px"><=
a href=3D"https://www.fpri.org/contributor/leon-hadar/" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,116,217);background-image:li=
near-gradient(rgba(0,116,217,0.2),rgba(0,116,217,0.2));background-position:=
100% 100%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:100% 0px"><em style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px">Dr. Leon Hadar</em></a><e=
m style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px">, a contributing e=
ditor with=C2=A0</em>The National Interest<em style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;padding:0px">, is a former senior fellow at the Foreign Policy=
 Research Institute (FPRI) and a former research fellow in foreign policy s=
tudies at the Cato Institute. He has taught international relations, Middle=
 East politics, and communication at American University in Washington, DC,=
 and the University of Maryland, College Park. A columnist and blogger with=
=C2=A0</em>Haaretz=C2=A0<em style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px">(Israel) and Washington correspondent for=C2=A0</em>The Business Ti=
mes of Singapore<em style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px">=
, he is a former United Nations bureau chief for=C2=A0</em>The Jerusalem Po=
st<em style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px">.</em></p>
</div></div>

--00000000000040434606547343bd--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 06:55:35 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 415D5B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:55:35 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 415D5B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="jGZtZYC9"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 35C53BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:55:35 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ed1-f50.google.com (mail-ed1-f50.google.com
 [209.85.208.50])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 2A2A4BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:55:35 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ed1-f50.google.com with SMTP id
 4fb4d7f45d1cf-68e5f7c1131so9938845a12.2
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:55:35 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781704533; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=L5UR3IEDIiGjisk4oUmfO/a2O4pPLHM5WKs+9TrLl9wI1vxuQpDwdCOPpvDCyySZLC
 dAHy7lPibmyXG72ECNf/u1lwf4la9WfttAZb4AdLJBCgkcuvv9j4DtjsxLI1FblNEQmo
 SNHxjHazgHXyTirhgFzEWcIa+WEyUkGGtLqhwqzYzSsTYp4u3JtyHke02RQckXd6qBqg
 SiuPnsxvvak1yDvRKkUdQXhwayWdaSZ2azvIjGbfx7dcvRy6F7DcSJcoDCyOCDK4Fdvt
 yzeQSz6RtWd0BeavspHLI4E/oZBMi5DCnfIAhbB3B/7BuUsChpPAthT/7686Kp+MHe37
 6Usw==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=QQcTdKehdLkL94lbXDAQOuMMDePZaLUvQqvQqSLnin8=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=Vqs1wpz1sQKFLgSVbe/0HYk5Zn0Hb2Q4f14v9BzLGH7/EqANvcmeD7og/LZ1RvCNgj
 6G79d6Jisnd5BkJOMVYhZEvbwjKWynwctjC5ZDVSvC9YbTy+Dcv43aKU2nXdNQPNT5cm
 qTL24tvWXB9Isry7U62yMnAQI/bTulJoq96vFP+xd48Ihrhv6SK7gt2fFKU8YpfxdxN6
 H0kflCXzHCQfSoUsJRX1nHVdNWQeE93ABXftB74FRP5xQFvupdDMbaFNRxaf5FxRzW/t
 q/NfbJx5VV83mpUIB15zR9zuxKvJ7aOIlkz8En5j6ntPTiH7Zrj1KWy1qcOs8IrCrNCN
 ag6g==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781704533; x=1782309333; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=QQcTdKehdLkL94lbXDAQOuMMDePZaLUvQqvQqSLnin8=;
 b=jGZtZYC9qpy+itBoEbjaLxlGM/G1AswzD05xsz7KGmdlsETmJNkFhC5VRAI3UT7be7
 pDPgwyp+281oW9IepDPFBl1N8HqkHjLWvTOvc5Cz2ax0L3soIHdehuvM4fT6bq9Hqxmj
 auaL7hjBQwe4FCca1EvBvQkgS6LsW0euCqrnP2CA06eYE5IF0uAiVMIyvRxziQlWX5mI
 moyzVJxYauVJ1GEW1xzb5YnNCdRFxUYKp76/wIcgHZOQFlpEphQjF79kP9S5KUIdS0yw
 SVROTq7FjedaHuedPkbbntFOTsNkBy67g4ez4rBtzS+LWfJvzq1qcV5pa/Ad+VmqgY+W
 wSAQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781704533; x=1782309333;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=QQcTdKehdLkL94lbXDAQOuMMDePZaLUvQqvQqSLnin8=;
 b=LOJoDsacrP4RA0+3anxMFIhZArzS6G1UzSM5u51X6s3BibhsTWZLPxATV6WMww+U9A
 /9DJc0A2k3/8q5HRme5HT38zUfxJRD3e9Gs71UvHUnZC+Q20J+eOuLp/Bhjta8oSwzhH
 zgSht/AakQLU0RWKn7JlaCT+wtL3epUZUZHVTkkBHh+XsIw0LFGQfuVa9Kz4qKe+c9dC
 0gXGB4ammYxLXufGHWfoJdSYIUeYQtIl30XS678HVsRSZj3XKaQAzvzmS0Y7XVgdgrlp
 xwu2vogkZUizbypVH+qFjk3mFeCYmGClkzLj/+26yyvDh7LopwrYDp5QugrZXA1HI1R7
 6ntw==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yxo6udhPHGQ/N30jMO6mhS1aZtS64NkwTDWbqBJoul34YRf+Zxu
 RZOm18m5aGGPnyMmAvF0m4KKrBEAR2M7zXVAp31HkaRnONOJTW4v9rxOl+C1lOislwR5EQg09iH
 0+clDlIoeN3L5zQAFrtEibEvRrhKCCDqp5oVMnOA=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OECGcg/qywzfLaz09wMCroua3T+yJt2/3sTwZkMI0Twwm64Amb/k/qSnuJdHg2
 JsgSO6rXtlghDnXfVIUAukHYeB2sQ4TL02u9ab43VUKj0Stuuu0zf5bTn7vpxpEGjd3azuD6LPS
 1A/xM8or6JMWTPnj7bM1+dyFaFl5v6W86JzfktUO1NTIG/icvxdEPXl2di1d+YrvRBygphbgwbO
 BC78aTf8OzvcV+0ZvQO2s0jZuJlF6GSEuwaSCz8bEK8qJv6OjUkesEPbHVQ6CEnp5CsOz2tMGpd
 e2YuxMwaVMtwoF4MY1hmlL5nPPLcbQaneoeZoe3R/Oq121VFiVra+qRIq9PHQI8Oky+u9q78ib9
 ygPmBljfgAznDepSLUbwqvIDw1OVPAJ8W4I04MIsSDhFjlFCGKFH53VNkpKP/hvPWce/mDN87ql
 xH69czntzJDLWs6hw43kLxNhblF/UnvYVGWRvWwHKLZq9JlzmEnLkIWPj/21uro+dEn7H6wwjaI
 k8B9ABKoSjJQgTByc2KTxuo3aUPZC1Gqw6IUEAJ9dsxVB0=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:906:eec1:b0:bfe:ed35:e857 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a541ade7mr279546566b.51.1781704533285; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 06:55:33 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzAqhzkgdPbQJyzX8D-iQBMr5UwqAz7pgXyD+y1b6wPpCw@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzAqhzkgdPbQJyzX8D-iQBMr5UwqAz7pgXyD+y1b6wPpCw@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:55:17 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cei3t0c9QmOZ6LVA-RnW9yw3VqbqnA6IVwNjf_ukVJese66YaI5tCXi8K4
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=Hv-qO4denoejYrvmt=yj9GztwnR5_w0TpYLnNA+e3Ug@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000cd20c3065473693c"
Subject: [Salon] Iran vows harsh response if 'Israel' does not halt Lebanon
 aggression
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:55:35 -0000

--000000000000cd20c3065473693c
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

*https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran-vows-harsh-response-if--israel--does-not-halt-lebanon-a
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran-vows-harsh-response-if--israel--does-not-halt-lebanon-a>
     *

*6/17/26*

*Iran vows harsh response if 'Israel' does not halt Lebanon aggression*

*Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters warned Tuesday that the Israeli army
should expect a "harsh response" from Iran's mighty armed forces if it does
not halt its aggression in South Lebanon.*

*"If the Zionist entity's army does not cease its aggression in south
Lebanon, it should expect a harsh response from Iran's mighty armed
forces," the statement read.*

*The headquarters said the IOF had violated the ceasefire in south Lebanon
84 times over the past two days, despite US President Donald Trump's
announcement of an end to the war, and continues to "commit crimes and
massacres against the oppressed Lebanese people."*
'Israel' kills 4 in Mayfadoun double-tap

*The warning comes after Israeli occupation forces killed four people
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-israel--kills-4-in-mayfadoun-double-tap--bombs-cars-in-sout>
and
wounded several others in a series of attacks on the town of Mayfadoun in
south Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon, including a deliberate second strike on
residents who had gathered at the scene of an earlier attack.*

*According to Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon, IOF first
bombed a car in Mayfadoun before attacking the same area again after
residents had gathered.*

*A second car in the town was then bombed, followed by a third car in the
nearby town of Shoukin, bringing the total to three vehicles struck and one
gathering of civilians hit.*
Lebanon part of MoU

*Senior Iranian and Lebanese officials had pressed guarantor states to
enforce Israeli compliance with the memorandum of understanding reached
with the United States.*

*Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi reiterated Tuesday
that the MoU contains an explicit clause calling for an end to military
operations across all fronts, including Lebanon, warning that continued
Israeli ceasefire violations would trigger the mechanism
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran--mou-mechanism-will-activate-if--israel--breaks-lebanon>outlined
in the agreement. *

*Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/araghchi--israeli-occupation-of-lebanese-land-a-violation-of>
stressed
that ending the war on Lebanon is an inseparable part of any complete
cessation of hostilities, and that the continued occupation of Lebanese
territory now constitutes a violation of the MoU. *

*Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Iranian Parliament Speaker
Mohammad Ghalibaf held a phone call on Tuesday, urging guarantor states to
take concrete responsibility for compelling "Israel" to withdraw from all
occupied Lebanese territories.*
*The two officials
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/berri--ghalibaf-call-on-us-to-ensure-israeli-withdrawal-from>
called
for an immediate halt to the destruction of Lebanese villages and demanded
respect for Lebanese sovereignty, stressing that the United States and
other guarantor parties must ensure full Israeli compliance with the
agreement.                                                      *

--000000000000cd20c3065473693c
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://english.almayadeen.net/news/p=
olitics/iran-vows-harsh-response-if--israel--does-not-halt-lebanon-a" targe=
t=3D"_blank">https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran-vows-harsh-r=
esponse-if--israel--does-not-halt-lebanon-a</a>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0<=
/font></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"backgroun=
d-color:transparent"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><di=
v dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent=
"><font face=3D"georgia, serif">6/17/26</font></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><d=
iv dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><=
h1 style=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-wid=
th:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font size=3D"4" face=3D"georgia, serif"><i>Ir=
an vows harsh response if &#39;Israel&#39; does not halt Lebanon aggression=
</i></font></h1><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Iran&#39;s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters warned Tues=
day that the Israeli army should expect a &quot;harsh response&quot; from I=
ran&#39;s mighty armed forces if it does not halt its aggression in South L=
ebanon.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font=
 face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>&quot;If the Zionist entity&#39;s army does not=
 cease its aggression in south Lebanon, it should expect a harsh response f=
rom Iran&#39;s mighty armed forces,&quot; the statement read.</b></font></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, ser=
if"><b>The headquarters said the IOF had violated the ceasefire in south Le=
banon 84 times over the past two days, despite US President Donald Trump&#3=
9;s announcement of an end to the war, and continues to &quot;commit crimes=
 and massacres against the oppressed Lebanese people.&quot;</b></font></p><=
h2 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif">&#39;Israel&#39; kills 4 in Mayfadoun double-tap</font></h2><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif=
"><b>The warning comes after Israeli occupation forces<span>=C2=A0</span><a=
 href=3D"https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-israel--kills-4-in-m=
ayfadoun-double-tap--bombs-cars-in-sout" style=3D"text-decoration:none;colo=
r:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">killed four people</a><=
span>=C2=A0</span>and wounded several others in a series of attacks on the =
town of Mayfadoun in south Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon, including a delibe=
rate second strike on residents who had gathered at the scene of an earlier=
 attack.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><fon=
t face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>According to<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"=
max-width:100%">Al Mayadeen&#39;s</span><span>=C2=A0</span>correspondent in=
 South Lebanon, IOF first bombed a car in Mayfadoun before attacking the sa=
me area again after residents had gathered.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>A second ca=
r in the town was then bombed, followed by a third car in the nearby town o=
f Shoukin, bringing the total to three vehicles struck and one gathering of=
 civilians hit.</b></font></p><h2 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,2=
7)"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">Lebanon part of MoU</font></h2=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, ser=
if"><b>Senior Iranian and Lebanese officials had pressed guarantor states t=
o enforce Israeli compliance with the memorandum of understanding reached w=
ith the United States.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(2=
7,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Iran&#39;s Deputy Foreign Minist=
er Majid Takht-Ravanchi reiterated Tuesday that the MoU contains an explici=
t clause calling for an end to military operations across all fronts, inclu=
ding Lebanon, warning that continued Israeli ceasefire violations would<spa=
n>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran=
--mou-mechanism-will-activate-if--israel--breaks-lebanon" style=3D"text-dec=
oration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">trigge=
r the mechanism</a>outlined in the agreement.=C2=A0</b></font></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Ir=
anian Foreign Minister<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://english.almayad=
een.net/news/politics/araghchi--israeli-occupation-of-lebanese-land-a-viola=
tion-of" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%=
" target=3D"_blank">Abbas Araghchi</a><span>=C2=A0</span>stressed that endi=
ng the war on Lebanon is an inseparable part of any complete cessation of h=
ostilities, and that the continued occupation of Lebanese territory now con=
stitutes a violation of the MoU.=C2=A0</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:=
100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Lebanese Parliam=
ent Speaker Nabih Berri and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf he=
ld a phone call on Tuesday, urging guarantor states to take concrete respon=
sibility for compelling &quot;Israel&quot; to withdraw from all occupied Le=
banese territories.</b></font></p><div><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b><a =
href=3D"https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/berri--ghalibaf-call-o=
n-us-to-ensure-israeli-withdrawal-from" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color=
:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">The two officials</a><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(27,27,27)">=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"color:rgb(27,2=
7,27)">called for an immediate halt to the destruction of Lebanese villages=
 and demanded respect for Lebanese sovereignty, stressing that the United S=
tates and other guarantor parties must ensure full Israeli compliance with =
the agreement.</span>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=
=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0</b></f=
ont><br></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--000000000000cd20c3065473693c--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 07:00:00 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id CFF5CB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net CFF5CB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="Rayk0Llp"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id BF378BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ed1-f46.google.com (mail-ed1-f46.google.com
 [209.85.208.46])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 98F8EBD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ed1-f46.google.com with SMTP id
 4fb4d7f45d1cf-6958372b199so903356a12.3
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781704799; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=Ur93UfFSOZe+MBzIyfS2EWET6b228gYFSw4e+StBICkq3UNtAfahZjxsx2KQYEeDVd
 SwSc29xlF+SMZxh74YIHQK2aaI42b5ICUJb5XtzoUTh1A08DqIUXQqGefWMsDvkBY+q7
 HhA/wyhfsHuJRIxv9cMCrkES/RO1ASgEvsFTH6RCdjHWC7Vsg94jstpbfp8e+dVvARoJ
 d6z2F9zdErrkTuqae+auSB1aP7BK6FGbPLiKBzSvQ8OVN0z58kjAfkmrP0E8lEDZ5ZDs
 Rjep4qg6Tg+6XYzGpVCZqvXxNrbLUvICbISinvXG54+nbmNLAjnU/kReIf+6eN9qbJVU
 /lpQ==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=IxKgWlXU087MEJFkGaoo/4b8t0aSoQ1DafDXo4RimCQ=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=lNaq9loDEeiknHgOp03/DlwwvjG/sLScEXqWyfp+AJY7pbiMdag0mb3N6CEif1XGec
 KxJ8iCUsuo2FBgDVNT1twIq62vhJwnOFuBp725w0CKg0nQQTjVxHOl1nluzlTcgQZKOh
 kzHQHF2DDhVREX18QJUVLaHWMA0DoIlDrCFkv5d+pcGliIWvEQiOhDP4kZ8YcZjEOCwt
 2TD0PWiooxs+Dt5XRdnOXzSj065+pHW1jmSMXzDuBzSa8Ss1718jMqFJ+wmLUNCCHQ8C
 nynIj5cD6dFZPv0NtwkoALzMh2RCO/g8b61Ed71TAdr3KP8kZP/T+Ew+V4zBqfH+XHP3
 ZV0A==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781704799; x=1782309599; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=IxKgWlXU087MEJFkGaoo/4b8t0aSoQ1DafDXo4RimCQ=;
 b=Rayk0LlpnQBPaMbiOCXY8cc1esOsEuBZlSyLyJ4BnjNK3VZx+EmYf/5G1sxood+nre
 IDth76LXFKGJ7/OR/JdeqIzrv7i16Kxba0ZdRkmTHgTmUF/1MLuDeKpK97CFo4P7jh01
 +OQnPhl1QQ9PyKoJmVBr+9pGOek50RmelsN3Dk5V3JskdFtEogk79d3NEmssqlSnNVJT
 5xRC86EnhEmIi4fh9Z6HjfHByYGcIrqav4MmmoRQHd9kkqHMuK4AfZHtNhH5AgYp9nAm
 YV/reSoZ6YJJEeqZRIbc6NghA8JsCqWhq5kV0bL5XLXb5ePS2+n7UHxSRmW9v7WqRKVn
 ktdQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781704799; x=1782309599;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=IxKgWlXU087MEJFkGaoo/4b8t0aSoQ1DafDXo4RimCQ=;
 b=RDAzUKhh3m/HVBn/0NdiqsgrbckyhTAXS7/49dUfPWBFkyh1y0Ae2wdyF2z95Bxe05
 PuozTiq5Ceoh8mGGewaOlQbwaCRyPgtaR6LNLmgcKShHH77Xjm4F630WsO52K/AHZa/Z
 VLDB860ZjisFc4OfekhwPHOlBWBRVtlWyeJ2G8A91iarvGNnG17CoBco8rOG7rmUBWas
 OfxLbip6SKVMhX/VrpuVXkMFGTxNkch0Mdis8fPPVn9aR1hvgyiU+IP1LYuq+pES5RZC
 aQ+vng7U722rIq56DWif1dYneLEezmF1qVm/ZXu4GvzxU+zjsrVdkGlz2uUi/vxUV3nt
 STcg==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YzcIScsnzpM1EDjel1797tT3xJYqyGJFAmmV+luSfc0XUWKwsor
 t0ZsxQARld+h9y7wfeZRCVXJQPh+yI+77KjwWd2BbblH54gDh/XbAt/TCqZy/GIt+7YxvU7HLBD
 p6Efyb3Q4bEiTV4oslbP/1uaKFkJVT2Wy6X7C8ao=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OGtJ6uplLJiMd7pKmWIhF0hsbXuiVMixdLh3xvXw9ULDR/8qtiHnznVwTkEEGw
 fCLB3sGWygc95GcHrSOX+54XFTmC2kxsxvY1E7DzsCy0F2xUEdEq9++7NQIDaF8mdm1w99gMXLz
 eK+o8Cj8YvcJ7UHylwxCUrIee7VQQaUUds/mZYIfv7Fm4HKQcwAjfFjRV37mfLjhqfybr/ojOpz
 BASJcjdMirtQOFJDTd7EcAUN1xxfien2rC4/HfVXxLEjQ+6JO+Jc4onmUyaAxgYra27d1tTqj0S
 cbgyK/yaUrvKEd9NgKcphj6GV/cRHOChtyxr8vuBsMUpldz/0NJ5nBkztN0m3X04Sdi3LTWwSvp
 RiIOsUWTU2a3zqjVwGxJjwwsgE5MNodq+MEpqbsFO6r6r0/d4wpoFtawHHwNAWSC17TEreNJ7V6
 9/IJJdmulh1ULvFfBYRwR2vW1KqkPdW5D5ac6YC3YJGrztkc3UHpYCkWb40Ebzc2XL3AX5r/P2G
 Ja//b3PJHt3G3JsEPx3JO65KB0AwtkGxujgNkX24xBSh0Q=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:9617:b0:bec:52f4:28f3 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a7ea5fcemr279072366b.44.1781704798475; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 06:59:58 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzCuZvWNoR7wQBWBT-k2UjOkvFJf094sjUx3-ALdo602eQ@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzCuZvWNoR7wQBWBT-k2UjOkvFJf094sjUx3-ALdo602eQ@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:59:41 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CddeiE-m6f_6a0GFnJ95QOU-t2rS18kWu1itUp__xNHi-o_VBetMx1P-NA
Message-ID: <CANbmmQkKe2wEhF=aZatuJ=6uthiWeoBoC-qmh-S=VZcv=AHwEA@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000009b98050654737941"
Subject: [Salon] Full text of US-Iran deal promises sanctions relief and
 phased access to frozen funds (6/16/26)
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:00:01 -0000

--0000000000009b98050654737941
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/full-text-us-iran-deal-promises-sanctio=
ns-relief-and-phased-access-frozen-funds
<https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/full-text-us-iran-deal-promises-sanctio=
ns-relief-and-phased-access-frozen-funds>*

*Full text of US-Iran deal promises sanctions relief and phased access to
frozen funds: Report*
*Iran <https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/iran> is set to receive
sanctions relief for the sale of its oil and related petroleum products as
part of a memorandum of understanding with the US that could also unlock
$300bn for the redevelopment of the Islamic Republic, according to the text
of the agreement circulating in US
<https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/us> media.*

*The details have been reported by several media outlets, but Bloomberg
obtained a full draft of the memorandum which appears to usher in sweeping
gains for Iran without addressing key US war objectives.*

*For example, the memorandum cited by Bloomberg
<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-16/us-iran-deal-set-to-off=
er-iran-broad-financial-gains-to-end-war?srnd=3Dhomepage-europe>
does
not address the fate of Iran=E2=80=99s enriched uranium, long considered a =
sticking
point in negotiations.*

*Nor does it mention Iran=E2=80=99s conventional military forces, like its
ballistic missile arsenal, which Trump entered the war calling a threat to
the US.*

*The memorandum also says that the ceasefire includes =E2=80=9Call fronts,
including in Lebanon=E2=80=9D, reaffirming a key Iranian demand that is sur=
e to
anger US ally Israel.*
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine,
alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters

*Below is a summary of the 14 points in the memorandum signed digitally by
the US and Iran on Sunday, according to Bloomberg.*

*A final signing ceremony is expected to take place on Friday in
Switzerland. Middle East Eye could not independently verify all the points
in the list. *

   1. *The US and Iran, along with their allies, agree to =E2=80=9Can immed=
iate and
   permanent end to the war on all fronts=E2=80=9D.*
   2. *The second clause contains a joint commitment to respect for
   sovereignty and territorial integrity.*
   3. *Iran and the US agree to negotiate a final peace deal over the next
   60 days and extend the current ceasefire if needed.*
   4. *The US agreed to lift its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
   This section also contains a mention of withdrawing "its [US] forces=E2=
=80=9D from
   =E2=80=9Csurrounding areas=E2=80=9D within 30 days of the final agreemen=
t. It is not clear
   where the geographic boundaries are.*
   5. *Iran agrees to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and remove
   any obstacles.*
   6. *The US agrees to =E2=80=9Censure financing of at least $300 billion=
=E2=80=9D for the
   =E2=80=9Crehabilitation and economic development=E2=80=9D of Iran. This =
sum is part of a
   final agreement that will be implemented within 60 days.*
   7. *The US commits to a phased lifting of all sanctions on Iran,
   including =E2=80=9Cresolutions of the United Nations Security Council an=
d the Board
   of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and all
   unilateral US sanctions, both primary and secondary=E2=80=9D. No timelin=
e is given
   for this process.*
   8. *Iran reiterates that it will not produce a nuclear weapon. This
   section also says the fate of Iran's enriched uranium and wider nuclear
   programme will be addressed in a final agreement. It is notable that the
   ceasefire does not include an immediate demand for Iran not to enrich
   uranium.*
   9. *Iran promises not to develop its nuclear programme in the next
   60 days. =E2=80=9CIran will maintain the status quo on its nuclear progr=
am, and the
   US will not impose new sanctions on Iran or strengthen its forces in the
   region,=E2=80=9D the text adds.*
   10. *The US agrees to issue sanctions waivers for the sale of Iranian
   oil and petroleum products. The text adds that =E2=80=9CAll related serv=
ices,
   including banking, insurance, transportation, and the like=E2=80=9D are =
included in
   the waiver.*
   11. *Iran will obtain access to its frozen funds based on the =E2=80=9Cp=
rogress=E2=80=9D
   of negotiations in the next 60 days.*
   12. *An implementation mechanism will be established to oversee any
   final agreement.*
   13. *The US and Iran will continue the framework for negotiating the
   final agreement following =E2=80=9Ccommencement of implementation of Art=
icles 4, 5,
   10, and 11=E2=80=9D.*
   14. *The final peace deal will be approved by a binding United Nations
   Security Council resolution.*

--0000000000009b98050654737941
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/fu=
ll-text-us-iran-deal-promises-sanctions-relief-and-phased-access-frozen-fun=
ds" target=3D"_blank">https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/full-text-us-iran-=
deal-promises-sanctions-relief-and-phased-access-frozen-funds</a></font></b=
></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:t=
ransparent"><br></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><i style=3D=
"font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:large;color:rgb(27,27,27);background-c=
olor:transparent">Full text of US-Iran deal promises sanctions relief and p=
hased access to frozen funds: Report</i></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"=
ltr"><div style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-bottom:1.15em;line-height:1.5em;co=
lor:rgba(0,0,0,0.65)"><img alt=3D"" style=3D"max-width:none;margin:auto;dis=
play:block;height:auto;clear:both;width:1050px"><b style=3D"color:rgb(27,27=
,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.middleeasteye.ne=
t/countries/iran" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-w=
idth:100%" target=3D"_blank">Iran</a><span>=C2=A0</span>is set to receive s=
anctions relief for the sale of its oil and related petroleum products as p=
art of a memorandum of understanding with the US that could also unlock $30=
0bn for the redevelopment of the Islamic Republic, according to the text of=
 the agreement circulating in<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.midd=
leeasteye.net/countries/us" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,=
210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">US</a><span>=C2=A0</span>media.</fon=
t></b></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">The details have been reported by several media outlets=
, but Bloomberg obtained a full draft of the memorandum which appears to us=
her in sweeping gains for Iran without addressing key US war objectives.</f=
ont></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">For example, the memorandum cited by<span>=C2=A0</span>=
<a href=3D"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-16/us-iran-deal-=
set-to-offer-iran-broad-financial-gains-to-end-war?srnd=3Dhomepage-europe" =
style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=
=3D"_blank">Bloomberg</a><span>=C2=A0</span>does not address the fate of Ir=
an=E2=80=99s enriched uranium, long considered a sticking point in negotiat=
ions.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><fon=
t face=3D"georgia, serif">Nor does it mention Iran=E2=80=99s conventional m=
ilitary forces, like its ballistic missile arsenal, which Trump entered the=
 war calling a threat to the US.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;c=
olor:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The memorandum also sa=
ys that the ceasefire includes =E2=80=9Call fronts, including in Lebanon=E2=
=80=9D, reaffirming a key Iranian demand that is sure to anger US ally Isra=
el.</font></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><div st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%"><h4 style=3D"margin:1em 0px;max-width:100%"><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Sign up to get the lat=
est insights and analysis on<span>=C2=A0</span></span>Israel-Palestine, alo=
ngside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters</font></h4></div></div><p =
style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, seri=
f">Below is a summary of the 14 points in the memorandum signed digitally b=
y the US and Iran on Sunday, according to Bloomberg.</font></b></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">A =
final signing ceremony is expected to take place on Friday in Switzerland. =
Middle East Eye could not independently verify all the points in the list.=
=C2=A0</font></b></p><ol style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><li s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The US and Iran, a=
long with their allies, agree to =E2=80=9Can immediate and permanent end to=
 the war on all fronts=E2=80=9D.</font></b></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%=
"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The second clause contains a joint commi=
tment to respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.</font></b></li>=
<li style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Iran and the =
US agree to negotiate a final peace deal over the next 60=C2=A0days and ext=
end the current ceasefire if needed.</font></b></li><li style=3D"max-width:=
100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The US agreed to lift its naval bloc=
kade in the Strait of Hormuz. This section also contains a mention of=C2=A0=
withdrawing &quot;its [US] forces=E2=80=9D from =E2=80=9Csurrounding areas=
=E2=80=9D within 30 days of the final agreement. It is not clear where the =
geographic boundaries are.</font></b></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><=
font face=3D"georgia, serif">Iran agrees to lift its blockade of the Strait=
 of Hormuz and remove any obstacles.</font></b></li><li style=3D"max-width:=
100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The US agrees to =E2=80=9Censure fin=
ancing of at least $300 billion=E2=80=9D for the =E2=80=9Crehabilitation an=
d economic development=E2=80=9D of Iran. This sum is part of a final agreem=
ent that will be implemented within 60 days.</font></b></li><li style=3D"ma=
x-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The US commits to a phased l=
ifting of all sanctions on Iran, including =E2=80=9Cresolutions of the Unit=
ed Nations Security Council and the Board of Governors of the International=
 Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and all unilateral US sanctions, both primary=
 and secondary=E2=80=9D. No=C2=A0timeline is given for this process.</font>=
</b></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Iran=
 reiterates that it will not produce a nuclear weapon. This section also sa=
ys the fate of Iran&#39;s enriched uranium and wider nuclear programme will=
 be addressed in a final agreement. It is notable that the ceasefire does n=
ot include an immediate demand for Iran not to enrich uranium.</font></b></=
li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Iran promi=
ses not to develop its nuclear programme in the next 60=C2=A0days. =E2=80=
=9CIran will maintain the status quo on its nuclear program, and the US wil=
l not impose new sanctions on Iran or strengthen its forces in the region,=
=E2=80=9D the text adds.</font></b></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif">The US agrees to issue sanctions waivers for the=
 sale of Iranian oil and petroleum products. The text adds that =E2=80=9CAl=
l related services, including banking, insurance, transportation, and the l=
ike=E2=80=9D are included in the waiver.</font></b></li><li style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Iran will obtain access to its f=
rozen funds based on the =E2=80=9Cprogress=E2=80=9D of negotiations in the =
next 60 days.</font></b></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"=
georgia, serif">An implementation mechanism will be established to oversee =
any final agreement.</font></b></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font f=
ace=3D"georgia, serif">The US and Iran will continue the=C2=A0framework for=
 negotiating the final agreement following =E2=80=9Ccommencement of impleme=
ntation of Articles 4, 5, 10, and 11=E2=80=9D.</font></b></li><li style=3D"=
max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The final peace deal will =
be approved by a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.</font>=
</b></li></ol></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--0000000000009b98050654737941--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 07:37:14 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 1A90AB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:37:13 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 1A90AB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="N9VI7MoE"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id E9B19BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:37:13 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f48.google.com (mail-ej1-f48.google.com
 [209.85.218.48])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 69AD4BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:37:13 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f48.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c069d7646b2so63814366b.2
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:37:13 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781707032; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=Ubi1/4L4pWFhc8pT9BGxlV+BYg/0hoAJwKDE4lBJppZanrrhhY6ogU5lMOqJbj/47X
 uO4kU57nr0zBaOXGh1ZXhHUULl3TFsQ29awqGlDRSglH9GYoXVXWR8eTr3r8Skza58Jy
 NVUMAygXpodk0K0A9p5k5wp6jA+qjiHBDOX36V9w6e48d+y/J0o8regv0tSRDv0Lyyrf
 gyAQIV9yPGMT1ROrkRQVp+X6JmWdTZX5caPsKZtVaGgCzoXIOtztqCktHfluH5KTgZY4
 Q2uvn61w+Yrmp+M4UqSqOa4JUksGjCwfWuXT3Hld2pCcgGjrd7Fq26hQGaxP2DC16QQJ
 /YYQ==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=VL3QbGTTzk2JRZoNnr8g4FzJ3Ah603nzan0xrJqAFq8=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=klLzYK3+SHIMrGc0BkyvS8c7FkKhUGn8hCAYau18v9NgavPSkXWTfMxg65mttrENM/
 G06vwgPm8Kgq9GVwqnDaRXmxVHoPifoFVTR2+NfRDdUh06+pple0fiukLMd6eZ7HpUE/
 BdPqDEDSTtlsPzSPkZSc/++462FBSNn+Cdwe++Hfql6wZaBXL/dNqP2F0zA2mofhjEGf
 xXE779ht8ZtYnebazeNgQu6l3xSt0e58fQr5nDTyMGVp2CvWF2aeCIeZAy21xv3zq1qQ
 amBLZA2AtoFd1YtzZFBobXFMZvOSSjTWQjeSz3Q+rUojnNGqj0oTvRMEj5lKUipelh1p
 tZyw==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781707032; x=1782311832; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=VL3QbGTTzk2JRZoNnr8g4FzJ3Ah603nzan0xrJqAFq8=;
 b=N9VI7MoE8wguuavzqOuIZqB3Zym2qmgGqnBzJKUHWGmJXb+qvGmun97jxiWXnFF6bT
 wHbCPS3MySfljEXqLEQx+AE+CyX1JvLTPbuwrPs0NWWYpZno11mz0aPVKxGfCRlC+91z
 NKA4rkr8U8Ijh2zg8oOYZ60Fma0bu+DJkYrLNZOrLGsK2Mf+gZMJohnPoBiO4++xA13r
 PVXF2qqP4W22VNOaMLctqoDJXolpaYRrUX2zwS/SLEv37t0FnKU9J/4sDCtPmC6N9wmp
 TJceng6xjualMwKr+Cp/5n5bSJl+aA6AlrlxCmil8KQZ7ASXEZlqDsBTmgrv08xKCMJH
 M6xg==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781707032; x=1782311832;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=VL3QbGTTzk2JRZoNnr8g4FzJ3Ah603nzan0xrJqAFq8=;
 b=c0Dahzl283UvRjn1XvHeMC7GPRYjC5Nj9y5MIIX5PlKh0JB8xe7ygibRX2eLa3wIad
 3qR96Lp8hajWEFvN44/qwKvETbXSavpHCbyS/4QUlRL5b4mZqeP2cjWWM01cuVJQI30h
 XRQnVYFa00ASO4GS0zry55jEsbfaM3ixWCUdKqmHy9S8eq0cMj209N1I4SJrXgpIzecj
 YcF7XpHVbgkeeqvQYfQ1dOGWLHO+6mDY18QKtIzaY82FT2Jcsqd2Cn1F3LfqgurdukMU
 g5TR4ymDinVr7zvR3XeYZpSocfiW91qyys8ir+qLU6lJ30EjYBl8uxoEw7ox2ZDhqMbh
 NjQQ==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yy2ICm6J2a9hBqZmYLTDJX41bUAnOuMfndM6AN2jyUoNyJV+Pc4
 QnFFGCr/KFRgKRozrVVb5NQtILRnqUmOvvbaZpolcwt+1Gy6ZQck9Qv2lA4JY1eus4BAYXT8kAu
 rHfn1ZJ4OUUllcZ6zkvDGmPJkSfIbvgAE3q77vLY=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OG+jDkQumRRdX75d2TaITRyJFodVknOsGMhhRF22DKW1V1ry76+aVfz1MbP/Cy
 LNSV2d5lx3YwPtJZkVwigGtdxfFRkUXtIVwQco+7lh962MtCiD5fa8rwiwJq2SSHXgsPQruO6iI
 SMUEbcdccScvWnMC7Zc0pNwrexO5rL6l2HJ+H+WrwLh6o1qNgpZCtyjPtBv1fPASzdubtmCfwyU
 mt3O1ItJRhOQhYSEtBP4r720sYC3FJ15T/NJ0IBKCrjXloSRN9g5yrTiDWaECtiDmwZ3BIpqnIU
 uhq31sGIivGG6nDp3FdzqvIo2qiLm5TQrfQ2AFTDXWuTO1sXFfXfHmFwG4EzX6rH3MUjuPWhtwg
 9OfAXHensLmBWlty8REmbLNsEAhH/JNc4Xr3n3iXpnf57ArBWdxBF7DBpsaPtlMCN0AxNDs3Bvq
 oDBS+7Z6YY2BaJyEQ2L+bxfZ5n6P5hQSEzNmSosEWOs4U54iNafZZEwkyfb5Xh5HNrtCuz555BI
 66PaOfsImk37+Z5+xHhie0nVbrfQBtZ9t9dA3WHNOtTYVs=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:7638:b0:bec:2a21:785d with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a5414301mr192369566b.46.1781707030668; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 07:37:10 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <post-201961444@substack.com>
 <20260617040523.3.c23373d71b0f98af@mg2.substack.com>
 <CAEt+vzzjrcL=5edvOcxby5kDw8SmshZk4CP-g2QdRYXUDWqt+A@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAEt+vzzjrcL=5edvOcxby5kDw8SmshZk4CP-g2QdRYXUDWqt+A@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:36:53 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cc0qAdWIRA7413ozZNz1lD8JVJXVRe9xjfMRZev7i0NJWu9H7Ja-mmrv_o
Message-ID: <CANbmmQmFJSNqEvMaLxrxvc_SZ8RnE+UN_sj6QoHdrUs3ANVJ6Q@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000a82a7b065473fec2"
Subject: [Salon] US Finally Capitulates with 'Memorandum' of Surrender
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:37:14 -0000

--000000000000a82a7b065473fec2
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

The US has finally capitulated in its disastrously failed war against Iran,
reportedly drafting a memorandum of understanding which is highly favorable
to the Islamic Republic, and gains as concession nothing more than the
promise that =E2=80=9CIran will not obtain nuclear weapons=E2=80=9D=E2=80=
=94a position Iran had
already long held.
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3=
RhY2suY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZT91dG1fc291cmNlPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1zd=
WJzY3JpYmUmcj0xeTgwdyZuZXh0PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGc2ltcGxpY2l1czc2LnN1YnN0YWNr=
LmNvbSUyRnAlMkZ1cy1maW5hbGx5LWNhcGl0dWxhdGVzLXdpdGgtbWVtb3JhbmR1bSIsInAiOjI=
wMTk2MTQ0NCwicyI6MTM1MTI3NCwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MzI3NjMyMCwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjY5Mz=
QzLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyNDUzNDMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.=
n_ZGy0fOHFfpEtWqbh9sGhqKKbaUbVAXHNwoMw6KEsY?>
for more
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3=
RhY2suY29tL3AvdXMtZmluYWxseS1jYXBpdHVsYXRlcy13aXRoLW1lbW9yYW5kdW0_dXRtX2Nhb=
XBhaWduPWVtYWlsLWhhbGYtcG9zdCZyPTF5ODB3JnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3pNamMy=
TXpJd0xDSndiM04wWDJsa0lqb3lNREU1TmpFME5EUXNJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVFkyT1RNME15d2l=
aWGh3SWpveE56ZzBNall4TXpRekxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNVE0xTVRJM05DSXNJbk4xWWlJNk=
luQnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBiMjRpZlEubGY4N0JLNHF5WllTZnNWdFpIalVEZkZiczdjX1l0M1JnZ=
VFGRC1WTThWQSIsInAiOjIwMTk2MTQ0NCwicyI6MTM1MTI3NCwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MzI3NjMy=
MCwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjY5MzQzLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyNDUzNDMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjo=
ibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.GoAuZMytRG1s0heNBNBWwLkGGtzFAjNK71y7UY20dGE?>
US Finally Capitulates with 'Memorandum' of Surrender
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&post_id=3D2019=
61444&utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreem=
ail=3Dtrue&r=3D1y80w&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5Nj=
E0NDQsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3N=
CIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8=
VA>

Simplicius <https://substack.com/@simplicius76>
Jun 17
<https://substack.com/@simplicius76>

<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&post_id=3D2019=
61444&utm_source=3Dsubstack&isFreemail=3Dtrue&submitLike=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ=
1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaW=
F0IjoxNzgxNjY5MzQzLCJleHAiOjE3ODQyNjEzNDMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0xMzUxMjc0Iiwic3ViI=
joicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.5ka8BgDkthyEhm9zRatQF97Lg5CjOLAglrQFGPVFsrs&utm_medium=3D=
email&utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&r=3D1y80w>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&post_id=3D2019=
61444&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&isFreemail=3Dtrue&comments=
=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsImlhdCI=
6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6In=
Bvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8VA&r=3D1y80w&=
utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&action=3Dpost-comment&utm_source=
=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&post_id=3D2019=
61444&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dshare&utm_camp=
aign=3Demail-share&action=3Dshare&triggerShare=3Dtrue&isFreemail=3Dtrue&r=
=3D1y80w&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8VA>
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS=
9wdWIvc2ltcGxpY2l1czc2L3AvdXMtZmluYWxseS1jYXBpdHVsYXRlcy13aXRoLW1lbW9yYW5kd=
W0_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1zdWJzdGFjayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFp=
bC1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmYWN0aW9uPXJlc3RhY2stY29tbWVudCZyPTF5ODB3JnRva2VuPWV=
5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3pNamMyTXpJd0xDSndiM04wWDJsa0lqb3lNREU1TmpFME5EUXNJbWxoZE=
NJNk1UYzRNVFkyT1RNME15d2laWGh3SWpveE56ZzBNall4TXpRekxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNV=
E0xTVRJM05DSXNJbk4xWWlJNkluQnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBiMjRpZlEubGY4N0JLNHF5WllTZnNW=
dFpIalVEZkZiczdjX1l0M1JnZVFGRC1WTThWQSIsInAiOjIwMTk2MTQ0NCwicyI6MTM1MTI3NCw=
iZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MzI3NjMyMCwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjY5MzQzLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyNDUzNDMsIm=
lzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.CxRsxrrVOzzohwEYttINXAGOm00U=
Z5y4nsJ2-yvoK50?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>

READ IN APP
<https://open.substack.com/pub/simplicius76/p/us-finally-capitulates-with-m=
emorandum?utm_source=3Demail&redirect=3Dapp-store&utm_campaign=3Demail-read=
-in-app>


The US has finally capitulated in its disastrously failed war against Iran,
reportedly drafting a memorandum of understanding which is highly favorable
to the Islamic Republic, and gains as concession nothing more than the
promise that =E2=80=9CIran will not obtain nuclear weapons=E2=80=9D=E2=80=
=94a position Iran had
already long held.
<https://substack.com/redirect/7de8905b-b513-4245-b428-e494fe7e7061?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

The most explosive detail is the alleged $300 billion =E2=80=9Creconstructi=
on fund=E2=80=9D
that Iran will be privy to once the deal is sealed.
<https://substack.com/redirect/738a93b2-0860-4cd8-b7ad-d95d74332a60?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>
https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/iran-deal-includes-300-billion-fun=
d-more-than-half-which-already-committed-2026-06-16/
<https://substack.com/redirect/7cae1212-19cd-462b-830c-0ede7b58e774?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

Trump has downplayed or denied this point, with everyone seemingly
perplexed as to what this massive sum entails, exactly. In the above
article, Reuters writes the following:

*The new fund is a private investment vehicle, not a reconstruction or
reparations program and will not include any =E2=81=A0government money or g=
rants,
the source said, adding that companies based in the U.S., the Gulf Arab
states, Asia, South America and Africa have agreed to commit financing.*

*Investments pledged span energy, logistics, manufacturing and transport,
the source said.*

They claim it=E2=80=99s not a reparations program, yet the official name of=
 the
fund is the =E2=80=98Reconstruction and Development Fund=E2=80=99. It appea=
rs to revolve
around regional entities=E2=80=94both corporate and governmental=E2=80=94pr=
oviding credit
lines, direct financing, etc., to Iran. As can be seen above, over half of
the fund is claimed to be already committed.

Some American propaganda pundits had claimed that this fund is being pulled
from Iran=E2=80=99s frozen assets abroad, but Reuters begs to differ, citin=
g that
as an entirely separate negotiating track:

*The investment fund is entirely separate from a parallel negotiating track
over the lifting of U.S. sanctions and the release of Iranian sovereign
assets frozen abroad, the source said, describing the two as distinct
financial mechanisms with different purposes and timelines.*

Most interestingly, is this follows
<https://substack.com/redirect/ebc24805-9122-4366-9e6f-16b1ecc74ae2?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>*revelations
of secret deals having been
<https://substack.com/redirect/ebc24805-9122-4366-9e6f-16b1ecc74ae2?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>*
attempted *during* the war between Qatar and Iran which aimed to put
pressure on the US to stop its attacks by essentially pulling the plug on
the global economy. From WaPo:

*Seeking to protect its economic crown jewel, these officials said, Qatar
approached Tehran at the start of the war to present a mutually beneficial
arrangement: Iran would refrain from hitting Ras Laffan, and Qatar would
halt gas production unilaterally =E2=80=94 a move that would send energy pr=
ices
soaring and put economic pressure on the United States and Israel to
shorten the war.*

*Qatar presented what amounted to a =E2=80=9Csecret deal,=E2=80=9D said a s=
enior regional
security official, vowing to use leverage over gas supplies to help bring
the war to a swift end while seeking Iran=E2=80=99s commitment on =E2=80=9C=
one condition:
you are not going to attack us.=E2=80=9D*

That=E2=80=99s just the first one.

The Israel Hayom outlet made an even bigger bombshell, claiming that Trump
secretly approved a cash deal between Qatar and Iran which allowed Qatari
ships to secretly whisk oil out through the strait:
<https://substack.com/redirect/d898aec9-4b94-4fd7-9348-4f7edc4b96ef?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/06/15/trump-secretly-approved-qatar-iran-c=
ash-deal/
<https://substack.com/redirect/fa41a6bf-cec1-49e7-8658-9f64ea699e7c?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

*The US secretly approved a financial and maritime arrangement between
Qatar and Iran, under which billions of dollars were paid to Tehran in
exchange for free passage for Qatari tankers and ships through the Strait
of Hormuz, three diplomatic officials now confirm.*

It=E2=80=99s difficult to know how much of this is true, but it does paint =
a clear
picture of one obvious reality: that Iran always held all the cards, and
maintained total escalation dominance. This caused all other hostile actors
to repeatedly scramble for various secret deals and concessions of
appeasement as tithe or tribute to the Iranian overlords which now rule the
region. And this happened while the same actors all put on a =E2=80=9Cbold =
face=E2=80=9D of
courage and defiance against Iran, when in reality they were terrified of
the looming consequences.

And the chief of those consequences, according to experts who have been
growing increasingly panicked these past two weeks, was that the US=E2=80=
=99s SPR
(Strategic Petroleum Reserve) and *Cushing, OK crude
<https://substack.com/redirect/c527bfe2-67d4-4040-be86-9b8c9af9f099?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>*
inventories had been heading toward rock bottom levels. Experts warned that
below ~20 million barrels or so, the Cushing storage infrastructure begins
to severely malfunction, with pipelines losing pressure.
<https://substack.com/redirect/61ce2171-f2e4-40c1-bf93-59ba6ab415ea?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

In short, Iran called Trump=E2=80=99s bluff and won. Trump tried to pretend=
 that
the US could play the long game in =E2=80=9Cblockading=E2=80=9D Iran until =
storage at Kharg
and elsewhere began to overflow=E2=80=94but instead, it was the US that was=
 edging
toward economic catastrophe and Trump was finally forced to blink when he
realized that Iran wasn=E2=80=99t going to lose this game of Chicken.

The prevailing narrative is now that Iran has gained the ultimate trump
card, arguably bigger than obtaining nuclear weapons: the ability to
control the Strait of Hormuz *at will* from this point forward:
<https://substack.com/redirect/8ae9d595-1cfc-4d11-b358-e0d34dd8392d?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/16/politics/us-intel-assessment-iran-shut-strai=
t-hormuz
<https://substack.com/redirect/684ead85-0ee4-4b61-8825-41f2b23363ec?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

>From the above:

*US intelligence agencies have recently assessed that Iran can effectively
shut down access to the Strait of Hormuz at will from now on, meaning the
country=E2=80=99s regime has acquired a powerful new ability to hurt the gl=
obal
economy as a result of the war, according to three sources familiar with
the findings.*

*Regardless of the framework agreement that is due to be formally signed on
Friday to open the key waterway as a prelude to nuclear talks, Iran proved
it can shut off access to the strait during the current conflict and US
intelligence assessments suggest that could happen again.*

In effect, Iran emerges with far more power, while the US emerges weakened
beyond measure. Recall that virtually every US base in the region was
either flattened or cleared out by Iranian strikes. Most have likely seen
by now the BDA update to the radome in Bahrain which Iran blew away last
week:
[image: X avatar for @Archer83Able]

Status-6 (War & Military News)
@Archer83Able
Newly released satellite imagery confirm the destruction of a U.S.
AN/TPS-59 air and missile defense early warning radar as a result of the
Iranian attack on the Jabal al Dukhan Radar Site in Bahrain on June 11,
2026.
[image: Image]

MenchOsint @MenchOsint
=F0=9F=93=8DConfirmed hit at Jabal al-Dukhan Long Range Radar site, Bahrain=
. *found a
photo of the hill on a hiking website, matches the cropped image of smoke
on the mountain. https://t.co/AlmT2Tdxhc
4:49 PM =C2=B7 Jun 13, 2026 =C2=B7 30.8K Views
11 Replies =C2=B7 45 Reposts =C2=B7 239 Likes
<https://substack.com/redirect/485e09a0-2773-4270-8874-953986728a93?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

Now Iran has even achieved something else: creating a deeper fracture
between the US and Israel. Trump was finally forced to scold Netanyahu
several times over the Lebanon issue, with Trump=E2=80=99s approval rating =
in
israel now diving overnight by a reported 23%.

Here, in a rare rebuke of Israel he admits that the colonialist state acted
disproportionately in hitting Lebanon after a minor Hezbollah drone attack:
<https://substack.com/redirect/de654f04-34e7-40e7-8708-7f75e9617ce9?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

He still tries to put on a good face, but the reality appears that behind
the scenes the fracture is deeper than he=E2=80=99d like us to believe.

Case in point, from an Israeli i24 News correspondent:
<https://substack.com/redirect/6948f595-553b-40af-8c5c-6fe3413327f3?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>
*Link
<https://substack.com/redirect/78b1331c-db29-4560-b720-30c3c2aaf388?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>*

And as always, in the wake of the US=E2=80=99s capitulation we continue get=
ting
further inklings of the true extent of the disaster. For instance, FT has
shed more light on how Iranian missile bases were able to weather the storm
and continue firing even after being hit endlessly by munitions:
<https://substack.com/redirect/e41b7e36-713e-4daa-b401-90fe4515bce2?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>
https://www.ft.com/content/94d9c8d4-c38d-4414-bb47-53e9f1288a21
<https://substack.com/redirect/dc9d8ca3-a9e7-4a08-914f-ff9843e0c8f6?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

*For 40 days, US and Israeli aircraft pounded the mountains around Yazd,
trying to silence one of Iran=E2=80=99s most important military projects: a=
 buried
missile complex carved deep into the granite above the ancient desert city.=
*

*Yet, according to residents, the Iranian missiles kept firing regardless.
=E2=80=9CUS and Israeli forces kept bombing those mountains,=E2=80=9D said =
one resident of
Yazd. =E2=80=9CAnd Iran kept launching missiles until the final moments bef=
ore the
ceasefire.=E2=80=9D*

*=E2=80=9CThe resilience of Iran=E2=80=99s underground =E2=80=9Cmissile cit=
ies=E2=80=9D has become one of
the most significant and contested questions in the aftermath of the
US-Israeli bombardment earlier this year.=E2=80=9D*

Iranian officials even stated that many of their missile cities did not
even need to be tapped during the war because the US and Israel failed to
put a significant enough dent into the main operational ones being used:

*A second person close to the Islamic regime argued the depth of many sites
rendered them largely immune to conventional aerial bombardment. He said
some were not even used during the war because numerous other facilities
remained operational.*

<https://substack.com/redirect/9df2bdaa-859c-4851-9223-4519e283d245?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

The article recounts how Iran=E2=80=99s former head of the missile forces, =
Amir Ali
Hajizadeh, visited North Korea and drew lessons from its underground
missile siloes, realizing that by utilizing such a tactic Iran wouldn=E2=80=
=99t
require few air defenses as enemy aircraft simply have nothing to bomb
because all the important infrastructure is so far underground. Recall how
many times I said this at the start of the war: specifically, that Iran
could simply withdraw its flagship air defense and other systems to the far
east of the country to keep them safe because US-Israel would have nothing
to bomb=E2=80=94everything had been squirreled away underground, and it wou=
ldn=E2=80=99t
even much matter if =E2=80=9Cair superiority=E2=80=9D was truly established=
. Without ground
troops conquering Iranian cities, the US could do nothing but bomb empty
desert=E2=80=94or civilians, which only works in Iran=E2=80=99s favor as it=
 leads to
massive societal solidarity against =E2=80=98the Great Satan=E2=80=99.

Hilariously, Trump continues to waffle on the issue of Iran=E2=80=99s =E2=
=80=9Cnuclear
dust=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94which he deemed so important as to be a key reason fo=
r the launching
of the entire war. Now in two new interviews, Trump backtracks by claiming
that the nuclear dust is =E2=80=9Charmless=E2=80=9D and pretty much worthle=
ss:
<https://substack.com/redirect/b8b4cf05-c80a-442b-9edb-0fffd93325a3?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-threatens-to-pull-out-of-talks-a=
fter-israel-strikes-beiruts-outskirts-d0390e22
<https://substack.com/redirect/b5b9abf7-af6c-4eca-a608-e22d21e46b43?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

Listen below, as he says the =E2=80=9Cdust=E2=80=9D is actually =E2=80=9Cno=
t very valuable=E2=80=9D, but is
only important for =E2=80=9Cpsychological=E2=80=9D reasons:
<https://substack.com/redirect/9fe797d7-51d3-4a6a-851f-ed021fcfd593?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

Trump seems to make a lot of massive geopolitical blunders for reasons of
personal =E2=80=9Cpsychology=E2=80=9D. *On the issue of ownership of Greenl=
and
<https://substack.com/redirect/40822f61-92bb-4609-89f2-8f3dacac6102?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>*,
Trump once admitted he only wanted it because it was =E2=80=9Cpsychological=
ly
important=E2=80=9D to him:
<https://substack.com/redirect/518045b1-de74-4ba9-9cab-c3d9e25138b1?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/us/politics/trump-interview-transcript.h=
tml
<https://substack.com/redirect/556a15d2-72a6-4453-b558-782b8e8d320a?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

Will this new =E2=80=9Cpeace deal=E2=80=9D and memorandum last? Likely not =
if Israel has
anything to say about it. Netanyahu and his cronies have already announced
that Israel will not be withdrawing from Lebanon and have strongly hinted
that they will refuse to honor Hezbollah and Lebanon=E2=80=99s inclusion in=
 the
deal.

*Iran=E2=80=99s own Khorasan paper claims
<https://substack.com/redirect/fa335695-1d46-4f00-923a-df46045e48f5?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>*
that the peace deal is only postponing the apocalyptic =E2=80=9Cfinal battl=
e=E2=80=9D which
awaits:
<https://substack.com/redirect/504489af-c4e8-40fc-9eef-7fa171b5c945?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

Transcription of the above:

*The main function of this agreement is not the recognition of our
sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz (which has already been accepted even
without an agreement), nor the release of Iran=E2=80=99s blocked assets, no=
r any
other real gain explicitly stated in the text of the agreement. Its real
function is to postpone the final and decisive battle that will determine
the current victor.*

*Khorasan newspaper, in a note with an antagonistic view, described a
possible agreement between Iran and the United States as merely =E2=80=9Ca
breathing space to rebuild future combat and defensive capacity and prepare
for a full-scale or major battle.=E2=80=9D*

*Seyed Pouya Hosseinpour wrote in the note: Regardless of what the terms of
the possible agreement may be, and whether an agreement is actually signed
or not, several points must be kept in mind about any agreement at this
stage:*

*First: This is merely an agreement to end the current war, not an
agreement for a final settlement of the issues between Iran and the United
States; a war that America and Israel began with the aim of destroying
Iran, failed to achieve their goals, and are now forced to end through an
agreement.*

*Second: The issues between Iran and the United States, and especially
between Iran and Israel =E2=80=94 have reached a level and stage of existen=
tial
conflict that, in practice, will not end except with the decisive victory
of one of the two sides. Things such as these negotiations and agreements
have no particular impact on this path; they are simply a stage that must
be passed through in order to reach the stage of the final battle.*

*Third: The main function of this agreement is not the recognition of our
sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz (which has already been accepted even
without an agreement), nor the release of Iran=E2=80=99s blocked assets, no=
r any
other real gain explicitly stated in the text of the agreement. Its real
function is to postpone the final and decisive battle that will determine
the current victor. In fact, its main function is to provide a breathing
space to rebuild future combat and defensive capacity and prepare for a
full-scale and major battle =E2=80=94 an opportunity that both sides will u=
se to
their own advantage.*

It=E2=80=99s hard to argue the above prognostication.

And this conclusion is a fitting end point, as well:
<https://substack.com/redirect/51d2058f-dca5-44ad-aa55-2bb80fb724f9?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

The US lost a major portion of its reconnaissance fleet via the destroyed
Reaper drones, lost a huge swath=E2=80=94perhaps even the majority=E2=80=94=
of its regional
long-range detection radars; essentially, it lost its eyes and ears.
Additionally, the US=E2=80=99s feared =E2=80=9Ccarrier fleets=E2=80=9D turn=
ed out to be nothing
more than empty bogeymen, broken-down hulks which drifted aimlessly out of
reach of Iran=E2=80=99s coastal defense batteries.

The same goes for the feared =E2=80=9CUS Marines=E2=80=9D which did nothing=
 more than sit
idle aboard the Tripoli off the coast of Oman, attempting to cow Iran into
submission with their mere presence, instead exposing all the US=E2=80=99s =
most
powerful tools of leverage and coercion as having lost all their storied
intimidating factors.
------------------------------

*Your support is invaluable. If you enjoyed the read, I would greatly
appreciate if you subscribed to a monthly/yearly pledge to support my work,
so that I may continue providing you with detailed, incisive reports like
this one.*

*Alternatively, you can tip here: buymeacoffee.com/Simplicius
<https://substack.com/redirect/c952040b-1907-40e0-a314-62c5fc3c0307?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>*
------------------------------
Upgrade to paid
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3=
RhY2suY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZT91dG1fc291cmNlPXBvc3QmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLWNoZ=
WNrb3V0Jm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZzaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tJTJGcCUy=
RnVzLWZpbmFsbHktY2FwaXR1bGF0ZXMtd2l0aC1tZW1vcmFuZHVtJnI9MXk4MHcmdG9rZW49ZXl=
KMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpvek1qYzJNekl3TENKcFlYUWlPakUzT0RFMk5qa3pORE1zSW1WNGNDSTZNVG=
M0TkRJMk1UTTBNeXdpYVhOeklqb2ljSFZpTFRFek5URXlOelFpTENKemRXSWlPaUpqYUdWamEyO=
TFkQ0o5LkJLV1Q1Nk4wUVdwN3NhOTNQVkw5czlJYVNVRDA4US1tZVF3Y2psdDdBNXMiLCJwIjoy=
MDE5NjE0NDQsInMiOjEzNTEyNzQsImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjMyNzYzMjAsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM=
0MywiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjQ1MzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ=
.9bNZbF9YBp-hTiHs8x04-HOfqWjxTlold6_sdIvUXoQ?&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_source=
=3Dsubscribe-widget&utm_content=3D201961444>

Share
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&post_id=3D2019=
61444&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dshare&utm_camp=
aign=3Demail-share&action=3Dshare&triggerShare=3Dtrue&isFreemail=3Dtrue&r=
=3D1y80w&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8VA>

Leave a comment
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&post_id=3D2019=
61444&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&isFreemail=3Dtrue&comments=
=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsImlhdCI=
6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6In=
Bvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8VA&r=3D1y80w&=
utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&action=3Dpost-comment>

You're currently a free subscriber to Simplicius's Garden of Knowledge
<https://substack.com/redirect/77d0d703-ee23-430c-8a61-cfa04d725aad?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>.
For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3=
RhY2suY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZT91dG1fc291cmNlPXBvc3QmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLWNoZ=
WNrb3V0Jm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZzaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tJTJGcCUy=
RnVzLWZpbmFsbHktY2FwaXR1bGF0ZXMtd2l0aC1tZW1vcmFuZHVtJnI9MXk4MHcmdG9rZW49ZXl=
KMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpvek1qYzJNekl3TENKcFlYUWlPakUzT0RFMk5qa3pORE1zSW1WNGNDSTZNVG=
M0TkRJMk1UTTBNeXdpYVhOeklqb2ljSFZpTFRFek5URXlOelFpTENKemRXSWlPaUpqYUdWamEyO=
TFkQ0o5LkJLV1Q1Nk4wUVdwN3NhOTNQVkw5czlJYVNVRDA4US1tZVF3Y2psdDdBNXMiLCJwIjoy=
MDE5NjE0NDQsInMiOjEzNTEyNzQsImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjMyNzYzMjAsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM=
0MywiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjQ1MzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ=
.9bNZbF9YBp-hTiHs8x04-HOfqWjxTlold6_sdIvUXoQ?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_med=
ium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dpostcta>

Upgrade to paid
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3=
RhY2suY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZT91dG1fc291cmNlPXBvc3QmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLWNoZ=
WNrb3V0Jm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZzaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tJTJGcCUy=
RnVzLWZpbmFsbHktY2FwaXR1bGF0ZXMtd2l0aC1tZW1vcmFuZHVtJnI9MXk4MHcmdG9rZW49ZXl=
KMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpvek1qYzJNekl3TENKcFlYUWlPakUzT0RFMk5qa3pORE1zSW1WNGNDSTZNVG=
M0TkRJMk1UTTBNeXdpYVhOeklqb2ljSFZpTFRFek5URXlOelFpTENKemRXSWlPaUpqYUdWamEyO=
TFkQ0o5LkJLV1Q1Nk4wUVdwN3NhOTNQVkw5czlJYVNVRDA4US1tZVF3Y2psdDdBNXMiLCJwIjoy=
MDE5NjE0NDQsInMiOjEzNTEyNzQsImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjMyNzYzMjAsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM=
0MywiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjQ1MzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ=
.9bNZbF9YBp-hTiHs8x04-HOfqWjxTlold6_sdIvUXoQ?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_med=
ium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dpostcta>

Share
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&post_id=3D2019=
61444&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dshare&utm_camp=
aign=3Demail-share&action=3Dshare&triggerShare=3Dtrue&isFreemail=3Dtrue&r=
=3D1y80w&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8VA>


<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&post_id=3D2019=
61444&utm_source=3Dsubstack&isFreemail=3Dtrue&submitLike=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ=
1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaW=
F0IjoxNzgxNjY5MzQzLCJleHAiOjE3ODQyNjEzNDMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0xMzUxMjc0Iiwic3ViI=
joicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.5ka8BgDkthyEhm9zRatQF97Lg5CjOLAglrQFGPVFsrs&utm_medium=3D=
email&utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&r=3D1y80w>

--000000000000a82a7b065473fec2
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div><div=
 class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><br></div><div=
 style=3D"font-kerning:auto"><img src=3D"https://eotrx.substackcdn.com/o/fb=
53e7b85985d38c/p.gif?token=3DeyJtIjoiPDIwMjYwNjE3MDQwNTIzLjMuYzIzMzczZDcxYj=
BmOThhZkBtZzIuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tPiIsInUiOjMyNzYzMjAsInIiOiJtaWNoZWxldGtlYXJuZ=
XlAZ21haWwuY29tIiwiZCI6Im1nMi5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20iLCJwIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsInQiOiJu=
ZXdzbGV0dGVyIiwiYSI6ImV2ZXJ5b25lIiwicyI6MTM1MTI3NCwiYyI6InBvc3QiLCJmIjp0cnV=
lLCJwb3NpdGlvbiI6InRvcCIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3=
MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImVvIn0.DFZ6hHXybnlBkaIz4OJ8T-MOlnv2uJpBmE1GcR5_SV4" =
alt=3D"" width=3D"1" height=3D"1" border=3D"0" style=3D"height:1px!importan=
t;width:1px!important;border-width:0!important;margin-top:0!important;margi=
n-bottom:0!important;margin-right:0!important;margin-left:0!important;paddi=
ng-top:0!important;padding-bottom:0!important;padding-right:0!important;pad=
ding-left:0!important"><div style=3D"display:none;font-size:1px;color:#3333=
33;line-height:1px;max-height:0px;max-width:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden">=
The US has finally capitulated in its disastrously failed war against Iran,=
 reportedly drafting a memorandum of understanding which is highly favorabl=
e to the Islamic Republic, and gains as concession nothing more than the pr=
omise that =E2=80=9CIran will not obtain nuclear weapons=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94a=
 position Iran had already long held.</div><div style=3D"display:none;font-=
size:1px;color:#333333;line-height:1px;max-height:0px;max-width:0px;opacity=
:0;overflow:hidden">=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD</div><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellsp=
acing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td></td><td width=3D"550"></td><t=
d></td></tr><tr><td></td><td width=3D"550" align=3D"left"><div style=3D"fon=
t-size:16px;line-height:26px;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin:0 auto"><tab=
le role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cell=
padding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"right" style=3D"height:20px"><table r=
ole=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadd=
ing=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><span style=3D"fon=
t-family:SF Pro Text,-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,Inter,Segoe=
 UI,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,Apple Color Emoji,Segoe UI Emoji,Sego=
e UI Symbol;font-size:13px;color:unset;list-style:none;text-decoration:unse=
t;margin:0"><div style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-align:right;font=
-size:12px;line-height:16px;text-decoration:unset;margin:0"><span style=3D"=
list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">Forwarded this =
email? <a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaW1wb=
GljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZT91dG1fc291cmNlPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1w=
YWlnbj1lbWFpbC1zdWJzY3JpYmUmcj0xeTgwdyZuZXh0PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGc2ltcGxpY2l=
1czc2LnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbSUyRnAlMkZ1cy1maW5hbGx5LWNhcGl0dWxhdGVzLXdpdGgtbWVtb3=
JhbmR1bSIsInAiOjIwMTk2MTQ0NCwicyI6MTM1MTI3NCwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MzI3NjMyMCwia=
WF0IjoxNzgxNjY5MzQzLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyNDUzNDMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGlu=
ay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.n_ZGy0fOHFfpEtWqbh9sGhqKKbaUbVAXHNwoMw6KEsY?" style=3D"lis=
t-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0;text-decoration-lin=
e:underline" target=3D"_blank">Subscribe here</a> for more</span></div></sp=
an></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table role=3D"prese=
ntation" style=3D"border-spacing:0;padding:16px 0 32px"><tbody><tr><td alig=
n=3D"center" style=3D"text-align:center;padding:0"><a href=3D"https://subst=
ack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL3Av=
dXMtZmluYWxseS1jYXBpdHVsYXRlcy13aXRoLW1lbW9yYW5kdW0_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWl=
sLWhhbGYtcG9zdCZyPTF5ODB3JnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3pNamMyTXpJd0xDSndiM0=
4wWDJsa0lqb3lNREU1TmpFME5EUXNJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVFkyT1RNME15d2laWGh3SWpveE56Z=
zBNall4TXpRekxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNVE0xTVRJM05DSXNJbk4xWWlJNkluQnZjM1F0Y21W=
aFkzUnBiMjRpZlEubGY4N0JLNHF5WllTZnNWdFpIalVEZkZiczdjX1l0M1JnZVFGRC1WTThWQSI=
sInAiOjIwMTk2MTQ0NCwicyI6MTM1MTI3NCwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MzI3NjMyMCwiaWF0IjoxNz=
gxNjY5MzQzLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyNDUzNDMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpc=
mVjdCJ9.GoAuZMytRG1s0heNBNBWwLkGGtzFAjNK71y7UY20dGE?" target=3D"_blank"><im=
g role=3D"presentation" width=3D"550" height=3D"110" src=3D"https://substac=
kcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hSRa!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progres=
sive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fim=
ages%2F21b8e27c-7e1c-4b05-ac33-fbef4df827a0_1100x220.png" style=3D"border:n=
one!important;vertical-align:middle;max-width:550px;display:block;margin:0 =
auto;height:auto;width:100%"></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div dir=3D"auto=
" style=3D"padding:32px 0 0 0;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><div role=3D=
"region" aria-label=3D"Post header" style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26p=
x"><h1 dir=3D"auto" style=3D"direction:auto;text-align:start;unicode-bidi:i=
solate;color:rgb(54,55,55);font-family:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-syst=
em-headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,R=
oboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI =
Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:bold;margin:0;line-height:=
36px;font-size:32px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publicat=
ion_id=3D1351274&amp;post_id=3D201961444&amp;utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&=
amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D1y80w&amp=
;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsImlhdCI6MTc4MT=
Y2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3Qtc=
mVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8VA" style=3D"color:r=
gb(54,55,55);text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank">US Finally Capitulates=
 with &#39;Memorandum&#39; of Surrender</a></h1><table role=3D"presentation=
" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"=
margin:1em 0;height:20px"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=
=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><=
table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><div style=
=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;c=
olor:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0;font-family:&#39;SF Compact&#39;,-apple-system,=
system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvet=
ica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&=
#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:500;text-transform:uppercase;letter-sp=
acing:.2px"><a style=3D"list-style:none;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0;font-s=
ize:11px;line-height:20px;font-family:&#39;SF Compact&#39;,-apple-system,sy=
stem-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetic=
a,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#3=
9;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:500;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spac=
ing:.2px;text-decoration:none" href=3D"https://substack.com/@simplicius76" =
target=3D"_blank">Simplicius</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><=
tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><di=
v style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:=
unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family:&#39;SF Compact&#39;,-app=
le-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Rob=
oto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Em=
oji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:500;text-transform:uppercase=
;letter-spacing:.2px">Jun 17</div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbo=
dy></table></td><td align=3D"right"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"a=
uto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=
=3D"vertical-align:middle"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/@simplicius76" t=
arget=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_9tG!,=
f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s=
3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff8632a42-17d7-4627-ab6b-114ceda4d004_10=
08x1008.jpeg" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:550px;border:none;ve=
rtical-align:middle;width:40px;height:40px;min-width:40px;min-height:40px;o=
bject-fit:cover;margin:0px;display:inline;border-radius:50%" width=3D"40" h=
eight=3D"40"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table=
 role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpa=
dding=3D"0" style=3D"border-top:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-bottom:1px s=
olid rgb(0,0,0,.1);min-width:100%"><tbody><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"1=
6" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><td><table rol=
e=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpaddin=
g=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=
=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical=
-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38" border=3D"0" cells=
pacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"h=
ttps://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&amp;post_id=3D20=
1961444&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;submitLike=3Dtr=
ue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsInJlYWN0=
aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjY5MzQzLCJleHAiOjE3ODQyNjEzNDMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0=
xMzUxMjc0Iiwic3ViIjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.5ka8BgDkthyEhm9zRatQF97Lg5CjOLAglrQFGPV=
Fsrs&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&amp;r=3D1y80w=
" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Sego=
e UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#3=
9;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-w=
eight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transfor=
m:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:1;padding:9px 0;text-decoration:none=
;color:rgb(119,119,119);min-width:38px;box-sizing:border-box;width:38px" ta=
rget=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PeVs!,w=
_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.c=
om%2Ficon%2FLucideHeart%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%252=
3808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"border:none;=
vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D""></a></td></tr></tbody></tabl=
e></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-a=
lign:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspa=
cing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"htt=
ps://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&amp;post_id=3D2019=
61444&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;isFreemail=3Dtru=
e&amp;comments=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyM=
DE5NjE0NDQsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1=
MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQF=
D-VM8VA&amp;r=3D1y80w&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&amp;acti=
on=3Dpost-comment&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail" style=
=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#3=
9;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe=
 UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:5=
00;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:upper=
case;font-size:12px;line-height:1;padding:9px 0;text-decoration:none;color:=
rgb(119,119,119);min-width:38px;box-sizing:border-box;width:38px" target=3D=
"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x1tS!,w_36,c_s=
cale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Fic=
on%2FLucideComments%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808=
080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"border:none;vert=
ical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D""></a></td></tr></tbody></table></=
td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align=
:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https:/=
/substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&amp;post_id=3D20196144=
4&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_content=3Dshare&=
amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-share&amp;action=3Dshare&amp;triggerShare=3Dtrue&a=
mp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D1y80w&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJw=
b3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3M=
iOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfF=
bs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8VA" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMac=
SystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple =
Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display=
:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:=
9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:1;padding:9px 0;=
text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119);min-width:38px;box-sizing:borde=
r-box;width:38px" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/ima=
ge/fetch/$s_!_L14!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/http=
s%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideShare2%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3=
Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" =
style=3D"border:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D""></a></t=
d></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><t=
d style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38"=
 border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"c=
enter"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuL=
nN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS9wdWIvc2ltcGxpY2l1czc2L3AvdXMtZmluYWxseS1jYXBpdHVsYXRlcy13=
aXRoLW1lbW9yYW5kdW0_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1zdWJzdGFjayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9=
jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmYWN0aW9uPXJlc3RhY2stY29tbWVudCZyPT=
F5ODB3JnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3pNamMyTXpJd0xDSndiM04wWDJsa0lqb3lNREU1T=
mpFME5EUXNJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVFkyT1RNME15d2laWGh3SWpveE56ZzBNall4TXpRekxDSnBj=
M01pT2lKd2RXSXRNVE0xTVRJM05DSXNJbk4xWWlJNkluQnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBiMjRpZlEubGY=
4N0JLNHF5WllTZnNWdFpIalVEZkZiczdjX1l0M1JnZVFGRC1WTThWQSIsInAiOjIwMTk2MTQ0NC=
wicyI6MTM1MTI3NCwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MzI3NjMyMCwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjY5MzQzLCJleHAiO=
jIwOTcyNDUzNDMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.CxRsxrrVOzz=
ohwEYttINXAGOm00UZ5y4nsJ2-yvoK50?&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=
=3Demail" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&=
#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&=
#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-bloc=
k;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-=
transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:1;padding:9px 0;text-decorat=
ion:none;color:rgb(119,119,119);min-width:38px;box-sizing:border-box;width:=
38px" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_=
!ubXF!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsu=
bstack.com%2Ficon%2Fnotes__NoteRestackIcon%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dn=
one%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2%26strokeLinecap%3Dround%26stro=
keLinejoin%3Dround" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" style=3D"max-width:=
550px;border:none!important;vertical-align:middle"></a></td></tr></tbody></=
table></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=3D"right"><table role=3D"pre=
sentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0">=
<tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation"=
 width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr=
><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://open.substack.com/pub/simplicius76=
/p/us-finally-capitulates-with-memorandum?utm_source=3Demail&amp;redirect=
=3Dapp-store&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-read-in-app" style=3D"font-family:sys=
tem-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica=
,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39=
;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid=
 rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px=
;line-height:12px;padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,1=
19)" target=3D"_blank"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;displa=
y:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;max-width:0;min-height:18px"></div><sp=
an style=3D"vertical-align:middle;margin-right:4px">READ IN APP</span><img =
src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ET-_!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_a=
uto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideArr=
owUpRight%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26stro=
keWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"min-width:18px;min-height:=
18px;border:none;vertical-align:middle;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;max-wid=
th:18px" alt=3D""></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><=
/td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" styl=
e=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr></tbody></table></div></d=
iv><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"padding:32px 0 0 0;font-size:16px;line-height=
:26px"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"text-align:initial;font-size:16px;line-he=
ight:26px;width:100%;word-break:break-word;margin-bottom:16px"><p style=3D"=
margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px;margi=
n-top:0">The US has finally capitulated in its disastrously failed war agai=
nst Iran, reportedly drafting a memorandum of understanding which is highly=
 favorable to the Islamic Republic, and gains as concession nothing more th=
an the promise that =E2=80=9CIran will not obtain nuclear weapons=E2=80=9D=
=E2=80=94a position Iran had already long held. </p><div style=3D"font-size=
:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0"=
 cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:cen=
ter"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"728" style=3D"text-align:center"><a h=
ref=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/7de8905b-b513-4245-b428-e494fe7e7061?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D=
"padding:0;width:auto;height:auto;border:none;text-decoration:none;display:=
block;margin:0" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"550" height=3D"143=
.1662087912088" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!AOZQ!,w_1100=
,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-pos=
t-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff1e94ac8-3211-47d2-a21d-fd4ffd=
c00cd9_1492x388.jpeg" style=3D"border:none!important;vertical-align:middle;=
display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;width:auto!important;max-width:10=
0%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><=
/tr></tbody></table></div><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55)=
;line-height:26px;font-size:16px">The most explosive detail is the alleged =
$300 billion =E2=80=9Creconstruction fund=E2=80=9D that Iran will be privy =
to once the deal is sealed. </p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26=
px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=
=3D"left" width=3D"437" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://subs=
tack.com/redirect/738a93b2-0860-4cd8-b7ad-d95d74332a60?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHci=
fQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"padding:0;width:au=
to;height:auto;border:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0" tar=
get=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"437" height=3D"198.90276613579212" sr=
c=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3vxc!,w_437,c_limit,f_auto,q_a=
uto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaw=
s.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F48406cd6-cfa6-49b7-9724-2d3c55dd1465_1193x543.png=
" style=3D"border:none!important;vertical-align:middle;display:block;height=
:auto;margin-bottom:0;width:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;margin:=
0 auto"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table>=
<a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/7cae1212-19cd-462b-830c-0ede7b58e7=
74?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" styl=
e=3D"text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank">https://www.reuters.com/b=
usiness/finance/iran-deal-includes-300-billion-fund-more-than-half-which-al=
ready-committed-2026-06-16/</a></div><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rg=
b(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">Trump has downplayed or denied=
 this point, with everyone seemingly perplexed as to what this massive sum =
entails, exactly. In the above article, Reuters writes the following: </p><=
blockquote style=3D"border-left:4px solid #51b4e9;margin:20px 0;padding:0">=
<p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-hei=
ght:26px;font-size:16px"><em>The new fund is a private investment vehicle, =
not a reconstruction or reparations program and will not include any =E2=81=
=A0government money or grants, the source said, adding that companies based=
 in the U.S., the Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America and Africa have agr=
eed to commit financing.</em></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54=
,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em>Investments p=
ledged span energy, logistics, manufacturing and transport, the source said=
.</em></p></blockquote><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);li=
ne-height:26px;font-size:16px">They claim it=E2=80=99s not a reparations pr=
ogram, yet the official name of the fund is the =E2=80=98Reconstruction and=
 Development Fund=E2=80=99. It appears to revolve around regional entities=
=E2=80=94both corporate and governmental=E2=80=94providing credit lines, di=
rect financing, etc., to Iran. As can be seen above, over half of the fund =
is claimed to be already committed. </p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color=
:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">Some American propaganda pu=
ndits had claimed that this fund is being pulled from Iran=E2=80=99s frozen=
 assets abroad, but Reuters begs to differ, citing that as an entirely sepa=
rate negotiating track: </p><blockquote style=3D"border-left:4px solid #51b=
4e9;margin:20px 0;padding:0"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,=
55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em>The investment fu=
nd is entirely separate from a parallel negotiating track over the lifting =
of U.S. sanctions and the release of Iranian sovereign assets frozen abroad=
, the source said, describing the two as distinct financial mechanisms with=
 different purposes and timelines.</em></p></blockquote><p style=3D"margin:=
0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>Most =
interestingly, is this follows</span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redire=
ct/ebc24805-9122-4366-9e6f-16b1ecc74ae2?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJY=
RLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"color:#51b4e9;text-decoration:non=
e" target=3D"_blank"> </a><strong><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/=
ebc24805-9122-4366-9e6f-16b1ecc74ae2?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLB=
e0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"color:#51b4e9;text-decoration:none" =
target=3D"_blank">revelations of secret deals having been</a></strong><span=
> attempted </span><em>during</em><span> the war between Qatar and Iran whi=
ch aimed to put pressure on the US to stop its attacks by essentially pulli=
ng the plug on the global economy. From WaPo: </span></p><blockquote style=
=3D"border-left:4px solid #51b4e9;margin:20px 0;padding:0"><p style=3D"marg=
in:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-si=
ze:16px"><em><span>Seeking to protect its economic crown jewel, these offic=
ials said, Qatar approached Tehran at the start of the war to present a mut=
ually beneficial arrangement: </span><strong>Iran would refrain from hittin=
g Ras Laffan, and Qatar would halt gas production unilaterally =E2=80=94 a =
move that would send energy prices soaring and put economic pressure on the=
 United States and Israel to shorten the war.</strong></em></p><p style=3D"=
margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;fon=
t-size:16px"><em>Qatar presented what amounted to a =E2=80=9Csecret deal,=
=E2=80=9D said a senior regional security official, vowing to use leverage =
over gas supplies to help bring the war to a swift end while seeking Iran=
=E2=80=99s commitment on =E2=80=9Cone condition: you are not going to attac=
k us.=E2=80=9D</em></p></blockquote><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb=
(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">That=E2=80=99s just the first o=
ne. </p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;=
font-size:16px">The Israel Hayom outlet made an even bigger bombshell, clai=
ming that Trump secretly approved a cash deal between Qatar and Iran which =
allowed Qatari ships to secretly whisk oil out through the strait:</p><div =
style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"=
100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=
=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"563" style=3D"text-=
align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/d898aec9-4b94-4fd7-9=
348-4f7edc4b96ef?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApS=
nC1GYC_8" style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;height:auto;border:none;text-decora=
tion:none;display:block;margin:0" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"=
550" height=3D"230.42582417582418" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fet=
ch/$s_!FxvM!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3=
A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a2480d8-0d=
91-45bb-ac77-f7649ea3f74f_1474x618.png" style=3D"border:none!important;vert=
ical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;width:auto!impo=
rtant;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td style=3D"text-al=
ign:center"></td></tr></tbody></table><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redir=
ect/fa41a6bf-cec1-49e7-8658-9f64ea699e7c?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJ=
YRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"text-decoration:underline" targe=
t=3D"_blank">https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/06/15/trump-secretly-approved=
-qatar-iran-cash-deal/</a></div><blockquote style=3D"border-left:4px solid =
#51b4e9;margin:20px 0;padding:0"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54=
,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em><span>The US =
secretly approved a financial and maritime arrangement between Qatar and Ir=
an, under which </span><strong>billions of dollars were paid to Tehran in e=
xchange for free passage for Qatari tankers</strong><span> and ships throug=
h the Strait of Hormuz, three diplomatic officials now confirm.</span></em>=
</p></blockquote><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-hei=
ght:26px;font-size:16px">It=E2=80=99s difficult to know how much of this is=
 true, but it does paint a clear picture of one obvious reality: that Iran =
always held all the cards, and maintained total escalation dominance. This =
caused all other hostile actors to repeatedly scramble for various secret d=
eals and concessions of appeasement as tithe or tribute to the Iranian over=
lords which now rule the region. And this happened while the same actors al=
l put on a =E2=80=9Cbold face=E2=80=9D of courage and defiance against Iran=
, when in reality they were terrified of the looming consequences.</p><p st=
yle=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16p=
x"><span>And the chief of those consequences, according to experts who have=
 been growing increasingly panicked these past two weeks, was that the US=
=E2=80=99s SPR (Strategic Petroleum Reserve) and </span><strong><a href=3D"=
https://substack.com/redirect/c527bfe2-67d4-4040-be86-9b8c9af9f099?j=3DeyJ1=
IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"color:=
#51b4e9;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank">Cushing, OK crude</a></stro=
ng><span> inventories had been heading toward rock bottom levels. Experts w=
arned that below ~20 million barrels or so, the Cushing storage infrastruct=
ure begins to severely malfunction, with pipelines losing pressure.</span><=
/p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table w=
idth=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><=
td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"467" style=
=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/61ce2171-f2=
e4-40c1-bf93-59ba6ab415ea?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZr=
Gdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;height:auto;border:none;te=
xt-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" =
width=3D"467" height=3D"403.72903225806454" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/=
image/fetch/$s_!4Y0P!,w_467,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep=
/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F897=
e1221-61a7-444c-9efd-b71447721e8e_930x804.png" style=3D"border:none!importa=
nt;vertical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;width:au=
to!important;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td style=3D"=
text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style=3D"margin:0 0 2=
0px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">In short, Iran c=
alled Trump=E2=80=99s bluff and won. Trump tried to pretend that the US cou=
ld play the long game in =E2=80=9Cblockading=E2=80=9D Iran until storage at=
 Kharg and elsewhere began to overflow=E2=80=94but instead, it was the US t=
hat was edging toward economic catastrophe and Trump was finally forced to =
blink when he realized that Iran wasn=E2=80=99t going to lose this game of =
Chicken.</p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:2=
6px;font-size:16px"><span>The prevailing narrative is now that Iran has gai=
ned the ultimate trump card, arguably bigger than obtaining nuclear weapons=
: the ability to control the Strait of Hormuz </span><em>at will</em><span>=
 from this point forward: </span></p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-heig=
ht:26px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td a=
lign=3D"left" width=3D"440" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://=
substack.com/redirect/8ae9d595-1cfc-4d11-b358-e0d34dd8392d?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4=
MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"padding:0;widt=
h:auto;height:auto;border:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0"=
 target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"440" height=3D"305.2948557089084"=
 src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FdGi!,w_440,c_limit,f_auto,=
q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazo=
naws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3834591e-b3da-48be-9017-267c7634f2ff_797x553.j=
peg" style=3D"border:none!important;vertical-align:middle;display:block;hei=
ght:auto;margin-bottom:0;width:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;marg=
in:0 auto"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></tab=
le><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/684ead85-0ee4-4b61-8825-41f2b23=
363ec?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" s=
tyle=3D"text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank">https://www.cnn.com/20=
26/06/16/politics/us-intel-assessment-iran-shut-strait-hormuz</a></div><p s=
tyle=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16=
px">From the above: </p><blockquote style=3D"border-left:4px solid #51b4e9;=
margin:20px 0;padding:0"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);=
margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em><strong>US intelligen=
ce agencies have recently assessed that Iran can effectively shut down acce=
ss to the Strait of Hormuz at will from now on, meaning the country=E2=80=
=99s regime has acquired a powerful new ability to hurt the global economy =
as a result of the war</strong><span>, according to three sources familiar =
with the findings.</span></em></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(5=
4,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em>Regardless o=
f the framework agreement that is due to be formally signed on Friday to op=
en the key waterway as a prelude to nuclear talks, Iran proved it can shut =
off access to the strait during the current conflict and US intelligence as=
sessments suggest that could happen again.</em></p></blockquote><p style=3D=
"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">In =
effect, Iran emerges with far more power, while the US emerges weakened bey=
ond measure. Recall that virtually every US base in the region was either f=
lattened or cleared out by Iranian strikes. Most have likely seen by now th=
e BDA update to the radome in Bahrain which Iran blew away last week:</p><t=
able role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" ce=
llpadding=3D"0" style=3D"background:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(54,55,55);di=
splay:flex;max-width:550px;margin:32px auto;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);=
direction:ltr;border-radius:12px;padding:16px 16px 12px;font-family:system-=
ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Ari=
al,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Seg=
oe UI Symbol&#39;;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:400;box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin-bottom:20px;margin-top:20px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"pa=
dding:0px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/485e09a0-2773-4270-8874=
-953986728a93?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1=
GYC_8" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:inherit;display:block" target=3D=
"_blank"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" widt=
h=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td =
style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/f=
etch/$s_!NC2_!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.su=
bstack.com%2Fprofile_images%2F2046959813179912192%2FSSCSoKHP.jpg" alt=3D"X =
avatar for @Archer83Able" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border:none;vertic=
al-align:middle;max-width:100%;width:40px;height:40px;min-width:40px;min-he=
ight:40px;object-fit:cover;margin:0px;display:inline;border-radius:50%" wid=
th=3D"40" height=3D"40"></td><td width=3D"12" style=3D"min-width:12px"></td=
><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"=
auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><div =
style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-d=
ecoration:unset;margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystem=
Font,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color =
Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:6=
00">Status-6 (War &amp; Military News)</div></td></tr><tr><td><div style=3D=
"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;colo=
r:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSys=
temFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Col=
or Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weigh=
t:400">@Archer83Able</div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></tab=
le></td></tr><tr height=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><div style=3D"list-sty=
le:none;color:unset;font-size:15px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;m=
argin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe U=
I&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;S=
egoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400;white-space:pr=
e-wrap">Newly released satellite imagery confirm the destruction of a U.S. =
AN/TPS-59 air and missile defense early warning radar as a result of the Ir=
anian attack on the Jabal al Dukhan Radar Site in Bahrain on June 11, 2026.=
</div></td></tr><tr height=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><img src=3D"https:/=
/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ev1b!,w_550,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_=
progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.substack.com%2Fmedia%2FHKtVl1LXIAArXH1.=
jpg" alt=3D"Image" style=3D"border:none;vertical-align:middle;margin:0 auto=
;display:inline;width:auto;height:auto;max-width:100%;max-height:420px;bord=
er-radius:8px"></td></tr><tr height=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><table rol=
e=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" style=3D"border:1px solid #eeeeee;border-radius:8px;padding:12px"><=
tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cell=
spacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation"=
 width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr=
><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/im=
age/twitter_name/w_40/MenchOsint.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;border=
:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:100%;width:20px;height:20px;min-width=
:20px;min-height:20px;object-fit:cover;margin:0px;display:inline;border-rad=
ius:50%" width=3D"20" height=3D"20"></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width=
:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><div style=3D"list-style:non=
e;color:unset;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;margin:=
0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;=
,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe U=
I Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400"><span style=3D"font=
-weight:600">MenchOsint</span> <span style=3D"color:#888888">@MenchOsint</s=
pan></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"8"><td></td></t=
r><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;font-size:15px;line-hei=
ght:20px;text-decoration:unset;margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system=
,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#=
39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39=
;;font-weight:400">=F0=9F=93=8DConfirmed hit at Jabal al-Dukhan Long Range =
Radar site, Bahrain. *found a photo of the hill on a hiking website, matche=
s the cropped image of smoke on the mountain. https://t.co/AlmT2Tdxhc</div>=
</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D=
"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" bord=
er=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"width:100%"><tbody><t=
r><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-de=
coration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple=
-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-s=
erif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Sym=
bol&#39;;font-weight:400"><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-d=
ecoration:unset;margin:0">4:49 PM =C2=B7 Jun 13, 2026</span><span style=3D"=
list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 </span>=
<span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">=
30.8K Views</span></div><div style=3D"border-bottom:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1)=
;width:100%;height:0;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"></div><div style=3D"l=
ist-style:none;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:=
rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSyste=
mFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color=
 Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:=
400"><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margi=
n:0">11 Replies</span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decor=
ation:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 </span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:u=
nset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">45 Reposts</span><span style=3D"list-s=
tyle:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0"> =C2=B7 </span><span =
style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">239 Li=
kes</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></a></t=
d></tr></tbody></table><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);li=
ne-height:26px;font-size:16px">Now Iran has even achieved something else: c=
reating a deeper fracture between the US and Israel. Trump was finally forc=
ed to scold Netanyahu several times over the Lebanon issue, with Trump=E2=
=80=99s approval rating in israel now diving overnight by a reported 23%. <=
/p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-=
size:16px">Here, in a rare rebuke of Israel he admits that the colonialist =
state acted disproportionately in hitting Lebanon after a minor Hezbollah d=
rone attack: </p><div role=3D"region" aria-label=3D"Video player" style=3D"=
font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin-top:0.5em"><a href=3D"https://substa=
ck.com/redirect/de654f04-34e7-40e7-8708-7f75e9617ce9?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ=
.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"display:block;width:=
100%;background-color:rgb(0,0,0);height:auto;border-radius:8px;padding-bott=
om:0" target=3D"_blank"><img width=3D"550" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/i=
mage/fetch/$s_!Qxao!,w_1100,h_618,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:=
steep/l_play_button_usfui2,w_144,e_colorize:0/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-video.=
s3.amazonaws.com%2Fvideo_upload%2Fpost%2F201961444%2F7bc674e1-fba3-4016-83b=
6-1243162e376c%2Ftranscoded-00001.png" style=3D"border:none!important;verti=
cal-align:middle;display:block;max-width:100%;height:auto;margin:0 auto;wid=
th:100%;max-height:100%;background:black;border-radius:8px"></a></div><p st=
yle=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16p=
x">He still tries to put on a good face, but the reality appears that behin=
d the scenes the fracture is deeper than he=E2=80=99d like us to believe. <=
/p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-=
size:16px">Case in point, from an Israeli i24 News correspondent: </p><div =
style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"=
100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=
=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"495" style=3D"text-=
align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/6948f595-553b-40af-8=
c5c-6fe3413327f3?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApS=
nC1GYC_8" style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;height:auto;border:none;text-decora=
tion:none;display:block;margin:0" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"=
495" height=3D"187.22521551724137" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fet=
ch/$s_!oNwn!,w_495,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A=
%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1abe90bb-f92=
b-46d1-bfe8-7009796b6e8b_928x351.png" style=3D"border:none!important;vertic=
al-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;width:auto!import=
ant;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td style=3D"text-alig=
n:center"></td></tr></tbody></table><strong><a href=3D"https://substack.com=
/redirect/78b1331c-db29-4560-b720-30c3c2aaf388?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6=
u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"text-decoration:underline"=
 target=3D"_blank">Link</a></strong></div><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;col=
or:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">And as always, in the wak=
e of the US=E2=80=99s capitulation we continue getting further inklings of =
the true extent of the disaster. For instance, FT has shed more light on ho=
w Iranian missile bases were able to weather the storm and continue firing =
even after being hit endlessly by munitions:</p><div style=3D"font-size:16p=
x;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cel=
lspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"=
></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"439" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=
=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/e41b7e36-713e-4daa-b401-90fe4515bce2?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"pa=
dding:0;width:auto;height:auto;border:none;text-decoration:none;display:blo=
ck;margin:0" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"439" height=3D"517.74=
20867526378" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!3z_5!,w_439,c_l=
imit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-me=
dia.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F731c200e-b281-4bb1-81b5-0405b8b340=
7f_853x1006.jpeg" style=3D"border:none!important;vertical-align:middle;disp=
lay:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;width:auto!important;max-width:100%!i=
mportant;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr>=
</tbody></table><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/dc9d8ca3-a9e7-4a08=
-914f-ff9843e0c8f6?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smA=
pSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank">https://w=
ww.ft.com/content/94d9c8d4-c38d-4414-bb47-53e9f1288a21</a></div><blockquote=
 style=3D"border-left:4px solid #51b4e9;margin:20px 0;padding:0"><p style=
=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px=
;font-size:16px"><em>For 40 days, US and Israeli aircraft pounded the mount=
ains around Yazd, trying to silence one of Iran=E2=80=99s most important mi=
litary projects: a buried missile complex carved deep into the granite abov=
e the ancient desert city.</em></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(=
54,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em>Yet, accord=
ing to residents, the Iranian missiles kept firing regardless. =E2=80=9CUS =
and Israeli forces kept bombing those mountains,=E2=80=9D said one resident=
 of Yazd. =E2=80=9CAnd Iran kept launching missiles until the final moments=
 before the ceasefire.=E2=80=9D</em></p></blockquote><div style=3D"font-siz=
e:16px;line-height:26px;background-color:rgb(238,238,238);border-radius:8px=
;margin:32px 0;padding:16px 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-heig=
ht:26px;font-size:16px;margin:8px 0"><em><strong>=E2=80=9CThe resilience of=
 Iran=E2=80=99s underground =E2=80=9Cmissile cities=E2=80=9D has become one=
 of the most significant and contested questions</strong><span> in the afte=
rmath of the US-Israeli bombardment earlier this year.=E2=80=9D</span></em>=
</p></div><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26p=
x;font-size:16px">Iranian officials even stated that many of their missile =
cities did not even need to be tapped during the war because the US and Isr=
ael failed to put a significant enough dent into the main operational ones =
being used: </p><blockquote style=3D"border-left:4px solid #51b4e9;margin:2=
0px 0;padding:0"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin-l=
eft:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em>A second person close to the =
Islamic regime argued the depth of many sites rendered them largely immune =
to conventional aerial bombardment. He said some were not even used during =
the war because numerous other facilities remained operational.</em></p></b=
lockquote><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><=
table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbod=
y><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"502"=
 style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/9df2b=
daa-859c-4851-9223-4519e283d245?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa=
_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;height:auto;border:n=
one;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=
=3D"" width=3D"502" height=3D"184.38846153846154" src=3D"https://substackcd=
n.com/image/fetch/$s_!E38L!,w_502,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive=
:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages=
%2Fddb7dcf6-5f04-4a7d-9d96-f22546a87b99_1040x382.png" style=3D"border:none!=
important;vertical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;w=
idth:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td st=
yle=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style=3D"margi=
n:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">The artic=
le recounts how Iran=E2=80=99s former head of the missile forces, Amir Ali =
Hajizadeh, visited North Korea and drew lessons from its underground missil=
e siloes, realizing that by utilizing such a tactic Iran wouldn=E2=80=99t r=
equire few air defenses as enemy aircraft simply have nothing to bomb becau=
se all the important infrastructure is so far underground. Recall how many =
times I said this at the start of the war: specifically, that Iran could si=
mply withdraw its flagship air defense and other systems to the far east of=
 the country to keep them safe because US-Israel would have nothing to bomb=
=E2=80=94everything had been squirreled away underground, and it wouldn=E2=
=80=99t even much matter if =E2=80=9Cair superiority=E2=80=9D was truly est=
ablished. Without ground troops conquering Iranian cities, the US could do =
nothing but bomb empty desert=E2=80=94or civilians, which only works in Ira=
n=E2=80=99s favor as it leads to massive societal solidarity against =E2=80=
=98the Great Satan=E2=80=99. </p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54=
,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">Hilariously, Trump continues to wa=
ffle on the issue of Iran=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cnuclear dust=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94=
which he deemed so important as to be a key reason for the launching of the=
 entire war. Now in two new interviews, Trump backtracks by claiming that t=
he nuclear dust is =E2=80=9Charmless=E2=80=9D and pretty much worthless: </=
p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table wi=
dth=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><t=
d style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"970" style=
=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/b8b4cf05-c8=
0a-442b-9edb-0fffd93325a3?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZr=
Gdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;height:auto;border:none;te=
xt-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" =
width=3D"550" height=3D"201.8556701030928" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/i=
mage/fetch/$s_!pd1X!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep=
/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76d=
4b04f-15a5-4b6a-a114-3668a59e24bd_970x356.jpeg" style=3D"border:none!import=
ant;vertical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;width:a=
uto!important;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td style=3D=
"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table><a href=3D"https://substack.c=
om/redirect/b5b9abf7-af6c-4eca-a608-e22d21e46b43?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seD=
b6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"text-decoration:underlin=
e" target=3D"_blank">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-threatens-t=
o-pull-out-of-talks-after-israel-strikes-beiruts-outskirts-d0390e22</a></di=
v><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-s=
ize:16px">Listen below, as he says the =E2=80=9Cdust=E2=80=9D is actually =
=E2=80=9Cnot very valuable=E2=80=9D, but is only important for =E2=80=9Cpsy=
chological=E2=80=9D reasons:</p><div role=3D"region" aria-label=3D"Video pl=
ayer" style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin-top:0.5em"><a href=3D=
"https://substack.com/redirect/9fe797d7-51d3-4a6a-851f-ed021fcfd593?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"displ=
ay:block;width:100%;background-color:rgb(0,0,0);height:auto;border-radius:8=
px;padding-bottom:0" target=3D"_blank"><img width=3D"550" src=3D"https://su=
bstackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Ghgj!,w_1100,h_618,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto:good,=
fl_progressive:steep/l_play_button_usfui2,w_144,e_colorize:0/https%3A%2F%2F=
substack-video.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fvideo_upload%2Fpost%2F201961444%2F76df502=
4-ca97-442b-b298-d7bb94835d1f%2Ftranscoded-00001.png" style=3D"border:none!=
important;vertical-align:middle;display:block;max-width:100%;height:auto;ma=
rgin:0 auto;width:100%;max-height:100%;background:black;border-radius:8px">=
</a></div><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26p=
x;font-size:16px"><span>Trump seems to make a lot of massive geopolitical b=
lunders for reasons of personal =E2=80=9Cpsychology=E2=80=9D. </span><stron=
g><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/40822f61-92bb-4609-89f2-8f3dacac=
6102?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" st=
yle=3D"color:#51b4e9;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank">On the issue o=
f ownership of Greenland</a></strong><span>, Trump once admitted he only wa=
nted it because it was =E2=80=9Cpsychologically important=E2=80=9D to him: =
</span></p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto">=
<table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbo=
dy><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"503=
" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/5180=
45b1-de74-4ba9-9cab-c3d9e25138b1?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jq=
a_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;height:auto;border:=
none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0" target=3D"_blank"><img al=
t=3D"" width=3D"503" height=3D"493.36966126656847" src=3D"https://substackc=
dn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gY8y!,w_503,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressiv=
e:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimage=
s%2F129b8d19-89f6-4b92-8861-353163561987_679x666.webp" style=3D"border:none=
!important;vertical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;=
width:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td s=
tyle=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table><a href=3D"https://sub=
stack.com/redirect/556a15d2-72a6-4453-b558-782b8e8d320a?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHc=
ifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"text-decoration:u=
nderline" target=3D"_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/us/politics/=
trump-interview-transcript.html</a></div><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;colo=
r:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">Will this new =E2=80=9Cpea=
ce deal=E2=80=9D and memorandum last? Likely not if Israel has anything to =
say about it. Netanyahu and his cronies have already announced that Israel =
will not be withdrawing from Lebanon and have strongly hinted that they wil=
l refuse to honor Hezbollah and Lebanon=E2=80=99s inclusion in the deal. </=
p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-s=
ize:16px"><strong><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/fa335695-1d46-4f=
00-923a-df46045e48f5?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2s=
mApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"color:#51b4e9;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank=
">Iran=E2=80=99s own Khorasan paper claims</a></strong><span> that the peac=
e deal is only postponing the apocalyptic =E2=80=9Cfinal battle=E2=80=9D wh=
ich awaits: </span></p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin=
:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpaddin=
g=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" =
width=3D"728" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/r=
edirect/504489af-c4e8-40fc-9eef-7fa171b5c945?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u6=
3dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;height:=
auto;border:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0" target=3D"_bl=
ank"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"550" height=3D"309.375" src=3D"https://substack=
cdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yNlI!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progress=
ive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fima=
ges%2Fc6a951d1-588c-48a3-ba2a-b46e6fc593c8_1200x675.jpeg" style=3D"border:n=
one!important;vertical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom=
:0;width:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><t=
d style=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style=3D"m=
argin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">Trans=
cription of the above: </p><blockquote style=3D"border-left:4px solid #51b4=
e9;margin:20px 0;padding:0"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,5=
5);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em><span>The main fun=
ction of this agreement is not the recognition of our sovereignty over the =
Strait of Hormuz (which has already been accepted even without an agreement=
), nor the release of Iran=E2=80=99s blocked assets, nor any other real gai=
n explicitly stated in the text of the agreement. </span><strong><span>Its =
real function is to postpone the final and decisive battle that will determ=
ine the current victor.</span></strong></em></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px=
 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><e=
m><span>Khorasan newspaper, in a note with an antagonistic view, described =
a possible agreement between Iran and the United States as merely =E2=80=9C=
a breathing space to rebuild future combat and defensive capacity and prepa=
re for a full-scale or major battle.=E2=80=9D</span></em></p><p style=3D"ma=
rgin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-=
size:16px"><em><span>Seyed Pouya Hosseinpour wrote in the note: Regardless =
of what the terms of the possible agreement may be, and whether an agreemen=
t is actually signed or not, several points must be kept in mind about any =
agreement at this stage:</span></em></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color=
:rgb(54,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em><stron=
g><span>First:</span></strong><span> This is merely an agreement to end the=
 current war, not an agreement for a final settlement of the issues between=
 Iran and the United States; a war that America and Israel began with the a=
im of destroying Iran, failed to achieve their goals, and are now forced to=
 end through an agreement.</span></em></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;col=
or:rgb(54,55,55);margin-left:20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em><str=
ong><span>Second:</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>The issues bet=
ween Iran and the United States, and especially between Iran and Israel =E2=
=80=94 have reached a level and stage of existential conflict that, in prac=
tice, will not end except with the decisive victory of one of the two sides=
.</span></strong><span> Things such as these negotiations and agreements ha=
ve no particular impact on this path; they are simply a stage that must be =
passed through in order to reach the stage of the final battle.</span></em>=
</p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin-left:20px;line=
-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em><strong><span>Third:</span></strong><span>=
 The main function of this agreement is not the recognition of our sovereig=
nty over the Strait of Hormuz (which has already been accepted even without=
 an agreement), nor the release of Iran=E2=80=99s blocked assets, nor any o=
ther real gain explicitly stated in the text of the agreement. Its real fun=
ction is to postpone the final and decisive battle that will determine the =
current victor. In fact, its main function is to provide a breathing space =
to rebuild future combat and defensive capacity and prepare for a full-scal=
e and major battle =E2=80=94 an opportunity that both sides will use to the=
ir own advantage.</span></em></p></blockquote><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0=
;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">It=E2=80=99s hard to =
argue the above prognostication. </p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rg=
b(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">And this conclusion is a fitti=
ng end point, as well: </p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;ma=
rgin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpa=
dding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"le=
ft" width=3D"532" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.c=
om/redirect/51d2058f-dca5-44ad-aa55-2bb80fb724f9?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seD=
b6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;hei=
ght:auto;border:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0" target=3D=
"_blank"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"532" height=3D"151.42857142857142" src=3D"h=
ttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!uFou!,w_532,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:go=
od,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%=
2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff770c4a2-6320-4744-9b51-3dcc007ae555_931x265.png" style=
=3D"border:none!important;vertical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;m=
argin-bottom:0;width:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"=
></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table></div><=
p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size=
:16px">The US lost a major portion of its reconnaissance fleet via the dest=
royed Reaper drones, lost a huge swath=E2=80=94perhaps even the majority=E2=
=80=94of its regional long-range detection radars; essentially, it lost its=
 eyes and ears. Additionally, the US=E2=80=99s feared =E2=80=9Ccarrier flee=
ts=E2=80=9D turned out to be nothing more than empty bogeymen, broken-down =
hulks which drifted aimlessly out of reach of Iran=E2=80=99s coastal defens=
e batteries. </p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-hei=
ght:26px;font-size:16px">The same goes for the feared =E2=80=9CUS Marines=
=E2=80=9D which did nothing more than sit idle aboard the Tripoli off the c=
oast of Oman, attempting to cow Iran into submission with their mere presen=
ce, instead exposing all the US=E2=80=99s most powerful tools of leverage a=
nd coercion as having lost all their storied intimidating factors.</p><div =
style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><hr style=3D"margin:32px 0;paddin=
g:0;height:1px;background:rgb(0,0,0,.1);border:none"></div><p style=3D"marg=
in:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em><spa=
n>Your support is invaluable. If you enjoyed the read, I would greatly appr=
eciate if you subscribed to a </span><strong>monthly/yearly pledge</strong>=
<span> to support my work, so that I may continue providing you with detail=
ed, incisive reports like this one.</span></em></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 2=
0px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em><span>Altern=
atively, you can tip here: </span><strong><a href=3D"https://substack.com/r=
edirect/c952040b-1907-40e0-a314-62c5fc3c0307?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u6=
3dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"color:#51b4e9;text-decoratio=
n:none" target=3D"_blank">buymeacoffee.com/Simplicius</a></strong></em></p>=
<div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><hr style=3D"margin:32px 0;p=
adding:0;height:1px;background:rgb(0,0,0,.1);border:none"></div><div style=
=3D"margin:0 0 1em;direction:ltr;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><div styl=
e=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;font-size:16px;line-height:26px;=
text-align:center;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redire=
ct/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZT91dG=
1fc291cmNlPXBvc3QmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLWNoZWNrb3V0Jm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0ElM=
kYlMkZzaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tJTJGcCUyRnVzLWZpbmFsbHktY2FwaXR1bGF0=
ZXMtd2l0aC1tZW1vcmFuZHVtJnI9MXk4MHcmdG9rZW49ZXlKMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpvek1qYzJNekl=
3TENKcFlYUWlPakUzT0RFMk5qa3pORE1zSW1WNGNDSTZNVGM0TkRJMk1UTTBNeXdpYVhOeklqb2=
ljSFZpTFRFek5URXlOelFpTENKemRXSWlPaUpqYUdWamEyOTFkQ0o5LkJLV1Q1Nk4wUVdwN3NhO=
TNQVkw5czlJYVNVRDA4US1tZVF3Y2psdDdBNXMiLCJwIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsInMiOjEzNTEyNzQs=
ImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjMyNzYzMjAsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjQ1MzQzLCJ=
pc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.9bNZbF9YBp-hTiHs8x04-HOfqWj=
xTlold6_sdIvUXoQ?&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_source=3Dsubscribe-widget&=
amp;utm_content=3D201961444" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,B=
linkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39=
;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;=
display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;border:none;border-radius:8px;fo=
nt-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;text-align:center;opacity:1;o=
utline:none;white-space:nowrap;text-decoration:none!important;margin:0 auto=
;background-color:#51b4e9;color:#ffffff!important;padding:12px 20px;height:=
auto" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:#ffffff;text-decoration:none">=
Upgrade to paid</span></a></div></div><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:r=
gb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px;text-align:center;border-radiu=
s:4px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D13512=
74&amp;post_id=3D201961444&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail=
&amp;utm_content=3Dshare&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-share&amp;action=3Dshare&=
amp;triggerShare=3Dtrue&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D1y80w&amp;token=3DeyJ=
1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZX=
hwIjoxNzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24if=
Q.lf87BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8VA" style=3D"font-family:system-=
ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Ari=
al,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Seg=
oe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;border:none;bo=
rder-radius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;text-align:=
center;margin:0;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;color:#ffffff!imp=
ortant;text-decoration:none!important;background-color:#51b4e9;padding:12px=
 20px;height:auto" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:#ffffff;text-deco=
ration:none">Share</span></a></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54=
,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;b=
order-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication=
_id=3D1351274&amp;post_id=3D201961444&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_med=
ium=3Demail&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;comments=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX=
2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjox=
Nzg0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87=
BK4qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8VA&amp;r=3D1y80w&amp;utm_campaign=3Dem=
ail-half-magic-comments&amp;action=3Dpost-comment" style=3D"font-family:sys=
tem-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica=
,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39=
;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;border:non=
e;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;text-al=
ign:center;margin:0;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;color:#ffffff=
!important;text-decoration:none!important;background-color:#51b4e9;padding:=
12px 20px;height:auto" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:#ffffff;text-=
decoration:none">Leave a comment</span></a></p></div></div><div style=3D"ma=
rgin:32px 0 0;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;border-top:1px solid #dddddd=
;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"></div><div style=3D"text-align:initial;wo=
rd-break:break-word;margin-bottom:32px;margin:32px 0;font-size:16px;line-he=
ight:26px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0 auto 20px;text-align:ce=
nter;width:90%;line-height:26px;font-size:16px;margin-top:0"><span style=3D=
"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0">You&#39;re cur=
rently a free subscriber to <a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/77d0d7=
03-ee23-430c-8a61-cfa04d725aad?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_=
jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" style=3D"color:#51b4e9;text-decoration:none" target=
=3D"_blank">Simplicius&#39;s Garden of Knowledge</a>. For the full experien=
ce, <a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaW1wbGlj=
aXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZT91dG1fc291cmNlPXBvc3QmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWd=
uPWVtYWlsLWNoZWNrb3V0Jm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZzaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2=
suY29tJTJGcCUyRnVzLWZpbmFsbHktY2FwaXR1bGF0ZXMtd2l0aC1tZW1vcmFuZHVtJnI9MXk4M=
HcmdG9rZW49ZXlKMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpvek1qYzJNekl3TENKcFlYUWlPakUzT0RFMk5qa3pORE1z=
SW1WNGNDSTZNVGM0TkRJMk1UTTBNeXdpYVhOeklqb2ljSFZpTFRFek5URXlOelFpTENKemRXSWl=
PaUpqYUdWamEyOTFkQ0o5LkJLV1Q1Nk4wUVdwN3NhOTNQVkw5czlJYVNVRDA4US1tZVF3Y2psdD=
dBNXMiLCJwIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsInMiOjEzNTEyNzQsImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjMyNzYzMjAsImlhd=
CI6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjQ1MzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6Imxpbmst=
cmVkaXJlY3QifQ.9bNZbF9YBp-hTiHs8x04-HOfqWjxTlold6_sdIvUXoQ?&amp;utm_source=
=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_content=3Dpostcta" style=3D"colo=
r:#51b4e9;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank">upgrade your subscription=
.</a></span></p><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0 auto 20px;width:90=
%;line-height:26px;font-size:16px;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;margin-=
left:auto;margin-right:auto"><a role=3D"button" href=3D"https://substack.co=
m/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL3N1YnNjcm=
liZT91dG1fc291cmNlPXBvc3QmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLWNoZWNrb3V0Jm5leHQ9aHR0c=
HMlM0ElMkYlMkZzaW1wbGljaXVzNzYuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tJTJGcCUyRnVzLWZpbmFsbHktY2Fw=
aXR1bGF0ZXMtd2l0aC1tZW1vcmFuZHVtJnI9MXk4MHcmdG9rZW49ZXlKMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpvek1=
qYzJNekl3TENKcFlYUWlPakUzT0RFMk5qa3pORE1zSW1WNGNDSTZNVGM0TkRJMk1UTTBNeXdpYV=
hOeklqb2ljSFZpTFRFek5URXlOelFpTENKemRXSWlPaUpqYUdWamEyOTFkQ0o5LkJLV1Q1Nk4wU=
VdwN3NhOTNQVkw5czlJYVNVRDA4US1tZVF3Y2psdDdBNXMiLCJwIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsInMiOjEz=
NTEyNzQsImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjMyNzYzMjAsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjQ=
1MzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.9bNZbF9YBp-hTiHs8x0=
4-HOfqWjxTlold6_sdIvUXoQ?&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&=
amp;utm_content=3Dpostcta" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,Bli=
nkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;A=
pple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;di=
splay:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;border:none;height:40px;border-rad=
ius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;text-align:center;p=
adding:10px 20px;margin:0;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;color:#=
ffffff!important;text-decoration:none!important;background-color:#51b4e9" t=
arget=3D"_blank">Upgrade to paid</a></p></div><table role=3D"presentation" =
width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"bo=
rder-top:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);min-=
width:100%"><tbody><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0=
px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" widt=
h=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border=
-bottom:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1)"><tbody><tr><td width=3D"95%"><table role=
=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=
=3D"0" style=3D"width:95%;margin:0 auto"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a=
 href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1351274&amp;po=
st_id=3D201961444&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_=
content=3Dshare&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-share&amp;action=3Dshare&amp;trigg=
erShare=3Dtrue&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D1y80w&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lk=
IjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY2OTM0MywiZXhwIjoxNzg=
0MjYxMzQzLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM1MTI3NCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.lf87BK4=
qyZYSfsVtZHjUDfFbs7c_Yt3RgeQFD-VM8VA" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple=
-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-s=
erif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Sym=
bol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1=
);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:=
12px;padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119);width:100=
%;padding-left:0;padding-right:0" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://sub=
stackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rmYa!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideShare%3Fv%3D4%26heigh=
t%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18"=
 height=3D"18" style=3D"margin-right:8px;min-width:18px;min-height:18px;bor=
der:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D""><span style=3D"vert=
ical-align:middle">Share</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr =
height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=
=A0</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" =
style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><td><table role=
=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=
=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D=
"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"margin:0 auto"><tbody><tr>=
<td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"a=
uto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=
=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D=
1351274&amp;post_id=3D201961444&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;isFreemail=3D=
true&amp;submitLike=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjozMjc2MzIwLCJwb3N0X2lk=
IjoyMDE5NjE0NDQsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjY5MzQzLCJleHAiOjE3ODQ=
yNjEzNDMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0xMzUxMjc0Iiwic3ViIjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.5ka8BgDkthyEhm9=
zRatQF97Lg5CjOLAglrQFGPVFsrs&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_campaign=3Demai=
l-reaction&amp;r=3D1y80w" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,Blin=
kMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Ap=
ple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;dis=
play:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-rad=
ius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:12px;padding=
:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119)" target=3D"_blank"><i=
mg src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PeVs!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,=
q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucide=
Heart%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWi=
dth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"margin-right:8px;min-width:18p=
x;min-height:18px;border:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D"=
"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody=
></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></=
div></div>
</div></div>

--000000000000a82a7b065473fec2--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 07:40:39 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id AD070B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:40:35 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net AD070B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="DlrbZNyS"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 90AFDBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:40:35 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ed1-f53.google.com (mail-ed1-f53.google.com
 [209.85.208.53])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 14B72BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:40:34 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ed1-f53.google.com with SMTP id
 4fb4d7f45d1cf-687ed9aabb3so10738881a12.1
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:40:34 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781707232; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=igiv1yZ1eoidjJR/XrMbNH3TFJjpJmG6cR3qJ99EiDLRhu4iW0FZSFXTsQDKFu2mDH
 VNqtvxLs9B+u22VqBWxt9Ill9SuXhSDovgskGEknLVEBdvkqIG9xvfb+HH6zheTMTbbb
 N6XYZge4lnmGY7fmlpRM+/2kABrLVt4oU0sBYplyvGMwcvX8OocIOOxzlQjd63M6DkMr
 MlAm2ZfKLoJc9p34yt+uptpNDXb1KwIQNyFwDbpT8/nYI/HrPKIOhwDwf6qA5nX8a38C
 nh4cQ1CgrLMQsnM8GMsa/fpx/GC/2RXAwzf9xSm9aTBbsfuvWW9Bhw60hS0Kn0pBsh1S
 mymQ==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=tm1z74qbyBwGmqmlAq3/M/kleO7KF1N08HrOATUZTLg=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=RuK8LlIq6IpF5lTa/uW30rpXaZKLmowKZ5ciHfuOkOVcKLsSMWD/vV5RwUhO03zTMt
 apeII8kYPzLSkXRWFgAcChYvktZQpf2cATaLdjyPVAs6bUiWs/gD8EVUvP4jN3u63KcA
 +KSSLZ4zF8t5AI0ztK2cJB9Q3vG/magoib9JHnochoBv360oOj0vcMqW6cWqngCQnx9l
 kA6KlFgdYmLcpf6PNkPJZki0sO7+DtvTo8yRkH6IDOsSf1ZxSnlr5aeXMB++dZAV8md1
 BtTXE7klMppmZFdnS4CxYC3x+E2Z35WaMxvhF3y7BjoMymkxenm4x+Hdau+C/5zpEHAU
 6wpQ==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781707232; x=1782312032; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=tm1z74qbyBwGmqmlAq3/M/kleO7KF1N08HrOATUZTLg=;
 b=DlrbZNySki290B0QM18/uJrJEcoUIeH3bt+U+DkMLBZL7knjkyAcgy+Z/pEHjrLf9n
 A60/vTEQqQoKLzp7LsHhgEwYr7XOf+Rz6vaTTHB972XgETN9HGhwjAth/RfFrJlaP97v
 uFKw6SLlyXG9dsX7ovAv7xZxExHKphlo6cejspLe+WrRyQPIl58BExmVTr8eC6cvQnle
 Iv06fZNVoOgunlvD8b/4Q9UgNh3KtVIE2u8ql/hpDniIim4bKEPpholKJnXiB35ky4Uu
 smf+tKmW+hJEEcvBcqpIMdIcfHaK+j9R6Lxmuqss8yWcvYy3a6JegTS7tnX2o7a7ALzt
 r+/g==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781707232; x=1782312032;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=tm1z74qbyBwGmqmlAq3/M/kleO7KF1N08HrOATUZTLg=;
 b=pqQtMCtoYczUD9TSZiW3T/1iErlYzuqZPNEfiWjrj5vz8tFKJx8BX8jpv0B4zhR5q/
 qclI5fvitP3cREaSv7xdbpL6aqo/0PDL/lVPFRjla+Z36uFXiAd2npsbNl8UVZeb+0KG
 RyvDVixBC1ARq6RyWi6fGqBT4VPDmvAGx9HlGDAavFmq9AEiDhy1vdXvGeRBht9UGQF2
 EgOpCERVCkfxasn0E52toblUqEUiPnv0etyTMnX7ShfHf0I6Aj8v711akcM0vuEop7Ws
 0qxl8673iaaO0kWFzj6EK4ofRyio1RTVLnbSqJ18yu3PiBFbdYp2tjdkiWRW6pR11Ssv
 WOZg==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yy9oZQrJjZvFzTomNID3Yos2/A2IVubZNESlD8dn9iOuPD0zGR9
 qaMlFIqFviCptY7yDTtnSO89aRIFehugaavZ0wG+jvIBhRyRJFzL1JYSQSCSOUj4sM4Q0v0ZSlQ
 15vJLjNUQh4aQCf7CvgQDZwy1Bbk6olheJ6WETMo=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OHNaYDiHa6A3dY3tEugW2M1OWryA7/4WzU1GKerYOk1Ga8qK1VjqwqfoDdg0jH
 VObBnjGc1wF/CgCKiYhwUmHNGIRRdLqOXKtp75ufaPeTl0VPciv5GbzvbFsFOLAosBlNBJiOEbG
 iy+ld3bjptO58L9aXG5GmKOx7NyeKzEgjkFclSxFJBlRGbBiLPm/h8qnDvduqcakkqEJ0kC1D6a
 oktMiq9zVGfnuXMDJyemraqZzORl5L6m2cFymADiwXpnd4qExpJKuK2Zlt/7LYM2wvX45fPYhnF
 lsA12h3HoUu89y87O66DTvM8rbETbf7X11H+f47svmQfThEv0Ph95CDofBGtJnBglyD7GOvVWE7
 UMDHc2A0hoe+7tK028L7Qen6AXKem2yWeJ+u5kCoLtYIMB7/9b8Ral82rcJ77kqgrvqst41tOGN
 xucZ+RK1WsUmMLLN+IXiMhrxpTNom/fVRDLPELEgTVCT7Cj5wpN7bC2xMzyDHdzVSrCMIVqedO9
 hSoc1plS1XMLoPRbiX9NeBx9iTI0rbPp/8vPO7sXaLSP98=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:928d:b0:bd5:405c:7964 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a5219b56mr320009166b.48.1781707229480; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 07:40:29 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CACNY=oDZWrHd5Wq=utQ4fcWjLOc89u1zoojnvuGL9hG+ynfg1w@mail.gmail.com>
 <3f36e29d-0f3c-4d5d-bb2c-cfca685e2b05@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <3f36e29d-0f3c-4d5d-bb2c-cfca685e2b05@gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:40:11 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Ce6slnHJL9ojOp-n7CdN4-GX9jah_ULB3JgCkbIYxjY-nuLEroPoaAtUWw
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=7dpfriuCUzELKrvBYeDfKsRnNwOxUMYyTwLQ5NpYgVA@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="0000000000008298820654740aa5"
Subject: [Salon] Analysis from Bloomberg of the "US-Iran Deal"
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:40:39 -0000

--0000000000008298820654740aa5
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="00000000000082987f0654740aa4"

--00000000000082987f0654740aa4
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

FM: John Whitbeck

Transmitted below is a screenshot of an analysis by Bloomberg of the 14
points of what Bloomberg understands to be the "Memorandum of
Understanding" agreed between the United States and Iran.

The two points cited as favoring the United States would not represent any
change from the situation on February 27, 2026.



Coming from them is even more meaningful, they are usually painfully
one-sided

--00000000000082987f0654740aa4
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div><div=
><font size=3D"4">FM: John Whitbeck<br>
        <br>
        Transmitted below is a screenshot of an analysis by Bloomberg of
        the 14 points of what Bloomberg understands to be the
        &quot;Memorandum of Understanding&quot; agreed between the United S=
tates
        and Iran.<br>
        <br>
        The two points cited as favoring the United States would not
        represent any change from the situation on February 27, 2026.</font=
><br>
      <br>
      <br>
      <div><img src=3D"cid:ii_19ed6042c23425e1e1d1" style=3D"max-width:100%=
"></div>
      <div dir=3D"auto"><br>
      </div>
      <div dir=3D"auto">Coming from them is even more meaningful,=C2=A0they=
 are
        usually painfully one-sided</div></div></div>
</div></div>

--00000000000082987f0654740aa4--
--0000000000008298820654740aa5
Content-Type: image/jpeg; name="IMG_0360.jpeg"
Content-Disposition: inline; filename="IMG_0360.jpeg"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
Content-ID: <ii_19ed6042c23425e1e1d1>
X-Attachment-Id: ii_19ed6042c23425e1e1d1

[encoded data, 6276501 characters]
AJFHmf5/yKA+eP8AP8qkoooooor/2Q==
--0000000000008298820654740aa5--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 08:29:12 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id CB55DB06E5
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:29:11 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net CB55DB06E5
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="LNUCWKwI"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id C175BBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:29:11 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ed1-f49.google.com (mail-ed1-f49.google.com
 [209.85.208.49])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 2094BBD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:29:11 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ed1-f49.google.com with SMTP id
 4fb4d7f45d1cf-6955a9e6efeso1630742a12.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:29:11 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781710149; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=KoWTiBOOyi03h2RYfk/24aRjGSrx+f3PAYJymzgKAN3DEq1Ss4MvH0qu9n0SaLvfK8
 E3dMyHbkvlDz+wz8Gt+agZxHhr9NteIIus5/s2L4SLPGLYslQJYg0YcXWv7E8vc9pdgZ
 r+VhpyKpn6Mq0my46CyrKQ8Nqz0CoKqC99tYJQTvfiS4W6BTbpfQL5NFKRbIRml9ot4w
 6ITJfGSxC74as0Glny1fkBjMzqCqzLG7UwsCdIIm4Yz5zfVdsDRs9eeX23WAZBa+Fgia
 8CmjkW81p6BjifC+VDqNzqE0N7viZHiwEWEEMLIDwSnsyhR1YqBfs21DOd5wd3seoXf0
 gYXQ==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=Wx0YKfMTIhKfoSNiEFnDynHfcpG1IbPT2vrmwpSrBjk=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=cl9c5YT+SLEhX7Zi/EmSRHnptJnegWBl03/qm5wAdLQqXvTlO8EzFBLZm9AB6cY+9E
 mZWCa26XGybDE9geA6nR6eS2FTpCRHY3Bc47pHL+JfHLUNAF+MCqGdymr76In/Ubc0xa
 ymY15+OTtYKZvq6o3egzk6bwxtLt32mSSMpYFAqLKZZ409EMB9G3hCjR8nQSp5V9PlSS
 SRAMgYYJY+FP+xNd1kNoXj6TiCg9N3skcatNw3KBXfdi8Y3nCYerHqDIRBAke4BwZ2VY
 mPYr+C3Bdn5WFeqMW77V+UPpWrjiIoOfC7uAzh5nbLCJclj5UaATpkfD2h2thS7YRA4e
 u9Qg==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781710149; x=1782314949; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=Wx0YKfMTIhKfoSNiEFnDynHfcpG1IbPT2vrmwpSrBjk=;
 b=LNUCWKwI4CJJwwHwFxMIVi642hgR2biOKXD5zCXDGjK0QyiYThwbrOm/edTFx8QSLZ
 q7DG7SVto08Zgr+4pnEqgQDNd+pIPk21k0LQiTNUcDY5xb60pASO3kArW9QgVp5T+V+Y
 CcRWVnG3c/QDY2+Y2nyb9w0oP8lkWW3yiTq2fy+cbzw0iLTaZ9Ogg5LpkN0N48aiOxWh
 i/T9+qcFS7FE+b1O64YgBK93mchbSiSWotlAI2isnb8+wZrI7HyC8TrngTnmZYCGLZVt
 l+vMcViBswmP95wZfYf08DYfnlgH+o605IgQnSfYblwxAxCvRlCsS26kAWo9uhalQZ81
 ZgGw==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781710149; x=1782314949;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=Wx0YKfMTIhKfoSNiEFnDynHfcpG1IbPT2vrmwpSrBjk=;
 b=SoNEOELxakac+L4MiP1IXyhlQtvVKWM2miKk8qM1fiVtRZUk+ImNA1HNa1l8mmRYiN
 8avfLZ+ubWImURffQqzV9tZbZM7XgtHru0cTkK16qzYD4HwFSKYO74e/QloTxfrfvpwm
 BriVwPxpUS7b6SEBOiYdAXSLH+7Rfx++sSghYhafbr4KqciURBfuZDLHMkzT8JXENFj6
 68Q7pMGtSAC5483/X+iff8wkF/RdMGCN7XqPEoaVJv1lrbt99fTQvZYYIZApeign/k9Y
 KWuONlDJ3urdepTje+VvCSicno4j+MCZM/RomhXProvIoGugwKvRajs7ZayvXDImE1lp
 bKJg==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YwP6+mfwumLRo0iRbsdMc5sP4R3Zt733sHUyHRsQUGAOPf7f2Ir
 +fmZ9gjUPh8Zz8D+vqIsisWfzSojxliaVLA3esL/i83viCHn+6uT3/iJ8o+yUSRKlPUatnNKY1F
 EScWmqDdRyw5CaMQVKceKCq9aWQPd5sRitLoOwCs=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OH/r/u9xKkh6jx8bSnmXfZUbKHtSeRJaVd1xPLs7Q39KS3QxQSoCAuofsvQTlS
 OLJd3YoDBmweIqVO5V3wc/80s3f4JG6Qkioj6Jb2Y9jkTY5kN9mc6M86EiRVwxNyoPhKrCOxoI8
 tbf59zRz4KH6VfJUBf1Qlh6GOSxyhh7PnjbpFtTtqBja/oZGLT3XLWjY9rXSg7eWWy7w1JkgtI9
 MhLy2iVRXu7/+1Le4iiHKlcNwBbuFGpUZfpJ+d3OpPm3VQYK2E0AxCCId4KmXD8W6XH9MlSs8BH
 1q1hcWHPS8fZvN4519rTjGx37AGV7OUhdxXwnLw6+yYTsstg02Iowm1ak7e80/s8aZAHxsbbo3x
 CjukrEF9AX2KZRfzi/+V3qsZioVGFxutPfks9I7zpUw41TFgK1NTiDlmcxdu6geA7I8DWh4XDUu
 ZvlUX9XehXsri+WqghQhJrAXNqrQ9qoHeA1z26xKYfpDxXfw1Xy5H7wwrcqllpvVsO8z2B3cSxh
 O/jrSu/VjFXZradXC7OOJx1ZBuBzO0G1L9XVaNTTvxSInI=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:906:9fcf:b0:bee:426:87ec with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a541a74dmr314197566b.23.1781710148137; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 08:29:08 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <post-202441528@substack.com>
 <20260617150750.3.2cb7d57c465a2bea@mg1.substack.com>
In-Reply-To: <20260617150750.3.2cb7d57c465a2bea@mg1.substack.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:28:49 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CdJLwgJVZIVAZi0DSfBBVOcB_0ylSODfPlzEnxXWmg2DV80r265pQ0lLBA
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=Q1NJva0CdsBB-7bySzoV4MD4WZ6a3xDdqawyRj9H_qA@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="00000000000078f748065474b84a"
Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?Gaza_death_toll_since_=E2=80=9Cceasefire?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=9D_tops_1=2C000=3B_15_charged_with_impeding_ICE_a?=
 =?utf-8?q?gents_in_Minnesota=3B_Ecuador_declares_n=E2=80=A6?=
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:29:12 -0000

--00000000000078f748065474b84a
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Drop Site Daily: June 17, 2026
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLm=
NvbS9zdWJzY3JpYmU_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtc3Vic2Nya=
WJlJnI9MWVvZ2ImbmV4dD1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5kcm9wc2l0ZW5ld3MuY29tJTJGcCUy=
RmdhemEtY2Vhc2VmaXJlLWlzcmFlbC1pY2UtbWlubmVzb3RhLWVjdWFkb3Itbm9ib2EtZW1lcmd=
lbmN5IiwicCI6MjAyNDQxNTI4LCJzIjoyNTEwMzQ4LCJmIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaW=
F0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQyLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyODUwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGlua=
y1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.qhfH0U2bGoQG4Yot2cveSWc9zd6vhw61Baj_dULM0jo?>
for more
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLm=
NvbS9wL2dhemEtY2Vhc2VmaXJlLWlzcmFlbC1pY2UtbWlubmVzb3RhLWVjdWFkb3Itbm9ib2EtZ=
W1lcmdlbmN5P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1oYWxmLXBvc3Qmcj0xZW9nYiZ0b2tlbj1leUox=
YzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME5Ea3hMQ0p3YjNOMFgybGtJam95TURJME5ERTFNamdzSW1saGRDSTZ=
NVGM0TVRjd09UQTBNaXdpWlhod0lqb3hOemcwTXpBeE1EUXlMQ0pwYzNNaU9pSndkV0l0TWpVeE=
1ETTBPQ0lzSW5OMVlpSTZJbkJ2YzNRdGNtVmhZM1JwYjI0aWZRLm5uRS1wVlJiRjAwQXd0dkQ2M=
1p5WXRBaklUT19JcFVNVmVVVWVONXdxdG8iLCJwIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsInMiOjI1MTAzNDgsImYi=
OmZhbHNlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE3MDkwNDIsImV4cCI6MjA5NzI4NTA0MiwiaXN=
zIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.hc8lJCIm83KzzjisDlWEpndNil_TDg=
3o2BrrMdKVY3I?>
Gaza death toll since =E2=80=9Cceasefire=E2=80=9D tops 1,000; 15 charged wi=
th impeding ICE
agents in Minnesota; Ecuador declares new state of emergency
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&post_id=3D2024=
41528&utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreem=
ail=3Dfalse&r=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0N=
DE1MjgsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0=
OCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00AwtvD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5w=
qto>Drop
Site Daily: June 17, 2026

Drop Site News <https://substack.com/@dropsitenews>
Jun 17
<https://substack.com/@dropsitenews>

<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&post_id=3D2024=
41528&utm_source=3Dsubstack&isFreemail=3Dfalse&submitLike=3Dtrue&token=3Dey=
J1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwia=
WF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQyLCJleHAiOjE3ODQzMDEwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yNTEwMzQ4Iiwic3Vi=
IjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.BuuJbsuWaAgFXYnkpLmGFBaE5irOXQ46KrSn-MSOg_Y&utm_medium=
=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&r=3D1eogb>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&post_id=3D2024=
41528&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&isFreemail=3Dfalse&comments=
=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsImlhdCI=
6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN1YiI6In=
Bvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00AwtvD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto&r=3D1eogb&=
utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&action=3Dpost-comment&utm_source=
=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&post_id=3D2024=
41528&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dshare&utm_camp=
aign=3Demail-share&action=3Dshare&triggerShare=3Dtrue&isFreemail=3Dfalse&r=
=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00AwtvD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto>
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS=
9wdWIvZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzL3AvZ2F6YS1jZWFzZWZpcmUtaXNyYWVsLWljZS1taW5uZXNvdGEtZ=
WN1YWRvci1ub2JvYS1lbWVyZ2VuY3k_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1zdWJzdGFjayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVt=
YWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmYWN0aW9uPXJlc3RhY2stY29=
tbWVudCZyPTFlb2diJnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3lNelkwTkRreExDSndiM04wWDJsa0=
lqb3lNREkwTkRFMU1qZ3NJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVGN3T1RBME1pd2laWGh3SWpveE56ZzBNekF4T=
URReUxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNalV4TURNME9DSXNJbk4xWWlJNkluQnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBi=
MjRpZlEubm5FLXBWUmJGMDBBd3R2RDYzWnlZdEFqSVRPX0lwVU1WZVVVZU41d3F0byIsInAiOjI=
wMjQ0MTUyOCwicyI6MjUxMDM0OCwiZiI6ZmFsc2UsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOT=
A0MiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3Mjg1MDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3Qif=
Q.La1C_7-0mz8ceRZCLhRHsKSi6ugl3WFTnSBDZcMLp8k?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_me=
dium=3Demail>

READ IN APP
<https://open.substack.com/pub/dropsitenews/p/gaza-ceasefire-israel-ice-min=
nesota-ecuador-noboa-emergency?utm_source=3Demail&redirect=3Dapp-store&utm_=
campaign=3Demail-read-in-app>


*U.S. and Iran to formally sign
<https://substack.com/redirect/bbad7c8a-522e-4bbc-82db-cb8757566d8d?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
interim agreement Friday in Switzerland. President Donald Trump: =E2=80=9CI=
f they
don=E2=80=99t behave, we=E2=80=99ll go right back to dropping bombs=E2=80=
=9D
<https://substack.com/redirect/edd6cea5-f474-4332-8bdd-9891d85a1626?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>.
Hezbollah says
<https://substack.com/redirect/8d1b81c8-be86-45d3-bf85-7d302e345a02?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
Iran will press for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. Proposed U.S.-Iran
deal includes
<https://substack.com/redirect/be5b3638-3648-4ca0-9fdd-3120bb67a91a?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
$300 billion private investment fund, Reuters reports. Iranian source
disputes
<https://substack.com/redirect/20f03956-8fb9-4f13-b005-de672e17b466?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
the accuracy of Bloomberg=E2=80=99s memorandum text. Israel denied
<https://substack.com/redirect/5b7d8c37-f89d-41ee-9d6d-b0a22e9e2ffb?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
access to draft U.S.-Iran memorandum. Three Iranian supertankers exit
<https://substack.com/redirect/2d6427ba-2da8-47b0-a489-f91aaecf310d?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
U.S. Navy blockade. U.S. ran
<https://substack.com/redirect/b3b98003-7f46-4217-9972-b1f280fcc9ce?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
covert ship-to-ship operation to bypass Iran=E2=80=99s Strait of Hormuz blo=
ckade.
Israeli airstrikes
<https://substack.com/redirect/fd9c4c93-c1bf-4089-974e-99475c72a19f?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
and shelling in Lebanon on Wednesday. Israeli strikes kill four in south
Lebanon, including in a =E2=80=9Cdouble-tap=E2=80=9D attack. Amnesty Intern=
ational
<https://substack.com/redirect/01bbf205-e7ce-435a-a82c-dc952e31c565?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>:
Israel=E2=80=99s no-return orders in southern Lebanon amount to war crime. =
1,005
killed in Gaza since October 2025 =E2=80=9Cceasefire.=E2=80=9D Gaza Health =
Ministry warns
it may suspend medical referral program amid Israeli restrictions. Israeli
settlers set fire
<https://substack.com/redirect/3c9e87ef-82a5-405d-ac31-49fa40f8b311?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
to two mosques, leave racist graffiti. Israel approves
<https://substack.com/redirect/85700f6b-f5d2-4d12-8267-deb108d289ed?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
576 new settlement units, construction project in Hebron without
Palestinian approval. U.S. pressures
<https://substack.com/redirect/d9d453f6-af04-48e7-9964-c8b1b62f4b5e?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
Palestinian Authority to withdraw international legal cases against Israel.
Senate narrowly blocks
<https://substack.com/redirect/d7f61331-6afb-4faf-947e-b65bc5205bf8?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
war powers resolution on Iran. Trump invokes Defense Production Act to
boost
<https://substack.com/redirect/f1c5d174-76ff-43ac-9bea-4398e7bf3657?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
weapons. Trump delays
<https://substack.com/redirect/cacfeab8-c812-4cd4-b84b-5af47fa38ca5?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
Director of National Intelligence nominee=E2=80=99s confirmation hearing, t=
ies
surveillance renewal to voter ID bill. Fifteen charged
<https://substack.com/redirect/d37f083e-f7b0-41b2-9857-fea5b5a4c088?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
in Minnesota over response to immigration crackdown. ProPublica
<https://substack.com/redirect/e5f0165f-0334-4eb0-a545-1defdc65a333?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>:
At least 776,000 children lost SNAP benefits despite GOP assurances they=E2=
=80=99d
be protected. U.S. military kills
<https://substack.com/redirect/28b761de-1d9f-42e6-a1d9-c3e941167be2?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
one in boat strike in eastern Pacific. G7 agrees
<https://substack.com/redirect/f98b693e-a4ee-4a0a-b023-9fbaa90be72e?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
to expand sanctions on Russian oil and gas exports. Sudanese gold miners
killed
<https://substack.com/redirect/9b08db7b-3f44-4eb6-ae63-b2ec4985aea5?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
in strikes near Egyptian border. Ecuador declares
<https://substack.com/redirect/e3ab721e-1d18-42d1-a34f-036ad1364462?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
new state of emergency. Brazil=E2=80=99s Supreme Court sentences
<https://substack.com/redirect/f76fd5a9-c3ee-40db-b998-a0ec242d31e6?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
Eduardo Bolsonaro to prison over U.S. lobbying campaign.*

*Sign The Petition: Stand With Trita Parsi Against Deportation for Dissent
<https://substack.com/redirect/9302245d-cbf0-4745-9699-1f87cb2c5b60?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>*

Drop Site is now live on WhatsApp. Get our latest reporting, podcasts, and
breaking news, delivered directly. *Join the channel here.
<https://substack.com/redirect/2d32a348-5953-46e8-a549-a44bb6f0d842?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>*

*This is Drop Site Daily, our free daily news recap. *We send it Monday
through Friday. Today=E2=80=99s edition is being sent to more than 750,000
subscribers. Help us grow that number by forwarding and recommending this
newsletter.
Subscribed
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLm=
NvbS9hY2NvdW50IiwicCI6MjAyNDQxNTI4LCJzIjoyNTEwMzQ4LCJmIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2N=
DQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQyLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyODUwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3Vi=
IjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.o0DKWUuqpTJyMwebhT5NnLsoWQWcTR8_ovZEKvnM3_M?>

=F0=9F=9B=92 Get your =E2=80=9CDrop [Site] News/Not Bombs
<https://substack.com/redirect/2588cba5-95c3-47f0-8910-4e4f82d75014?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>=E2=80=9D
Hoodie here:

Get Your Hoodie
<https://substack.com/redirect/bdd405dc-9af4-4492-81cd-1422c375cded?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
<https://substack.com/redirect/2644a2e2-a4e7-44ab-b7cd-907414064f46?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
U.S.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, listen
as national anthems are played at the Pentagon in Washington, DC on June
15, 2026. Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images.
Subscribed
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLm=
NvbS9hY2NvdW50IiwicCI6MjAyNDQxNTI4LCJzIjoyNTEwMzQ4LCJmIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2N=
DQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQyLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyODUwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3Vi=
IjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.o0DKWUuqpTJyMwebhT5NnLsoWQWcTR8_ovZEKvnM3_M?>
Iran and Ceasefire

   -

   *U.S. and Iran to formally sign interim agreement Friday in Switzerland:
   *The United States and Iran are expected
   <https://substack.com/redirect/bbad7c8a-522e-4bbc-82db-cb8757566d8d?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   to officially sign their interim agreement Friday at the B=C3=BCrgenstoc=
k resort
   near Lucerne, Switzerland=E2=80=99s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesda=
y. The
   ceremony will reportedly bring together U.S. Vice President JD Vance,
   Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Ministe=
r
   Abbas Araghchi.
   -

   *Trump: =E2=80=9CIf they don=E2=80=99t behave, we=E2=80=99ll go right ba=
ck to dropping bombs=E2=80=9D:*
   U.S. President Donald Trump said
   <https://substack.com/redirect/edd6cea5-f474-4332-8bdd-9891d85a1626?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   Wednesday the U.S.-Iran framework agreement remains unfinished, telling
   reporters at the G7 summit in France: =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s a memorandum=
 of understanding.
   And if I don=E2=80=99t like it, we=E2=80=99ll go back to shooting at the=
m.=E2=80=9D Trump later
   doubled down on the threat, saying: =E2=80=9CIf they don=E2=80=99t behav=
e, we=E2=80=99ll go right
   back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head.=E2=80=9D
   -

      Trump insisted that the U.S would not spend any taxpayer money amid
      reports the agreement includes $300 billion in reconstruction funding=
 for
      Iran, saying: =E2=80=9CWe=E2=80=99re not putting up 10 cents. We are =
not
investing, and we
      do not have a fund.=E2=80=9D Trump said he is not asking Gulf countri=
es to invest
      in Iran under the proposed agreement, but would not oppose such a mov=
e,
      adding, =E2=80=9CI would say they won=E2=80=99t be doing it for a whi=
le until
they find out
      the behaviour [of the Iranians].=E2=80=9D
      -

      Despite his threats, Trump described the current framework with Iran
      as =E2=80=9Cvery strong=E2=80=9D and said there is a =E2=80=9C99.99 p=
ercent chance=E2=80=9D that
Iran will
      never obtain a nuclear weapon. Trump also pointed to market reactions=
 as
      evidence of confidence in the negotiations, saying: =E2=80=9CThe mark=
et has gone
      wild. It=E2=80=99s gone through the roof. And oil has tumbled down. T=
hat speaks
      louder than words.=E2=80=9D
      -

   *Hezbollah says Iran will press for Israeli withdrawal from
Lebanon: *Hezbollah
   said
   <https://substack.com/redirect/8d1b81c8-be86-45d3-bf85-7d302e345a02?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   it received assurances from Iran that Tehran will demand the withdrawal =
of
   Israeli troops from Lebanon in the next phase of its talks with the Unit=
ed
   States, according to a Tuesday statement from the group=E2=80=99s media =
relations
   office.
   -

      A senior U.S. official said Monday that an Israeli withdrawal from
      Lebanon is not part of the U.S.-Iran deal, and Israeli leaders have v=
owed
      to keep their forces in place.
      -

      Iran has insisted that Washington, as guarantor of the agreement, is
      responsible for compelling Israel to halt its war on Lebanon.
=E2=80=9CAny military
      attack by the Israeli regime against Lebanon, or the continued occupa=
tion
      of Lebanese territory, is a violation of the memorandum of
understanding,=E2=80=9D
      Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. Iran=E2=80=99s top join=
t military
      command, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, accused Israel of
      violating the ceasefire in Lebanon dozens of times since it reached a=
n
      agreement with the U.S. and warned Israel Tuesday to expect a =E2=80=
=9Charsh
      response=E2=80=9D from Iranian armed forces if it does not halt its a=
ttacks on
      southern Lebanon.
      -

      Hezbollah=E2=80=99s Secretary General Naim Qassem also thanked
      <https://substack.com/redirect/ed21f10a-7adf-44b4-b7d1-878f05fe35f4?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
      Iran for making an end to the war on Lebanon a =E2=80=9Cfirst and fun=
damental
      clause=E2=80=9D of the U.S.-Iran agreement. He wrote that Iran had
turned =E2=80=9Cthe only
      effective glimmer of hope in stopping the Israeli-American aggression
      against Lebanon into a reality.=E2=80=9D
      -

   *Proposed U.S.-Iran deal includes $300 billion private investment fund,
   Reuters reports: *The proposed U.S.-Iran agreement includes
   <https://substack.com/redirect/be5b3638-3648-4ca0-9fdd-3120bb67a91a?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   a $300 billion private investment fund aimed at driving investment into
   Iran, with more than half the financing reportedly already committed,
   Reuters reports, citing a source with knowledge of the negotiations.
   -

      The fund, known as the Reconstruction and Development Fund, would not
      use U.S. government money and would only become operational if a fina=
l
      agreement is reached after a 60-day negotiating period.
      -

      Companies from the United States, Gulf states, Asia, South America
      and Africa have committed financing for projects in energy,
manufacturing,
      transport, and logistics. The Financial Times separately reported on
      Tuesday that companies in Europe, South Korea, and Japan have a stron=
g
      interest in investing in Iran if sanctions are lifted.
      -

      The fund is separate from negotiations over sanctions relief and the
      release of Iranian assets frozen abroad, and emerged as an alternativ=
e
      after Iran had initially sought $400 billion in compensation for
war damage.
      -

   *Iranian source disputes the accuracy of Bloomberg=E2=80=99s memorandum
text: *Tasnim
   News, citing a source close to Iran=E2=80=99s negotiating team, reported
   <https://substack.com/redirect/20f03956-8fb9-4f13-b005-de672e17b466?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   on Wednesday that the 14-point Iran-U.S. memorandum published by Bloombe=
rg
   is not accurate and contains =E2=80=9Cseveral deficiencies.=E2=80=9D
   -

      The source specifically claims that Bloomberg=E2=80=99s descriptions =
of
      Article 1 and the provisions related to the Strait of Hormuz are
inaccurate
      and omit key language.
      -

      The source added that the memorandum=E2=80=99s full text will not be =
made
      public until after its expected signing on Friday, in line with an
      agreement between the parties.
      -

   *Israel denied access to draft U.S.-Iran memorandum: *Israel formally
   requested
   <https://substack.com/redirect/5b7d8c37-f89d-41ee-9d6d-b0a22e9e2ffb?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   access to the draft memorandum of understanding being negotiated between
   the United States and Iran, but was denied by Washington, a diplomatic
   correspondent for the Israeli network i24 reported on Tuesday.
   -

   *Three Iranian supertankers exit U.S. Navy blockade: *Two National
   Iranian Tanker Company VLCC supertankers, Diona and Hero2, exited
   <https://substack.com/redirect/2d6427ba-2da8-47b0-a489-f91aaecf310d?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   the U.S. Navy blockade perimeter on Tuesday, according to Tanker Tracker=
s.
   The ships are carrying nearly 4 million barrels of Iranian crude oil, an=
d
   their successful transit would mark Iran=E2=80=99s first crude oil expor=
ts in two
   months. A third tanker, operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company =
and
   carrying 1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil, was also reported to ha=
ve
   exited the Strait on Wednesday.
   -

   *U.S. ran covert ship-to-ship operation to bypass Iran=E2=80=99s Strait =
of
   Hormuz blockade: *The United States has been running
   <https://substack.com/redirect/b3b98003-7f46-4217-9972-b1f280fcc9ce?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   a covert operation since early May to keep Gulf oil exports moving despi=
te
   Iran=E2=80=99s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with more tha=
n 90
   million barrels transferred through the system, Reuters reported on
   Tuesday. Rather than sending fully loaded supertankers through the
   waterway, smaller tankers transit under a U.S.-managed security and
   surveillance network before transferring their cargo offshore to waiting
   Very Large Crude Carriers at two locations off Oman and the United Arab
   Emirates. Citing satellite imagery, shipping records, and more than a do=
zen
   sources, Reuters found that at least 92 vessels have taken part in the
   ship-to-ship operation, employing techniques similar to those Iran has l=
ong
   used to evade sanctions. U.S. officials denied to Reuters that CENTCOM
   forces are directly involved in the transfers, and the outlet found no
   evidence that American forces directly escort the ships or participate i=
n
   the operation themselves.
   -

   *Vance does media rounds to discuss MOU: *Vice President JD Vance made
   several media appearances on Tuesday to detail what the memorandum of
   understanding entails, as well as to make the case for the ceasefire to
   President Trump=E2=80=99s domestic base.
   -

      With SiriusXM=E2=80=99s Megyn Kelly, Vance once again reiterated
      <https://substack.com/redirect/a540fc58-acbe-43b7-a3f4-33a24bfe68f8?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
      that =E2=80=9CLebanon is included=E2=80=9D in what he called a =E2=80=
=9Ctrue regional
peace deal,=E2=80=9D
      before describing the ceasefire there as =E2=80=9Cdirty=E2=80=9D and =
saying the level of
      fighting has dropped. He added that =E2=80=9Csometimes a ceasefire ju=
st means
      they=E2=80=99re shooting less and that=E2=80=99s the progress.=E2=80=
=9D
      -

      Vance said Iran would not receive economic benefits if it continued
      funding Hezbollah. He added that =E2=80=9Cnot a penny of American mon=
ey=E2=80=9D will be
      flowing to Tehran. Instead, the U.S. would allow other countries
to invest
      in Iran and rebuild the country if Tehran changes its behavior.
      -

      He also said the memorandum of understanding would be released by
      Friday at the latest, possibly tomorrow, citing =E2=80=9Cdelicate dip=
lomatic=E2=80=9D
      sequencing requested by Iran and mediators, including Pakistan and Qa=
tar.
      -

      Vance also pushed back on pro-Israel hawks criticizing the deal,
      saying they were =E2=80=9Cgung-ho about starting this thing=E2=80=9D =
but now object to
      stopping it, calling their position effectively =E2=80=9Can endless
conflict=E2=80=9D that
      would continue =E2=80=9Cuntil every bomb has been dropped or until ev=
ery
Iranian is
      dead.=E2=80=9D
      -

   *Iran moves to connect electricity grid with Qatar: *Iran says
   <https://substack.com/redirect/c4b0a783-4414-4be8-9b8b-2e99a4016903?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   it will soon begin connecting its electricity grid with Qatar, reviving =
a
   2022 memorandum of understanding to facilitate the transfer of up to 1,0=
00
   megawatts of power, the country=E2=80=99s Energy Minister and the IRGC-a=
ffiliated
   outlet Tasnim announced Tuesday. Abbas Aliabadi, the energy minister, sa=
id
   Iran is also studying electricity links with other Gulf Cooperation Coun=
cil
   states.
   -

   *Trump says he never sought regime change in Iran: *President Donald
   Trump said
   <https://substack.com/redirect/d782be38-18c8-4826-9105-3661281c5148?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   Tuesday at the G7 summit that he never sought regime change in Iran. =E2=
=80=9CI
   never cared about regime change. It [was] never a part,=E2=80=9D he said=
, before
   claiming that one occurred because =E2=80=9Cthe first group=E2=80=9D of =
leaders were
   =E2=80=9Cdead.=E2=80=9D Trump described the officials the U.S. is now ne=
gotiating with as
   =E2=80=9Cvery rational,=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9Cstrong,=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9C=
smart=E2=80=9D people who are =E2=80=9Cnot radicalized=E2=80=9D and
   are =E2=80=9Clooking to help their country.=E2=80=9D
   -

   *Sudan scales back Iranian arms purchases to court Trump administration,
   Bloomberg reports: *Sudan=E2=80=99s military has scaled
   <https://substack.com/redirect/5457eb22-cab1-4e96-b7fb-2cb7d774b688?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   back its purchases of Iranian weapons in a bid to court the Trump
   administration ahead of any future talks to end the country=E2=80=99s th=
ree-year
   civil war, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Iranian drones and other arms hav=
e
   helped the Sudanese Armed Forces win back territory from the rival Rapid
   Support Forces, but have become a source of tension with the Trump
   administration, whose backing the Army has sought during the war.

Lebanon

   -

   *Israeli airstrikes and shelling on Wednesday: *Israeli forces carried
   out a series of attacks across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, including
   artillery shelling, drone strikes and air raids targeting several towns =
in
   the Nabatieh, Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts, according to the state=E2=
=80=99s
   National News Agency. Heavy artillery bombardment
   <https://substack.com/redirect/fd9c4c93-c1bf-4089-974e-99475c72a19f?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   struck the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while Israeli drones
launched three
   strikes
   <https://substack.com/redirect/1e07ac64-f48c-4309-8027-8035e1ac65a6?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   on the towns of Mansouri and Aazziyeh in the Tyre district, causing a
   number of injuries. A separate drone strike targeted the town of Baraach=
it
   in Bint Jbeil district. Israel also struck Nabatieh al-Fawqa and the
   eastern outskirts of Kfartebnit.
   -

      Ten rockets were fired
      <https://substack.com/redirect/676f54c3-2a45-4d75-ae95-0cce529bc27d?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
      at Israeli forces in Kfar Tebnit, a town southeast of Nabatieh
in southern
      Lebanon, Al Jarida reported on Wednesday morning.
      -

      Journalist Hadi Hoteit, who was injured
      <https://substack.com/redirect/9e27a9b2-afa1-4681-b1f1-b9f8a003c8be?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
      in an Israeli drone strike on Monday, remained hospitalized on Wednes=
day.
      Reporter Courtney Bonneau says Hoteit=E2=80=99s X-rays show his =E2=
=80=9Cbody is full of
      shrapnel=E2=80=9D and said that he is =E2=80=9Clucky to be alive.=E2=
=80=9D
      -

   *Israeli strikes kill four in south Lebanon, including in =E2=80=9Cdoubl=
e-tap=E2=80=9D
   strike: *Israeli attacks killed
   <https://substack.com/redirect/5dfce649-081c-431b-997b-3bc88075c5f3?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   at least four people Tuesday in southern Lebanon=E2=80=99s Nabatieh gove=
rnorate,
   according to Lebanon=E2=80=99s National News Agency, including a deadly
   =E2=80=9Cdouble-tap=E2=80=9D strike in Mayfadoun, where Al Jazeera repor=
ted a drone hit a
   vehicle and then struck the same site again after people gathered around
   the wreckage.
   -

      Separate drone strikes hit a vehicle in Shoukin, while the Israeli
      military said one of its strikes followed a =E2=80=9Cwarning shot=E2=
=80=9D fired near its
      forces operating in the area, and claimed it intercepted several rock=
ets
      fired toward its troops before striking the launcher.
      -

      The Israeli army continued its push to seize and occupy additional
      areas of southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported Tuesday, though Israel=
i
      military vehicles reportedly withdrew from the town of Khiam,
according to
      Lebanese outlet Al Akhbar.
      -

      The Israeli military also conducted additional drone strikes in Beit
      Yahoun and Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, and artillery shelling across seven
      locations, including Habboush, Jabal al-Rafii, and Burj al-Muluk.
      -

   *Amnesty: Israel=E2=80=99s no-return orders in southern Lebanon amount t=
o war
   crime: *Israel=E2=80=99s repeated use of mass =E2=80=9Cevacuation=E2=80=
=9D orders in Lebanon
   violated international humanitarian law, with its no-return orders in pa=
rts
   of southern Lebanon amounting to the war crime of unlawful transfer,
   according to a report
   <https://substack.com/redirect/01bbf205-e7ce-435a-a82c-dc952e31c565?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   published Wednesday by Amnesty International. In a new investigation, th=
e
   rights group found that Israel significantly expanded its use of
   displacement orders in 2026, preventing tens of thousands of residents f=
rom
   returning to their homes in a self-declared buffer zone covering about 6=
%
   of Lebanese territory, while it continued its destructions of homes and
   civilian infrastructure in the south. The organization called on Israeli
   forces to stop =E2=80=9Cforcibly uprooting communities and designating e=
ntire
   swathes of Lebanese land as no-go zones for civilians,=E2=80=9D urging I=
srael to
   =E2=80=9Cimmediately withdraw from Lebanese territory=E2=80=9D and =E2=
=80=9Cprovide reparation for
   victims of its international humanitarian law violations.=E2=80=9D Accor=
ding to the
   report, the Israeli military issued 171 mass evacuation orders between
   September 2024 and May 2026, including 135 in 2026 alone, while expandin=
g
   no-return zones and overseeing widespread destruction in southern border
   communities.

Palestine

   -

   *Killed and wounded: *Over the last 24 hours, two Palestinians were
   killed and five were injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza. Six additio=
nal
   people, who succumbed to wounds sustained from earlier attacks, were add=
ed
   to the cumulative toll after their data was completed, the Palestinian
   Ministry of Health noted. Since October 11, the first full day of the
   so-called ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 1,005 Palestinians in Ga=
za
   and wounded 3,157, while 784 bodies have been recovered from under the
   rubble, according to the Ministry. The total recorded death toll since
   October 7, 2023 has risen to 73,016 killed, with 173,265 injured.
   -

   *Gaza Health Ministry warns it may suspend medical referral program amid
   Israeli restrictions: *The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza warned
   on Wednesday that it may be forced to suspend its medical referral progr=
am
   if Israeli authorities do not increase the number of patients permitted =
to
   leave Gaza for treatment and ease travel procedures. In a statement, the
   ministry said it would begin publishing patient lists submitted through =
the
   World Health Organization for security clearances that have yet to recei=
ve
   a response. According to the ministry, around 3,000 cases have been
   submitted since February 2026 and remain awaiting the necessary approval=
s.
   The ministry said approvals are not issued according to the order in whi=
ch
   requests are submitted, resulting in prolonged waiting periods and
   worsening suffering for patients.
   -

   *Israeli settlers set fire to two mosques, leave racist graffiti: *Israe=
li
   settlers set fire
   <https://substack.com/redirect/3c9e87ef-82a5-405d-ac31-49fa40f8b311?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   to two mosques in the villages of Jaljilya and Mazra=E2=80=99a al-Nubani=
, north of
   Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, early Wednesday, causing material
   damage and leaving racist and inciting graffiti on the walls of one of t=
he
   sites, according to WAFA. Settlers reportedly infiltrated Jaljilya and
   attempted to burn down the village=E2=80=99s Grand Mosque, where residen=
ts
   confronted them as the fire broke out. Israeli forces later entered the
   village and fired tear gas and stun grenades. In a separate incident,
   settlers stormed Al-Farouq Mosque in Mazra=E2=80=99a al-Nubani and set i=
t ablaze,
   damaging parts of the building and its contents. The Palestinian Ministr=
y
   of Endowments and Religious Affairs condemned the attacks as a =E2=80=9C=
dangerous
   assault=E2=80=9D on places of worship, saying they form part of a politi=
cal policy
   targeting =E2=80=9CIslamic and Christian holy sites.=E2=80=9D
   -

   *Israel approves 576 new settlement units, construction project in
   Hebron without Palestinian approval: *Israeli authorities approved
   <https://substack.com/redirect/85700f6b-f5d2-4d12-8267-deb108d289ed?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   576 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, accordi=
ng
   to Ynet, as well as the first construction project in Hebron in decades =
to
   proceed without Palestinian municipal approval=E2=80=94a 1,000 square me=
ter
   building near Beit Romano. This follows comments
   <https://substack.com/redirect/8731460f-3d56-45b1-bee6-81a00b4f0efc?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday that he had
   approved the transfer of planning and construction authority around
   Hebron=E2=80=99s Ibrahimi Mosque, also known as the Tomb of the Patriarc=
hs, from
   the Palestinian municipality to Israeli authorities. The move jettisons =
a
   critical part of a 1997 agreement=E2=80=94which emerged from the Oslo Ac=
cords=E2=80=94that
   gave Palestinians control over the city=E2=80=99s affairs. Israel=E2=80=
=99s Foreign
   Ministry later said the Hebron Protocol =E2=80=9Chad not been cancelled =
in its
   entirety,=E2=80=9D and that the decision applies only to planning and co=
nstruction
   related to settler areas and Jewish holy sites.
   -

   *U.S. pressures PA to withdraw international legal cases against Israel:=
*
   The Trump administration is seeking
   <https://substack.com/redirect/d9d453f6-af04-48e7-9964-c8b1b62f4b5e?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   a Palestinian Authority (PA) commitment to withdraw or halt legal cases
   against Israel in international forums as part of talks aimed at improvi=
ng
   U.S.-PA relations and advancing a broader Gaza and normalization plan, T=
he
   Times of Israel reported Tuesday.
   -

      U.S. and Palestinian officials have discussed a possible memorandum
      of understanding tied to Trump=E2=80=99s postwar Gaza plan, which
envisions the PA
      eventually taking over governance of the Strip after carrying out ref=
orms.
      -

      The discussions reportedly include potential U.S. support for
      reopening the PLO=E2=80=99s diplomatic mission in Washington and lift=
ing
sanctions
      on the PA if its desired reforms are completed.
      -

      The PA, for its part, has sought language calling for a halt to
      Israeli settlement expansion and stronger action against settler viol=
ence.
      -

      The U.S. is also seeking the release of more than $5 billion in
      withheld Palestinian tax revenues, though Finance Minister
Bezalel Smotrich
      has blocked transfer proposals, and Washington is instead
seeking to direct
      a significant portion of those funds to the National Committee for th=
e
      Administration of Gaza, the only Palestinian technocratic body
overseen by
      the =E2=80=9CBoard of Peace,=E2=80=9D rather than directly by the PA.
      -

   *Palestinian prisoner released after 26 months in Israeli detention
   without charge: *Palestinian prisoner Ayman al-Fakhouri was released
   <https://substack.com/redirect/1aa1c4d6-04fd-4277-ac20-6d710b34c62a?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   from Israeli prison on Tuesday after 26 months held without charge or
   trial, Quds News reported, sharing before-and-after images showing his
   severe physical deterioration in detention. He was held under Israel=E2=
=80=99s
   administrative detention system, which allows Palestinians to be detaine=
d
   indefinitely on secret evidence without being informed of the accusation=
s
   against them or given a trial. Around 49% of Palestinians detained in
   Israeli prisons are held without charge, according to the Palestinian
   Prisoners Society.
   -

   *Trump claims credit for Israel=E2=80=99s survival, drawing pushback fro=
m U.S.
   ambassador: *President Donald Trump said
   <https://substack.com/redirect/3524e113-fc9e-47f7-94ee-c13980ca2e30?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   Tuesday that =E2=80=9Cwithout the United States, there would be no Israe=
l,=E2=80=9D adding
   =E2=80=9Cwithout me, there would be no Israel, because no other presiden=
t was
   willing to do what I did=E2=80=9D in confronting Iran. At a conference i=
n the
   occupied West Bank, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee pushed b=
ack
   against his own head of state, saying =E2=80=9Cwithout Israel, without t=
he Jewish
   foundation, there would not be an America=E2=80=9D and that the United S=
tates
   =E2=80=9Cowe[s] our very existence to what happened in this land.=E2=80=
=9D
   -

   *ACLED: Israeli base-building in southern Syria signals bid for
   permanent foothold: *A new analysis from ACLED says
   <https://substack.com/redirect/2ce5772e-606a-4f43-9f41-d91edefa8675?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   Israel=E2=80=99s military construction and expanding network of bases in=
 southern
   Syria amount to an effort to establish a permanent foothold and reshape
   control in the south of the country. According to ACLED Middle East
   Research Manager Muaz Al Abdullah, Israel=E2=80=99s construction of a st=
rategic
   military road through the Quneitra buffer zone is part of a broader effo=
rt
   to establish a permanent military presence following the collapse of the
   Assad government in December 2024. The group says Israeli forces have
   established nine military bases and outposts across southwestern Syria,
   including four outside the former buffer zone, while building military
   roads, electricity infrastructure, and aircraft landing pads. ACLED
   recorded Israeli ground incursions into southern Syria in May 2026 alone=
,
   concentrated in Daraa and Quneitra. Al Abdullah said the roadway=E2=80=
=99s
   development =E2=80=9Cis a calculated bid to fundamentally redraw the lin=
es of
   authority and spatial control within the border zone,=E2=80=9D with part=
s of the
   area being absorbed into Israel=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cdirect tactical and a=
dministrative
   sphere.=E2=80=9D *Read more about Israel=E2=80=99s operations in Quneitr=
a from Drop Site
   contributor C.P. Ward here
   <https://substack.com/redirect/fbe061ec-48f1-4947-93d9-7396688e7a46?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>.*

U.S. News

*By Julian Andreone, with Ryan Grim. Have a tip on Capitol Hill? Email
Andreone at Julian@dropsitenews.com
<https://substack.com/redirect/3b0a2a59-8211-40e6-8ce9-08deec9f46d3?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>.*

   -

   *Georgia and Alabama primary results:*
   -

      Rep. *Mike Collins* is projected
      <https://substack.com/redirect/00d039cf-8008-4d1f-86c2-2230cf015636?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
      to defeat former college football coach *Derek Dooley* in the Georgia
      Senate Republican runoff, setting up a fall matchup with incumbent
      Democratic Sen. *Jon Ossoff*. The win is a major boost for President
      Donald Trump, who issued a last-minute endorsement for Collins over t=
he
      weekend, pitting him against Gov. *Brian Kemp*, who had backed Dooley=
.
      -

      In the Georgia governor=E2=80=99s race, Republican candidate *Rick Ja=
ckson*
      spent
      <https://substack.com/redirect/b5f99e02-a81c-4491-bf8d-3aebc543277b?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
      $100 million of his own healthcare fortune to defeat
Trump-backed Lt. Gov. *Burt
      Jones*. Jackson will face Atlanta Mayor *Keisha Lance Bottoms* in the
      general election.
      -

      Rep. *Barry Moore* won
      <https://substack.com/redirect/fe3cd0ed-fdc5-4bfa-b3fa-c2baa3eabf8b?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
      the Republican primary runoff in the Alabama Senate race, NBC News
      projected, making him the heavy favorite to succeed Sen. *Tommy
      Tuberville*, who is running for governor. Moore, endorsed by
      President Donald Trump, defeated former Navy SEAL *Jared Hudson*
      after neither candidate cleared 50% in the May 19 primary. Trump held=
 a
      tele-rally for Moore and reiterated his endorsement on Truth Social,
      calling him =E2=80=9Can America First Patriot,=E2=80=9D while the run=
off turned negative
      after a Hudson-aligned group accused Moore of =E2=80=9Cstolen valor,=
=E2=80=9D
pointing to a
      2024 letter criticizing Minnesota Gov. *Tim Walz=E2=80=99s* military =
record
      that listed Moore as a =E2=80=9Cstaff sergeant.=E2=80=9D Moore=E2=80=
=99s campaign said his
      discharge records show the rank of cadet with a pay grade of =E2=80=
=9CE-6 Staff
      Sergeant,=E2=80=9D and that he has never claimed that title or combat=
 service,
      though in a 2020 Moore said he had =E2=80=9Cbeen in those combat boot=
s=E2=80=9D when
      referencing his service in the Army National Guard.
      -

   *Senate narrowly blocks war powers resolution on Iran: *The U.S. Senate
   on Tuesday voted
   <https://substack.com/redirect/d7f61331-6afb-4faf-947e-b65bc5205bf8?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   47-48 to block a war powers resolution that would have directed Presiden=
t
   Donald Trump to end military hostilities against Iran, marking the first
   such vote since the U.S.-Iran framework agreement was announced. Four
   Republicans=E2=80=94*Bill Cassidy*, *Susan Collins*, *Lisa Murkowski*, a=
nd *Rand
   Paul*=E2=80=94joined Democrats in backing the measure, while Sen. *John
   Fetterman* was the only Democrat to vote against it.
   -

   *Trump invokes Defense Production Act to boost weapons:* President
   Donald Trump quietly invoked
   <https://substack.com/redirect/f1c5d174-76ff-43ac-9bea-4398e7bf3657?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   the Defense Production Act last week to compel defense companies to spee=
d
   up weapons production, citing concerns over munitions shortfalls that ar=
ose
   after the U.S.=E2=80=99s war on Iran, according to a memo filed in the F=
ederal
   Register Tuesday, NBC News reported. War Secretary *Pete Hegseth* met
   with Senate Republicans, including *John Cornyn*, *John Barrasso*,
and *Lindsey
   Graham*, on Tuesday to press for a $350 billion reconciliation package
   to replenish munitions, even as he publicly denied any shortage exists,
   telling CBS=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CFace the Nation=E2=80=9D that =E2=80=9Cou=
r stockpiles are strong and they
   will only get stronger=E2=80=9D and calling shortage reports =E2=80=9Ca =
manufactured
   story.=E2=80=9D Some Republicans, including Sen. *Lisa Murkowski*, said =
the
   administration must justify the spending, while Democrats,
including Sen. *Chris
   Coons*, have signaled reluctance to back supplemental funding while the
   war remains unresolved, with Coons saying he won=E2=80=99t let it =E2=80=
=9Cserve as the de
   facto authorization for the war=E2=80=9D.
   -

   *Trump delays DNI nominee=E2=80=99s confirmation hearing, ties surveilla=
nce
   renewal to voter ID bill: *President Donald Trump announced
   <https://substack.com/redirect/cacfeab8-c812-4cd4-b84b-5af47fa38ca5?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   in a Wednesday post on Truth Social that he would delay *Jay
Clayton=E2=80=99s *confirmation
   hearing to lead U.S. intelligence, citing frustration over a lapsed
   surveillance program and a stalled voter ID bill. Trump accused Democrat=
s
   of reneging on a deal to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence
   Surveillance Act, which lapsed amid bipartisan concerns over his initial
   pick for acting director, *Bill Pulte*, and said he will not approve its
   renewal without passage of what he calls the SAVE AMERICA Act, his voter=
 ID
   legislation, which currently lacks sufficient support for passage in
   Congress. Trump also said he wants Clayton, currently U.S. Attorney for =
the
   Southern District of New York, to remain in that post until his proposed
   successor, *Jamie McDonald*, is confirmed. Senate Minority Leader *Chuck
   Schumer *has said that Trump=E2=80=99s installation of Pulte as acting D=
NI has
   made a bipartisan FISA deal =E2=80=9Cmuch harder=E2=80=9D to reach, with=
 Democrats citing
   concerns that Pulte could use the surveillance powers against the
   president=E2=80=99s political opponents.
   -

   *Fifteen charged in Minnesota over response to immigration crackdown*:
   Federal prosecutors charged
   <https://substack.com/redirect/d37f083e-f7b0-41b2-9857-fea5b5a4c088?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   15 people with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers over thei=
r
   response to Minnesota=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9COperation Metro Surge=E2=80=9D =
immigration crackdown, U.S.
   Attorney *Daniel Rosen* and Homeland Security Investigations Special
   Agent in Charge *Michael McCarthy* announced Tuesday in Minneapolis. The
   indictment names two Minneapolis-based groups, *Direct Action Minnesota*
   and *Black Cat Worker=E2=80=99s Collective*, alleging members used rapid
   response networks and the encrypted app Signal to track ICE agents, to s=
et
   up =E2=80=9Chard=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Csoft=E2=80=9D blockades at the ag=
ency=E2=80=99s St. Paul headquarters, and
   in one case followed an agent into western Wisconsin; 12 defendants were
   arrested Tuesday, one was already in federal custody, and two remain at
   large. The charges come as the U.S. attorney=E2=80=99s office has droppe=
d 18 of 36
   prior cases tied to the crackdown, during which agents killed two
people, *Renee
   Good* and *Alex Pretti*, without facing charges.
   -

   *ProPublica: At least 776,000 children lost SNAP benefits despite GOP
   assurances they=E2=80=99d be protected: *As a House committee debated Pr=
esident
   Donald Trump=E2=80=99s domestic policy bill last year, Republican lawmak=
ers
   including Reps. *Glenn Thompson (Pa.)*, *John Rose (Tenn.)*, and *Dusty
   Johnson (S.D.)* repeatedly said its changes to food stamps wouldn=E2=80=
=99t
   affect vulnerable people, but a ProPublica analysis
   <https://substack.com/redirect/e5f0165f-0334-4eb0-a545-1defdc65a333?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   of 12 reporting states found the number of children receiving food
   assistance has since fallen by at least 776,134, or 46% of all participa=
nts
   dropped, with Arizona seeing the largest decline at 55%. The nonpartisan
   Center on Budget and Policy Priorities separately found 700,000 fewer
   children received aid nationwide. Nationally, 4.3 million fewer people
   received SNAP in February 2026 compared to a year earlier, a decline
   experts attribute to new work requirements, increased paperwork burdens,
   and state agencies struggling to comply with new rules governing the
   program=E2=80=99s administrative costs.
   -

   *Pro-Reynoso PAC funded by labor unions, not AIPAC: *Real Fight NYC, the
   PAC providing Brooklyn Borough President *Antonio Reynoso* with
   undisclosed money in his campaign to represent New York=E2=80=99s 34th
   congressional district, is funded
   <https://substack.com/redirect/dadf2521-7173-4b1e-af4b-0e1e237655a9?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   by labor unions, particularly the *American Federation of Teachers*, a
   source told *Drop Site=E2=80=99s Ryan Grim *on Wednesday, with City & St=
ate NY
   later corroborating this reporting. Grim said there had been speculation
   that AIPAC was funding the PAC, but that this was not accurate. Reynoso
   faces state Rep. *Claire Valdez* in a highly contested race to replace
   retiring U.S. Rep. *Nydia Vel=C3=A1zquez*.
   -

   *Drop Site=E2=80=99s Julian Andreone* pressed
   <https://substack.com/redirect/6dd6916e-bd82-4572-b6be-8bd4aaa98986?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   senators on Capitol Hill about whether American taxpayers should be foot=
ing
   a $300 million bill for a White House renovation while their Medicaid,
   Medicare, and SNAP benefits are being cut in the name of fiscal
   responsibility. *Watch his full dispatch here
   <https://substack.com/redirect/6dd6916e-bd82-4572-b6be-8bd4aaa98986?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>.*

Other International News

   -

   *U.S. military kills one in boat strike in eastern Pacific:* The U.S.
   military conducted a strike against a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean =
on
   Tuesday, killing one person, according to U.S. Southern Command. SOUTHCO=
M
   posted a video
   <https://substack.com/redirect/28b761de-1d9f-42e6-a1d9-c3e941167be2?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   of the strike and said, =E2=80=9COne male narco-terrorists was killed du=
ring this
   action, and there were two male survivors.=E2=80=9D The U.S. has killed =
more than
   200 people in over 60 strikes on vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean si=
nce
   September.
   -

   *G7 agrees to expand sanctions on Russian oil and gas exports: *G7
   leaders agreed
   <https://substack.com/redirect/f98b693e-a4ee-4a0a-b023-9fbaa90be72e?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   Tuesday to increase sanctions on Russian oil and gas exports in an effor=
t
   to further reduce Moscow=E2=80=99s ability to fund its war in Ukraine, t=
he
   Financial Times reports, with the agreement reached during talks in Fran=
ce
   attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald
   Trump.
   -

      The United Kingdom and Canada separately announced new sanctions
      targeting Russia=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cshadow fleet=E2=80=9D of ships us=
ed to transport oil and gas
      exports around existing restrictions, and a French diplomatic source =
told
      the FT that falling energy prices linked to the emerging U.S.-Iran
      agreement made the new measures politically easier to support.
      -

      Zelenskyy urged additional pressure on Moscow, saying =E2=80=9CPutin =
does not
      want to end the war, but he must be forced to do so, primarily throug=
h
      sanctions.=E2=80=9D
      -

   *Sudanese gold miners killed in strikes near Egyptian border: *Several
   Sudanese gold miners were killed and wounded on Tuesday by drone and hea=
vy
   artillery strikes on artisanal mining sites in Sudan=E2=80=99s River Nil=
e State,
   near the Egyptian border, with miners blaming the Egyptian military, Sud=
an
   Tribune reported
   <https://substack.com/redirect/9b08db7b-3f44-4eb6-ae63-b2ec4985aea5?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>.
   Workers said the strikes hit miners inside shafts and in their living
   quarters at the al-Ogaidat and al-Ansari sites, and also targeted vehicl=
es
   attempting to evacuate the wounded, sending thousands fleeing into
   surrounding mountains and caves, with many still unaccounted for.
   -

   *Ecuador declares new state of emergency: *Ecuadorian President Daniel
   Noboa declared
   <https://substack.com/redirect/e3ab721e-1d18-42d1-a34f-036ad1364462?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   a new 60-day state of emergency across 10 provinces and several addition=
al
   municipalities on Tuesday, suspending constitutional rights and authoriz=
ing
   security forces to conduct searches of private homes without a judicial
   warrant when organized crime is suspected, according to Anadolu.
   -

      The decree, which uses cartel violence as its pretext, cites 879
      homicides between May 1 and June 12 in the affected areas, which incl=
ude
      key cocaine trafficking routes linking Colombia=E2=80=99s border to E=
cuador=E2=80=99s
      Pacific ports.
      -

      Homicide and crime rates in Ecuador have risen to the highest in
      South America, even as the country=E2=80=99s government has become le=
ss
democratic.
      -

      The move marks a reversal from comments Noboa made during a May visit
      to the United States, when he indicated he did not expect to renew
      emergency powers absent extraordinary circumstances, and comes shortl=
y
      after a meeting at the Pentagon with U.S. Secretary of War Pete
Hegseth to
      discuss joint military operations.
      -

   *Brazil=E2=80=99s Supreme Court sentences Eduardo Bolsonaro to prison ov=
er U.S.
   lobbying campaign: *Brazil=E2=80=99s Supreme Court sentenced
   <https://substack.com/redirect/f76fd5a9-c3ee-40db-b998-a0ec242d31e6?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   former congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro=
,
   to four years and two months in prison Tuesday, finding he illegally
   lobbied the Trump administration to sanction Brazilian judges and pressu=
re
   them to halt his father=E2=80=99s coup trial. The unanimous ruling also =
bars him
   from public office for eight years, with Justice Alexandre de
   Moraes=E2=80=94himself sanctioned by Washington last July=E2=80=94saying=
 a Brazilian
   lawmaker=E2=80=99s job =E2=80=9Cis not to lobby overseas against his own=
 country.=E2=80=9D Eduardo,
   who has lived in the United States since February 2025, was sentenced in
   absentia; his father is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup
   after losing the 2022 election to President Luiz In=C3=A1cio Lula da Sil=
va.
   -

   *Taiwan accuses Kenya of deporting delegates from oceans conference: *Ta=
iwan
   has accused
   <https://substack.com/redirect/add3d191-5292-4188-ac31-0b5a498f7936?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
   Kenya of deporting two delegation members who planned to attend the Our
   Ocean Conference in Mombasa, blaming Beijing for exerting pressure on th=
e
   East African country, according to Focus Taiwan.
   -

      Taiwan=E2=80=99s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the delegates=E2=80=
=99 passports
      and phones were confiscated and they were detained for more than 20 h=
ours
      before being deported, condemning what it called =E2=80=9Cbarbaric ac=
ts=E2=80=9D that
      violate human rights and international norms
      -

      Kenya=E2=80=99s Foreign Ministry defended the decision, with Principa=
l
      Secretary Korir Sing=E2=80=99oei saying the country=E2=80=99s foreign=
 policy =E2=80=9Crecognises
      only one China=E2=80=9D and that anyone holding a Taiwanese passport
would not have
      proper documentation to cross its borders.

If you want to continue getting this newsletter, you don=E2=80=99t have to =
do
anything. But if this is too much=E2=80=94we do try to be mindful of your i=
nbox=E2=80=94you
can unsubscribe from this newsletter while continuing to get the rest of
our reporting. Just go into your account here at this link, scroll down
<https://substack.com/redirect/91131c44-110f-4646-b09a-f3942eddd126?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>,
and toggle the button next to =E2=80=9CDrop Site Daily=E2=80=9C to the off =
setting. *It
looks like this*:
<https://substack.com/redirect/858883dd-79ca-4dff-8f92-ad7ead174393?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
Subscribed
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLm=
NvbS9hY2NvdW50IiwicCI6MjAyNDQxNTI4LCJzIjoyNTEwMzQ4LCJmIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2N=
DQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQyLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyODUwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3Vi=
IjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.o0DKWUuqpTJyMwebhT5NnLsoWQWcTR8_ovZEKvnM3_M?>

Leave a comment
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&post_id=3D2024=
41528&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&isFreemail=3Dfalse&comments=
=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsImlhdCI=
6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN1YiI6In=
Bvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00AwtvD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto&r=3D1eogb&=
utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&action=3Dpost-comment>
Wait! Don=E2=80=99t go just yet, one more thing:

If you=E2=80=99re glad the story you just read exists, thank yourself for i=
t,
because it wouldn=E2=80=99t have been possible without paying subscribers l=
ike you.
We're deeply grateful for your commitment to our work. Now, if you=E2=80=99=
re the
kind of person who can do a little bit more, our in-depth investigations
often do need extra resources. Please consider amplifying your impact with
an additional donation. Every contribution directly funds our non-profit
journalism and is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Amplify Your Impact
<https://substack.com/redirect/52c8653a-2de6-4beb-bb1b-de27217f9a2f?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>

For info on how to give through a donor-advised fund, visit our FAQ page
<https://substack.com/redirect/d5325efc-1ea3-4168-83a4-e7858d36f65a?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>.
You can also visit our store for exclusive DSN merchandise
<https://substack.com/redirect/9840545f-2f9a-4ebc-9bde-1a1d393be8a1?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>=E2=80=94and
remember, paid subscribers like you enjoy 15% off your entire order.

Share
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&post_id=3D2024=
41528&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dshare&utm_camp=
aign=3Demail-share&action=3Dshare&triggerShare=3Dtrue&isFreemail=3Dfalse&r=
=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00AwtvD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto>


Like
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&post_id=3D2024=
41528&utm_source=3Dsubstack&isFreemail=3Dfalse&submitLike=3Dtrue&token=3Dey=
J1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwia=
WF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQyLCJleHAiOjE3ODQzMDEwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yNTEwMzQ4Iiwic3Vi=
IjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.BuuJbsuWaAgFXYnkpLmGFBaE5irOXQ46KrSn-MSOg_Y&utm_medium=
=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&r=3D1eogb>
Comment
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&post_id=3D2024=
41528&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&isFreemail=3Dfalse&comments=
=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsImlhdCI=
6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN1YiI6In=
Bvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00AwtvD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto&r=3D1eogb&=
utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&action=3Dpost-comment&utm_source=
=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>
Restack
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS=
9wdWIvZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzL3AvZ2F6YS1jZWFzZWZpcmUtaXNyYWVsLWljZS1taW5uZXNvdGEtZ=
WN1YWRvci1ub2JvYS1lbWVyZ2VuY3k_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1zdWJzdGFjayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVt=
YWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmYWN0aW9uPXJlc3RhY2stY29=
tbWVudCZyPTFlb2diJnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3lNelkwTkRreExDSndiM04wWDJsa0=
lqb3lNREkwTkRFMU1qZ3NJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVGN3T1RBME1pd2laWGh3SWpveE56ZzBNekF4T=
URReUxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNalV4TURNME9DSXNJbk4xWWlJNkluQnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBi=
MjRpZlEubm5FLXBWUmJGMDBBd3R2RDYzWnlZdEFqSVRPX0lwVU1WZVVVZU41d3F0byIsInAiOjI=
wMjQ0MTUyOCwicyI6MjUxMDM0OCwiZiI6ZmFsc2UsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOT=
A0MiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3Mjg1MDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3Qif=
Q.La1C_7-0mz8ceRZCLhRHsKSi6ugl3WFTnSBDZcMLp8k?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_me=
dium=3Demail>


=C2=A9 2026 Drop Site News, Inc.
Drop Site News Inc., 1930 18th St NW
Ste B2 #1034, Washington, DC 20009
Unsubscribe
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLm=
NvbS9hY3Rpb24vZGlzYWJsZV9lbWFpbD90b2tlbj1leUoxYzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME5Ea3hMQ=
0p3YjNOMFgybGtJam95TURJME5ERTFNamdzSW5ObFkzUnBiMjVmYVdRaU9qSTFPRFUxTXl3aWFX=
RjBJam94TnpneE56QTVNRFF5TENKbGVIQWlPakU0TVRNeU5EVXdORElzSW1semN5STZJbkIxWWk=
weU5URXdNelE0SWl3aWMzVmlJam9pWkdsellXSnNaVjlsYldGcGJDSjkuOTNnanNNbFBybmdoV1=
BjMEJuS1ktNGlVbEJEcy1VczVTN3FPS1c1Y1RfZyZzZWN0aW9uX2lkPTI1ODU1MyIsInAiOjIwM=
jQ0MTUyOCwicyI6MjUxMDM0OCwiZiI6ZmFsc2UsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOTA0=
MiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3Mjg1MDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.=
_fGxYto-5HyaXjFAZ1iC1s1yHzxsdHiF8RXtUJIcfvI?>

[image: Start writing]
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc2lnbn=
VwP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9c3Vic3RhY2smdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1mb290Z=
XImdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF1dG9maWxsZWQtZm9vdGVyJmZyZWVTaWdudXBFbWFpbD1jd2ZyZXNp=
ZGVuY2VAZ21haWwuY29tJnI9MWVvZ2IiLCJwIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsInMiOjI1MTAzNDgsImYiOmZ=
hbHNlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE3MDkwNDIsImV4cCI6MjA5NzI4NTA0MiwiaXNzIj=
oicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.4IKXUpU0GjZDbtqCReQLMtWhQ7adLG76G=
Dm-PssSbW8?>

--00000000000078f748065474b84a
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><br></div><div style=3D"font-kerning:auto"><i=
mg src=3D"https://eotrx.substackcdn.com/o/35b268372244f7bf/p.gif?token=3Dey=
JtIjoiPDIwMjYwNjE3MTUwNzUwLjMuMmNiN2Q1N2M0NjVhMmJlYUBtZzEuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tP=
iIsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsInIiOiJjd2ZyZXNpZGVuY2VAZ21haWwuY29tIiwiZCI6Im1nMS5zdWJz=
dGFjay5jb20iLCJwIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsInQiOiJuZXdzbGV0dGVyIiwiYSI6ImV2ZXJ5b25lIiw=
icyI6MjUxMDM0OCwiYyI6InBvc3QiLCJmIjpmYWxzZSwicG9zaXRpb24iOiJ0b3AiLCJpYXQiOj=
E3ODE3MDkwNDIsImV4cCI6MTc4NDMwMTA0MiwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJlbyJ9.0zQ1=
OjGZt-mREf0scKhpB4lVN5NC8IUAKCZOETqabM4" alt=3D"" width=3D"1" height=3D"1" =
border=3D"0" style=3D"height:1px!important;width:1px!important;border-width=
:0!important;margin-top:0!important;margin-bottom:0!important;margin-right:=
0!important;margin-left:0!important;padding-top:0!important;padding-bottom:=
0!important;padding-right:0!important;padding-left:0!important"><div style=
=3D"display:none;font-size:1px;color:#333333;line-height:1px;max-height:0px=
;max-width:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden">Drop Site Daily: June 17, 2026</d=
iv><div style=3D"display:none;font-size:1px;color:#333333;line-height:1px;m=
ax-height:0px;max-width:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden">=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD</div><table role=3D"presentation" =
width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr>=
<td></td><td width=3D"550"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td width=3D"550=
" align=3D"left"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;max-width:55=
0px;width:100%;margin:0 auto"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" b=
order=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"rig=
ht" style=3D"height:20px"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" borde=
r=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertica=
l-align:middle"><span style=3D"font-family:SF Pro Text,-apple-system,system=
-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,Inter,Segoe UI,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,App=
le Color Emoji,Segoe UI Emoji,Segoe UI Symbol;font-size:13px;color:unset;li=
st-style:none;text-decoration:unset;margin:0"><div style=3D"list-style:none=
;color:unset;text-align:right;font-size:12px;line-height:16px;text-decorati=
on:unset;margin:0"><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decorati=
on:unset;margin:0">Forwarded this email? <a href=3D"https://substack.com/re=
direct/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLmNvbS9zdWJzY3JpYmU_dXRtX3=
NvdXJjZT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtc3Vic2NyaWJlJnI9MWVvZ2ImbmV4dD1od=
HRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5kcm9wc2l0ZW5ld3MuY29tJTJGcCUyRmdhemEtY2Vhc2VmaXJlLWlz=
cmFlbC1pY2UtbWlubmVzb3RhLWVjdWFkb3Itbm9ib2EtZW1lcmdlbmN5IiwicCI6MjAyNDQxNTI=
4LCJzIjoyNTEwMzQ4LCJmIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQyLCJleH=
AiOjIwOTcyODUwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.qhfH0U2b=
GoQG4Yot2cveSWc9zd6vhw61Baj_dULM0jo?" style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;=
text-decoration:unset;margin:0;text-decoration-line:underline" target=3D"_b=
lank">Subscribe here</a> for more</span></div></span></td></tr></tbody></ta=
ble></td></tr></tbody></table><table role=3D"presentation" style=3D"border-=
spacing:0;padding:16px 0 32px"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center" style=3D"tex=
t-align:center;padding:0"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIj=
oiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLmNvbS9wL2dhemEtY2Vhc2VmaXJlLWlzcmFlbC1pY=
2UtbWlubmVzb3RhLWVjdWFkb3Itbm9ib2EtZW1lcmdlbmN5P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1o=
YWxmLXBvc3Qmcj0xZW9nYiZ0b2tlbj1leUoxYzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME5Ea3hMQ0p3YjNOMFg=
ybGtJam95TURJME5ERTFNamdzSW1saGRDSTZNVGM0TVRjd09UQTBNaXdpWlhod0lqb3hOemcwTX=
pBeE1EUXlMQ0pwYzNNaU9pSndkV0l0TWpVeE1ETTBPQ0lzSW5OMVlpSTZJbkJ2YzNRdGNtVmhZM=
1JwYjI0aWZRLm5uRS1wVlJiRjAwQXd0dkQ2M1p5WXRBaklUT19JcFVNVmVVVWVONXdxdG8iLCJw=
IjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsInMiOjI1MTAzNDgsImYiOmZhbHNlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE=
3MDkwNDIsImV4cCI6MjA5NzI4NTA0MiwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZW=
N0In0.hc8lJCIm83KzzjisDlWEpndNil_TDg3o2BrrMdKVY3I?" target=3D"_blank"><img =
role=3D"presentation" width=3D"550" height=3D"110" src=3D"https://substackc=
dn.com/image/fetch/$s_!G-OL!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressi=
ve:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimag=
es%2Fa6b3ba15-920d-4901-86f3-5b4ae292b259_1100x220.png" style=3D"border:non=
e!important;vertical-align:middle;max-width:550px;display:block;margin:0 au=
to;height:auto;width:100%"></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div dir=3D"auto" =
style=3D"padding:32px 0 0 0;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><div role=3D"r=
egion" aria-label=3D"Post header" style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px"=
><h1 dir=3D"auto" style=3D"direction:auto;text-align:start;unicode-bidi:iso=
late;color:rgb(54,55,55);font-family:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-system=
-headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Rob=
oto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Em=
oji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:bold;margin:0;line-height:36=
px;font-size:32px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publicatio=
n_id=3D2510348&amp;post_id=3D202441528&amp;utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&am=
p;utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;=
token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsImlhdCI6MTc4MTc=
wOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3Qtcm=
VhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00AwtvD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto" style=3D"color:rg=
b(54,55,55);text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank">Gaza death toll since =
=E2=80=9Cceasefire=E2=80=9D tops 1,000; 15 charged with impeding ICE agents=
 in Minnesota; Ecuador declares new state of emergency</a></h1><h3 dir=3D"a=
uto" style=3D"direction:auto;text-align:start;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-fam=
ily:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui,-apple-system=
,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#=
39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39=
;;font-weight:normal;margin:4px 0 0;color:#777777;line-height:24px;font-siz=
e:18px;margin-top:12px">Drop Site Daily: June 17, 2026</h3><table role=3D"p=
resentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0=
" style=3D"margin:1em 0;height:20px"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presenta=
tion" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbod=
y><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspac=
ing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle">=
<div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;text-decorati=
on:unset;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0;font-family:&#39;SF Compact&#39;,-app=
le-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Rob=
oto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Em=
oji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:500;text-transform:uppercase=
;letter-spacing:.2px"><a style=3D"list-style:none;color:rgb(54,55,55);margi=
n:0;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;font-family:&#39;SF Compact&#39;,-apple=
-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Robot=
o,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoj=
i&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:500;text-transform:uppercase;l=
etter-spacing:.2px;text-decoration:none" href=3D"https://substack.com/@drop=
sitenews" target=3D"_blank">Drop Site News</a></div></td></tr></tbody></tab=
le></td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"=
0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-ali=
gn:middle"><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;te=
xt-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0;font-family:&#39;SF Com=
pact&#39;,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Seg=
oe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#=
39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:500;text-trans=
form:uppercase;letter-spacing:.2px">Jun 17</div></td></tr></tbody></table><=
/td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=3D"right"><table role=3D"presentati=
on" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody>=
<tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/@dr=
opsitenews" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fet=
ch/$s_!fVLV!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack=
-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc8afbb85-9896-4b37-b11d-02=
1bf3058862_647x647.png" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:550px;bord=
er:none;vertical-align:middle;width:40px;height:40px;min-width:40px;min-hei=
ght:40px;object-fit:cover;margin:0px;display:inline;border-radius:50%" widt=
h=3D"40" height=3D"40"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></ta=
ble><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-top:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-bo=
ttom:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);min-width:100%"><tbody><tr height=3D"16"><td h=
eight=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><td>=
<table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" =
cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto=
" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"=
vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38" border=3D"=
0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a h=
ref=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&amp;post=
_id=3D202441528&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;submit=
Like=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1Mjg=
sInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQyLCJleHAiOjE3ODQzMDEwNDIsImlzcy=
I6InB1Yi0yNTEwMzQ4Iiwic3ViIjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.BuuJbsuWaAgFXYnkpLmGFBaE5irOXQ=
46KrSn-MSOg_Y&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&amp;=
r=3D1eogb" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,=
&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji=
&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-blo=
ck;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text=
-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:1;padding:9px 0;text-decora=
tion:none;color:rgb(119,119,119);min-width:38px;box-sizing:border-box;width=
:38px" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s=
_!PeVs!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fs=
ubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideHeart%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stro=
ke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"bor=
der:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D""></a></td></tr></tbo=
dy></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><td style=3D"v=
ertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38" border=3D"0=
" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a hr=
ef=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&amp;post_=
id=3D202441528&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;isFreem=
ail=3Dfalse&amp;comments=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N=
0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMDQyLCJpc3MiOi=
JwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00AwtvD63ZyYtAjIT=
O_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comment=
s&amp;action=3Dpost-comment&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demai=
l" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Seg=
oe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#=
39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-=
weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transfo=
rm:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:1;padding:9px 0;text-decoration:non=
e;color:rgb(119,119,119);min-width:38px;box-sizing:border-box;width:38px" t=
arget=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x1tS!,=
w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.=
com%2Ficon%2FLucideComments%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D=
%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"border:n=
one;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D""></a></td></tr></tbody></=
table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertic=
al-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38" border=3D"0" cel=
lspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D=
"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&amp;post_id=3D=
202441528&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_content=
=3Dshare&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-share&amp;action=3Dshare&amp;triggerShare=
=3Dtrue&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMz=
Y0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxM=
DQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00Aw=
tvD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-syste=
m,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&=
#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#3=
9;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);bord=
er-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:1;padd=
ing:9px 0;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119);min-width:38px;box-si=
zing:border-box;width:38px" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackc=
dn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_L14!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:=
steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideShare2%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D3=
6%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" heig=
ht=3D"18" style=3D"border:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D=
""></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8p=
x"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" wi=
dth=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td =
align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM=
6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS9wdWIvZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzL3AvZ2F6YS1jZWFzZWZpcmUtaX=
NyYWVsLWljZS1taW5uZXNvdGEtZWN1YWRvci1ub2JvYS1lbWVyZ2VuY3k_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1zd=
WJzdGFjayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1l=
bnQmYWN0aW9uPXJlc3RhY2stY29tbWVudCZyPTFlb2diJnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3l=
NelkwTkRreExDSndiM04wWDJsa0lqb3lNREkwTkRFMU1qZ3NJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVGN3T1RBME=
1pd2laWGh3SWpveE56ZzBNekF4TURReUxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNalV4TURNME9DSXNJbk4xW=
WlJNkluQnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBiMjRpZlEubm5FLXBWUmJGMDBBd3R2RDYzWnlZdEFqSVRPX0lw=
VU1WZVVVZU41d3F0byIsInAiOjIwMjQ0MTUyOCwicyI6MjUxMDM0OCwiZiI6ZmFsc2UsInUiOjI=
zNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3Mjg1MDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsIn=
N1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.La1C_7-0mz8ceRZCLhRHsKSi6ugl3WFTnSBDZcMLp8k?&a=
mp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail" style=3D"font-family:syste=
m-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,A=
rial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;S=
egoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid r=
gb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;l=
ine-height:1;padding:9px 0;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119);min-=
width:38px;box-sizing:border-box;width:38px" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"=
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ubXF!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:goo=
d,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2Fnotes__NoteResta=
ckIcon%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeW=
idth%3D2%26strokeLinecap%3Dround%26strokeLinejoin%3Dround" width=3D"18" hei=
ght=3D"18" alt=3D"" style=3D"max-width:550px;border:none!important;vertical=
-align:middle"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td=
><td align=3D"right"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"=
0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-ali=
gn:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspa=
cing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"htt=
ps://open.substack.com/pub/dropsitenews/p/gaza-ceasefire-israel-ice-minneso=
ta-ecuador-noboa-emergency?utm_source=3Demail&amp;redirect=3Dapp-store&amp;=
utm_campaign=3Demail-read-in-app" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-sys=
tem,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif=
,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&=
#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);bo=
rder-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:12px=
;padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119)" target=3D"_b=
lank"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;display:inline-block;ve=
rtical-align:middle;max-width:0;min-height:18px"></div><span style=3D"verti=
cal-align:middle;margin-right:4px">READ IN APP</span><img src=3D"https://su=
bstackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ET-_!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progr=
essive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideArrowUpRight%3Fv%3D4=
%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" widt=
h=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"min-width:18px;min-height:18px;border:none;=
vertical-align:middle;margin-right:0;margin-left:0;max-width:18px" alt=3D""=
></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody>=
</table></td></tr><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0p=
x;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div dir=3D"au=
to" style=3D"padding:32px 0 0 0;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><div dir=
=3D"auto" style=3D"text-align:initial;font-size:16px;line-height:26px;width=
:100%;word-break:break-word;margin-bottom:16px;font-family:&#39;SF Pro Disp=
lay&#39;,-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Inter&#39;,&#39;Se=
goe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&=
#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400"><p style=
=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px;m=
argin-top:0"><em><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">U.S. and Iran to formally=
 </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/bbad7c8a-522e-4bbc-82db-cb=
8757566d8d?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxv=
Oc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span st=
yle=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">sign</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)=
"> interim agreement Friday in Switzerland. President Donald Trump: </span>=
<a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/edd6cea5-f474-4332-8bdd-9891d85a16=
26?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" styl=
e=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"c=
olor:rgb(17,85,204)">=E2=80=9CIf they don=E2=80=99t behave, we=E2=80=99ll g=
o right back to dropping bombs=E2=80=9D</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(=
0,0,0)">. Hezbollah </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/8d1b81c=
8-be86-45d3-bf85-7d302e345a02?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGM=
YZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=
=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">says</span></a><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> Iran will press for Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.=
 Proposed U.S.-Iran deal </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/be=
5b3638-3648-4ca0-9fdd-3120bb67a91a?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLC=
o3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" ta=
rget=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">includes</span></a><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> $300 billion private investment fund, Reuter=
s reports. Iranian source </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2=
0f03956-8fb9-4f13-b005-de672e17b466?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wL=
Co3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" t=
arget=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">disputes</span></a><s=
pan style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> the accuracy of Bloomberg=E2=80=99s memoran=
dum text. Israel </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/5b7d8c37-f=
89d-41ee-9d6d-b0a22e9e2ffb?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8=
454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"=
_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">denied</span></a><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> access to draft U.S.-Iran memorandum. Three Iranian =
supertankers </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2d6427ba-2da8-=
47b0-a489-f91aaecf310d?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454l=
cFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_bla=
nk"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">exit</span></a><span style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(0,0,0)"> U.S. Navy blockade. U.S. </span><a href=3D"https://substack.=
com/redirect/b3b98003-7f46-4217-9972-b1f280fcc9ce?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.Ji=
lZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-deco=
ration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">ran</sp=
an></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> covert ship-to-ship operation to b=
ypass Iran=E2=80=99s Strait of Hormuz blockade. Israeli </span><a href=3D"h=
ttps://substack.com/redirect/fd9c4c93-c1bf-4089-974e-99475c72a19f?j=3DeyJ1I=
joiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#=
00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,=
85,204)">airstrikes</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> and shellin=
g in Lebanon on Wednesday. Israeli strikes kill four in south Lebanon, incl=
uding in a =E2=80=9Cdouble-tap=E2=80=9D attack. </span><a href=3D"https://s=
ubstack.com/redirect/01bbf205-e7ce-435a-a82c-dc952e31c565?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ=
2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;t=
ext-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)"=
>Amnesty International</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">: Israel=
=E2=80=99s no-return orders in southern Lebanon amount to war crime. 1,005 =
killed in Gaza since October 2025 =E2=80=9Cceasefire.=E2=80=9D Gaza Health =
Ministry warns it may suspend medical referral program amid Israeli restric=
tions. Israeli settlers </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/3c9=
e87ef-82a5-405d-ac31-49fa40f8b311?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo=
3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" tar=
get=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">set fire</span></a><spa=
n style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> to two mosques, leave racist graffiti. Israel=
 </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/85700f6b-f5d2-4d12-8267-de=
b108d289ed?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxv=
Oc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span st=
yle=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">approves</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,=
0,0)"> 576 new settlement units, construction project in Hebron without Pal=
estinian approval. U.S. </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/d9d=
453f6-af04-48e7-9964-c8b1b62f4b5e?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo=
3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" tar=
get=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">pressures</span></a><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> Palestinian Authority to withdraw internatio=
nal legal cases against Israel. Senate narrowly </span><a href=3D"https://s=
ubstack.com/redirect/d7f61331-6afb-4faf-947e-b65bc5205bf8?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ=
2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;t=
ext-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)"=
>blocks</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> war powers resolution o=
n Iran. Trump invokes Defense Production Act to </span><a href=3D"https://s=
ubstack.com/redirect/f1c5d174-76ff-43ac-9bea-4398e7bf3657?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ=
2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;t=
ext-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)"=
>boost</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> weapons. Trump </span><a=
 href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/cacfeab8-c812-4cd4-b84b-5af47fa38ca5=
?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=
=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(17,85,204)">delays</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> Dire=
ctor of National Intelligence nominee=E2=80=99s confirmation hearing, ties =
surveillance renewal to voter ID bill. Fifteen </span><a href=3D"https://su=
bstack.com/redirect/d37f083e-f7b0-41b2-9857-fea5b5a4c088?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2=
IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;te=
xt-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">=
charged</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> in Minnesota over respo=
nse to immigration crackdown. </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redire=
ct/e5f0165f-0334-4eb0-a545-1defdc65a333?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7=
B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:non=
e" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">ProPublica</span>=
</a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">: At least 776,000 children lost SNAP =
benefits despite GOP assurances they=E2=80=99d be protected. U.S. military =
</span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/28b761de-1d9f-42e6-a1d9-c3e=
941167be2?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvO=
c" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span sty=
le=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">kills</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)=
"> one in boat strike in eastern Pacific. G7 </span><a href=3D"https://subs=
tack.com/redirect/f98b693e-a4ee-4a0a-b023-9fbaa90be72e?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2Ii=
fQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text=
-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">ag=
rees</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> to expand sanctions on Rus=
sian oil and gas exports. Sudanese gold miners </span><a href=3D"https://su=
bstack.com/redirect/9b08db7b-3f44-4eb6-ae63-b2ec4985aea5?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2=
IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;te=
xt-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">=
killed</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> in strikes near Egyptian=
 border. Ecuador </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/e3ab721e-1=
d18-42d1-a34f-036ad1364462?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8=
454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"=
_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">declares</span></a><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> new state of emergency. Brazil=E2=80=99s Supreme Cou=
rt </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/f76fd5a9-c3ee-40db-b998-=
a0ec242d31e6?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZt=
xvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span =
style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">sentences</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb=
(0,0,0)"> Eduardo Bolsonaro to prison over U.S. lobbying campaign.</span></=
em></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;f=
ont-size:16px"><em><strong><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/9302245=
d-cbf0-4745-9699-1f87cb2c5b60?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGM=
YZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=
=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">Sign The Petition: Stand W=
ith Trita Parsi Against Deportation for Dissent</span></a></strong></em></p=
><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-si=
ze:16px"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Drop Site is now live on WhatsApp=
. Get our latest reporting, podcasts, and breaking news, delivered directly=
. </span><strong><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2d32a348-5953-46e=
8-a549-a44bb6f0d842?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFE=
iXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"=
><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">Join the channel here.</span></a></st=
rong></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px=
;font-size:16px"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">This is Drop Site=
 Daily, our free daily news recap. </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb=
(0,0,0)">We send it Monday through Friday. Today=E2=80=99s edition is being=
 sent to more than 750,000 subscribers. Help us grow that number by forward=
ing and recommending this newsletter.</span></p><div style=3D"margin:0 0 1e=
m;direction:ltr;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><div style=3D"text-decorat=
ion:unset;list-style:none;font-size:16px;line-height:26px;text-align:center=
;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0=
cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLmNvbS9hY2NvdW50IiwicCI6MjAyNDQxNTI4LCJzIjoyNTE=
wMzQ4LCJmIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQyLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyOD=
UwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.o0DKWUuqpTJyMwebhT5N=
nLsoWQWcTR8_ovZEKvnM3_M?" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,Blin=
kMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Ap=
ple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;dis=
play:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;li=
ne-height:20px;font-weight:600;text-align:center;background-color:transpare=
nt;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;text-decoration:none!important=
;border:1px solid #00058c;margin:0 auto;background:transparent;color:#00058=
c;padding:12px 20px;height:auto" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://subs=
tackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T62n!,w_40,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progres=
sive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideCheck%3Fv%3D4%26height=
%3D40%26fill%3Dtransparent%26stroke%3D%252300058c%26strokeWidth%3D3.6" widt=
h=3D"20" height=3D"20" style=3D"border:none;vertical-align:middle;height:au=
to;display:inline-block;max-width:20px" alt=3D""><span style=3D"text-decora=
tion:none">Subscribed</span></a></div></div><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;c=
olor:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span style=3D"color:rg=
b(0,0,0)">=F0=9F=9B=92 Get your =E2=80=9C</span><a href=3D"https://substack=
.com/redirect/2588cba5-95c3-47f0-8910-4e4f82d75014?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.J=
ilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-dec=
oration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">Drop [=
Site] News/Not Bombs</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">=E2=80=9D H=
oodie here:</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);lin=
e-height:26px;font-size:16px;text-align:center;border-radius:4px"><a href=
=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/bdd405dc-9af4-4492-81cd-1422c375cded?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"fo=
nt-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Rob=
oto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Em=
oji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-b=
ox;border:none;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weigh=
t:600;text-align:center;margin:0;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;=
color:#ffffff!important;text-decoration:none!important;background-color:#00=
058c;padding:12px 20px;height:auto" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:=
#ffffff;text-decoration:none">Get Your Hoodie</span></a></p><div style=3D"f=
ont-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" bord=
er=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-a=
lign:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"1200" style=3D"text-align:cen=
ter"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2644a2e2-a4e7-44ab-b7cd-90741=
4064f46?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc"=
 style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;height:auto;border:none;text-decoration:none=
;display:block;margin:0" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"550" heig=
ht=3D"366.7925824175824" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gBD=
X!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsub=
stack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7824ab3f-3b50-4600-bd=
19-203234bb2a42_8022x5348.heic" style=3D"border:none!important;vertical-ali=
gn:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;width:auto!important;ma=
x-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:cent=
er"></td></tr></tbody></table>U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Ecuado=
rian President Daniel Noboa, listen as national anthems are played at the P=
entagon in Washington, DC on June 15, 2026. Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Ge=
tty Images.</div><div style=3D"margin:0 0 1em;direction:ltr;font-size:16px;=
line-height:26px"><div style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;font-=
size:16px;line-height:26px;text-align:center;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"=
https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLmN=
vbS9hY2NvdW50IiwicCI6MjAyNDQxNTI4LCJzIjoyNTEwMzQ4LCJmIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2ND=
Q5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQyLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyODUwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViI=
joibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.o0DKWUuqpTJyMwebhT5NnLsoWQWcTR8_ovZEKvnM3_M?" style=
=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#3=
9;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe=
 UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;=
text-align:center;background-color:transparent;opacity:1;outline:none;white=
-space:nowrap;text-decoration:none!important;border:1px solid #00058c;margi=
n:0 auto;background:transparent;color:#00058c;padding:12px 20px;height:auto=
" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T62=
n!,w_40,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubsta=
ck.com%2Ficon%2FLucideCheck%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D40%26fill%3Dtransparent%26st=
roke%3D%252300058c%26strokeWidth%3D3.6" width=3D"20" height=3D"20" style=3D=
"border:none;vertical-align:middle;height:auto;display:inline-block;max-wid=
th:20px" alt=3D""><span style=3D"text-decoration:none">Subscribed</span></a=
></div></div><h1 style=3D"font-family:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-syste=
m-headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Ro=
boto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI E=
moji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:bold;margin:1em 0 0.625em 0=
;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:1.16em;font-size:calc(2em*1)"><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Iran and Ceasefire</span></h1><ul style=3D"margin-top=
:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55=
,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4p=
x;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">U.S. an=
d Iran to formally sign interim agreement Friday in Switzerland: </span></s=
trong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The United States and Iran are </spa=
n><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/bbad7c8a-522e-4bbc-82db-cb875756=
6d8d?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" st=
yle=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D=
"color:rgb(17,85,204)">expected</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">=
 to officially sign their interim agreement Friday at the B=C3=BCrgenstock =
resort near Lucerne, Switzerland=E2=80=99s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tu=
esday. The ceremony will reportedly bring together U.S. Vice President JD V=
ance, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Mini=
ster Abbas Araghchi.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p st=
yle=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom=
:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px"><strong><span sty=
le=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Trump: =E2=80=9CIf they don=E2=80=99t behave, we=E2=
=80=99ll go right back to dropping bombs=E2=80=9D:</span></strong><span sty=
le=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> U.S. President Donald Trump </span><a href=3D"http=
s://substack.com/redirect/edd6cea5-f474-4332-8bdd-9891d85a1626?j=3DeyJ1Ijoi=
MWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#000=
58c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,=
204)">said</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> Wednesday the U.S.-I=
ran framework agreement remains unfinished, telling reporters at the G7 sum=
mit in France: =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s a memorandum of understanding. And if =
I don=E2=80=99t like it, we=E2=80=99ll go back to shooting at them.=E2=80=
=9D Trump later doubled down on the threat, saying: =E2=80=9CIf they don=E2=
=80=99t behave, we=E2=80=99ll go right back to dropping bombs right smack i=
n the middle of their head.=E2=80=9D</span></p><ul style=3D"margin-top:0;pa=
dding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);=
line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;fon=
t-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Trump insisted that =
the U.S would not spend any taxpayer money amid reports the agreement inclu=
des $300 billion in reconstruction funding for Iran, saying: =E2=80=9CWe=E2=
=80=99re not putting up 10 cents. We are not investing, and we do not have =
a fund.=E2=80=9D Trump said he is not asking Gulf countries to invest in Ir=
an under the proposed agreement, but would not oppose such a move, adding, =
=E2=80=9CI would say they won=E2=80=99t be doing it for a while until they =
find out the behaviour [of the Iranians].=E2=80=9D</span></p></li><li style=
=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;m=
argin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin=
:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Despite his threats, Trump described t=
he current framework with Iran as =E2=80=9Cvery strong=E2=80=9D and said th=
ere is a =E2=80=9C99.99 percent chance=E2=80=9D that Iran will never obtain=
 a nuclear weapon. Trump also pointed to market reactions as evidence of co=
nfidence in the negotiations, saying: =E2=80=9CThe market has gone wild. It=
=E2=80=99s gone through the roof. And oil has tumbled down. That speaks lou=
der than words.=E2=80=9D</span></p></li></ul></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0=
 0 32px"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px=
;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px"><st=
rong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Hezbollah says Iran will press for Is=
raeli withdrawal from Lebanon: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0=
,0)">Hezbollah </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/8d1b81c8-be8=
6-45d3-bf85-7d302e345a02?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ845=
4lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_b=
lank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">said</span></a><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(0,0,0)"> it received assurances from Iran that Tehran will demand t=
he withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon in the next phase of its talks=
 with the United States, according to a Tuesday statement from the group=E2=
=80=99s media relations office.</span></p><ul style=3D"margin-top:0;padding=
:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-=
height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-siz=
e:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">A senior U.S. official sa=
id Monday that an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon is not part of the U.S.-I=
ran deal, and Israeli leaders have vowed to keep their forces in place.</sp=
an></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,5=
5);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;=
font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Iran has insisted=
 that Washington, as guarantor of the agreement, is responsible for compell=
ing Israel to halt its war on Lebanon. =E2=80=9CAny military attack by the =
Israeli regime against Lebanon, or the continued occupation of Lebanese ter=
ritory, is a violation of the memorandum of understanding,=E2=80=9D Iranian=
 Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. Iran=E2=80=99s top joint military co=
mmand, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, accused Israel of violati=
ng the ceasefire in Lebanon dozens of times since it reached an agreement w=
ith the U.S. and warned Israel Tuesday to expect a =E2=80=9Charsh response=
=E2=80=9D from Iranian armed forces if it does not halt its attacks on sout=
hern Lebanon.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"=
color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;=
padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">=
Hezbollah=E2=80=99s Secretary General Naim Qassem also </span><a href=3D"ht=
tps://substack.com/redirect/ed21f10a-7adf-44b4-b7d1-878f05fe35f4?j=3DeyJ1Ij=
oiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#0=
0058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,8=
5,204)">thanked</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> Iran for making=
 an end to the war on Lebanon a =E2=80=9Cfirst and fundamental clause=E2=80=
=9D of the U.S.-Iran agreement. He wrote that Iran had turned =E2=80=9Cthe =
only effective glimmer of hope in stopping the Israeli-American aggression =
against Lebanon into a reality.=E2=80=9D</span></p></li></ul></li><li style=
=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);=
line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;fon=
t-size:16px"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Proposed U.S.-Iran de=
al includes $300 billion private investment fund, Reuters reports: </span><=
/strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The proposed U.S.-Iran agreement <=
/span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/be5b3638-3648-4ca0-9fdd-3120=
bb67a91a?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc=
" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span styl=
e=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">includes</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,=
0)"> a $300 billion private investment fund aimed at driving investment int=
o Iran, with more than half the financing reportedly already committed, Reu=
ters reports, citing a source with knowledge of the negotiations.</span></p=
><ul style=3D"margin-top:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p =
style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb=
(0,0,0)">The fund, known as the Reconstruction and Development Fund, would =
not use U.S. government money and would only become operational if a final =
agreement is reached after a 60-day negotiating period.</span></p></li><li =
style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:2=
6px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;m=
argin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Companies from the United States,=
 Gulf states, Asia, South America and Africa have committed financing for p=
rojects in energy, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. The Financial T=
imes separately reported on Tuesday that companies in Europe, South Korea, =
and Japan have a strong interest in investing in Iran if sanctions are lift=
ed.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(=
54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-le=
ft:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The fund i=
s separate from negotiations over sanctions relief and the release of Irani=
an assets frozen abroad, and emerged as an alternative after Iran had initi=
ally sought $400 billion in compensation for war damage.</span></p></li></u=
l></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;colo=
r:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padd=
ing-left:4px;font-size:16px"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Irani=
an source disputes the accuracy of Bloomberg=E2=80=99s memorandum text: </s=
pan></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Tasnim News, citing a source =
close to Iran=E2=80=99s negotiating team, </span><a href=3D"https://substac=
k.com/redirect/20f03956-8fb9-4f13-b005-de672e17b466?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.=
JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-de=
coration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">repor=
ted</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> on Wednesday that the 14-po=
int Iran-U.S. memorandum published by Bloomberg is not accurate and contain=
s =E2=80=9Cseveral deficiencies.=E2=80=9D</span></p><ul style=3D"margin-top=
:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55=
,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4p=
x;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The source spec=
ifically claims that Bloomberg=E2=80=99s descriptions of Article 1 and the =
provisions related to the Strait of Hormuz are inaccurate and omit key lang=
uage.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rg=
b(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-=
left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The sour=
ce added that the memorandum=E2=80=99s full text will not be made public un=
til after its expected signing on Friday, in line with an agreement between=
 the parties.</span></p></li></ul></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p=
 style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:b=
order-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"=
color:rgb(0,0,0)">Israel denied access to draft U.S.-Iran memorandum: </spa=
n></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Israel formally </span><a href=
=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/5b7d8c37-f89d-41ee-9d6d-b0a22e9e2ffb?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"co=
lor:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rg=
b(17,85,204)">requested</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> access =
to the draft memorandum of understanding being negotiated between the Unite=
d States and Iran, but was denied by Washington, a diplomatic correspondent=
 for the Israeli network i24 reported on Tuesday.</span></p></li><li style=
=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;m=
argin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin=
:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Three Iranian supertankers exi=
t U.S. Navy blockade: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Two =
National Iranian Tanker Company VLCC supertankers, Diona and Hero2, </span>=
<a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2d6427ba-2da8-47b0-a489-f91aaecf31=
0d?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" styl=
e=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"c=
olor:rgb(17,85,204)">exited</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> the=
 U.S. Navy blockade perimeter on Tuesday, according to Tanker Trackers. The=
 ships are carrying nearly 4 million barrels of Iranian crude oil, and thei=
r successful transit would mark Iran=E2=80=99s first crude oil exports in t=
wo months. A third tanker, operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company =
and carrying 1 million barrels of Iranian crude oil, was also reported to h=
ave exited the Strait on Wednesday.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px =
0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;=
box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">U.S. ran covert ship-to-ship operation to byp=
ass Iran=E2=80=99s Strait of Hormuz blockade: </span></strong><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The United States has been </span><a href=3D"https://=
substack.com/redirect/b3b98003-7f46-4217-9972-b1f280fcc9ce?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVv=
Z2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;=
text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)=
">running</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> a covert operation si=
nce early May to keep Gulf oil exports moving despite Iran=E2=80=99s effect=
ive blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, with more than 90 million barrels tra=
nsferred through the system, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Rather than sendi=
ng fully loaded supertankers through the waterway, smaller tankers transit =
under a U.S.-managed security and surveillance network before transferring =
their cargo offshore to waiting Very Large Crude Carriers at two locations =
off Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Citing satellite imagery, shipping r=
ecords, and more than a dozen sources, Reuters found that at least 92 vesse=
ls have taken part in the ship-to-ship operation, employing techniques simi=
lar to those Iran has long used to evade sanctions. U.S. officials denied t=
o Reuters that CENTCOM forces are directly involved in the transfers, and t=
he outlet found no evidence that American forces directly escort the ships =
or participate in the operation themselves.</span></p></li><li style=3D"mar=
gin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-he=
ight:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:=
16px"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Vance does media rounds to d=
iscuss MOU: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Vice President=
 JD Vance made several media appearances on Tuesday to detail what the memo=
randum of understanding entails, as well as to make the case for the ceasef=
ire to President Trump=E2=80=99s domestic base.</span></p><ul style=3D"marg=
in-top:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb=
(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-l=
eft:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">With Siri=
usXM=E2=80=99s Megyn Kelly, Vance once again </span><a href=3D"https://subs=
tack.com/redirect/a540fc58-acbe-43b7-a3f4-33a24bfe68f8?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2Ii=
fQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text=
-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">re=
iterated</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> that =E2=80=9CLebanon =
is included=E2=80=9D in what he called a =E2=80=9Ctrue regional peace deal,=
=E2=80=9D before describing the ceasefire there as =E2=80=9Cdirty=E2=80=9D =
and saying the level of fighting has dropped. He added that =E2=80=9Csometi=
mes a ceasefire just means they=E2=80=99re shooting less and that=E2=80=99s=
 the progress.=E2=80=9D</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p=
 style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:b=
order-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rg=
b(0,0,0)">Vance said Iran would not receive economic benefits if it continu=
ed funding Hezbollah. He added that =E2=80=9Cnot a penny of American money=
=E2=80=9D will be flowing to Tehran. Instead, the U.S. would allow other co=
untries to invest in Iran and rebuild the country if Tehran changes its beh=
avior.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:r=
gb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding=
-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">He also=
 said the memorandum of understanding would be released by Friday at the la=
test, possibly tomorrow, citing =E2=80=9Cdelicate diplomatic=E2=80=9D seque=
ncing requested by Iran and mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar.</span>=
</p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);=
line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;fon=
t-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Vance also pushed ba=
ck on pro-Israel hawks criticizing the deal, saying they were =E2=80=9Cgung=
-ho about starting this thing=E2=80=9D but now object to stopping it, calli=
ng their position effectively =E2=80=9Can endless conflict=E2=80=9D that wo=
uld continue =E2=80=9Cuntil every bomb has been dropped or until every Iran=
ian is dead.=E2=80=9D</span></p></li></ul></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 =
32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-=
sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span s=
tyle=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Iran moves to connect electricity grid with Qatar=
: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Iran </span><a href=3D"h=
ttps://substack.com/redirect/c4b0a783-4414-4be8-9b8b-2e99a4016903?j=3DeyJ1I=
joiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#=
00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,=
85,204)">says</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> it will soon begi=
n connecting its electricity grid with Qatar, reviving a 2022 memorandum of=
 understanding to facilitate the transfer of up to 1,000 megawatts of power=
, the country=E2=80=99s Energy Minister and the IRGC-affiliated outlet Tasn=
im announced Tuesday. Abbas Aliabadi, the energy minister, said Iran is als=
o studying electricity links with other Gulf Cooperation Council states.</s=
pan></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,=
55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px=
;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Trump sa=
ys he never sought regime change in Iran: </span></strong><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(0,0,0)">President Donald Trump </span><a href=3D"https://substack.c=
om/redirect/d782be38-18c8-4826-9105-3661281c5148?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.Jil=
ZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decor=
ation:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">said</sp=
an></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> Tuesday at the G7 summit that he n=
ever sought regime change in Iran. =E2=80=9CI never cared about regime chan=
ge. It [was] never a part,=E2=80=9D he said, before claiming that one occur=
red because =E2=80=9Cthe first group=E2=80=9D of leaders were =E2=80=9Cdead=
.=E2=80=9D Trump described the officials the U.S. is now negotiating with a=
s =E2=80=9Cvery rational,=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9Cstrong,=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Cs=
mart=E2=80=9D people who are =E2=80=9Cnot radicalized=E2=80=9D and are =E2=
=80=9Clooking to help their country.=E2=80=9D</span></p></li><li style=3D"m=
argin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin=
-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><=
strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Sudan scales back Iranian arms purc=
hases to court Trump administration, Bloomberg reports: </span></strong><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Sudan=E2=80=99s military has </span><a href=
=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/5457eb22-cab1-4e96-b7fb-2cb7d774b688?j=3D=
eyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"co=
lor:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rg=
b(17,85,204)">scaled</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> back its p=
urchases of Iranian weapons in a bid to court the Trump administration ahea=
d of any future talks to end the country=E2=80=99s three-year civil war, Bl=
oomberg reported Tuesday. Iranian drones and other arms have helped the Sud=
anese Armed Forces win back territory from the rival Rapid Support Forces, =
but have become a source of tension with the Trump administration, whose ba=
cking the Army has sought during the war.</span></p></li></ul><h1 style=3D"=
font-family:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui,-appl=
e-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-=
serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Sy=
mbol&#39;;font-weight:bold;margin:1em 0 0.625em 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-=
height:1.16em;font-size:calc(2em*1)"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Leban=
on</span></h1><ul style=3D"margin-top:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px =
0 0 32px"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26p=
x;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px"><s=
trong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Israeli airstrikes and shelling on W=
ednesday: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Israeli forces c=
arried out a series of attacks across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, includ=
ing artillery shelling, drone strikes and air raids targeting several towns=
 in the Nabatieh, Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts, according to the state=E2=
=80=99s National News Agency. Heavy </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/=
redirect/fd9c4c93-c1bf-4089-974e-99475c72a19f?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZIS=
JaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decorati=
on:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">artillery b=
ombardment</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> struck the outskirts=
 of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, while Israeli drones launched </span><a href=3D"http=
s://substack.com/redirect/1e07ac64-f48c-4309-8027-8035e1ac65a6?j=3DeyJ1Ijoi=
MWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#000=
58c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,=
204)">three strikes</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> on the town=
s of Mansouri and Aazziyeh in the Tyre district, causing a number of injuri=
es. A separate drone strike targeted the town of Baraachit in Bint Jbeil di=
strict. Israel also struck Nabatieh al-Fawqa and the eastern outskirts of K=
fartebnit.</span></p><ul style=3D"margin-top:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"marg=
in:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bo=
ttom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><spa=
n style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Ten rockets were </span><a href=3D"https://sub=
stack.com/redirect/676f54c3-2a45-4d75-ae95-0cce529bc27d?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2I=
ifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;tex=
t-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">f=
ired</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> at Israeli forces in Kfar =
Tebnit, a town southeast of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, Al Jarida reporte=
d on Wednesday morning.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p=
 style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:b=
order-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rg=
b(0,0,0)">Journalist Hadi Hoteit, who was </span><a href=3D"https://substac=
k.com/redirect/9e27a9b2-afa1-4681-b1f1-b9f8a003c8be?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.=
JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-de=
coration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">injur=
ed</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> in an Israeli drone strike o=
n Monday, remained hospitalized on Wednesday. Reporter Courtney Bonneau say=
s Hoteit=E2=80=99s X-rays show his =E2=80=9Cbody is full of shrapnel=E2=80=
=9D and said that he is =E2=80=9Clucky to be alive.=E2=80=9D</span></p></li=
></ul></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;=
color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;=
padding-left:4px;font-size:16px"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">I=
sraeli strikes kill four in south Lebanon, including in =E2=80=9Cdouble-tap=
=E2=80=9D strike: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Israeli =
attacks </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/5dfce649-081c-431b-=
997b-3bc88075c5f3?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiX=
YqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><=
span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">killed</span></a><span style=3D"color:r=
gb(0,0,0)"> at least four people Tuesday in southern Lebanon=E2=80=99s Naba=
tieh governorate, according to Lebanon=E2=80=99s National News Agency, incl=
uding a deadly =E2=80=9Cdouble-tap=E2=80=9D strike in Mayfadoun, where Al J=
azeera reported a drone hit a vehicle and then struck the same site again a=
fter people gathered around the wreckage.</span></p><ul style=3D"margin-top=
:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55=
,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4p=
x;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Separate drone =
strikes hit a vehicle in Shoukin, while the Israeli military said one of it=
s strikes followed a =E2=80=9Cwarning shot=E2=80=9D fired near its forces o=
perating in the area, and claimed it intercepted several rockets fired towa=
rd its troops before striking the launcher.</span></p></li><li style=3D"mar=
gin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-b=
ottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The Israeli army continued its push to seize =
and occupy additional areas of southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported Tuesda=
y, though Israeli military vehicles reportedly withdrew from the town of Kh=
iam, according to Lebanese outlet Al Akhbar.</span></p></li><li style=3D"ma=
rgin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-=
bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><s=
pan style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The Israeli military also conducted addition=
al drone strikes in Beit Yahoun and Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, and artillery shell=
ing across seven locations, including Habboush, Jabal al-Rafii, and Burj al=
-Muluk.</span></p></li></ul></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=
=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-=
box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:=
rgb(0,0,0)">Amnesty: Israel=E2=80=99s no-return orders in southern Lebanon =
amount to war crime: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Israe=
l=E2=80=99s repeated use of mass =E2=80=9Cevacuation=E2=80=9D orders in Leb=
anon violated international humanitarian law, with its no-return orders in =
parts of southern Lebanon amounting to the war crime of unlawful transfer, =
according to a </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/01bbf205-e7c=
e-435a-a82c-dc952e31c565?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ845=
4lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_b=
lank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">report</span></a><span style=3D"=
color:rgb(0,0,0)"> published Wednesday by Amnesty International. In a new i=
nvestigation, the rights group found that Israel significantly expanded its=
 use of displacement orders in 2026, preventing tens of thousands of reside=
nts from returning to their homes in a self-declared buffer zone covering a=
bout 6% of Lebanese territory, while it continued its destructions of homes=
 and civilian infrastructure in the south. The organization called on Israe=
li forces to stop =E2=80=9Cforcibly uprooting communities and designating e=
ntire swathes of Lebanese land as no-go zones for civilians,=E2=80=9D urgin=
g Israel to =E2=80=9Cimmediately withdraw from Lebanese territory=E2=80=9D =
and =E2=80=9Cprovide reparation for victims of its international humanitari=
an law violations.=E2=80=9D According to the report, the Israeli military i=
ssued 171 mass evacuation orders between September 2024 and May 2026, inclu=
ding 135 in 2026 alone, while expanding no-return zones and overseeing wide=
spread destruction in southern border communities.</span></p></li></ul><h1 =
style=3D"font-family:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-system-headline,system=
-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Ar=
ial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Se=
goe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:bold;margin:1em 0 0.625em 0;color:rgb(54,55,=
55);line-height:1.16em;font-size:calc(2em*1)"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,=
0)">Palestine</span></h1><ul style=3D"margin-top:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"=
margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margi=
n-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0">=
<strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Killed and wounded: </span></stron=
g><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Over the last 24 hours, two Palestinians=
 were killed and five were injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza. Six addi=
tional people, who succumbed to wounds sustained from earlier attacks, were=
 added to the cumulative toll after their data was completed, the Palestini=
an Ministry of Health noted. Since October 11, the first full day of the so=
-called ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 1,005 Palestinians in Gaza an=
d wounded 3,157, while 784 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble=
, according to the Ministry. The total recorded death toll since October 7,=
 2023 has risen to 73,016 killed, with 173,265 injured.</span></p></li><li =
style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:2=
6px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;m=
argin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Gaza Health Ministry warn=
s it may suspend medical referral program amid Israeli restrictions: </span=
></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The Palestinian Ministry of Heal=
th in Gaza warned on Wednesday that it may be forced to suspend its medical=
 referral program if Israeli authorities do not increase the number of pati=
ents permitted to leave Gaza for treatment and ease travel procedures. In a=
 statement, the ministry said it would begin publishing patient lists submi=
tted through the World Health Organization for security clearances that hav=
e yet to receive a response. According to the ministry, around 3,000 cases =
have been submitted since February 2026 and remain awaiting the necessary a=
pprovals. The ministry said approvals are not issued according to the order=
 in which requests are submitted, resulting in prolonged waiting periods an=
d worsening suffering for patients.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px =
0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;=
box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Israeli settlers set fire to two mosques, lea=
ve racist graffiti: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Israel=
i settlers </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/3c9e87ef-82a5-40=
5d-ac31-49fa40f8b311?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcF=
EiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank=
"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">set fire</span></a><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(0,0,0)"> to two mosques in the villages of Jaljilya and Mazra=E2=80=
=99a al-Nubani, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, early Wednesda=
y, causing material damage and leaving racist and inciting graffiti on the =
walls of one of the sites, according to WAFA. Settlers reportedly infiltrat=
ed Jaljilya and attempted to burn down the village=E2=80=99s Grand Mosque, =
where residents confronted them as the fire broke out. Israeli forces later=
 entered the village and fired tear gas and stun grenades. In a separate in=
cident, settlers stormed Al-Farouq Mosque in Mazra=E2=80=99a al-Nubani and =
set it ablaze, damaging parts of the building and its contents. The Palesti=
nian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs condemned the attacks as =
a =E2=80=9Cdangerous assault=E2=80=9D on places of worship, saying they for=
m part of a political policy targeting =E2=80=9CIslamic and Christian holy =
sites.=E2=80=9D</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=
=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-=
box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:=
rgb(0,0,0)">Israel approves 576 new settlement units, construction project =
in Hebron without Palestinian approval: </span></strong><span style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(0,0,0)">Israeli authorities </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/re=
direct/85700f6b-f5d2-4d12-8267-deb108d289ed?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJa=
Tbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration=
:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">approved</spa=
n></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> 576 new settlement units in the occ=
upied West Bank on Wednesday, according to Ynet, as well as the first const=
ruction project in Hebron in decades to proceed without Palestinian municip=
al approval=E2=80=94a 1,000 square meter building near Beit Romano. This fo=
llows </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/8731460f-3d56-45b1-be=
e6-81a00b4f0efc?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYq=
lZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">comments</span></a><span style=3D"color:r=
gb(0,0,0)"> by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday that he=
 had approved the transfer of planning and construction authority around He=
bron=E2=80=99s Ibrahimi Mosque, also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs, f=
rom the Palestinian municipality to Israeli authorities. The move jettisons=
 a critical part of a 1997 agreement=E2=80=94which emerged from the Oslo Ac=
cords=E2=80=94that gave Palestinians control over the city=E2=80=99s affair=
s. Israel=E2=80=99s Foreign Ministry later said the Hebron Protocol =E2=80=
=9Chad not been cancelled in its entirety,=E2=80=9D and that the decision a=
pplies only to planning and construction related to settler areas and Jewis=
h holy sites.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"=
margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-=
sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px"><strong><span style=3D"c=
olor:rgb(0,0,0)">U.S. pressures PA to withdraw international legal cases ag=
ainst Israel:</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> The Trump ad=
ministration is </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/d9d453f6-af=
04-48e7-9964-c8b1b62f4b5e?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ84=
54lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_=
blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">seeking</span></a><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> a Palestinian Authority (PA) commitment to withdraw =
or halt legal cases against Israel in international forums as part of talks=
 aimed at improving U.S.-PA relations and advancing a broader Gaza and norm=
alization plan, The Times of Israel reported Tuesday.</span></p><ul style=
=3D"margin-top:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"c=
olor:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;p=
adding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">U=
.S. and Palestinian officials have discussed a possible memorandum of under=
standing tied to Trump=E2=80=99s postwar Gaza plan, which envisions the PA =
eventually taking over governance of the Strip after carrying out reforms.<=
/span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,5=
5,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4=
px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The discussion=
s reportedly include potential U.S. support for reopening the PLO=E2=80=99s=
 diplomatic mission in Washington and lifting sanctions on the PA if its de=
sired reforms are completed.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32p=
x"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-siz=
ing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"col=
or:rgb(0,0,0)">The PA, for its part, has sought language calling for a halt=
 to Israeli settlement expansion and stronger action against settler violen=
ce.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(=
54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-le=
ft:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The U.S. i=
s also seeking the release of more than $5 billion in withheld Palestinian =
tax revenues, though Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has blocked transfer=
 proposals, and Washington is instead seeking to direct a significant porti=
on of those funds to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza,=
 the only Palestinian technocratic body overseen by the =E2=80=9CBoard of P=
eace,=E2=80=9D rather than directly by the PA.</span></p></li></ul></li><li=
 style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:=
26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;=
margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Palestinian prisoner rel=
eased after 26 months in Israeli detention without charge: </span></strong>=
<span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Palestinian prisoner Ayman al-Fakhouri was=
 </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/1aa1c4d6-04fd-4277-ac20-6d=
710b34c62a?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxv=
Oc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span st=
yle=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">released</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,=
0,0)"> from Israeli prison on Tuesday after 26 months held without charge o=
r trial, Quds News reported, sharing before-and-after images showing his se=
vere physical deterioration in detention. He was held under Israel=E2=80=99=
s administrative detention system, which allows Palestinians to be detained=
 indefinitely on secret evidence without being informed of the accusations =
against them or given a trial. Around 49% of Palestinians detained in Israe=
li prisons are held without charge, according to the Palestinian Prisoners =
Society.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color=
:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;paddi=
ng-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0=
)">Trump claims credit for Israel=E2=80=99s survival, drawing pushback from=
 U.S. ambassador: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Presiden=
t Donald Trump </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/3524e113-fc9=
e-47f7-94ee-c13980ca2e30?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ845=
4lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_b=
lank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">said</span></a><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(0,0,0)"> Tuesday that =E2=80=9Cwithout the United States, there wou=
ld be no Israel,=E2=80=9D adding =E2=80=9Cwithout me, there would be no Isr=
ael, because no other president was willing to do what I did=E2=80=9D in co=
nfronting Iran. At a conference in the occupied West Bank, the U.S. Ambassa=
dor to Israel Mike Huckabee pushed back against his own head of state, sayi=
ng =E2=80=9Cwithout Israel, without the Jewish foundation, there would not =
be an America=E2=80=9D and that the United States =E2=80=9Cowe[s] our very =
existence to what happened in this land.=E2=80=9D</span></p></li><li style=
=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;m=
argin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin=
:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">ACLED: Israeli base-building i=
n southern Syria signals bid for permanent foothold: </span></strong><span =
style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">A new analysis from ACLED </span><a href=3D"http=
s://substack.com/redirect/2ce5772e-606a-4f43-9f41-d91edefa8675?j=3DeyJ1Ijoi=
MWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#000=
58c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,=
204)">says</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> Israel=E2=80=99s mil=
itary construction and expanding network of bases in southern Syria amount =
to an effort to establish a permanent foothold and reshape control in the s=
outh of the country. According to ACLED Middle East Research Manager Muaz A=
l Abdullah, Israel=E2=80=99s construction of a strategic military road thro=
ugh the Quneitra buffer zone is part of a broader effort to establish a per=
manent military presence following the collapse of the Assad government in =
December 2024. The group says Israeli forces have established nine military=
 bases and outposts across southwestern Syria, including four outside the f=
ormer buffer zone, while building military roads, electricity infrastructur=
e, and aircraft landing pads. ACLED recorded Israeli ground incursions into=
 southern Syria in May 2026 alone, concentrated in Daraa and Quneitra. Al A=
bdullah said the roadway=E2=80=99s development =E2=80=9Cis a calculated bid=
 to fundamentally redraw the lines of authority and spatial control within =
the border zone,=E2=80=9D with parts of the area being absorbed into Israel=
=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cdirect tactical and administrative sphere.=E2=80=9D </s=
pan><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Read more about Israel=E2=80=
=99s operations in Quneitra from Drop Site contributor C.P. Ward </span><a =
href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/fbe061ec-48f1-4947-93d9-7396688e7a46?=
j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=
=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(17,85,204)">here</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">.</span=
></strong></p></li></ul><h1 style=3D"font-family:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-=
apple-system-headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe=
 UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39=
;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:bold;margin:1em =
0 0.625em 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:1.16em;font-size:calc(2em*1)"><=
span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">U.S. News</span></h1><p style=3D"margin:0 0=
 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><em><span styl=
e=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">By Julian Andreone, with Ryan Grim. Have a tip on Ca=
pitol Hill? Email Andreone at </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redire=
ct/3b0a2a59-8211-40e6-8ce9-08deec9f46d3?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7=
B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:non=
e" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">Julian@dropsitene=
ws.com</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">.</span></em></p><ul styl=
e=3D"margin-top:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"=
margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-=
sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px"><strong><span style=3D"c=
olor:rgb(0,0,0)">Georgia and Alabama primary results:</span></strong></p><u=
l style=3D"margin-top:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p sty=
le=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:borde=
r-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,=
0,0)">Rep. </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Mike Collins</sp=
an></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> is </span><a href=3D"https://=
substack.com/redirect/00d039cf-8008-4d1f-86c2-2230cf015636?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVv=
Z2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;=
text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)=
">projected</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> to defeat former co=
llege football coach </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Derek =
Dooley</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> in the Georgia Sena=
te Republican runoff, setting up a fall matchup with incumbent Democratic S=
en. </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Jon Ossoff</span></stro=
ng><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">. The win is a major boost for Presiden=
t Donald Trump, who issued a last-minute endorsement for Collins over the w=
eekend, pitting him against Gov. </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,=
0,0)">Brian Kemp</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, who had =
backed Dooley.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D=
"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box=
;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"=
>In the Georgia governor=E2=80=99s race, Republican candidate </span><stron=
g><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Rick Jackson</span></strong><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/b5f9=
9e02-a81c-4491-bf8d-3aebc543277b?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3=
fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" targ=
et=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">spent</span></a><span st=
yle=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> $100 million of his own healthcare fortune to def=
eat Trump-backed Lt. Gov. </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">B=
urt Jones</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">. Jackson will fa=
ce Atlanta Mayor </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Keisha Lan=
ce Bottoms</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> in the general =
election.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padd=
ing-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Rep.=
 </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Barry Moore</span></strong=
><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/r=
edirect/fe3cd0ed-fdc5-4bfa-b3fa-c2baa3eabf8b?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJ=
aTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoratio=
n:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">won</span></=
a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> the Republican primary runoff in the Al=
abama Senate race, NBC News projected, making him the heavy favorite to suc=
ceed Sen. </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Tommy Tuberville<=
/span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, who is running for govern=
or. Moore, endorsed by President Donald Trump, defeated former Navy SEAL </=
span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Jared Hudson</span></strong><=
span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> after neither candidate cleared 50% in the=
 May 19 primary. Trump held a tele-rally for Moore and reiterated his endor=
sement on Truth Social, calling him =E2=80=9Can America First Patriot,=E2=
=80=9D while the runoff turned negative after a Hudson-aligned group accuse=
d Moore of =E2=80=9Cstolen valor,=E2=80=9D pointing to a 2024 letter critic=
izing Minnesota Gov. </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Tim Wa=
lz=E2=80=99s</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> military reco=
rd that listed Moore as a =E2=80=9Cstaff sergeant.=E2=80=9D Moore=E2=80=99s=
 campaign said his discharge records show the rank of cadet with a pay grad=
e of =E2=80=9CE-6 Staff Sergeant,=E2=80=9D and that he has never claimed th=
at title or combat service, though in a 2020 Moore said he had =E2=80=9Cbee=
n in those combat boots=E2=80=9D when referencing his service in the Army N=
ational Guard.</span></p></li></ul></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><=
p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:=
border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D=
"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Senate narrowly blocks war powers resolution on Iran: </=
span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The U.S. Senate on Tuesday <=
/span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/d7f61331-6afb-4faf-947e-b65b=
c5205bf8?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc=
" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span styl=
e=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">voted</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"=
> 47-48 to block a war powers resolution that would have directed President=
 Donald Trump to end military hostilities against Iran, marking the first s=
uch vote since the U.S.-Iran framework agreement was announced. Four Republ=
icans=E2=80=94</span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Bill Cassidy<=
/span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, </span><strong><span styl=
e=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Susan Collins</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rg=
b(0,0,0)">, </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Lisa Murkowski<=
/span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, and </span><strong><span =
style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Rand Paul</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rg=
b(0,0,0)">=E2=80=94joined Democrats in backing the measure, while Sen. </sp=
an><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">John Fetterman</span></strong><=
span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> was the only Democrat to vote against it.<=
/span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,5=
5,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4=
px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Trump =
invokes Defense Production Act to boost weapons:</span></strong><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> President Donald Trump quietly </span><a href=3D"htt=
ps://substack.com/redirect/f1c5d174-76ff-43ac-9bea-4398e7bf3657?j=3DeyJ1Ijo=
iMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00=
058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85=
,204)">invoked</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> the Defense Prod=
uction Act last week to compel defense companies to speed up weapons produc=
tion, citing concerns over munitions shortfalls that arose after the U.S.=
=E2=80=99s war on Iran, according to a memo filed in the Federal Register T=
uesday, NBC News reported. War Secretary </span><strong><span style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(0,0,0)">Pete Hegseth</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">=
 met with Senate Republicans, including </span><strong><span style=3D"color=
:rgb(0,0,0)">John Cornyn</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, =
</span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">John Barrasso</span></stron=
g><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, and </span><strong><span style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(0,0,0)">Lindsey Graham</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)=
">, on Tuesday to press for a $350 billion reconciliation package to replen=
ish munitions, even as he publicly denied any shortage exists, telling CBS=
=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9CFace the Nation=E2=80=9D that =E2=80=9Cour stockpiles a=
re strong and they will only get stronger=E2=80=9D and calling shortage rep=
orts =E2=80=9Ca manufactured story.=E2=80=9D Some Republicans, including Se=
n. </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Lisa Murkowski</span></s=
trong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, said the administration must justi=
fy the spending, while Democrats, including Sen. </span><strong><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Chris Coons</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0=
,0,0)">, have signaled reluctance to back supplemental funding while the wa=
r remains unresolved, with Coons saying he won=E2=80=99t let it =E2=80=9Cse=
rve as the de facto authorization for the war=E2=80=9D.</span></p></li><li =
style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:2=
6px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;m=
argin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Trump delays DNI nominee=
=E2=80=99s confirmation hearing, ties surveillance renewal to voter ID bill=
: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">President Donald Trump <=
/span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/cacfeab8-c812-4cd4-b84b-5af4=
7fa38ca5?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc=
" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span styl=
e=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">announced</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0=
,0)"> in a Wednesday post on Truth Social that he would delay </span><stron=
g><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Jay Clayton=E2=80=99s </span></strong><s=
pan style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">confirmation hearing to lead U.S. intelligen=
ce, citing frustration over a lapsed surveillance program and a stalled vot=
er ID bill. Trump accused Democrats of reneging on a deal to renew Section =
702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which lapsed amid biparti=
san concerns over his initial pick for acting director, </span><strong><spa=
n style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Bill Pulte</span></strong><span style=3D"color=
:rgb(0,0,0)">, and said he will not approve its renewal without passage of =
what he calls the SAVE AMERICA Act, his voter ID legislation, which current=
ly lacks sufficient support for passage in Congress. Trump also said he wan=
ts Clayton, currently U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, =
to remain in that post until his proposed successor, </span><strong><span s=
tyle=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Jamie McDonald</span></strong><span style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(0,0,0)">, is confirmed. Senate Minority Leader </span><strong><span s=
tyle=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Chuck Schumer </span></strong><span style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(0,0,0)">has said that Trump=E2=80=99s installation of Pulte as acting=
 DNI has made a bipartisan FISA deal =E2=80=9Cmuch harder=E2=80=9D to reach=
, with Democrats citing concerns that Pulte could use the surveillance powe=
rs against the president=E2=80=99s political opponents.</span></p></li><li =
style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:2=
6px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;m=
argin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Fifteen charged in Minnes=
ota over response to immigration crackdown</span></strong><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(0,0,0)">: Federal prosecutors </span><a href=3D"https://substack.co=
m/redirect/d37f083e-f7b0-41b2-9857-fea5b5a4c088?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZ=
ISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decora=
tion:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">charged</=
span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> 15 people with conspiracy to imp=
ede or injure federal officers over their response to Minnesota=E2=80=99s =
=E2=80=9COperation Metro Surge=E2=80=9D immigration crackdown, U.S. Attorne=
y </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Daniel Rosen</span></stro=
ng><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> and Homeland Security Investigations S=
pecial Agent in Charge </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Mich=
ael McCarthy</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> announced Tue=
sday in Minneapolis. The indictment names two Minneapolis-based groups, </s=
pan><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Direct Action Minnesota</span>=
</strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> and </span><strong><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Black Cat Worker=E2=80=99s Collective</span></strong>=
<span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, alleging members used rapid response net=
works and the encrypted app Signal to track ICE agents, to set up =E2=80=9C=
hard=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Csoft=E2=80=9D blockades at the agency=E2=80=99s =
St. Paul headquarters, and in one case followed an agent into western Wisco=
nsin; 12 defendants were arrested Tuesday, one was already in federal custo=
dy, and two remain at large. The charges come as the U.S. attorney=E2=80=99=
s office has dropped 18 of 36 prior cases tied to the crackdown, during whi=
ch agents killed two people, </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)=
">Renee Good</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> and </span><s=
trong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Alex Pretti</span></strong><span sty=
le=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, without facing charges.</span></p></li><li style=
=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;m=
argin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin=
:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">ProPublica: At least 776,000 c=
hildren lost SNAP benefits despite GOP assurances they=E2=80=99d be protect=
ed: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">As a House committee d=
ebated President Donald Trump=E2=80=99s domestic policy bill last year, Rep=
ublican lawmakers including Reps. </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0=
,0,0)">Glenn Thompson (Pa.)</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"=
>, </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">John Rose (Tenn.)</span>=
</strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, and </span><strong><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Dusty Johnson (S.D.)</span></strong><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(0,0,0)"> repeatedly said its changes to food stamps wouldn=E2=80=99=
t affect vulnerable people, but a ProPublica </span><a href=3D"https://subs=
tack.com/redirect/e5f0165f-0334-4eb0-a545-1defdc65a333?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2Ii=
fQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text=
-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">an=
alysis</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> of 12 reporting states f=
ound the number of children receiving food assistance has since fallen by a=
t least 776,134, or 46% of all participants dropped, with Arizona seeing th=
e largest decline at 55%. The nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Prior=
ities separately found 700,000 fewer children received aid nationwide. Nati=
onally, 4.3 million fewer people received SNAP in February 2026 compared to=
 a year earlier, a decline experts attribute to new work requirements, incr=
eased paperwork burdens, and state agencies struggling to comply with new r=
ules governing the program=E2=80=99s administrative costs.</span></p></li><=
li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-heigh=
t:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16p=
x;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Pro-Reynoso PAC funded=
 by labor unions, not AIPAC: </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0=
)">Real Fight NYC, the PAC providing Brooklyn Borough President </span><str=
ong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Antonio Reynoso</span></strong><span s=
tyle=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> with undisclosed money in his campaign to repres=
ent New York=E2=80=99s 34th congressional district, is </span><a href=3D"ht=
tps://substack.com/redirect/dadf2521-7173-4b1e-af4b-0e1e237655a9?j=3DeyJ1Ij=
oiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#0=
0058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,8=
5,204)">funded</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> by labor unions,=
 particularly the </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">American =
Federation of Teachers</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, a =
source told </span><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Drop Site=E2=80=
=99s Ryan Grim </span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">on Wednesda=
y, with City &amp; State NY later corroborating this reporting. Grim said t=
here had been speculation that AIPAC was funding the PAC, but that this was=
 not accurate. Reynoso faces state Rep. </span><strong><span style=3D"color=
:rgb(0,0,0)">Claire Valdez</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">=
 in a highly contested race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. </span><strong><s=
pan style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Nydia Vel=C3=A1zquez</span></strong><span st=
yle=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"=
><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizin=
g:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Drop Site=E2=80=99s Julian Andreone</span></strong><s=
pan style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redi=
rect/6dd6916e-bd82-4572-b6be-8bd4aaa98986?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTb=
u7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:n=
one" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">pressed</span><=
/a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> senators on Capitol Hill about whether=
 American taxpayers should be footing a $300 million bill for a White House=
 renovation while their Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP benefits are being cut=
 in the name of fiscal responsibility. </span><strong><span style=3D"color:=
rgb(0,0,0)">Watch his full dispatch </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/=
redirect/6dd6916e-bd82-4572-b6be-8bd4aaa98986?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZIS=
JaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decorati=
on:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">here</span>=
</a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">.</span></strong></p></li></ul><h1 sty=
le=3D"font-family:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui=
,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial=
,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe=
 UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:bold;margin:1em 0 0.625em 0;color:rgb(54,55,55)=
;line-height:1.16em;font-size:calc(2em*1)"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"=
>Other International News</span></h1><ul style=3D"margin-top:0;padding:0"><=
li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-heigh=
t:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16p=
x;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">U.S. military kills on=
e in boat strike in eastern Pacific:</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rg=
b(0,0,0)"> The U.S. military conducted a strike against a boat in the easte=
rn Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, killing one person, according to U.S. Southern=
 Command. SOUTHCOM posted a </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect=
/28b761de-1d9f-42e6-a1d9-c3e941167be2?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2=
wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none"=
 target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">video</span></a><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> of the strike and said, =E2=80=9COne male na=
rco-terrorists was killed during this action, and there were two male survi=
vors.=E2=80=9D The U.S. has killed more than 200 people in over 60 strikes =
on vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean since September.</span></p></li><li=
 style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,5=
5,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4=
px;font-size:16px"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">G7 agrees to ex=
pand sanctions on Russian oil and gas exports: </span></strong><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">G7 leaders </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/red=
irect/f98b693e-a4ee-4a0a-b023-9fbaa90be72e?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaT=
bu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:=
none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">agreed</span><=
/a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> Tuesday to increase sanctions on Russi=
an oil and gas exports in an effort to further reduce Moscow=E2=80=99s abil=
ity to fund its war in Ukraine, the Financial Times reports, with the agree=
ment reached during talks in France attended by Ukrainian President Volodym=
yr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump.</span></p><ul style=3D"margin-top:=
0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,=
55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px=
;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The United Kingd=
om and Canada separately announced new sanctions targeting Russia=E2=80=99s=
 =E2=80=9Cshadow fleet=E2=80=9D of ships used to transport oil and gas expo=
rts around existing restrictions, and a French diplomatic source told the F=
T that falling energy prices linked to the emerging U.S.-Iran agreement mad=
e the new measures politically easier to support.</span></p></li><li style=
=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;m=
argin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin=
:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Zelenskyy urged additional pressure on=
 Moscow, saying =E2=80=9CPutin does not want to end the war, but he must be=
 forced to do so, primarily through sanctions.=E2=80=9D</span></p></li></ul=
></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);lin=
e-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-s=
ize:16px;margin:0"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Sudanese gold m=
iners killed in strikes near Egyptian border: </span></strong><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Several Sudanese gold miners were killed and wounded =
on Tuesday by drone and heavy artillery strikes on artisanal mining sites i=
n Sudan=E2=80=99s River Nile State, near the Egyptian border, with miners b=
laming the Egyptian military, Sudan Tribune </span><a href=3D"https://subst=
ack.com/redirect/9b08db7b-3f44-4eb6-ae63-b2ec4985aea5?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2Iif=
Q.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-=
decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">rep=
orted</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">. Workers said the strikes=
 hit miners inside shafts and in their living quarters at the al-Ogaidat an=
d al-Ansari sites, and also targeted vehicles attempting to evacuate the wo=
unded, sending thousands fleeing into surrounding mountains and caves, with=
 many still unaccounted for.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32p=
x"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margi=
n-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px"><strong><=
span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Ecuador declares new state of emergency: </=
span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Ecuadorian President Daniel =
Noboa </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/e3ab721e-1d18-42d1-a3=
4f-036ad1364462?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYq=
lZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(17,85,204)">declared</span></a><span style=3D"color:r=
gb(0,0,0)"> a new 60-day state of emergency across 10 provinces and several=
 additional municipalities on Tuesday, suspending constitutional rights and=
 authorizing security forces to conduct searches of private homes without a=
 judicial warrant when organized crime is suspected, according to Anadolu.<=
/span></p><ul style=3D"margin-top:0;padding:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 =
32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-=
sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"=
color:rgb(0,0,0)">The decree, which uses cartel violence as its pretext, ci=
tes 879 homicides between May 1 and June 12 in the affected areas, which in=
clude key cocaine trafficking routes linking Colombia=E2=80=99s border to E=
cuador=E2=80=99s Pacific ports.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 =
32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-=
sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"=
color:rgb(0,0,0)">Homicide and crime rates in Ecuador have risen to the hig=
hest in South America, even as the country=E2=80=99s government has become =
less democratic.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=
=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-=
box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,=
0)">The move marks a reversal from comments Noboa made during a May visit t=
o the United States, when he indicated he did not expect to renew emergency=
 powers absent extraordinary circumstances, and comes shortly after a meeti=
ng at the Pentagon with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to discuss joint=
 military operations.</span></p></li></ul></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 =
32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-=
sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><strong><span s=
tyle=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Brazil=E2=80=99s Supreme Court sentences Eduardo =
Bolsonaro to prison over U.S. lobbying campaign: </span></strong><span styl=
e=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Brazil=E2=80=99s Supreme Court </span><a href=3D"htt=
ps://substack.com/redirect/f76fd5a9-c3ee-40db-b998-a0ec242d31e6?j=3DeyJ1Ijo=
iMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00=
058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(17,85=
,204)">sentenced</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> former congres=
sman Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, to four years a=
nd two months in prison Tuesday, finding he illegally lobbied the Trump adm=
inistration to sanction Brazilian judges and pressure them to halt his fath=
er=E2=80=99s coup trial. The unanimous ruling also bars him from public off=
ice for eight years, with Justice Alexandre de Moraes=E2=80=94himself sanct=
ioned by Washington last July=E2=80=94saying a Brazilian lawmaker=E2=80=99s=
 job =E2=80=9Cis not to lobby overseas against his own country.=E2=80=9D Ed=
uardo, who has lived in the United States since February 2025, was sentence=
d in absentia; his father is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup=
 after losing the 2022 election to President Luiz In=C3=A1cio Lula da Silva=
.</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 2=
0px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:borde=
r-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px"><strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0=
,0)">Taiwan accuses Kenya of deporting delegates from oceans conference: </=
span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Taiwan has </span><a href=3D=
"https://substack.com/redirect/add3d191-5292-4188-ac31-0b5a498f7936?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"color=
:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(1=
7,85,204)">accused</span></a><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"> Kenya of dep=
orting two delegation members who planned to attend the Our Ocean Conferenc=
e in Mombasa, blaming Beijing for exerting pressure on the East African cou=
ntry, according to Focus Taiwan.</span></p><ul style=3D"margin-top:0;paddin=
g:0"><li style=3D"margin:8px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line=
-height:26px;margin-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-si=
ze:16px;margin:0"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Taiwan=E2=80=99s Ministr=
y of Foreign Affairs said the delegates=E2=80=99 passports and phones were =
confiscated and they were detained for more than 20 hours before being depo=
rted, condemning what it called =E2=80=9Cbarbaric acts=E2=80=9D that violat=
e human rights and international norms</span></p></li><li style=3D"margin:8=
px 0 0 32px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;margin-bottom=
:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding-left:4px;font-size:16px;margin:0"><span st=
yle=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Kenya=E2=80=99s Foreign Ministry defended the deci=
sion, with Principal Secretary Korir Sing=E2=80=99oei saying the country=E2=
=80=99s foreign policy =E2=80=9Crecognises only one China=E2=80=9D and that=
 anyone holding a Taiwanese passport would not have proper documentation to=
 cross its borders.</span></p></li></ul></li></ul><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20=
px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(0,0,0)">If you want to continue getting this newsletter, you don=E2=
=80=99t have to do anything. But if this is too much=E2=80=94we do try to b=
e mindful of your inbox=E2=80=94you can unsubscribe from this newsletter wh=
ile continuing to get the rest of our reporting. Just go into </span><a hre=
f=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/91131c44-110f-4646-b09a-f3942eddd126?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D=
"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color=
:rgb(17,85,204)">your account here at this link, scroll down</span></a><spa=
n style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">, and toggle the button next to =E2=80=9CDrop =
Site Daily=E2=80=9C to the off setting. </span><strong><span style=3D"color=
:rgb(0,0,0)">It looks like this</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0=
,0)">:</span></p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32px =
auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0=
"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=
=3D"1028" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redir=
ect/858883dd-79ca-4dff-8f92-ad7ead174393?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu=
7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;height:auto=
;border:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0" target=3D"_blank"=
><img alt=3D"" width=3D"550" height=3D"38.521400778210115" src=3D"https://s=
ubstackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SkXu!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_p=
rogressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpubli=
c%2Fimages%2F175d345b-d0c0-4905-a33e-f61324d1d1a7_1028x72.heic" style=3D"bo=
rder:none!important;vertical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-=
bottom:0;width:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a><=
/td><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div st=
yle=3D"margin:0 0 1em;direction:ltr;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><div s=
tyle=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;font-size:16px;line-height:26=
px;text-align:center;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/red=
irect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLmNvbS9hY2NvdW50IiwicCI6MjA=
yNDQxNTI4LCJzIjoyNTEwMzQ4LCJmIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MD=
QyLCJleHAiOjIwOTcyODUwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.=
o0DKWUuqpTJyMwebhT5NnLsoWQWcTR8_ovZEKvnM3_M?" style=3D"font-family:system-u=
i,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Aria=
l,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Sego=
e UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;border-radius:8=
px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;text-align:center;backgr=
ound-color:transparent;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;text-decor=
ation:none!important;border:1px solid #00058c;margin:0 auto;background:tran=
sparent;color:#00058c;padding:12px 20px;height:auto" target=3D"_blank"><img=
 src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!T62n!,w_40,c_scale,f_png,q_=
auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideCh=
eck%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D40%26fill%3Dtransparent%26stroke%3D%252300058c%26str=
okeWidth%3D3.6" width=3D"20" height=3D"20" style=3D"border:none;vertical-al=
ign:middle;height:auto;display:inline-block;max-width:20px" alt=3D""><span =
style=3D"text-decoration:none">Subscribed</span></a></div></div><p style=3D=
"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px;marg=
in-bottom:0;text-align:center;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https://substac=
k.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2510348&amp;post_id=3D202441528&amp;ut=
m_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;comme=
nts=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1Mjgs=
ImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN=
1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00AwtvD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto&amp=
;r=3D1eogb&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&amp;action=3Dpost-c=
omment" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#3=
9;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#3=
9;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;=
box-sizing:border-box;border:none;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;line-hei=
ght:20px;font-weight:600;text-align:center;margin:0;opacity:1;outline:none;=
white-space:nowrap;color:#ffffff!important;text-decoration:none!important;b=
ackground-color:#00058c;padding:12px 20px;height:auto" target=3D"_blank"><s=
pan style=3D"color:#ffffff;text-decoration:none">Leave a comment</span></a>=
</p></div></div><div style=3D"margin:32px 0 0;width:100%;box-sizing:border-=
box;border-top:1px solid #e6e6e6;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"></div><di=
v style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><div style=3D"margin:32px 0;fon=
t-size:16px;line-height:26px"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"text-align:initial=
;font-size:16px;line-height:26px;width:100%;word-break:break-word;margin-bo=
ttom:16px"><h4 style=3D"font-family:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-system-=
headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Robo=
to,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emo=
ji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:bold;margin:1em 0 0.625em 0;c=
olor:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:1.16em;font-size:calc(1.125em*1);margin-top:=
0">                                               Wait! Don=E2=80=99t go ju=
st yet, one more thing:</h4><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,5=
5);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">If you=E2=80=99re glad the story you ju=
st read exists, thank yourself for it, because it wouldn=E2=80=99t have bee=
n possible without paying subscribers like you. We&#39;re deeply grateful f=
or your commitment to our work. Now, if you=E2=80=99re the kind of person w=
ho can do a little bit more, our in-depth investigations often do need extr=
a resources. Please consider amplifying your impact with an additional dona=
tion. Every contribution directly funds our non-profit journalism and is ta=
x deductible to the fullest extent of the law. </p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 2=
0px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px;text-align:center=
;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/52c8653a-2de6-=
4beb-bb1b-de27217f9a2f?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454l=
cFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystem=
Font,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color =
Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inlin=
e-block;box-sizing:border-box;border:none;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;=
line-height:20px;font-weight:600;text-align:center;margin:0;opacity:1;outli=
ne:none;white-space:nowrap;color:#ffffff!important;text-decoration:none!imp=
ortant;background-color:#00058c;padding:12px 20px;height:auto" target=3D"_b=
lank"><span style=3D"color:#ffffff;text-decoration:none">Amplify Your Impac=
t</span></a></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-heig=
ht:26px;font-size:16px;margin-bottom:0"><span>For info on how to give throu=
gh a </span><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/d5325efc-1ea3-4168-83a=
4-e7858d36f65a?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYql=
ZtxvOc" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank">dono=
r-advised fund, visit our FAQ page</a><span>. You can also visit our </span=
><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/9840545f-2f9a-4ebc-9bde-1a1d393be=
8a1?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" sty=
le=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank">store for exclu=
sive DSN merchandise</a><span>=E2=80=94and remember, paid subscribers like =
you enjoy 15% off your entire order.</span></p></div></div></div><table rol=
e=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpaddin=
g=3D"0" style=3D"border-top:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-bottom:1px solid=
 rgb(0,0,0,.1);min-width:100%"><tbody><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" s=
tyle=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D=
"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D=
"0" style=3D"border-bottom:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1)"><tbody><tr><td width=3D=
"95%"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"width:95%;margin:0 auto"><tbody><tr><td a=
lign=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_i=
d=3D2510348&amp;post_id=3D202441528&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_mediu=
m=3Demail&amp;utm_content=3Dshare&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-share&amp;action=
=3Dshare&amp;triggerShare=3Dtrue&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;t=
oken=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcw=
OTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmV=
hY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00AwtvD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto" style=3D"font-fami=
ly:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39=
;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px=
 solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-siz=
e:12px;line-height:12px;padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119=
,119,119);width:100%;padding-left:0;padding-right:0" target=3D"_blank"><img=
 src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rmYa!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_=
auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideSh=
are%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidt=
h%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"margin-right:8px;min-width:18px;=
min-height:18px;border:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D"">=
<span style=3D"vertical-align:middle">Share</span></a></td></tr></tbody></t=
able></td></tr><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;l=
ine-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"16"><=
td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr>=
<td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"=
auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"margin:0 au=
to"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentat=
ion" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody=
><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?pub=
lication_id=3D2510348&amp;post_id=3D202441528&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp=
;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;submitLike=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0N=
DkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzA5MDQy=
LCJleHAiOjE3ODQzMDEwNDIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yNTEwMzQ4Iiwic3ViIjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.=
BuuJbsuWaAgFXYnkpLmGFBaE5irOXQ46KrSn-MSOg_Y&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_=
campaign=3Demail-reaction&amp;r=3D1eogb" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-ap=
ple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,san=
s-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI =
Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0=
,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-heig=
ht:12px;padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119)" targe=
t=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PeVs!,w_36=
,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%=
2Ficon%2FLucideHeart%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%252380=
8080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"margin-right:8p=
x;min-width:18px;min-height:18px;border:none;vertical-align:middle;max-widt=
h:18px" alt=3D""><span style=3D"vertical-align:middle">Like</span></a></td>=
</tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><td =
style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto"=
 border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"c=
enter"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D25103=
48&amp;post_id=3D202441528&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail=
&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;comments=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY=
0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzAxMD=
QyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjUxMDM0OCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.nnE-pVRbF00Awt=
vD63ZyYtAjITO_IpUMVeUUeN5wqto&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-half-m=
agic-comments&amp;action=3Dpost-comment&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_m=
edium=3Demail" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemF=
ont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color E=
moji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline=
-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;=
text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:12px;padding:9px 14px;t=
ext-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119)" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"h=
ttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!x1tS!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good=
,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideComments%3F=
v%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2"=
 width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"margin-right:8px;min-width:18px;min-he=
ight:18px;border:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D""><span =
style=3D"vertical-align:middle">Comment</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table=
></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-al=
ign:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellsp=
acing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"ht=
tps://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS9wd=
WIvZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzL3AvZ2F6YS1jZWFzZWZpcmUtaXNyYWVsLWljZS1taW5uZXNvdGEtZWN1=
YWRvci1ub2JvYS1lbWVyZ2VuY3k_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1zdWJzdGFjayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWl=
sJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmYWN0aW9uPXJlc3RhY2stY29tbW=
VudCZyPTFlb2diJnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3lNelkwTkRreExDSndiM04wWDJsa0lqb=
3lNREkwTkRFMU1qZ3NJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVGN3T1RBME1pd2laWGh3SWpveE56ZzBNekF4TURR=
eUxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNalV4TURNME9DSXNJbk4xWWlJNkluQnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBiMjR=
pZlEubm5FLXBWUmJGMDBBd3R2RDYzWnlZdEFqSVRPX0lwVU1WZVVVZU41d3F0byIsInAiOjIwMj=
Q0MTUyOCwicyI6MjUxMDM0OCwiZiI6ZmFsc2UsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOTA0M=
iwiZXhwIjoyMDk3Mjg1MDQyLCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.L=
a1C_7-0mz8ceRZCLhRHsKSi6ugl3WFTnSBDZcMLp8k?&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;u=
tm_medium=3Demail" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSys=
temFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Col=
or Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:in=
line-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:999=
9px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:12px;padding:9px 14=
px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119)" target=3D"_blank"><img src=
=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ubXF!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto=
:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2Fnotes__NoteR=
estackIcon%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26str=
okeWidth%3D2%26strokeLinecap%3Dround%26strokeLinejoin%3Dround" width=3D"18"=
 height=3D"18" alt=3D"" style=3D"margin-right:8px;min-width:18px;min-height=
:18px;max-width:550px;border:none!important;vertical-align:middle"><span st=
yle=3D"vertical-align:middle">Restack</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><=
/td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=3D"right"><table role=3D"presentati=
on" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody>=
<tr></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"=
16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr=
></tbody></table><div style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);text-align:center;fon=
t-size:16px;line-height:26px;padding:24px0"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;li=
ne-height:26px;padding-bottom:24px"><p style=3D"list-style:none;font-family=
:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helve=
tica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,=
&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;padding-bottom:0;font-size:12px;line-height:16px;=
margin:0;color:rgb(119,119,119);text-decoration:unset">=C2=A9 2026 <span>Dr=
op Site News, Inc.</span><br>Drop Site News Inc., 1930 18th St NW<br>Ste B2=
 #1034, Washington, DC 20009 <br><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2=
/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHJvcHNpdGVuZXdzLmNvbS9hY3Rpb24vZGlzYWJsZV9lbWFpbD=
90b2tlbj1leUoxYzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME5Ea3hMQ0p3YjNOMFgybGtJam95TURJME5ERTFNa=
mdzSW5ObFkzUnBiMjVmYVdRaU9qSTFPRFUxTXl3aWFXRjBJam94TnpneE56QTVNRFF5TENKbGVI=
QWlPakU0TVRNeU5EVXdORElzSW1semN5STZJbkIxWWkweU5URXdNelE0SWl3aWMzVmlJam9pWkd=
sellXSnNaVjlsYldGcGJDSjkuOTNnanNNbFBybmdoV1BjMEJuS1ktNGlVbEJEcy1VczVTN3FPS1=
c1Y1RfZyZzZWN0aW9uX2lkPTI1ODU1MyIsInAiOjIwMjQ0MTUyOCwicyI6MjUxMDM0OCwiZiI6Z=
mFsc2UsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcwOTA0MiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3Mjg1MDQyLCJpc3Mi=
OiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ._fGxYto-5HyaXjFAZ1iC1s1yHzxsdHiF=
8RXtUJIcfvI?" style=3D"color:#00058c;text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank=
"><span style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);text-decoration:underline">Unsubscr=
ibe</span></a></p></div><p style=3D"padding:0 24px;font-size:12px;line-heig=
ht:20px;margin:0;color:rgb(119,119,119);font-family:system-ui,-apple-system=
,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#=
39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39=
;;padding-bottom:0;margin-top:0"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2=
/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc2lnbnVwP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9c3Vic3RhY2smdX=
RtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1mb290ZXImdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF1dG9maWxsZ=
WQtZm9vdGVyJmZyZWVTaWdudXBFbWFpbD1jd2ZyZXNpZGVuY2VAZ21haWwuY29tJnI9MWVvZ2Ii=
LCJwIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsInMiOjI1MTAzNDgsImYiOmZhbHNlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE=
3ODE3MDkwNDIsImV4cCI6MjA5NzI4NTA0MiwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZG=
lyZWN0In0.4IKXUpU0GjZDbtqCReQLMtWhQ7adLG76GDm-PssSbW8?" style=3D"color:#000=
58c;text-decoration:none;display:inline-block;margin:0 4px" target=3D"_blan=
k"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LkrL!,w_270,c_limit,=
f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Fimg%2F=
email%2Fpublish-button%402x.png" width=3D"135" alt=3D"Start writing" height=
=3D"40" style=3D"max-width:550px;border:none!important;vertical-align:middl=
e"></a></p></div></div></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table><img src=3D"https=
://eotrx.substackcdn.com/o/b1afb6f80b8319a8/p.gif?token=3DeyJtIjoiPDIwMjYwN=
jE3MTUwNzUwLjMuMmNiN2Q1N2M0NjVhMmJlYUBtZzEuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tPiIsInUiOjIzNjQ0=
OTEsInIiOiJjd2ZyZXNpZGVuY2VAZ21haWwuY29tIiwiZCI6Im1nMS5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20iLCJ=
wIjoyMDI0NDE1MjgsInQiOiJuZXdzbGV0dGVyIiwiYSI6ImV2ZXJ5b25lIiwicyI6MjUxMDM0OC=
wiYyI6InBvc3QiLCJmIjpmYWxzZSwicG9zaXRpb24iOiJib3R0b20iLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE3MDkwN=
DIsImV4cCI6MTc4NDMwMTA0MiwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJlbyJ9.bb84wREEKiVh51I=
0e84egb1Za5EcwNrVil4_vobcaQU" alt=3D"" width=3D"1" height=3D"1" border=3D"0=
" style=3D"height:1px!important;width:1px!important;border-width:0!importan=
t;margin-top:0!important;margin-bottom:0!important;margin-right:0!important=
;margin-left:0!important;padding-top:0!important;padding-bottom:0!important=
;padding-right:0!important;padding-left:0!important"><img width=3D"1" heigh=
t=3D"1" alt=3D"" src=3D"https://email.mg1.substack.com/o/eJxMkE2OhCAQhU_TLA=
2U_OiCsxigqh0yCgbK7nj7id2b2b6XfO-rSoFpre3yR-0s0EsHyUVBXrlJOTlLDYL2kLdlpUItM=
OES-F9r7CR-vEULRoGc04wSnjHhCGBpfrqZUEstsgcJVlrllJHOyGEcIEWHxiVtTYBI4aHlvqqh=
n7FzSL9Dqru4rZZwYqaSyNOL2lULfeOMN1NrZWD6Jnwd5Au9-0bM1MRxxiXVfT9L5muhEuJG6Lm=
ddFdbToFzLR-QUXLUk2g-vZ-NesZ78KHlet_-UelnxLqHXDy2evTMdC8J_n7u7NQ-oNFqPSvx8v=
AXAAD__zyXcnc"></div></div></div>

--00000000000078f748065474b84a--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 08:37:18 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 68EBBB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:37:18 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 68EBBB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="lTRnWCz+"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 5DC95BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:37:18 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f54.google.com (mail-ej1-f54.google.com
 [209.85.218.54])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 37984BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:37:18 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f54.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bf84a2b2077so720126166b.2
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:37:18 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781710636; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=SfWwIEH1PQoSFJUsQcOJ9e077G80KNPYEiZHebAfcuhlJ0qVg+4wXLVNZIT2NiImD5
 HRUyIVzqsSzKuX3pU6W5boB9Qpjhq4GcsS0YkaXL0Z6RsLNwmWmnYuCi3ID8qgnH9NPE
 HrjD4yN0wnNcuUlIRe2mcH1tx8w1Gv3qN51QjGAaJiIhIdNLZsD18KLDiTy0Lbeo/8pp
 Gng1hB/3nM8ZFy0HjG1LDhv6e8/HQGfjVasNBthhjJWAgYwmwqEhZkEDK1oAi+fs6M/m
 FRkSaN+idynEapd9D21HDr5P9Le4McjsRtqzI8lsJ1MP33fzkT4WBsr2ZIU5UV8odnPf
 OonQ==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=EO+2Z1lvYbBZOUmTewRuwuGYhRumMHAkQbDHuKkhin4=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=YZswV3D/EzrANoulCPDQaJ1qXJ5X8QBQWArPmAZDTQ8g5W9joGhjHP2BZGuJqNZbCj
 YcJ8klO+er5TJOkzx3raQ910WBXOe5Xx+rUyqyUESzyy7xTsUVoswcLNVBKVs1aGjhky
 Q3KbdUz2quB//so11SzELpo0aoeoYvkjg6ysgpejzsJFUNHttjhWnLXZ12xIUnCOxVxU
 jG2XwjwOuiKyQ8BD/j5jIJrG37Le0pJRdsBJ2ynAWmu1deoAsKzWc2zu1n/tJTquh4oI
 VPEnVgOF/Uqd8U+RJC0UPhV7UuE//cjkgMBMzQ7CSIoNkPkVw0WjymJ6bGqdjUCMWsvw
 teDw==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781710636; x=1782315436; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=EO+2Z1lvYbBZOUmTewRuwuGYhRumMHAkQbDHuKkhin4=;
 b=lTRnWCz+pmJH2nj6+UdXLFYwebCwSs+2MMQVhpKcBFLWBkbE+TzCEz/cUW8PrPBNau
 864iDJqvmSCDiH9I+NXPdiC2dy9Rg6LK/UdqM5AxB+Lsw4L4xVTQCT+3PkuBFf0+wzSU
 xzpEou5/x/6sp9UkBtsKHhj90QG01CW1ZB6rrzB5P9YDo28UhW5H5GhEjzZ1D7cPTlSY
 pJVrA8CNfHkL132JjShlEjPLRe+puDYU46isfy1fzrXKpKAHp6Xgh13g+l9oAzaKnNLi
 COkyVy2vaDaf/qEHS5Qxp07ijTkRzuHRYXinfVMIWOpPdXfqv6HT/dHQo6v9p3r1QYus
 7FjQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781710636; x=1782315436;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=EO+2Z1lvYbBZOUmTewRuwuGYhRumMHAkQbDHuKkhin4=;
 b=cOH8K512K043BZtBN0OqFYaJNy6w4lj+IYL3pJXEXSX0FHSJkC0I70aeERxuH5Ok0j
 FIAGZEMUv2qJIgmqtcPMLb13tRSXT6J107PO40l6LR2FVhgV1AYYrNddGkEUwykw7MaP
 SuvMABloHwUc12FOf7R/yicEVk91BFvpVN4GU6vRFzKSLrDWVUmDoUeoc+Vxq/ielPZA
 Hzx1vy9vExU8w2T+uo/9kd/9gIBC0+dlt9ukKteOR5K9es59ObRH6Wgdj6X0eZSrQVvC
 ZzqNHLut4v28JF7DrnsTGUN6Qo+mG09ZvdGmexHX2YOm8/J2tmAbBppJokuOUC0jJbvG
 5xLA==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YySfzuP+NWkYxLSbTKCu++Kvi9ReOytyUivR7Xj8MYv0Wp3yUfE
 jYwh+HWOzKu3Rz2C+pzkbmxonKSVtweOCflNdrq09UN8eh72cBWSN0U3wTdc4i2KUedk/HYIp2d
 01PuLsH/GgkByJmWN7w0tsnjAT21h2WhcWs10mtk=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OEuqGz0pdS7XhVfLqRP/HLEPvobrc0SrTCAFV4Kx+hQwa5RePmrMsK3cp4xduL
 KK3JGB4cShX00qkPpP7IMyLAolquOr3VWRXTEXNQNr02XjbClBXCU3Qca/sb0YX3Pq0IHHsYiTo
 UXhkmnWgBJCTf2i42CIt3nLDWoBExw9Ll0rTQZP/ZDwMP57CDQidVDXmYZoyEUNjMvJr6TshSFP
 8DSnXFlR5ypguBkRgQj7mrh0JvlkJ6PATyeBVnXp/DgnIIRgqbuaJElCzjCDwifp9XNUyNHCpFJ
 /uYKNPiNNh+oZcKyemlvbVagOpW8WuOk6/Ck0ElVxL2d83OI9kWva2+eww9Y25Dy2k/re5DhbBe
 4nbq510H3jZmS6HP9A5MuijJLQ3CXaKWao8f/hqVt+L9zDlcY90QWQnyGWwAjAKfPKhN/aIQGhy
 1UtG/uw5XnYzupw36t64N4/SSaZolyYHjSACYirVlOEkyx9tjGTWFVuh+wjjuor+Hq/3BywjfLB
 Tw5X0myoCKolD6dJczMadNwToGUB7lcRcC9SzN0EEPS0kM=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:7385:b0:bdf:8e2a:1092 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a4916d59mr194607966b.3.1781710636071; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 08:37:16 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzBKOhy_-7naMW_oHmdbBCua6u9mdtXM+OEOVd7EYSdXXw@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzBKOhy_-7naMW_oHmdbBCua6u9mdtXM+OEOVd7EYSdXXw@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:37:00 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cd9uDURSQJVAV7nJ4WxSiH9uJlvjLfGlpcKUz0eG0XX1JuVbEtA_O_uYlQ
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=3ydXC1JDNCd2aOJS-o=YsWdxh3C=Y0DCQ04h7Gu-eQQ@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000008e4420065474d5bc"
Subject: [Salon] Fwd: Haaretz: "Who Drove Israel's Diplomatic Suicide Bus:
 Trump or Netanyahu?" (6/17/26)
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:37:18 -0000

--0000000000008e4420065474d5bc
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*Who Drove Israel's Diplomatic Suicide Bus: Trump or Netanyahu?*
*Zvi Bar'el =E2=80=A2 June 17 2026 *
[image: President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walk
into Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, in December 2025.]
*President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walk into
Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, in December 2025. Credit: Alex Brandon,AP *

*Israel's room to respond militarily has been restricted in an
unprecedented manner. And its international credibility, which it will need
on the day Iran violates the agreement, has collapsed*

*Is U.S. President Donald Trump the one who threw Israel under the bus
(which he was driving)? Or was it Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who
decided that this was the surest way to commit diplomatic suicide? *

*Had this been a legal issue, the law would have provided an answer to the
question =E2=80=93 namely, that the bus driver is absolved of liability if =
it can
be proven that this was an intentional suicide and that the driver didn't
have enough time to avoid hitting the victim. But in the diplomatic arena,
the drama is much more complicated. *

*Let's imagine that the family of the one committing suicide =E2=80=93 in t=
his
case, the State of Israel =E2=80=93 were to sue Trump for encouraging Netan=
yahu to
take that desperate step. After all, the two marched arm in arm into a war
against Iran that was doomed to fail. And Trump even hit the gas while
still under the influence of the intoxicating drug of power.*

Haaretz PodcastTrump made a deal with Iran. What will Netanyahu do?

*But after that, the country would find itself facing off against Trump's
battery of aggressive lawyers, who would file a monster countersuit and
seek to prove that Netanyahu was the one who led Trump astray by lobbying
and dragging him into his suicidal campaign against Iran. One can only
imagine the damages they would sue for. That's Trump's field of expertise.*
Haaretz Opinions

*Read the opinions shaping debate in Israel and beyond*

*Fortunately, this is only a hypothetical exercise. But disastrously, the
real-life diplomatic damage is tangible, enormous and bloody. It includes
the collapse of Israel's international standing, a major erosion of its
deterrence capabilities and a strategic rift with Washington and the
American public. Israel's room to respond militarily has been restricted in
an unprecedented manner. And its international credibility, which it will
need on the day Iran violates the agreement, has collapsed.*
[image: U.S. President Donald Trump addressing media and gesturing in the
White House's Oval Office on Thursday.]
*U.S. President Donald Trump addressing media and gesturing in the White
House's Oval Office on Thursday.Credit: Kent Nishimura/AFP*

*The weeping and wailing over the "poisonous content" of Trump's memorandum
of understanding with Iran =E2=80=93 though nobody in Israel, including by =
his own
admission, Netanyahu, knows what it contains =E2=80=93 may be justified. Bu=
t let's
assume that the final agreement proves spectacularly bad =E2=80=93 that it =
includes
only weak supervisory mechanisms, that Iran will exploit every ambiguity
and that the sanctions against it will be removed too quickly and in
exchange for too little.*

*In that case, the question shouldn't be whether the agreement is imperfect
but whether Israel has any ability to take action against its negative
consequences. That answer, thanks to Netanyahu, isn't encouraging.*

*Self-defense in the face of a problematic agreement rests on three
pillars: credible intelligence about violations, full cooperation with the
United States and military freedom of action if diplomacy fails. Netanyahu
has smashed all three.*

*Intelligence depends on credibility and credibility depends on
partnership. But the partnership has been eroded year after year =E2=80=93
with Netanyahu's speech to Congress in 2015, arranged behind U.S. President
Barack Obama's back; with his open contempt for proper working relations
with the Biden administration; and by acting in a way that made even the
Trump administration negotiate with Iran while demonstratively ignoring
Netanyahu.*

*When the Iranians violate the agreement, Israel will need Washington to
believe Israel immediately, act quickly and provide it with backing. But is
there anyone in the U.S. capital who would believe the man who promised to
topple the Iranian regime in the blink of an eye?*
[image: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his bomb illustrating the
red line for Iran's development of a nuclear bomb, at the UN in 2012.]
*Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his "bomb" illustrating the red
line for Iran's development of a nuclear bomb, at the UN in 2012. Credit:
AP*

*Military cooperation has been dealt no less of a blow. The supply of arms
is the easy part. But Israel's ability to attack Iranian facilities depends
on logistical coordination,intelligence from the United States and at least
tacit consent from Washington. And all of these depend on decent relations.=
*

*But the criminal policy in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the shattering
of Israel's own democratic foundations =E2=80=93 the shared values on which=
 the
alliance is based =E2=80=93 have made any such cooperation politically impo=
ssible
for any American president, including Trump, who has already been barraged
with criticism for capitulating to Israel's caprices.*

*As for freedom of military action, any Israeli action without U.S. backing
and regional support would be an irresponsible, even suicidal, bet given
Israel's diplomatic isolation.*

*The result is that Netanyahu has not only failed to influence the
agreement between the U.S. and Iran. He has ensured that his Israeli
Sparta would face it without tools to deal with its failure. But at least
we'll still have our fingernails to fight with.*

--0000000000008e4420065474d5bc
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><i style=3D"font-size:large;color:rgb(27,27,2=
7);font-family:-apple-system-font;background-color:transparent">Who Drove I=
srael&#39;s Diplomatic Suicide Bus: Trump or Netanyahu?</i></div><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif"><div style=3D"margin-bott=
om:1.45em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:-apple-system-font=
"><b><a rel=3D"author" style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline">Z=
vi Bar&#39;el</a>=C2=A0=E2=80=A2 June 17 2026=C2=A0</b></div><div style=3D"=
max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:-apple-system-font"><div sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"President=
 Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walk into Trump&#39;s M=
ar-a-Lago club, in December 2025. Credit: Alex Brandon,AP" alt=3D"President=
 Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walk into Trump&#39;s M=
ar-a-Lago club, in December 2025." width=3D"412" height=3D"239" src=3D"http=
s://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-d1d4-deca-ab9e-ddf7e6440000/b0/5c/c42ae9a=
5497bb9089819a9f7bebc/291075-1.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D244&amp;cm=
sprod" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><b><=
span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Presid=
ent Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walk into Trump&#39;=
s Mar-a-Lago club, in December 2025.</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=
=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: Alex Bra=
ndon,AP<span>=C2=A0</span></span></b></div><div style=3D"max-width:100%;col=
or:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:-apple-system-font"><p style=3D"max-width:100%=
"><b>Israel&#39;s room to respond militarily has been restricted in an unpr=
ecedented manner. And its international credibility, which it will need on =
the day Iran violates the agreement, has collapsed</b></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%"><b>Is U.S. President Donald Trump the one who threw Israel under=
 the bus (which he was driving)? Or was it Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah=
u, who decided that this was the surest way to commit diplomatic suicide?<s=
pan>=C2=A0</span></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>Had this been a leg=
al issue, the law would have provided an answer to the question =E2=80=93 n=
amely, that the bus driver is absolved of liability if it can be proven tha=
t this was an intentional suicide and that the driver didn&#39;t have enoug=
h time to avoid hitting the victim. But in the diplomatic arena, the drama =
is much more complicated.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><b>Let&#39;s imagine that the family of the one committing suicide =E2=
=80=93 in this case, the State of Israel =E2=80=93 were to sue Trump for en=
couraging Netanyahu to take that desperate step. After all, the two marched=
 arm in arm into a war against Iran that was doomed to fail. And Trump even=
 hit the gas while still under the influence of the intoxicating drug of po=
wer.</b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><di=
v style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"></p><h5 style=3D"margin:1em =
0px;max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2">Haaretz Podcast</font></h5><h3 style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2">Trump made a deal with Iran. What will=
 Netanyahu do?<span>=C2=A0</span></font></h3><p></p></div></div></div></div=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>But after that, the country would find itse=
lf facing off against Trump&#39;s battery of aggressive lawyers, who would =
file a monster countersuit and seek to prove that Netanyahu was the one who=
 led Trump astray by lobbying and dragging him into his suicidal campaign a=
gainst Iran. One can only imagine the damages they would sue for. That&#39;=
s Trump&#39;s field of expertise.</b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div=
 style=3D"max-width:100%"><h3 style=3D"max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2">Haa=
retz Opinions</font></h3><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>Read the opinions s=
haping debate in Israel and beyond</b></p></div></div><p style=3D"max-width=
:100%"><b>Fortunately, this is only a hypothetical exercise. But disastrous=
ly, the real-life diplomatic damage is tangible, enormous and bloody. It in=
cludes the collapse of Israel&#39;s international standing, a major erosion=
 of its deterrence capabilities and a strategic rift with Washington and th=
e American public. Israel&#39;s room to respond militarily has been restric=
ted in an unprecedented manner. And its international credibility, which it=
 will need on the day Iran violates the agreement, has collapsed.</b></p><d=
iv style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"U.S=
. President Donald Trump addressing media and gesturing in the White House&=
#39;s Oval Office on Thursday. Credit: Kent Nishimura/AFP" alt=3D"U.S. Pres=
ident Donald Trump addressing media and gesturing in the White House&#39;s =
Oval Office on Thursday." width=3D"412" height=3D"275" src=3D"https://img.h=
aarets.co.il/bs/0000019e-c671-d43d-a39f-e67d36670001/32/5a/08c76e56474bb555=
aae91ba9d750/348533.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D280&amp;cmsprod" styl=
e=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><b><span style=
=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">U.S. President D=
onald Trump addressing media and gesturing in the White House&#39;s Oval Of=
fice on Thursday.</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;mar=
gin-bottom:0.25em">Credit: Kent Nishimura/AFP</span></b><p style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><b>The weeping and wailing over the &quot;poisonous content&quot; =
of Trump&#39;s memorandum of understanding with Iran =E2=80=93 though nobod=
y in Israel, including by his own admission, Netanyahu, knows what it conta=
ins =E2=80=93 may be justified. But let&#39;s assume that the final agreeme=
nt proves spectacularly bad =E2=80=93 that it includes only weak supervisor=
y mechanisms, that Iran will exploit every ambiguity and that the sanctions=
 against it will be removed too quickly and in exchange for too little.</b>=
</p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>In that case, the question shouldn&#39;t=
 be whether the agreement is imperfect but whether Israel has any ability t=
o take action against its negative consequences. That answer, thanks to Net=
anyahu, isn&#39;t encouraging.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>Self-d=
efense in the face of a problematic agreement rests on three pillars: credi=
ble intelligence about violations, full cooperation with the United States =
and military freedom of action if diplomacy fails. Netanyahu has smashed al=
l three.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>Intelligence depends on cred=
ibility and credibility depends on partnership. But the partnership has bee=
n eroded year after year =E2=80=93 with<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"color=
:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">Netanyahu&#39;s speech to Congress in 2015=
</a>, arranged behind U.S. President Barack Obama&#39;s back; with his open=
 contempt for proper working relations with the Biden administration; and b=
y acting in a way that made even the Trump administration negotiate with Ir=
an while demonstratively ignoring Netanyahu.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><b>When the Iranians violate the agreement, Israel will need Washingto=
n to believe Israel immediately, act quickly and provide it with backing. B=
ut is there anyone in the U.S. capital who would believe the man who<span>=
=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">promised to =
topple the Iranian regime</a><span>=C2=A0</span>in the blink of an eye?</b>=
</p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=
=3D"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his &quot;bomb&quot; illustratin=
g the red line for Iran&#39;s development of a nuclear bomb, at the UN in 2=
012. Credit: AP" alt=3D"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his bomb ill=
ustrating the red line for Iran&#39;s development of a nuclear bomb, at the=
 UN in 2012." width=3D"412" height=3D"294" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il=
/bs/0000017f-e395-d9aa-afff-fbdd904f0000/11/37/64d0222d56442f765283ed44a1fd=
/400276328.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D300&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"marg=
in:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><b><span style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Prime Minister Benjamin Ne=
tanyahu with his &quot;bomb&quot; illustrating the red line for Iran&#39;s =
development of a nuclear bomb, at the UN in 2012.</span><span>=C2=A0</span>=
<span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Credi=
t: AP</span></b><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>Military cooperation has bee=
n dealt no less of a blow. The supply of arms is the easy part. But Israel&=
#39;s ability to attack Iranian facilities depends on logistical coordinati=
on,<a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">intelligence from the =
United States</a><span>=C2=A0</span>and at least tacit consent from Washing=
ton. And all of these depend on decent relations.</b></p><p style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%"><b>But the criminal policy in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and th=
e shattering of Israel&#39;s own democratic foundations =E2=80=93 the share=
d values on which the alliance is based =E2=80=93 have made any such cooper=
ation politically impossible for any American president, including Trump, w=
ho has already been barraged with criticism for capitulating to Israel&#39;=
s caprices.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>As for freedom of militar=
y action, any Israeli action without U.S. backing and regional support woul=
d be an irresponsible, even suicidal, bet given Israel&#39;s diplomatic iso=
lation.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>The result is that Netanyahu =
has not only failed to influence the agreement between the U.S. and Iran. H=
e has ensured that his<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);=
max-width:100%">Israeli Sparta</a><span>=C2=A0</span>would face it without =
tools to deal with its failure. But at least we&#39;ll still have our finge=
rnails to fight with.</b></p></div></div></div>
</div></div>

--0000000000008e4420065474d5bc--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 08:47:36 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 07F2EB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:47:35 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 07F2EB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="DmLyP9RI"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id E41D3BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:47:35 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f42.google.com (mail-ej1-f42.google.com
 [209.85.218.42])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id B5F7EBD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:47:35 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f42.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-beeba001887so765902366b.3
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:47:35 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781711254; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=goKANA32X+YUGlkgZbqw8d5ZeFMWCO5yqNH0V/AAD4RtIsWL6Kf03TtRw8PIChLOYj
 O18U8NBfdXgveBas+bmBSJRoONcDuLeNlPD+/nYXMEwHluf5GVWAGozF8RCm8wLCJvQC
 XTKLwqvpb4Q/tVMoG/hOnQJm8gX7bW7cKGvtD5XmTX7bNQNz3vOG6Ml0YsPYDuMIZ739
 K4LQZDKc/I6ftFBd6Mgi9Nvxfuine5TMicaZbhcejTUxdK6NdOWyzVlS5NThYW1OGCWB
 ryzO4K7Y/fj2W61J72V6tg0fHqnBqo6MhYwHoAKOAfzeo60Z6FcO/3SkxicuISnFmNXv
 m57Q==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=rg/92NWwsrzoBQJ1HuXhZ5wZQVK9/Uu8VE3Bbnc2N6s=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=UHsWASr4Yh0sUyST1vPaFMDJmtr/IYPZ/76qBe0ayhwAHwYkAO5lWVdrtQC8XmRnm8
 Rx1u+5Z2IwTfVOUq8KlPzclirfNwnjkX7iZAd+ae9N51STDrv+AR7OzjboGI8UebMDCN
 BlvYRFB69R+8gh3JzZH7QSszFc1trWHRQz69QbU0+2ccPfIhK2KlW2taDrbZbUhgz9gy
 m4MKvFLlEVdXBAP8Gqc4msMXC3VC1ZyncSh+NRn+dHEm5A3RMy3QxQYE8JZfvnPwU72m
 In9hOaosGXDS8nT7e6gqbNrhJFpvpqcbpB4qhF3lpubaOjz8aGiNIjLIHjgU1/AfXVdT
 lw9w==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781711254; x=1782316054; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=rg/92NWwsrzoBQJ1HuXhZ5wZQVK9/Uu8VE3Bbnc2N6s=;
 b=DmLyP9RId6UB2YOH37K1H6Il+Ipu5ekzizH0eU2U1kaP3JYZ+O0iksBf9Zp/Y04vdt
 TcukSkppDmObxPfJSj/XTXBSwcZapxJaENeOCzUIiwcQHimQXHp6YIInD2FIoQhCLEum
 lH2GqPHNvYkVWnzW8rlqKNF98A/fTUmUZUPVd+IICEWeXvTFHxTR8d28W9+jTVNFKWd5
 042Dev4+H4F31ChX7zsIKA+i21NqCB8Q8pJE+b9NKEokbhryurW8122Dbr1Rqwk90svG
 Ms4p9/8+bC8TcinCvKi7rdI37aFwVicZm1nxIooAoevLkU77T9wv9Ku7/wv5hzB6am8H
 o0aQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781711254; x=1782316054;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=rg/92NWwsrzoBQJ1HuXhZ5wZQVK9/Uu8VE3Bbnc2N6s=;
 b=Q4mjQ8jnh6C/UeSP101kEL/czxndYvkdq45x6cyJ6p8pmVH08XRYtJqXl6ByjopLlH
 DffoE6/H2BT4cpq9ZaQ46Mw+EzjP2hXi0aq5Rr9OAqriB/4CFk2MFNNt0RmfBSF8hmbf
 1g0BFPlqiTPGaJJ/Tzd8YU8ELpyvpEGVEDRr7Rxr7K2qyRjURYHMYYz4RgdY3BBcBv2J
 KeL4C5KeTse5/KJQADxAqg/Ka5YiS/puCV451i0O1kodZvIqJImpKzddb//s+hDKsi8t
 lc7y19La1MdjUQIXjf0TvuJ+nF6ynbwkJL3q4Ywp0s3zJCOHMhN2GkxXm5JsvnE0hPax
 12uQ==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yxe3LkFPQa2JNkKbnlbvggfgROskLdxsJyEVXPT0XhgSRdrZ5oH
 pApni6YZuTgT2vThB8GbCDGhSSnSyN7FLELbeLG4YZVcFvGBwGCBSuJmnBS6VQQecH6iaQ7Aj+l
 8xm+HAAveWyYO3cykw1rFwX7zwWlQhbab2ph9pFw=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OHhX1VwYoxxARckpgn8T5+7sR6qngHbXlVMYm98A0l/Hn3RuWcix3z3QKa0H64
 oKQpNjGXJpCcobdK1fw7P46jt0JcGuNzpw7gMaHDHNEE+hwZlCy7KNvDWD93t5wCclX1Bd2N/Yj
 Ueke3kqqU2e/n/vnNdn+s/8GiZlXvouWmVdiAVZ2IEh4h7pkXLWohNs++AkxQrMtI6sQe/ypDfy
 W/547C87n6abdlmtivClj1XXDizdCTR4ezGDAxs492p07ee0xo6EowljTNC7i63lho9QuiiqXsP
 bGT2ISiE65QXVJt1UjJzknmRc4qetSB+Evrt9fOZoVGeFayNzaD3ch/9Av7jefvrdXXzlZ5zRJj
 thFKkAVH9XlUyAagcNDbEYf5Dx4D1DSZXyZlKw4Pwxug9V8VTEEIxEZxmps1nXbHkx8gC2QOgWj
 O4gnOspKRwGL7NTQDTIsgTh/PNkOmzesMJZt44uXJfloxIBxFtzCxfJ87/SC6zeOv+Lv8OKin6k
 YBZx1zQhTOX3ZsgUFOv+avQyAPUgZih3KZd/WibkXByNHU=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:25c4:b0:bf8:6011:53b1 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a1e4b0c9mr339340066b.4.1781711253660; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 08:47:33 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzDJbnD3Te-VijYYjiQrcZWAVoS9AL7vM2Hoz6EyCfje6w@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzDJbnD3Te-VijYYjiQrcZWAVoS9AL7vM2Hoz6EyCfje6w@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:47:17 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CeIWWjy-yEXgXHjy2z6zcDwhwXOk3_sMrlAZjZ60SwthLg6ouG9bpBp1uM
Message-ID: <CANbmmQn6AHTNWGaups2X_MeoXSH9Bo6R4xu7QmF9Pp3KW9r7Qg@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000005deadf065474fa23"
Subject: [Salon] All the ways Iran beat Trump into submission
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:47:36 -0000

--0000000000005deadf065474fa23
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/all-the-ways-iran-beat-trump-into-submission=
/
<https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/all-the-ways-iran-beat-trump-into-submission=
/>*

*All the ways Iran beat Trump into submission*
*Iran absorbed the worst the US and Israel could muster and still ended up
with the strategic upper hand*
*by Jim Lamson <https://asiatimes.com/author/jim-lamson/> and  Matthew
Moran <https://asiatimes.com/author/matthew-moran/> June 17, 2026*
*Closing the Strait of Hormuz proved to be a triump card for Tehran. Photo:
EPA / Abedin Taherkenareh*

*After three months of war with two of the world=E2=80=99s most technologic=
ally and
militarily advanced countries, Iran has proved far more resilient than
anticipated. Indeed, strategically at least, Tehran appears to now have the
upper hand in the conflict. How has this situation come about?*

*When the United States joined Israel to launch the latest war with Iran
<https://theconversation.com/topics/us-iran-conflict-73960> in late
February 2026, the prognosis did not look good for the regime in Tehran.*

*In attacking Iran, the US and Israel set up a highly asymmetric conflict.
It pitted the Islamic Republic against two nuclear-armed adversaries who
boast some of the most advanced military capabilities on the planet. And
the scale of the US and Israeli intervention was far larger than anything
Iran has experienced in decades.*

*Over the course of several weeks, Iran was pounded relentlessly with the
full force of US and Israeli air and missile power. Precision strikes and
targeted assassinations removed key members
<https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260615-the-iranian-leaders-killed-=
in-israeli-us-war>
of
Iran=E2=80=99s political and military leadership =E2=80=93 including the su=
preme leader and
commander-in-chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. *

*The country=E2=80=99s air and naval combat capabilities were decimated, hu=
ndreds
of its missile launchers and air defense systems were destroyed and its
internal security apparatus was severely degraded. The country=E2=80=99s nu=
clear
facilities and missile and drone factories were bombed with thousands of
pounds of munitions.*

*Iran moved quickly to replace its leadership and use its remaining
military capabilities to strike back at its attackers and their allies. But
by any measure, the Islamic Republic was facing an existential threat. *

*At that point, it seemed almost inconceivable that Iran might avoid
capitulation, survive politically, and recover its position so far as to
gain leverage in its dealings with the US. Yet that is exactly the scenario
that has played out.*

*As Jerusalem-based Middle East expert Daniel Sobelman
<https://www.belfercenter.org/person/daniel-sobelman> explains, in an
asymmetric conflict where a weaker actor is pitted against a superior
adversary, the weaker actor must tilt the =E2=80=9Cbalance of vulnerability=
=E2=80=9D
<https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09636412.2025.2497969> in its
favor to avoid total defeat. To do this, it must ensure the survivability
of its critical military capabilities and it must exploit the
vulnerabilities of its adversaries.*

*This type of logic has long been a feature of Iranian strategic thinking.
Officials have often emphasized the importance of exploiting the points of
vulnerability or weakness of Iran=E2=80=99s adversaries, while minimizing t=
heir
own, as a key element of both asymmetric deterrence and warfighting.*

*Tehran=E2=80=99s prewar deterrence posture clearly failed to prevent US an=
d
Israeli attacks. Yet over the past three months, Iran has shifted the
balance of vulnerability. It has imposed severe costs, escalated its
attacks and exploited vulnerabilities in ways that helped it not only
survive but also force its adversaries to a ceasefire.*
Asymmetric warfare

*By April it was clear that the US and Israel were unable to force Tehran
to capitulate (or to =E2=80=9Ccry uncle=E2=80=9D as the US president, Donal=
d
Trump, famously put it
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/07/trump-ground-troops-iran>).
The attacking forces were unable to create the conditions for regime
change. And they failed to destroy Iran=E2=80=99s arsenal of missiles and d=
rones.*

*Iran absorbed all the punishment inflicted by its attackers. And,
crucially, it retained the capacity to retaliate with missile and drone
strikes on Israel and US bases in the Gulf. Iran also attacked
<https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/wrapup1-iran-targets-energy-facili=
ties-across-gulf-after-israel-struck-its-key-2026-03-19/>
energy
and other infrastructure in Arab Gulf states. This undermined the stated US
goal of protecting its regional allies and upended their reputation as
havens of stability.*

*Iran=E2=80=99s attacks also signaled clearly that in this regional conflic=
t,
support for the US was a liability rather than an asset. In addition to all
this, Iran caused havoc by closing the Strait of Hormuz
<https://www.csis.org/analysis/no-one-not-even-beijing-getting-through-stra=
it-hormuz>
to
commercial vessels. This cut off a critical global supply artery for oil,
gas and fertilizer with disastrous consequences for energy and food supply
around the globe.*

*All the while, Iran has forced Israel, the US and the Gulf states to burn
through critical, expensive and slow-to-replenish munitions, another
vulnerability that emerged for Tehran to exploit.*

*In terms of escalation, Iran has threatened to further increase economic
costs. It has threatened to expand attacks on Israeli and Gulf energy and
infrastructure targets and to target undersea cables in the Strait of
Hormuz. *

*And it has threatened to push its Axis of Resistance partners in Yemen,
the Houthis, to disrupt the Bab al-Mandab Strait
<https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2026/06/01/could-bab-al-mandeb-be=
-the-next-strait-of-hormuz-iran-suggests-targeting-new-front/>
in
the Red Sea.*
Counting the cost

*The US and Israel may have largely achieved their stated military
objectives =E2=80=93 including degrading Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear program, mi=
litary
capabilities and defense industries. *

*But Iran has prevented its enemies from achieving their strategic goals.
And it has inflicted strategic, diplomatic, military, political and
economic costs on Israel, the US, the Gulf states and beyond.*

*Tehran remains at a clear military disadvantage and highly vulnerable to
further US and Israeli military strikes. But Iran appears to hold the upper
hand at the political-strategic level, at least for now. It has forced
Trump to seek an off-ramp, it retains the ability to close the Strait of
Hormuz as well as to strike critical targets across the region.*

*Iran also appears to be revamping the Axis of Resistance
<https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/06/iran-and-new-persian-gulf-equilibrium=
> =E2=80=93
especially Lebanese Hezbollah and the Yemeni Houthis =E2=80=93 as a key pil=
lar of
leverage, deterrence and warfighting. Tehran recently announced
<https://farsnews.ir/Qaysar/1780985847209683879/IRGC-Quds-Force-Chief-Unvei=
ls-New-Security-Belt-of-Resistance-Axis>
the
creation of a =E2=80=9Cnew security belt=E2=80=9D of the axis and claimed a=
 new doctrine of
=E2=80=9Cunified resistance front,=E2=80=9D where any attack on the axis wo=
uld trigger a
coordinated response by all Axis members.*

*Moving forward, Tehran will clearly try to leverage this moment of
perceived strategic advantage to enhance and coordinate its efforts in both
the =E2=80=9Cfield of action=E2=80=9D =E2=80=93 especially its threat and u=
se of military force =E2=80=93
and the =E2=80=9Cfield of negotiation=E2=80=9D with Washington. It aims not=
 only to survive
this conflict, but to emerge in a stronger strategic position.*

*In doing so, the Islamic Republic will be able to pour available resources
into rebuilding and enhancing its critical retaliatory capabilities =E2=80=
=93
especially missile and drones =E2=80=93 while continuing to find ways to ex=
ploit
the vulnerabilities of its adversaries.*

*Jim Lamson <https://theconversation.com/profiles/jim-lamson-2709999> is
visiting research fellow, Department of War Studies, King=E2=80=99s College=
 London
<https://theconversation.com/institutions/kings-college-london-1196>and Mat=
thew
Moran <https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-moran-107720> is
professor of international security, King=E2=80=99s College London
<https://theconversation.com/institutions/kings-college-london-1196>*

*This article is republished from The Conversation
<https://theconversation.com/> under a Creative Commons license. Read
the original article
<https://theconversation.com/how-iran-gained-the-strategic-upper-hand-in-th=
e-war-with-the-us-and-israel-285261>.*

--0000000000005deadf065474fa23
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif;backgro=
und-color:transparent"><a href=3D"https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/all-the-way=
s-iran-beat-trump-into-submission/" target=3D"_blank">https://asiatimes.com=
/2026/06/all-the-ways-iran-beat-trump-into-submission/</a></b></div><div di=
r=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_at=
tr"><i style=3D"font-size:large;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times=
 New Roman&quot;;background-color:transparent">All the ways Iran beat Trump=
 into submission</i></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"f=
ont-family:georgia,serif"><h2 style=3D"color:rgba(27,27,27,0.65);line-heigh=
t:1.27275em;max-width:100%;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><font s=
ize=3D"4"><i>Iran absorbed the worst the US and Israel could muster and sti=
ll ended up with the strategic upper hand</i></font></h2><div style=3D"marg=
in-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times=
 New Roman&quot;"><div style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline"><=
div style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline"><b><span style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px;max-width:100%"></span><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%"><=
/span><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%"><span style=3D"margin:0px;m=
ax-width:100%">by</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-wi=
dth:100%"><a href=3D"https://asiatimes.com/author/jim-lamson/" style=3D"tex=
t-decoration:none;margin:0px;color:rgb(27,27,27);max-width:100%;display:inl=
ine" target=3D"_blank">Jim Lamson</a></span><span>=C2=A0</span>and<span>=C2=
=A0</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%"><a h=
ref=3D"https://asiatimes.com/author/matthew-moran/" style=3D"text-decoratio=
n:none;margin:0px;color:rgb(27,27,27);max-width:100%;display:inline" target=
=3D"_blank">Matthew Moran</a></span><span>=C2=A0</span></span><span style=
=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%">June 17, 2026</span></b></div></div></div><i=
mg width=3D"412" height=3D"275" src=3D"https://i0.wp.com/asiatimes.com/wp-c=
ontent/uploads/2026/06/Iran-War-Iran-Propaganda-Iran-Poster-Iran-Street-Sce=
ne.jpg?fit=3D780%2C520&amp;ssl=3D1" alt=3D"" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5e=
m auto;display:block"><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margi=
n-bottom:0.25em"><b>Closing the Strait of Hormuz proved to be a triump card=
 for Tehran. Photo: EPA / Abedin Taherkenareh</b></span><p style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Aft=
er three months of war with two of the world=E2=80=99s most technologically=
 and militarily advanced countries, Iran has proved far more resilient than=
 anticipated. Indeed, strategically at least, Tehran appears to now have th=
e upper hand in the conflict. How has this situation come about?</b></p><p =
style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Rom=
an&quot;"><b>When the United States joined Israel to launch the<span>=C2=A0=
</span><a href=3D"https://theconversation.com/topics/us-iran-conflict-73960=
" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" targe=
t=3D"_blank">latest war with Iran</a><span>=C2=A0</span>in late February 20=
26, the prognosis did not look good for the regime in Tehran.</b></p><p sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&=
quot;"><b>In attacking Iran, the US and Israel set up a highly asymmetric c=
onflict. It pitted the Islamic Republic against two nuclear-armed adversari=
es who boast some of the most advanced military capabilities on the planet.=
 And the scale of the US and Israeli intervention was far larger than anyth=
ing Iran has experienced in decades.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;colo=
r:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Over the course=
 of several weeks, Iran was pounded relentlessly with the full force of US =
and Israeli air and missile power. Precision strikes and targeted assassina=
tions<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20=
260615-the-iranian-leaders-killed-in-israeli-us-war" style=3D"text-decorati=
on:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">removed key=
 members</a><span>=C2=A0</span>of Iran=E2=80=99s political and military lea=
dership =E2=80=93 including the supreme leader and commander-in-chief, Ayat=
ollah Ali Khamenei.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;co=
lor:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>The country=
=E2=80=99s air and naval combat capabilities were decimated, hundreds of it=
s missile launchers and air defense systems were destroyed and its internal=
 security apparatus was severely degraded. The country=E2=80=99s nuclear fa=
cilities and missile and drone factories were bombed with thousands of poun=
ds of munitions.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font=
-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Iran moved quickly to replace its l=
eadership and use its remaining military capabilities to strike back at its=
 attackers and their allies. But by any measure, the Islamic Republic was f=
acing an existential threat.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></p><p style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>At t=
hat point, it seemed almost inconceivable that Iran might avoid capitulatio=
n, survive politically, and recover its position so far as to gain leverage=
 in its dealings with the US. Yet that is exactly the scenario that has pla=
yed out.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:=
&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>As Jerusalem-based Middle East expert<span>=
=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.belfercenter.org/person/daniel-sobelman=
" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" targe=
t=3D"_blank">Daniel Sobelman</a><span>=C2=A0</span>explains, in an asymmetr=
ic conflict where a weaker actor is pitted against a superior adversary, th=
e weaker actor must tilt the<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.tandf=
online.com/doi/full/10.1080/09636412.2025.2497969" style=3D"text-decoration=
:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">=E2=80=9Cbala=
nce of vulnerability=E2=80=9D</a><span>=C2=A0</span>in its favor to avoid t=
otal defeat. To do this, it must ensure the survivability of its critical m=
ilitary capabilities and it must exploit the vulnerabilities of its adversa=
ries.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&qu=
ot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>This type of logic has long been a feature of =
Iranian strategic thinking. Officials have often emphasized the importance =
of exploiting the points of vulnerability or weakness of Iran=E2=80=99s adv=
ersaries, while minimizing their own, as a key element of both asymmetric d=
eterrence and warfighting.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,2=
7,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Tehran=E2=80=99s prewar d=
eterrence posture clearly failed to prevent US and Israeli attacks. Yet ove=
r the past three months, Iran has shifted the balance of vulnerability. It =
has imposed severe costs, escalated its attacks and exploited vulnerabiliti=
es in ways that helped it not only survive but also force its adversaries t=
o a ceasefire.</b></p><h4 style=3D"margin:1em 0px;max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">Asymmetric warfare</h4><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New R=
oman&quot;"><b>By April it was clear that the US and Israel were unable to =
force Tehran to capitulate (or to =E2=80=9Ccry uncle=E2=80=9D as the US pre=
sident, Donald Trump,<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.theguardian.=
com/world/2026/mar/07/trump-ground-troops-iran" style=3D"text-decoration:no=
ne;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">famously put it<=
/a>). The attacking forces were unable to create the conditions for regime =
change. And they failed to destroy Iran=E2=80=99s arsenal of missiles and d=
rones.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&q=
uot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Iran absorbed all the punishment inflicted by=
 its attackers. And, crucially, it retained the capacity to retaliate with =
missile and drone strikes on Israel and US bases in the Gulf. Iran<span>=C2=
=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/wrapup1-iran-t=
argets-energy-facilities-across-gulf-after-israel-struck-its-key-2026-03-19=
/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" targ=
et=3D"_blank">also attacked</a><span>=C2=A0</span>energy and other infrastr=
ucture in Arab Gulf states. This undermined the stated US goal of protectin=
g its regional allies and upended their reputation as havens of stability.<=
/b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Tim=
es New Roman&quot;"><b>Iran=E2=80=99s attacks also signaled clearly that in=
 this regional conflict, support for the US was a liability rather than an =
asset. In addition to all this, Iran caused havoc by<span>=C2=A0</span><a h=
ref=3D"https://www.csis.org/analysis/no-one-not-even-beijing-getting-throug=
h-strait-hormuz" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-wi=
dth:100%" target=3D"_blank">closing the Strait of Hormuz</a><span>=C2=A0</s=
pan>to commercial vessels. This cut off a critical global supply artery for=
 oil, gas and fertilizer with disastrous consequences for energy and food s=
upply around the globe.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,2=
7);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>All the while, Iran has forc=
ed Israel, the US and the Gulf states to burn through critical, expensive a=
nd slow-to-replenish munitions, another vulnerability that emerged for Tehr=
an to exploit.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-f=
amily:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>In terms of escalation, Iran has thre=
atened to further increase economic costs. It has threatened to expand atta=
cks on Israeli and Gulf energy and infrastructure targets and to target und=
ersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></p><p style=3D=
"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;=
"><b>And it has threatened to push its Axis of Resistance partners in Yemen=
, the Houthis, to<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.forbes.com/sites=
/zacharyfolk/2026/06/01/could-bab-al-mandeb-be-the-next-strait-of-hormuz-ir=
an-suggests-targeting-new-front/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(6=
5,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">disrupt the Bab al-Mandab Stra=
it</a><span>=C2=A0</span>in the Red Sea.</b></p><h4 style=3D"margin:1em 0px=
;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;=
">Counting the cost</h4><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font=
-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>The US and Israel may have largely =
achieved their stated military objectives =E2=80=93 including degrading Ira=
n=E2=80=99s nuclear program, military capabilities and defense industries.<=
span>=C2=A0</span></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);fo=
nt-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>But Iran has prevented its enemie=
s from achieving their strategic goals. And it has inflicted strategic, dip=
lomatic, military, political and economic costs on Israel, the US, the Gulf=
 states and beyond.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);f=
ont-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Tehran remains at a clear milita=
ry disadvantage and highly vulnerable to further US and Israeli military st=
rikes. But Iran appears to hold the upper hand at the political-strategic l=
evel, at least for now. It has forced Trump to seek an off-ramp, it retains=
 the ability to close the Strait of Hormuz as well as to strike critical ta=
rgets across the region.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,=
27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Iran also appears to be<spa=
n>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/06/iran-and-new=
-persian-gulf-equilibrium" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,2=
10);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">revamping the Axis of Resistance</a><=
span>=C2=A0</span>=E2=80=93 especially Lebanese Hezbollah and the Yemeni Ho=
uthis =E2=80=93 as a key pillar of leverage, deterrence and warfighting. Te=
hran<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://farsnews.ir/Qaysar/17809858472096=
83879/IRGC-Quds-Force-Chief-Unveils-New-Security-Belt-of-Resistance-Axis" s=
tyle=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=
=3D"_blank">recently announced</a><span>=C2=A0</span>the creation of a =E2=
=80=9Cnew security belt=E2=80=9D of the axis and claimed a new doctrine of =
=E2=80=9Cunified resistance front,=E2=80=9D where any attack on the axis wo=
uld trigger a coordinated response by all Axis members.</b></p><p style=3D"=
max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"=
><b>Moving forward, Tehran will clearly try to leverage this moment of perc=
eived strategic advantage to enhance and coordinate its efforts in both the=
 =E2=80=9Cfield of action=E2=80=9D =E2=80=93 especially its threat and use =
of military force =E2=80=93 and the =E2=80=9Cfield of negotiation=E2=80=9D =
with Washington. It aims not only to survive this conflict, but to emerge i=
n a stronger strategic position.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rg=
b(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>In doing so, the Is=
lamic Republic will be able to pour available resources into rebuilding and=
 enhancing its critical retaliatory capabilities =E2=80=93 especially missi=
le and drones =E2=80=93 while continuing to find ways to exploit the vulner=
abilities of its adversaries.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(2=
7,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><em style=3D"max-width:10=
0%"><b><a href=3D"https://theconversation.com/profiles/jim-lamson-2709999" =
style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=
=3D"_blank">Jim Lamson</a><span>=C2=A0</span>is visiting research fellow, D=
epartment of War Studies,<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://theconversat=
ion.com/institutions/kings-college-london-1196" style=3D"text-decoration:no=
ne;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">King=E2=80=99s C=
ollege London</a>and<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://theconversation.c=
om/profiles/matthew-moran-107720" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(6=
5,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Matthew Moran</a><span>=C2=A0<=
/span>is professor of international security,<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"=
https://theconversation.com/institutions/kings-college-london-1196" style=
=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_b=
lank">King=E2=80=99s College London</a></b></em></p><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><em style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><b>This article is republished from<span>=C2=A0</span><=
a href=3D"https://theconversation.com/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color=
:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">The Conversation</a><spa=
n>=C2=A0</span>under a Creative Commons license. Read the<span>=C2=A0</span=
><a href=3D"https://theconversation.com/how-iran-gained-the-strategic-upper=
-hand-in-the-war-with-the-us-and-israel-285261" style=3D"text-decoration:no=
ne;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">original article=
</a>.</b></em></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--0000000000005deadf065474fa23--

From hcobban@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 07:27:08 2026
Return-Path: <hcobban@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id BA5CDB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:27:08 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net BA5CDB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="As7qOZiz"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id A9814BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:27:08 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-yw1-f181.google.com (mail-yw1-f181.google.com
 [209.85.128.181])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id A659CBD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:27:08 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-yw1-f181.google.com with SMTP id
 00721157ae682-7f811da1eedso41713587b3.2
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:27:08 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781706428; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=MEo8FIq52YI0XNAmugtXWLQU+5Hfh9/Y2bI9lrA0ia3wvm3dkJmEVupV78GBU59OUC
 qSBsE5LQYKjcBkj3BaSv39R/l5oRdaHMjQiCqcuKhNrmvj9EUBax4K0aVXpFKZBX5zJ5
 sFEIJeN1f02/Tmz+lkbV3MM675enRMxx3H1j4TDMtrbrADFGoRM1e4gZ9Dv/TEpzw76N
 tWXbCrHBYXXorMufdHOVouXdUjqv5P+hc2scZ3r/TMrvskc3op1S8f2iDOlWiYxFgKe3
 +fr83Ml07cpyRG5/eu+KmwLD7QyyPPOTPctSrV1O7aQhlGdBm84j5Vvl0fyYQddOBSw9
 ap6Q==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=b46HDJjOJlqCHnzHV47wonxSPg4+4C3uEPgFX+ra03Y=;
 fh=Y3SXo0I/OjhxNGG/5QMljM1fIZXs8Yg0FdADmWFP4pM=;
 b=ThIh+Uk7UHhfn2p7DSwed76Ng1Pe0L9pEleLhIZb1gcBV7AbKgmQk+BolsiqzDZm2m
 uUAyggSbYXPwNShZCrsIx8WjGoah84H2R4VjQ7ZQVS3Ez7jD/uvjAUqWGxNM+Ll4QFpb
 +Zu+HQ7xBTQF5gAjHazoGccJnmQGkeM8pvShQubqMbFLA7zr1GQG7BCw9r84500zF9pR
 i3rw+wjLeh9IrANMuMCmK9hxFZGRW4E5J/XmvsPuhXYLfHbrIatRlJvZQ5bEzVeP2wa5
 7lSisu/gONP3XkbDGL0PqeSqaqcInpuVmoTYO8ysHKtFsURoEX44ue74AAO15Cgxrzt7
 aHjA==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781706428; x=1782311228; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=b46HDJjOJlqCHnzHV47wonxSPg4+4C3uEPgFX+ra03Y=;
 b=As7qOZizEoDd/PFpkw9FiDRAhlv08Ookjg+/4mfFkwimSx0LK7yGUpNAkP+Gz6S0fs
 JyhVOmwSX2WnPsZ/qrvhcEUYMnJQBjlevkuwUyMwwCTA045CpCPG+IN0WEcRGfC8EDYs
 9TZ2i7oXfDk9HZTHcVCuiyDhTDjAndaoTWgkT3pkMONGQ44f03/PFSrG+d/HBqOOHbD1
 vAF7maA05libs2ZG/vUbBMcGyIbtELikloaaJvIKM8YsKfrOIXt6emA62HhtlHxfWn0O
 TGlA2Rx1mn8jY73LVJO5Sn5IJKpyy91UQbw+Ieos7qZqhgCkeZrbWyPY8eMUUzKoZGUR
 qPbw==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781706428; x=1782311228;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=b46HDJjOJlqCHnzHV47wonxSPg4+4C3uEPgFX+ra03Y=;
 b=O4OnpskcqsQI6DiklW6BWPntTxZenNiaHcAfp8IS+9hwT7UYiGIbfiEL44aCPQyjx/
 YHre7iS4oi5nYRZ932k6TQECjXZj6tP7bujZrxRc9yw5ameh0PPX8hSQyGBD9dcGRtUV
 KbNr1n+u9LzxDqSsB2HMsxTn5P+p4fw4CDTpn0kHQO5ylikA/uwnh7kaSJdeui+5ipR5
 jHwr5wgzB5jnJSPHpdh5mLFoZQWP179u/52Mx+4a3Tf8NofjrwrikHsH4wniVCaPgzqB
 kk3+ANYrM6RhPEPYDn5NtwAcE8CEurkmB/g1lNuAxDDGL87/Pe9zP+5O8fxdBWgd3o/b
 MLWA==
X-Forwarded-Encrypted: i=1;
 AFNElJ8zRdoA8zxrAlXFxEwAVmRdMuU+eDwo8gF7yVf/8/8frnyslx6XphTmN82RcSrgCRhUM2Uceg==@listserve.com
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yyk1iQz4lIrxMTSnRMmdahsHJWLrFPNhixbSFEbce7dGs0uPNOE
 uN/LXWWMVQJrd/KJo5plTPsXtQcS1SuEUXP1C/iy7NmxbGyPk5qn3njcHW2BykuEm5IHkmfNTNG
 HghKxbNb9H3ULWedncmqqjPdY5QRDPr0=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7cknzaQvFtR/N7Yhek+Mqr3H//UqT9F9XcatOpNUN8b8Oy6E7p92pfWWJUHhGYU
 ZnD7sHDqQIcavGy9/nWjsfuYszwSfQsLZ9sPRx0kVUR+/BlE1nnFI8Ok+y3ndAhj7XdM9rpif7w
 lhkNXmBIpdp3/A4s/gMVuchC5P/3sfnHrrqMEJ/cSubbJUdK7WnIT+OVfD1G5+l1HH1LuqmhDYm
 qgecaG3MGrSyGfjK2ZWvdVMkiCNb5wAnljJpFbaHcawN0vVQdokdwbso5TbMWsJl/uvVFil0UuJ
 a4fHsylMIj/a3ixT39AfkdmYskRpyEpX3vptPQZBifxw6xMBL1eKw/hXPw==
X-Received: by 2002:a05:690c:48c6:b0:7ef:f622:994a with SMTP id
 00721157ae682-7fe5d399f99mr41681007b3.32.1781706427552; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 07:27:07 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Helena Cobban <hcobban@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:26:55 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CciJ_8-Rfx499_udu-dMQ41Wj4_GVs-IDIe8Tf73aCzasidsWcT58QpucY
Message-ID: <CAEW+AfqVNF-m77z3+UnX-4zRFJfPj86YtSK96Ubi-SHTq=oAJQ@mail.gmail.com>
To: Helena Cobban <hcobban@gmail.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000b55751065473da83"
X-Mailman-Approved-At: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:57:27 -0700
Subject: [Salon] My essay "Suez 1956, Hormuz 2026,
 AIPAC... & Poetic Justice"...
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:27:08 -0000

--000000000000b55751065473da83
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

... is here:
https://helenacobban.substack.com/p/suez-1956-hormuz-2026-aipac-and-poetic

feel free to add your comments there, to circulate to your friends, etc...
----------
*Helena Cobban*
She/her/they | Honoring the lives & legacies of the Piscataways in whose
lands I live
More about me in my Linktree <https://linktr.ee/helenacobban>

--000000000000b55751065473da83
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div>... is here: <a href=3D"https://helenacobban.substack=
.com/p/suez-1956-hormuz-2026-aipac-and-poetic">https://helenacobban.substac=
k.com/p/suez-1956-hormuz-2026-aipac-and-poetic</a></div><div><br></div><div=
>feel free to add your comments there, to circulate to your friends, etc...=
</div><div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_signature" data-smartmail=3D"gma=
il_signature"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr">=
<div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div=
 dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"l=
tr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div>----------<div dir=3D"ltr"><b><i>Helena Cobb=
an</i></b></div><div>She/her/they | Honoring the lives &amp; legacies of th=
e Piscataways in whose lands I live</div><div>More about me in <a href=3D"h=
ttps://linktr.ee/helenacobban" target=3D"_blank">my Linktree</a><br></div><=
div dir=3D"ltr">
<br>
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></d=
iv></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>=
</div>

--000000000000b55751065473da83--

From egarris2@antiwar.com  Wed Jun 17 10:15:23 2026
Return-Path: <egarris2@antiwar.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id DB479B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:15:22 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net DB479B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=antiwar.com header.i=@antiwar.com
 header.b="YOOhsJLj"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id BCFB3BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:15:22 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-24420.protonmail.ch (mail-24420.protonmail.ch
 [109.224.244.20])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 95464BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:15:22 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=antiwar.com;
 s=protonmail2; t=1781716520; x=1781975720;
 bh=ehW4qwsvPRqqdLghOS2dCIVY/dAsR+m75P4p+Nr8eZo=;
 h=Date:To:From:Subject:Message-ID:Feedback-ID:From:To:Cc:Date:
 Subject:Reply-To:Feedback-ID:Message-ID:BIMI-Selector;
 b=YOOhsJLjq+10Ltwh1CJ1mGEcnkbyGjHwmdz1ZRwgsFczAEv7iZuqoYexdoNEatvY2
 MOfsOEEsSZYZ/GSjrQ3WktgCvgM9UBfodHuDIxWRuFl5jQigAeOaXE6+nupAQU4C0C
 4w+GVnx6JwVytMLndLLoqyJg9fFBBMBCBlil29uyuzD91hqnlh3ZNuiy6IpR9hjKJ1
 kDzVE0o6K/I3OBUkmO2bfojpo3gl66AwnYz4wieSamo1aYZ8OF0y5kWBQvXB4fW2W8
 GdJTvBiascoLex8dzFsV72YtG8AVkGHJFrQfHBpoCCb0a6oFHS+X0uALthqGSJtIHH
 qaa+dsxSDOb0Q==
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:15:16 +0000
To: Ann Crittenden via Salon <salon@listserve.com>
From: Eric Garris <egarris2@antiwar.com>
Message-ID: <MOjl0foVnYnhMMH2pC2TXAXAFQQreMpYObGWyqzPo5At9sYgthFEnsAjGYkuwb2qXNd5nT_cUUUY-QPzDoBHJ7rlhvPlshp8IWuwPzsdU0g=@antiwar.com>
Feedback-ID: 111263671:user:proton
X-Pm-Message-ID: 647984080fbff60f6a1eb346a6f6d26b18e522fe
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
 boundary="b1=_PFQFS1E0HRENboJDgKyCYhRiLeZhiGhjFv1iMe0Hk"
Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?Trump_Says_MoU_With_Iran_=E2=80=98Not_Final=2C?=
 =?utf-8?b?4oCZIFVTIE1heSBHbyBCYWNrIFRvIOKAmERyb3BwaW5nIEJvbWJz4oCZIElm?=
 =?utf-8?b?IFRlaHJhbiDigJhEb2VzbuKAmXQgQmVoYXZl4oCZ?=
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:15:23 -0000

--b1=_PFQFS1E0HRENboJDgKyCYhRiLeZhiGhjFv1iMe0Hk
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64

[encoded data, 4389 characters]
IGRpcmVjdGlvbiBpcyBnaXZlbi7igJ0=

--b1=_PFQFS1E0HRENboJDgKyCYhRiLeZhiGhjFv1iMe0Hk
Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64

[encoded data, 5929 characters]


--b1=_PFQFS1E0HRENboJDgKyCYhRiLeZhiGhjFv1iMe0Hk--


From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 12:37:53 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 75AF1B0858
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:37:53 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 75AF1B0858
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="i/7a92Nt"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 69DD1BD028; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:37:53 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f46.google.com (mail-ej1-f46.google.com
 [209.85.218.46])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 46431BD04E
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:37:53 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f46.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-beb7f26ed62so11532166b.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:37:53 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781725072; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=JzCAaXh2se/rYrs6k+m1YB5lr1WSWscpgJc3J8y9tWk8EWqkvXNk068XF7//fMJLpb
 AkCL8zrg1wQK9CtioeMCjF9y1+JzaOys1NFNEsyn1vdmHumVQP+FMEEOwEuRtZD8rjFo
 4KZsAhnNM4a9smj1GN/V2SgOVAW+1A83SSPmf0f+A9oKbfkRRAAYxSqMCPWL97l/cfqN
 HyZTsgXI9ZB20yurxiVJEPKb1oL3DZXkP+OVXjMp4Nnf7Gygrr3HJbf89FV9HOV4Ml9l
 rT1bCed33PSaetIPNekuTb5F2Rw0VXEdLY1SHZ5HmYsOWbQxxmTe9njo5WZxs4DP/uPr
 vh8A==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=n3zYE6XkaFHFzV4YmYIAfTg/sWw9HhLsYcVAA/0OX4c=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=V0v/8ZdbfRt25APvG4R4TwDbfXJg6rddUcm7COviSmjn/E3sG3O87cQdJJtZSDG+f4
 jnZLoTpcKj62sBwM7RXSAsJXYxbhFGnYxjCRdQ03g+R9JQCJc8itCQMD70Kw4qsSb1HM
 vrfxic6qxUm1nUywqJaXgBkJP99MFpFuExVYgFYMBLWmyoAWgbtk+rIo87GLFgljCTLH
 cS8GEWSVlrCNztknbZZlTpYMQkVqncAlg15a1VVmRGHFk0W7gCE2cIzAItfD1u0mCgsL
 qcufpYnDGWzPWmI/XlUQtlrR6tiKRguz7NGm7xUBTzbwlGbEh+RRTWQLxxXlu7VNFjt8
 Q2kg==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781725072; x=1782329872; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=n3zYE6XkaFHFzV4YmYIAfTg/sWw9HhLsYcVAA/0OX4c=;
 b=i/7a92NtTuqR9Co6X0LejU84U/A/dqSDhlTFW/ZuMmYlal43l+di7nqR0DQu3+1h9T
 iTh+NGQBbqMWRm5Uf9QJJYw4fCjEzID7If4C3IAEmWxkLyXEkubHwpFe+Fn4wVwpm6dB
 SsGg1LuAysoby/ZvbitNSpv0e17UU+ToCZho1RAi3AgOosi4ETMc4+YTK3maDM/toary
 U6AnzGTP3SVomSa+p9mnumJvqBmTzNJCy9mlbC3WdKY8lfr4dXSz0GOw381lygyrM5o6
 DeKp4Pzz+IELFHKfQ3GGUlNfyawotn6ns5Y204OgxAxT4ZDag61cDY27a/dOoFYIasAK
 X3rA==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781725072; x=1782329872;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=n3zYE6XkaFHFzV4YmYIAfTg/sWw9HhLsYcVAA/0OX4c=;
 b=e9fI/zXO4s/Ih+SkHfSkwQ0MGqw1z9IfC/dIHCDkirEOAHGdEdG9W7i0g00UhtPC3z
 uMLfnRKOp6y55bxfFX8bDUB3PBS5pf7de0+1NAUdfQVUSwZXrgZ2/+W8kXH/e6jf72lb
 yRXrWU1h8hu78Q/2B9+owCFw4bWz8HRU7O+TkfY+Y5pvZZkNpBeJiDVIeb3UVn3V8Uon
 ZJDqKEgsUAr8t2XvQ0P0b59ejRZR/t5zR5+KClbnVuF/au9uYbOEXAAkdLaSKKg6aEMw
 zkp9/PTmD/foC7gNtuoTVuJhEl+cMDv/PlbpBcjTUb12TFNGWbSiwKa8xP1FW5NFPV01
 Isfw==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YwraWogzR7Vw0DfEFd2ogcYccfX9QSX5MMxCUwJXqIsmCZcyBnB
 NozzBebFTny3BpoPis8Fe++OBHwwMjWWQnt9FBYQpylKkMAb2Yht8P3zNJAGTyGBsi9gFrQ/gci
 1wibsxfHbLU96cr+2AQhBR+ok8lygSe156l/+DhUNgg==
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OE2J5zK1HNz+oHYmEGDOvBd8FZOUxd0hgUyC1/Cr0xAbxHOEj4zFEJOQn3Pgao
 fIqD2Qetcr1s6On7Wv4yaAEfftXmAAIbT8p8Bvq3jCpOAz41XE0ndd34deKyP8+JH0GlYrYEbH0
 IMs2NBY9nXQDrVTZEhSc1vhPeNo/TEt3jvRHmMA2dEaz7wmNAXKhE9OgByMcr5X8c3iCnn+lqef
 Dzs1qB2kW0j90GYL1cHpdL0pnwerGHQIrrfoQihAEy/n7SZ2KbzjVHE+DED/GuCrvLXJehSK3vb
 c5xT82eEVLdeKCOM965TUqWRTQ/sVptanZ2CAc6b5qlg9umhhDvr2Js5hTIn+e/NCfWo65NZFSK
 COxGXIPxfsywIrwpK94TRpZK80MzeejC1qPJPHS0uSfSOCcdovHgP0p/I9QsTYphRXYSw7Q9puZ
 Pb6eplFaKQBZhYrc8Y1PGaIiVriDBPiEy6QdrcX/0Z6LdESLVOQszKpZLPT9Bw5zdoWAjEeOp+J
 VRGhwWEtFsivbb1L0oghaua11cLvJ5MmcOJ1DTVwoO8eFo=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:9803:b0:bfd:6d25:ba78 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a7daf76emr358296366b.39.1781725071208; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 12:37:51 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:37:32 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CeONdsqen092ZJmZ0C6k0tn4lWOM0-4ns039y_ZoFbrkcrVlp5dnxA7iTU
Message-ID: <CANbmmQnUE05MKA55SMVveFWyo2S2vvK8zMjrERxr=amDMg-o8A@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="000000000000f6f49c065478310b"
Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?Leak_Exposes_Members_of_Peter_Thiel=E2=80=99s_?=
 =?utf-8?b?U2VjcmV0aXZlIOKAmERpYWxvZ+KAmSBTb2NpZXR5?=
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:37:53 -0000

--000000000000f6f49c065478310b
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000f6f498065478310a"

--000000000000f6f498065478310a
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

https://www.wired.com/story/leak-exposes-members-of-peter-thiels-secretive-=
dialog-society/



Leak Exposes Members of Peter Thiel=E2=80=99s Secretive =E2=80=98Dialog=E2=
=80=99 Society

Jun 16, 2026 4:21 PM

[image: Image may contain Peter Thiel Face Head Person Photography Portrait
Crew Cut Hair Adult Clothing and Formal Wear]

A trove of internal records from a secret society for powerful figures in
US politics, finance, and tech was left exposed online, WIRED has
confirmed, naming participants in its events and revealing sensitive
personal details they were assured would stay private.

The group, called Dialog, is a private, invitation-only organization
cofounded in 2006 by the billionaire tech investor Peter Thiel
<https://archive.is/o/rwWv6/https:/www.wired.com/story/the-real-stakes-real=
-story-peter-thiels-antichrist-obsession/>.
It convenes US officials, foreign government figures, and Silicon Valley
executives at off-the-record annual retreats. Dialog has spent two decades
declining to disclose its members.

A directory in the website's code was first revealed by the Swiss
hacktivist maia arson crimew. Known for exposing the US government=E2=80=99=
s No Fly
List
<https://archive.is/o/rwWv6/https:/www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/u=
s-no-fly-list-shared-on-a-hacking-forum-government-investigating/>
 and breaching the surveillance-camera company Verkada
<https://archive.is/o/rwWv6/https:/www.bbc.com/news/technology-56342525>,
crimew tells WIRED the directory surfaced via an anonymous tip. WIRED
independently verified its contents.

A source separately provided WIRED with the registration list for Dialog's
2026 retreat, which names 222 people and records what the list describes as
each registrant's membership status and attendee type, including =E2=80=9Ca=
ctive
member=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9Cguest.=E2=80=9D The retreat is scheduled for A=
ugust 12-16 at a venue
near Dublin, Ireland.

The same data lays out a program of off-the-record sessions, including:
=E2=80=9CMoney (Does?) Buy Happiness,=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CBring Back Nuclear,=
=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CNavigating WWIII,=E2=80=9D
=E2=80=9CBattlefield Technologies,=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9CHow=E2=80=99s Your=
 Sex Life?=E2=80=9D Other talks include
=E2=80=9CBuild-a-Cult,=E2=80=9D moderated by the founder of the Christian n=
etworking site
Pray.com, and =E2=80=9CBuild-a-Party,=E2=80=9D run by a former White House =
national
security official.

Together, alongside the mundane fare of a typical thought leadership
conference, the documents show an extraordinary convergence of power. The
registration records list General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's supreme allied
commander Europe and the head of US European Command, who took the post in
July 2025 and is recorded on the leaked list as having attended Dialog
gatherings since 2021. The website directory names sitting Trump
administration officials, two US senators, six members of the Paypal Mafia,
a former Middle East chief of intelligence, and a sitting ambassador to the
United States, along with the founders and directors of many of the
country's largest surveillance, data-broker, and advertising-data companies=
.

Those executives appear side by side with senior US officials overseeing
their industries. Auren Hoffman, Dialog=E2=80=99s chairman, founded the
location-data broker SafeGraph and the identity-resolution firm LiveRamp,
two of the most important suppliers in the consumer data economy. He
appears in the directory alongside Treasury secretary Scott Bessent, whose
department writes the rules on financial data, and Senator Ted Cruz,
chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which
oversees the Federal Trade Commission and its data-privacy authority.

Palantir
<https://archive.is/o/rwWv6/https:/www.wired.com/story/palantir-employees-a=
re-starting-to-wonder-if-theyre-the-bad-guys/>
 cofounder Joe Lonsdale, whose software runs case management for US
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and data fusion for the Pentagon and
intelligence community, is listed in the same society as Army secretary Dan
Driscoll and Representative Jim Himes, the ranking member of the House
Intelligence Committee, which oversees agencies Palantir contracts with
<https://archive.is/o/rwWv6/https:/www.wired.com/story/alex-karp-goes-to-wa=
r-palantir-big-interview/>
.

None of the individuals named in this story responded to requests for
comment. Raffi Grinberg, who lists himself as Dialog=E2=80=99s executive di=
rector
on his LinkedIn profile and is the author of the self-help book *How to Be
a Grown-Up*, did not respond to a request for comment.

The registration records appear to show not only who belongs to Dialog but
who attends. Of the 222 people signed up for the 2026 retreat, according to
the leaked records, 87 are marked as first-time attendees. Others list
histories stretching back more than a decade, and a handful to the
society's founding 20 years ago. None of the registrants, Grynkewich
included, used a government email address. All registered with personal or
corporate accounts, placing their attendance outside the email systems
subject to public-records laws.

--000000000000f6f498065478310a
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11pt;font-=
family:Optima"><a href=3D"https://www.wired.com/story/leak-exposes-members-=
of-peter-thiels-secretive-dialog-society/" target=3D"_blank">https://www.wi=
red.com/story/leak-exposes-members-of-peter-thiels-secretive-dialog-society=
/</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-si=
ze:11pt;font-family:Optima"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoN=
ormal" style=3D"line-height:42pt"><span style=3D"font-size:40.5pt;font-fami=
ly:&quot;Apple Braille&quot;;color:black;letter-spacing:-0.55pt">Leak Expos=
es Members of Peter Thiel</span><span style=3D"font-size:40.5pt;font-family=
:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;color:black;letter-spacing:-0.55pt">=E2=
=80=99</span><span style=3D"font-size:40.5pt;font-family:&quot;Apple Braill=
e&quot;;color:black;letter-spacing:-0.55pt">s Secretive=C2=A0</span><span s=
tyle=3D"font-size:40.5pt;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;colo=
r:black;letter-spacing:-0.55pt">=E2=80=98</span><span style=3D"font-size:40=
.5pt;font-family:&quot;Apple Braille&quot;;color:black;letter-spacing:-0.55=
pt">Dialog</span><span style=3D"font-size:40.5pt;font-family:&quot;Times Ne=
w Roman&quot;,serif;color:black;letter-spacing:-0.55pt">=E2=80=99</span><sp=
an style=3D"font-size:40.5pt;font-family:&quot;Apple Braille&quot;;color:bl=
ack;letter-spacing:-0.55pt">=C2=A0Society<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=
=3D"margin:0cm"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:r=
gb(27,27,27)"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=
=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">Jun 16, 2026 =
4:21 PM<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"line-height=
:18pt"><u></u><img width=3D"32" height=3D"31" src=3D"cid:image002.png@01DCF=
E73.7DDEA670" alt=3D"Image may contain Peter Thiel Face Head Person Photogr=
aphy Portrait Crew Cut Hair Adult Clothing and Formal Wear" class=3D"gmail-=
CToWUd" style=3D"width: 0.3333in; height: 0.3229in;"><u></u><span style=3D"=
font-size:9pt;font-family:-apple-system-font,serif"><u></u><u></u></span></=
p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font=
,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">A trove of<span class=3D"m_-5787384451975690359=
apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span>internal records from a secret society =
for powerful figures in US politics, finance, and tech was left exposed onl=
ine, WIRED has confirmed, naming participants in its events and revealing s=
ensitive personal details they were assured would stay private.<u></u><u></=
u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-syste=
m-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">The group, called Dialog, is a private, i=
nvitation-only organization cofounded in 2006 by the billionaire tech inves=
tor<span class=3D"m_-5787384451975690359apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span=
><a href=3D"https://archive.is/o/rwWv6/https:/www.wired.com/story/the-real-=
stakes-real-story-peter-thiels-antichrist-obsession/" target=3D"_blank"><sp=
an style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210)">Peter Thiel</span></a>. It convenes US o=
fficials, foreign government figures, and Silicon Valley executives at off-=
the-record annual retreats. Dialog has spent two decades declining to discl=
ose its members.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=
=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">A directory i=
n the website&#39;s code was first revealed by the Swiss hacktivist maia ar=
son crimew. Known for exposing the<span class=3D"m_-5787384451975690359appl=
e-converted-space">=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://archive.is/o/rwWv6/https=
:/www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/us-no-fly-list-shared-on-a-hacking=
-forum-government-investigating/" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rg=
b(65,110,210)">US government=E2=80=99s No Fly List</span></a><span class=3D=
"m_-5787384451975690359apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span>and breaching th=
e<span class=3D"m_-5787384451975690359apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span><=
a href=3D"https://archive.is/o/rwWv6/https:/www.bbc.com/news/technology-563=
42525" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210)">surveillance=
-camera company Verkada</span></a>, crimew tells WIRED the directory surfac=
ed via an anonymous tip. WIRED independently verified its contents.<u></u><=
u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-ap=
ple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">A source separately provided WIR=
ED with the registration list for Dialog&#39;s 2026 retreat, which names 22=
2 people and records what the list describes as each registrant&#39;s membe=
rship status and attendee type, including =E2=80=9Cactive member=E2=80=9D a=
nd =E2=80=9Cguest.=E2=80=9D The retreat is scheduled for August 12-16 at a =
venue near Dublin, Ireland.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27=
)">The same data lays out a program of off-the-record sessions, including: =
=E2=80=9CMoney (Does?) Buy Happiness,=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CBring Back Nuclear,=
=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CNavigating WWIII,=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CBattlefield Technolo=
gies,=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9CHow=E2=80=99s Your Sex Life?=E2=80=9D Other tal=
ks include =E2=80=9CBuild-a-Cult,=E2=80=9D moderated by the founder of the =
Christian networking site Pray.com, and =E2=80=9CBuild-a-Party,=E2=80=9D ru=
n by a former White House national security official.<u></u><u></u></span><=
/p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-fon=
t,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">Together, alongside the mundane fare of a typi=
cal thought leadership conference, the documents show an extraordinary conv=
ergence of power. The registration records list General Alexus Grynkewich, =
NATO&#39;s supreme allied commander Europe and the head of US European Comm=
and, who took the post in July 2025 and is recorded on the leaked list as h=
aving attended Dialog gatherings since 2021. The website directory names si=
tting Trump administration officials, two US senators, six members of the P=
aypal Mafia, a former Middle East chief of intelligence, and a sitting amba=
ssador to the United States, along with the founders and directors of many =
of the country&#39;s largest surveillance, data-broker, and advertising-dat=
a companies.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-s=
ystem-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">Those executives appear side by side =
with senior US officials overseeing their industries. Auren Hoffman, Dialog=
=E2=80=99s chairman, founded the location-data broker SafeGraph and the ide=
ntity-resolution firm LiveRamp, two of the most important suppliers in the =
consumer data economy. He appears in the directory alongside Treasury secre=
tary Scott Bessent, whose department writes the rules on financial data, an=
d Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation C=
ommittee, which oversees the Federal Trade Commission and its data-privacy =
authority.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"fo=
nt-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><a href=3D"https://=
archive.is/o/rwWv6/https:/www.wired.com/story/palantir-employees-are-starti=
ng-to-wonder-if-theyre-the-bad-guys/" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"colo=
r:rgb(65,110,210)">Palantir</span></a><span class=3D"m_-5787384451975690359=
apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span>cofounder Joe Lonsdale, whose software =
runs case management for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and data fu=
sion for the Pentagon and intelligence community, is listed in the same soc=
iety as Army secretary Dan Driscoll and Representative Jim Himes, the ranki=
ng member of the House Intelligence Committee, which oversees<span class=3D=
"m_-5787384451975690359apple-converted-space">=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https=
://archive.is/o/rwWv6/https:/www.wired.com/story/alex-karp-goes-to-war-pala=
ntir-big-interview/" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210)=
">agencies Palantir contracts with</span></a>.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"font-family:-apple-system-font,serif=
;color:rgb(27,27,27)">None of the individuals named in this story responded=
 to requests for comment. Raffi Grinberg, who lists himself as Dialog=E2=80=
=99s executive director on his LinkedIn profile and is the author of the se=
lf-help book<span class=3D"m_-5787384451975690359apple-converted-space">=C2=
=A0</span><em>How to Be a Grown-Up</em>, did not respond to a request for c=
omment.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"=
font-family:-apple-system-font,serif;color:rgb(27,27,27)">The registration =
records appear to show not only who belongs to Dialog but who attends. Of t=
he 222 people signed up for the 2026 retreat, according to the leaked recor=
ds, 87 are marked as first-time attendees. Others list histories stretching=
 back more than a decade, and a handful to the society&#39;s founding 20 ye=
ars ago. None of the registrants, Grynkewich included, used a government em=
ail address. All registered with personal or corporate accounts, placing th=
eir attendance outside the email systems subject to public-records laws.</s=
pan></p></div>

--000000000000f6f498065478310a--
--000000000000f6f49c065478310b
Content-Type: image/png; name="image002.png"
Content-Disposition: inline; filename="image002.png"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
Content-ID: <image002.png@01DCFE73.7DDEA670>
X-Attachment-Id: 

iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAYAAABzenr0AAAAAXNSR0IArs4c6QAAAHhlWElmTU0A
KgAAAAgABQESAAMAAAABAAEAAAEaAAUAAAABAAAASgEbAAUAAAABAAAAUgEoAAMAAAABAAIAAIdp
AAQAAAABAAAAWgAAAAAAAACQAAAAAQAAAJAAAAABAAKgAgAEAAAAAQAAACCgAwAEAAAAAQAAACAA
AAAACW26uwAAAAlwSFlzAAAWJQAAFiUBSVIk8AAAAChJREFUWAnt0IEAAAAAw6D5Ux/khVBhwIAB
AwYMGDBgwIABAwYMvA8MECAAAc4qtccAAAAASUVORK5CYII=
--000000000000f6f49c065478310b--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 12:55:10 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 62655B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:55:10 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 62655B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="JwOhTwvd"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 541FEBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:55:10 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f52.google.com (mail-ej1-f52.google.com
 [209.85.218.52])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id DACEDBD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:55:09 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f52.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bebc80100efso9127066b.1
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:55:09 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781726108; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=SRyoXomJcJjtu65UXs0dVra9GW1EMPIlSvplk+8ySF2qjuWuniepOUwGdx+AvEpkk5
 e/QgJTwA0U8e3wBNXZU1smV8zgmVg9ChLw/9O4PgzozYO4Hsa98KZoeuD4jZV+RQTjY7
 B+gfYA88A6QAK836DQIqmu4pZ+xx6kBFN+PauVTYPTiNQP+8r/NbfYc14CKakNV02bpe
 YUtLjueQntr6g0oY5Sn560fd1nYmwm8uD5SQKWDETIDKALYScU4giRt588ad75sqtjZF
 rqBW8LF9FiBIkIB/8dUjOXZSYixIfneYwnLwzXcIC9XJndQnqOtgoIPmYmE23t9PEszM
 ycew==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=W2fetJcAILtxI9grB3tbSVpvr48v+ekav2/LFGcmRXA=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=aQlKUY9mXisu6vdEBHYgP71y/kOq+vlzpzomR5rYGzgJXCj7YQcgfgvnHYvX2QqjV3
 xMVPALLATOuqFTs8b5SuUXUG0IzxTA5OXUtPnjnU62rr0gG/aua/QLuo2bry7gDt/5hI
 dcOcjmS+sxJaFXTeZWVpeHRwqeY2iz2VP+ZI4Wb0Y8UE+eACUXqH3Uu2LoBXBmC6tdSh
 bjGqIQCz53z5AdGChLeqMobgtLtp3IG0u6wTNNpnmBIAOlM6Q4LJ+sWaeBff/pM8Q90h
 PvvXttw2r3bf9KrEWJyVyCMj2jPwq7/dEkHgZy9aj6batt8XbnnehFp5wYbe21qwFltJ
 4WLg==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781726108; x=1782330908; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=W2fetJcAILtxI9grB3tbSVpvr48v+ekav2/LFGcmRXA=;
 b=JwOhTwvdWHqIWKrG2qq5YoWJiIHHqSnOVM8pbslyVI+ps3Edc3WVeMrpm1FHAKG/93
 4RyFzOrJZyCIXT5rL20rrpGLzZxe8cZEJ1cZ+W4Zb2K99yh1jY0afPp3S0s7O7x9KePY
 W6TDlhed0HGiezNcl6jGm8PjyVdPl752hRfaeqlcbhsOco9D3FmVsPUfRH1nM5BPi6hp
 4+kAJPRAxPzTxavCim8GDI8gdVdebnbZsaGpQMVpwUy+HPjfPGm5fy24tVMTRcB2eCnJ
 pXJj87NdERUx4/8lq2mBWoKmZ+olPZCHjv4FHidP7rMQpC1o+JuWJiUTynpDUTOYHJqO
 xewA==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781726108; x=1782330908;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=W2fetJcAILtxI9grB3tbSVpvr48v+ekav2/LFGcmRXA=;
 b=EABgmB5n2fi/hug/nh1GSPYKXbzHYyApUnHNWcy3nWMVUWmnJhzdH2BygoueH5mZQ3
 zfQD/VuoJ7j5xr/PnTP+1uoaACSS9iVkHO9NHAGIFZracTTwT9I/Q81uikibiCNxSHNA
 HIz6iEvh46RboBm1A9pRCZ80cjjnDZdlEWtcCyaMwmjtJS6WSD0UFrEMRN4z2h41a8AB
 BhCFqiYURdkbbo5scRIR+DDXedPqi75L80DG+Vi28HPiMwhq+0mf7spP3rXzi90Pedf+
 r3ydY3p6mslhIU+IOHDt/h0du84/9j1fz4gOFuZ1OVXvE5EgDVwELUsTE48yfFj+/+qD
 Oujg==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YxVzMTX1jPgpr5MyDKaNeNxIy/IiD8n6LeO8T/nXVdLjY5to9Pb
 qg9Ksxs4bHcq9KRHnzwRuj2lfYnOL734MwfTpG6CTzhNBHanRF+yU1OE43H7GOLEU7Rs8KX7+dU
 R1rocYEj5m2PAwWnaCFV5ifw7vX5CjC6M5SzXuWE=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OFdtAKzlukMWHOPiglxiRl19FVEmzElzSZ2awPBkMLuxC2Y9yCDG96CuHFIHiT
 aIBDVIJ41XqqcOj1BgQ++5NMXi+OcnBxbC/dqyHXoMZMgQBYR51eMV7s1roPFktRmiPcvHvbXgC
 8zxJoI1NnsifIYBnZ5eAvwgQB0CR8f6NvrphNcYnNWWs+92vS1eka/sTo6zvtr4A98CUCh/h2hC
 cceiGQ+soVdj4tewRc4Idv7BFOvSh/yRmTCTiyh/Y8F4JBDf84H0b3G2uVcyzUR8i208I1J2Kxi
 CO48QCpGewDv2PCZo7PTurmBqnMRiBom3EnYOOkGnbwdtbxuFte4AgZBSLSPU7dHFCcxKBzllcO
 VF4WQe+wj+gypQt/CiMFDHD0vP2knJByPSHYxIx2mzPdUy/0TfA4n9DY9aVNpsZJHs86nJiby1g
 CEHYvFWqZ+E1bmrrv7U+tedV5qP9jpd3exnVwt3cud76EHmOFsgQnM7hdgRgX8mLBGwRYTTqqcH
 duBQcz34h1OpbpQFBZnCyQSwLPo50Sz3X0ZcZWcoabVW7I=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:266e:b0:beb:7b50:3a7b with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a6102fd1mr254187966b.6.1781726108057; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 12:55:08 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <post-202286442@substack.com>
 <20260617110351.3.12b60b3b97b03b72@mg-d0.substack.com>
In-Reply-To: <20260617110351.3.12b60b3b97b03b72@mg-d0.substack.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:54:51 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cdz1OMDaYn_kxDXSGFkzwbOhXajmoKwdMnw7kHy5zvGtiAeeOxQZZMbAGQ
Message-ID: <CANbmmQn=iCuGdhwJ77POdM1qd9_1t1k2Ns8Z-CzOu_2GjPM4xg@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000c207560654786fbc"
Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?Ayatollah=E2=80=99s_=E2=80=98Art_of_the_Deal?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99_Becomes_=231_Bestseller?=
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:55:10 -0000

--000000000000c207560654786fbc
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

=E2=80=9CDon=E2=80=99t just be a leader,=E2=80=9D the book jacket urges. =
=E2=80=9CBe a Supreme one!=E2=80=9D
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
  =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F   =E2=80=87 =C2=AD
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcn=
QuY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZT91dG1fc291cmNlPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1zdWJzY=
3JpYmUmcj0xZW9nYiZuZXh0PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmJvcm93aXR6cmVwb3J0LmNvbSUy=
RnAlMkZheWF0b2xsYWhzLWFydC1vZi10aGUtZGVhbC1iZWNvbWVzIiwicCI6MjAyMjg2NDQyLCJ=
zIjoyMzM3NjU2LCJmIjp0cnVlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE2OTUwOTYsImV4cCI6Mj=
A5NzI3MTA5NiwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.RC_jrI2Od3u4b=
VWN05WJ8wEFWs7jeo-cEJEYDokAJGU?>
for more
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcn=
QuY29tL3AvYXlhdG9sbGFocy1hcnQtb2YtdGhlLWRlYWwtYmVjb21lcz91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249Z=
W1haWwtaGFsZi1wb3N0JnI9MWVvZ2ImdG9rZW49ZXlKMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpveU16WTBORGt4TENK=
d2IzTjBYMmxrSWpveU1ESXlPRFkwTkRJc0ltbGhkQ0k2TVRjNE1UWTVOVEE1Tml3aVpYaHdJam9=
4TnpnME1qZzNNRGsyTENKcGMzTWlPaUp3ZFdJdE1qTXpOelkxTmlJc0luTjFZaUk2SW5CdmMzUX=
RjbVZoWTNScGIyNGlmUS4xQWFRQUt0a1h6LTNwUTA2VmlTOFoyUFVnclVKdnE0M0VoTHpDMGxjV=
GFJIiwicCI6MjAyMjg2NDQyLCJzIjoyMzM3NjU2LCJmIjp0cnVlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQi=
OjE3ODE2OTUwOTYsImV4cCI6MjA5NzI3MTA5NiwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJ=
lZGlyZWN0In0.g30sb-S5gquwOiWCIdf8Cu12mnJIAw8ozf-Dm0UAdmk?>
Ayatollah=E2=80=99s =E2=80=98Art of the Deal=E2=80=99 Becomes #1 Bestseller
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&post_id=3D2022=
86442&utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreem=
ail=3Dtrue&r=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyOD=
Y0NDIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1N=
iIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcT=
aI>

Andy Borowitz <https://substack.com/@borowitzreport>
Jun 17
<https://substack.com/@borowitzreport>

<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&post_id=3D2022=
86442&utm_source=3Dsubstack&isFreemail=3Dtrue&submitLike=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ=
1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaW=
F0IjoxNzgxNjk1MDk2LCJleHAiOjE3ODQyODcwOTYsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yMzM3NjU2Iiwic3ViI=
joicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.IMzjOETT7zdzbZWQ0xjI998YUi6T2E5sCb09elKKZhE&utm_medium=3D=
email&utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&r=3D1eogb>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&post_id=3D2022=
86442&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&isFreemail=3Dtrue&comments=
=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdCI=
6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6In=
Bvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI&r=3D1eogb&=
utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&action=3Dpost-comment&utm_source=
=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&post_id=3D2022=
86442&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dshare&utm_camp=
aign=3Demail-share&action=3Dshare&triggerShare=3Dtrue&isFreemail=3Dtrue&r=
=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI>
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS=
9wdWIvYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcnQvcC9heWF0b2xsYWhzLWFydC1vZi10aGUtZGVhbC1iZWNvbWVzP=
3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9c3Vic3RhY2smdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwt=
cmVzdGFjay1jb21tZW50JmFjdGlvbj1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmcj0xZW9nYiZ0b2tlbj1leUo=
xYzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME5Ea3hMQ0p3YjNOMFgybGtJam95TURJeU9EWTBORElzSW1saGRDST=
ZNVGM0TVRZNU5UQTVOaXdpWlhod0lqb3hOemcwTWpnM01EazJMQ0pwYzNNaU9pSndkV0l0TWpNe=
k56WTFOaUlzSW5OMVlpSTZJbkJ2YzNRdGNtVmhZM1JwYjI0aWZRLjFBYVFBS3RrWHotM3BRMDZW=
aVM4WjJQVWdyVUp2cTQzRWhMekMwbGNUYUkiLCJwIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsInMiOjIzMzc2NTYsImY=
iOnRydWUsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjcxMDk2LCJpc3=
MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.s3Sx6PHM0MPHuBL0zEC7nVQG7gLK1a=
XrNTgrLho3W84?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>

READ IN APP
<https://open.substack.com/pub/borowitzreport/p/ayatollahs-art-of-the-deal-=
becomes?utm_source=3Demail&redirect=3Dapp-store&utm_campaign=3Demail-read-i=
n-app>

<https://substack.com/redirect/fc692e72-1ae9-4e8f-905b-ce8db0308df9?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>

TEHRAN (The Borowitz Report
<https://substack.com/redirect/61210338-6851-483d-bc9f-b2b90d17fd0b?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>)=E2=80=94In
an astounding achievement for a first-time author, on Wednesday Ayatollah
Mojtaba Khamenei nabbed the #1 spot on the *New York Times* bestsellers
list with a business book entitled *The Art of the Deal.*

The publicity materials provided by the publisher tout, =E2=80=9CFrom the m=
ind of a
man who negotiated the sweetest deal in the history of the Middle East,
learn how to fend off a hostile takeover=E2=80=94and win!=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CDon=E2=80=99t just be a leader,=E2=80=9D the book jacket urges. =
=E2=80=9CBe a Supreme one!=E2=80=9D

Among the topics covered, the book =E2=80=9Cshows, in five easy steps, how =
to turn
a tiny body of water into a money-spinning goldmine.=E2=80=9D

An advance excerpt from the book=E2=80=99s first chapter begins, =E2=80=9CR=
ule #1: Only
negotiate with morons.=E2=80=9D
<https://substack.com/redirect/087c3095-bc6a-4198-8220-9e8fe42a8b67?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>

*The Borowitz Report is a reader-supported publication. To receive new
posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.*
Upgrade to paid
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcn=
QuY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZT91dG1fc291cmNlPXBvc3QmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLWNoZWNrb=
3V0Jm5leHQ9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcnQuY29tJTJGcCUyRmF5YXRv=
bGxhaHMtYXJ0LW9mLXRoZS1kZWFsLWJlY29tZXMmcj0xZW9nYiZ0b2tlbj1leUoxYzJWeVgybGt=
Jam95TXpZME5Ea3hMQ0pwWVhRaU9qRTNPREUyT1RVd09UWXNJbVY0Y0NJNk1UYzROREk0TnpBNU=
5pd2lhWE56SWpvaWNIVmlMVEl6TXpjMk5UWWlMQ0p6ZFdJaU9pSmphR1ZqYTI5MWRDSjkuUU1ZN=
UFxc1FOY3puNDEzaGM0b3dSc01IMVd3RUhMTEEtZ2IzMDdMNjlYNCIsInAiOjIwMjI4NjQ0Miwi=
cyI6MjMzNzY1NiwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjk1MDk2LCJleHAiOjI=
wOTcyNzEwOTYsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.XbVtbwWdD6YCC=
cqX0Mx-naN_nE99aFwqzZI873Qhazc?&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_source=3Dsubscribe-w=
idget-preamble&utm_content=3D202286442>

Leave a comment
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&post_id=3D2022=
86442&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&isFreemail=3Dtrue&comments=
=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdCI=
6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6In=
Bvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI&r=3D1eogb&=
utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&action=3Dpost-comment>

Share
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&post_id=3D2022=
86442&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dshare&utm_camp=
aign=3Demail-share&action=3Dshare&triggerShare=3Dtrue&isFreemail=3Dtrue&r=
=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI>


Share
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&post_id=3D2022=
86442&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dshare&utm_camp=
aign=3Demail-share&action=3Dshare&triggerShare=3Dtrue&isFreemail=3Dtrue&r=
=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI>


Like
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&post_id=3D2022=
86442&utm_source=3Dsubstack&isFreemail=3Dtrue&submitLike=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ=
1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaW=
F0IjoxNzgxNjk1MDk2LCJleHAiOjE3ODQyODcwOTYsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yMzM3NjU2Iiwic3ViI=
joicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.IMzjOETT7zdzbZWQ0xjI998YUi6T2E5sCb09elKKZhE&utm_medium=3D=
email&utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&r=3D1eogb>
Comment
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&post_id=3D2022=
86442&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&isFreemail=3Dtrue&comments=
=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdCI=
6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6In=
Bvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI&r=3D1eogb&=
utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&action=3Dpost-comment&utm_source=
=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>
Restack
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS=
9wdWIvYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcnQvcC9heWF0b2xsYWhzLWFydC1vZi10aGUtZGVhbC1iZWNvbWVzP=
3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9c3Vic3RhY2smdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwt=
cmVzdGFjay1jb21tZW50JmFjdGlvbj1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmcj0xZW9nYiZ0b2tlbj1leUo=
xYzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME5Ea3hMQ0p3YjNOMFgybGtJam95TURJeU9EWTBORElzSW1saGRDST=
ZNVGM0TVRZNU5UQTVOaXdpWlhod0lqb3hOemcwTWpnM01EazJMQ0pwYzNNaU9pSndkV0l0TWpNe=
k56WTFOaUlzSW5OMVlpSTZJbkJ2YzNRdGNtVmhZM1JwYjI0aWZRLjFBYVFBS3RrWHotM3BRMDZW=
aVM4WjJQVWdyVUp2cTQzRWhMekMwbGNUYUkiLCJwIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsInMiOjIzMzc2NTYsImY=
iOnRydWUsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjcxMDk2LCJpc3=
MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.s3Sx6PHM0MPHuBL0zEC7nVQG7gLK1a=
XrNTgrLho3W84?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>


=C2=A9 2026 Andy Borowitz
548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104
Unsubscribe
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcn=
QuY29tL2FjdGlvbi9kaXNhYmxlX2VtYWlsP3Rva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3lNelkwTkRre=
ExDSndiM04wWDJsa0lqb3lNREl5T0RZME5ESXNJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVFk1TlRBNU5pd2laWGh3=
SWpveE9ERXpNak14TURrMkxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNak16TnpZMU5pSXNJbk4xWWlJNkltUnB=
jMkZpYkdWZlpXMWhhV3dpZlEudlJFalhzc2lyZkJBUG92c0dvX21ndG5VNmhmMXZfSzBkNk9YTl=
RyYW9IQSIsInAiOjIwMjI4NjQ0MiwicyI6MjMzNzY1NiwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwia=
WF0IjoxNzgxNjk1MDk2LCJleHAiOjIwOTcyNzEwOTYsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGlu=
ay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.-Zvs5fny9qYrWqZeCk_xF5uPSo4sgWnqQb6xw7O1SvU?>

[image: Start writing]
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc2lnbn=
VwP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9c3Vic3RhY2smdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1mb290Z=
XImdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWF1dG9maWxsZWQtZm9vdGVyJmZyZWVTaWdudXBFbWFpbD1jd2ZyZXNp=
ZGVuY2VAZ21haWwuY29tJnI9MWVvZ2IiLCJwIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsInMiOjIzMzc2NTYsImYiOnR=
ydWUsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjcxMDk2LCJpc3MiOi=
JwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.n4VuPPxKQBJIYZvSDad0BaUfVSNK253uMt=
cxdfVg3-Y?>

--000000000000c207560654786fbc
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><br></div><div style=3D"font-kerning:auto"><i=
mg src=3D"https://eotrx.substackcdn.com/o/95ddd3ca8d319067/p.gif?token=3Dey=
JtIjoiPDIwMjYwNjE3MTEwMzUxLjMuMTJiNjBiM2I5N2IwM2I3MkBtZy1kMC5zdWJzdGFjay5jb=
20-IiwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiciI6ImN3ZnJlc2lkZW5jZUBnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJkIjoibWctZDAu=
c3Vic3RhY2suY29tIiwicCI6MjAyMjg2NDQyLCJ0IjoibmV3c2xldHRlciIsImEiOiJldmVyeW9=
uZSIsInMiOjIzMzc2NTYsImMiOiJwb3N0IiwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwicG9zaXRpb24iOiJ0b3AiLCJpYX=
QiOjE3ODE2OTUwOTYsImV4cCI6MTc4NDI4NzA5NiwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJlbyJ9.=
z4ZUFnct3RfXPH3Xo7SLeDihxw_iaB91GpVn0APkYWk" alt=3D"" width=3D"1" height=3D=
"1" border=3D"0" style=3D"height:1px!important;width:1px!important;border-w=
idth:0!important;margin-top:0!important;margin-bottom:0!important;margin-ri=
ght:0!important;margin-left:0!important;padding-top:0!important;padding-bot=
tom:0!important;padding-right:0!important;padding-left:0!important"><div st=
yle=3D"display:none;font-size:1px;color:#333333;line-height:1px;max-height:=
0px;max-width:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden">=E2=80=9CDon=E2=80=99t just be=
 a leader,=E2=80=9D the book jacket urges. =E2=80=9CBe a Supreme one!=E2=80=
=9D</div><div style=3D"display:none;font-size:1px;color:#333333;line-height=
:1px;max-height:0px;max-width:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden">=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=
=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=
=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =
=C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =
=C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=
=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=
=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=
=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=
=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =
=E2=80=87 =C2=AD=CD=8F =C2=A0 =E2=80=87 =C2=AD</div><table role=3D"presenta=
tion" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbod=
y><tr><td></td><td width=3D"550"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td width=
=3D"550" align=3D"left"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;max-w=
idth:550px;width:100%;margin:0 auto"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"=
100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=
=3D"right" style=3D"height:20px"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto=
" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"=
vertical-align:middle"><span style=3D"font-family:SF Pro Text,-apple-system=
,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,Inter,Segoe UI,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-se=
rif,Apple Color Emoji,Segoe UI Emoji,Segoe UI Symbol;font-size:13px;color:u=
nset;list-style:none;text-decoration:unset;margin:0"><div style=3D"list-sty=
le:none;color:unset;text-align:right;font-size:12px;line-height:16px;text-d=
ecoration:unset;margin:0"><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-d=
ecoration:unset;margin:0">Forwarded this email? <a href=3D"https://substack=
.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcnQuY29tL3N1YnNjcml=
iZT91dG1fc291cmNlPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1zdWJzY3JpYmUmcj0xZW9nYi=
ZuZXh0PWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmJvcm93aXR6cmVwb3J0LmNvbSUyRnAlMkZheWF0b2xsY=
WhzLWFydC1vZi10aGUtZGVhbC1iZWNvbWVzIiwicCI6MjAyMjg2NDQyLCJzIjoyMzM3NjU2LCJm=
Ijp0cnVlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE2OTUwOTYsImV4cCI6MjA5NzI3MTA5NiwiaXN=
zIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.RC_jrI2Od3u4bVWN05WJ8wEFWs7jeo=
-cEJEYDokAJGU?" style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;=
margin:0;text-decoration-line:underline" target=3D"_blank">Subscribe here</=
a> for more</span></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody>=
</table><table role=3D"presentation" style=3D"border-spacing:0;padding:16px=
 0 32px"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center" style=3D"text-align:center;padding=
:0"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm9y=
b3dpdHpyZXBvcnQuY29tL3AvYXlhdG9sbGFocy1hcnQtb2YtdGhlLWRlYWwtYmVjb21lcz91dG1=
fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtaGFsZi1wb3N0JnI9MWVvZ2ImdG9rZW49ZXlKMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpveU=
16WTBORGt4TENKd2IzTjBYMmxrSWpveU1ESXlPRFkwTkRJc0ltbGhkQ0k2TVRjNE1UWTVOVEE1T=
ml3aVpYaHdJam94TnpnME1qZzNNRGsyTENKcGMzTWlPaUp3ZFdJdE1qTXpOelkxTmlJc0luTjFZ=
aUk2SW5CdmMzUXRjbVZoWTNScGIyNGlmUS4xQWFRQUt0a1h6LTNwUTA2VmlTOFoyUFVnclVKdnE=
0M0VoTHpDMGxjVGFJIiwicCI6MjAyMjg2NDQyLCJzIjoyMzM3NjU2LCJmIjp0cnVlLCJ1IjoyMz=
Y0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE2OTUwOTYsImV4cCI6MjA5NzI3MTA5NiwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzd=
WIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.g30sb-S5gquwOiWCIdf8Cu12mnJIAw8ozf-Dm0UAdmk?" ta=
rget=3D"_blank"><img role=3D"presentation" width=3D"550" height=3D"136" src=
=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!szNc!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_a=
uto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaw=
s.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F49624381-debf-4308-95a6-d9610050db29_2000x492.png=
" style=3D"border:none!important;vertical-align:middle;max-width:550px;disp=
lay:block;margin:0 auto;height:auto;width:100%"></a></td></tr></tbody></tab=
le><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"padding:32px 0 0 0;font-size:16px;line-height=
:26px"><div role=3D"region" aria-label=3D"Post header" style=3D"font-size:1=
6px;line-height:26px"><h1 dir=3D"auto" style=3D"direction:auto;text-align:s=
tart;unicode-bidi:isolate;color:rgb(54,55,55);font-family:&#39;SF Pro Displ=
ay&#39;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&=
#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&=
#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:bold;ma=
rgin:0;line-height:36px;font-size:32px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app=
-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&amp;post_id=3D202286442&amp;utm_source=
=3Dpost-email-title&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&amp;isFreemail=3Dtr=
ue&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyOD=
Y0NDIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1N=
iIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcT=
aI" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:none" target=3D"_blank">Ay=
atollah=E2=80=99s =E2=80=98Art of the Deal=E2=80=99 Becomes #1 Bestseller</=
a></h1><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"margin:1em 0;height:20px"><tbody><tr><td>=
<table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" =
cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto=
" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"=
vertical-align:middle"><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-he=
ight:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0;font-family:&#=
39;SF Compact&#39;,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont=
,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoj=
i&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:500;t=
ext-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.2px"><a style=3D"list-style:none;co=
lor:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;font-family:&#39=
;SF Compact&#39;,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&=
#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&=
#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:500;tex=
t-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.2px;text-decoration:none" href=3D"htt=
ps://substack.com/@borowitzreport" target=3D"_blank">Andy Borowitz</a></div=
></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" w=
idth=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><=
td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:=
11px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0=
;font-family:&#39;SF Compact&#39;,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-system,Bli=
nkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;A=
pple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;fo=
nt-weight:500;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.2px">Jun 17</div></t=
d></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=3D"right"><=
table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" c=
ellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><a href=3D"=
https://substack.com/@borowitzreport" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https:/=
/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PDN5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:st=
eep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F=
cf3f9eb8-9c7a-464e-8c39-2d988e5159cd_2732x2732.png" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;max-width:550px;border:none;vertical-align:middle;width:40px;height=
:40px;min-width:40px;min-height:40px;object-fit:cover;margin:0px;display:in=
line;border-radius:50%" width=3D"40" height=3D"40"></a></td></tr></tbody></=
table></td></tr></tbody></table><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%"=
 border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-top:1px s=
olid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);min-width:100%"><t=
body><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height=
:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" bor=
der=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D=
"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D=
"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentat=
ion" width=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><=
tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publi=
cation_id=3D2337656&amp;post_id=3D202286442&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;i=
sFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;submitLike=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkx=
LCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjk1MDk2LCJ=
leHAiOjE3ODQyODcwOTYsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yMzM3NjU2Iiwic3ViIjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.IMz=
jOETT7zdzbZWQ0xjI998YUi6T2E5sCb09elKKZhE&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_cam=
paign=3Demail-reaction&amp;r=3D1eogb" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple=
-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-s=
erif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Sym=
bol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1=
);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:=
1;padding:9px 0;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119);min-width:38px;=
box-sizing:border-box;width:38px" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://sub=
stackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PeVs!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideHeart%3Fv%3D4%26heigh=
t%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18"=
 height=3D"18" style=3D"border:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" a=
lt=3D""></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-wid=
th:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentatio=
n" width=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr=
><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publica=
tion_id=3D2337656&amp;post_id=3D202286442&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm=
_medium=3Demail&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;comments=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c=
2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhw=
IjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.=
1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;utm_campaign=
=3Demail-half-magic-comments&amp;action=3Dpost-comment&amp;utm_source=3Dsub=
stack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,=
BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#3=
9;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;=
;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border=
-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:1;paddin=
g:9px 0;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119);min-width:38px;box-sizi=
ng:border-box;width:38px" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn=
.com/image/fetch/$s_!x1tS!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:st=
eep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideComments%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D3=
6%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" heig=
ht=3D"18" style=3D"border:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D=
""></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8p=
x"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" wi=
dth=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td =
align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_=
id=3D2337656&amp;post_id=3D202286442&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medi=
um=3Demail&amp;utm_content=3Dshare&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-share&amp;actio=
n=3Dshare&amp;triggerShare=3Dtrue&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;t=
oken=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5=
NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmV=
hY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI" style=3D"font-fami=
ly:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39=
;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px=
 solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-siz=
e:12px;line-height:1;padding:9px 0;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,1=
19);min-width:38px;box-sizing:border-box;width:38px" target=3D"_blank"><img=
 src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_L14!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_=
auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideSh=
are2%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWid=
th%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"border:none;vertical-align:midd=
le;max-width:18px" alt=3D""></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D=
"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table=
 role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadd=
ing=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/r=
edirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS9wdWIvYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvc=
nQvcC9heWF0b2xsYWhzLWFydC1vZi10aGUtZGVhbC1iZWNvbWVzP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9c3Vic3Rh=
Y2smdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtcmVzdGFjay1jb21tZW50JmF=
jdGlvbj1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmcj0xZW9nYiZ0b2tlbj1leUoxYzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME=
5Ea3hMQ0p3YjNOMFgybGtJam95TURJeU9EWTBORElzSW1saGRDSTZNVGM0TVRZNU5UQTVOaXdpW=
lhod0lqb3hOemcwTWpnM01EazJMQ0pwYzNNaU9pSndkV0l0TWpNek56WTFOaUlzSW5OMVlpSTZJ=
bkJ2YzNRdGNtVmhZM1JwYjI0aWZRLjFBYVFBS3RrWHotM3BRMDZWaVM4WjJQVWdyVUp2cTQzRWh=
MekMwbGNUYUkiLCJwIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsInMiOjIzMzc2NTYsImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjIzNjQ0OT=
EsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjcxMDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6I=
mxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.s3Sx6PHM0MPHuBL0zEC7nVQG7gLK1aXrNTgrLho3W84?&amp;utm_=
source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-a=
pple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sa=
ns-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI=
 Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,=
0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-hei=
ght:1;padding:9px 0;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119);min-width:3=
8px;box-sizing:border-box;width:38px" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https:/=
/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ubXF!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_pr=
ogressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2Fnotes__NoteRestackIcon%=
3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D=
2%26strokeLinecap%3Dround%26strokeLinejoin%3Dround" width=3D"18" height=3D"=
18" alt=3D"" style=3D"max-width:550px;border:none!important;vertical-align:=
middle"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td al=
ign=3D"right"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cell=
spacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:midd=
le"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://op=
en.substack.com/pub/borowitzreport/p/ayatollahs-art-of-the-deal-becomes?utm=
_source=3Demail&amp;redirect=3Dapp-store&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-read-in-a=
pp" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Se=
goe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&=
#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font=
-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transf=
orm:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:12px;padding:9px 14px;text-decorat=
ion:none;color:rgb(119,119,119)" target=3D"_blank"><div style=3D"font-size:=
16px;line-height:26px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;max-width:=
0;min-height:18px"></div><span style=3D"vertical-align:middle;margin-right:=
4px">READ IN APP</span><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!=
ET-_!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsub=
stack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideArrowUpRight%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%2=
6stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=
=3D"min-width:18px;min-height:18px;border:none;vertical-align:middle;margin=
-right:0;margin-left:0;max-width:18px" alt=3D""></a></td></tr></tbody></tab=
le></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=
=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td>=
</tr></tbody></table></div></div><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"padding:32px 0 =
0 0;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"text-align:=
initial;font-size:16px;line-height:26px;width:100%;word-break:break-word;ma=
rgin-bottom:16px;font-family:&#39;SF Pro Display&#39;,-apple-system,system-=
ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Inter&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,A=
rial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;S=
egoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-weight:400"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-heig=
ht:26px;margin:32px auto;margin-top:0"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" c=
ellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:cente=
r"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"1456" style=3D"text-align:center"><a hr=
ef=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/fc692e72-1ae9-4e8f-905b-ce8db0308df9?j=
=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D=
"padding:0;width:auto;height:auto;border:none;text-decoration:none;display:=
block;margin:0;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0" target=3D"_blank"><img alt=3D"=
" width=3D"550" height=3D"309.375" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fet=
ch/$s_!_MV0!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3=
A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F08cfa745-7a=
7d-4584-9beb-2b1ff80ae8f7_1600x900.webp" style=3D"border:none!important;ver=
tical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margin-bottom:0;width:auto!imp=
ortant;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a></td><td style=3D"text-a=
lign:center"></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;=
color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><span>TEHRAN (</span><=
a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/61210338-6851-483d-bc9f-b2b90d17fd0=
b?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=
=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:underline" target=3D"_blank">The Bo=
rowitz Report</a><span>)=E2=80=94In an astounding achievement for a first-t=
ime author, on Wednesday Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei nabbed the #1 spot on t=
he </span><em>New York Times</em><span> bestsellers list with a business bo=
ok entitled </span><em>The Art of the Deal.</em></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 =
20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">The publicity m=
aterials provided by the publisher tout, =E2=80=9CFrom the mind of a man wh=
o negotiated the sweetest deal in the history of the Middle East, learn how=
 to fend off a hostile takeover=E2=80=94and win!=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"ma=
rgin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">=E2=80=
=9CDon=E2=80=99t just be a leader,=E2=80=9D the book jacket urges. =E2=80=
=9CBe a Supreme one!=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:rgb(54=
,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">Among the topics covered, the book=
 =E2=80=9Cshows, in five easy steps, how to turn a tiny body of water into =
a money-spinning goldmine.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px 0;color:=
rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px">An advance excerpt from the =
book=E2=80=99s first chapter begins, =E2=80=9CRule #1: Only negotiate with =
morons.=E2=80=9D</p><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;margin:32=
px auto"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=
=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" w=
idth=3D"1456" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/r=
edirect/087c3095-bc6a-4198-8220-9e8fe42a8b67?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJ=
aTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" style=3D"padding:0;width:auto;height:=
auto;border:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0" target=3D"_bl=
ank"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"550" height=3D"62.3282967032967" src=3D"https:/=
/substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WL2C!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl=
_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpub=
lic%2Fimages%2Fb2f47640-6efc-43d9-b8c2-ceb6574993bd_2200x250.png" style=3D"=
border:none!important;vertical-align:middle;display:block;height:auto;margi=
n-bottom:0;width:auto!important;max-width:100%!important;margin:0 auto"></a=
></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div =
style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;dire=
ction:ltr!important;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;font-family:system=
-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Ar=
ial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Se=
goe UI Symbol&#39;;color:#363737;line-height:1.5;max-width:560px;margin:24p=
x auto;display:block;text-align:center;padding:0px 32px"><div style=3D"marg=
in-top:16px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Seg=
oe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#=
39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;font-size:18px;max-width:3=
84px;width:fit-content;line-height:22px;display:flex;text-align:center;font=
-weight:400;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px=
 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px"><strong>The Borowit=
z Report is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and suppor=
t my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</strong></p></div><=
div style=3D"margin:0 0 1em;direction:ltr;font-size:16px;line-height:26px">=
<div style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;font-size:16px;line-hei=
ght:26px;text-align:center;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https://substack.c=
om/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcnQuY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZ=
T91dG1fc291cmNlPXBvc3QmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLWNoZWNrb3V0Jm5leHQ9aHR0cHMl=
M0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcnQuY29tJTJGcCUyRmF5YXRvbGxhaHMtYXJ0LW9mLXR=
oZS1kZWFsLWJlY29tZXMmcj0xZW9nYiZ0b2tlbj1leUoxYzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME5Ea3hMQ0=
pwWVhRaU9qRTNPREUyT1RVd09UWXNJbVY0Y0NJNk1UYzROREk0TnpBNU5pd2lhWE56SWpvaWNIV=
mlMVEl6TXpjMk5UWWlMQ0p6ZFdJaU9pSmphR1ZqYTI5MWRDSjkuUU1ZNUFxc1FOY3puNDEzaGM0=
b3dSc01IMVd3RUhMTEEtZ2IzMDdMNjlYNCIsInAiOjIwMjI4NjQ0MiwicyI6MjMzNzY1NiwiZiI=
6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjk1MDk2LCJleHAiOjIwOTcyNzEwOTYsImlzcy=
I6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.XbVtbwWdD6YCCcqX0Mx-naN_nE99aFwq=
zZI873Qhazc?&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_source=3Dsubscribe-widget-pream=
ble&amp;utm_content=3D202286442" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-syst=
em,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,=
&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#=
39;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;border:none;border-radius:8p=
x;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;text-align:center;opacity=
:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;text-decoration:none!important;margin:0 =
auto;background-color:#ed1c24;color:#ffffff!important;padding:12px 20px;hei=
ght:auto" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:#ffffff;text-decoration:no=
ne">Upgrade to paid</span></a></div></div></div></div><p style=3D"margin:0 =
0 20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px;text-align:cen=
ter;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?public=
ation_id=3D2337656&amp;post_id=3D202286442&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;ut=
m_medium=3Demail&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;comments=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1=
c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXh=
wIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ=
.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;utm_campaign=
=3Demail-half-magic-comments&amp;action=3Dpost-comment" style=3D"font-famil=
y:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helv=
etica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;=
,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;borde=
r:none;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;te=
xt-align:center;margin:0;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;color:#f=
fffff!important;text-decoration:none!important;background-color:#ed1c24;pad=
ding:12px 20px;height:auto" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:#ffffff;=
text-decoration:none">Leave a comment</span></a></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 =
20px 0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px;text-align:cente=
r;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publicat=
ion_id=3D2337656&amp;post_id=3D202286442&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_=
medium=3Demail&amp;utm_content=3Dshare&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-share&amp;a=
ction=3Dshare&amp;triggerShare=3Dtrue&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D1eogb&a=
mp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdCI6MTc4=
MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6InBvc3Q=
tcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI" style=3D"font-=
family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto=
,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji=
&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;=
border:none;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:6=
00;text-align:center;margin:0;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;col=
or:#ffffff!important;text-decoration:none!important;background-color:#ed1c2=
4;padding:12px 20px;height:auto" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:#ff=
ffff;text-decoration:none">Share</span></a></p><p style=3D"margin:0 0 20px =
0;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px;font-size:16px;margin-bottom:0"></p>=
</div></div><div style=3D"margin:32px 0 0;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;=
font-size:16px;line-height:26px"></div><table role=3D"presentation" width=
=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-=
top:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);min-width=
:100%"><tbody><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;li=
ne-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"=
100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-bott=
om:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1)"><tbody><tr><td width=3D"95%"><table role=3D"pre=
sentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" =
style=3D"width:95%;margin:0 auto"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=
=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&amp;post_id=
=3D202286442&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_conte=
nt=3Dshare&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-share&amp;action=3Dshare&amp;triggerSha=
re=3Dtrue&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyM=
zY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3=
MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMzNzY1NiIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3=
pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLzC0lcTaI" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-syst=
em,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,=
&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#=
39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);bor=
der-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:12px;=
padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119);width:100%;pad=
ding-left:0;padding-right:0" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substack=
cdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rmYa!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive=
:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideShare%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D3=
6%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" heig=
ht=3D"18" style=3D"margin-right:8px;min-width:18px;min-height:18px;border:n=
one;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D""><span style=3D"vertical-=
align:middle">Share</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr heigh=
t=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td=
></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=
=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"pre=
sentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0">=
<tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cel=
lspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"margin:0 auto"><tbody><tr><td sty=
le=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" bo=
rder=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"cent=
er"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&=
amp;post_id=3D202286442&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp=
;submitLike=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIy=
ODY0NDIsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjk1MDk2LCJleHAiOjE3ODQyODcwOTY=
sImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yMzM3NjU2Iiwic3ViIjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.IMzjOETT7zdzbZWQ0xjI998=
YUi6T2E5sCb09elKKZhE&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-reacti=
on&amp;r=3D1eogb" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSyst=
emFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Colo=
r Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inl=
ine-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999=
px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:12px;padding:9px 14p=
x;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119)" target=3D"_blank"><img src=
=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PeVs!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto=
:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideHeart%=
3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D=
2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" style=3D"margin-right:8px;min-width:18px;min-=
height:18px;border:none;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D""><spa=
n style=3D"vertical-align:middle">Like</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table>=
</td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-ali=
gn:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspa=
cing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"htt=
ps://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2337656&amp;post_id=3D2022=
86442&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;isFreemail=3Dtru=
e&amp;comments=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyM=
DIyODY0NDIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoxNzg0Mjg3MDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjMz=
NzY1NiIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.1AaQAKtkXz-3pQ06ViS8Z2PUgrUJvq43EhLz=
C0lcTaI&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&amp;acti=
on=3Dpost-comment&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail" style=
=3D"font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#3=
9;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe=
 UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:5=
00;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:upper=
case;font-size:12px;line-height:12px;padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;=
color:rgb(119,119,119)" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.c=
om/image/fetch/$s_!x1tS!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:stee=
p/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideComments%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%=
26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=
=3D"18" style=3D"margin-right:8px;min-width:18px;min-height:18px;border:non=
e;vertical-align:middle;max-width:18px" alt=3D""><span style=3D"vertical-al=
ign:middle">Comment</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8=
" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table r=
ole=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadd=
ing=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/r=
edirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS9wdWIvYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvc=
nQvcC9heWF0b2xsYWhzLWFydC1vZi10aGUtZGVhbC1iZWNvbWVzP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9c3Vic3Rh=
Y2smdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtcmVzdGFjay1jb21tZW50JmF=
jdGlvbj1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmcj0xZW9nYiZ0b2tlbj1leUoxYzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME=
5Ea3hMQ0p3YjNOMFgybGtJam95TURJeU9EWTBORElzSW1saGRDSTZNVGM0TVRZNU5UQTVOaXdpW=
lhod0lqb3hOemcwTWpnM01EazJMQ0pwYzNNaU9pSndkV0l0TWpNek56WTFOaUlzSW5OMVlpSTZJ=
bkJ2YzNRdGNtVmhZM1JwYjI0aWZRLjFBYVFBS3RrWHotM3BRMDZWaVM4WjJQVWdyVUp2cTQzRWh=
MekMwbGNUYUkiLCJwIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsInMiOjIzMzc2NTYsImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjIzNjQ0OT=
EsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjcxMDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6I=
mxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.s3Sx6PHM0MPHuBL0zEC7nVQG7gLK1aXrNTgrLho3W84?&amp;utm_=
source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-a=
pple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sa=
ns-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI=
 Symbol&#39;;display:inline-block;font-weight:500;border:1px solid rgb(0,0,=
0,.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-hei=
ght:12px;padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(119,119,119)" targ=
et=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ubXF!,w_3=
6,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com=
%2Ficon%2Fnotes__NoteRestackIcon%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stro=
ke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2%26strokeLinecap%3Dround%26strokeLinejoin=
%3Dround" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" style=3D"margin-right:8px;min=
-width:18px;min-height:18px;max-width:550px;border:none!important;vertical-=
align:middle"><span style=3D"vertical-align:middle">Restack</span></a></td>=
</tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=3D"right"><ta=
ble role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cel=
lpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></=
td></tr><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-hei=
ght:0">=C2=A0</td></tr></tbody></table><div style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119)=
;text-align:center;font-size:16px;line-height:26px;padding:24px0"><div styl=
e=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;padding-bottom:24px"><p style=3D"list-=
style:none;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Sego=
e UI&#39;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#3=
9;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;padding-bottom:0;font-size:=
12px;line-height:16px;margin:0;color:rgb(119,119,119);text-decoration:unset=
">=C2=A9 2026 <span>Andy Borowitz</span><br>548 Market Street PMB 72296, Sa=
n Francisco, CA 94104 <br><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIj=
oiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm9yb3dpdHpyZXBvcnQuY29tL2FjdGlvbi9kaXNhYmxlX2VtYWlsP3Rva=
2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3lNelkwTkRreExDSndiM04wWDJsa0lqb3lNREl5T0RZME5ESXNJ=
bWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVFk1TlRBNU5pd2laWGh3SWpveE9ERXpNak14TURrMkxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2R=
XSXRNak16TnpZMU5pSXNJbk4xWWlJNkltUnBjMkZpYkdWZlpXMWhhV3dpZlEudlJFalhzc2lyZk=
JBUG92c0dvX21ndG5VNmhmMXZfSzBkNk9YTlRyYW9IQSIsInAiOjIwMjI4NjQ0MiwicyI6MjMzN=
zY1NiwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjk1MDk2LCJleHAiOjIwOTcyNzEw=
OTYsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.-Zvs5fny9qYrWqZeCk_xF5=
uPSo4sgWnqQb6xw7O1SvU?" style=3D"text-decoration:underline;color:rgb(119,11=
9,119)" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);text-decora=
tion:underline">Unsubscribe</span></a></p></div><p style=3D"padding:0 24px;=
font-size:12px;line-height:20px;margin:0;color:rgb(119,119,119);font-family=
:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&#39;Segoe UI&#39;,Roboto,Helve=
tica,Arial,sans-serif,&#39;Apple Color Emoji&#39;,&#39;Segoe UI Emoji&#39;,=
&#39;Segoe UI Symbol&#39;;padding-bottom:0;margin-top:0"><a href=3D"https:/=
/substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc2lnbnVwP3V0bV=
9zb3VyY2U9c3Vic3RhY2smdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY29udGVudD1mb290ZXImdXRtX=
2NhbXBhaWduPWF1dG9maWxsZWQtZm9vdGVyJmZyZWVTaWdudXBFbWFpbD1jd2ZyZXNpZGVuY2VA=
Z21haWwuY29tJnI9MWVvZ2IiLCJwIjoyMDIyODY0NDIsInMiOjIzMzc2NTYsImYiOnRydWUsInU=
iOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY5NTA5NiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjcxMDk2LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMC=
IsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.n4VuPPxKQBJIYZvSDad0BaUfVSNK253uMtcxdfVg3-=
Y?" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);text-decoration:none;display:inline-blo=
ck;margin:0 4px" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/imag=
e/fetch/$s_!LkrL!,w_270,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/htt=
ps%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Fimg%2Femail%2Fpublish-button%402x.png" width=3D"1=
35" alt=3D"Start writing" height=3D"40" style=3D"max-width:550px;border:non=
e!important;vertical-align:middle"></a></p></div></div></td><td></td></tr><=
/tbody></table><img src=3D"https://eotrx.substackcdn.com/o/11be63272cd3dd94=
/p.gif?token=3DeyJtIjoiPDIwMjYwNjE3MTEwMzUxLjMuMTJiNjBiM2I5N2IwM2I3MkBtZy1k=
MC5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20-IiwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiciI6ImN3ZnJlc2lkZW5jZUBnbWFpbC5jb20=
iLCJkIjoibWctZDAuc3Vic3RhY2suY29tIiwicCI6MjAyMjg2NDQyLCJ0IjoibmV3c2xldHRlci=
IsImEiOiJldmVyeW9uZSIsInMiOjIzMzc2NTYsImMiOiJwb3N0IiwiZiI6dHJ1ZSwicG9zaXRpb=
24iOiJib3R0b20iLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE2OTUwOTYsImV4cCI6MTc4NDI4NzA5NiwiaXNzIjoicHVi=
LTAiLCJzdWIiOiJlbyJ9.Hi1HYw18kGgSlEaisyAIjEz9H0MpVSfRP5tpdBKYG7g" alt=3D"" =
width=3D"1" height=3D"1" border=3D"0" style=3D"height:1px!important;width:1=
px!important;border-width:0!important;margin-top:0!important;margin-bottom:=
0!important;margin-right:0!important;margin-left:0!important;padding-top:0!=
important;padding-bottom:0!important;padding-right:0!important;padding-left=
:0!important"><img width=3D"1" height=3D"1" alt=3D"" src=3D"https://email.m=
g-d0.substack.com/o/eJxMkM2upCAQRp-m2Y3hX13wLKaA0iGjYKDojvP0N3b34m6_Ss45qQC=
EW6mXO0sjFp1VsJrI0IlxEnY2fLYMD0j7smHGCoRxAfp11Uaxv85IxVcFMMFq52CiXq0SEqbold=
VzkCw5yaXlVoxCcGXEoAYhveVe-Xn0XPlRPjQ_tj-RD637RhD-DaEcLLVlrfhOcFQ7sjt0gR4T5=
oAOn1ivkr9zirdGTlZr-VnoOtFlfLUdibCys_sllOPoOdG1YAa_Y_yCu99TAEolv0FKjdZYVl14=
rRVbirfwofl2t7zbWvexHJCy86WWV6L_Fc9SidHnnb1h_aCs1rNgTyd_AgAA__8x5Xp6"></div=
></div></div>

--000000000000c207560654786fbc--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 12:57:23 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id D115EB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:57:23 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net D115EB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="g7tlhlOk"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id C53DFBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:57:23 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ed1-f53.google.com (mail-ed1-f53.google.com
 [209.85.208.53])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id A233FBD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:57:23 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ed1-f53.google.com with SMTP id
 4fb4d7f45d1cf-693c69b97e7so117161a12.2
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:57:23 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781726242; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=h7rEoU2gIhiyZysXKQGKjVDd+x4b0J3VipuqkjITqZZLdhsXm0e2HDasyyp8hFLtc+
 eudR2+a2+r/zFhJLZHOR00bc1KuYIzDPxhIv8Rrmk1QdBWvuhayx7YXJFmU3dyfOnUFe
 Pv6PqKor4EGvgIr16LDCLACpBY6LlNU33x9Gi6UsGvw/X9ZRv0alFL/9s3d/kU4KmoKf
 Njfjt2uOb5ncXYeaitfOqOj4dlN0BDS5yL96X0f3YGJXb7BtAGNZ8CeBSFmY1t7F3OGH
 0Pr4tW5XprRvKsex6gseHBMvMV3rHbClHUDIEWX36doKsjwf4yTzcT41jY4+rGvMkYCz
 oq2w==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=C9KGDQjZ079WGc8gGhXdcasgjPzUsmjjYGyQZn6o7dw=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=DxGQ+IygQIN7ymPr9bh2rXwXGK8Ysw9yR0zY0VCbFZ109i3S2wIIKHKBC1PehrSMoS
 txPZB7dZkOFZju1TQDuPK6fTEiQ9AD/sVn/fPzVwzkRAA8qfYFzZ0iA0Qy4d5U5epitx
 Yn0Ku0auMMaHjcFLOIj2UavhsvUO8lifU8LlhUQXnCK47J9wnt6YuJ1gSy/H4H3iYTrJ
 GO1V7V9Q9o1pT+G4OUyqke+cTC5AR2iIiWyMis0KVnKOcGb4t3rxYNOneesISyBJhQXe
 PNvpXwOaQ5r8TKDRyTmAt4xRa/wmTvCpH/ACT/S/EfLttQoFNk9Q3WUxUoCU0TTH58vb
 4Rsw==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781726242; x=1782331042; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=C9KGDQjZ079WGc8gGhXdcasgjPzUsmjjYGyQZn6o7dw=;
 b=g7tlhlOkNIqRZ7dmDFNvxB/HeH9sTGkpnN1sv8YK+Uz7ws2zEEbWH3dMWJh7eb+Bnm
 iXFtLaF0fyzKZZOnm1cLS4HtxY6OuJdWxHVAUK12MIQDRG8J4MF/OiQifYGOLTUtFVmX
 JJjrE16Tbp6ZgrVvH7OCU8SmoHG56lPJ1PrOTKXt+uWTS3UzLqPclQcY9Wf9Ip5tfhgX
 Wp2ELqHdy228Bxb9p4ipsNqZ0HdYnw2ZPrTtHU/p7wYF1mziBINDuu5Gd7+gkSpx9X/g
 jkFT0MDVczeDfou0KlSBD4qmXwbvJpXh8/ApmFdWg5QGSlrPC4NbHYfIBEe7ePHGPHab
 oQJQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781726242; x=1782331042;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=C9KGDQjZ079WGc8gGhXdcasgjPzUsmjjYGyQZn6o7dw=;
 b=r8P8jG/ZPZqsGTPdNPOZq05T4LDj0xECr2cgHlNhZBhHj1+8YMNP55IFemH6MWQeQX
 TBld/Mfh0/bfTmOMBAZ6JdHBdMZiu51YDjgVjCUL9Ou8nxZDaXewCItGHtK4l7ULW0T8
 QRc7hNIEQPaCWkMYXz+0tMM15UCRIlWbdGcoPf0qblwTxnJ1OAYL5PrPWOpda0/pntpO
 1UipN5kAPO6nYcVEmOh1rgXkPDB6EzlYvoVVPNuuIj2nmNIBrSmsdHIweyw0P1gpqV5K
 ZA5fJ2VJkJoIq7LCD20Ytj9qiv/3KSH6gLoCNHzNgOks4e85ymDb96AHW16ho6Z9CN/c
 0zyQ==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yx83eCOP72kkflNoEb1lMkyKfYvfRtfbjPrcG0nM39P3AThejwg
 Jcqb2IgpV7r0OGqOTCgOisymG+KM3Nh832hwHCef46+sSKnC+drzazFw4yeERjr+nDhVXeXX4n1
 6gx/zIogI7M30ZvZIt6gQ1CjLsX1zAFWv6qJ7Fao=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OGHYym5IZ/76qBP4M1VYRFDtLFwdeJqJuHapbF7y6/0v1YsY7O7ix0hwbMxBna
 2K/mAcvcdYYnBv68kUhIj9gWMUdx1rHfHG663IZjMMyVEfm+H37JILet/jIXP2dnQn0XuWu7WoD
 2QbAMzLH/bWOaENEfQrU2IprbB2UQ9H1kJluFUacwG9o+5clLXBqyq4MNBCkWVxgJ+ne1Jmx75w
 RV558DRS8Ht3uDqR2ou07sy14nFZ/3VtR2T/evCinLQw9k/XY1ZIJ2xXehwJ5D164VFwjACNUkB
 USmZJ7Xq9qIzXwpaGh8sP/KtJ9ED4cs23WeLaQJmq9M9tYWnT0JWP5Mp+OJObnHtKHARxoOcfFU
 gfjILRLMOxU0taDFWQEenoS8r44UCXGgkX4TM7dvR2bP+JC40Y0buPgp26N8wrQX4XuZ9gmv8nE
 ukNeIIS7ZgppqKEf2FOTqOXjKOnMieXikBVkfprpOW4tySibYhax3bOmyu7jMfbSVuJllcJfvIw
 LXHDeG4ciACBRLPc4pC2LHskj0sC/XxhA4ccyxtOW18QRY=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:1c24:b0:bd5:2859:ed0a with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a8d863acmr376846666b.42.1781726241603; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 12:57:21 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzCru989a0qToW+Fbu8Ce-EH4pLy-oKTNOzx7y8u-Q64rA@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzCru989a0qToW+Fbu8Ce-EH4pLy-oKTNOzx7y8u-Q64rA@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:57:05 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CfAR4VUsIMZZnaW5azmSmc9zCYPSMnkM94Rvclo7vPz-DnpC4dx_tZErik
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=jeZtNXNxru6sFW-XUU_GHrF4MfiAdCutcFmZxF5G6ZQ@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000b7c8af065478776b"
Subject: [Salon] USA discusses VIP transit plan for Strait of Hormuz
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:57:24 -0000

--000000000000b7c8af065478776b
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*USA discusses VIP transit plan for Strait of Hormuz*
*Harici.com.tr <https://harici.com.tr/author/hariciadmin/>
<https://x.com/haricitr>17.06.2026 10:12Author*
*According to the news of Politico, US officials are discussing the formula
for paid VIP crossing with military escorts to restart ship traffic in the
Strait of Hormuz. While hundreds of ships continue to wait in the region,
this step is intended to encourage European allies to take responsibility
for maritime security.*

*Officials from the administration of US President Donald Trump have
started to discuss the paid "VIP pass" option, which offers military
escorts and accelerated passage, in order to restart the tanker traffic in
the Strait of Hormuz.*

*According to the news
<https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/16/trump-administration-oil-tankers-=
hormuz-passage-00963910>that
Politico based sources close to the talks, although the parties announced
that a peace agreement would be reached soon, the transition crisis in the
Strait of Hormuz has not yet been overcome.*

*A source with knowledge about the talks said about the negotiations, "In
exchange for a fee to be paid to the USA, the accelerated transition
formula accompanied by an escort is focused. This will be a kind of VIP
pass for ships. The basic idea is to charge for these quick procedures,
which can be carried out accompanied by a military escort," he said.*

*The ideas of charging tankers is also used as a negotiating tactic before
the G7 summit to be held in France and aims to ensure more active
participation of European allies in developments in the region, the sources
said.*

*A former government official explained the purpose of this idea of
remuneration with these words:*

*=E2=80=9CThis idea aims to pave the way for France, England and other coun=
tries to
enter the Persian Gulf and assume maritime security responsibility. Thus,
it is aimed to create an additional deterrence element that will prevent
Iranians from withdrawing from the agreement and using the Strait of Hormuz
as a long-term blackmail tool.=E2=80=9D*

*Other alternatives discussed in the White House include the introduction
of the Defense Manufacturing Act to force US insurance companies to provide
security to ships using this sea route.*

*The Trump administration offered shipowners $20 billion in =E2=80=9Cpoliti=
cal
insurance=E2=80=9D in March. However, Politico said that shipowners who did=
 not
want to risk their properties in the waters where Iran damaged millions of
dollars worth of cargo with missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and small
boats, did not show interest in this offer.*

*Sources noted that none of the discussed ideas have been approved yet.
Stating that despite the agreement between the USA and Iran, the traffic in
the strait has almost completely come to a standstill, Politico said that
according to Kpler data, approximately 500 ships, 220 of which are tankers,
are currently waiting in the Persian Gulf, just outside the Strait of
Hormuz.*

*The US and Iran announced that a peace agreement was reached on June 14
after the negotiations carried out under the mediation of Pakistan.*

*Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that the signing ceremony
of the agreement is expected to be held in Switzerland on June 19.*

*The drafts of the memorandum of understanding broadcast by Israeli
television Kanal 12 and Al Arabiya on June 16 contain articles related to
the Strait of Hormuz.*

*The draft published by Channel 12 states that "Iran will make the
necessary arrangements to ensure the safe passage of commercial ships
through the Strait of Hormuz and will not charge any fees for 60 days."*

*In the version of Al Arabiya, it is said that "Iran will ensure the safe
passage of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, including
demining works, within 30 days."*

*In addition, according to the draft quoted by Channel 12, Iran and Oman
are committing to conducting negotiations to determine the "regulations on
maritime transport and port services" with the participation of the Gulf
countries.*

*After the announcement of the peace agreement, US President Donald Trump
announced that the tankers began to leave the Strait of Hormuz.*

*In a post on his social media account on June 15, Trump said, "They are
moving on the southern 'highway', which is completely safe, secure and
trouble-free. There are other transit routes!!!=E2=80=9D He used his expres=
sions.*

*On the other hand, the sources who spoke to Reuters stated that
<https://harici.com.tr/reuters-abd-hurmuz-bogazinda-gizli-petrol-transferi-=
yapiyor/>even
if a transition agreement is signed, the mine clearance works in the Strait
of Hormuz could delay the return to normal sea traffic for a few weeks.*

*In the news they published at the end of May, NBC and ABC channels
reported that the US army has not been able to locate the Iranian mines in
the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the war with Iran.*

--000000000000b7c8af065478776b
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div><h1 style=3D"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;line-hei=
ght:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27=
,27,27)"><font size=3D"4"><i>USA discusses VIP transit plan for Strait of H=
ormuz</i></font></h1><div style=3D"margin-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%;colo=
r:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b><div style=3D"margin:0px;=
max-width:100%;clear:both;display:inline"><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-wid=
th:100%"><a href=3D"https://harici.com.tr/author/hariciadmin/" rel=3D"autho=
r" style=3D"text-decoration:none;margin:0px;color:rgb(27,27,27);max-width:1=
00%;display:inline" target=3D"_blank">Harici.com.tr</a></span><span>=C2=A0<=
/span><a href=3D"https://x.com/haricitr" style=3D"text-decoration:none;marg=
in:0px;color:rgb(27,27,27);max-width:100%;display:inline" target=3D"_blank"=
><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%"><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-wi=
dth:100%"></span></span></a></div><span style=3D"margin:0.07em 0.45em 0px;p=
adding:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline"></span>17.06.2026 10:12Author</b>=
</font></div><div style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-bottom:1.15em;line-height:=
1.5em;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65)"><img src=3D"https://harici.com.tr/wp-content/=
uploads/2026/06/Hurmuz-1.jpeg" alt=3D"" style=3D"margin:auto 0px auto auto;=
display:block;clear:both" width=3D"412" height=3D"232"></div><h5 style=3D"m=
argin:1em 0px;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><strong style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"2">According to the news of P=
olitico, US officials are discussing the formula for paid VIP crossing with=
 military escorts to restart ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. While hu=
ndreds of ships continue to wait in the region, this step is intended to en=
courage European allies to take responsibility for maritime security.</font=
></strong></h5><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Officials from the administration of US President Do=
nald Trump have started to discuss the paid &quot;VIP pass&quot; option, wh=
ich offers military escorts and accelerated passage, in order to restart th=
e tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>According<spa=
n>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><a href=3D"https://www.politi=
co.com/news/2026/06/16/trump-administration-oil-tankers-hormuz-passage-0096=
3910" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;co=
lor:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">to the news<span>=C2=
=A0</span></a></span>that Politico based sources close to the talks, althou=
gh the parties announced that a peace agreement would be reached soon, the =
transition crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has not yet been overcome.</b></f=
ont></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georg=
ia, serif"><b>A source with knowledge about the talks said about the negoti=
ations, &quot;In exchange for a fee to be paid to the USA, the accelerated =
transition formula accompanied by an escort is focused. This will be a kind=
 of VIP pass for ships. The basic idea is to charge for these quick procedu=
res, which can be carried out accompanied by a military escort,&quot; he sa=
id.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font fac=
e=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The ideas of charging tankers is also used as a neg=
otiating tactic before the G7 summit to be held in France and aims to ensur=
e more active participation of European allies in developments in the regio=
n, the sources said.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,=
27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>A former government official expla=
ined the purpose of this idea of remuneration with these words:</b></font><=
/p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><em style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>=E2=80=9CThis idea aims to pave the w=
ay for France, England and other countries to enter the Persian Gulf and as=
sume maritime security responsibility. Thus, it is aimed to create an addit=
ional deterrence element that will prevent Iranians from withdrawing from t=
he agreement and using the Strait of Hormuz as a long-term blackmail tool.=
=E2=80=9D</b></font></em></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)=
"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Other alternatives discussed in the Whit=
e House include the introduction of the Defense Manufacturing Act to force =
US insurance companies to provide security to ships using this sea route.</=
b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"=
georgia, serif"><b>The Trump administration offered shipowners $20 billion =
in =E2=80=9Cpolitical insurance=E2=80=9D in March. However, Politico said t=
hat shipowners who did not want to risk their properties in the waters wher=
e Iran damaged millions of dollars worth of cargo with missiles, unmanned a=
erial vehicles and small boats, did not show interest in this offer.</b></f=
ont></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georg=
ia, serif"><b>Sources noted that none of the discussed ideas have been appr=
oved yet. Stating that despite the agreement between the USA and Iran, the =
traffic in the strait has almost completely come to a standstill, Politico =
said that according to Kpler data, approximately 500 ships, 220 of which ar=
e tankers, are currently waiting in the Persian Gulf, just outside the Stra=
it of Hormuz.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"=
><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The US and Iran announced that a peace ag=
reement was reached on June 14 after the negotiations carried out under the=
 mediation of Pakistan.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz=
 Sharif announced that the signing ceremony of the agreement is expected to=
 be held in Switzerland on June 19.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100=
%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The drafts of the m=
emorandum of understanding broadcast by Israeli television Kanal 12 and Al =
Arabiya on June 16 contain articles related to the Strait of Hormuz.</b></f=
ont></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georg=
ia, serif"><b>The draft published by Channel 12 states that &quot;Iran will=
 make the necessary arrangements to ensure the safe passage of commercial s=
hips through the Strait of Hormuz and will not charge any fees for 60 days.=
&quot;</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font =
face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>In the version of Al Arabiya, it is said that &q=
uot;Iran will ensure the safe passage of commercial ships through the Strai=
t of Hormuz, including demining works, within 30 days.&quot;</b></font></p>=
<p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, seri=
f"><b>In addition, according to the draft quoted by Channel 12, Iran and Om=
an are committing to conducting negotiations to determine the &quot;regulat=
ions on maritime transport and port services&quot; with the participation o=
f the Gulf countries.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27=
,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>After the announcement of the pea=
ce agreement, US President Donald Trump announced that the tankers began to=
 leave the Strait of Hormuz.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color=
:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>In a post on his social me=
dia account on June 15, Trump said, &quot;They are moving on the southern &=
#39;highway&#39;, which is completely safe, secure and trouble-free. There =
are other transit routes!!!=E2=80=9D He used his expressions.</b></font></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, ser=
if"><b>On the other hand, the sources who spoke to Reuters<span>=C2=A0</spa=
n><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><a href=3D"https://harici.com.tr/reuters-a=
bd-hurmuz-bogazinda-gizli-petrol-transferi-yapiyor/" rel=3D"noopener norefe=
rrer nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-widt=
h:100%" target=3D"_blank">stated that<span>=C2=A0</span></a></span>even if =
a transition agreement is signed, the mine clearance works in the Strait of=
 Hormuz could delay the return to normal sea traffic for a few weeks.</b></=
font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"geor=
gia, serif"><b>In the news they published at the end of May, NBC and ABC ch=
annels reported that the US army has not been able to locate the Iranian mi=
nes in the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the war with Iran.</b></=
font></p></div></div>
</div></div>

--000000000000b7c8af065478776b--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 13:19:07 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id DCC60B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:19:06 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net DCC60B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="mMcFk86W"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id CBDFFBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:19:06 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f46.google.com (mail-ej1-f46.google.com
 [209.85.218.46])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 5ED48BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:19:06 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f46.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-beb8a08a6c8so13548566b.2
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:19:06 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781727545; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=jh8hMeIIvRG1CX5AimsCghMkVaXY4GRNFD3qwG3nwfW5NyyY1qRF9oxuSBxt0KqMUp
 OOqYS/Bi3Uyf9PIua/CJWRzeE1lTGrvU1o2I6eZ00Kocl37fpPjS99lRVmsRyoaEBLJa
 cArF0mcgi4br8s0OyNqCckooVyCvu6PA99vAwsLP5lwlr/DSNOZA3C80TB+jmir/UhQs
 svgHzUJGSoFajRG6yk2qw+HWJ42N0PqvVL26XRMGwtL823y0SpgC4sywwdKCUTwUEtUT
 PGaqR4Z34WYmrOaOGv7e4g9yUJdQ+MWM9ZhRupflrxJGF6/drLNTZF1BABTVMuBhP+pD
 JwTg==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=9wEIgBeyYrj4oWwslrDqe+47SnNA4kSnYalINTyIO2Q=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=gBMBlGVGa/9TOyK+217eYLgCNJ5OHsG1LprNfLG/Zi0RH0IVn835SURG2Mrmhq7I/A
 4MxXpVcwoO7L66DN8XjtvJ9nkz4+QQx3htn5Vof4XYowM6MBJzW+ndJRFGneXfblIbYv
 diQN9afORmiCCO+y66Zqbg3y+cEfuQVYd705GECY/r5wACZIXAIi/hWWNIoE1fRzZ8ny
 yDzZM6MPrGvQYM6otYo8qQRRSQDPr5d03UBHHYTgzDh9fBejRQWsbm0v759X2JYaZn5+
 pgLnAP9e9tU1/qmipfDgbFgnzwJ5zQCiwFGVnbOXvijsgQ3sBQXQf+ZxS//Dankw3ceA
 WC3g==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781727545; x=1782332345; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=9wEIgBeyYrj4oWwslrDqe+47SnNA4kSnYalINTyIO2Q=;
 b=mMcFk86WXZSSlhdPPFXPbNQGY9lwkXYOdmRm+tnUk+dGJJaonz8IeSvNEcwutIIp7g
 LIZuLwBZLBOscfcQeUaaFgIyIU4un4TEjhJrF3NStSCCzLHKyOutMfvfpV9HuNV4ArK9
 fqi6mbXPjCyRZiPn1j/0HVVQN3rDRv83BqyU3pLsGDwjwWsdbFRE/Dc/R+I3Tk7JKPdY
 +PStmXR0ybxDhvFgOJqXA2mHQjpCG6baJXtrGMyOKmuY064hPuN9PqkzPSiJyyfQ/Tpv
 Ty7y5IBwugP3Lfy548sBECkND3p2HNKsUt8ouVlSryz4uH09DgeeClYG2SLV8fFI9faf
 S3pw==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781727545; x=1782332345;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=9wEIgBeyYrj4oWwslrDqe+47SnNA4kSnYalINTyIO2Q=;
 b=Z0mLLo5tx98EKedMGvPk28yjXQxpM5Yp6rnjafn+AfeLi20StfMR3eITmpOH3Fe6YD
 u12gikacHxPnLbBUjTW4IlVd0di/o3pl5qh+4RdKuS9TaH9bFOLV+nv1+jj1+Sd69ezK
 jai7xqoeMyMPfcPuTUO7cdEEXdoR+DQ8cBiaE1ueeeokbP42GTvZQy8x4dZ6SyHBQ130
 B6Qnz1CLYmoR1AHMrENfGwuyx1KlQF3jUZJ9DO/BPmqi6A7+isnVDIckxdAOATofsD77
 IXZ8jQtibXBjMTGw4wc64DkDWOo4KetsaRWFMdPQg+blApJ3qQu6mWsDsXU8SbhZ0iHU
 Bp4g==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YzEFg4isypkMrne6ZMq40NJYiUcfsqP5eZvrpHsNTC6aNhNMG2R
 p/JGN/1kaIlBuhKlsoV/8Sk1A2TjlvjK05Srj12f10h7A1GyIo3jHBx27kDTvQWAf5BZxwSoRjj
 hcUen0fLgquBnKUbw0h7j5NDeeYPrI3JQdjBK1J4vOQ==
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OE2hUQEo0BTioY/fMtcQGCcksV4nClHMKgqz5qqEnW9YCESUMI8sY1Vq820aqL
 TlZjc7mUI0gEzlVYNQ8lzwmAUb0nLJ/UaJHg39VKGZVPiaF6NRHcOTD+eEPSGhBYVqmQP5BGuOa
 Zu59qKd46MbyV/Gom+M16+IKVYYbLUJLdLVAkWr8NsU+51jz3VqgBeLaGVJrSiJIptJbmh4PAKg
 WHoJv5rxU/5rLHkClGxQQcdTnL2pGbfUaoFXUbebj/cZPe5ShLcqW/pK6UYm4EE+Jxvq3L4kVbh
 bjTwOHBZRf3Og1Qq3v7nnfqyeI5GvyD4n/fyyCc+VstYN79rL7oMPuRZvkEgzCIA7sLJr4YwMLQ
 7fW1Q9XmN+3Rb6eFcWxE67P0id4yCEZe+g7xbth4TI2cbkRaLg8TcqlyvNP3Jj5kTJl5p+nHFjE
 O0ve6MxtxXCQUox4Hi5ptxdwbn4zZJxbcpf6daajSCubabjZxxzZjXrwUrT6njW7/gxCLbvJ3yg
 PAKMB/yn/vtLGQMokMEtXcmE5sSQV9kiI7E3/qmHnh4NxVZlZChLIUBlg==
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:848:b0:bf3:230c:4c64 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c0749a829femr34199266b.16.1781727544311; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 13:19:04 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:18:47 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Ce2LfmbhQDmhnZuJbvknCAncHTTDOYmIZbDUKflvQRprcLJp9tlH5vqlpQ
Message-ID: <CANbmmQmzyaziFJJj3_vCDH8QFr=NqNc3iaPySdPdqRfP021_CA@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000005d859c065478c572"
Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?Can_India_react_to_Gulf_sailors=E2=80=99_death?=
 =?utf-8?q?s_like_China_did_with_US_after_1999_embassy_bombing=3F?=
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:19:07 -0000

--0000000000005d859c065478c572
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Can India react to Gulf sailors=E2=80=99 deaths like China did with US afte=
r 1999
embassy bombing?

Beijing=E2=80=99s reaction to the Belgrade incident could be a template for=
 New
Delhi, but some analysts warn it faces very different circumstances
SCMP
[image: The bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade prompted widespred
anger and rare public demonstrations. Photo: AFP]
Khushboo Razdan <https://www.scmp.com/author/khushboo-razdan>in New Delhi
16 Jun 2026

The images were difficult to ignore. A viral video showed the body of a
35-year-old Indian seafarer on a vessel off Oman, with crew members using
cold water bottles in a desperate attempt to slow the decomposition process=
.

He had died last Thursday from medical complications, but it had not been
possible to send help or evacuate him from the ship because of the US
blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
The previous day, three more Indian sailors were killed
<https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3356980/indians-grieve-a=
nd-demand-action-after-us-strike-kills-sailors?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Dart=
icle>
when
a tanker moored nearby was bombed after US Central Command said it
=E2=80=9Crepeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces=
=E2=80=9D.

That same week, US strikes disabled two more Indian-crewed vessels, but all
those on board survived.

These incidents have caused growing anger in India and raised questions
about its ability to respond effectively to America=E2=80=99s actions.

Tensions were further fuelled by Secretary of State Marco Rubio=E2=80=99s r=
esponse
to India=E2=80=99s protests. He offered no apology, instead warning ships n=
ot to
defy =E2=80=9Corders=E2=80=9D from the United States Navy.

Around 18,000 Indian sailors are reported to be in the entire Gulf region.
The human toll the conflict is taking on them now presents a difficult test
for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is set to meet US President
Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of 7 summit
<https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3356984/g7-summit-offers=
-trump-modi-chance-reset-ties-after-us-strikes-kill-indian-sailors?module=
=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>
in
France on Wednesday.
US military fires at a commercial ship in the Gulf of Oman, killing 3
Indian sailors

Subramanian Swamy, a veteran former minister from Modi=E2=80=99s own Bharat=
iya
Janata Party, said the prime minister was acting like a =E2=80=9Cpussycat=
=E2=80=9D and
called for US ambassador Sergio Gor, a former Trump aide, to be recalled
unless Washington apologised.

New Delhi=E2=80=99s restrained response has divided opinion about whether i=
t
reflects prudent diplomacy or a deeper foreign policy weakness.
The situation has also prompted comparisons with China=E2=80=99s reaction t=
o Nato=E2=80=99s
1999 bombing of its embassy in Belgrade
<https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3261747/china-sends-mess=
age-nato-xis-visit-belgrade-embassy-bombing-site?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Da=
rticle>
during
the Kosovo conflict as an example of how =E2=80=9Cnations earn respect=E2=
=80=9D.

At the time, China was =E2=80=9Cno match for American power [but] Washingto=
n was
compelled to pay US$32.5 million in compensation for the damage and for
those killed or wounded=E2=80=9D, Brahma Chellaney, from the Centre for Pol=
icy
Research in New Delhi, said.

The US always maintained the bombing was an accident. But Chellaney noted:
=E2=80=9CThe US also issued repeated apologies for the bombing, with Presid=
ent Bill
Clinton personally apologising to help defuse the crisis.=E2=80=9D

He contrasted that with India=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cfeckless=E2=80=9D response=
 to the sailors=E2=80=99 deaths,
arguing that the country seemed to lack =E2=80=9Ccomparable political resol=
ve=E2=80=9D
demanding =E2=80=9Cneither an American apology nor compensation for the vic=
tims=E2=80=99
families=E2=80=9D.

=E2=80=9CThese episodes differed in circumstance and scale, but they shared=
 a
common lesson: nations earn respect not merely through economic or military
power, but through leadership, resolve and a willingness to defend their
interests. Respect is earned, not bestowed,=E2=80=9D he said.

Kunal Singh, from the Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs
at Harvard Kennedy School, described China=E2=80=99s response to the Belgra=
de
bombing as =E2=80=9Ccertainly more forceful than what India has offered thi=
s time=E2=80=9D.

But he said there were =E2=80=9Cgood reasons=E2=80=9D for India to assume t=
hat Trump would
be =E2=80=9Cmore unpredictable [than Clinton] and probably vindictive if In=
dia
demands the same things China did=E2=80=9D.

Singh argued that the 1999 bombing highlighted the way that =E2=80=9Crising=
 powers
must make foreign policy compromises vis-a-vis established hegemons=E2=80=
=9D.
At the time, China was in the final stages of joining the World Trade
Organization and Jiang Zemin, the country=E2=80=99s leader, did not want to=
 derail
the process
<https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3201742/china-us-and-jia=
ng-zemin-reset-how-former-cold-war-rivals-found-decade-unsteady-calm-after-=
tiananmen?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>,
Singh said.

Beijing viewed the Nato bombing campaign as illegal and it prompted
criticism of plans for premier Zhu Rongji to visit the US and offer
concessions to secure support for China=E2=80=99s WTO entry.

=E2=80=9CJiang overruled the opposition and asked Zhu to go. The bombing of=
 the
embassy happened shortly after Zhu returned,=E2=80=9D he said.
Singh added that though the bombing caused widespread anger in China
<https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3261878/how-1999-belgrade=
-embassy-bombing-us-was-wake-call-china?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>
=E2=80=93
and was a rare instance of the government allowing student protests =E2=80=
=93 Jiang
prioritised long-term economic integration and resumed WTO negotiations
later in 1999, securing China=E2=80=99s accession two years later.

According to Sourabh Gupta of the Institute for China-America Studies, a
Washington-based think tank, the Belgrade bombing ultimately paved the way
for a more assertive Chinese foreign policy by feeding into =E2=80=9Cthe na=
rrative
of humiliation that had been meted out by the West =E2=80=A6 and steeled Be=
ijing=E2=80=99s
military backbone and modernisation agenda=E2=80=9D.

But he added that even today, a similar situation could still be resolved
peacefully.
[image: Thousands of Indian sailors are affected by the blockade of the
Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters]
Thousands of Indian sailors are affected by the blockade of the Strait of
Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

=E2=80=9CAt the high leadership level, judging counterparts=E2=80=99 intent=
 is crucial.
There were good reasons for Beijing then =E2=80=93 and the same good reason=
s exist
today =E2=80=93 to stay one=E2=80=99s hand when an important plausible ques=
tion mark over
intent exists, despite its tragic outcome,=E2=80=9D Gupta said.

Gupta also said he did not expect Modi to directly confront Trump over the
seafarers=E2=80=99 deaths, arguing that New Delhi first =E2=80=9Cneeds to f=
ind its voice
and learn to talk back, and even talk down, when conversing with
Washington=E2=80=9D.

He said Modi had made some =E2=80=9Cvery poor=E2=80=9D foreign policy decis=
ions including
=E2=80=9Cburning bridges=E2=80=9D with China, which left New Delhi with =E2=
=80=9Clittle elsewhere
to turn to in the face of Trump=E2=80=99s impunity=E2=80=9D.

=E2=80=9CShowing up perpetually as a hanger-on at G7 summits hasn=E2=80=99t=
 burnished
India=E2=80=99s reputation either,=E2=80=9D he added.

Some analysts have warned that New Delhi=E2=80=99s efforts to work with dif=
ferent
countries in different key areas =E2=80=93 Russia for weapons, the US for
technology and investment and China for critical imports =E2=80=93 had back=
fired
and left it with limited room to act when these countries went against its
interests.

Singh said the US was =E2=80=9Cexploiting India=E2=80=99s current moment of=
 weakness=E2=80=9D,
adding that =E2=80=9CIndia grows stronger, but it also grows relatively wea=
ker
against its major rival, China=E2=80=9D.

He also pointed to India=E2=80=99s reliance on foreign arms supplies. After
Pakistan downed at least four Indian jets using Chinese technology in May
last year, India placed new orders for advanced French jets, and has since
started pushing Paris for technology transfers to support domestic
production of military hardware.

But even if it were to start building its own cutting-edge weapons today,
=E2=80=9Cit might take two or three decades=E2=80=9D to secure its autonomy=
, Singh warned.

Some analysts argued China was already in a stronger position in 1999
compared with India today.

Sarang Shidore, from the Quincy Institute, a Washington-based think tank,
said unlike India, Beijing was a permanent member of the United Nations
Security Council.

He added that the late 1990s were a =E2=80=9Cperiod of high globalisation=
=E2=80=9D, when
China had become =E2=80=9Cirresistibly attractive to US transnational corpo=
rations
as a base for lower-cost manufacturing=E2=80=9D, but Washington has now =E2=
=80=9Cended its
romance with offshoring and is seeking to reshore jobs back home=E2=80=9D.

The Trump administration has pushed New Delhi to increase purchases from
the US and deepen defence ties, while also imposing steep tariffs on Indian
imports and introducing new hurdles for Indian professionals working in the
US.
It has also avoided explicitly framing India as a counterweight to China.
While Trump visited Beijing in May, he skipped New Delhi, instead sending
Rubio weeks later
<https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3354649/rubio-renews-us-=
ties-india-after-trumps-china-visit?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>
.

Farwa Aamer, director of the South Asia Programme at the Asia Society
Policy Institute in New York, said there remained a =E2=80=9Cwider=E2=80=9D=
 trust deficit
between the US and India, despite efforts to stabilise relations.

=E2=80=9CIndia finds itself emboldened over the past years, I don=E2=80=99t=
 think it
necessarily needs a China template. It has its own relations with
Washington. But of course, India and China are two Asian giants and those
parallels are inevitable,=E2=80=9D she said.

Singh argued that India might =E2=80=9Cadopt symbolic measures, such as san=
ctioning
US officials or cancelling trade talks, to pacify domestic opinion=E2=80=9D=
 while
the US may =E2=80=9Cchoose to ignore them=E2=80=9D.

But he warned that without a tacit understanding between both sides, such
measures risked a backlash from the US, for example further tariffs or visa
delays.
[image: Khushboo Razdan] <https://www.scmp.com/author/khushboo-razdan>
Khushboo Razdan <https://www.scmp.com/author/khushboo-razdan>
Khushboo Razdan is a senior correspondent based in Washington. Prior to
this, she worked for the Post in New York. Before joining the team, she
worked as a multimedia

--0000000000005d859c065478c572
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail-css-oeco4u ea45u6l33" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-var=
iant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;line-height:inherit;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-s=
erif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:in=
herit;font-size:14px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:grid;color:=
rgb(0,0,0)"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1ko2tz5 ea45u6l24" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:600;font=
-stretch:inherit;line-height:50.4px;font-family:Merriweather,&quot;Merriwea=
ther fallback&quot;,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fon=
t-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:36px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0p=
x"><h1 class=3D"er6t7fe4 gmail-css-19c0w99 e298i0d3" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;font-size:36px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><span c=
lass=3D"gmail-css-0 e298i0d2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pad=
ding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-s=
tretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px">Can India react to Gulf sailors=E2=80=99 deaths like China=
 did with US after 1999 embassy bombing?</span></h1></div><div class=3D"gma=
il-css-1mcwqol ea45u6l23" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-=
numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-=
variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:30px;font-famil=
y:Merriweather,&quot;Merriweather fallback&quot;,serif;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:20px;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><h3 class=3D"er6t7fe3 g=
mail-css-19mvk5a e1ql5f172" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-str=
etch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inher=
it;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:20px;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px"><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0=
k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Beijing=E2=80=99s reaction to=
 the Belgrade incident could be a template for New Delhi, but some analysts=
 warn it faces very different circumstances</p></h3></div><div class=3D"gma=
il-css-13i1oe5 ea45u6l20" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stret=
ch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit=
;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline=
;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1w8suq2 ea45u6l18" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;=
font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feat=
ure-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div =
class=3D"er6t7fe19 gmail-css-1lkjrpx e17crirv3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps=
:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-ea=
st-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stret=
ch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit=
;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:f=
lex;color:rgb(114,114,114);white-space:nowrap"><span class=3D"gmail-css-fel=
87u e17crirv1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-s=
tyle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;=
line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerni=
ng:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px=
">SCMP</span></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-km3tje ea45u6l=
19" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-nume=
ric:inherit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit=
;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto f=
allback&quot;,sans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font=
-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:14px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px=
;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><div class=3D"er6t7fe23 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 e14wegc30" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-=
variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inheri=
t;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fe=
ature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gm=
ail-css-bjn8wh e1gf69pb3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stret=
ch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit=
;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline=
;border:0px"><span style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><img alt=3D"The bombing =
of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade prompted widespred anger and rare public=
 demonstrations. Photo: AFP" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-css-16ak3ue e445x7d0"=
 src=3D"https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d=
8/images/canvas/2026/06/16/368b5bcd-bdb1-4598-b7d5-c3b7b73f76cd_7d9e271c.jp=
g?itok=3DMXMfpv8r&amp;v=3D1781577628" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; marg=
in: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-wei=
ght: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inh=
erit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning=
: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit=
; font-language-override: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; d=
isplay: block; inline-size: 712px; block-size: 474.663px; color: transparen=
t; background: transparent; object-fit: cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-rat=
io: auto 3 / 2;"></span></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1d2w7us e=
a45u6l32" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-varian=
t-numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:i=
nherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Ro=
boto fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inheri=
t;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:14px;vertical-align:baseline;bord=
er:0px;display:grid;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1oetv63 ea45u=
6l17" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inhe=
rit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-heig=
ht:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inheri=
t;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:=
flex"><div class=3D"er6t7fe32 gmail-css-7qldf6 eybiz6w3" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit=
;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:i=
nherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:ba=
seline;border:0px"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e163ld431 gmail-css-uvyeg2 =
ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/author/khushboo-razdan" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;fo=
nt-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;=
font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretc=
h:inherit;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;=
font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:in=
line-block;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Khushboo Razdan</a><span class=3D"gmail-css-1s=
n2av9 eybiz6w0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-=
variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:li=
ning-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-al=
ternates:inherit;font-weight:400;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;fo=
nt-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;v=
ertical-align:baseline;border:0px">in=C2=A0New Delhi</span></div></div><div=
 class=3D"gmail-css-14nqcp8 ea45u6l16" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inher=
it;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-family:inherit;font-size-ad=
just:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-al=
ign:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"er6t7fe26 gmail-css-1jj3xkn efakuk42=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;=
font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numer=
ic:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-varia=
nt-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-ad=
just:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-al=
ign:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102)">16 Jun 2026</div></div><div=
 class=3D"gmail-css-15nugz2 ea45u6l12" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inhe=
rit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:Merriweather,&quot;Merriweather fallback=
&quot;,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-set=
tings:inherit;font-size:18px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(3=
4,34,34)"><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-0-percent-completion-tracker gmail=
-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0p=
x;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:=
inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;fo=
nt-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bo=
rder:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant=
:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-f=
amily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-se=
ttings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The images=
 were difficult to ignore. A viral video showed the body of a 35-year-old I=
ndian seafarer on a vessel off Oman, with crew members using cold water bot=
tles in a desperate attempt to slow the decomposition process.</p><p class=
=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-=
adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">He had died last Thursday from med=
ical complications, but it had not been possible to send help or evacuate h=
im from the ship because of the US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.</p><di=
v class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-wei=
ght:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;fo=
nt-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;v=
ertical-align:baseline;border:0px">The previous day,=C2=A0<a target=3D"_sel=
f" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://=
www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3356980/indians-grieve-and-demand=
-action-after-us-strike-kills-sailors?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle"=
 title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-styl=
e:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;fon=
t-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ve=
rtical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-b=
reak:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fo=
nt-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inhe=
rit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">three more I=
ndian sailors were killed</span></a>=C2=A0when a tanker moored nearby was b=
ombed after US Central Command said it =E2=80=9Crepeatedly failed to comply=
 with directions from American forces=E2=80=9D.</div><div class=3D"gmail-cs=
s-1auxnbl evaaos91" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;f=
ont-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inh=
erit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-=
kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;borde=
r:0px"><div class=3D"e11v3ui10 e11v3ui11 gmail-ad-with-size-0x0 gmail-css-k=
cdza6 evaaos90" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-=
style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit=
;line-height:0;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:in=
herit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;disp=
lay:flex"></div></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-v=
ariant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;=
font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feat=
ure-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">That=
 same week, US strikes disabled two more Indian-crewed vessels, but all tho=
se on board survived.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fon=
t-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8=
px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-f=
eature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">T=
hese incidents have caused growing anger in India and raised questions abou=
t its ability to respond effectively to America=E2=80=99s actions.</p><p cl=
ass=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:=
inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Tensions were further fuelled b=
y Secretary of State Marco Rubio=E2=80=99s response to India=E2=80=99s prot=
ests. He offered no apology, instead warning ships not to defy =E2=80=9Cord=
ers=E2=80=9D from the United States Navy.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css=
-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fo=
nt-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inhe=
rit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ke=
rning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:=
0px;color:inherit">Around 18,000 Indian sailors are reported to be in the e=
ntire Gulf region.</p><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font=
-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inher=
it;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-f=
eature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">The human toll =
the conflict is taking on them now presents a difficult test for India and =
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy=
41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/new=
s/asia/south-asia/article/3356984/g7-summit-offers-trump-modi-chance-reset-=
ties-after-us-strikes-kill-indian-sailors?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darti=
cle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-=
style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit=
;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inheri=
t;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);wo=
rd-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inheri=
t;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:=
inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings=
:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">set to m=
eet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of 7 summit</sp=
an></a>=C2=A0in France on Wednesday.</div><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-20=
-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;=
font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:in=
herit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-method=
e-html-wrapper gmail-oembed-wrapper e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div class=
=3D"gmail-c1 e2gky7d0 e1drg7e30 e1ciypty0 ehdmpxk0 gmail-css-1avyp1d e1hpd3=
6k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inher=
it;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-heigh=
t:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit=
;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-css-agvv0 e1hpd36k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:=
inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:b=
aseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-t9arl3 e9gb5764" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inh=
erit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-fami=
ly:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setti=
ngs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"=
gmail-css-17srd7h e9gb5762" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-str=
etch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inher=
it;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseli=
ne;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-yegjy4 e9gb5763" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;=
font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:in=
herit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><div id=3D"gmail-ad-yt-GFK=
krhJX0cQ-3356800-2" class=3D"gmail-css-ipcwwe e9gb5760" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;=
font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:in=
herit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div></div><div cla=
ss=3D"e1hpd36k3 gmail-css-1w4b7vg e1x11wau0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight=
:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-=
size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-css-0 e1x1=
1wau2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inh=
erit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-hei=
ght:22.4px;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font-s=
ize-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-=
size:16px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0)">US military =
fires at a commercial ship in the Gulf of Oman, killing 3 Indian sailors</d=
iv></div></div></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;f=
ont-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featu=
re-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Subra=
manian Swamy, a veteran former minister from Modi=E2=80=99s own Bharatiya J=
anata Party, said the prime minister was acting like a =E2=80=9Cpussycat=E2=
=80=9D and called for US ambassador Sergio Gor, a former Trump aide, to be =
recalled unless Washington apologised.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c=
6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-=
style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit=
;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerni=
ng:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px=
;color:inherit">New Delhi=E2=80=99s restrained response has divided opinion=
 about whether it reflects prudent diplomacy or a deeper foreign policy wea=
kness.</p><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inh=
erit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-fami=
ly:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setti=
ngs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">The situation has also prom=
pted comparisons with=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 =
gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diploma=
cy/article/3261747/china-sends-message-nato-xis-visit-belgrade-embassy-bomb=
ing-site?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inheri=
t;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ke=
rning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:=
0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=
=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stret=
ch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit=
;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline=
;border:0px;word-break:break-word">China=E2=80=99s reaction to Nato=E2=80=
=99s 1999 bombing of its embassy in Belgrade</span></a>=C2=A0during the Kos=
ovo conflict as an example of how =E2=80=9Cnations earn respect=E2=80=9D.</=
div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inheri=
t;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">At the time, China was=
 =E2=80=9Cno match for American power [but] Washington was compelled to pay=
 US$32.5 million in compensation for the damage and for those killed or wou=
nded=E2=80=9D, Brahma Chellaney, from the Centre for Policy Research in New=
 Delhi, said.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varian=
t:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-=
family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The US al=
ways maintained the bombing was an accident. But Chellaney noted: =E2=80=9C=
The US also issued repeated apologies for the bombing, with President Bill =
Clinton personally apologising to help defuse the crisis.=E2=80=9D</p><p cl=
ass=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:=
inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">He contrasted that with India=
=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cfeckless=E2=80=9D response to the sailors=E2=80=99 deat=
hs, arguing that the country seemed to lack =E2=80=9Ccomparable political r=
esolve=E2=80=9D demanding =E2=80=9Cneither an American apology nor compensa=
tion for the victims=E2=80=99 families=E2=80=9D.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gm=
ail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stret=
ch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;=
font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;=
border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CThese episodes differed in circumstance =
and scale, but they shared a common lesson: nations earn respect not merely=
 through economic or military power, but through leadership, resolve and a =
willingness to defend their interests. Respect is earned, not bestowed,=E2=
=80=9D he said.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;f=
ont-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featu=
re-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Kunal=
 Singh, from the Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs at Har=
vard Kennedy School, described China=E2=80=99s response to the Belgrade bom=
bing as =E2=80=9Ccertainly more forceful than what India has offered this t=
ime=E2=80=9D.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varian=
t:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-=
family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">But he sa=
id there were =E2=80=9Cgood reasons=E2=80=9D for India to assume that Trump=
 would be =E2=80=9Cmore unpredictable [than Clinton] and probably vindictiv=
e if India demands the same things China did=E2=80=9D.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9=
q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font=
-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:in=
herit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:bas=
eline;border:0px;color:inherit">Singh argued that the 1999 bombing highligh=
ted the way that =E2=80=9Crising powers must make foreign policy compromise=
s vis-a-vis established hegemons=E2=80=9D.</p><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-=
css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px=
;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:i=
nherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;fon=
t-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bor=
der:0px">At the time, China was in the final stages of joining the World Tr=
ade Organization and=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 g=
mail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomac=
y/article/3201742/china-us-and-jiang-zemin-reset-how-former-cold-war-rivals=
-found-decade-unsteady-calm-after-tiananmen?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Dar=
ticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fon=
t-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);=
word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-famil=
y:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">Jiang =
Zemin, the country=E2=80=99s leader, did not want to derail the process</sp=
an></a>, Singh said.</div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.=
8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-=
feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=
Beijing viewed the Nato bombing campaign as illegal and it prompted critici=
sm of plans for premier Zhu Rongji to visit the US and offer concessions to=
 secure support for China=E2=80=99s WTO entry.</p><div class=3D"gmail-js-re=
ading-50-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:=
inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-f=
amily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-se=
ttings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q=
40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pa=
dding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-=
stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CJiang overruled the opposition and =
asked Zhu to go. The bombing of the embassy happened shortly after Zhu retu=
rned,=E2=80=9D he said.</p><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k=
0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit=
;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:=
inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;f=
ont-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">Singh adde=
d that though the=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmai=
l-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/ar=
ticle/3261878/how-1999-belgrade-embassy-bombing-us-was-wake-call-china?modu=
le=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretc=
h:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit=
;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:i=
nline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-=
0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-styl=
e:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;lin=
e-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:=
inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;wo=
rd-break:break-word">bombing caused widespread anger in China</span></a>=C2=
=A0=E2=80=93 and was a rare instance of the government allowing student pro=
tests =E2=80=93 Jiang prioritised long-term economic integration and resume=
d WTO negotiations later in 1999, securing China=E2=80=99s accession two ye=
ars later.</div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant=
:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-f=
amily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-se=
ttings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">According =
to Sourabh Gupta of the Institute for China-America Studies, a Washington-b=
ased think tank, the Belgrade bombing ultimately paved the way for a more a=
ssertive Chinese foreign policy by feeding into =E2=80=9Cthe narrative of h=
umiliation that had been meted out by the West =E2=80=A6 and steeled Beijin=
g=E2=80=99s military backbone and modernisation agenda=E2=80=9D.</p><p clas=
s=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:in=
herit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">But he added that even today, a s=
imilar situation could still be resolved peacefully.</p><div class=3D"gmail=
-image-inline-container e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine;border:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div class=3D"gmail-ima=
ge-inline gmail-caption e1fvabeq0 gmail-css-19sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:in=
herit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-fam=
ily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-sett=
ings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bj=
n8wh e1gf69pb3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-=
style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit=
;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kern=
ing:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0p=
x"><img alt=3D"Thousands of Indian sailors are affected by the blockade of =
the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-css-18uoenx =
e445x7d0" title=3D"Thousands of Indian sailors are affected by the blockade=
 of the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn=
-cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D1024,format=3Dauto/sites/default/files/d8/=
images/canvas/2026/06/16/4a861a8f-e143-4018-b195-d18ebc04d65c_9a00a359.jpg"=
 style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: in=
herit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; =
line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; f=
ont-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inh=
erit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; ve=
rtical-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; inline-size: 600px; bl=
ock-size: 337.5px; color: transparent; background: transparent; object-fit:=
 cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 2 / 1; cursor: pointer;"></div=
>Thousands of Indian sailors are affected by the blockade of the Strait of =
Hormuz. Photo: Reuters<div class=3D"gmail-css-mkkf9p e11xd9ce0" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:=
inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-f=
amily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-se=
ttings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><p cla=
ss=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:i=
nherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CAt the high leadership =
level, judging counterparts=E2=80=99 intent is crucial. There were good rea=
sons for Beijing then =E2=80=93 and the same good reasons exist today =E2=
=80=93 to stay one=E2=80=99s hand when an important plausible question mark=
 over intent exists, despite its tragic outcome,=E2=80=9D Gupta said.</p><p=
 class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weig=
ht:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font=
-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ver=
tical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Gupta also said he did not e=
xpect Modi to directly confront Trump over the seafarers=E2=80=99 deaths, a=
rguing that New Delhi first =E2=80=9Cneeds to find its voice and learn to t=
alk back, and even talk down, when conversing with Washington=E2=80=9D.</p>=
<p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-we=
ight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;fo=
nt-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;v=
ertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">He said Modi had made some=
 =E2=80=9Cvery poor=E2=80=9D foreign policy decisions including =E2=80=9Cbu=
rning bridges=E2=80=9D with China, which left New Delhi with =E2=80=9Clittl=
e elsewhere to turn to in the face of Trump=E2=80=99s impunity=E2=80=9D.</p=
><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-w=
eight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;f=
ont-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CShowing up perpe=
tually as a hanger-on at G7 summits hasn=E2=80=99t burnished India=E2=80=99=
s reputation either,=E2=80=9D he added.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1=
c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font=
-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kern=
ing:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0p=
x;color:inherit">Some analysts have warned that New Delhi=E2=80=99s efforts=
 to work with different countries in different key areas =E2=80=93 Russia f=
or weapons, the US for technology and investment and China for critical imp=
orts =E2=80=93 had backfired and left it with limited room to act when thes=
e countries went against its interests.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1=
c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font=
-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kern=
ing:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0p=
x;color:inherit">Singh said the US was =E2=80=9Cexploiting India=E2=80=99s =
current moment of weakness=E2=80=9D, adding that =E2=80=9CIndia grows stron=
ger, but it also grows relatively weaker against its major rival, China=E2=
=80=9D.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family=
:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setting=
s:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">He also pointed=
 to India=E2=80=99s reliance on foreign arms supplies. After Pakistan downe=
d at least four Indian jets using Chinese technology in May last year, Indi=
a placed new orders for advanced French jets, and has since started pushing=
 Paris for technology transfers to support domestic production of military =
hardware.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:in=
herit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-fami=
ly:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setti=
ngs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">But even if i=
t were to start building its own cutting-edge weapons today, =E2=80=9Cit mi=
ght take two or three decades=E2=80=9D to secure its autonomy, Singh warned=
.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fo=
nt-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Some analysts argued =
China was already in a stronger position in 1999 compared with India today.=
</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inheri=
t;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Sarang Shidore, from t=
he Quincy Institute, a Washington-based think tank, said unlike India, Beij=
ing was a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.</p><p cl=
ass=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:=
inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">He added that the late 1990s we=
re a =E2=80=9Cperiod of high globalisation=E2=80=9D, when China had become =
=E2=80=9Cirresistibly attractive to US transnational corporations as a base=
 for lower-cost manufacturing=E2=80=9D, but Washington has now =E2=80=9Cend=
ed its romance with offshoring and is seeking to reshore jobs back home=E2=
=80=9D.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family=
:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setting=
s:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The Trump admin=
istration has pushed New Delhi to increase purchases from the US and deepen=
 defence ties, while also imposing steep tariffs on Indian imports and intr=
oducing new hurdles for Indian professionals working in the US.</p><div cla=
ss=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:i=
nherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px">It has also avoided explicitly framing India =
as a counterweight to China. While Trump visited Beijing in May, he skipped=
 New Delhi,=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-=
1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article=
/3354649/rubio-renews-us-ties-india-after-trumps-china-visit?module=3Dinlin=
e&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0p=
x;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;=
line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feat=
ure-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;colo=
r:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;=
font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:i=
nherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fo=
nt-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:b=
reak-word">instead sending Rubio weeks later</span></a>.</div><div class=3D=
"gmail-js-reading-90-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;f=
ont-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:in=
herit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fon=
t-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p cla=
ss=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:i=
nherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Farwa Aamer, director of the Sou=
th Asia Programme at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, said th=
ere remained a =E2=80=9Cwider=E2=80=9D trust deficit between the US and Ind=
ia, despite efforts to stabilise relations.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-c=
ss-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;=
font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:in=
herit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-=
kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;borde=
r:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CIndia finds itself emboldened over the past y=
ears, I don=E2=80=99t think it necessarily needs a China template. It has i=
ts own relations with Washington. But of course, India and China are two As=
ian giants and those parallels are inevitable,=E2=80=9D she said.</p><p cla=
ss=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:i=
nherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Singh argued that India might =
=E2=80=9Cadopt symbolic measures, such as sanctioning US officials or cance=
lling trade talks, to pacify domestic opinion=E2=80=9D while the US may =E2=
=80=9Cchoose to ignore them=E2=80=9D.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6=
uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-s=
tyle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;=
line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;=
color:inherit">But he warned that without a tacit understanding between bot=
h sides, such measures risked a backlash from the US, for example further t=
ariffs or visa delays.</p><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-100-percent-comple=
tion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1kfpym9 ea4=
5u6l2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inh=
erit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-hei=
ght:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inher=
it;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div>=
<div class=3D"gmail-css-1fek98n ea45u6l9" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:in=
herit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"er6t7fe31 gmail-css-13q2d2o e7gb=
a4u1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inhe=
rit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-heig=
ht:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inheri=
t;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div cl=
ass=3D"gmail-css-tbgdr e13gyt08" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:=
inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:b=
aseline;border:0px;display:grid"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1btmqbx e13gyt07" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inh=
erit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font=
-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><a target=3D"=
_self" class=3D"e1yqjx3e1 gmail-css-127t9hs ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.s=
cmp.com/author/khushboo-razdan" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font=
-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:i=
nherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:ba=
seline;border:0px;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,18,70);text-decoration:n=
one"><img alt=3D"Khushboo Razdan" class=3D"e1yqjx3e3 gmail-css-98w27l e445x=
7d0" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D300,=
format=3Dauto/sites/default/files/styles/300x300/public/d8/images/author/pi=
c/2022/07/07/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-07-07%20at%202.33.04%20AM.jpeg?itok=3D=
86pUNWZv&amp;v=3D1657132543" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; =
padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inhe=
rit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; fon=
t-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit=
; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-la=
nguage-override: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: b=
lock; color: transparent; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 1 / 1; inlin=
e-size: 40px; block-size: 40px; border-radius: 50%; background: rgb(218, 22=
2, 222); object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;"></a></div><div class=
=3D"gmail-css-14c29lv e13gyt05" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:700;font-str=
etch:inherit;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;=
font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;=
border:0px;display:flex"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e13gyt02 e163ld431 gm=
ail-css-1j77t19 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/author/khushboo-razd=
an" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inheri=
t;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height=
:16px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fon=
t-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inlin=
e-block;color:rgb(0,13,55)">Khushboo Razdan</a><div class=3D"e13gyt06 gmail=
-css-nzko5h e7f0hzg3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px=
;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:i=
nherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;fon=
t-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bor=
der:0px"><div class=3D"e7f0hzg1 gmail-css-1ve11rc e1plt2it0" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inh=
erit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:0;font-family:inh=
erit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:in=
herit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><div class=3D"g=
mail-css-gy7cxa e13gyt01" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stret=
ch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit=
;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline=
;border:0px"><div class=3D"e13gyt00 gmail-css-1y5q2jx e12du4v60" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant=
:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:16px;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;border:0px;display:-webkit-box;text-overflow:ellipsis;over=
flow:hidden">Khushboo Razdan is a senior correspondent based in Washington.=
 Prior to this, she worked for the Post in New York. Before joining the tea=
m, she worked as a multimedia</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

--0000000000005d859c065478c572--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 13:28:30 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 2A305B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:28:30 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 2A305B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="cULbXjpY"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 1DD03BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:28:30 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f49.google.com (mail-ej1-f49.google.com
 [209.85.218.49])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id D9464BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:28:29 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f49.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bed19623d6eso16867366b.1
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:28:29 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781728108; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=b+W9K7aMbI+IdY9g+N/XJEL1Z4Pyd4bG1mungov/Y1H4h7yNDsunpaq3qUEBMzGAUz
 r+jdR4s73hcEmjJawSxvtm4UQmZAodCE0PvHHEKiP9tJclHSgDZ7uzRa5G/a7sDuzODg
 Bic5eCUDSXfhvOrZ+mnHj3/uiI28CdHXkMhzFJyg9qwRDKhwel5wL8EDWsBdpQTHpRcX
 KvfN0U+9Tq+TGcMk9pRhM92z5ISrcPL4X3qIhZb5tlmaWsnbqj/RVgXWhUQdehVA3Ija
 yooMbYgVVaK3qripGID53KUUMRpbNPN+ZBgX4cLTNiknZbI0d0fXxjh0Eyg87CB7K71R
 hsvw==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=hvFL0Z2gIYXs4xAmhTnYDxZFZzXU45vIG7NILoITftk=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=J2W6uPcMsykog2eDOLqXlFgB+rbkOfHNbM9xjbPNBxPLTa/cRbLKVeqIyg+OvU3zqB
 ezX4KZbA6Mh+jLsgBIr2TzAE+Omu+Hm/LJnx7CY5J5Gh7JbDAZo+UgzsXElpTBcTSE8A
 CqBwy62UxdM62/sQ9EEC5SlYdQT9uhc3TmfiFFtZwTrfGeTDzaa2fr+AI/R/y5L3uPE8
 WXYItdg8omqBBRLGXuiKcZT9nrjesPTL6X80U7xnywRcBmYDvCwiyu5Sk87rafMMr+kV
 yuNgKXOhFGN+vZALQWwPn2MycPAHkaNgEksltEyr2n2SJWQJT2lLX9DdHcY+9BVxBJE/
 +76g==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781728108; x=1782332908; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=hvFL0Z2gIYXs4xAmhTnYDxZFZzXU45vIG7NILoITftk=;
 b=cULbXjpY4FNsB7xmMsipVXL/ewYO+SfvuA550kHSkg6UGpuw2gI86o41IkU7kcRpMJ
 jtldIrS/DrP8iqLQFaKk8TbOVon2FHGATI1DvGg6UChpxijO/1XZJ9dZPnmjBXwli5nt
 MJnW4oOJUAGeKUFH40SYs858CcmLQiH/osItyJ6tLOYoRaOic/MFp2EN8hZygLFrSIDg
 C5m+lLn3t+4fc9OwaZw/+x+oX/rbeQrrmBl7aarwhRLO/nrTB9ZjX1G8Uhl88Ro4yUsj
 EdDULgbqDFG21dKCy5X4PbI5lABklkv0a641aoWXApOa7uRmJ23EIsvPkrCma09pHDk9
 C0pQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781728108; x=1782332908;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=hvFL0Z2gIYXs4xAmhTnYDxZFZzXU45vIG7NILoITftk=;
 b=PE3d4eDz/6ntTETACjWecT6gAnTwebMnRQZr5rmStmzA9pPtlVzvGissAVzQR8v66E
 AIVsrcWYMO1MdyWQM2Uriizzlc7SnpOGSgJdbM34nbRlHf+gDQOlmCOOYd5pVDSCYVyH
 U/XS9JDpFniD2dvRhWrr2sqYrQ0/h1U5l45pTqn7G+nGRSBJgPavDOXnKHZdfl8rQ8CH
 vSZlWbVZ17P0m04tAmxJh3qGQ9zww4bKGSd6uv8gVTGBg4c5EhcFWGczTz7K/4tL+pXp
 a/R5zwSrDlOeHpt1TKP0Zs6dyhiFD3sX5bqJ4XmTAKwaj8tykY66gFVU/W8mmBfycS6q
 40Mg==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yw43Ish1u7bcZVxNtVeZNffkjdbp5w9DdoRx5GoEe4AVauw66nH
 gYz979LkrwliiIt3COI2+TXGwyToOjBWA8WBVHhEbsLOOwiwSQoSkzpGZqxTwqILCIPn2lX7qdk
 JwIRiIrcKlHvFEffrm3aufdSquQ4fQ4KkUM/mSxX5FA==
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OFaySrAccnTYFGzMpOyShuH8XDCrjOtuURPXJ6p3AQMkls6GqwFqKLPsxWkzkW
 3Twvy0B5vVvl+Tr5V6/v+0FX32qxESc+RI5959iHCtnDaFEkpi1kK8fWN4GJuBKBh6Mg6tVGrwn
 KNvZFOl96UHoBnGRJGSD79M6f16f+1a/L/ptA2i2YcCJp3QS2INGq04m0xTvpfBzaOEsh6jPzCM
 XEKSCFs1m2noUBqa6lMsoS1ESzHQm+yY/KxZaAhGycMLFolS4v9jDagck1TwsLQxj0CPSVoudxC
 jCVCDlygvcYvX9A5UJ6CjgwqeGNB8yJHzmygzFXhhyuxu5VGBeN4q4XZoASCuxMCxRtlNcbuooD
 +6aFByl+90In1HXnurJL0oCzUfJhR9YayBlaHVaMvAzm8o40lCqIUI8BfwjjVGZbohMtrQq5nFc
 Vg5qhmIGb0zs/dVyiemb+kC/yngX5GrRNk4CbXkL3jz8l33UkhMGx9rLw79jr+/9VP/kU3sucgW
 UeJPVW2bNq8/4pclW+85Xo/ggHs5Y9//PPSv9eX5R1fKLXXKx/yBPxo6Q==
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:b59b:b0:bd3:1b13:7114 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05d2a4a92fmr214993766b.37.1781728107755; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 13:28:27 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:28:11 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CcdDH_OjIVjrl3IX90Dd9XnJeg6R5-jHsM221jLVTBDhiF_zk8dS8xVfJs
Message-ID: <CANbmmQmmoKWmENTc0eE=JD=613Z3pbBgY3tDjjUqZyeX7DwXdA@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000f2ff50065478e626"
Subject: [Salon] THE SECRET 'DOOMSDAY BOOK' THAT ENABLES TRUMP'S ABUSES OF
 POWER
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:28:30 -0000

--000000000000f2ff50065478e626
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

View in browser
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zZXltb3VyaGVyc2guc3Vic3=
RhY2suY29tL3AvdGhlLXNlY3JldC1kb29tc2RheS1ib29rLXRoYXQtZW5hYmxlcz91dG1fY2Ftc=
GFpZ249ZW1haWwtcG9zdCZyPTFlb2diJnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3lNelkwTkRreExD=
SndiM04wWDJsa0lqb3lNREkwTkRNd09URXNJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVGN4T0RnME5Td2laWGh3SWp=
veE56ZzBNekV3T0RRMUxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNVE0zTnpBME1DSXNJbk4xWWlJNkluQnZjM1=
F0Y21WaFkzUnBiMjRpZlEuZy03SlVZdGFYaGRTYWM3Z25FbkVrSTlZVU9aRzFfT2YzOXZ3a0hKV=
EV0cyIsInAiOjIwMjQ0MzA5MSwicyI6MTM3NzA0MCwiZiI6ZmFsc2UsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlh=
dCI6MTc4MTcxODg0NSwiZXhwIjoyMDk3Mjk0ODQ1LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6Imxpbms=
tcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.4tWGNx7xJyj8gNjcRPxccLPLqAP9SWDVW4__LIC8I60?>
THE SECRET 'DOOMSDAY BOOK' THAT ENABLES TRUMP'S ABUSES OF POWER
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1377040&post_id=3D2024=
43091&utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreem=
ail=3Dfalse&r=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0N=
DMwOTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcxODg0NSwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzEwODQ1LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM3NzA0=
MCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.g-7JUYtaXhdSac7gnEnEkI9YUOZG1_Of39vwkHJT=
Ets>Presidential
Emergency Action Documents have a long history, but Trump's invocation of
them on immigration betrays their original purpose

Seymour Hersh <https://substack.com/@seymourhersh>
Jun 17
=E2=88=99
Paid
<https://substack.com/@seymourhersh>

<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1377040&post_id=3D2024=
43091&utm_source=3Dsubstack&isFreemail=3Dfalse&submitLike=3Dtrue&token=3Dey=
J1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDMwOTEsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwia=
WF0IjoxNzgxNzE4ODQ1LCJleHAiOjE3ODQzMTA4NDUsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0xMzc3MDQwIiwic3Vi=
IjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.KJjXLSjbEqJF2dbNlDQgEKEQLoQas0ryRUzx-hQKJgU&utm_medium=
=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&r=3D1eogb>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1377040&post_id=3D2024=
43091&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dshare&utm_camp=
aign=3Demail-share&action=3Dshare&triggerShare=3Dtrue&isFreemail=3Dfalse&r=
=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDMwOTEsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTcxODg0NSwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzEwODQ1LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM3NzA0MCIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.g-7JUYtaXhdSac7gnEnEkI9YUOZG1_Of39vwkHJTEts>
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS=
9wdWIvc2V5bW91cmhlcnNoL3AvdGhlLXNlY3JldC1kb29tc2RheS1ib29rLXRoYXQtZW5hYmxlc=
z91dG1fc291cmNlPXN1YnN0YWNrJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWls=
LXJlc3RhY2stY29tbWVudCZhY3Rpb249cmVzdGFjay1jb21tZW50JnI9MWVvZ2ImdG9rZW49ZXl=
KMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpveU16WTBORGt4TENKd2IzTjBYMmxrSWpveU1ESTBORE13T1RFc0ltbGhkQ0=
k2TVRjNE1UY3hPRGcwTlN3aVpYaHdJam94TnpnME16RXdPRFExTENKcGMzTWlPaUp3ZFdJdE1UT=
TNOekEwTUNJc0luTjFZaUk2SW5CdmMzUXRjbVZoWTNScGIyNGlmUS5nLTdKVVl0YVhoZFNhYzdn=
bkVuRWtJOVlVT1pHMV9PZjM5dndrSEpURXRzIiwicCI6MjAyNDQzMDkxLCJzIjoxMzc3MDQwLCJ=
mIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzE4ODQ1LCJleHAiOjIwOTcyOTQ4NDUsIm=
lzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.zJc8eAm-tK00c8UK37lF2_J5BwRW=
aCvzSujnW9C0vis?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>

READ IN APP
<https://open.substack.com/pub/seymourhersh/p/the-secret-doomsday-book-that=
-enables?utm_source=3Demail&redirect=3Dapp-store&utm_campaign=3Demail-read-=
in-app>

<https://substack.com/redirect/2d220736-6697-413c-bfd7-359dbd75ee8f?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>
A
military aide, President Jimmy Carter, National Security Adviser Zbigniew
Brzezinski, and aide Joel McCleary on board Air Force One during the Carter
administration. / Photo courtesy Joel McCleary.

This is an account of the authorities, many of them top secret and higher,
that permit President Donald Trump and his more knowledgeable senior aides
to carry on their violent and vicious attacks on minorities and those who
disagree with them and their policies with legislative and even legal
impunity.

The answer lies in most cases with what are known as Presidential Emergency
Action Documents (PEADs), which have enabled Trump today and his
predecessors before him to suspend fundamental constitutional rights,
detain civilians, seize property, impose martial law, and censor
communications. These extraordinary powers have been put to widespread use
by Trump and his aides, such as White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen
Miller and Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought.
They have acted with no congressional authority, no judicial review, and no
statutory mechanism for Congress to terminate their powers, once activated,
as they have been since Trump took office.

These little known and rarely discussed authorities have been developed
across more than a dozen administrations, since Dwight Eisenhower was in
office, by presidents of both political parties, and their secrecy and
authority have yet to be successfully challenged in Congress or by a
federal court. One of the most detailed accounts of PEADs, last updated in
2024, has been prepared by the Brennan Center for Justice, a public policy
group sponsored by NYU School of Law. It warns of the political danger of
PEADSs as extraordinary secret presidential documents that have never been
declassified or leaked: =E2=80=9CIt appears they are not even subject to
congressional oversight. Although the law requires the executive branch to
report even the most sensitive covert military and intelligence operations
to at least some members of Congress, there is no such disclosure
requirement for PEADs, and no evidence that the documents have ever been
shared with relevant congressional committees.=E2=80=9D

I am summarizing here the initial paragraphs from what is perhaps the most
detailed and up-to-date private study of PEADs written by Joel McCleary, a
former aide to President Jimmy Carter and an expert on biological weapons.
McCleary has steeped himself for decades in the study of secret
presidential authorities. He is a low-profile Harvard graduate who served
as treasurer of the Democratic National Committee during the Carter
administration and later led projects for the Defense Department and
Homeland Security regarding pandemic and biological defense issues. I wrote
a book on chemical and biological warfare and worked with members of
Congress in the months before President Richard Nixon agreed in 1969 to
enact a US ban on such weapons. A friendship was inevitable when McCleary
and I first met decades ago, but we grew closer after Trump took office for
a second time in 2025 and began a massive attack on the federal government
workforce and authorized Stephen Miller, who by any standard is a sadistic
extremist, to carry out the mass deportation of Hispanics and others, both
undocumented individuals and persons in the country legally, often
separating parents and young children.

McCleary began to tutor me then about the vast legal authorities Trump had
under PEADs. These powers had accumulated in earlier presidencies as the
Congress continued to disagree on legislation to deal with immigration
policy. Trump, Miller and ICE, relying on secret PEADs, have increasingly
divided America with their overly aggressive tactics.

=E2=80=9CThat this danger was not theoretical,=E2=80=9D McCleary writes in =
the recent
private memorandum, =E2=80=9Cwas confirmed=E2=80=9D in October 2024 when *T=
ime* revealed
that Mark Harvey, a former special assistant to Trump in his first term as
President who personally oversaw the classified binder of PEADs known to
some inside the White House as the =E2=80=9CDoomsday Book,=E2=80=9D publicl=
y warned that
the institutional safeguards he once worked within during Trump=E2=80=99s f=
irst
term no longer existed. During Trump=E2=80=99s first term, Harvey explained=
, the
senior national security staff =E2=80=9Cdeliberately shielded the president=
 from
learning the full extent of the emergency authorities, fearing he would
invoke them in situations far short of the catastrophic crises for which
they were designed.=E2=80=9D

Harvey=E2=80=99s published warning was prescient. Trump is =E2=80=9Cgoing t=
o be surrounded
by a set of people who are going to say, =E2=80=98You have the power to do =
this.=E2=80=99
Frankly, Harvey said, =E2=80=9Cif he says =E2=80=98yes=E2=80=99 and there a=
re people that go do it,
what=E2=80=99s to stop him.=E2=80=9D

McCleary makes clear why these powers were created: =E2=80=9CIn a genuine
existential crisis such as a nuclear attack, a catastrophic cyber attack on
national infrastructure, or a pandemic of civilian-threatening severity may
well provide powers that a President legitimately needs to preserve the
continuity of the nation,=E2=80=9D he writes. =E2=80=9CThe problem is not t=
hat these powers
exist.

=E2=80=9CThe problem is that they exist without any of the Constitutional
guardrails that the Framers considered essential to republican government.
There is no congressional review, no judicial oversight, no statutory
definition of what constitutes a qualifying emergency, and no mechanism to
prevent a President=E2=80=94any President, of any party, in any future
administration=E2=80=94from invoking these powers in circumstances far shor=
t of an
existential crisis. The risk is inherent in the structure, not in any
individual.=E2=80=9D

McCleary writes that framing mass immigration as a national security crisis
=E2=80=9Chas been normalized in political discourse across multiple
administrations. Detention infrastructure is being expanded on an
unprecedented scale. The events of January 6, 2021=E2=80=94in which the Vic=
e
President exercised de facto emergency command authority=E2=80=9D in respon=
se to
the riot at the Capitol =E2=80=9Cwithout formal legal authorization while t=
he
President declined to act=E2=80=94demonstrated that the emergency command s=
tructure
can be invoked in response to domestic political crises, not only the
foreign military attacks for which it was originally designed, and that the
legal framework governing who holds that authority is dangerously
undefined. The public cannot guard against what it does not know exists.
The Constitution cannot constrain powers it has never been asked to review.
This memorandum is written so that both can.=E2=80=9D

Next week I will report on past occasions when PEADs have been invoked,
when presidents have seen fit to avoid congressional oversight, including
the Iran-Contra affair.

Invite your friends and earn rewards
If you enjoy Seymour Hersh, share it with your friends and earn rewards
when they subscribe.

Invite Friends
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zZXltb3VyaGVyc2guc3Vic3=
RhY2suY29tL2xlYWRlcmJvYXJkP3JlZmVycmVyX3Rva2VuPTFlb2diJnI9MWVvZ2ImdXRtX2Nhb=
XBhaWduPWVtYWlsLWxlYWRlcmJvYXJkIiwicCI6MjAyNDQzMDkxLCJzIjoxMzc3MDQwLCJmIjpm=
YWxzZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzE4ODQ1LCJleHAiOjIwOTcyOTQ4NDUsImlzcyI=
6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.3qxKze3kGwZ5CJtiCWY5rEMLDAD_1D9sE=
lURFIPHhk4?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dpostcta>

--000000000000f2ff50065478e626
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" c=
ellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td width=3D"550" align=3D"le=
ft"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;max-width:550px;width:550=
px;margin:0px auto"><br class=3D"gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"><table ro=
le=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpaddi=
ng=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"right" style=3D"height:20px"><table role=
=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=
=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><span style=3D"font-f=
amily:&quot;SF Pro Text&quot;,-apple-system,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,In=
ter,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Colo=
r Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;font-s=
ize:13px;color:unset;list-style:none;text-decoration:unset;margin:0px"><a h=
ref=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zZXltb3VyaGVyc2gu=
c3Vic3RhY2suY29tL3AvdGhlLXNlY3JldC1kb29tc2RheS1ib29rLXRoYXQtZW5hYmxlcz91dG1=
fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtcG9zdCZyPTFlb2diJnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3lNelkwTk=
RreExDSndiM04wWDJsa0lqb3lNREkwTkRNd09URXNJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVGN4T0RnME5Td2laW=
Gh3SWpveE56ZzBNekV3T0RRMUxDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNVE0zTnpBME1DSXNJbk4xWWlJNklu=
QnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBiMjRpZlEuZy03SlVZdGFYaGRTYWM3Z25FbkVrSTlZVU9aRzFfT2YzOXZ=
3a0hKVEV0cyIsInAiOjIwMjQ0MzA5MSwicyI6MTM3NzA0MCwiZiI6ZmFsc2UsInUiOjIzNjQ0OT=
EsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcxODg0NSwiZXhwIjoyMDk3Mjk0ODQ1LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6I=
mxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.4tWGNx7xJyj8gNjcRPxccLPLqAP9SWDVW4__LIC8I60?" target=
=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119)">View in browser</a></span></td=
></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"=
padding:32px 0px 0px;line-height:26px"><div role=3D"region" aria-label=3D"P=
ost header" style=3D"line-height:26px"><h1 dir=3D"auto" style=3D"color:rgb(=
54,55,55);font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,-apple-system-headline,sys=
tem-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helveti=
ca,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot=
;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margin:0px;line-height:36px;font-size:32px"><=
a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1377040&amp;p=
ost_id=3D202443091&amp;utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&amp;utm_campaign=3Dema=
il-post-title&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lk=
IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDMwOTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcxODg0NSwiZXhwIjoxNzg=
0MzEwODQ1LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM3NzA0MCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.g-7JUYt=
aXhdSac7gnEnEkI9YUOZG1_Of39vwkHJTEts" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(=
54,55,55);text-decoration:none">THE SECRET &#39;DOOMSDAY BOOK&#39; THAT ENA=
BLES TRUMP&#39;S ABUSES OF POWER</a></h1><h3 dir=3D"auto" style=3D"font-fam=
ily:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui,-apple-syst=
em,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-seri=
f,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI S=
ymbol&quot;;font-weight:normal;margin:12px 0px 0px;color:rgb(119,119,119);l=
ine-height:24px;font-size:18px">Presidential Emergency Action Documents hav=
e a long history, but Trump&#39;s invocation of them on immigration betrays=
 their original purpose</h3><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" bor=
der=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"margin:1em 0px;heigh=
t:20px"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=
=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"pr=
esentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"=
><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><div style=3D"list-style:no=
ne;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(54,55,55=
);margin:0px;font-family:&quot;SF Compact&quot;,-apple-system,system-ui,-ap=
ple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,s=
ans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Se=
goe UI Symbol&quot;;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.2px"><a href=
=3D"https://substack.com/@seymourhersh" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rg=
b(54,55,55);list-style:none;margin:0px;line-height:20px;letter-spacing:0.2p=
x;text-decoration:none">Seymour Hersh</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></=
td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" ce=
llspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:mi=
ddle"><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;text-de=
coration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0px;font-family:&quot;SF Compa=
ct&quot;,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Seg=
oe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;=
,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;text-transform:uppe=
rcase;letter-spacing:0.2px">Jun 17</div></td><td width=3D"4" style=3D"min-w=
idth:4px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentat=
ion" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody=
><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><div style=3D"list-style:none;font=
-size:11px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);ma=
rgin:0px;font-family:&quot;SF Compact&quot;,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-=
system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-=
serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe =
UI Symbol&quot;;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.2px">=E2=88=99</d=
iv></td><td width=3D"4" style=3D"min-width:4px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-=
align:middle"><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20px=
;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(94,73,217);margin:0px;font-family:&quot;SF=
 Compact&quot;,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&qu=
ot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji=
&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;text-transfor=
m:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.2px">Paid</div></td></tr></tbody></table></td>=
</tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=3D"right"><ta=
ble role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cel=
lpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><a href=3D"ht=
tps://substack.com/@seymourhersh" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://sub=
stackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!s62z!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/=
https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9bbe=
858d-9ba2-49fc-a3d0-8ce15f53d936_144x144.png" width=3D"40" height=3D"40" cl=
ass=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 550px; bor=
der-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-i=
mage: initial; vertical-align: middle; width: 40px; height: 40px; min-width=
: 40px; min-height: 40px; object-fit: cover; margin: 0px; display: inline; =
border-radius: 50%;"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></tabl=
e><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0=
" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bo=
ttom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);min-width:100%"><tbody><tr height=3D"16"><td=
 height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><t=
d><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0=
" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"au=
to" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=
=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38" border=
=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center">=
<a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1377040&amp;=
post_id=3D202443091&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;su=
bmitLike=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDM=
wOTEsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzE4ODQ1LCJleHAiOjE3ODQzMTA4NDUsIm=
lzcyI6InB1Yi0xMzc3MDQwIiwic3ViIjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.KJjXLSjbEqJF2dbNlDQgEKEQLo=
Qas0ryRUzx-hQKJgU&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&=
amp;r=3D1eogb" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);font-famil=
y:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,He=
lvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji=
&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;border:1px solid rg=
ba(0,0,0,0.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;=
line-height:1;padding:9px 0px;text-decoration:none;min-width:38px;box-sizin=
g:border-box;width:38px"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s=
_!PeVs!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fs=
ubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideHeart%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stro=
ke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" cla=
ss=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"border-width: medium; border-style: none; bord=
er-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; vertical-align: middle; max-=
width: 18px;"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"m=
in-width:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"prese=
ntation" width=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbo=
dy><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?p=
ublication_id=3D1377040&amp;post_id=3D202443091&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&a=
mp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_content=3Dshare&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-shar=
e&amp;action=3Dshare&amp;triggerShare=3Dtrue&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;r=
=3D1eogb&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDI0NDMwOTEsIm=
lhdCI6MTc4MTcxODg0NSwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MzEwODQ1LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMTM3NzA0MCIsInN1Y=
iI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.g-7JUYtaXhdSac7gnEnEkI9YUOZG1_Of39vwkHJTEts" targ=
et=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);font-family:system-ui,-apple-=
system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-=
serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe =
UI Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);borde=
r-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:1;paddi=
ng:9px 0px;text-decoration:none;min-width:38px;box-sizing:border-box;width:=
38px"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_L14!,w_36,c_scal=
e,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%=
2FLucideShare2%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%2=
6strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd=
" style=3D"border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentc=
olor; border-image: initial; vertical-align: middle; max-width: 18px;"></a>=
</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td=
><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"=
38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=
=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9v=
cGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS9wdWIvc2V5bW91cmhlcnNoL3AvdGhlLXNlY3JldC1kb29tc2RheS1=
ib29rLXRoYXQtZW5hYmxlcz91dG1fc291cmNlPXN1YnN0YWNrJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdX=
RtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLXJlc3RhY2stY29tbWVudCZhY3Rpb249cmVzdGFjay1jb21tZW50J=
nI9MWVvZ2ImdG9rZW49ZXlKMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpveU16WTBORGt4TENKd2IzTjBYMmxrSWpveU1E=
STBORE13T1RFc0ltbGhkQ0k2TVRjNE1UY3hPRGcwTlN3aVpYaHdJam94TnpnME16RXdPRFExTEN=
KcGMzTWlPaUp3ZFdJdE1UTTNOekEwTUNJc0luTjFZaUk2SW5CdmMzUXRjbVZoWTNScGIyNGlmUS=
5nLTdKVVl0YVhoZFNhYzdnbkVuRWtJOVlVT1pHMV9PZjM5dndrSEpURXRzIiwicCI6MjAyNDQzM=
DkxLCJzIjoxMzc3MDQwLCJmIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzE4ODQ1LCJl=
eHAiOjIwOTcyOTQ4NDUsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.zJc8eA=
m-tK00c8UK37lF2_J5BwRWaCvzSujnW9C0vis?&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_me=
dium=3Demail" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);font-family=
:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&=
quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;border:1px solid rgb=
a(0,0,0,0.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;l=
ine-height:1;padding:9px 0px;text-decoration:none;min-width:38px;box-sizing=
:border-box;width:38px"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_=
!ubXF!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsu=
bstack.com%2Ficon%2Fnotes__NoteRestackIcon%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dn=
one%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2%26strokeLinecap%3Dround%26stro=
keLinejoin%3Dround" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-CToW=
Ud" style=3D"max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-width: medium=
; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial;"><=
/a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=3D"ri=
ght"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><ta=
ble role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cel=
lpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://open.subs=
tack.com/pub/seymourhersh/p/the-secret-doomsday-book-that-enables?utm_sourc=
e=3Demail&amp;redirect=3Dapp-store&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-read-in-app" ta=
rget=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);font-family:system-ui,-appl=
e-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,san=
s-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Sego=
e UI Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);bor=
der-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:12px;=
padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-he=
ight:26px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;max-width:0px;min-heig=
ht:18px"></div><span style=3D"vertical-align:middle;margin-right:4px">READ =
IN APP</span><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ET-_!,w_36=
,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%=
2Ficon%2FLucideArrowUpRight%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D=
%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" class=3D=
"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"min-width: 18px; min-height: 18px; border-width: me=
dium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial=
; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 1=
8px;"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></t=
body></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-si=
ze:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div dir=
=3D"auto" style=3D"padding:32px 0px 0px;line-height:26px"><div dir=3D"auto"=
 style=3D"text-align:initial;line-height:26px;width:550px;word-break:break-=
word;margin-bottom:16px"><div style=3D"line-height:26px;margin:0px auto 32p=
x"><table width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><=
tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"=
627" style=3D"text-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2=
d220736-6697-413c-bfd7-359dbd75ee8f?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wL=
Co3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"padding:0px;width:a=
uto;height:auto;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentc=
olor;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin:0px"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"=
550" height=3D"421.9298245614035" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetc=
h/$s_!6ZjJ!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A=
%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8b7c87dd-c4c=
5-42ee-aec1-c0e963855599_627x481.bmp" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"verti=
cal-align: middle; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-widt=
h: 100%; border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcol=
or; border-image: initial; width: auto;"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:c=
enter"></td></tr></tbody></table>A military aide, President Jimmy Carter, N=
ational Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, and aide Joel McCleary on boa=
rd Air Force One during the Carter administration. / Photo courtesy Joel Mc=
Cleary.</div><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-heigh=
t:26px"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">This</span><strong><span style=3D"=
color:rgb(0,0,0)">=C2=A0</span></strong><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">is=
 an account of the authorities, many of them top secret and higher, that pe=
rmit President Donald Trump and his more knowledgeable senior aides to carr=
y on their violent and vicious attacks on minorities and those who disagree=
 with them and their policies with legislative and even legal impunity.</sp=
an></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px=
"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">The answer lies in most cases with what =
are known as Presidential Emergency Action Documents (PEADs), which have en=
abled Trump today and his predecessors before him to suspend fundamental co=
nstitutional rights, detain civilians, seize property, impose martial law, =
and censor communications. These extraordinary powers have been put to wide=
spread use by Trump and his aides, such as White House Deputy Chief of Staf=
f Stephen Miller and Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russel=
l Vought. They have acted with no congressional authority, no judicial revi=
ew, and no statutory mechanism for Congress to terminate their powers, once=
 activated, as they have been since Trump took office.</span></p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><span style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">These little known and rarely discussed authorities h=
ave been developed across more than a dozen administrations, since Dwight E=
isenhower was in office, by presidents of both political parties, and their=
 secrecy and authority have yet to be successfully challenged in Congress o=
r by a federal court. One of the most detailed accounts of PEADs, last upda=
ted in 2024, has been prepared by the Brennan Center for Justice, a public =
policy group sponsored by NYU School of Law. It warns of the political dang=
er of PEADSs as extraordinary secret presidential documents that have never=
 been declassified or leaked: =E2=80=9CIt appears they are not even subject=
 to congressional oversight. Although the law requires the executive branch=
 to report even the most sensitive covert military and intelligence operati=
ons to at least some members of Congress, there is no such disclosure requi=
rement for PEADs, and no evidence that the documents have ever been shared =
with relevant congressional committees.=E2=80=9D</span></p><p style=3D"marg=
in:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><span style=3D"color:=
rgb(0,0,0)">I am summarizing here the initial paragraphs from what is perha=
ps the most detailed and up-to-date private study of PEADs written by Joel =
McCleary, a former aide to President Jimmy Carter and an expert on biologic=
al weapons. McCleary has steeped himself for decades in the study of secret=
 presidential authorities. He is a low-profile Harvard graduate who served =
as treasurer of the Democratic National Committee during the Carter adminis=
tration and later led projects for the Defense Department and Homeland Secu=
rity regarding pandemic and biological defense issues. I wrote a book on ch=
emical and biological warfare and worked with members of Congress in the mo=
nths before President Richard Nixon agreed in 1969 to enact a US ban on suc=
h weapons. A friendship was inevitable when McCleary and I first met decade=
s ago, but we grew closer after Trump took office for a second time in 2025=
 and began a massive attack on the federal government workforce and authori=
zed Stephen Miller, who by any standard is a sadistic extremist, to carry o=
ut the mass deportation of Hispanics and others, both undocumented individu=
als and persons in the country legally, often separating parents and young =
children.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);lin=
e-height:26px"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">McCleary began to tutor me =
then about the vast legal authorities Trump had under PEADs. These powers h=
ad accumulated in earlier presidencies as the Congress continued to disagre=
e on legislation to deal with immigration policy. Trump, Miller and ICE, re=
lying on secret PEADs, have increasingly divided America with their overly =
aggressive tactics.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,=
55,55);line-height:26px"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">=E2=80=9CThat thi=
s danger was not theoretical,=E2=80=9D McCleary writes in the recent privat=
e memorandum, =E2=80=9Cwas confirmed=E2=80=9D in October 2024 when=C2=A0</s=
pan><em><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Time</span></em><span style=3D"col=
or:rgb(0,0,0)">=C2=A0revealed that Mark Harvey, a former special assistant =
to Trump in his first term as President who personally oversaw the classifi=
ed binder of PEADs known to some inside the White House as the =E2=80=9CDoo=
msday Book,=E2=80=9D publicly warned that the institutional safeguards he o=
nce worked within during Trump=E2=80=99s first term no longer existed. Duri=
ng Trump=E2=80=99s first term, Harvey explained, the senior national securi=
ty staff =E2=80=9Cdeliberately shielded the president from learning the ful=
l extent of the emergency authorities, fearing he would invoke them in situ=
ations far short of the catastrophic crises for which they were designed.=
=E2=80=9D</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);lin=
e-height:26px"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Harvey=E2=80=99s published =
warning was prescient. Trump is =E2=80=9Cgoing to be surrounded by a set of=
 people who are going to say, =E2=80=98You have the power to do this.=E2=80=
=99 Frankly, Harvey said, =E2=80=9Cif he says =E2=80=98yes=E2=80=99 and the=
re are people that go do it, what=E2=80=99s to stop him.=E2=80=9D</span></p=
><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><spa=
n style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">McCleary makes clear why these powers were cre=
ated: =E2=80=9CIn a genuine existential crisis such as a nuclear attack, a =
catastrophic cyber attack on national infrastructure, or a pandemic of civi=
lian-threatening severity may well provide powers that a President legitima=
tely needs to preserve the continuity of the nation,=E2=80=9D he writes. =
=E2=80=9CThe problem is not that these powers exist.</span></p><p style=3D"=
margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><span style=3D"co=
lor:rgb(0,0,0)">=E2=80=9CThe problem is that they exist without any of the =
Constitutional guardrails that the Framers considered essential to republic=
an government. There is no congressional review, no judicial oversight, no =
statutory definition of what constitutes a qualifying emergency, and no mec=
hanism to prevent a President=E2=80=94any President, of any party, in any f=
uture administration=E2=80=94from invoking these powers in circumstances fa=
r short of an existential crisis. The risk is inherent in the structure, no=
t in any individual.=E2=80=9D</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;col=
or:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">McClear=
y writes that framing mass immigration as a national security crisis =E2=80=
=9Chas been normalized in political discourse across multiple administratio=
ns. Detention infrastructure is being expanded on an unprecedented scale. T=
he events of January 6, 2021=E2=80=94in which the Vice President exercised =
de facto emergency command authority=E2=80=9D in response to the riot at th=
e Capitol =E2=80=9Cwithout formal legal authorization while the President d=
eclined to act=E2=80=94demonstrated that the emergency command structure ca=
n be invoked in response to domestic political crises, not only the foreign=
 military attacks for which it was originally designed, and that the legal =
framework governing who holds that authority is dangerously undefined. The =
public cannot guard against what it does not know exists. The Constitution =
cannot constrain powers it has never been asked to review. This memorandum =
is written so that both can.=E2=80=9D</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0px;colo=
r:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)">Next wee=
k I will report on past occasions when PEADs have been invoked, when presid=
ents have seen fit to avoid congressional oversight, including the Iran-Con=
tra affair.</span></p></div></div><div style=3D"margin:32px 0px 0px;width:5=
50px;box-sizing:border-box;border-top:1px solid rgb(230,230,230);line-heigh=
t:26px"></div><div style=3D"text-align:initial;word-break:break-word;margin=
:32px 0px;line-height:26px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-align:cent=
er;width:384px;line-height:26px;max-width:384px;margin:auto"></p><h4 style=
=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui=
,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Ari=
al,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quo=
t;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margin:1em 0px 0.625em;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-hei=
ght:1.16em;text-align:center">Invite your friends and earn rewards</h4><div=
 style=3D"line-height:26px;text-align:center;font-size:14px">If you enjoy S=
eymour Hersh, share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscri=
be.</div><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0px auto 20px;text-align:ce=
nter;width:495px;line-height:26px"></p><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);marg=
in:0px auto;width:495px;line-height:26px;text-align:center"><a role=3D"butt=
on" href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9zZXltb3VyaGV=
yc2guc3Vic3RhY2suY29tL2xlYWRlcmJvYXJkP3JlZmVycmVyX3Rva2VuPTFlb2diJnI9MWVvZ2=
ImdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLWxlYWRlcmJvYXJkIiwicCI6MjAyNDQzMDkxLCJzIjoxMzc3M=
DQwLCJmIjpmYWxzZSwidSI6MjM2NDQ5MSwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNzE4ODQ1LCJleHAiOjIwOTcyOTQ4=
NDUsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.3qxKze3kGwZ5CJtiCWY5rE=
MLDAD_1D9sElURFIPHhk4?&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp=
;utm_content=3Dpostcta" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"font-family:system-ui,-a=
pple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,=
sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;S=
egoe UI Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box;border-widt=
h:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;height:40px;border-rad=
ius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;padding:10px 20px;m=
argin:0px;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;background-color:rgb(18=
1,153,241);color:rgb(255,255,255);text-decoration:none">Invite Friends</a><=
/p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>

--000000000000f2ff50065478e626--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 13:37:34 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 0A4E0B0858
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:37:34 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 0A4E0B0858
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="fG/V2Uuf"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 015E8BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:37:34 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f41.google.com (mail-ej1-f41.google.com
 [209.85.218.41])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id B0FECBD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:37:33 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f41.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-befee9e5ef7so17577666b.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:37:33 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781728652; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=NR48YyzAULVNdgRUQ224exeb2pkeIhL3F78XhZ3QlCv3HsYLPEpOgvXR6vHZCEMe9p
 uVr8qnkwyGNuj4mVYOBHQZJrPzO8c8wiBUYz6hCdFuei2tKA9lBsUN/CF5dv4YV94VJ3
 FduL7X13pfRbBJmv+mELXafYJ8mRjAu6aU6QLXgm2sAtvrIt6b82grVd9IoGQYXrsENv
 v4UkMWsQu8VEQltWhlQo1NfMk8iHMMsW/gJ+D5sLkBOruQxOrKWBEafaaiUrNeo7EFOU
 QqNQPnXWWvNzLLyPn763Zd/NJF+ls/x3apkgMTscZ2HGpIqb/tbviiRqIrAbuG32TW1h
 iTtw==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=EFFzUrqDiaaQkkdAayT/QgE8biK3GjlND4y1pl+TgkY=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=Ba6nrYdFtbjzysApxA2TqGKPZN3rs4iTdJH2dV3+u8oaCWBt4DvYYau9uRflYIh6GQ
 guwns2TXILHZPB4nuAT/8kQxr9b27sT6o496i4bVMzGlKiUZxqAYNHgKrvhvUa1OrlGI
 JfBwIw1EIk8o8pf3SS/MrZ+eBIc8kSS5DNK+6fkbUFTrxKKGmUkjHbr/S/Iz4Oexd9dA
 2x6tA9sqYLBwvQal30a1fJM8WEHuy03YqN9iCmTTJ7qlF13xBwoQ0Vzfs1IqZzrn5xT4
 DdKTPCeICP0lvRiz5oyfkywcOHDwRgwqrjHLzMlur3BIYvjcaG+JJh8GT2cdiDQaczTZ
 BI+A==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781728652; x=1782333452; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=EFFzUrqDiaaQkkdAayT/QgE8biK3GjlND4y1pl+TgkY=;
 b=fG/V2UuffIXMISQLPh1byuanGiTMk1AM3XuH1UQ1dw8LSrtaav5IGWiRe0GqbYXzEj
 +eGw8gfgDD7iJkWwG/vbaFQKUIJ3bR5+UFr5QGVNkn+6gjiE4ksSjbO7Uj6SW2nzHfOB
 4Tlg9se1JJU7nuyRiYaxhEv5DtXjOgzQ8X1vFR7t10aJ20bgJn/UaddeARwKSx4KUGIP
 WHeiwKRocTvzcNNCO/M56rhooNcj+3j66+Tln+h/VL7h+4bsZglFtD9zHF6X0UUUmeAr
 DD2caNxZqiVg5Cze1/EO+HPCBsuHKWOvE4s3fm0dsQsWuT1ubgaRZN8aawcuULVReucn
 wQTA==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781728652; x=1782333452;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=EFFzUrqDiaaQkkdAayT/QgE8biK3GjlND4y1pl+TgkY=;
 b=GFMak143Bn6tYOtvrT1t4t6ZCdue2iAQRlwCUWRmtRL0qzGRDoMW0qjDIYXY00QSkb
 6oT23hME0WUd1AeA8pjLTQ/YfRm19OAd2Ri1GQvWflIOrEFLXT3Yw/+Cln/kFdP8qd2z
 ouvu58C7mgEw/gnvZBHKIXWRubFHInjySf2YkHyzJ/E7Op/jAOm5VQs0bxVSnJkoUPmT
 hZcRESfR0AI1JwdKvDRdjaDdIS1liLe/zvEr7pkocY5Z7B/0tZcBOdu4WmWLkaFBgn4l
 Vy7gQ7KTkzf562XxD+5Kk8g+HihSldyS9EMJmGRUpulMpDNyWPFWaZ9kpGHp+BO/H9rg
 qDdA==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YzaZjf82+TAyMTItFAIB/hkQR5SP4dYWAYPD5NFFK4FD4jrHVQT
 5K26vsSaBA8wM97esv9jXHdFKaW6oddP/3Ri9IhzVNqnwUIBEYkVFjEJ9D0M/ABx9b1xctOZiT4
 iKxFxWgeVRaUwDeiL/UdVQp9/iuLhAmV0m8HuoCtiKw==
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OFJXZzplgrf5s/3VsMd7QAkfgWuL4d2QLcNzjZjFDS94zKLrhvJ0/IS+yGvZxL
 KBAgZnbUtEa8jed4StnO+HS3zIXeoJ8dNEbUfNc5r/ADTcJPj9bPRU/PADn+yprr123OFV9xbl8
 5GwIJn5fSP0L0pn4T2D/UgLexCH5qT926JGB+a8K65zyimxl1BowE3a4e801Dnfon+8AeVhf6a3
 RjO8zgAvHOYjlMkUpMGm6W0jGcAwAaBB3Qah+CvOZvLa+ldwxYLnBVtfWqcvSlVNCa4DvPhXBAM
 t0fPU4g9kwjKJwIb65Ie72WfpM2xmB+C6qXE6ZhWEOWuUo1lU/4zAFaQ4Dx/39+l7oANpOgXEcC
 zOzPGaLovr6Tzu8btbpD6RJ1yvLmq4iQx57twS3wYR8r8+qy600JNnj50d+GO2hfrMRjF2OnorQ
 u8tnndhDFwfgmn4iip9YaNITTXpftlBJatVdoHRVnSYmb2AAUAN2F/PfksyHPrwzHi3+DOtlLgJ
 sHVbIxfTF28eWJuIr7VKVT2+DLXz1GUNBL3mRxbqFzl5Yc=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:6090:b0:bed:e2e8:d8c3 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a2e40c2dmr375345666b.22.1781728651686; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 13:37:31 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:37:15 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CdkG1IX79rZN-hnZ72M36nrAI6_-gcptDBYOcYIJI-wp2z0ST4IDZ10iAg
Message-ID: <CANbmmQkm5aM6fjhWxgJ39smGxMZW-hnpqr5v7h7VJkuGdtpxrg@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000005eb67a06547907bb"
Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?The_Iran_War_Has_Hastened_India=E2=80=99s_Pivo?=
 =?utf-8?q?t_to_the_Gulf?=
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:37:34 -0000

--0000000000005eb67a06547907bb
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/india-gulf-strategic-partnership-iran-w=
ar/?loggedin=3D1

The Iran War Has Hastened India=E2=80=99s Pivot to the Gulf
Emil Avdaliani <https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/author/emil-avdaliani/>=
Jun
17, 2026 <https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/2026/06/17/>
[image: The Iran War Has Hastened India=E2=80=99s Pivot to the Gulf]Indian =
Prime
Minister Narendra Mod with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of
the United Arab Emirates, at the airport in New Delhi, Jan. 19, 2026
(Indian Prime Minister's Office via AP)
Listen to this article
10 min
<https://beyondwords.io/?utm_source=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldpoliticsreview=
.com&utm_medium=3Dplayer&utm_campaign=3D51026>

Over the past year, India has significantly expanded its outreach to the
member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)=E2=80=94Saudi Arabia, t=
he
United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait=E2=80=94with the ambi=
tion of
diversifying its traditionally energy-focused relations with the region
into security, military and political partnerships.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi=E2=80=99s  May 15 visit
<https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-signs-pacts-with-uae-defence-pet=
roleum-during-modis-visit-2026-05-15/>
to
the UAE, the two sides agreed
<https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/india-pivots-toward-uae-for-defence=
-and-energy-security-amid-war>
on
the framework for =E2=80=8Ca strategic defense partnership, while also sign=
ing
<https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economy/indian-prime-minister-modi-v=
isit-uae-trade-ties?_refresh=3Dtrue>
deals
on strategic petroleum reserves, Indian purchases of liquefied petroleum
gas, and treaties on security and artificial intelligence. The two sides
agreed to a bilateral trade target of $200 billion, which is roughly double
the current amount.

The strategic defense partnership as well as the security and AI treaties
signal a shift in bilateral relations, which until now had been revolving
around trade in oil. The timing is important here. For the UAE, closer
security relations with India are increasingly important because of the
U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. While a preliminary deal was recently reache=
d
<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-16/read-the-14-point-draft=
-memorandum-between-the-us-and-iran>
to
end hostilities, the conflict still showed how vulnerable the UAE=E2=80=99s
infrastructure and economy are to Iranian reprisals and how Abu Dhabi=E2=80=
=99s
dependence on Washington=E2=80=99s increasingly unreliable security commitm=
ents has
not paid off as expected. As a result, the UAE is adopting a long-term
approach of diversification when it comes to its foreign partnerships.

The alignment between the two countries is also rooted in connectivity. The
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), unveiled in 2023, is
based on the understanding of close seaborne cooperation between the two
countries. For India, IMEC offers a potential route to Europe that reduces
dependence on traditional maritime chokepoints and strengthens its role as
a key South Asian trading power. For the UAE, the project reinforces its
ambition to become a global logistics node. Though the war in Gaza and the
resulting deterioration of ties between Israel and the Gulf states
undermines the idea of the IMEC, Abu Dhabi, New Delhi and several European
capitals continue to see it as a viable project.

India also sees an opportunity in the UAE=E2=80=99s withdrawal
<https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/uae-says-opec-opec-exit-was-sovere=
ign-strategic-decision-not-political-move-2026-05-16/>
from
OPEC. Freed from the cartel=E2=80=99s quotas on oil production, Abu Dhabi w=
ill be
able to pump and export more. With its expanding economy and growing demand
for resources, India has set its sights on increasing its oil imports from
the Middle East. That is especially the case due to its oil trade with
Russia coming under intense scrutiny from the U.S., causing tensions
<https://www.cfr.org/articles/oil-energy-india-u-s-relations-and-the-russia=
-conundrum>
in
relations between New Delhi and Washington.

The UAE is not the only GCC state welcoming expanded ties with India. The
Gulf states regard the world=E2=80=99s most populous country as an investme=
nt
destination, a lucrative and relatively stable market, and a source of
skilled labor. For India, the Gulf states represent secure sources of
energy and investment to power its economy, but also compatible partners
for military cooperation, which has become an increasingly important aspect
of India=E2=80=99s ties across the region.

Both sides share concerns over terrorism, extremism, maritime security and
cybercrime. In January, India and Saudi Arabia held
<https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases?dtl/40620/3rd+IndiaSaudi+Arabia+Secu=
rity+Working+Group>
a
Security Working Group meeting, reflecting the growing institutionalization
of this agenda. India=E2=80=99s navy has also become more active in the wes=
tern
parts of the Indian Ocean, particularly in the commercial routes that feed
the Gulf=E2=80=99s economy.

In February, negotiations for an India-GCC free trade agreement were
formally launched
<https://www.gcc-sg.org/en/MediaCenter/News/Pages/news-2026-2-24-5.aspx>.
If sealed, the deal would further promote a relationship that has already
expanded rapidly through bilateral commercial ties, particularly with the
UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Overall, India-GCC trade grew
<https://www.eoiriyadh.gov.in/page/india-gcc-relations/> to $178 billion in
the 2024-2025 fiscal year, constituting more than 15 percent of India=E2=80=
=99s
global trade by value.
------------------------------
*India is pursuing a multi-aligned foreign policy: deepening cooperation
with the West while maintaining strategic autonomy and expanding ties with
the Global South.*
------------------------------

The initiation of the free trade talks follows the signing
<https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=3D2104450&reg=3D3&=
lang=3D2>
of
the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered
into force in May 2022 and helped boost India=E2=80=99s non-oil exports to =
the GCC.

In December, India also signed
<https://edit.wti.org/document/show/05972a42-72a8-4788-a001-d0d76a5ae5da> a
separate economic partnership deal with Oman, which went into full effect
in early June, providing Indian exporters with extensive duty-free access
to the Omani market. This is especially important for Indian manufacturers
of engineering goods, textiles, processed food, pharmaceuticals, jewelry
and marine products. Beyond that, Oman=E2=80=99s long coastline also plays =
a vital
connectivity role for India, providing direct access to the Arabian
Peninsula without having to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

In April 2025, Modi visited
<https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases?dtl/39428/Visit_of_the_Prime_Ministe=
r_of_India_to_the_Kingdom_of_Saudi_Arabia_April_2223_2025>
the
GCC=E2=80=99s largest member, Saudi Arabia, resulting in significantly expa=
nded
bilateral cooperation in a wide range of sectors, from defense to tourism.
Both sides=E2=80=99 national transformation agendas=E2=80=94Riyadh=E2=80=99=
s Vision 2030 and New
Delhi=E2=80=99s Viksit Bharat 2047=E2=80=94are increasingly seen
<https://english.aawsat.com/business/5176388-riyadh-and-new-delhi-promote-r=
oadmap-economic-investment-cooperation>
as
aligned.

Another Gulf state that is important for New Delhi is Qatar, particularly
for its LNG exports. The emir of Qatar made a state visit to India last
year, and the two sides elevated their relations to a strategic partnership
while agreeing to target a twofold increase in bilateral trade by 2030.
Doha also announced its intention to invest $10 billion in India, opening
an office of the Qatar Investment Authority as a demonstration of intent.

A key factor driving India=E2=80=99s stepped-up engagement with the GCC, an=
d
specifically the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is that its main rival, Pakistan, is
also expanding its ties with the Gulf. Indeed, over the past year,
Islamabad has made major moves to position itself as a key security player
in the region. In 2025, Pakistan signed
<https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/17/saudi-arabia-signs-mutual-defence=
-pact-with-nuclear-armed-pakistan>
a
military pact with Saudi Arabia, including a mutual defense clause that
raised eyebrows in New Delhi.

To be sure, Pakistan=E2=80=99s military pact with Saudi Arabia is more
transactional than an ironclad military alliance, and it is likely to
remain so. But it can still spur deeper military cooperation, even if it is
phased and in limited form. Indeed, the Saudi-Pakistani pact has apparently
already been partially activated, as Pakistani jets were deployed
<https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/saudi-arabia-says-pakistan-send=
s-fighter-jets-kingdom-under-defence-pact-2026-04-11/>
to
Saudi Arabia in April. In May, another report emerged
<https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-deploys-jet-squadron-t=
housands-troops-saudi-arabia-during-iran-war-2026-05-18/>
of
additional Pakistani deployments to Saudi Arabia.

Though the United States remains the Gulf=E2=80=99s major security partner,=
 Gulf
states are diversifying their external relationships. They maintain close
ties with China, Russia, Europe and increasingly India. New Delhi,
meanwhile, is pursuing a multi-aligned foreign policy: deepening
cooperation with the West while maintaining strategic autonomy and
expanding ties with the Global South.

This makes India an attractive partner for Gulf monarchies because it is a
large, pragmatic and non-ideological player. Indeed, unlike Western
partners, India does not attach political conditionality to cooperation.
And unlike China, close ties with India do not cause tensions with the U.S.
and its Western allies.

Thus, India=E2=80=99s relations with the GCC have arguably entered their mo=
st
active phase in recent decades, shifting from a transactional,
energy-for-labor relationship into a diverse strategic partnership covering
everything from trade and investment to infrastructure and fintech. The
shift is being driven by both regional developments as well as changing
domestic economic priorities in the GCC and India. Yet, India and the Arab
states are unlikely to become official allies. Rather, the relationship
will be characterized by a transactional approach and pragmatism based on
mutual benefits spurred by the presence of millions of Indians residing
<https://www.indiatodayne.in/opinion/story/indias-gulf-pivot-is-no-longer-o=
ptional-1392672-2026-05-16>
in
the Gulf region.

*Emil Avdaliani is a professor at European University and the director of
Middle East Studies at the Georgian think-tank, Geocase.*

--0000000000005eb67a06547907bb
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><a href=3D"https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/india-gulf-=
strategic-partnership-iran-war/?loggedin=3D1">https://www.worldpoliticsrevi=
ew.com/india-gulf-strategic-partnership-iran-war/?loggedin=3D1</a><br><div>=
<br></div><div><h1 class=3D"entry-title gmail-text-left gmail-font-lato-bol=
d" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:=
0px 0px 1.25rem;font-size:42px;font-weight:inherit;color:rgb(0,0,68);font-f=
amily:&quot;Lato Bold&quot;,Helvetica,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;line-height=
:50px">The Iran War Has Hastened India=E2=80=99s Pivot to the Gulf</h1><div=
 class=3D"entry-meta gmail-post-meta gmail-flex gmail-justify-start gmail-m=
b-6 gmail--mt-2" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:bord=
er-box;margin-bottom:1.5rem;display:flex"><span class=3D"gmail-author-names=
 gmail-text-brand-smoke-grey" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);bo=
x-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(112,112,112);margin-right:0.75rem"><a href=3D=
"https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/author/emil-avdaliani/" title=3D"Posts=
 by Emil Avdaliani" class=3D"gmail-author gmail-url gmail-fn" rel=3D"author=
" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rg=
b(112,112,112);text-decoration:inherit;font-family:&quot;Lato Bold&quot;,He=
lvetica,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;line-height:1.5rem;text-tr=
ansform:capitalize">Emil Avdaliani</a></span><span class=3D"gmail-posted-on=
 gmail-text-secondary gmail-text-brand-smoke-grey gmail-text-right gmail-mi=
n-w-118px" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box=
;min-width:118px;text-align:right;color:rgb(112,112,112)"><a class=3D"gmail=
-yellow-hover gmail-text-14px gmail-leading-22px" href=3D"https://www.world=
politicsreview.com/2026/06/17/" rel=3D"bookmark" title=3D"The Iran War Has =
Hastened India=E2=80=99s Pivot to the Gulf" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(2=
29,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;fon=
t-size:1rem;line-height:1.5rem">Jun 17, 2026</a></span></div><img width=3D"=
850" height=3D"478" src=3D"https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/wp-content/u=
ploads/2026/06/india-gulf-strategic-partnership-iran-war-06172026-850x478.j=
pg" class=3D"gmail-w-full gmail-object-cover gmail-wp-post-image" alt=3D"Th=
e Iran War Has Hastened India=E2=80=99s Pivot to the Gulf" rel=3D"preload" =
style=3D"border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; disp=
lay: block; vertical-align: middle; height: 478.125px; max-width: 100%; wid=
th: 850px; object-fit: cover; top: 0px;">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mod=
 with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emir=
ates, at the airport in New Delhi, Jan. 19, 2026 (Indian Prime Minister&#39=
;s Office via AP)<br><div class=3D"entry-content" style=3D"border:0px solid=
 rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-beyondwords-pl=
ayer gmail-bwp" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;margin-bottom:50px;padding-left:0p=
x;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px"><div class=3D"external-widget" style=
=3D"color:initial;font:initial;font-synthesis:initial;text-orientation:init=
ial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:initial;background:initial;background-blend-m=
ode:initial;border:initial;border-radius:initial;border-collapse:initial;bo=
x-sizing:initial;break-after:initial;break-before:initial;break-inside:init=
ial;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;columns:initial;column-fill:initial;=
column-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;float:initial;height:initial;image-=
orientation:initial;isolation:initial;letter-spacing:initial;line-break:ini=
tial;list-style:initial;margin:initial;max-height:initial;max-width:initial=
;min-height:initial;min-width:initial;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:ini=
tial;object-position:initial;opacity:initial;outline:initial;overflow:initi=
al;padding:initial;quotes:initial;speak:initial;table-layout:initial;text-a=
lign:initial;text-align-last:initial;text-autospace:initial;text-combine-up=
right:initial;text-decoration:initial;text-emphasis:initial;text-indent:ini=
tial;text-justify:initial;text-overflow:initial;text-transform:initial;text=
-underline-position:initial;vertical-align:initial;border-spacing:initial;w=
idth:initial;word-break:initial;word-spacing:initial"></div><div class=3D"g=
mail-user-interface gmail-standard gmail-stopped gmail-left-to-right gmail-=
svelte-587imk" style=3D"color:initial;font:initial;font-synthesis:initial;t=
ext-orientation:initial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:initial;background:initia=
l;background-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;border-radius:initial;border=
-collapse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:initial;break-before:initi=
al;break-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;columns:initial;=
column-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;float:initial;h=
eight:initial;image-orientation:initial;isolation:initial;letter-spacing:in=
itial;line-break:initial;list-style:initial;margin:initial;max-height:initi=
al;max-width:initial;min-height:initial;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:i=
nitial;object-position:initial;opacity:initial;outline:initial;padding:init=
ial;quotes:initial;speak:initial;table-layout:initial;text-align:initial;te=
xt-align-last:initial;text-autospace:initial;text-combine-upright:initial;t=
ext-decoration:initial;text-emphasis:initial;text-indent:initial;text-justi=
fy:initial;text-overflow:initial;text-transform:initial;text-underline-posi=
tion:initial;vertical-align:initial;border-spacing:initial;width:initial;wo=
rd-break:initial;word-spacing:initial;overflow:hidden;min-width:300px"><div=
 class=3D"gmail-hoverable" role=3D"none" style=3D"color:initial;font-featur=
e-settings:initial;font-kerning:initial;font-size:initial;font-size-adjust:=
initial;font-stretch:initial;font-synthesis:initial;font-variant:initial;fo=
nt-weight:initial;text-orientation:initial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:initia=
l;background:initial;background-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;border-ra=
dius:initial;border-collapse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:initial=
;break-before:initial;break-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear:initi=
al;columns:initial;column-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cells:init=
ial;float:initial;height:initial;image-orientation:initial;isolation:initia=
l;letter-spacing:initial;line-break:initial;line-height:initial;list-style:=
initial;margin:initial;max-height:initial;max-width:initial;min-height:init=
ial;min-width:initial;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:initial;object-posi=
tion:initial;opacity:initial;outline:initial;overflow:initial;padding:initi=
al;quotes:initial;speak:initial;table-layout:initial;text-align:initial;tex=
t-align-last:initial;text-autospace:initial;text-combine-upright:initial;te=
xt-decoration:initial;text-emphasis:initial;text-indent:initial;text-justif=
y:initial;text-overflow:initial;text-transform:initial;text-underline-posit=
ion:initial;vertical-align:initial;border-spacing:initial;width:initial;wor=
d-break:initial;word-spacing:initial;font-family:InterVariable,sans-serif">=
<div class=3D"gmail-main gmail-svelte-587imk" role=3D"none" style=3D"color:=
initial;font-feature-settings:initial;font-kerning:initial;font-size:initia=
l;font-size-adjust:initial;font-stretch:initial;font-synthesis:initial;font=
-variant:initial;font-weight:initial;text-orientation:initial;writing-mode:=
initial;zoom:initial;background-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;border-co=
llapse:initial;break-after:initial;break-before:initial;break-inside:initia=
l;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;columns:initial;column-fill:initial;co=
lumn-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;float:initial;image-orientation:initi=
al;isolation:initial;letter-spacing:initial;line-break:initial;line-height:=
initial;list-style:initial;margin:initial;max-height:initial;max-width:init=
ial;min-height:initial;min-width:initial;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:=
initial;object-position:initial;opacity:initial;outline:initial;overflow:in=
itial;quotes:initial;speak:initial;table-layout:initial;text-align:initial;=
text-align-last:initial;text-autospace:initial;text-combine-upright:initial=
;text-decoration:initial;text-emphasis:initial;text-indent:initial;text-jus=
tify:initial;text-overflow:initial;text-transform:initial;text-underline-po=
sition:initial;vertical-align:initial;border-spacing:initial;width:initial;=
word-break:initial;word-spacing:initial;display:flex;box-sizing:border-box;=
height:48px;padding:4px;border-radius:25px;background:rgb(244,244,244)"><di=
v class=3D"gmail-controls gmail-svelte-587imk" style=3D"color:initial;font-=
feature-settings:initial;font-kerning:initial;font-size:initial;font-size-a=
djust:initial;font-stretch:initial;font-synthesis:initial;font-variant:init=
ial;font-weight:initial;text-orientation:initial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:=
initial;background:initial;background-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;bor=
der-radius:initial;border-collapse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:i=
nitial;break-before:initial;break-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear=
:initial;columns:initial;column-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cell=
s:initial;float:initial;height:initial;image-orientation:initial;isolation:=
initial;letter-spacing:initial;line-break:initial;line-height:initial;list-=
style:initial;margin:initial;max-height:initial;max-width:initial;min-heigh=
t:initial;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:initial;object-position:initial=
;opacity:initial;outline:initial;overflow:initial;padding:initial;quotes:in=
itial;speak:initial;table-layout:initial;text-align:initial;text-align-last=
:initial;text-autospace:initial;text-combine-upright:initial;text-decoratio=
n:initial;text-emphasis:initial;text-indent:initial;text-justify:initial;te=
xt-overflow:initial;text-transform:initial;text-underline-position:initial;=
vertical-align:initial;border-spacing:initial;width:initial;word-break:init=
ial;word-spacing:initial;display:flex;min-width:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-vi=
sibility gmail-svelte-1exdg3" style=3D"color:initial;font-feature-settings:=
initial;font-kerning:initial;font-size:initial;font-size-adjust:initial;fon=
t-stretch:initial;font-synthesis:initial;font-variant:initial;font-weight:i=
nitial;text-orientation:initial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:initial;backgroun=
d:initial;background-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;border-radius:initia=
l;border-collapse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:initial;break-befo=
re:initial;break-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;columns:=
initial;column-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;float:i=
nitial;height:initial;image-orientation:initial;isolation:initial;letter-sp=
acing:initial;line-break:initial;line-height:initial;list-style:initial;mar=
gin:initial;max-height:initial;max-width:initial;min-height:initial;min-wid=
th:initial;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:initial;object-position:initia=
l;opacity:initial;outline:initial;overflow:initial;padding:initial;quotes:i=
nitial;speak:initial;table-layout:initial;text-align:initial;text-align-las=
t:initial;text-autospace:initial;text-combine-upright:initial;text-decorati=
on:initial;text-emphasis:initial;text-indent:initial;text-justify:initial;t=
ext-overflow:initial;text-transform:initial;text-underline-position:initial=
;vertical-align:initial;border-spacing:initial;width:initial;word-break:ini=
tial;word-spacing:initial;display:flex"><button type=3D"button" class=3D"gm=
ail-play-pause-button gmail-svelte-1dxzkq6" tabindex=3D"0" aria-label=3D"Pl=
ay audio" style=3D"font-feature-settings:initial;font-kerning:initial;font-=
size:initial;font-size-adjust:initial;font-stretch:initial;font-synthesis:i=
nitial;font-variant:initial;font-weight:initial;text-orientation:initial;wr=
iting-mode:initial;zoom:initial;background-blend-mode:initial;border-radius=
:initial;border-collapse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:initial;bre=
ak-before:initial;break-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;c=
olumns:initial;column-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;=
float:initial;height:initial;image-orientation:initial;isolation:initial;le=
tter-spacing:initial;line-break:initial;line-height:initial;list-style:init=
ial;max-height:initial;max-width:initial;min-height:initial;min-width:initi=
al;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:initial;object-position:initial;opacit=
y:initial;outline:initial;overflow:initial;quotes:initial;speak:initial;tab=
le-layout:initial;text-align:initial;text-align-last:initial;text-autospace=
:initial;text-combine-upright:initial;text-decoration:initial;text-emphasis=
:initial;text-indent:initial;text-justify:initial;text-overflow:initial;tex=
t-transform:initial;text-underline-position:initial;vertical-align:initial;=
border-spacing:initial;width:initial;word-break:initial;word-spacing:initia=
l;display:flex;background-image:none;background-position:initial;background=
-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;backgroun=
d-clip:initial;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentco=
lor;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-family:InterVariable,sans-serif"></button><=
/div><div class=3D"gmail-player-title gmail-standard gmail-svelte-q4tohi" s=
tyle=3D"font-feature-settings:initial;font-kerning:initial;font-size-adjust=
:initial;font-stretch:initial;font-synthesis:initial;font-variant:initial;t=
ext-orientation:initial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:initial;background:initia=
l;background-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;border-radius:initial;border=
-collapse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:initial;break-before:initi=
al;break-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;columns:initial;=
column-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;float:initial;i=
mage-orientation:initial;isolation:initial;letter-spacing:initial;line-brea=
k:initial;list-style:initial;margin:initial;max-height:initial;max-width:in=
itial;min-height:initial;min-width:initial;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fi=
t:initial;object-position:initial;outline:initial;padding:initial;quotes:in=
itial;speak:initial;table-layout:initial;text-align:initial;text-align-last=
:initial;text-autospace:initial;text-combine-upright:initial;text-decoratio=
n:initial;text-emphasis:initial;text-indent:initial;text-justify:initial;te=
xt-transform:initial;text-underline-position:initial;vertical-align:initial=
;border-spacing:initial;word-break:initial;word-spacing:initial;display:fle=
x;line-height:1.25;text-overflow:ellipsis;overflow:hidden;height:32px;font-=
size:12px;width:auto;opacity:1;color:rgb(0,0,68)">Listen to this article</d=
iv><div class=3D"gmail-time-indicator gmail-standard gmail-svelte-1kqgxi8 g=
mail-stopped gmail-no-transition" style=3D"color:initial;font-feature-setti=
ngs:initial;font-kerning:initial;font-size:initial;font-size-adjust:initial=
;font-stretch:initial;font-synthesis:initial;font-variant:initial;font-weig=
ht:initial;text-orientation:initial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:initial;backg=
round:initial;background-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;border-radius:in=
itial;border-collapse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:initial;break-=
before:initial;break-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;colu=
mns:initial;column-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;flo=
at:initial;height:initial;image-orientation:initial;isolation:initial;lette=
r-spacing:initial;line-break:initial;line-height:initial;list-style:initial=
;margin:initial;max-height:initial;max-width:initial;min-height:initial;min=
-width:initial;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:initial;object-position:in=
itial;opacity:initial;outline:initial;overflow:initial;padding:initial;quot=
es:initial;speak:initial;table-layout:initial;text-align:initial;text-align=
-last:initial;text-autospace:initial;text-combine-upright:initial;text-deco=
ration:initial;text-emphasis:initial;text-indent:initial;text-justify:initi=
al;text-overflow:initial;text-transform:initial;text-underline-position:ini=
tial;vertical-align:initial;border-spacing:initial;width:initial;word-break=
:initial;word-spacing:initial;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-inner gmail=
-svelte-1kqgxi8" style=3D"color:initial;font-feature-settings:initial;font-=
kerning:initial;font-size:initial;font-size-adjust:initial;font-stretch:ini=
tial;font-synthesis:initial;font-variant:initial;font-weight:initial;text-o=
rientation:initial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:initial;background:initial;bac=
kground-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;border-radius:initial;border-coll=
apse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:initial;break-before:initial;br=
eak-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;columns:initial;colum=
n-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;float:initial;height=
:initial;image-orientation:initial;isolation:initial;letter-spacing:initial=
;line-break:initial;line-height:initial;list-style:initial;margin:initial;m=
ax-height:initial;max-width:initial;min-height:initial;min-width:initial;mi=
x-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:initial;object-position:initial;opacity:ini=
tial;outline:initial;overflow:initial;padding:initial;quotes:initial;speak:=
initial;table-layout:initial;text-align:initial;text-align-last:initial;tex=
t-autospace:initial;text-combine-upright:initial;text-decoration:initial;te=
xt-emphasis:initial;text-indent:initial;text-justify:initial;text-overflow:=
initial;text-transform:initial;text-underline-position:initial;vertical-ali=
gn:initial;border-spacing:initial;width:initial;word-break:initial;word-spa=
cing:initial;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-duration-in-mins gmail-svelt=
e-121qsze" style=3D"font-feature-settings:initial;font-kerning:initial;font=
-size-adjust:initial;font-stretch:initial;font-synthesis:initial;font-varia=
nt:initial;text-orientation:initial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:initial;backg=
round:initial;background-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;border-radius:in=
itial;border-collapse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:initial;break-=
before:initial;break-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;colu=
mns:initial;column-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;flo=
at:initial;height:initial;image-orientation:initial;isolation:initial;lette=
r-spacing:initial;line-break:initial;line-height:initial;list-style:initial=
;margin:initial;max-height:initial;max-width:initial;min-height:initial;min=
-width:initial;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:initial;object-position:in=
itial;opacity:initial;outline:initial;overflow:initial;padding:initial;quot=
es:initial;speak:initial;table-layout:initial;text-align:initial;text-align=
-last:initial;text-autospace:initial;text-combine-upright:initial;text-deco=
ration:initial;text-emphasis:initial;text-indent:initial;text-justify:initi=
al;text-overflow:initial;text-transform:initial;text-underline-position:ini=
tial;vertical-align:initial;border-spacing:initial;width:initial;word-break=
:initial;word-spacing:initial;font-size:10px;color:rgb(0,0,68)">10 min</div=
></div></div></div><div class=3D"end gmail-svelte-587imk gmail-logo-image-r=
ight gmail-has-content" style=3D"color:initial;font-feature-settings:initia=
l;font-kerning:initial;font-size:initial;font-size-adjust:initial;font-stre=
tch:initial;font-synthesis:initial;font-variant:initial;font-weight:initial=
;text-orientation:initial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:initial;background:init=
ial;background-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;border-radius:initial;bord=
er-collapse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:initial;break-before:ini=
tial;break-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;columns:initia=
l;column-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;float:initial=
;height:initial;image-orientation:initial;isolation:initial;letter-spacing:=
initial;line-break:initial;line-height:initial;list-style:initial;margin-bo=
ttom:initial;margin-left:initial;margin-top:initial;max-height:initial;max-=
width:initial;min-height:initial;min-width:initial;mix-blend-mode:initial;o=
bject-fit:initial;object-position:initial;opacity:initial;outline:initial;o=
verflow:initial;padding:initial;quotes:initial;speak:initial;table-layout:i=
nitial;text-align:initial;text-align-last:initial;text-autospace:initial;te=
xt-combine-upright:initial;text-decoration:initial;text-emphasis:initial;te=
xt-indent:initial;text-justify:initial;text-overflow:initial;text-transform=
:initial;text-underline-position:initial;vertical-align:initial;border-spac=
ing:initial;width:initial;word-break:initial;word-spacing:initial;margin-ri=
ght:12px"><a class=3D"gmail-beyondwords gmail-svelte-vl0esb" href=3D"https:=
//beyondwords.io/?utm_source=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldpoliticsreview.com&am=
p;utm_medium=3Dplayer&amp;utm_campaign=3D51026" target=3D"_blank" aria-labe=
l=3D"Visit BeyondWords" style=3D"color:initial;font-feature-settings:initia=
l;font-kerning:initial;font-size:initial;font-size-adjust:initial;font-stre=
tch:initial;font-synthesis:initial;font-variant:initial;font-weight:initial=
;text-orientation:initial;writing-mode:initial;zoom:initial;background:init=
ial;background-blend-mode:initial;border:initial;border-radius:initial;bord=
er-collapse:initial;box-sizing:initial;break-after:initial;break-before:ini=
tial;break-inside:initial;caption-side:initial;clear:initial;columns:initia=
l;column-fill:initial;column-span:initial;empty-cells:initial;float:initial=
;height:initial;image-orientation:initial;isolation:initial;letter-spacing:=
initial;line-break:initial;line-height:initial;list-style:initial;margin:in=
itial;max-height:initial;max-width:initial;min-height:initial;min-width:ini=
tial;mix-blend-mode:initial;object-fit:initial;object-position:initial;outl=
ine:initial;overflow:initial;padding:initial;quotes:initial;speak:initial;t=
able-layout:initial;text-align:initial;text-align-last:initial;text-autospa=
ce:initial;text-combine-upright:initial;text-decoration:initial;text-emphas=
is:initial;text-indent:initial;text-justify:initial;text-overflow:initial;t=
ext-transform:initial;text-underline-position:initial;vertical-align:initia=
l;border-spacing:initial;width:initial;word-break:initial;word-spacing:init=
ial;display:flex;opacity:0"></a></div></div></div></div></div><p class=3D"g=
mail-wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;paddi=
ng-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">Over the past year, India ha=
s significantly expanded its outreach to the member states of the Gulf Coop=
eration Council (GCC)=E2=80=94Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar=
, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait=E2=80=94with the ambition of diversifying its tr=
aditionally energy-focused relations with the region into security, militar=
y and political partnerships.</p><p class=3D"gmail-wp-block-paragraph" styl=
e=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px aut=
o 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px=
;max-width:850px">During Prime Minister Narendra Modi=E2=80=99s =C2=A0May 1=
5=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-signs-pacts-wit=
h-uae-defence-petroleum-during-modis-visit-2026-05-15/" target=3D"_blank" s=
tyle=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(3=
3,33,33)">visit</a>=C2=A0to the UAE, the two sides=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://=
www.bairdmaritime.com/security/india-pivots-toward-uae-for-defence-and-ener=
gy-security-amid-war" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,2=
31,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33,33)">agreed</a>=C2=A0on the f=
ramework for =E2=80=8Ca strategic defense partnership, while also=C2=A0<a h=
ref=3D"https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economy/indian-prime-minister-=
modi-visit-uae-trade-ties?_refresh=3Dtrue" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"borde=
r:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33,33)">sig=
ning</a>=C2=A0deals on strategic petroleum reserves, Indian purchases of li=
quefied petroleum gas, and treaties on security and artificial intelligence=
. The two sides agreed to a bilateral trade target of $200 billion, which i=
s roughly double the current amount.</p><p class=3D"gmail-wp-block-paragrap=
h" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:=
0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;padding-left:0px;padding-ri=
ght:0px;max-width:850px">The strategic defense partnership as well as the s=
ecurity and AI treaties signal a shift in bilateral relations, which until =
now had been revolving around trade in oil. The timing is important here. F=
or the UAE, closer security relations with India are increasingly important=
 because of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. While a preliminary deal was=
=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-16/read-th=
e-14-point-draft-memorandum-between-the-us-and-iran" target=3D"_blank" styl=
e=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,3=
3,33)">recently reached</a>=C2=A0to end hostilities, the conflict still sho=
wed how vulnerable the UAE=E2=80=99s infrastructure and economy are to Iran=
ian reprisals and how Abu Dhabi=E2=80=99s dependence on Washington=E2=80=99=
s increasingly unreliable security commitments has not paid off as expected=
. As a result, the UAE is adopting a long-term approach of diversification =
when it comes to its foreign partnerships.</p><p class=3D"gmail-wp-block-pa=
ragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;padding-left:0px;padd=
ing-right:0px;max-width:850px">The alignment between the two countries is a=
lso rooted in connectivity. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor =
(IMEC), unveiled in 2023, is based on the understanding of close seaborne c=
ooperation between the two countries. For India, IMEC offers a potential ro=
ute to Europe that reduces dependence on traditional maritime chokepoints a=
nd strengthens its role as a key South Asian trading power. For the UAE, th=
e project reinforces its ambition to become a global logistics node. Though=
 the war in Gaza and the resulting deterioration of ties between Israel and=
 the Gulf states undermines the idea of the IMEC, Abu Dhabi, New Delhi and =
several European capitals continue to see it as a viable project.</p><p cla=
ss=3D"gmail-wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.=
6;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">India also sees an op=
portunity in the UAE=E2=80=99s=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.reuters.com/busi=
ness/energy/uae-says-opec-opec-exit-was-sovereign-strategic-decision-not-po=
litical-move-2026-05-16/" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(2=
29,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33,33)">withdrawal</a>=C2=A0=
from OPEC. Freed from the cartel=E2=80=99s quotas on oil production, Abu Dh=
abi will be able to pump and export more. With its expanding economy and gr=
owing demand for resources, India has set its sights on increasing its oil =
imports from the Middle East. That is especially the case due to its oil tr=
ade with Russia coming under intense scrutiny from the U.S., causing=C2=A0<=
a href=3D"https://www.cfr.org/articles/oil-energy-india-u-s-relations-and-t=
he-russia-conundrum" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,23=
1,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33,33)">tensions</a>=C2=A0in rela=
tions between New Delhi and Washington.</p><p class=3D"gmail-wp-block-parag=
raph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;padding-left:0px;padding=
-right:0px;max-width:850px">The UAE is not the only GCC state welcoming exp=
anded ties with India. The Gulf states regard the world=E2=80=99s most popu=
lous country as an investment destination, a lucrative and relatively stabl=
e market, and a source of skilled labor. For India, the Gulf states represe=
nt secure sources of energy and investment to power its economy, but also c=
ompatible partners for military cooperation, which has become an increasing=
ly important aspect of India=E2=80=99s ties across the region.</p><p class=
=3D"gmail-wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;=
padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">Both sides share concer=
ns over terrorism, extremism, maritime security and cybercrime. In January,=
 India and Saudi Arabia=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releas=
es?dtl/40620/3rd+IndiaSaudi+Arabia+Security+Working+Group" target=3D"_blank=
" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rg=
b(33,33,33)">held</a>=C2=A0a Security Working Group meeting, reflecting the=
 growing institutionalization of this agenda. India=E2=80=99s navy has also=
 become more active in the western parts of the Indian Ocean, particularly =
in the commercial routes that feed the Gulf=E2=80=99s economy.</p><p class=
=3D"gmail-wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;=
padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">In February, negotiatio=
ns for an India-GCC free trade agreement were formally=C2=A0<a href=3D"http=
s://www.gcc-sg.org/en/MediaCenter/News/Pages/news-2026-2-24-5.aspx" target=
=3D"_blank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-bo=
x;color:rgb(33,33,33)">launched</a>. If sealed, the deal would further prom=
ote a relationship that has already expanded rapidly through bilateral comm=
ercial ties, particularly with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Overall, In=
dia-GCC trade=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.eoiriyadh.gov.in/page/india-gcc-r=
elations/" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box=
-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33,33)">grew</a>=C2=A0to $178 billion in th=
e 2024-2025 fiscal year, constituting more than 15 percent of India=E2=80=
=99s global trade by value.</p><hr class=3D"gmail-wp-block-separator gmail-=
has-alpha-channel-opacity" style=3D"border-style:solid none none;border-col=
or:rgb(34,34,34);box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit;height:0px;margin:0px =
auto 1.75rem;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px"><h3 id=3D"=
gmail-h-india-is-pursuing-a-multi-aligned-foreign-policy-deepening-cooperat=
ion-with-the-west-while-maintaining-strategic-autonomy-and-expanding-ties-w=
ith-the-global-south" class=3D"gmail-wp-block-heading" style=3D"border:0px =
solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-s=
ize:32px;font-weight:inherit;color:rgb(0,0,68);line-height:40px;padding-lef=
t:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px"><em style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(=
229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box">India is pursuing a multi-aligned forei=
gn policy: deepening cooperation with the West while maintaining strategic =
autonomy and expanding ties with the Global South.</em></h3><hr class=3D"gm=
ail-wp-block-separator gmail-has-alpha-channel-opacity" style=3D"border-sty=
le:solid none none;border-color:rgb(34,34,34);box-sizing:border-box;color:i=
nherit;height:0px;margin:0px auto 1.75rem;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0p=
x;max-width:850px"><p class=3D"gmail-wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0p=
x solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font=
-size:18px;line-height:1.6;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850=
px">The initiation of the free trade talks follows the=C2=A0<a href=3D"http=
s://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=3D2104450&amp;reg=3D3&a=
mp;lang=3D2" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);b=
ox-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33,33)">signing</a>=C2=A0of the India-UAE=
 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in =
May 2022 and helped boost India=E2=80=99s non-oil exports to the GCC.</p><p=
 class=3D"gmail-wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,2=
35);box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-heigh=
t:1.6;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">In December, Indi=
a also=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://edit.wti.org/document/show/05972a42-72a8-478=
8-a001-d0d76a5ae5da" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,23=
1,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33,33)">signed</a>=C2=A0a separat=
e economic partnership deal with Oman, which went into full effect in early=
 June, providing Indian exporters with extensive duty-free access to the Om=
ani market. This is especially important for Indian manufacturers of engine=
ering goods, textiles, processed food, pharmaceuticals, jewelry and marine =
products. Beyond that, Oman=E2=80=99s long coastline also plays a vital con=
nectivity role for India, providing direct access to the Arabian Peninsula =
without having to transit the Strait of Hormuz.</p><p class=3D"gmail-wp-blo=
ck-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;padding-left:0px=
;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">In April 2025, Modi=C2=A0<a href=3D"htt=
ps://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases?dtl/39428/Visit_of_the_Prime_Minister_of=
_India_to_the_Kingdom_of_Saudi_Arabia_April_2223_2025" target=3D"_blank" st=
yle=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33=
,33,33)">visited</a>=C2=A0the GCC=E2=80=99s largest member, Saudi Arabia, r=
esulting in significantly expanded bilateral cooperation in a wide range of=
 sectors, from defense to tourism. Both sides=E2=80=99 national transformat=
ion agendas=E2=80=94Riyadh=E2=80=99s Vision 2030 and New Delhi=E2=80=99s Vi=
ksit Bharat 2047=E2=80=94are increasingly=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://english.a=
awsat.com/business/5176388-riyadh-and-new-delhi-promote-roadmap-economic-in=
vestment-cooperation" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,2=
31,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33,33)">seen</a>=C2=A0as aligned=
.</p><p class=3D"gmail-wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(22=
9,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;lin=
e-height:1.6;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">Another Gu=
lf state that is important for New Delhi is Qatar, particularly for its LNG=
 exports. The emir of Qatar made a state visit to India last year, and the =
two sides elevated their relations to a strategic partnership while agreein=
g to target a twofold increase in bilateral trade by 2030. Doha also announ=
ced its intention to invest $10 billion in India, opening an office of the =
Qatar Investment Authority as a demonstration of intent.</p><p class=3D"gma=
il-wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;padding=
-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">A key factor driving India=E2=
=80=99s stepped-up engagement with the GCC, and specifically the UAE and Sa=
udi Arabia, is that its main rival, Pakistan, is also expanding its ties wi=
th the Gulf. Indeed, over the past year, Islamabad has made major moves to =
position itself as a key security player in the region. In 2025, Pakistan=
=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/17/saudi-arabia-sign=
s-mutual-defence-pact-with-nuclear-armed-pakistan" target=3D"_blank" style=
=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33=
,33)">signed</a>=C2=A0a military pact with Saudi Arabia, including a mutual=
 defense clause that raised eyebrows in New Delhi.</p><p class=3D"gmail-wp-=
block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:bord=
er-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;padding-left:=
0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">To be sure, Pakistan=E2=80=99s milit=
ary pact with Saudi Arabia is more transactional than an ironclad military =
alliance, and it is likely to remain so. But it can still spur deeper milit=
ary cooperation, even if it is phased and in limited form. Indeed, the Saud=
i-Pakistani pact has apparently already been partially activated, as Pakist=
ani jets were=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/sa=
udi-arabia-says-pakistan-sends-fighter-jets-kingdom-under-defence-pact-2026=
-04-11/" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-s=
izing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33,33)">deployed</a>=C2=A0to Saudi Arabia in =
April. In May, another report=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.reuters.com/world=
/asia-pacific/pakistan-deploys-jet-squadron-thousands-troops-saudi-arabia-d=
uring-iran-war-2026-05-18/" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb=
(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(33,33,33)">emerged</a>=C2=A0o=
f additional Pakistani deployments to Saudi Arabia.</p><p class=3D"gmail-wp=
-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;padding-left=
:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">Though the United States remains th=
e Gulf=E2=80=99s major security partner, Gulf states are diversifying their=
 external relationships. They maintain close ties with China, Russia, Europ=
e and increasingly India. New Delhi, meanwhile, is pursuing a multi-aligned=
 foreign policy: deepening cooperation with the West while maintaining stra=
tegic autonomy and expanding ties with the Global South.</p><p class=3D"gma=
il-wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;padding=
-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">This makes India an attractive=
 partner for Gulf monarchies because it is a large, pragmatic and non-ideol=
ogical player. Indeed, unlike Western partners, India does not attach polit=
ical conditionality to cooperation. And unlike China, close ties with India=
 do not cause tensions with the U.S. and its Western allies.</p><p class=3D=
"gmail-wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;pad=
ding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px">Thus, India=E2=80=99s rela=
tions with the GCC have arguably entered their most active phase in recent =
decades, shifting from a transactional, energy-for-labor relationship into =
a diverse strategic partnership covering everything from trade and investme=
nt to infrastructure and fintech. The shift is being driven by both regiona=
l developments as well as changing domestic economic priorities in the GCC =
and India. Yet, India and the Arab states are unlikely to become official a=
llies. Rather, the relationship will be characterized by a transactional ap=
proach and pragmatism based on mutual benefits spurred by the presence of m=
illions of Indians=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.indiatodayne.in/opinion/stor=
y/indias-gulf-pivot-is-no-longer-optional-1392672-2026-05-16" target=3D"_bl=
ank" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color=
:rgb(33,33,33)">residing</a>=C2=A0in the Gulf region.</p><p class=3D"gmail-=
wp-block-paragraph" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:b=
order-box;margin:0px auto 1.25rem;font-size:15px;line-height:1.6;padding-le=
ft:0px;padding-right:0px;max-width:850px"><em style=3D"border:0px solid rgb=
(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box">Emil Avdaliani is a professor at Europ=
ean University and the director of Middle East Studies at the Georgian thin=
k-tank, Geocase.</em></p></div></div></div>

--0000000000005eb67a06547907bb--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 14:22:38 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 94E3CB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:22:38 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 94E3CB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="KafzZY2B"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 8806CBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:22:38 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f50.google.com (mail-ej1-f50.google.com
 [209.85.218.50])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 853F7BD028
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:22:38 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f50.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-beeba001887so21182566b.3
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:22:38 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781731357; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=Xla0CE8ReSSruiEuNyTPIo42LRGXGhyvBqqKyb3xPeriYioKIxKTzX8gDYdYgZXwlk
 Wy9ErJUVlVqmadv7o08RtGkiQHUsIkXXShCL1X7se+CK0fyfrx+wqx4ERy0vM27xOVFs
 AfXqgpoi7HY6qCTd5tbol5kOJHc1/RjXyT+OglbT4wxsgGKp4XXtuRY5Yo2hYaqd9Q+o
 yaoTGSJCuas8XQnUvdmrNwuInNX9kCHDCWQ92NLkkjuv5NZym7FYHWtYNT8GW00iJvrE
 EOE67vjeXPtW2eREqO/vXsvc3yLxl2gFBG1spI20iu+KalUqy4t05eG8mLKfe8RiogMb
 7Epg==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=x510bwyVuKG7BZk3AyuD/ooGBR/pDcCHqMreW20dQoU=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=Zz6Q8kiNJwt3Eh8YWVHm99LgujyzlItLpAtAQr454Wx5axPbBXbdJdLkR2NsiZhqyZ
 2vdEZo9x5WnqXTaG0Yoe1zmYJAapy89AJoKck3dLp7JREVpvMCh+RXHeLySbDoysBen+
 40XSl/ekjP5l7cj2aAtctCRLXxt3u+dVfcPm6ErbVjUh/d8eWItTeNXzN9waDxQBs3HN
 rldYqIU0i4eETniwQATQTs4VBNNKsCbiUph50Nt9F6e0iSKDi5hmA1ElWmcXsAcYeZGG
 WEpeWM7eCuCgow9759Rk+YQuvoKkDaS6IDGrSAc/eGasiKC8pdMpwMY0h/2EGpZ6MYxQ
 7X7Q==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781731357; x=1782336157; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=x510bwyVuKG7BZk3AyuD/ooGBR/pDcCHqMreW20dQoU=;
 b=KafzZY2Bp59CIrt7muYUjG8uiILDnRf72dQgIatcoAOodfZ9H0/smdLrGGP567ribs
 ibi6RDLSIUTzhUBOanwwEqf9IDhxhksuUW49vGNX24pgP1NIuo1WQ6pXiTIEw3Dyo/DZ
 1+gDok78PWjGO/OYdZ2Qeib9DNG+J16GGTCsHJXjAA3HRGTU/hQK9pVwHW6N6Hk67VMg
 PQ0iukfRCa2sNTat/phnfeCpf7W1TgkXUGRqxQUkQ7SqvQGZ66Hr1q9LnNco+rCY9iex
 p6JEznBc8ZkGeC+W28QrjMukV3eXf1ke9jCdUy8pke+aWUlX0lWP6d5pWr0JdSd1mQ5H
 KQ+Q==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781731357; x=1782336157;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=x510bwyVuKG7BZk3AyuD/ooGBR/pDcCHqMreW20dQoU=;
 b=RiiKFF9OfE5bmzMnIaafaPZoYy6aRSxiXt6vBUWuP8IxW5Mt6iLN1uwy1UYMSDgqxX
 0t6uIe/uteCeWtKVWH0ax63UfUzR1KxQmQ5fYRUotkImMQFce4D8W2YO6Qh4H9kb0knF
 4Hnp/Ecs5dbZgFGPHazXBZIRXeltZfNRTp67I81WetPmFldDMw0Wo/GGeqbQ0NDgxGz9
 wQa6yaP13Nh3XwWsiZAIW/3Mu30H22BA+42tDyJkFjrtlGgRTfN8TwpGtvlca9VCq307
 bgOGuqAXlQgPi95M8hT5tmBlk0zt1psKSukuiCgB8GCD9/8+sTSn/p9hwxD79MhG3u6L
 GzdQ==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YzWNCyiNo2rwj3mMENstNb8OIKYQ5tojb8vKMs6HXYTt4LqimTK
 BBmmkW75Jwul6T/T5nDS2rgMUFzQAvaXUSF/4oqTZ3mOUpiCitWMd6joIK21nIZFkpi0V6fNYfx
 ywNMbO1um3MWfHS2iKcp/b1et6F/mhZSHHzn8c/8=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OFpxCUzzrN/Xg2mHYa0Ziyyi4uS/sMYwAAEUjk7vpEROnNt4iSrVuxfpxoETXj
 OeCJAnTKjahNg+NDABZZjybTrr0OsAmX155HB2/OaI7gM90EgJHJMAf9WdFsriSunWVUh9nWt4I
 6XTZWDoceFUOqKvg3N4BOBfwMNLu/OwnOUEVjJt/EkJ6y+YR/A5Uhj6wbGVdwOTtVPdnM63sc/r
 +vvaiC7l4YpzsXlIovlJZhJjacNXtybUdDgI7CJc7X9ha8S/qyKOuyeQ9415JBPHzVJqLDvpvTE
 a24xXc8MF1AoKwb33FxcM0yPk5hQsKVPme+OEyPdIOgPKB+g06YI0jiw57gqTLyXgF7HTLiSJxO
 w/cS8tw0fsO4byy/3uABS67qKuxkNpKzVc7qHWBy8MO9Co5kZosXzcvAqM+W2XVQhRMmGMIMnGo
 wbTxRLu7EoDyCjDksEzKfqHVFXZDvb8AGKZ/zAQa24a1dHxeO0VE22yEKw1d3RrxUt5qZcdyMf8
 H+raj5BDBQpCnnNev5bUO+Fe0bB5ARrhnSmsAguDVscXRg=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:906:4790:b0:bfe:7147:2ebb with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c074bc35365mr47475766b.24.1781731356794; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 14:22:36 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <dc0616a4-0496-47af-9cc5-031708fb5e09@gmail.com>
 <5c922232-188a-4e60-a8b8-07fc7ee28de5@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <5c922232-188a-4e60-a8b8-07fc7ee28de5@gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:22:20 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CdeCHLbR9yNpliDOEJsDramnghFurn5xBOzxeecPAMdmBx_i0N5wLzwSew
Message-ID: <CANbmmQk-S=gP1ZJW74xmFt9azNjLrh3sVkK1mpLZwdtBr1UaXg@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000009b6f48065479a86d"
Subject: [Salon] Ambassador Huckabee defies Trump,
 claims US would not exist without Israel
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:22:38 -0000

--0000000000009b6f48065479a86d
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

FM: John Whitbeck

Where are the healthcare professionals urgently needed to take these
nutcases into care?

See the brief article at the link transmitted below.

https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-899637

--0000000000009b6f48065479a86d
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"

<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div><div><div><font size="4">FM: John Whitbeck<br>
          <br>
          Where are the healthcare professionals urgently needed to take
          these nutcases into care?<br>
          <br>
          See the brief article at the link transmitted below.<br>
          <br>
          <a href="https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-899637" target="_blank">https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-899637</a></font></div></div></div>
</div></div>

--0000000000009b6f48065479a86d--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 17:11:52 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id BCF9DB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:11:52 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net BCF9DB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="SPu3nOJx"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id A3AEFBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:11:52 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f44.google.com (mail-ej1-f44.google.com
 [209.85.218.44])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 7D2A8BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:11:52 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f44.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c07680fdd12so24752766b.3
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:11:52 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781741510; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=B3OevKtV5cJOdOcBPe1zaI3F5fO1BW9DZakuf+dPXBtp/WVsSq7qOnsK3u1r+0SdVu
 BntvVDbo0eIn6uLpO+Ljzt0MJhgiNlnby2qyPY/OljFz1ErhPfuVdAhGZhOS//Nn7dbs
 HlqzuMDVVg/SWx2dricsh9M8M6XmfTZFAqVc7rr4/yTOWdjA9H8lmfln+Xt3DMrB2TsP
 UR/yDDYMZvKYwQoME16e68Rb93M48oJdWMkjoIcFguEcNkt0MWsmO+2Jvizwqel3UgT0
 oDjBdLLdJNyA7+Y6LJzNs7mMqAtdl/9/m8uc73fuKsN3W6DG0s3twQHNTcdYy7vKedVi
 5nxg==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=LMJFyl5YM0Zc38Gt8rMCBNbh5y/zRWZGTy4qLkgWvDQ=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=fIuC/H92Z1zVBwBF2phOlfPh701lQa1YoVdFJS9TpEECjoWSk8Xq6RWni5AFpdjBmO
 u96FIvUTd+B7gozgplCM5wWL324ArHEOdQSu9Dr4FNjnk+Jzn809kBcszaqOOMI4t96p
 XzfAm3w74q6pX7JFPtkPfianxLRYGgoTtvL109SXbtjdScYjRLD/DHVBw6Lwtzyqs/Qb
 ddHV6XOgqKypgo49EL7hAwjUqBOKbaB55CErHMUkx/n0V05sVe7qNFxjhp0omoPxSTSR
 3ILTEP1D5jOUESwySZczsmBRM+8R7ujkIg6xLzGR+wiXfFDqa5nF9QGpaVOn7FUOddaz
 /yDA==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781741510; x=1782346310; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=LMJFyl5YM0Zc38Gt8rMCBNbh5y/zRWZGTy4qLkgWvDQ=;
 b=SPu3nOJxkKHpFoY5fZfQdWxat9PjckaMGqYBHZ1YrPI3D35VRahA4QN2EbxP7AvvxY
 2AhB4QYCiI+wNhIOsZTMyjg+Vg4iaoWMWjtGTEhywGTOmew6tBJw14qgvsSi2NCs5eEi
 hwQr9I/3fkvK+b9GCXD36zDiaevMrE/jJrge/OQHVTyVSPD5frgCOwcujKkChASD5z11
 Zx/HBTraMjRugm1Wc3Q10M/RrKivyGAze4fkC4CrEqpyGM+lZzMESbq+lUUqZ+DBHcVx
 +klwd7QoJKqSC/7WeljhEm9Pi8z9iyP7mTGqQ8ii3zgunopTceG9MYouIggCn4Ugxpq3
 H7Ig==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781741510; x=1782346310;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=LMJFyl5YM0Zc38Gt8rMCBNbh5y/zRWZGTy4qLkgWvDQ=;
 b=hj9esQnnjIcnfUPIZvD7scYI9C8N0l7pilfBFd7nNbjPUgbiCKZ2AM8XWNArmZ2+cO
 7fLwk8FCe60UZ+q3P+wwop7Xo3e/bLL+tWbZeKlNKUYkvdfbphPT8NX+y2VrMdF84MTP
 m41oki77CD5VIGoMQwx+ulD9lzMmaXIqmPgj5aPQUT4kOk7RQOMEyh6KDGBJiAMv/icN
 Dk1y3iII65hYs0CJHbLntwXdpV+bh9asirQ23nl947DFszVSjL/Q0+SVhq4jdNt8B1yL
 kr42Zty+Twx8fI3znk5s93ggSKVw210r2eBthL3QhZUgzdihR0HZ80SynKK5VarVbYmk
 qm3w==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YzYCDakfNtWo2+rKFMVOKRYc2XdZGoUfQEnwVy3w9HjlS10LCDo
 C/OmqxMHWpppJdyZDoNEiXfn5PahTr5x1RjHsljTHaSbvdkxaOqRlSs+xYNGGN9fxlTHJmhlDUI
 mtTXj0u4bFq4/YlhEin91YY5YRTEntayCThnp3Sw=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7cluapApZ92GSwZpaY0v2MCzks62xZmvQgBWNPPD3Zlzj9AjQXz57N+9VDafCUg
 zAAk+TjbZ29sZcathcGmjHCntFJ7CCoiQHXJajJNH5plszhDIad7rf04x+FaHRuaBRfHX8hq22d
 Wbc0mkX1wzqkpwmq6yR3xknk/lH4gwu3RZ7FnxQno5hzCNRyUX2d/apLk/t3H4NwjUPVlEWMg/v
 wnHuc8fVkvuhuVC6pwelHK9ixkJO07JRkNnSFJVcxFUI0NGZpfid0kQfls03Df2Lx3/msIRm/tz
 1HPi+awxKLvoDYF2jk8x7zSdRQkm10w3/D+l+hfEUFCM94Eehf20lf68jpAtcyotblkUrXRSm37
 56KHcO3TrNsYwiS3CON0EiEXi14x/Tnm2UHEMxALl8yESyuwAAf88xaoNx1hphX73ERIXAcOw31
 0p0WfKOAwuLIP075JTZnEDlSsBPSNry7KwQjFE/pJw9VM6Mi77B8FPFwU16vj4GkemL+m3VeH7T
 IesYhWnI6C15mZx5TMMCXa4fL7gYju64rD2r3jKZEhu4mQ=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:906:7945:b0:bfa:544b:162 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05d2ca0386mr356061766b.36.1781741510471; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 17:11:50 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzCt4AdWvFQdZYF3eoavKN=JgwxrThhVJTZQMxPJpR164Q@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzCt4AdWvFQdZYF3eoavKN=JgwxrThhVJTZQMxPJpR164Q@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:11:34 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cfic0V51ok3u6WOwzxmwln318fCl3P0UhHSpH771G8y1ZusEpYqj-NtqS4
Message-ID: <CANbmmQkuPds5CTGtH_w6PBXJFkpF3V7mi25utoLyajeAScCc+A@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000d0346706547c05c6"
Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?Israel=27s_Defeat_in_Iran_Isn=27t_a_Disaster_?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=93_It=27s_an_Opportunity_to_Face_the_Truth?=
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:11:52 -0000

--000000000000d0346706547c05c6
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2026-06-18/ty-article-opinion/.premium/isr=
aels-defeat-in-iran-isnt-a-disaster-its-an-opportunity-to-face-the-truth/00=
00019e-d712-d6a3-a5be-f77252200000?utm_source=3Dmailchimp&utm_medium=3Demai=
l&utm_content=3Dauthor-alert&utm_campaign=3DGideon+Levy&utm_term=3D20260618=
-00:13
<https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2026-06-18/ty-article-opinion/.premium/isr=
aels-defeat-in-iran-isnt-a-disaster-its-an-opportunity-to-face-the-truth/00=
00019e-d712-d6a3-a5be-f77252200000?utm_source=3Dmailchimp&utm_medium=3Demai=
l&utm_content=3Dauthor-alert&utm_campaign=3DGideon+Levy&utm_term=3D20260618=
-00:13>*

*Israel's Defeat in Iran Isn't a Disaster =E2=80=93 It's an Opportunity to =
Face the
Truth*
*Gideon Levy =E2=80=A2 June 18 2026*
[image: Iranians drive past an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel billboard
displaying a message that reads "Watch out for your soldiers" in January.]
*Iranians drive past an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel billboard displaying a
message that reads "Watch out for your soldiers" in January. Credit: Atta
Kenare/AFP*

*The war in Iran has shown Israel the truth. Its so-called all-powerful
army failed to achieve anything significant other than political ruin. Any
rational country would draw the same conclusion =E2=80=93 an end to living =
by the
sword and the sword alone*

*The chorus line, from the right and the "left" (not counting Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu): an Israeli defeat, a diplomatic disaster,
Trump turned his back on us and Steven Witkoff is a Jewboy. The nation is
lamenting a calamity, defeat and a near Holocaust. *

*The Bennetts immediately jump in and promise a fix. They will restore
relations with the United States and bring Israel back to the killing
fields to finish the job. That is their only promise on a particularly
auspicious day.*

*But it is neither a disaster nor a Holocaust. In the war with Iran, Israel
went through what psychologists call reality testing, during which it was
shown the truth. And that could be the most positive development in recent
memory if only the country draws the right conclusions. The so-called
disaster may turn into a historic opportunity. *
[image: People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in
Tehran, Iran, February.]
*People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran,
Iran, February. Credit: AP*

*In one of its previous disasters, that of 1973, Israel knew how to draw
conclusions and open a new and revolutionary chapter in its history =E2=80=
=93 the
chapter of peace. The fiasco with Iran now requires us to sober up for a
second time, but for now, there is no one to lead the course correction.*

*Some reality testing: A small country of 10 million people cannot fight
the entire world, even if we are the sons of the chosen people, who know
everything and do everything better than everyone else. Israel cannot
engineer regimes, neither in distant Tehran nor in nearby Gaza, nor in
next-door Ramallah either. It is not just us; even the United States cannot
pull it off.*

*It can't force organizations to give up their arms or uproot political
beliefs from people's hearts. The days when America was in our pocket are
over. Acknowledging this reality gives us an opportunity, amid the slew of
recent wars, to look in the mirror: This country's so-called all-powerful
army has failed to deliver any significant achievement other than political
ruin. *

*Any rational country would draw the same conclusion =E2=80=93 an end to li=
ving by
the sword and the sword alone. Recent history has provided enough evidence.
Maybe all these futile wars were necessary to get us to open our eyes and
see that there has never been a war of choice that ended well for Israel.*

*There's limited time to reach this conclusion. Withdraw troops from all of
Lebanon, before they lead to another pointless war with Iran. Call an
immediate halt to the madness in the West Bank, before it, too, turns on
its sights on us. Give the army and the air force a little rest, let them
breathe. Let the soldiers use their military discounts and lunch at the
fast-food joints in Tel Aviv's Ibn Gvirol Street.*

*Release the thousands of Palestinian hostages languishing in National
Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's prisons and start behaving like human
beings toward the Palestinians, before the world forces us to. And, decide
where we are headed, what we want =E2=80=93 two states, one democratic stat=
e or one
suicidal apartheid state. There is no fourth option and there will never be
one. *

   - *Israel doesn't know how to live without war, and maybe it doesn't
   want to Odeh Bisharat*
   - *Trump: Iran must have 'some' ballistic missiles, as Gulf states also
   have them Reuters*
   - *'Don't bullshit us, Trump': Netanyahu allies say US 'treacherous'
   over Iran deal Ben Kroll*

*This week, it was reported that the Israeli military was asking the
government to reach an agreement with the Lebanese government before the
army would be forced to pull out of the occupied areas with its tail
between its legs. *

*Here, at least, is a case of partial sobriety. After all, the agreement
with the Lebanese government could have been reached earlier, but Israel
needed the reality testing of war to realize that it cannot disarm
Hezbollah, and never will.*

*The IDF, at least, is beginning to understand that. The same applies to
Hamas, resistance to the occupation of the West Bank and the regime in
Iran. *

*The fact that Israel is megalomaniacal does not mean that it is capable of
conducting itself according to its megalomaniacal standards, believing that
bombing near and far will serve its interests. What happened to us in Iran
was not a disaster, but an opportunity. We looked straight at the truth =E2=
=80=93
and it lowered its eyes. Now it is our turn to lower ours.*

--000000000000d0346706547c05c6
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif;backgro=
und-color:transparent"><a href=3D"https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2026-06-1=
8/ty-article-opinion/.premium/israels-defeat-in-iran-isnt-a-disaster-its-an=
-opportunity-to-face-the-truth/0000019e-d712-d6a3-a5be-f77252200000?utm_sou=
rce=3Dmailchimp&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_content=3Dauthor-alert&amp;u=
tm_campaign=3DGideon+Levy&amp;utm_term=3D20260618-00:13" target=3D"_blank">=
https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2026-06-18/ty-article-opinion/.premium/isra=
els-defeat-in-iran-isnt-a-disaster-its-an-opportunity-to-face-the-truth/000=
0019e-d712-d6a3-a5be-f77252200000?utm_source=3Dmailchimp&amp;utm_medium=3De=
mail&amp;utm_content=3Dauthor-alert&amp;utm_campaign=3DGideon+Levy&amp;utm_=
term=3D20260618-00:13</a></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div s=
tyle=3D"font-family:georgia,serif"><b><br></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"font-=
family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;marg=
in-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><i><font size=3D"4">Isr=
ael&#39;s Defeat in Iran Isn&#39;t a Disaster =E2=80=93 It&#39;s an Opportu=
nity to Face the Truth</font></i></h1><div style=3D"font-family:&quot;Times=
 New Roman&quot;;margin-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><=
b><a rel=3D"author" style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline">Gide=
on Levy</a>=C2=A0=E2=80=A2 June 18 2026</b></div><div style=3D"font-family:=
&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><div style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"Iranians dr=
ive past an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel billboard displaying a message that r=
eads &quot;Watch out for your soldiers&quot; in January. Credit: Atta Kenar=
e/AFP" alt=3D"Iranians drive past an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel billboard di=
splaying a message that reads &quot;Watch out for your soldiers&quot; in Ja=
nuary." width=3D"412" height=3D"239" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/00=
00019e-d723-dae9-afdf-dfbb8c170000/c1/32/97413ae54777969bbb333048aed5/32898=
6.jpg?precrop=3D2400,1395,x0,y0&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D244&amp;cmspro=
d" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><b><span=
 style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Iranians d=
rive past an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel billboard displaying a message that =
reads &quot;Watch out for your soldiers&quot; in January.</span><span>=C2=
=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.2=
5em">Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP</span></b></div><div style=3D"max-width:100%;c=
olor:rgb(27,27,27)"><p style=3D"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;max=
-width:100%"><b>The war in Iran has shown Israel the truth. Its so-called a=
ll-powerful army failed to achieve anything significant other than politica=
l ruin. Any rational country would draw the same conclusion =E2=80=93 an en=
d to living by the sword and the sword alone</b></p><p style=3D"font-family=
:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;max-width:100%"><b>The chorus line, from the r=
ight and the &quot;left&quot; (not counting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanya=
hu): an Israeli defeat, a diplomatic disaster, Trump turned his back on us =
and Steven Witkoff is a Jewboy. The nation is lamenting a calamity, defeat =
and a near Holocaust.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></p><p style=3D"font-family:&qu=
ot;Times New Roman&quot;;max-width:100%"><b>The Bennetts immediately jump i=
n and promise a fix. They will restore relations with the United States and=
 bring Israel back to the killing fields to finish the job. That is their o=
nly promise on a particularly auspicious day.</b></p><p style=3D"font-famil=
y:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;max-width:100%"><b>But it is neither a disast=
er nor a Holocaust. In the war with Iran, Israel went through what psycholo=
gists call reality testing, during which it was shown the truth. And that c=
ould be the most positive development in recent memory if only the country =
draws the right conclusions. The so-called disaster may turn into a histori=
c opportunity.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div=
 style=3D"max-width:100%"><img title=3D"People watch as smoke rises on the =
skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, February. Credit: AP" alt=3D"Pe=
ople watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran=
, February." width=3D"412" height=3D"276" src=3D"https://img.haarets.co.il/=
bs/0000019e-d725-d2be-abbf-ffef3a050000/55/a0/60740bf64b269210b42465b5a992/=
344294.jpg?&amp;width=3D420&amp;height=3D281&amp;cmsprod" style=3D"margin:0=
.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></div></div><b><span style=3D"max-width:=
100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em">People watch as smoke rises on=
 the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, February.</span><span>=C2=
=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.2=
5em">Credit: AP</span></b><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"geor=
gia, serif">In one of its previous disasters, that of 1973, Israel knew how=
 to draw conclusions and open a new and revolutionary chapter in its histor=
y =E2=80=93 the chapter of peace. The fiasco with Iran now requires us to s=
ober up for a second time, but for now, there is no one to lead the course =
correction.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"geor=
gia, serif">Some reality testing: A small country of 10 million people cann=
ot fight the entire world, even if we are the sons of the chosen people, wh=
o know everything and do everything better than everyone else. Israel canno=
t engineer regimes, neither in distant Tehran nor in nearby Gaza, nor in ne=
xt-door Ramallah either. It is not just us; even the United States cannot p=
ull it off.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"geor=
gia, serif">It can&#39;t force organizations to give up their arms or uproo=
t political beliefs from people&#39;s hearts. The days when<span>=C2=A0</sp=
an><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">America was in our poc=
ket<span>=C2=A0</span></a>are over. Acknowledging this reality gives us an =
opportunity, amid the slew of recent wars, to look in the mirror: This coun=
try&#39;s so-called all-powerful army has failed to deliver any significant=
 achievement other than political ruin.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><d=
iv style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><div style=3D"max=
-width:100%"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%;margi=
n-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"></p><h5 style=3D"margin:1em 0px;max-width:=
100%"><b style=3D"font-size:small;background-color:transparent"><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">Any rational country would draw the same conclusion =E2=
=80=93 an end to living by the sword and the sword alone. Recent history ha=
s provided enough evidence. Maybe all these futile wars were necessary to g=
et us to open our eyes and see that there has never been a war of choice th=
at ended well for Israel.</font></b></h5></div></div></div></div><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">There&#39;s limited ti=
me to reach this conclusion. Withdraw troops from all of Lebanon, before th=
ey lead to another pointless war with Iran. Call an immediate halt to the<s=
pan>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%">madness =
in the West Bank</a>, before it, too, turns on its sights on us. Give the a=
rmy and the air force a little rest, let them breathe. Let the soldiers use=
 their military discounts and lunch at the fast-food joints in Tel Aviv&#39=
;s Ibn Gvirol Street.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif">Release the thousands of Palestinian hostages languis=
hing in National Security Minister I<a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-w=
idth:100%">tamar Ben-Gvir&#39;s prisons<span>=C2=A0</span></a>and start beh=
aving like human beings toward the Palestinians, before the world forces us=
 to. And, decide where we are headed, what we want =E2=80=93 two states, on=
e democratic state or one suicidal apartheid state. There is no fourth opti=
on and there will never be one.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><ul style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,1=
10,210);max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max=
-width:100%"></span>Israel doesn&#39;t know how to live without war, and ma=
ybe it doesn&#39;t want to<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%"=
>Odeh Bisharat</span></font></b></a></li><li style=3D"max-width:100%"><a st=
yle=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, seri=
f"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"></span>Trump: Iran must have &#39;some&#3=
9; ballistic missiles, as Gulf states also have them<span>=C2=A0</span><spa=
n style=3D"max-width:100%">Reuters</span></font></b></a></li><li style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%"><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%"><b><font f=
ace=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"></span>&#39;Don&#39;t=
 bullshit us, Trump&#39;: Netanyahu allies say US &#39;treacherous&#39; ove=
r Iran deal<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Ben Kroll</spa=
n></font></b></a></li></ul><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"geo=
rgia, serif">This week, it was reported that the Israeli military was askin=
g the government to<span>=C2=A0</span><a style=3D"color:rgb(65,110,210);max=
-width:100%">reach an agreement</a><span>=C2=A0</span>with the Lebanese gov=
ernment before the army would be forced to pull out of the occupied areas w=
ith its tail between its legs.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D=
"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Here, at least, is a case=
 of partial sobriety. After all, the agreement with the Lebanese government=
 could have been reached earlier, but Israel needed the reality testing of =
war to realize that it cannot disarm Hezbollah, and never will.</font></b><=
/p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The IDF, at=
 least, is beginning to understand that. The same applies to Hamas, resista=
nce to the occupation of the West Bank and the regime in Iran.<span>=C2=A0<=
/span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">The fact that Israel is megalomaniacal does not mean that it is capa=
ble of conducting itself according to its megalomaniacal standards, believi=
ng that bombing near and far will serve its interests. What happened to us =
in Iran was not a disaster, but an opportunity. We looked straight at the t=
ruth =E2=80=93 and it lowered its eyes. Now it is our turn to lower ours.</=
font></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><h3 style=3D"max-width:100%"><br=
></h3></div></div></div><div style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:s=
mall"><br></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--000000000000d0346706547c05c6--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 17:12:45 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 2080CB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:12:45 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 2080CB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="lfQa0GCT"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 1182DBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:12:45 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f44.google.com (mail-ej1-f44.google.com
 [209.85.218.44])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 0F90ABD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:12:45 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f44.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bec449d0af2so35340766b.2
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:12:44 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781741563; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=TwDKrUzHi/OGmi7nh3CgxiGXAynpwR+HmOdnl6V0IZrT00ZWiz9LiE4YTloyOPRzGU
 r8EAYrMwbpHo04LHH1ApDJPuxfNIlWCI95+bTLi6sGHY/uglf/9ZGPdz3xmQY0IbvFAb
 HRJaBqvmJc7fIxKw88+qxfIdIbHn0FL5S8uDRt3S7hp2/dXpPlmkd01+nd3h64BXqYvQ
 nCRmc1iQNiey1LdcRSCYoFkrrzxEUoo4b/jtJ+Gi12vZ4Xo4IMEyGxjyr3lebNUW0j7k
 VOE+lLTyfr6s7eZEkGVU5abW1d6qHu0l0A9ftUGwbHSraGF30A7QWqoAPDXHJChSkfvQ
 5ewg==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=lAASY5rQ7nQs2r8HDSt7zCvsAxkeBSP1zRwN7xy1ktI=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=X+oa8zJBICd9uOcFsEngUUNnkiurFUka+8sgUgtcv5bwug5nJM6m6saTRtc6uxaC/d
 +NyhIiBKaDJrXEwc4WEpvVRDznsSEjiaAJoOsq1O/3iTtgqPEXG2PumGXvkMFijK/uQm
 vJ1B+u71Hm4kuXY9iX6xboRWh8VT5W1PcKGeLUw/naEwvOuuxk80J9mA7OGsbAXTgS+W
 WOpZNAwvAtc7vnCIyud4lqq0Heq65lcW6ZsR4iCUdPVjUOzVSZu0iK0es4sUJL7N2Ld5
 XgtWVtWsVSpdXQ7GJyHpy1+KnBNPovCfL/W1FE+A5TMWYXnnOV8AjqUvNXby19UmyzqR
 rKmA==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781741563; x=1782346363; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=lAASY5rQ7nQs2r8HDSt7zCvsAxkeBSP1zRwN7xy1ktI=;
 b=lfQa0GCTPBtMA9Bhqtv9qiABUz7a2Eqp1vVyoAiHGq7EgSHP1lt2VaHHAplLu1a5KA
 3cg1hzWz2j0fbVyxzl5/wVKABA0JhDFVaIkUACA5IKZCgzkbsg6xewJKzka9F26091bz
 9loGc47aZVIGcO8zIw5YcXmFR3/sPjyfaNto6CBIAEyW+cB4KCyHGQnLFlYL870sQ2Hq
 qFBoBR28aJzzVCecLmTWWJZn1nfi1WiJqWi50qUSUEm6L5rLaamaAXwm8ak+lxLsMaa4
 6FIMg685w8jRzCQWdFHCFMZiLFjKfgX74sPb2Gs4sTvhLLtGigiLvIPQiKidPl5Da8ah
 79xw==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781741563; x=1782346363;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=lAASY5rQ7nQs2r8HDSt7zCvsAxkeBSP1zRwN7xy1ktI=;
 b=EkOjFbRBjNhUfxxNJeUBXJG1nmOgUVtDhcLN4aK0YeE+xMxuZi9N1UG9xujdz51pRT
 vhm0Lyo5gzWH/Tdt1VF+XKaBnuotNqDmoo0BCUxgXcj8JWg1xtpfJS83MAuoia8jj8SB
 DcXszQo1HW8lD7aG7mSFujJTvcyX2dzcAJ1biQuYQo7K6WnKOJfjcN85uMM70ROFlzAP
 eBezp/v07MRyRqoo35oDExYgvsfujBWxWx8oDvkAB18/MZYrpy/C6jKoC5NhB/Zyljxu
 g8/zpb3kY9FEwpQTNrM9bEq1UnY4TwdN0iCrIzDuoC3Pw32/Us23ISlnSj9ZUNwvY4JI
 pSzA==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YzFq2xwyEAqLchn8f3kHhwDxGMt1aOpNsNJesi6DBTEJL9iHjbv
 hpVkWpOvZbz54khLTOjdP53rA5W4b61yLW74Cl+j7T+Y3Mwk6z9E8CNOCVBctocEhh6XsivHZ5x
 jMspvWMvNC9iHgTr8qFPpjW1vJ9ICuJ0OPbUpCB0=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7clnwzaM7Zwp+h+SpVFPVKD+3edy+Ll4HjSmEGa0RW1OVqVbIWdNNJciijCMi24
 wL9iK23y76g6Y0NU88bhQirRO8LCHhAyyyTBW/O3KdVLePl8+u1hB9SlGUp78h/Zwv00M6ncJgR
 35R+JdOrYyxcGT1HuZXkEX7uUZghp1EhRr9Cqtndfk8fqRUsojiAThys+8y9FDBjSOwu4KvUhOS
 owQI6+jM2XfNYAfzJRSzxGW0/DE2F27H9BLyFIDZ8ZuPEtu+UDi4abL+Hsz817cOiGth3CnSk49
 UbWfQxvFCiKlYPCr8dfHXuzXPaQgIYpOs36DiAWFTdzMrEXrE5OnrIoBFFH9zzl2WBB6xvCMtXp
 oLCnYEBX/XSQeCein7Txqn99omMOqDNylfGiPnB4iPrDbSZv02WV9E7oM+pilXHBVqTOZVwA57A
 2Gd21ur64I1fXh8riBuY47zOt2H1VpknPS0/N5HBMzxJ90O/VWL1QlwMDAFIv4gen7wnoA9M10Z
 3s9VxoW5BdMAR+8N3ghd4Z64I1gsGzWF6aDbHs8c242MzU=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:9617:b0:bd3:1a18:cc64 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c074d5fca9dmr58469166b.31.1781741563245; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 17:12:43 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <367631825.2941938.1781741329634.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
 <367631825.2941938.1781741329634@mail.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To: <367631825.2941938.1781741329634@mail.yahoo.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:12:26 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cfe54g9OeiVsKL7ULB26B1B8x0aKWX1642X2c5O8Ss737vJ1OA_xy-vk_s
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=a6SEP-G9de5CU1Ks7awaoiqk_juW670mrwTQfHm_ZcA@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000f5798606547c0801"
Subject: [Salon] Trump admits why he had no choice but to end the war
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:12:45 -0000

--000000000000f5798606547c0801
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

https://x.com/Megatron_ron/status/2067379425096950255
 Trump admits why he had no choice but to end the war:

"We would have run out of [oil] reserves in about 4 weeks."

--000000000000f5798606547c0801
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><a href=3D"https://x.com/Megatron_ron/status/=
2067379425096950255" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"backgrou=
nd-color:transparent">https://x.com/Megatron_ron/status/2067379425096950255=
</a></div>
=C2=A0Trump admits why he had no choice but to end the war:<br>
<br>
&quot;We would have run out of [oil] reserves in about 4 weeks.&quot;<br>
</div></div>

--000000000000f5798606547c0801--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 17:16:15 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 9CAB8B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:16:15 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 9CAB8B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="Prucqetg"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 91EC4BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:16:15 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f52.google.com (mail-ej1-f52.google.com
 [209.85.218.52])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 501B9BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:16:15 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f52.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bec3f69d343so38407866b.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:16:15 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781741774; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=AJZ/IJJoahjEK6ZlWm79ImUTCwGoqtDCg88wxAI9nwZeC0PClrEt91XGjSIs/WR5TV
 qfwNne+EsCMMzJFcjPnIfel56aoXsqPbhlKe0kS7Rjd0ozE+fJQWChEvNLxX4IuE2IfO
 pEggEiYIxwIpUsZ751cqBqIZVqMn5OlEGRg6zjIvnhZq56AJkyG44hBwQUeqq3LQIJfh
 YSBdy46H5ea1Gpgdxd/M/8p76UFxTsJgmPl48VkIf/0hIcMum6iq7rvHMTWUNY94ThS7
 M9ZjX6nkfZGdAB/RnE5SNqXAhdDugwaw2uuamzP4BqHmyYxUFmMtv8ySmrc6m8xMOYB7
 Z6dw==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=lctFdFimeXT5v84Dnwgzb0FWbPRtZ3XJ4Oee4/vgCxQ=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=Mnxrc2i+80zmTDtVU5Gg4aEfrWQanzJXYkiD9ES9HofnaiPiAW6w2klnNJuK06Lw/Z
 tmbLh44lCNMJFdEsT3R41zvCyoo68JPKQNrkSxokDjEnebhgaq0Qh4O9bYNC3r/d0eQI
 mrVLCUmf+Lin+xzuwJWTO/JB/aJy7+01m9R+Cl0LwtXxMs+BDFNEK6HLbO2wfxQMStbI
 kKlMecSyA0XCgH9Iv4Zvjm1YNieaKya35uc71RfmTi9HCA9f5a8pfPUHZuUMP1gjqQG0
 IE2GSPiGB4MyYs93cL2044bBf5OsQh4WNDxQIQNJBjdYeF9eyXCYfWUqu748vYEN5KfD
 6+Ag==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781741774; x=1782346574; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=lctFdFimeXT5v84Dnwgzb0FWbPRtZ3XJ4Oee4/vgCxQ=;
 b=PrucqetgjhXjWl3xfdk2H6czs1IN5895mWWNTPsrFxlSRZS5oUF2Aui9/NyQJ5JSQx
 mJLV88ujE4Tkr0a+rROeT8f19JQmLU5TrQ6p+Zj0gPqDd1aDuItGAddfTd1Jj71vu059
 vHptI6cgtEYj5WPfrj8bmMkIWp5nkDdfL4UXCBZ00a6k9XPzjytRh/RxSa25gWejFmg3
 BFHo58GjoFNlvu5qNi7ydoMjlDf3jZP/1jZA84Hwjb+t9E6fOT6/C3hOXpIXU3mwbS+x
 picU9w5hgYI6XKk0Bh9IKDuyP8emivyJUafD1VWRj0z6Sij3nHz890nTwmcj03miOpct
 +khw==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781741774; x=1782346574;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=lctFdFimeXT5v84Dnwgzb0FWbPRtZ3XJ4Oee4/vgCxQ=;
 b=rXqUEAJOOwzokAV5m0gk9rHtJ1GUHrUe1tnHXDqWntQJh938kebzdF8glG7YoB4dGC
 YHMZFReTi1bAhay3Y1gEkZOFwdBwlShhP6alzeucg1vFQGN7pj5irbQwwg9Z689X9WBA
 W+Vr1RBLNDgFV0u0PDKKON38Ui+r/LUQ/93JSJPfAWxsEEyiUIvb+pEQqPpQwMg1YpHZ
 vt/sG9vPU+RBPOzuBXFlG3Bu6EOvh7DqlDRTphQ8tjWHl1x1iiNj/gN5oeIPqRwDxnYD
 tAB2lRcdEdVmeYTuk2ijRZl9iGXVf836xH1xU0Wq/2TIon6C/id8ozDOMjZOyhnpyuMC
 hzuQ==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YwDFCRrOS4Q/i8eNiAo0t7pcCm93afdNnfCCVdbXjUvmD7Lbk9H
 ZGAiGHEab6PFF6auDvNw6W1sllqopxia7iMXBh4nbyvbXqJParjnfRdIihy0lLscUJ9hN/wRWYv
 5dQuE8TZ4QSY3uzfPGT/PFgUD0f/KNcGfuuD1qIk=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7cmqTTGI4CRbnRzbhdGEHEPjB9RXuBvoQ0Pe2VPquoT6NJxoy0+0t8n87ghu0wx
 cHSVL4ms/rOD8BK28/W/4DPS+LfpsSaDW2tPwZg+AAfQy4FNuqVO2Myv0/ocZWenhuf2kj6tkNP
 36To+dxdLdHAWe3WaWQqm3W1GDIS26uUX/NHLsqUiBmZnF7GvGCZSlKoLoLhbkQoC8M0xxKjvmU
 CdGOKcDlG4fS9EOR2BB80d6ZB27TRk5JRBwENLfwjbUPbAXb98V6IYKn75Tjh/trhTTePvhBoBc
 vTaRks6UhClcw2PSYbJwxdwkwEX36NmknLY3eJFbKy9w3Sz3vtsgEteZmS1KgD0djhaD/rFVNAc
 IboXsygoyerq1H6ZplWBhIe3W7DWxDYAKEjberL1clet2UJOBUnl4X1xf0lBOMSXKhXhqObvoze
 MHlYl6klURhy3z/7HlcqAS4aEwS0ky6wCKHLg4e+0hrFiqo2LQtnbtFg++nc76Tx05tBXQYwe/o
 v4/z4MfYjoZFBgKIudSfYqG8fcm7SLFQx0WP4zIcQqJ4GTxp94uoT0JrA==
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:d1c:b0:bf3:e968:bf99 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c0748e9df49mr65397966b.10.1781741773345; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 17:16:13 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzC_D6NseksMhisff+8QwMqHmijUjNTeChFPrq9vCDuMJA@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzC_D6NseksMhisff+8QwMqHmijUjNTeChFPrq9vCDuMJA@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:15:57 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Ceq8kC3m2tN13X_T-NftLDbjtdXhb5rFSlrPX3imv8GgfJPXS6kUwuWEL0
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=r3EbRTMyneawuZ-W3ptAHfAGH1WtfKmiTa=4LHCJWAg@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000007b571006547c1588"
Subject: [Salon] The Labour MPs determined to show they represent Israel,
 not the British people
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:16:15 -0000

--0000000000007b571006547c1588
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://jonathancook.substack.com/p/the-labour-mps-determined-to-show?utm_=
source=3Dpost-email-title&publication_id=3D476450&post_id=3D202423307&utm_c=
ampaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreemail=3Dfalse&r=3D210kv&triedRedirect=3Dtru=
e&utm_medium=3Demail
<https://jonathancook.substack.com/p/the-labour-mps-determined-to-show?utm_=
source=3Dpost-email-title&publication_id=3D476450&post_id=3D202423307&utm_c=
ampaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreemail=3Dfalse&r=3D210kv&triedRedirect=3Dtru=
e&utm_medium=3Demail>*

*The Labour MPs determined to show they represent Israel, not the British
people*Labour wants the repression of Palestine Action to serve as a
blueprint for politics. Why not lock up opposition party leaders and any
constituents who protest government policy?
*Jonathan Cook  6/17/26*
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1i4q!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2F4a899dae-90f2-4ff4-a669-cf4f32d77465_1536x1024.jpeg>

*Mike Tapp, a minister in the Home Office, recently posted
<https://x.com/MikeTappTweets/status/2066526329084796957> on X a =E2=80=9Cg=
otcha=E2=80=9D
response to Green Party leader Zack Polanski=E2=80=99s criticism of the Lab=
our
government=E2=80=99s decision to proscribe Palestine Action. *

*In the wake of the Court of Appeal ruling this week to uphold
proscription, Polanski noted the government=E2=80=99s authoritarian assault=
 on
civil liberties. Thousands of grandparents =E2=80=93retired lawyers, doctor=
s,
vicars, army veterans =E2=80=93 he pointed out, had been arrested on terror=
ism
charges simply for holding a placard saying: =E2=80=9CI oppose genocide. I =
support
Palestine Action.=E2=80=9D*

*In response, Tapp asked
<https://x.com/MikeTappTweets/status/2066526329084796957> Polanski: =E2=80=
=9CDo you
support the Palestine Action group?=E2=80=9D*

*This was Tapp=E2=80=99s attempt at entrapment. If Polanski answered in the
affirmative, he could be jailed for up to 14 years =E2=80=93 because of the
unprecedented decision Tapp=E2=80=99s own Home Office took to declare Pales=
tine
Action a terrorist organisation. *

*No direct action group in the UK=E2=80=99s history has ever before been de=
signated
a terrorist group, on a par with al-Qaeda and Islamic State.*

*Tapp clearly thought he was being clever. But all he was really doing was
further exposing the ugly, patently authoritarian nature of the government
he serves in and its complicity in Israel=E2=80=99s endless atrocities in G=
aza.*

*Tapp is not some disinterested party in all this. He is a vice-chair of
Labour Friends of Israel, the genocide-compatible wing of the Labour party
that dominates the cabinet.*

*Investigative journalist Paul Holden noted
<https://x.com/StarmertheFraud/status/2066544574269374666> on X: *

*Tapp has taken money and benefits from Labour Together, Labour Friends of
Israel and Stuart Roden, who founded the Israeli-based VC company Hetz
Ventures with Judah Taub. Taub is a former IDF Special Forces operative who
served as an IDF reservist in Gaza. *

*The Labour government is stuffed
<https://x.com/declassifiedUK/status/2066781420501000490> with compromised
individuals like Mike Tapp, who serve as Israel=E2=80=99s cheerleaders in t=
he UK. *

*In addition, or more likely as a consequence, many of these ministers,
from Keir Starmer down, receive large donations from the Israel lobby. *

*Polanski replied to Tapp: =E2=80=9CThe fact that your government has made =
it
illegal for me to answer yes is a damning testament to your flagrant
disregard for civil liberties.=E2=80=9D*
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LWVb!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2Faf6e8e3e-a0c8-4a2e-8c7b-5a413f24b21e_745x427.png>

*The McCarthy-emulating Tapp is not some outlier in the Labour party. He is
its beating heart. It was his wing of the party, at the behest of the
Israel lobby and working covertly through the unlawful activities of Labour
Together
<https://jonathancook.substack.com/p/the-real-story-tying-starmer-and>,
that helped confect an imaginary =E2=80=9Cantisemitism crisis=E2=80=9D in t=
he party in the
second half of the 2010s. *

*Their goal was to use anti-democratic means to drive Jeremy Corbyn and his
supporters out of the Labour party and put corporate donors and the Israel
lobby firmly back in charge of policy.*

*While Tapp was seeking to jail the only Jewish leader of a major British
political party this week, it emerged that another Labour MP, Peter Kyle,
had reported a female constituent of his in Brighton to the police. She was
arrested and charged after writing to him in protest at the government=E2=
=80=99s
support for Israel=E2=80=99s genocide in Gaza.*

*Kyle apparently believed that, in writing to him, her MP, the woman had
committed a crime under the Communications Act by =E2=80=9Ccausing him anno=
yance=E2=80=9D.
Presumably, Kyle finds it annoying to be reminded of his party=E2=80=99s co=
llusion
in genocide. *

*And presumably he imagines too that, in his version of democracy, MPs
should never be questioned by those they represent on ethical issues, such
as complicity in a genocide. *

*Shockingly the Crown Prosecution Service agreed to pursue Kyle=E2=80=99s c=
ase
through the courts, proving once again that it is nothing more than an
adjunct of the executive branch. *

*In a rare sign of the independence of the judiciary =E2=80=93 at least at =
its
lowest levels =E2=80=93 a local magistrate threw the case out
<https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/brighton-woman-acquitted-charge-persi=
stent-emails-cause-annoyance-prime-minister-foreign>
this
week. *

*There is, of course, a connecting thread in these two cases: both Labour
MPs hoped to use the law to crush criticism of their party=E2=80=99s contin=
uing
support for Israel=E2=80=99s genocide.*

*They imagine their authoritarian repression of Palestine Action can serve
as a blueprint for British politics. Why not lock up opposition party
leaders and any constituent who dares to write protesting at their criminal
behaviour? *

*This is how Starmer=E2=80=99s Labour party conducts its politics: through
intimidation, disinformation and show trials. *

*And they do it not for our benefit or, as they keep proclaiming, in the
interests of =E2=80=9Cnational security=E2=80=9D. *

*No, they do it for the benefit of a foreign government viewed, even in
Israel, as the most extreme in its history, one that includes self-declared
fascists who Israel=E2=80=99s former top general, Moshe Yaalon, this week c=
ompared
to the Nazis
<https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-former-defence-minister-compares=
-settler-ideology-nazism>.*

*The Starmer government is tapping deep into its own fascist instincts. And
with Nigel Farage=E2=80=99s Reform party nipping at its heels, there is lit=
tle hope
that the situation is going to improve any time soon.*

*Although my posts are freely accessible, they are reader-supported. If you
liked this one or any of the others, please consider sharing it with
friends and making a donation to support my work. You can do so by becoming
a paid Substack subscriber <https://jonathancook.substack.com/>, via Paypal
<http://paypal.me/cookjournalist> or my bank account
<https://www.jonathan-cook.net/supporting-jonathan/>, or alternatively
setting up a monthly direct debit mandate with GoCardless
<https://www.jonathan-cook.net/supporting-jonathan-2/>. A complete archive
of my writings is available on my website <https://www.jonathan-cook.net/>.
I=E2=80=99m on X <https://x.com/Jonathan_K_Cook> and Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/Jonathan.Cook.journalist/>.*

--0000000000007b571006547c1588
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://jonathancook.substack.com/p/t=
he-labour-mps-determined-to-show?utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&amp;publicat=
ion_id=3D476450&amp;post_id=3D202423307&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title=
&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;r=3D210kv&amp;triedRedirect=3Dtrue&amp;utm_medi=
um=3Demail" target=3D"_blank">https://jonathancook.substack.com/p/the-labou=
r-mps-determined-to-show?utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&amp;publication_id=
=3D476450&amp;post_id=3D202423307&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&amp;i=
sFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;r=3D210kv&amp;triedRedirect=3Dtrue&amp;utm_medium=3De=
mail</a></font></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"line-height:1.=
2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27=
)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>The Labour MPs determined to=
 show they represent Israel, not the British people</i></font></h1><h2 styl=
e=3D"line-height:1.27275em;max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia=
, serif" color=3D"#000000">Labour wants the repression of Palestine Action =
to serve as a blueprint for politics. Why not lock up opposition party lead=
ers and any constituents who protest government policy?</font></h2><div sty=
le=3D"margin-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><a style=3D"=
margin:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=
Jonathan Cook=C2=A0 6/17/26</font></b></a></div><div style=3D"max-width:100=
%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><a href=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1=
i4q!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-me=
dia.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4a899dae-90f2-4ff4-a669-cf4f32d774=
65_1536x1024.jpeg" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-=
width:100%" target=3D"_blank"><div style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"=
max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><img src=3D"https://substa=
ckcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1i4q!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2F4a899dae-90f2-4ff4-a669-cf4f32d77465_1536x1024.jpeg" width=3D"412" =
height=3D"275" alt=3D"" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"=
></font></b></span></div></a></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,=
27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Mik=
e Tapp, a minister in the Home Office, recently<span>=C2=A0</span></span><a=
 href=3D"https://x.com/MikeTappTweets/status/2066526329084796957" style=3D"=
text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank=
">posted</a><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><span>=C2=A0</span>on X a =E2=80=
=9Cgotcha=E2=80=9D response to Green Party leader Zack Polanski=E2=80=99s c=
riticism of the Labour government=E2=80=99s decision to proscribe Palestine=
 Action.<span>=C2=A0</span></span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%=
;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">In the wake of the C=
ourt of Appeal ruling this week to uphold proscription, Polanski noted the =
government=E2=80=99s authoritarian assault on civil liberties. Thousands of=
 grandparents =E2=80=93retired lawyers, doctors, vicars, army veterans =E2=
=80=93 he pointed out, had been arrested on terrorism charges simply for ho=
lding a placard saying: =E2=80=9CI oppose genocide. I support Palestine Act=
ion.=E2=80=9D</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"=
><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">In respons=
e, Tapp<span>=C2=A0</span></span><a href=3D"https://x.com/MikeTappTweets/st=
atus/2066526329084796957" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,21=
0);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">asked</a><span style=3D"max-width:100%=
"><span>=C2=A0</span>Polanski: =E2=80=9CDo you support the Palestine Action=
 group?=E2=80=9D</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">This was Tapp=E2=80=99s attempt=
 at entrapment. If Polanski answered in the affirmative, he could be jailed=
 for up to 14 years =E2=80=93 because of the unprecedented decision Tapp=E2=
=80=99s own Home Office took to declare Palestine Action a terrorist organi=
sation.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:r=
gb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">No direct action group in th=
e UK=E2=80=99s history has ever before been designated a terrorist group, o=
n a par with al-Qaeda and Islamic State.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Tapp clearly t=
hought he was being clever. But all he was really doing was further exposin=
g the ugly, patently authoritarian nature of the government he serves in an=
d its complicity in Israel=E2=80=99s endless atrocities in Gaza.</font></b>=
</p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgi=
a, serif">Tapp is not some disinterested party in all this. He is a vice-ch=
air of Labour Friends of Israel, the genocide-compatible wing of the Labour=
 party that dominates the cabinet.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%=
;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%">Investigative journalist Paul Holden<span>=C2=A0</span></span><a=
 href=3D"https://x.com/StarmertheFraud/status/2066544574269374666" style=3D=
"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blan=
k">noted</a><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><span>=C2=A0</span>on X:<span>=
=C2=A0</span></span></font></b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.=
65);margin-left:2px;margin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3p=
x;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Tapp has take=
n money and benefits from Labour Together, Labour Friends of Israel and Stu=
art Roden, who founded the Israeli-based VC company Hetz Ventures with Juda=
h Taub. Taub is a former IDF Special Forces operative who served as an IDF =
reservist in Gaza.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p></blockquote><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><s=
pan style=3D"max-width:100%">The Labour government is<span>=C2=A0</span></s=
pan><a href=3D"https://x.com/declassifiedUK/status/2066781420501000490" sty=
le=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"=
_blank">stuffed</a><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><span>=C2=A0</span>with c=
ompromised individuals like Mike Tapp, who serve as Israel=E2=80=99s cheerl=
eaders in the UK.<span>=C2=A0</span></span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">In addition=
, or more likely as a consequence, many of these ministers, from Keir Starm=
er down, receive large donations from the Israel lobby.<span>=C2=A0</span><=
/font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Polanski replied to Tapp=
: =E2=80=9C</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">The fact that your governm=
ent has made it illegal for me to answer yes is a damning testament to your=
 flagrant disregard for civil liberties.=E2=80=9D</span></font></b></p><div=
 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><a href=3D"https://substackcd=
n.com/image/fetch/$s_!LWVb!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3=
A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faf6e8e3e-a0=
c8-4a2e-8c7b-5a413f24b21e_745x427.png" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:=
rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank"><div style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><img s=
rc=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LWVb!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q=
_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazon=
aws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faf6e8e3e-a0c8-4a2e-8c7b-5a413f24b21e_745x427.pn=
g" width=3D"745" height=3D"427" alt=3D"" style=3D"max-width:100%;margin:0.5=
em auto;display:block;height:auto"></font></b></span></div></a></div><p sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=
<span style=3D"max-width:100%">The McCarthy-emulating Tapp is not some outl=
ier in the Labour party. He is its beating heart. It was his wing of the<sp=
an>=C2=A0</span></span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">party, at the behest =
of the Israel lobby and working covertly through the<span>=C2=A0</span></sp=
an><a href=3D"https://jonathancook.substack.com/p/the-real-story-tying-star=
mer-and" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%=
" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">unlawful activities of L=
abour Together</span></a><span style=3D"max-width:100%">, that helped confe=
ct an imaginary =E2=80=9Cantisemitism crisis=E2=80=9D in the party in the s=
econd half of the 2010s.<span>=C2=A0</span></span></font></b></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><=
font face=3D"georgia, serif">Their goal was to use anti-democratic means to=
 drive Jeremy Corbyn and his supporters out of the Labour party and put cor=
porate donors and the Israel lobby firmly back in charge of policy.</font><=
/b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">While Tapp was seeking to jail the only Jewish leader o=
f a major British political party this week, it emerged that another Labour=
 MP, Peter Kyle, had reported a female constituent of his in Brighton to th=
e police. She was arrested and charged after writing to him in protest at t=
he government=E2=80=99s support for Israel=E2=80=99s genocide in Gaza.</fon=
t></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"=
georgia, serif">Kyle apparently believed that, in writing to him, her MP, t=
he woman had committed a crime under the Communications Act by =E2=80=9Ccau=
sing him annoyance=E2=80=9D. Presumably, Kyle finds it annoying to be remin=
ded of his party=E2=80=99s collusion in genocide.<span>=C2=A0</span></font>=
</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif">And presumably he imagines too that, in his version of democr=
acy, MPs should never be questioned by those they represent on ethical issu=
es, such as complicity in a genocide.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif=
">Shockingly the Crown Prosecution Service agreed to pursue Kyle=E2=80=99s =
case through the courts, proving once again that it is nothing more than an=
 adjunct of the executive branch.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><s=
pan style=3D"max-width:100%">In a rare sign of the independence of the judi=
ciary =E2=80=93 at least at its lowest levels =E2=80=93 a local magistrate<=
span>=C2=A0</span></span><a href=3D"https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/br=
ighton-woman-acquitted-charge-persistent-emails-cause-annoyance-prime-minis=
ter-foreign" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:=
100%" target=3D"_blank">threw the case out</a><span style=3D"max-width:100%=
"><span>=C2=A0</span>this week.<span>=C2=A0</span></span></font></b></p><p =
style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, seri=
f">There is, of course, a connecting thread in these two cases: both Labour=
 MPs hoped to use the law to crush criticism of their party=E2=80=99s conti=
nuing support for Israel=E2=80=99s genocide.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-=
width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">They imagi=
ne their authoritarian repression of Palestine Action can serve as a bluepr=
int for British politics. Why not lock up opposition party leaders and any =
constituent who dares to write protesting at their criminal behaviour?<span=
>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)=
"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">This is how Starmer=E2=80=99s Labour par=
ty conducts its politics: through intimidation, disinformation and show tri=
als.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">And they do it not for our bene=
fit or, as they keep proclaiming, in the interests of =E2=80=9Cnational sec=
urity=E2=80=9D.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%=
;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%">No, they do it for the benefit of a foreign government viewed, e=
ven in Israel, as the most extreme in its history, one that includes self-d=
eclared fascists who Israel=E2=80=99s former top general, Moshe Yaalon, thi=
s week<span>=C2=A0</span></span><a href=3D"https://www.middleeasteye.net/ne=
ws/israel-former-defence-minister-compares-settler-ideology-nazism" style=
=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_b=
lank">compared to the Nazis</a><span style=3D"max-width:100%">.</span></fon=
t></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"=
georgia, serif">The Starmer government is tapping deep into its own fascist=
 instincts. And with Nigel Farage=E2=80=99s Reform party nipping at its hee=
ls, there is little hope that the situation is going to improve any time so=
on.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"></p><p st=
yle=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0)"></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)=
"><em style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=
=3D"max-width:100%">Although my posts are freely accessible, they are reade=
r-supported. If you liked this one or any of the others, please consider sh=
aring it with friends and making a donation to support my work. You can do =
so by becoming a paid<span>=C2=A0</span></span><a href=3D"https://jonathanc=
ook.substack.com/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-=
width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Substack subscriber</a><span style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%">, via<span>=C2=A0</span></span><a href=3D"http://paypal.me/cookjou=
rnalist" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%=
" target=3D"_blank">Paypal</a><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><span>=C2=A0</=
span>or my bank<span>=C2=A0</span></span><a href=3D"https://www.jonathan-co=
ok.net/supporting-jonathan/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110=
,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">account</a><span style=3D"max-width=
:100%">, or alternatively setting up a monthly direct debit mandate with<sp=
an>=C2=A0</span></span><a href=3D"https://www.jonathan-cook.net/supporting-=
jonathan-2/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:=
100%" target=3D"_blank">GoCardless</a><span style=3D"max-width:100%">. A co=
mplete archive of my writings is available on my<span>=C2=A0</span></span><=
a href=3D"https://www.jonathan-cook.net/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;col=
or:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">website</a><span style=
=3D"max-width:100%">. I=E2=80=99m on<span>=C2=A0</span></span><a href=3D"ht=
tps://x.com/Jonathan_K_Cook" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110=
,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">X</a><span style=3D"max-width:100%"=
><span>=C2=A0</span>and<span>=C2=A0</span></span><a href=3D"https://www.fac=
ebook.com/Jonathan.Cook.journalist/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rg=
b(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Facebook</a><span style=3D"=
max-width:100%">.</span></font></b></em></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--0000000000007b571006547c1588--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 17:20:54 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id BA076B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:20:54 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net BA076B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="aQySlsbC"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id A76ECBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:20:54 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ed1-f45.google.com (mail-ed1-f45.google.com
 [209.85.208.45])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id A1F3BBD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:20:54 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ed1-f45.google.com with SMTP id
 4fb4d7f45d1cf-6954810cfefso417447a12.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:20:54 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781742053; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=Aj0Y76eIUvArIfEbcr42Ckc1iV3OWoTP2lz4WqVfT/IObyUpZgJ44JZknHsMoSRmTF
 NJjzvLiBeLmi5w65KFKJNwCF/3fDIQEuA7cHAN/PmIyQ3E2knANCEsnF4BopXczTAxuq
 7b7pwiEZqaQwLmCN6ez1pPnN/Ycfp4vp+uvQY9ytrHmuwb8eHLO8zJozgW+BWWZ/qCkT
 wulGC1ddiX35Lz2WcDcrSBah+ATtwTMRLHnAn0F7xGW6lEAMoFaiwRCmpObRTDoYQZwQ
 0sbhhCC/1W7Q4XbNpIlMWjiHZmb+bn5yFelD5cFyAEL6BPv6KOEQXKDSy0SbJ7ksIizu
 upPg==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=t6UM0F9gvucXeF8pWOXQBB8c9tslypTq61sHP+uURkg=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=HTBHe2NEq7ATe2ZfYMFkX/Bx2Y/KTAm5KSaMHFmanqn7/D/508eMBo9K8QJo60do4l
 L393TpyIP8XZicsPKGiXZb55eCOBZdzlNYqvocxiVC6ZhOPKYV2I9W8JXKWSs8yPh1I+
 LYIkSvSW3DTbZsucZvXamRcqtsUamhwn0o+DBgL+e/8U2FgQqrzK3cXgPx9Xr7bnQS9J
 nOKySZ6Sisx3effjR5xrUe6LB/lpJkC7Xe3RUq4yIAvZgqTmF0zyxcSkDsSI6Xvdu2tf
 iv06/otyl1pZ6uOH6BAF+6h47O89rzZcNVESY0fbSalvOO3pcy/z4vS8Huq9soZ5l8Oc
 AmdQ==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781742053; x=1782346853; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=t6UM0F9gvucXeF8pWOXQBB8c9tslypTq61sHP+uURkg=;
 b=aQySlsbCDaZJ/9U50XmNh3wrdxFmzU+H6AQhmZ8NnhSzP9mZkRq3ZR2rXMdT7o+H0m
 K+uiBHt6IB7+gHcqUKXjXvHZyrKMvdiP77ncbg7Vuy20eMi9s5PgHdvLglmTAvNzGD35
 m7BLo2Ez+LqxeGTHsGXL0o/Mlx2yD1lvMr6fmPIj6m/2Pif9aq971cG2qRnl9PNt9RyU
 LEOonWyRVlbXMEqjsLUkcTdM1fmDeOreJG7Iip7UFenyVY0Ec4PHuBXfQJFxj1KDk+M7
 SlRcmU74u/ChPi7XcOrFJpdQSCZvogmzcY1DLw1wpQZ9ad8yrbPKolfKbE6z95kFNm8R
 etdw==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781742053; x=1782346853;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=t6UM0F9gvucXeF8pWOXQBB8c9tslypTq61sHP+uURkg=;
 b=qtN5s8DtQq+y6ah4MI+DK4CUpAlX8reZDv5bVdtm5z04rjvflCJvaWttZ48g88op56
 KQXTKgJ3lm60KcMOrzjX6+/a6CbJorOOILZljo84lKbRCOJU6paveyve/jvmSNKiDEAl
 PilpDuwf4cmD9RUh8YdCEqxa262vZiwdYro/hmZ/LEPAG3aMcZ2jpMXEPcARyXYhcsQj
 40kVPQWXuAFh2cqB/XBHc/5kcGkeUfqCVcvBDJYTPA4LGRZMVdYw1NAE0ISvtNwyWeaT
 nrI1SONDHP6IriIZ5k9l0xh3640TvBv31k4JtZEm/bZ+Tfrua4o9cNGNXoCwnZ2h2Nfb
 dz1g==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yw3udgftrNRFVDQ151U63CyLxCDvJzk5GNt66LtA74mzYb3uflx
 uagYlV5g+cHncr6A9FliNe+skXbigB0PquqYrZXcO2h7AYa4WjJDCSUBzsgbkPJSB/xnUjHmDPx
 gHINSglh5JhPtt4MJ8vtcGA7Gjf150eAk/0E1knY=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7cnnNh0nM7QnBMvybHTP+BfSvh9eV+bPBzLSa2C72iw1qIi00e2g1dDbW22ax0g
 5bnJrhULd29IJpJ3br9+1mZxDq1C+L2uJxhUnw9eOYGq1fhNh3G8d7Rr01fuJ0F7ziSlwmE+yFN
 wRL40NZ3daxpAfV4XawAC2DriZGP/xMGGu0Fw5b9qf57EuKpJ9xP+spGbpAkOpKqx2vIqX/VKFP
 8VuXAbENqXtfJeB5hWy26rtA1Fe0nHv85F95em0dxWov1CNgiYTKLYpgyIiwO+Pk9GVxq63W0Kl
 hw1gKNQ8c1ZmFbVbFBxS5EYhkPaxu1A8LVkwWOMW6x3Id1daVcP0dw1XgySSEq8WSUDGyJDJSPX
 zqjnkavKrbl/3xZOw9idFiqkpbo3L838A2Owzx0qFdD0qyVraHSX8HItGrZHpNRsJakK+NkG6RH
 LfvaUmlJtYOJfdiacTcuRjL2+yWUtJVk8MOVyjnOrWLS+kg9LyIv5UWKAAg3audJzzVwC94DoMH
 Cv44xY7g4rb0+BKoGROYsdXE0hKQq5naAIcR5gbFkrGlXE=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:d1c:b0:bf3:e968:bf99 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c0748e9df49mr65869866b.10.1781742052632; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 17:20:52 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <1120073690.2825756.1781741788649.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
 <1120073690.2825756.1781741788649@mail.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To: <1120073690.2825756.1781741788649@mail.yahoo.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:20:36 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CcyT3nfq-jzfJT6fC6fDckiMmg1x2-8hPfuuI9quCKx-mpR83uhLiOk9CI
Message-ID: <CANbmmQntBMGGEXrb2GaNA_nCria=w2gK8uNhJ7-W3Qp-b78qRA@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="00000000000020ee3106547c26ee"
Subject: [Salon] A very dangerous new nightmare we are living in Gaza City
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:20:54 -0000

--00000000000020ee3106547c26ee
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

https://x.com/Tamer_Alnoaizy/status/2067309028909134002
A very dangerous new nightmare we are living in Gaza City, and no one in
the world is paying attention to it.

Days ago, the Israeli army installed huge military cranes, each about 30
meters tall, on the eastern areas it controls. These cranes are equipped
with machine guns and cameras, and they fire randomly and almost
continuously at tents, streets, and exposed neighborhoods.

Gaza City is extremely narrow, only 10 kilometers wide. A single crane at
that height is enough to expose the entire city from east to west. Every
street, every square, every tent, every house has become completely
exposed. There is no place to hide, and not a single moment of safety.

In just the past two days, three people were killed by fire from these
cranes. One of them was sitting quietly with his father in a small caf=C3=
=A9,
trying to breathe for a few minutes. Hours later, a 5year old girl was
killed while playing near her home.

These cranes have turned the entire city into an open field. The latest
military technologies are directed at civilians. We have become an open
testing ground for their new weapons. The horror is not just in the sound=
=E2=80=A6
it is the constant feeling of being an exposed target at all times, where
even children cannot run in the street without fear.

--00000000000020ee3106547c26ee
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><a href=3D"https://x.com/Tamer_Alnoaizy/statu=
s/2067309028909134002" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"backgr=
ound-color:transparent">https://x.com/Tamer_Alnoaizy/status/206730902890913=
4002</a></div>
A very dangerous new nightmare we are living in Gaza City, and no one in th=
e world is paying attention to it.<br>
<br>
Days ago, the Israeli army installed huge military cranes, each about 30 me=
ters tall, on the eastern areas it controls. These cranes are equipped with=
 machine guns and cameras, and they fire randomly and almost continuously a=
t tents, streets, and exposed neighborhoods.<br>
<br>
Gaza City is extremely narrow, only 10 kilometers wide. A single crane at t=
hat height is enough to expose the entire city from east to west. Every str=
eet, every square, every tent, every house has become completely exposed. T=
here is no place to hide, and not a single moment of safety.<br>
<br>
In just the past two days, three people were killed by fire from these cran=
es. One of them was sitting quietly with his father in a small caf=C3=A9, t=
rying to breathe for a few minutes. Hours later, a 5year old girl was kille=
d while playing near her home.<br>
<br>
These cranes have turned the entire city into an open field. The latest mil=
itary technologies are directed at civilians. We have become an open testin=
g ground for their new weapons. The horror is not just in the sound=E2=80=
=A6 it is the constant feeling of being an exposed target at all times, whe=
re even children cannot run in the street without fear.<br>
</div></div>

--00000000000020ee3106547c26ee--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 17:59:07 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id C6E84B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:59:07 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net C6E84B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="h7SbTJem"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id A9D52BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:59:07 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ed1-f52.google.com (mail-ed1-f52.google.com
 [209.85.208.52])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 6D986BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:59:07 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ed1-f52.google.com with SMTP id
 4fb4d7f45d1cf-68acf0a15b3so432810a12.1
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:59:07 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781744346; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=CpGimzl51lTVH/tImlybqx0wO7kCJGGVObNvsOSzldtJKahsBlEJwZjHghvhY0kwoy
 hMEx85HnAp3YJgZyxApzg381BllkeUT8YgUb0UIO+wwhcP3tX2WrPCwOr0+aA5qSQEbk
 MVCIFbQEQV4UMsuypRnhmBwC+VWkXF6cX9tVkvCRH5/PLRl+lge6f/DbAacCtynfn+TH
 hnzh7kEiCuHdVN2WhqAHe7PTeueEJLNAiW+Q5SATg7yU6SaCF9M/5CJIRJK+Alg8ptFY
 X60TMA+Zt6z+OlTrR6tQ0uxKavqdzfeWzUyD44pKfVXDZBS9RS5jxmwmvUq0KvH4i9G1
 BFkw==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=gbl5FXFG7ZpNT7bgD5myxHxodI+pxP4bfvDQDLrvWCw=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=QoVAH0ELSFbLGNiKYMh4W+2XfLQHi78PbJfMiQCrzUMGlpdzSla/oPYwX5fklMYrzU
 uL/67NjnF1kmyAFfQge1U51ejodNPMXpURwihhIwkuw/wcmIfQZ4abr+NkhSFI+iHO+g
 LI/mqoOwAvzscvHoOcnot+GiRcmhEE8YpLQ66D6VDNTYLmEdlqSU9BfEeNHkqveppH2k
 neENo7i//7VRoi30AZHvVldodPnFI1Iof7WqhFHc8exIwwJ5SVKk/MuXcrH2Lh55c3If
 s9muh2Rtdm7bllXyBVvuW8vsz6TPlN6qusDwBiUgWa/V9v6WcsprsyAn5h7qRTUJonZ8
 hTAg==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781744346; x=1782349146; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=gbl5FXFG7ZpNT7bgD5myxHxodI+pxP4bfvDQDLrvWCw=;
 b=h7SbTJem2fZtcRVgT0cipEfI09nGAVekt7ehrsfS7x3juUjN+qt5FaVIuHQdZGy2z1
 J/9GoSt5+grfGfw/m+bbCQmmklaVGGc8ZYAqh8CZTxssBC8Z5yEE5ktLigPQIP1HbiD+
 DODe/UTRvp9cNR2H15W5scSFPrGIcZnFG0Wg5ornYq62eE6hVbAPuY2eN/SashYJexzF
 UNHcW2JnsJY6uWseYUr+L1DfoZVNDhoaAa1VWmzCjIkze5mfw5MB4fiutG7W1+zJYovz
 t4thbJubkDzLibyizuy6tSwCsVebSqP4eh1NMTSHhkLNd0RFHebiDrJf8aNHvMGZ8OiO
 32kA==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781744346; x=1782349146;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=gbl5FXFG7ZpNT7bgD5myxHxodI+pxP4bfvDQDLrvWCw=;
 b=FoO1VbRw1wCUHFFgn9/dFaR2hK7plwz9YDtYDW+od1epo8Eq96DaiTjHmePxwk3i+Y
 Aa0knRq2UxqhAbxI09rAFomdEsw9BUewN1b44So2RXubyt78fibG78kdfUilKg0q0MI+
 41z51S4mX5EkTs5HOzpu05XIYmlhS4G4s9btSLg9vlgpGCRJOCmgF8JLC/so+ZAB6CEF
 lUsohgY2jMzptWB5TsdgsUTOjCt67KxijJhOyxss8q//V+3q1b6Nf5RGX9EgXcxVjvjE
 hS08snLbkocBVmyecZ+vxYqbPg6GZOeEkf0D3k8u84GVseBF6BXBcaD/K4jE11V79qv5
 8JUA==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YwsCKzDfcWUkl1rj/PLV4jqZYO/f+zPOliL6yoRvRaBO2l24x10
 2QlHBsbmqaI8LPU2AJeMmvLiEWYTkrvA8nlKdtWHFIdUIHC0SnIu3VhOysKyrHB18Y+TqwwWVpN
 jXXAOpkEf4nsKm8seBycrqoSDNKUi1UOVL6h3iTl2sA==
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7ckxwFKWX24fOskmI/ziO/G6PYBkQzVDQjEbZj2VMF71oRrax9fuL+ibzbg/Yyf
 fdbNGRJ3DPXEVgJ8Ap6Ba8RO5jiIMtBj/qSJVKFo1/56I8jprEkjQobKg9PUGwA3iJ/+5uRdnaA
 G5BFMdkvo0krVGFJA41caFiA3uCm9lmjhg7yg09+YINq+O3i+xoxzv77PJpH2nzYSLaZ5bOAgp2
 tKUI9LinPPodXhddBLbycbNWlj14U0xpWVUFEex3YI+DwHQaKBBC4fKWOsE4jYgO20KRSer0XlN
 tnVF20/sRvMR/2koyRAuCo2b/8GBCIzPeILqESRqyp+/LFGAz7zCXwxdhU0zxmEaVgNlitoNVRz
 c0mVGtxvq+SDX7wqi05S0M4c9MeXA1d5l/5CdnSzRt9DAPgzVGGrHjmCYQb5l7yHC8qIUx5zAQR
 xNMTAeRJziembuTG0AbCcRCyfckX4nudnyJn/6seLCEO5BnbXscoXE7LgpNUMQtuKUHaX9kRdS7
 JIKAvGLdF1KDCgFHIJZlF9oblRxpnb+mJZMSDUv75mO9Z4=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:75d3:b0:bd8:6ac6:d722 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a6ae211emr253476866b.24.1781744345382; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 17:59:05 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:58:49 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CfUwSoVQjFlDlZmQ8TnPNG1aWmHX_SuTAFjmQVqzItnuAxakL9E6380VSA
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=v=4aGpESGv_JLDwiPE2dpBPJg2+M=ikJgSk1wmtdZLg@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000c980d606547caec5"
Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?Shanghai_to_lead_=E2=80=98financial_superpower?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99_push_as_China_unveils_plan_to_boost_yuan_use?=
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:59:08 -0000

--000000000000c980d606547caec5
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3357386/shanghai-lead-fi=
nancial-superpower-push-china-unveils-plan-boost-yuan-use?tpcc=3Denlz-today=
_international&UUID=3D1c13e062-091c-49fa-8ddc-076d78d97093&next_article_id=
=3D3357403&article_id_list=3D3357387,3357386&tc=3D5&CMCampaignID=3Ddfef95c0=
d509b3330d20abc91e2d8d5c
Shanghai to lead =E2=80=98financial superpower=E2=80=99 push as China unvei=
ls plan to boost
yuan use

China=E2=80=99s central bank governor speaks at annual financial forum abou=
t
further opening repurchase facilities and offshore trading to foreign
central banks
SCMP
[image: People=E2=80=99s Bank of China governor Pan Gongsheng speaks at the
Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Weibo]
Frank Chen <https://www.scmp.com/author/frank-chen>in ShanghaiandSylvia Ma
<https://www.scmp.com/author/sylvia-ma>in Shanghai
17 Jun 2026

Top Chinese financial regulators have vowed to accelerate Shanghai=E2=80=99=
s
transformation into a full-fledged global financial hub and encourage the
yuan=E2=80=99s overseas adoption, as Beijing seeks to tout China=E2=80=99s =
stability amid
volatility in the global market.

Speaking in Shanghai on Wednesday at an annual financial gathering known as
the Lujiazui Forum, policymakers such as People=E2=80=99s Bank of China gov=
ernor
Pan Gongsheng also said that the city would continue to serve as a vital
conduit for offshore finance and foreign participation in domestic markets.

As the two-day forum kicked off, the head of the central bank used his
keynote speech to outline an updated action plan for Shanghai=E2=80=99s off=
shore
finance and the yuan business.

=E2=80=9CWe will conduct a pilot programme for offshore-yuan foreign-exchan=
ge
trading in Shanghai to promote a two-way opening of the market and help
Shanghai become a global yuan-asset-allocation and risk-management centre,=
=E2=80=9D
Pan said.

He added that the PBOC would establish repurchase facilities for overseas
central banks and monetary authorities to use high-grade assets, such as
Chinese government bonds, for repurchase agreements. The move is meant to
facilitate yuan-liquidity management and asset allocation.

Six lenders =E2=80=93 Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; Agricultural=
 Bank of
China; Bank of China; China Construction Bank; Bank of Communications; and
Citic Bank =E2=80=93 will be authorised to conduct offshore-yuan foreign-ex=
change
trading in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone using the China Foreign Exchange
Trade System, he said.

The central bank will also launch the Interbank Market Data Repository,
while a digital yuan =E2=80=9Cinternational operations centre=E2=80=9D, ann=
ounced at last
year=E2=80=99s forum, is now operational.
At the event, the PBOC and the Shanghai municipal government pledged to
unify efforts to internationalise the city=E2=80=99s financial sector, a ke=
y pillar
of the Communist Party=E2=80=99s =E2=80=9Cfinancial superpower=E2=80=9D amb=
itions
<https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3344464/why-chinas-p=
ath-financial-superpower-status-could-begin-hong-kong?module=3Dinline&pgtyp=
e=3Darticle>
.
China shows off latest AI innovations at international conference in
Shanghai

The push comes as foreign central banks, especially those in the Global
South, have increased holdings of Chinese treasury bonds in recent years,
while reserve holdings of yuan assets have also risen, according to data
from the International Monetary Fund.

Overseas institutions, including central banks, had 3.12 trillion yuan
(US$462 billion) in China=E2=80=99s interbank bond market by the end of Apr=
il,
accounting for 1.8 per cent of the total. Their A-share holdings totalled 4
trillion yuan, or about 3 per cent of the total.

Meanwhile, Zhu Hexin, head of China=E2=80=99s State Administration of Forei=
gn
Exchange, also revealed in his address at the forum that a fresh batch of
Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDII) quotas would be issued
this fall, without giving specific details. Introduced in 2006, the QDII
scheme allows domestic institutions to invest in overseas capital markets,
via foreign-exchange quotas approved by regulators.

Total QDII fund assets reached 833.7 billion yuan at the end of 2025, up 57
per cent from a year earlier, though quota constraints have periodically
forced popular funds to suspend subscriptions.

This year=E2=80=99s forum takes place as the Chinese economy grapples with
pronounced imbalances and even strains in some sectors, with the latest
official data pointing to persistently sluggish consumption and weak
investment.

New bank loans totalled 520 billion yuan in May, trailing the 620 billion
yuan recorded during the same period last year, underscoring a marked
underperformance across both corporate and household lending.

Noting that the economy was undergoing a profound transformation of old and
new drivers of growth, Pan said the financial system should adapt to and
serve this upgrading.

=E2=80=9CChina=E2=80=99s economy has shifted from high-speed growth to high=
-quality
development,=E2=80=9D Pan said. =E2=80=9CCorrespondingly, financial service=
s for the
economy should optimise the structure.=E2=80=9D

He said the PBOC would optimise the short-term interest rate operational
framework towards a price-based monetary policy framework. The new interest
rate corridor would be centred on the seven-day reverse repo rate plus or
minus 25 basis points, with overnight tools added to better manage
liquidity. The central bank is also exploring a liquidity backstop for
non-bank financial institutions as a macroprudential tool under stressed
market conditions.

Pan emphasised that while scale matters for a country=E2=80=99s financial
competitiveness, the richness of services and products is even more
crucial. He also noted that funding had shifted dramatically, with real
estate and infrastructure loans falling sharply while financing for tech,
green energy and the digital economy dominates new loans.
[image: Frank Chen] <https://www.scmp.com/author/frank-chen>
Frank Chen <https://www.scmp.com/author/frank-chen>
A graduate from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Frank was previously
with Asia Financial, Asia Times and Hong Kong Economic Journal.
[image: Sylvia Ma] <https://www.scmp.com/author/sylvia-ma>
Sylvia Ma <https://www.scmp.com/author/sylvia-ma>
Sylvia Ma covers China's economy from Shanghai, having joined the Post as a
graduate trainee in Hong Kong in 2023. She holds a master=E2=80=99s degree =
in
journalism from the University of Hong Kong and a bachelor=E2=80=99s degree=
 in
English from Fudan University.

--000000000000c980d606547caec5
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><br><div><a href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-eco=
nomy/article/3357386/shanghai-lead-financial-superpower-push-china-unveils-=
plan-boost-yuan-use?tpcc=3Denlz-today_international&amp;UUID=3D1c13e062-091=
c-49fa-8ddc-076d78d97093&amp;next_article_id=3D3357403&amp;article_id_list=
=3D3357387,3357386&amp;tc=3D5&amp;CMCampaignID=3Ddfef95c0d509b3330d20abc91e=
2d8d5c">https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3357386/shanghai=
-lead-financial-superpower-push-china-unveils-plan-boost-yuan-use?tpcc=3Den=
lz-today_international&amp;UUID=3D1c13e062-091c-49fa-8ddc-076d78d97093&amp;=
next_article_id=3D3357403&amp;article_id_list=3D3357387,3357386&amp;tc=3D5&=
amp;CMCampaignID=3Ddfef95c0d509b3330d20abc91e2d8d5c</a></div><div><span sty=
le=3D"background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:inherit;fon=
t-size:36px;font-style:inherit;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-=
caps:inherit;font-weight:inherit">Shanghai to lead =E2=80=98financial super=
power=E2=80=99 push as China unveils plan to boost yuan use</span></div><di=
v><div class=3D"gmail-css-oeco4u ea45u6l33" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-asian=
:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:i=
nherit;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font-size-=
adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size=
:14px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:grid;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><di=
v class=3D"gmail-css-1mcwqol ea45u6l23" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit=
;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian=
:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:3=
0px;font-family:Merriweather,&quot;Merriweather fallback&quot;,serif;font-s=
ize-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-=
size:20px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><h3 class=
=3D"er6t7fe3 gmail-css-19mvk5a e1ql5f172" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:in=
herit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-si=
ze:20px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-=
1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fon=
t:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">China=E2=80=99s=
 central bank governor speaks at annual financial forum about further openi=
ng repurchase facilities and offshore trading to foreign central banks</p><=
/h3></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-13i1oe5 ea45u6l20" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-cs=
s-1w8suq2 ea45u6l18" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;=
font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:in=
herit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font=
-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bord=
er:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"er6t7fe19 gmail-css-1lkjrpx e17crirv3" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures=
:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums proport=
ional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;=
font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:in=
herit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:bas=
eline;border:0px;display:flex;color:rgb(114,114,114);white-space:nowrap"><s=
pan class=3D"gmail-css-fel87u e17crirv1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px">SCMP</span></div></div></div></div><div class=
=3D"gmail-css-km3tje ea45u6l19" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;fon=
t-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-=
family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font-size-adjust:inher=
it;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:14px;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><div class=3D"er6t7fe23 gmai=
l-css-1xdhyk6 e14wegc30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:=
0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretc=
h:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;=
font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;=
border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bjn8wh e1gf69pb3" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fo=
nt-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inhe=
rit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><span style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox"><img alt=3D"People=E2=80=99s Bank of China governor Pan Gongsheng speak=
s at the Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Weibo" class=3D"e1=
gf69pb2 gmail-css-16ak3ue e445x7d0" src=3D"https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/def=
ault/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2026/06/17/7351fa7c-2d9f=
-4d31-8f72-3cce4c096246_0c2e8738.jpg?itok=3DKn4b6BMa&amp;v=3D1781674824" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inher=
it; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; lin=
e-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font=
-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inheri=
t; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; verti=
cal-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; inline-size: 712px; block=
-size: 474.663px; color: transparent; background: transparent; object-fit: =
cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 3 / 2;"></span></div></div></di=
v><div class=3D"gmail-css-1d2w7us ea45u6l32" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-asia=
n:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:=
inherit;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-siz=
e:14px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:grid;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><d=
iv class=3D"gmail-css-1oetv63 ea45u6l17" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"er6t7fe32 gmail-css-=
7qldf6 eybiz6w3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font=
-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;li=
ne-height:normal;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature=
-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><a target=3D"_self" c=
lass=3D"e163ld431 gmail-css-uvyeg2 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/a=
uthor/frank-chen" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fon=
t-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:=
lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-=
alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust=
:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline;border:0px;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Frank Chen</a><s=
pan class=3D"gmail-css-1sn2av9 eybiz6w0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inheri=
t;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asia=
n:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-weight:400;font-stretch:inhe=
rit;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-f=
eature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">in=C2=A0Shangha=
i</span><span class=3D"gmail-css-1md3kj8 eybiz6w1" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-c=
aps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant=
-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;li=
ne-height:normal;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature=
-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">and</span><a target=
=3D"_self" class=3D"e163ld431 gmail-css-uvyeg2 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://ww=
w.scmp.com/author/sylvia-ma" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-varia=
nt-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;fo=
nt-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-=
size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Sylvi=
a Ma</a><span class=3D"gmail-css-1sn2av9 eybiz6w0" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-c=
aps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant=
-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-weight:400;font-st=
retch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inhe=
rit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">in=C2=
=A0Shanghai</span></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-14nqcp8 ea45u6l16" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font=
-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:norma=
l;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fe=
ature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"er=
6t7fe26 gmail-css-1jj3xkn efakuk42" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-varia=
nt-caps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-var=
iant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fe=
ature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(102,102=
,102)">17 Jun 2026</div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-15nugz2 ea45u6l12" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font=
-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:Merriw=
eather,&quot;Merriweather fallback&quot;,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;fon=
t-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:18px;vertical-ali=
gn:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-=
0-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit=
;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:i=
nherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:=
inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmai=
l-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0=
px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch=
:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;fo=
nt-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bo=
rder:0px;color:inherit">Top Chinese financial regulators have vowed to acce=
lerate Shanghai=E2=80=99s transformation into a full-fledged global financi=
al hub and encourage the yuan=E2=80=99s overseas adoption, as Beijing seeks=
 to tout China=E2=80=99s stability amid volatility in the global market.</p=
><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-w=
eight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;f=
ont-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Speaking in Shanghai on W=
ednesday at an annual financial gathering known as the Lujiazui Forum, poli=
cymakers such as People=E2=80=99s Bank of China governor Pan Gongsheng also=
 said that the city would continue to serve as a vital conduit for offshore=
 finance and foreign participation in domestic markets.</p><p class=3D"e8zc=
9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:i=
nherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:ba=
seline;border:0px;color:inherit">As the two-day forum kicked off, the head =
of the central bank used his keynote speech to outline an updated action pl=
an for Shanghai=E2=80=99s offshore finance and the yuan business.</p><div c=
lass=3D"gmail-css-1auxnbl evaaos91" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;=
font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adju=
st:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e11v3ui10 e11v3ui11 gmail-ad-with-size=
-0x0 gmail-css-kcdza6 evaaos90" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font=
-stretch:inherit;line-height:0;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit=
;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline=
;border:0px;display:flex"></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-20-per=
cent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font=
-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inheri=
t;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css=
-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fo=
nt-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inhe=
rit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ke=
rning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:=
0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CWe will conduct a pilot programme for offshore-=
yuan foreign-exchange trading in Shanghai to promote a two-way opening of t=
he market and help Shanghai become a global yuan-asset-allocation and risk-=
management centre,=E2=80=9D Pan said.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6=
uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-s=
tyle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;=
line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;=
color:inherit">He added that the PBOC would establish repurchase facilities=
 for overseas central banks and monetary authorities to use high-grade asse=
ts, such as Chinese government bonds, for repurchase agreements. The move i=
s meant to facilitate yuan-liquidity management and asset allocation.</p><p=
 class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weig=
ht:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font=
-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ver=
tical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Six lenders =E2=80=93 Indust=
rial and Commercial Bank of China; Agricultural Bank of China; Bank of Chin=
a; China Construction Bank; Bank of Communications; and Citic Bank =E2=80=
=93 will be authorised to conduct offshore-yuan foreign-exchange trading in=
 the Shanghai Free Trade Zone using the China Foreign Exchange Trade System=
, he said.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:i=
nherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-fam=
ily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-sett=
ings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The central =
bank will also launch the Interbank Market Data Repository, while a digital=
 yuan =E2=80=9Cinternational operations centre=E2=80=9D, announced at last =
year=E2=80=99s forum, is now operational.</p><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-c=
ss-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;=
font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:in=
herit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font=
-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bord=
er:0px">At the event, the PBOC and the Shanghai municipal government pledge=
d to unify efforts to internationalise the city=E2=80=99s financial sector,=
 a key pillar of the Communist Party=E2=80=99s=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" cla=
ss=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.sc=
mp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3344464/why-chinas-path-financial-s=
uperpower-status-could-begin-hong-kong?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle=
" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-sty=
le:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;fo=
nt-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;v=
ertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-=
break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;f=
ont-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inh=
erit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:in=
herit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">=E2=80=9Cfi=
nancial superpower=E2=80=9D ambitions</span></a>.</div><div class=3D"gmail-=
methode-html-wrapper gmail-oembed-wrapper e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqh=
wb40" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;ve=
rtical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div =
class=3D"gmail-c1 e2gky7d0 e1drg7e30 e1ciypty0 ehdmpxk0 gmail-css-1avyp1d e=
1hpd36k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:=
inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-=
height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:in=
herit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><di=
v class=3D"gmail-css-8owkf6 e1hpd36k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inher=
it;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-a=
djust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-a=
lign:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-fbqk9e e9gb5764" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varia=
nt:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;fon=
t-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature=
-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-css-17srd7h e9gb5762" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px=
;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fo=
nt-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust=
:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-yegjy4 e9gb5763" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:in=
herit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-fam=
ily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-sett=
ings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><div id=3D"gmail-ad-=
yt-T3yVETaCBmQ-3319851-2" class=3D"gmail-css-ipcwwe e9gb5760" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:in=
herit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-fam=
ily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-sett=
ings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div></div><d=
iv class=3D"e1hpd36k3 gmail-css-79hwxn e1x11wau0" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-w=
eight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;=
font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit=
;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-css-0=
 e1x11wau2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-styl=
e:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;lin=
e-height:22.4px;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-serif;f=
ont-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;=
font-size:16px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0)">China s=
hows off latest AI innovations at international conference in Shanghai</div=
></div></div></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;f=
ont-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featu=
re-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The p=
ush comes as foreign central banks, especially those in the Global South, h=
ave increased holdings of Chinese treasury bonds in recent years, while res=
erve holdings of yuan assets have also risen, according to data from the In=
ternational Monetary Fund.</p><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-50-percent-com=
pletion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:=
inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-s=
ize-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;verti=
cal-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6=
 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style=
:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line=
-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:in=
herit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;colo=
r:inherit">Overseas institutions, including central banks, had 3.12 trillio=
n yuan (US$462 billion) in China=E2=80=99s interbank bond market by the end=
 of April, accounting for 1.8 per cent of the total. Their A-share holdings=
 totalled 4 trillion yuan, or about 3 per cent of the total.</p><p class=3D=
"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin=
:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inheri=
t;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adj=
ust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-ali=
gn:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Meanwhile, Zhu Hexin, head of China=
=E2=80=99s State Administration of Foreign Exchange, also revealed in his a=
ddress at the forum that a fresh batch of Qualified Domestic Institutional =
Investor (QDII) quotas would be issued this fall, without giving specific d=
etails. Introduced in 2006, the QDII scheme allows domestic institutions to=
 invest in overseas capital markets, via foreign-exchange quotas approved b=
y regulators.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varian=
t:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-=
family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Total QDI=
I fund assets reached 833.7 billion yuan at the end of 2025, up 57 per cent=
 from a year earlier, though quota constraints have periodically forced pop=
ular funds to suspend subscriptions.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6u=
qr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-st=
yle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;l=
ine-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning=
:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;c=
olor:inherit">This year=E2=80=99s forum takes place as the Chinese economy =
grapples with pronounced imbalances and even strains in some sectors, with =
the latest official data pointing to persistently sluggish consumption and =
weak investment.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;f=
ont-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featu=
re-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">New b=
ank loans totalled 520 billion yuan in May, trailing the 620 billion yuan r=
ecorded during the same period last year, underscoring a marked underperfor=
mance across both corporate and household lending.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 =
gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-str=
etch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inheri=
t;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e;border:0px;color:inherit">Noting that the economy was undergoing a profou=
nd transformation of old and new drivers of growth, Pan said the financial =
system should adapt to and serve this upgrading.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gm=
ail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stret=
ch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;=
font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;=
border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CChina=E2=80=99s economy has shifted from=
 high-speed growth to high-quality development,=E2=80=9D Pan said. =E2=80=
=9CCorrespondingly, financial services for the economy should optimise the =
structure.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-=
variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px=
;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fea=
ture-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">He =
said the PBOC would optimise the short-term interest rate operational frame=
work towards a price-based monetary policy framework. The new interest rate=
 corridor would be centred on the seven-day reverse repo rate plus or minus=
 25 basis points, with overnight tools added to better manage liquidity. Th=
e central bank is also exploring a liquidity backstop for non-bank financia=
l institutions as a macroprudential tool under stressed market conditions.<=
/p><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-90-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-1=
9icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font=
-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ker=
ning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0=
px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inher=
it;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:=
inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings=
:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Pan emphasised t=
hat while scale matters for a country=E2=80=99s financial competitiveness, =
the richness of services and products is even more crucial. He also noted t=
hat funding had shifted dramatically, with real estate and infrastructure l=
oans falling sharply while financing for tech, green energy and the digital=
 economy dominates new loans.</p><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-100-percent=
-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-wei=
ght:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;fo=
nt-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;v=
ertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1kfp=
ym9 ea45u6l2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-st=
yle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;l=
ine-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"=
></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1fek98n ea45u6l9" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-we=
ight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;f=
ont-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"er6t7fe31 gmail-css-13q2d=
2o e7gba4u1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-sty=
le:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;li=
ne-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning=
:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">=
<div class=3D"gmail-css-tbgdr e13gyt08" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inhe=
rit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-=
adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;border:0px;display:grid"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1btmqbx e13=
gyt07" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inh=
erit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-hei=
ght:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inher=
it;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><a tar=
get=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yqjx3e1 gmail-css-127t9hs ecgc78b0" href=3D"https:=
//www.scmp.com/author/frank-chen" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px=
;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fo=
nt-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust=
:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline;border:0px;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,18,70);text-decoration=
:none"><img alt=3D"Frank Chen" class=3D"e1yqjx3e3 gmail-css-98w27l e445x7d0=
" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D300,for=
mat=3Dauto/sites/default/files/styles/300x300/public/d8/images/author/pic/2=
023/09/04/IMG_1758---Frank-Chen.jpeg?itok=3DcGSJGcOU" style=3D"box-sizing: =
border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: i=
nherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; =
font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inher=
it; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-s=
ettings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; vertical-align: baseline=
; border: 0px; display: block; color: transparent; overflow: hidden; aspect=
-ratio: auto 1 / 1; inline-size: 40px; block-size: 40px; border-radius: 50%=
; background: rgb(218, 222, 222); object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 5=
0%;"></a></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-14c29lv e13gyt05" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit=
;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;=
font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit=
;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><a target=3D"_self" class=
=3D"e13gyt02 e163ld431 gmail-css-1j77t19 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp=
.com/author/frank-chen" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0=
px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch=
:inherit;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font=
-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bord=
er:0px;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,13,55)">Frank Chen</a><div class=3D=
"e13gyt06 gmail-css-nzko5h e7f0hzg3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:=
0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit=
;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adj=
ust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-ali=
gn:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e7f0hzg1 gmail-css-1ve11rc e1plt2it0"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;f=
ont-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:0;=
font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feat=
ure-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div>=
<div class=3D"gmail-css-gy7cxa e13gyt01" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e13gyt00 gmail-css-1y5q2jx e12du4=
v60" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inher=
it;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-heigh=
t:16px;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:=
inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:-webkit-box;text-overflo=
w:ellipsis;overflow:hidden">A graduate from the Hong Kong Polytechnic Unive=
rsity, Frank was previously with Asia Financial, Asia Times and Hong Kong E=
conomic Journal.</div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-tbgdr e13gyt08" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fon=
t-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inhe=
rit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-=
feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:grid"><=
div class=3D"gmail-css-1btmqbx e13gyt07" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yqjx3e1 gmail-cs=
s-127t9hs ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/author/sylvia-ma" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varia=
nt:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;fon=
t-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature=
-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline-block;c=
olor:rgb(0,18,70);text-decoration:none"><img alt=3D"Sylvia Ma" class=3D"e1y=
qjx3e3 gmail-css-98w27l e445x7d0" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/ima=
ge/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D300,format=3Dauto/sites/default/files/styles/300x3=
00/public/d8/images/author/pic/2025/12/23/FA30F518-0CEC-482B-B4A2-B1F3C3134=
F99---Sylvia-Ma.jpeg?itok=3DXWBGGuxC&amp;v=3D1766471341" style=3D"box-sizin=
g: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant=
: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inheri=
t; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: in=
herit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variatio=
n-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; vertical-align: basel=
ine; border: 0px; display: block; color: transparent; overflow: hidden; asp=
ect-ratio: auto 1 / 1; inline-size: 40px; block-size: 40px; border-radius: =
50%; background: rgb(218, 222, 222); object-fit: cover; object-position: 50=
% 50%;"></a></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-14c29lv e13gyt05" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:16px;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><a target=3D"_self" cl=
ass=3D"e13gyt02 e163ld431 gmail-css-1j77t19 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.s=
cmp.com/author/sylvia-ma" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stret=
ch:inherit;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;fo=
nt-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bo=
rder:0px;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,13,55)">Sylvia Ma</a><div class=
=3D"e13gyt06 gmail-css-nzko5h e7f0hzg3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inhe=
rit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-=
adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e7f0hzg1 gmail-css-1ve11rc e1plt2i=
t0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inheri=
t;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height=
:0;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-f=
eature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></d=
iv><div class=3D"gmail-css-gy7cxa e13gyt01" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:=
inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-s=
ize-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;verti=
cal-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e13gyt00 gmail-css-1y5q2jx e12=
du4v60" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:in=
herit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-he=
ight:16px;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:-webkit-box;text-over=
flow:ellipsis;overflow:hidden">Sylvia Ma covers China&#39;s economy from Sh=
anghai, having joined the Post as a graduate trainee in Hong Kong in 2023. =
She holds a master=E2=80=99s degree in journalism from the University of Ho=
ng Kong and a bachelor=E2=80=99s degree in English from Fudan University.</=
div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

--000000000000c980d606547caec5--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 18:04:43 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id BB9A8B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:04:43 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net BB9A8B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="CiNvecys"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id AB667BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:04:43 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f45.google.com (mail-ej1-f45.google.com
 [209.85.218.45])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id A1FEEBD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:04:43 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f45.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bdb3fd39045so36770966b.3
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:04:43 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781744682; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=QxLUAAXXgaD2AHJemyViRAv0Sx1OdZDC7Ok7Ot5jc9mUL4v8Es+9r3laLOhE9WC92V
 JYmh/Ussf2T1nKGc4LQItRElHbQe1harVrmgp+h0+zYHR4tjiTCM9OHwA+12uie7tlJv
 5pUfUbbBmplqxbbxUXIH1QMLMXXyZyOTxoGLWETqOQI4ZTJtvZQv4J4xv3uevPRlLnaP
 6RHzh5vVuqiIZsnxjSy3TIek6PtZiL83QWDyEHassXM/rnDD7DzXe2Nv7t5YF+rgfvjo
 pP8ICZRkmxgs7ZME3qNCk+1gzapn+eON9IWgeHMYX/5RVhwC5dFTBxlgJv0JRhJimJhI
 wi/Q==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=G4tdPjS3FksPVzMRNYg8SDNq6hB9EP/u4ST65ZzYC0E=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=JBuUL6KXbuC7RnpYr9HgQ4ZzdDFoW5b+QCP36k5xg/ysN7AhIYA0DKrSJLjI2RpXaY
 04ZmV/Qa42okYImNVvOzcrAL/uugKro3RZQyhmBWh/VFBRWQbCoakJ6T8eFUDRvfSDjl
 xiYyT9LVbwm55jR3JdhdjMDKtBBP6kTxnLq2H77auCiX/JGOvTXLMu2lqvzvadeUhOZR
 lTUjTN9c3Re76Lf9mpE4I4PmPcoON5CbvUjzl+R2TLMHVVwQbi2wE3KP83P03SpTYKQu
 SWIIcvQPFFkbpgi+ElJwofHsuPb8L8q7HrO+lprQVxCFct/Y/K3Uzaqt5RnWvJSm0mC4
 UUnQ==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781744682; x=1782349482; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=G4tdPjS3FksPVzMRNYg8SDNq6hB9EP/u4ST65ZzYC0E=;
 b=CiNvecyszEc4p0iy+i2A4wQRGbql4a1yb5M0Heiyu8cil0zTM6h8pI3H2LWA8mtptY
 /8d0m20RQgIwg2e7ZgKg5RoNI/9bxb0+XYHy8us8Xn+XyKrUvmmLn0lamq+ekEmKZVoV
 fpesO+J0qdhQkbYYwvvMLiT0ZQuvHEK45k5Dt7cJ+RHpy/VRql5KZ6eRa5lhYRBcopJA
 G3fdcLJaEldAE6io06YPIKLnO+ym4Fpp51hyNcb1HiMEEPAT6zLd2bU7F2YxMGE2ID/4
 HZN9QwFmAe2KSoB0bhe8hjymlq5OfvF3MiEhEzqlax6TVKvteJbTlS8dP9HKxSz5l3XJ
 lqhA==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781744682; x=1782349482;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=G4tdPjS3FksPVzMRNYg8SDNq6hB9EP/u4ST65ZzYC0E=;
 b=WaBE4PtjvcdrKOmJ+wCXjJPgpRzafuVpB+niJrSmhdZqbP2X0qKk7Hztt8TRlnRF4c
 YPtke3//5vjkJuFZ1lM7uV/drmJBnh3tzzBsx7WjltDZYH/98/+UvUHbomJXRsrP7muO
 btEl42HqPNYdn+1EDHfS+m4pWcjX/vlwMn/vEMA40E2AcVuXXRXHzuqX/DfbozYosX/+
 Nm2/0dAc8jk7Zh3WBxgyl0LYtGjHrhj92zS5+Uaks9yCBVGNFYViSnGewpqMU8H0luXw
 oLynYMdIllt+xE8vQCoBJVkPGxlPOlyDKOqZzZUjuFi9W+l0XC/J7tBCBBb+ZZ5mNudE
 3mvg==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yzs3dp37+jZSDIwnEcgkN3EDCdFMVFLjOjhuaUFCj9NuZD+Ar6T
 DUVz3M7v4iBvrj0ZKT/hnoVD/K7F2SCR1hn29uFHtMSmc4rT/T5t6t8syj5oTb4+giCFs2A1uaw
 UVLBCryyt7qJ1lkPCTiQAwwzVo6XB1kCwZplLvIc=
X-Gm-Gg: Acq92OGP+Z+FrpcFeALXAn5JRJtXi8pdz5V4o20dNTrmkOApjU2nwN7EaqjYjQIzdjt
 2nEiMoSNzr1bpn6if4DjRAldIwY3eAsrrLdpo433tEoQFr5sekbP+BUAX7Ux8A9GAvEPDF8kXm2
 +pU3zHZRJYhzJ8iQ4imBN8FfG+dfWa7oTl+nO3dKuozJUHIC7tiOENi+64MhPezO6ABMzpcQnwk
 uZqBHEFVSp5N4TB93OH520GmiNurLMnpFA5KprCUA7xcSBn565lsdMB7giy3n8ssb0jnabX+Ls7
 U2yTdNQlpHrFGQGxeYDGcXSAeemNHAyBGSohVoV/hxfA8fvDaKKAACqBYHKojlXZYWOqHlLGezg
 Mx1JYWEK0TH6NBbd6q+qoO2xK+NUFufm0cAOR7eK8LKrYTcmaM5F57aYabIC4Ew3LV/X9xFxN81
 EgY/GRVAbuPvywpPX/PHXnWnDpMrTZ0767xOqWQ83Pi8L2IGJx83E+ozriSIgW6aJkI1Nl66CM+
 h2J/lvadUIKjvTjIzLw0GavCgBeaiU/a9wmuUaCmaHmMHY=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:c09:b0:beb:9be6:f249 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a9575776mr445506066b.47.1781744681970; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 18:04:41 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzCeBJpQb_KMNXpJ1MeT3RmT1GihT=G=NU1DF+B1ehmgeg@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzCeBJpQb_KMNXpJ1MeT3RmT1GihT=G=NU1DF+B1ehmgeg@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:04:26 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cf2ac5kpu5p6aFaQz7VL_2kQV1C8As969VhhAlq7nBGFliR6dhTUyqAszY
Message-ID: <CANbmmQn_pqANcQ8DUb=Na77EfzZ_LOBjG1YOrUaJWCPGpxR7pQ@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000d9709f06547cc268"
Subject: [Salon] US rejects Israeli request to review Iran agreement memorandum
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:04:43 -0000

--000000000000d9709f06547cc268
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260617-us-rejects-israeli-request-to-r=
eview-iran-agreement-memorandum-hebrew-media-report/
<https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260617-us-rejects-israeli-request-to-r=
eview-iran-agreement-memorandum-hebrew-media-report/>*

*6/17/26*

*US rejects Israeli request to review Iran agreement memorandum, Hebrew
media report*
[image: United States and Israel flags near the American Embassy in
Jerusalem, Israel. [Photo via Getty Images]]

*The United States has rejected a formal request from the Israeli
government to review the memorandum of understanding being developed
between Washington and Tehran, according to Hebrew media reports.*

*Israel=E2=80=99s Channel 12 reported that Israel had submitted an official=
 request
to the United States to examine the memorandum of understandings taking
shape between Washington and Iran, but the request was refused by the US
side.*

*The broadcaster said the move indicates that Israel still does not know
the full details of the agreement, which is expected to be signed in
Switzerland on Friday.*

*Earlier, US President Donald Trump said he would hold a press conference
on the agreement with Iran, stating that he would =E2=80=9Cread the documen=
t word
for word=E2=80=9D. However, he did not specify when the full text of the ag=
reement
would be made public.*

*The planned Iran-US agreement to end hostilities, expected to be signed on
Friday, has triggered widespread criticism within Israel, including
criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.*

*Critics have accused Netanyahu of deepening Israel=E2=80=99s dependence on=
 the
United States, failing to influence the decision-making process and causing
a strategic setback.*

*Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth said that coordination with Washington is
important, but =E2=80=9Cthe dependency that has developed is dangerous and
irresponsible.=E2=80=9D*

*READ: Switzerland confirms US-Iran memorandum signing set for Friday at
Burgenstock
<https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260616-switzerland-confirms-us-iran-me=
morandum-signing-set-for-friday-at-burgenstock/>*

--000000000000d9709f06547cc268
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/202=
60617-us-rejects-israeli-request-to-review-iran-agreement-memorandum-hebrew=
-media-report/" target=3D"_blank">https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/2026061=
7-us-rejects-israeli-request-to-review-iran-agreement-memorandum-hebrew-med=
ia-report/</a></font></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><f=
ont face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><b><font face=3D"geor=
gia, serif">6/17/26</font></b></div><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><=
br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;m=
argin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgi=
a, serif" size=3D"4"><i>US rejects Israeli request to review Iran agreement=
 memorandum, Hebrew media report</i></font></h1><div style=3D"max-width:100=
%;margin-bottom:1.15em;line-height:1.5em;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65)"><img src=
=3D"https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/=
GettyImages-1009659416.jpg?fit=3D920%2C613&amp;ssl=3D1" alt=3D"United State=
s and Israel flags near the American Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. [Photo v=
ia Getty Images]" style=3D"margin:auto 0px auto auto;display:block;clear:bo=
th" width=3D"412" height=3D"275"></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb=
(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"=
>The United States has rejected a formal request from the Israeli governmen=
t to review the memorandum of understanding being developed between Washing=
ton and Tehran, according to Hebrew media reports.</font></b></span></p><p =
style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, seri=
f"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Israel=E2=80=99s<span>=C2=A0</span></span=
><i style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">Channel 12</spa=
n></i><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><span>=C2=A0</span>reported that Israe=
l had submitted an official request to the United States to examine the mem=
orandum of understandings taking shape between Washington and Iran, but the=
 request was refused by the US side.</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">The broadcaster said the move indicates that Israel sti=
ll does not know the full details of the agreement, which is expected to be=
 signed in Switzerland on Friday.</font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D=
"georgia, serif">Earlier, US President Donald Trump said he would hold a pr=
ess conference on the agreement with Iran, stating that he would =E2=80=9Cr=
ead the document word for word=E2=80=9D. However, he did not specify when t=
he full text of the agreement would be made public.</font></b></span></p><p=
 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%=
"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The planned Iran-US agreement to end hos=
tilities, expected to be signed on Friday, has triggered widespread critici=
sm within Israel, including criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Ne=
tanyahu.</font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27=
)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Critics =
have accused Netanyahu of deepening Israel=E2=80=99s dependence on the Unit=
ed States, failing to influence the decision-making process and causing a s=
trategic setback.</font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb=
(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"=
>Israeli daily<span>=C2=A0</span></span><i style=3D"max-width:100%"><span s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%">Yedioth Ahronoth</span></i><span style=3D"max-width=
:100%"><span>=C2=A0</span>said that coordination with Washington is importa=
nt, but =E2=80=9Cthe dependency that has developed is dangerous and irrespo=
nsible.=E2=80=9D</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27)"><strong style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif">R=
EAD:=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260616-switzerland=
-confirms-us-iran-memorandum-signing-set-for-friday-at-burgenstock/" style=
=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_b=
lank">Switzerland confirms US-Iran memorandum signing set for Friday at Bur=
genstock</a></font></strong></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--000000000000d9709f06547cc268--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 18:06:38 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 3451DB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:06:38 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 3451DB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="oWlZVOh6"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 1A17EBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:06:38 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f52.google.com (mail-ej1-f52.google.com
 [209.85.218.52])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id C0140BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:06:37 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f52.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c07c246ad7bso1911466b.2
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:06:37 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781744796; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=ONUd3U9Gq/WdGRaHL4INudxxhwsAHpWmtj5/EcPhEfyM3gmS4Y3Gj+/HhL9avbxS27
 Fe0lEHgbPBXpXSTtvB5C1cV84/6JVDjX6SGEV3eFioIYr1Tde0HzNS6refDDdMJir1XF
 gX0RMLcjLotp+bs0BRecsB6PoQbodwP1PM2erU3xyk0nqrlGt8wzPd2cEbjijFPpGzKE
 ADn0mC2mTSEgmFgIn6IQ7yIETb57hoxAM5oJk+U5uz7hveQ6vSAElDSeWxuKwTFKXaqU
 vuew1AyrvXjtq+oTk2Yl+zq2yJ9fbory0e9oaHf8NLaPwyzNO213y+zSTdlemjEQ025S
 tp7A==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=qVegojWz982sqooGnrEnx80P2RawWICbu23ko9xv6AY=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=luNhguPirirXjsnyCXF/exg/AZJ0JHJZitRZVkRzY5eUtvtuBfUL+LaDDo9G8G8HXW
 aL/0Pjc1wn8lgc0qc4jTZgIERsyH/4rG0p8kw2BEZ4kg0WqJpEx+lftwXFnoXsAY/I1o
 fdKpJR/Ri48ar0KEgCYsU+HEG4ogFV0rB1Bbsgcqf9BpS3DQ0LhUQ0jCTJ8udme04KPm
 3auL3EJjUyQ8rzdSzCc0x/bShLKYppVG+xCHEdmYiw2ALVn0GbAUj8/xZZiIWfO6XGU8
 ANysGczbDDtc42uNQKQH+x0o7lo5Nqge9OnPtjDJiwQUUJngq5VErPEZKJ/oLUHhQd3A
 uxqg==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781744796; x=1782349596; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=qVegojWz982sqooGnrEnx80P2RawWICbu23ko9xv6AY=;
 b=oWlZVOh6rgsznyJGaDD3JU2lxKZNJZpgfe6WfuykZ0mUwhg3Mux3U9iZ5nqYwWWMe6
 z4AISf8g5F2F3ySfg9b7SBOhtuLlroG9m7PZzU6Ui9OSgeDHOGd96Ot8H87A22fpREKX
 uAhScFfeBN2Br5F5YYtrX7qksCwLg3EEAREqKi4VxuxndB2Lhs5M0HKGXQJD7dIHd7BE
 OALQh6/JF0fjwPDyl9ph1YEVUHnz0s8XLcZVSUq09WVhu/U4GNLqtbRsaWFW71vt5nZu
 ZWy8VqhNlKwmR/aAX6pDH8eFPqdxU9P+hmk+SmP0MvWzD4q2BaAYWaY2X5ugjx1Ms/K9
 6vSA==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781744796; x=1782349596;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=qVegojWz982sqooGnrEnx80P2RawWICbu23ko9xv6AY=;
 b=TTpHkqpiCVFvjK/HKD5Yfa24JP/lROzy4AAqhzWH4ll70bgwDTwMO40gBNMJkd1DA+
 zdFheGpPlZ3Z4B78HbPnB5jkK4folg7tHh+ODXivL4fEVwdKQn+8hRMV9jAyXdMhBXEG
 J5O9SALr3DhQy/EuR7Nl/nXuJTm2aNrbx4IVLPTCAvVUcuzs6vOT2HWUEQdeA+fN/fbQ
 56MYuh6UaAtSoC/IQGWYSg78lWtRdR31cFr4UjJPQEmCpYygbzPsFoI1p/lBtBtioJRO
 nHRT10cKHTlKiqMAKCmGBnO3AT8u2wtrasMeql3Olb9o6YiGP69asWEspseMkYgEM2f7
 NJjg==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yx8yulW8SgFrfjz5AsVB1w1nEBRdbOzMfb+ui0zHahW8CqqI4OT
 5dKF8PfWwkyZdPwpNrCldemZS0KkEdsfqvIQg5Kl33WmmR8saqaITVKI+rNuJ3E608HYD84qd77
 hkQXtoXqi1oCKu2cv4X/XqJZAlWXcZBWSY2ePGPU=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7cmp3WeJvts9hPgBMT05WOdkkP7WMM/lkFxyWK2FZxn4+guG9+yl4qM+GdeJQyt
 O4Z93b5DaG+s9lgB+FZ3fJApXcjD0KFvYn3+q0e3S5rFwEnDvP09tEW07WiaCMZkE0Cbp+AI015
 RA7ZJA1NMBa7wgXz/uGp+VfrCozPSKFUJcSF6dPfk1DDfVcQ6Ez9DRzx8QCQvZnJi/0PT2itlzm
 Wg9G/4IZTeD6rL5SuI1+QdAy4qwR1aEvz7u9pPDfLNBWNPbdfNjVqyHN4B2Skx1xyCNUTybcsBR
 gLtCABE7RnBiASxNs41UXatznONNIe5Eia2woJD0+eBhnSYJ5uCd0qWryjeUzF+gey6VEqLskvY
 07OIwanQRX86vxnj3ZT3oZr6x+Us+olCKoqUfzt8tx2Rr988DiEJsRef4qxQMOxaHivPzn7uMnQ
 +LY7G/psWSlPXDUjjWMFH7KKKv42dZssdmBYhkTVxTGM8MYgvvF+O6AUzcv6RHWso25I44P/bAJ
 Quj/sLXXj9cZMaw/57xUy4sGuwPgZ9VIhoigmz+qlVI468=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:9445:b0:bf1:a59e:653f with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c07c67b3211mr13166b.28.1781744795882; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:06:35
 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzAPjiuv8mcc4fYzEE9qDSrD-MmCq9j-kFLmAJ52wVREEg@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzAPjiuv8mcc4fYzEE9qDSrD-MmCq9j-kFLmAJ52wVREEg@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:06:18 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CddTz4GjE1UB5ZBX_BCZbHDVVxf2vMY6t9fSPQkkDUQ_8OaeIsyfPSZgBI
Message-ID: <CANbmmQkpv12LNuAp5P6n61BSzn8UdKDZn8Y_sWV_AphA4k02vw@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000a398c606547cc9cc"
Subject: [Salon] University research at China speed brings sea changes to
 science
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:06:38 -0000

--000000000000a398c606547cc9cc
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/university-research-at-china-speed-brings-se=
a-changes-to-science/
<https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/university-research-at-china-speed-brings-se=
a-changes-to-science/>*

*University research at China speed brings sea changes to science*With
Trump=E2=80=99s disdain for elite schools diminishing the likes of Harvard,=
 Chinese
universities get 9 of 10 top Nature Index global ranks
*by Han Feizi <https://asiatimes.com/author/han-feizi/> June 17, 2026*
*The Chinese campus that has topped Harvard in the Nature Index reseaarch
ratings. Photo: Zhejiang University*

*I was just guessing at numbers and figures*

*Pulling the puzzles apart*

*Questions of science, science and progress*

*Do not speak as loud as my heart*

*=E2=80=93 Coldplay*

*Nine of the world=E2=80=99s current top,-ten-ranked research universities =
are in
China, according to the recently released 2026 Nature Index.*

*For the first time since the index was introduced, Harvard is no longer
the number one ranked university. Zhejiang University (ZJU) has taken its
place.*

*China=E2=80=99s share of research papers published in the 178 top journals=
 of
the Nature Index is now over twice that of the US.*

*When Nature launched its index in 2015, China=E2=80=99s share of papers pu=
blished
in top journals was 37% of the US share. China took the lead in 2023 and,
by 2025, lapped the US.*

*In 2025, China=E2=80=99s share increased 22.4% year-on-year versus 4.2% fo=
r the
US.*

*Because total papers in the index grew 10.8%, growth rates below that
indicate a relative decline in the rankings. All countries in the top 20
besides China grew by single digit percentages (or fell). Mainstream media
outlets like the Economist and the New York Times have written feature
articles on the rise of Chinese universities using the Nature Index and the
similar Leiden Rankings (citations rather than publications in top
journals).*

*The mainstream media seem to have moved on from legacy rankings like Times
Higher Education (founded in 1971 as a supplement of The Times of London
but spun off in 2008 as an independent publication), US News and QS. These
rankings are fruity, arbitrarily weighing subjective factors like academic
reputation, employer reputation and =E2=80=9Clearning environment=E2=80=9D =
along with
peculiar metrics like international student percentage and number of
Nobel/Fields Medal winners.*

*Legacy rankings have become long in the tooth, spitting out the usual
suspects for decades (Ivy plus, Oxbridge and a few elite US state schools)
while China turned the world upside down. On purchasing power parity,
China=E2=80=99s economy has surpassed that of the US (likely far more than
reported, see here
<https://asiatimes.com/2025/12/first-and-second-largest-economies-in-charts=
-and-figures/>,
here
<https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/skull-chart-math-behind-trumps-climbdown-on-=
all-things-china/>
and here
<https://asiatimes.com/2024/06/whats-the-real-size-of-chinas-economy/>).*

*China has moved up the value chain, dominating industry after industry
from EVs to electronics to clean energy. It is giving the US a run for its
money in AI and drug discovery and is on the cutting edge of future
technologies including quantum computing and nuclear fusion.*

*As if preserved in amber, the top 10 universities in the Times Higher
Education rankings are unchanged from 2004 to 2026. That Oxford and
Cambridge are ranked in the top 5 by Times Higher Education while the UK
economy has stagnated for decades (20 year 0.6% real per capita GDP CAGR
vs. 7.4% for China) should make everyone question whether methodologies are
reflecting actual educational quality and research outcomes.*
[image: image.png]

*To be clear, while the Nature Index (and Leiden Rankings) are far more
objective, they are also focused much more narrowly. They do not claim to
tell you where little Jimmy should apply to college. They do not =E2=80=9Cm=
easure=E2=80=9D
reputation. They do not care one whit about undergraduates and their
=E2=80=9Clearning environment=E2=80=9D or class sizes. They do not care wha=
t percent of
research is done by international students or Nobel laureates.*

*They also do not measure efficiency. ZJU eked out a win over Harvard for
the top spot with over three times the number of PhD students. The Nature
Index is not about prestige. If you want a prestigious PhD, go to Harvard.
If a nation wants to create a powerhouse research institution, then
replicate ZJU.*

*China=E2=80=99s surge up the Nature Index rankings is just a math problem
reflecting the explosive growth of the nation=E2=80=99s tertiary education.=
*

*Since 2000, the number of annual STEM graduates in China has increased
almost tenfold.*
Not just sunshine and rainbows

*All, however, is not sunshine and rainbows in China=E2=80=99s scientific
community. In May of this year, academia in China was rocked by Classmate
Geng, a PhD dropout and influencer on BiliBili (China=E2=80=99s YouTube), w=
ho tore
through China=E2=80=99s rising academic stars =E2=80=93 Changjiang scholars=
 and National
Science Foundation (NSFC) distinguished young scholars =E2=80=93 with accus=
ations
of academic fraud.*
*Geng Tongxue, AKA Classmate Geng. Photo: BiliBili / The East is Read*

*Using methods sophisticated (AI statistical software) and simple
(eyeballing repeated data), Student Geng was able to take down star
researchers at top universities including Sun-Yat Sun, Nankai and Tongji
(Nature Index 11th, 20th and 21st). Four professors were demoted (three
lost deanships) and multiple postdocs were fired. Blood has been spilled.
 *

*While the number of graduates should be plateauing, they will continue to
outnumber retiring STEM workers for decades to come. It remains to be seen
at what level China=E2=80=99s Nature Index rankings plateau but given known
demographics, we will know in the 2040s.*

*At the height of Classmate Geng=E2=80=99s rampage, Xinhua News interviewed=
 him,
granting, in effect, a state imprimatur on his efforts.*

*Eminent neurobiologist Rao Yi, a former dean of Peking University=E2=80=99=
s School
of Life Sciences, lent his voice to Classmate Geng, accusing Chinese
researchers of not just producing the most fraudulent research but having
the highest proportion of fraud as well. Calling China=E2=80=99s research
environment rotten to the core, Rao Yi lamented a culture of researchers
trained to keep their heads down, scratch one another=E2=80=99s backs and s=
hare
spoils (awards, funding, and promotions) among crony networks.*

*Classmate Geng himself is more pragmatic, suggesting methodological
protocols to prevent fraud =E2=80=93 namely, requiring different people to
replicate experiments. Because of Classmate Geng, academic journals in
China are requiring co-authors to certify that they take full
accountability for fraud and have verified all raw data.*

*Universities implemented mandatory training on data integrity and
reproducibility. Regulatory bodies stepped up random data auditing for key
research projects, focusing on Changjiang scholars and NSFC distinguished
young scholars.*

*For decades, China=E2=80=99s universities implemented an all-balls,
pedal-to-the-metal, publish or perish, hunger games incentive system for
academic researchers. This worked perhaps too well. China produced 831,600
Science Citation Index (SCI, ~9,500 key journals) papers in 2025, a 27-fold
increase from 2000. In 2000, China accounted for 2.96% (fractional
collaboration share) of the world=E2=80=99s SCI papers. By 2025, that rose =
to ~26%.*

*China itself publishes ~5,300 Chinese language scientific and technical
journals, indexed by China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), only
382 of which are included in SCI. CNKI papers have increased ~500% between
2000 and 2025, publishing papers of limited interest to international
publications (e.g. local crop studies, high speed rail metallurgy, rare
earths).*

*Since 2000, China has been overhauling academic incentives, moving beyond
quantity KPIs like SCI paper count and citations. China has increased
incentives for publishing in top domestic journals such as National Science
Review and Cell Research. PhD programs are moving away from rigid two SCI
paper quotas to dissertation quality, originality and solving real world
engineering problems. Bibliometric KPIs have shifted to high impact metrics
like top 1% citations, Nature Index contribution and commercial patents.*

*Classmate Geng is shooting fish in a barrel. An incentive structure that
increased paper output 27-fold since 2000, carried by a 10-fold increase in
STEM graduates, has evidently poured beer with a thick head of foam.
According to the Economist, Classmate Geng estimates one in ten papers by
distinguished scholars is fraudulent.*

*In a speech, Rao Yi declared that China deserves world records for both
scientific progress and academic misconduct. The problem, according to Rao,
is that miscreants are not held accountable in the =E2=80=9Csee no evil, he=
ar no
evil=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9CI=E2=80=99ll scratch your back if you=E2=80=99ll=
 scratch mine=E2=80=9D environment
formed in the extreme publish-or-perish crucible.*

*Now that Classmate Geng=E2=80=99s exposure of China=E2=80=99s most disting=
uished scholars
has left universities meting out bloody professional punishment and
disgruntled graduate students feeling newly empowered on PubPeer, a sword
of Damocles hangs over researchers tempted to cut corners. Chickens have
been killed. We will see if the monkeys are scared.*

*All things considered, however, China=E2=80=99s intense publish-or-perish
pressures as it expanded its research infrastructure by an order of
magnitude was absolutely the correct policy. To move at China speed and lap
the US in the Nature Index in one generation is an astonishing
accomplishment, even if 10% of research is fraudulent. You might not like
how it=E2=80=99s made but the proof is in the pudding as China dominates in=
dustry
after industry.*
Stable genius=E2=80=99s revenge tour of US academia

*At the same time that China has flipped the scientific world on its head
and is optimizing incentives for future advances while spilling blood to
contain fraud, the US is gutting its research universities by slashing
scientific funding.*

*The Trump administration had proposed budget cuts for the National
Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) by
39.3% and 56.9%, respectively. Although Congress rejected those deep budget
cuts, the administration has used workarounds =E2=80=93 administrative mech=
anisms,
grant freezes and executive actions =E2=80=93 to disrupt funding.This has r=
esulted
in an expected budgetary shortfall at MIT of $300 million forcing the
school to reduce graduate student intake by 500 (~20%). Harvard has also
reported =E2=80=9Csignificantly reduced=E2=80=9D PhD admissions.*

*After failing to secure large budget cuts requested for 2026, the Trump
administration is trying again in 2027, asking for budget cuts of 55% to
NSF, 23% to NASA, 15% to the Department of Energy Office of Science and a
12% to the NIH. To add insult to injury, the Trump administration is
proposing to give political appointees at the Office of Management and
Budget decision power over Federal science funding. All of this has little
to do with curbing government waste and everything to do with President
Trump=E2=80=99s disdain for elite universities.*

*The near-term impact of budget and bureaucratic self-sabotage will be
Harvard falling out of the top five and MIT dropping below 20 in the Nature
Index rankings. The long term impact could be US universities surrendering
their position as destination schools for the world=E2=80=99s brightest min=
ds and
cementing scientific leadership in China.*

--000000000000a398c606547cc9cc
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/univers=
ity-research-at-china-speed-brings-sea-changes-to-science/" target=3D"_blan=
k">https://asiatimes.com/2026/06/university-research-at-china-speed-brings-=
sea-changes-to-science/</a></font></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"lt=
r"><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 styl=
e=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%=
;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>Universit=
y research at China speed brings sea changes to science</i></font></h1><h2 =
style=3D"color:rgba(27,27,27,0.65);line-height:1.27275em;max-width:100%"><f=
ont size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">With Trump=E2=80=99s disdain for eli=
te schools diminishing the likes of Harvard, Chinese universities get 9 of =
10 top Nature Index global ranks</font></h2><div style=3D"margin-bottom:1.4=
5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><div style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:=
100%;display:inline"><div style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline=
"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%=
"></span><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%"><span style=3D"margin:0p=
x;max-width:100%">by</span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"margin:0px;max=
-width:100%"><a href=3D"https://asiatimes.com/author/han-feizi/" style=3D"t=
ext-decoration:none;margin:0px;color:rgb(27,27,27);max-width:100%;display:i=
nline" target=3D"_blank">Han Feizi</a></span><span>=C2=A0</span></span><spa=
n style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%">June 17, 2026</span></b></font></div>=
</div></div><img width=3D"412" height=3D"232" src=3D"https://i0.wp.com/asia=
times.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/721465691_1462009389293960_40710646350=
12644854_n-copy-e1781625564937.jpeg?fit=3D780%2C439&amp;ssl=3D1" alt=3D"" s=
tyle=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"><span style=3D"max-width=
:100%;margin-top:0.25em;margin-bottom:0.25em"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"=
><b>The Chinese campus that has topped Harvard in the Nature Index reseaarc=
h ratings. Photo: Zhejiang University</b></font></span><p style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><em style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"geor=
gia, serif"><b>I was just guessing at numbers and figures</b></font></em></=
p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><em style=3D"max-width:10=
0%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Pulling the puzzles apart</b></font></=
em></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><em style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Questions of science, science and=
 progress</b></font></em></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)=
"><em style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Do not spea=
k as loud as my heart</b></font></em></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:r=
gb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>=E2=80=93 Coldplay</b></font=
></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia,=
 serif"><b>Nine of the world=E2=80=99s current top,-ten-ranked research uni=
versities are in China, according to the recently released=C2=A02026 Nature=
 Index.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font=
 face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>For the first time since the index was introduc=
ed, Harvard is no longer the number one ranked university. Zhejiang Univers=
ity (ZJU) has taken its place.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;col=
or:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>China=E2=80=99s share of=
 research papers published in the 178 top journals of the=C2=A0Nature Index=
=C2=A0is now over twice that of the US.</b></font></p><img width=3D"412" he=
ight=3D"249" src=3D"https://i0.wp.com/asiatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026=
/06/image-copy-2.jpg?resize=3D780%2C472&amp;ssl=3D1" alt=3D"" style=3D"marg=
in:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb=
(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>When Nature launched its index=
 in 2015, China=E2=80=99s share of papers published in top journals was 37%=
 of the US share. China took the lead in 2023 and, by 2025, lapped the US.<=
/b></font></p><img width=3D"412" height=3D"247" src=3D"https://i0.wp.com/as=
iatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/image-1-copy.jpg?resize=3D780%2C468&=
amp;ssl=3D1" alt=3D"" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif=
"><b>In 2025, China=E2=80=99s share increased 22.4% year-on-year versus 4.2=
% for the US.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"=
><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Because total papers in the index grew 10=
.8%, growth rates below that indicate a relative decline in the rankings. A=
ll countries in the top 20 besides China grew by single digit percentages (=
or fell). Mainstream media outlets like the Economist=C2=A0and=C2=A0the New=
 York Times=C2=A0have written feature articles on the rise of Chinese unive=
rsities using the=C2=A0Nature Index=C2=A0and the similar=C2=A0Leiden Rankin=
gs=C2=A0(citations rather than publications in top journals).</b></font></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, ser=
if"><b>The mainstream media seem to have moved on from legacy rankings like=
=C2=A0Times Higher Education (founded in 1971 as a supplement of The Times =
of London but spun off in 2008 as an independent publication),=C2=A0US News=
=C2=A0and=C2=A0QS. These rankings are fruity, arbitrarily weighing subjecti=
ve factors like academic reputation, employer reputation and =E2=80=9Clearn=
ing environment=E2=80=9D along with peculiar metrics like international stu=
dent percentage and number of Nobel/Fields Medal winners.</b></font></p><p =
style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=
<b>Legacy rankings have become long in the tooth, spitting out the usual su=
spects for decades (Ivy plus, Oxbridge and a few elite US state schools) wh=
ile China turned the world upside down. On purchasing power parity, China=
=E2=80=99s economy has surpassed that of the US (likely far more than repor=
ted, see=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://asiatimes.com/2025/12/first-and-second-lar=
gest-economies-in-charts-and-figures/" rel=3D"noreferrer noopener" style=3D=
"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blan=
k">here</a>,=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/skull-chart-math=
-behind-trumps-climbdown-on-all-things-china/" rel=3D"noreferrer noopener" =
style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=
=3D"_blank">here</a>=C2=A0and=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://asiatimes.com/2024/06=
/whats-the-real-size-of-chinas-economy/" rel=3D"noreferrer noopener" style=
=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_b=
lank">here</a>).</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,2=
7)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>China has moved up the value chain, do=
minating industry after industry from EVs to electronics to clean energy. I=
t is giving the US a run for its money in AI and drug discovery and is on t=
he cutting edge of future technologies including quantum computing and nucl=
ear fusion.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><=
font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>As if preserved in amber, the top 10 univer=
sities in=C2=A0the Times Higher Education=C2=A0rankings are unchanged from =
2004 to 2026. That Oxford and Cambridge are ranked in the top 5 by Times Hi=
gher Education=C2=A0while the UK economy has stagnated for decades (20 year=
 0.6% real per capita=C2=A0GDP CAGR vs. 7.4% for China) should make everyon=
e question whether methodologies are reflecting actual educational quality =
and research outcomes.</b></font></p><img src=3D"https://mail.google.com/ma=
il/u/0?ui=3D2&amp;ik=3Daac59745ab&amp;attid=3D0.5&amp;permmsgid=3Dmsg-f:186=
8161157943945591&amp;th=3D19ed0aacda6e6977&amp;view=3Dfimg&amp;fur=3Dip&amp=
;permmsgid=3Dmsg-f:1868161157943945591&amp;sz=3Ds0-l75-ft&amp;attbid=3DANGj=
dJ8NA1BUh8p8-FLVOFG9vJIUMJWO2U5U3qWrdJuMbmmqnxCGJ-8Ppi2ZqfP2RJV8eOpMkwBFG6Q=
OFKv6ZNpdfYyAuoEAMqQLxtwvRa6g5HLhucTkwh94nmSawC8&amp;disp=3Demb&amp;realatt=
id=3Dii_mqext44g5&amp;zw" alt=3D"image.png" style=3D"max-width:100%;margin:=
0.5em auto;display:block;height:auto"><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>To be clear, while the Nature I=
ndex (and Leiden Rankings) are far more objective, they are also focused mu=
ch more narrowly. They do not claim to tell you where little Jimmy should a=
pply to college. They do not =E2=80=9Cmeasure=E2=80=9D reputation. They do =
not care one whit about undergraduates and their =E2=80=9Clearning environm=
ent=E2=80=9D or class sizes. They do not care what percent of research is d=
one by international students or Nobel laureates.</b></font></p><p style=3D=
"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>They =
also do not measure efficiency. ZJU eked out a win over Harvard for the top=
 spot with over three times the number of PhD students. The Nature Index is=
 not about prestige. If you want a prestigious PhD, go to Harvard. If a nat=
ion wants to create a powerhouse research institution, then replicate ZJU.<=
/b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D=
"georgia, serif"><b>China=E2=80=99s surge up the Nature Index rankings is j=
ust a math problem reflecting the explosive growth of the nation=E2=80=99s =
tertiary education.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,2=
7,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Since 2000, the number of annual ST=
EM graduates in China has increased almost tenfold.</b></font></p><h4 style=
=3D"margin:1em 0px;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgi=
a, serif">Not just sunshine and rainbows</font></h4><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>All, however, is =
not sunshine and rainbows in China=E2=80=99s scientific community. In May o=
f this year, academia in China was rocked by Classmate Geng, a PhD dropout =
and influencer on BiliBili (China=E2=80=99s YouTube), who tore through Chin=
a=E2=80=99s rising academic stars =E2=80=93 Changjiang scholars and Nationa=
l Science Foundation (NSFC) distinguished young scholars =E2=80=93 with acc=
usations of academic fraud.</b></font></p><img width=3D"412" height=3D"232"=
 src=3D"https://i0.wp.com/asiatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1735a69e=
-f0bc-4d57-b069-b6ae384199c5_2560x1440.jpg?resize=3D780%2C439&amp;ssl=3D1" =
alt=3D"" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"><font face=3D"=
georgia, serif"><b>Geng Tongxue, AKA Classmate Geng. Photo: BiliBili / The =
East is Read</b></font><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><fon=
t face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Using methods sophisticated (AI statistical so=
ftware) and simple (eyeballing repeated data), Student Geng was able to tak=
e down star researchers at top universities including Sun-Yat Sun, Nankai a=
nd Tongji (Nature Index 11th, 20th and 21st). Four professors were demoted =
(three lost deanships) and multiple postdocs were fired. Blood has been spi=
lled.=C2=A0 =C2=A0</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27=
,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>While the number of graduates should=
 be plateauing, they will continue to outnumber retiring STEM workers for d=
ecades to come. It remains to be seen at what level China=E2=80=99s Nature =
Index rankings plateau but given known demographics, we will know in the 20=
40s.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><b>At the height of Classmate Geng=E2=80=99s rampage,=
 Xinhua News interviewed him, granting, in effect, a state imprimatur on hi=
s efforts.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><f=
ont face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Eminent neurobiologist Rao Yi, a former dean=
 of Peking University=E2=80=99s School of Life Sciences, lent his voice to =
Classmate Geng, accusing Chinese researchers of not just producing the most=
 fraudulent research but having the highest proportion of fraud as well. Ca=
lling China=E2=80=99s research environment rotten to the core, Rao Yi lamen=
ted a culture of researchers trained to keep their heads down, scratch one =
another=E2=80=99s backs and share spoils (awards, funding, and promotions) =
among crony networks.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27=
,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Classmate Geng himself is more pr=
agmatic, suggesting methodological protocols to prevent fraud =E2=80=93 nam=
ely, requiring different people to replicate experiments. Because of Classm=
ate Geng, academic journals in China are requiring co-authors to certify th=
at they take full accountability for fraud and have verified all raw data.<=
/b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D=
"georgia, serif"><b>Universities implemented mandatory training on data int=
egrity and reproducibility. Regulatory bodies stepped up random data auditi=
ng for key research projects, focusing on Changjiang scholars and NSFC dist=
inguished young scholars.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rg=
b(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>For decades, China=E2=80=99s =
universities implemented an all-balls, pedal-to-the-metal, publish or peris=
h, hunger games incentive system for academic researchers. This worked perh=
aps too well. China produced 831,600 Science Citation Index (SCI, ~9,500 ke=
y journals) papers in 2025, a 27-fold increase from 2000. In 2000, China ac=
counted for 2.96% (fractional collaboration share) of the world=E2=80=99s S=
CI papers. By 2025, that rose to ~26%.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:=
100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>China itself pub=
lishes ~5,300 Chinese language scientific and technical journals, indexed b=
y China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), only 382 of which are inc=
luded in SCI. CNKI papers have increased ~500% between 2000 and 2025, publi=
shing papers of limited interest to international publications (e.g. local =
crop studies, high speed rail metallurgy, rare earths).</b></font></p><p st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b=
>Since 2000, China has been overhauling academic incentives, moving beyond =
quantity KPIs like SCI paper count and citations. China has increased incen=
tives for publishing in top domestic journals such as=C2=A0<em style=3D"max=
-width:100%">National Science Review</em>=C2=A0and=C2=A0<em style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%">Cell Research</em>. PhD programs are moving away from rigid two S=
CI paper quotas to dissertation quality, originality and solving real world=
 engineering problems. Bibliometric KPIs have shifted to high impact metric=
s like top 1% citations, Nature Index contribution and commercial patents.<=
/b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D=
"georgia, serif"><b>Classmate Geng is shooting fish in a barrel. An incenti=
ve structure that increased paper output 27-fold since 2000, carried by a 1=
0-fold increase in STEM graduates, has evidently poured beer with a thick h=
ead of foam. According to=C2=A0the Economist, Classmate Geng estimates one =
in ten papers by distinguished scholars is fraudulent.</b></font></p><p sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>=
In a speech, Rao Yi declared that China deserves world records for both sci=
entific progress and academic misconduct. The problem, according to Rao, is=
 that miscreants are not held accountable in the =E2=80=9Csee no evil, hear=
 no evil=E2=80=9D and =E2=80=9CI=E2=80=99ll scratch your back if you=E2=80=
=99ll scratch mine=E2=80=9D environment formed in the extreme publish-or-pe=
rish crucible.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)=
"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Now that Classmate Geng=E2=80=99s exposu=
re of China=E2=80=99s most distinguished scholars has left universities met=
ing out bloody professional punishment and disgruntled graduate students fe=
eling newly empowered on PubPeer, a sword of Damocles hangs over researcher=
s tempted to cut corners. Chickens have been killed. We will see if the mon=
keys are scared.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,2=
7)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>All things considered, however, China=
=E2=80=99s intense publish-or-perish pressures as it expanded its research =
infrastructure by an order of magnitude was absolutely the correct policy. =
To move at China speed and lap the US in the Nature Index in one generation=
 is an astonishing accomplishment, even if 10% of research is fraudulent. Y=
ou might not like how it=E2=80=99s made but the proof is in the pudding as =
China dominates industry after industry.</b></font></p><h4 style=3D"margin:=
1em 0px;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif">S=
table genius=E2=80=99s revenge tour of US academia</font></h4><p style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>At the =
same time that China has flipped the scientific world on its head and is op=
timizing incentives for future advances while spilling blood to contain fra=
ud, the US is gutting its research universities by slashing scientific fund=
ing.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The Trump administration had proposed budget cuts =
for the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundat=
ion (NSF) by 39.3% and 56.9%, respectively. Although Congress rejected thos=
e deep budget cuts, the administration has used workarounds =E2=80=93 admin=
istrative mechanisms, grant freezes and executive actions =E2=80=93 to disr=
upt funding.This has resulted in an expected budgetary shortfall at MIT of =
$300 million forcing the school to reduce graduate student intake by 500 (~=
20%). Harvard has also reported =E2=80=9Csignificantly reduced=E2=80=9D PhD=
 admissions.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)">=
<font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>After failing to secure large budget cuts =
requested for 2026, the Trump administration is trying again in 2027, askin=
g for budget cuts of 55% to NSF, 23% to NASA, 15% to the Department of Ener=
gy Office of Science and a 12% to the NIH. To add insult to injury, the Tru=
mp administration is proposing to give political appointees at the Office o=
f Management and Budget decision power over Federal science funding. All of=
 this has little to do with curbing government waste and everything to do w=
ith President Trump=E2=80=99s disdain for elite universities.</b></font></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, ser=
if"><b>The near-term impact of budget and bureaucratic self-sabotage will b=
e Harvard falling out of the top five and MIT dropping below 20 in the Natu=
re Index rankings. The long term impact could be US universities surrenderi=
ng their position as destination schools for the world=E2=80=99s brightest =
minds and cementing scientific leadership in China.</b></font></p></div></d=
iv>
</div>
</div></div>

--000000000000a398c606547cc9cc--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 18:11:35 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 16A18B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:11:35 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 16A18B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="QfOVqTIr"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id F415FBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:11:34 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f45.google.com (mail-ej1-f45.google.com
 [209.85.218.45])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 7D61FBD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:11:34 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f45.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bec3f69d343so42661166b.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:11:34 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781745093; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=af4hNaCkOFIEShrR0PsaIYB11/1WDgktPdGfp+G8mdm8SnTGAGuTgvbp5iJ4LUgrcD
 GjfsnpVq0hkh61CSJlwA8dOfkUWY8UJsrdpzeB9LOmnBLi01hUeALYlh5LbcXgC259mG
 feiAKbQ8AQCWH18W0CpKRy/3h7C/TMrSU7tXEkjlIjvD/N4lnLQEoxAkVwgE0vB6noTQ
 FS690rge97R5bJT8SdPVEGymYkIh3rKxeX/MiCODKXi4NOeSxMyextgAKSnMeXn0QMkG
 Ue0vinUKy0pUGDlZaQ/kfGLK4s8ntEJAQuEycMJncsxJN4lv0rlOs34xx1pUVHogQxPD
 SHhw==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=No9Yh4slV8AOjZNNrfj40Z4fAZBugWrPScNO4RqQEgA=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=h3EEdFbITjmHrBR3H75ydt5HK2ZsT/bUOxWQkFg1zrc/kGreowGJ7kHBtg8nSh+xWq
 4FOzeyDKbRxevpSUhOpV49xORcI4TOw5mfVrv458fiorVXrsVdTeAWvlHje1W9ErQ+P0
 TXOR1ej6ei4sanIjKH9Y2/jobJgW3W5uwZF18jsYMpQjtukWgGYAhk7C9/ehP1yQA1ql
 k1+Q4PEYLM7+PCdqvH2AuBJLd3oJL416PPVCRPnIo8j6KsFxZr3pPaQ2qSu9oIJqHRbn
 CyxeHyaVy/sp6vPydY9UPG9BX17aURB/An5aFm3NUo3kw206Sb2VN33MklLEBAONO8bo
 urqA==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781745093; x=1782349893; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=No9Yh4slV8AOjZNNrfj40Z4fAZBugWrPScNO4RqQEgA=;
 b=QfOVqTIrSQgyWuZNqy4YXRTghNMAAGQu6psRTaQRJEWxH58H5fZ7E/0Qzsjf+UBxzd
 u9WOARmL/IqFzdK8VxEWr97Gt1GUvIDGgxkFUQ80prPKNdTkARyLLIRqm7P9nNIebxXG
 YtRBEQh2UPEwDkb9Shv+Mk6RdH9CwwAx7/PlIM05nmve5UOd9379ZTBp0NcMPDUPzwet
 9Q5AwhKkRHyOVvh+eXjsTtqTW6lKgt3lB1cURoHhe51R+UDBeyBiku0QCDEJ6JQizTa9
 eFedMTEpRcMEjgcA1On9aAXt0MBRnA40EDk10TiRPotobR86eaz4ewZ3R9/Z5cnOhkM8
 pgFQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781745093; x=1782349893;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=No9Yh4slV8AOjZNNrfj40Z4fAZBugWrPScNO4RqQEgA=;
 b=X7AQKr9P/V/qiMLA3kjWoHWljI8lbFOUHsZBKUXIeWQfm+5K4YOZk03aXPHPhLEK/W
 ZxMEq4mUGtzJM83BIT0W/Ds/Ft029cSQr4Ag89LVblqMBm3EqOhxT7TGDBEFsLkxbthA
 2C1MdG4o9H2HDBQjmrxF3KNz399wxxZPJ+Q8DqaZgonpKefnSpGxhOLL0MvpSNaiu7Ga
 h8AU/kiT1uS4XhpEy00yQ9EpYQ7WShyp6V0riTLjw+S98a149T5Zjx/1fWY3yYCT68XG
 1qUis3WtQCP2IOaSmBehxpSARTGcdyJJCyrVPmquUZbD0MXsYNyXR0cfTLKJlcsdCEIj
 xscw==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YyqC/TRqfyXa/FzqTcMvDLwKiaiUWJ7n9RBaZZc8hB4YfIf9/Cq
 L62TTLmPuBZzODVoOIUgfHS0nS2+6KQ3KmdQ2+O8GBQM8Bl2nVqPhi7zafrjqzQwgeqHkJFvviI
 JcJDptpwYZly0AM1+ZbSRm1MyNBKfLQ1E2t0VWPUZZw==
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7cnXnblHxJ/XBh7QLT2D9nlro4zsWL+lxsn0X6w5xxyGA41ZMrOkE0ESXaAdRmo
 aKXShhO5YPAgAj4CF367i/ABW9uyjOR0VFzl6Df+9al75wipAaErFD1ON8SF31wIFEYXUsk5HXR
 V2zPt2i3EQ/vFgzXHKld7cxIlIxL6fbpwfjtUx98aLOs1zLIEW+ed1gBEr3HV83gU2bM7/zB4qP
 HA6FxjgBu3Xxl1ueKmbWMDcZrvjbrg+hfL2OFu+gLooIJLGBu6W6Vm+q04MRqgmqJwVDAtc6/1M
 3HOeVuT1evoDfO/subWEnYCypYRZ9Ei/Kpr3+4eTvlJTOIsjDv5HmrSs99MeKFu7gezikwgAmHv
 7eLoFK3ItX+Wf9CWmN13j/s01mZy7Bcva9lKkWVTK6Z4nFLzt/pVS8ylnR/RK+536bA47BeNwOS
 hdgkxIJu5SEqD+ak79zoL6e0bmcL1m7n5ML6iPqQps17sz5ivpdq2bxBD77+bAgoGUjO2kGmBJ0
 RcUtX9nUgfh3OjinQnZEYfbciffKn9YuN5rLTv+Ds/sSGk=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:72c7:b0:bfb:bca0:5a04 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c074c82072fmr67661166b.29.1781745092416; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 18:11:32 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:11:16 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cd6GHZhyMYOOvOuN38C67WHZzeXdy53plf2LCM7wxaRCRLGyiA8kwjVoDI
Message-ID: <CANbmmQnBDMbnDVpzcgmNFokWH3Lat4q54fdwXLK++7CSY3mdug@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000005057fa06547cdba8"
Subject: [Salon] Indonesia Unrest: From Hormuz to Malacca, the Next Front?
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:11:35 -0000

--0000000000005057fa06547cdba8
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Global Geopolitics <ggtvstreams@substack.com>
Unsubscribe
2:02=E2=80=AFAM (19 hours ago)
to me
View in browser
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9nZ3R2c3RyZWFtcy5zdWJzdG=
Fjay5jb20vcC9pbmRvbmVzaWEtdW5yZXN0LWZyb20taG9ybXV6LXRvLW1hbGFjY2E_dXRtX2Nhb=
XBhaWduPWVtYWlsLXBvc3Qmcj0xZW9nYiZ0b2tlbj1leUoxYzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME5Ea3hM=
Q0p3YjNOMFgybGtJam95TURJek5URTBNVFVzSW1saGRDSTZNVGM0TVRZM05qRTBPQ3dpWlhod0l=
qb3hOemcwTWpZNE1UUTRMQ0pwYzNNaU9pSndkV0l0TWpjeU16a3dPQ0lzSW5OMVlpSTZJbkJ2Yz=
NRdGNtVmhZM1JwYjI0aWZRLk1JRmxhUDIyNzZKMHU2Z1lTVHlIVU53NGJueUZvaVZra0RkT2xrR=
nlyTkkiLCJwIjoyMDIzNTE0MTUsInMiOjI3MjM5MDgsImYiOmZhbHNlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJp=
YXQiOjE3ODE2NzYxNDgsImV4cCI6MjA5NzI1MjE0OCwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5=
rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.BZrHGHREj3eXIvFPj9hPfCrsfS2hqDwTw8HZyitLpug?>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2723908&post_id=3D2023=
51415&utm_source=3Dpodcast-email&play_audio=3Dtrue&r=3D1eogb&utm_campaign=
=3Demail-play-on-substack&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyM=
DIzNTE0MTUsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjY4MTQ4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjcy=
MzkwOCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.MIFlaP2276J0u6gYSTyHUNw4bnyFoiVkkDdO=
lkFyrNI>

Watch now
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2723908&post_id=3D2023=
51415&utm_source=3Dpodcast-email&play_audio=3Dtrue&r=3D1eogb&utm_campaign=
=3Demail-play-on-substack&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyM=
DIzNTE0MTUsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjY4MTQ4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjcy=
MzkwOCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.MIFlaP2276J0u6gYSTyHUNw4bnyFoiVkkDdO=
lkFyrNI&utm_content=3Dwatch_now_button>


Indonesia Unrest: From Hormuz to Malacca, the Next Front?
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2723908&post_id=3D2023=
51415&utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&isFreem=
ail=3Dfalse&r=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIzN=
TE0MTUsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjY4MTQ4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjcyMzkw=
OCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.MIFlaP2276J0u6gYSTyHUNw4bnyFoiVkkDdOlkFy=
rNI>How
Washington's drive for maritime dominance, from the Persian Gulf to
Southeast Asia - is pulling Indonesia into a widening contest for power and
influence.

Global GeoPolitics <https://substack.com/@globalgeopolitic>
Jun 17
=E2=88=99
Paid
<https://substack.com/@globalgeopolitic>

<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2723908&post_id=3D2023=
51415&utm_source=3Dsubstack&isFreemail=3Dfalse&submitLike=3Dtrue&token=3Dey=
J1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIzNTE0MTUsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi4p2kIiwia=
WF0IjoxNzgxNjc2MTQ4LCJleHAiOjE3ODQyNjgxNDgsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yNzIzOTA4Iiwic3Vi=
IjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.ER4jyLXW2DknZG5xQ1_K0hx6-rNbKdj_0V0S4GypVAw&utm_medium=
=3Demail&utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&r=3D1eogb>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2723908&post_id=3D2023=
51415&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&isFreemail=3Dfalse&comments=
=3Dtrue&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIzNTE0MTUsImlhdCI=
6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjY4MTQ4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjcyMzkwOCIsInN1YiI6In=
Bvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.MIFlaP2276J0u6gYSTyHUNw4bnyFoiVkkDdOlkFyrNI&r=3D1eogb&=
utm_campaign=3Demail-half-magic-comments&action=3Dpost-comment&utm_source=
=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2723908&post_id=3D2023=
51415&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dshare&utm_camp=
aign=3Demail-share&action=3Dshare&triggerShare=3Dtrue&isFreemail=3Dfalse&r=
=3D1eogb&token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIzNTE0MTUsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjY4MTQ4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjcyMzkwOCIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.MIFlaP2276J0u6gYSTyHUNw4bnyFoiVkkDdOlkFyrNI>
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS=
9wdWIvZ2d0dnN0cmVhbXMvcC9pbmRvbmVzaWEtdW5yZXN0LWZyb20taG9ybXV6LXRvLW1hbGFjY=
2E_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1zdWJzdGFjayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFp=
bC1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmYWN0aW9uPXJlc3RhY2stY29tbWVudCZyPTFlb2diJnRva2VuPWV=
5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3lNelkwTkRreExDSndiM04wWDJsa0lqb3lNREl6TlRFME1UVXNJbWxoZE=
NJNk1UYzRNVFkzTmpFME9Dd2laWGh3SWpveE56ZzBNalk0TVRRNExDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNa=
mN5TXprd09DSXNJbk4xWWlJNkluQnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBiMjRpZlEuTUlGbGFQMjI3NkowdTZn=
WVNUeUhVTnc0Ym55Rm9pVmtrRGRPbGtGeXJOSSIsInAiOjIwMjM1MTQxNSwicyI6MjcyMzkwOCw=
iZiI6ZmFsc2UsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjUyMTQ4LC=
Jpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.AoCASTEJWKXXQxxlwmilU5dmi_=
Yt6bqPTe4ZIiLJP5c?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail>

READ IN APP
<https://open.substack.com/pub/ggtvstreams/p/indonesia-unrest-from-hormuz-t=
o-malacca?utm_source=3Demail&redirect=3Dapp-store&utm_campaign=3Demail-read=
-in-app>


Editorial Analysis | 16 June 2026

The American and Israeli strikes on Iran, launched on 28 February 2026,
produced consequences that extended well beyond the Persian Gulf. By
disrupting transit through the Strait of Hormuz, they elevated every
remaining maritime chokepoint in the global trading system into a subject
of acute strategic interest. The most consequential of those remaining
corridors is the Strait of Malacca. Compressed at its narrowest point, the
Phillips Channel, to a width of 2.8 kilometres, the strait handles
approximately 75 to 80 percent of China=E2=80=99s imported crude oil, along=
 with
roughly a quarter of global seaborne trade measured by volume. China=E2=80=
=99s
dependence on this passage is not incidental. Between 2000 and 2025,
Chinese oil consumption quadrupled from 3.5 million barrels per day to over
15 million barrels per day, and the overwhelming majority of that supply
arrives through Malacca from the Middle East and Africa. Rerouting through
the Lombok or Sunda Straits adds between 1,000 and 1,500 nautical miles and
up to 15 days of transit delay to individual voyages, a cost the Chinese
economy can absorb temporarily but cannot sustain as normal operating
practice.

The geopolitical significance of this dependency is not a recent discovery
in Washington. American strategic literature has discussed what it terms
the =E2=80=9CMalacca Dilemma=E2=80=9D, China=E2=80=99s structural vulnerabi=
lity to maritime
interdiction, for well over two decades. The question after Hormuz is not
whether this vulnerability exists but how actively Washington intends to
exploit it, and whether the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership
formalised between the United States and Indonesia at the Pentagon on 13
April 2026 represents one step toward that exploitation. That agreement,
signed by Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and United States
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, establishes frameworks for military
modernisation, joint training, and expanded exercises including Super
Garuda Shield, in which American forces conducted the first live firing of
the FIM-92 Stinger missile on Indonesian soil during the August 2025
iteration. On the same day as the signing, Jakarta confirmed that
Washington and Jakarta were also negotiating a separate non-binding Letter
of Intent that would extend blanket overflight access to American military
aircraft through Indonesian airspace. The preliminary draft remained under
internal discussion and legally non-binding, the Indonesian Defence
Ministry stated, stressing that full sovereignty over national airspace
would be preserved. Whether that preservation holds against sustained
American pressure is a separate and more important question.

The context behind the airspace negotiations had been apparent since at
least April 2026, when Indonesia=E2=80=99s Foreign Ministry sent an urgent =
and
confidential letter to the Defence Ministry urging extreme caution before
any final arrangement was concluded. The letter noted that American
military aircraft had conducted surveillance operations over the South
China Sea on at least eighteen occasions between January 2024 and April
2025, operations which constituted violations of Indonesian territorial
waters and airspace that had received no adequate response from Washington
despite repeated Indonesian objections. Granting blanket overflight
permission, the Foreign Ministry argued, risked entangling Indonesia
irreversibly in future South China Sea confrontations. Reports in April
2026 suggested that President Prabowo had verbally approved the proposal in
principle during a bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump in
Washington in February, though Jakarta=E2=80=99s official position emphasis=
ed that
nothing had been finalised or rendered legally operative. The ambiguity
itself is informative. Prabowo is attempting to satisfy multiple competing
pressures simultaneously, maintaining American goodwill while preserving
sufficient operational independence to keep options open with Beijing,
Moscow, and other capitals where he has cultivated ties.

Prabowo met Vladimir Putin in April 2026 to discuss oil supply
arrangements, flew to Paris the following day to meet Emmanuel Macron, and
has maintained Indonesia=E2=80=99s historic non-aligned posture while contr=
ibuting
the largest national contingent of troops to Trump=E2=80=99s proposed Gaza
stabilisation force. On Pancasila Day on 2 June 2025, he addressed the
nation with a warning that any outside analyst following Indonesian affairs
would immediately recognise as directed at Washington=E2=80=99s civil socie=
ty
infrastructure. =E2=80=9CWe must not be played by any nation,=E2=80=9D he t=
old the
assembled ceremony at the Foreign Ministry=E2=80=99s Pancasila Building in =
Jakarta.
Foreign nations, he said, remained actively provoking Indonesia, adding
that the long history of colonialism and external interference demonstrated
systematic patterns of division-sowing from outside. Without naming
specific organisations, he described foreign-funded non-governmental bodies
that claimed to promote democracy as operating in practice as instruments
for division and soft-power manipulation. The reference to the National
Endowment for Democracy and associated structures was widely understood in
Jakarta=E2=80=99s political circles even without explicit naming.

The National Endowment for Democracy was established in 1983 under
President Ronald Reagan with the explicit purpose of advancing what
Washington termed democratic movements abroad. Its annual congressional
appropriation reached $315 million in February 2026, distributed across
more than 2,000 grants to non-governmental organisations in over 100
countries. Indonesia appears by name on the NED=E2=80=99s active grant terr=
itory
listing alongside China, Iran, Venezuela, Russia, Myanmar, and other
countries that have been targets of American policy pressure. The
organisation describes itself as a non-governmental body committed to
democratic values, but its board composition, its funding mechanism through
direct congressional appropriation, its coordination with State Department
programming objectives, and its pattern of geographic concentration in
countries experiencing tensions with Washington all invite scrutiny that
NED=E2=80=99s self-description cannot resolve. William Blum, Allen Weinstei=
n, one
of NED=E2=80=99s founders, and others have described its function in terms =
that
diverge markedly from the organisation=E2=80=99s own institutional language=
.
Weinstein told the Washington Post in 1991 that NED was doing openly what
the CIA had previously done covertly. The operational model has not
fundamentally changed in the intervening decades.

NED has been formally expelled from Russia, Venezuela, mainland China, Hong
Kong, Egypt, and other jurisdictions on the grounds that its grant-making
constituted foreign interference in domestic political affairs. In each
case, the pattern involved a period of grant accumulation to civil society
organisations, training programmes for activists and journalists,
coordination with sympathetic media outlets, and the eventual emergence of
street mobilisation that the domestic authorities traced to externally
funded networks. Whether that pattern applies in Indonesia requires
examining what is actually known about NED=E2=80=99s and associated organis=
ations=E2=80=99
activities there, rather than accepting either the Indonesian government=E2=
=80=99s
characterisations or the NED=E2=80=99s own denials at face value.

Internews, a Washington-based non-profit funded primarily through USAID
contracts and historically through NED grants, has operated in Indonesia
for decades. Its flagship programme, the Media Empowerment for Democratic
Integrity and Accountability project, known by the acronym MEDIA, funds
seven implementing partner organisations working across investigative
journalism, public-interest media sustainability, and civil society
accountability operations. The programme is explicitly framed around
democratic governance objectives aligned with USAID priorities. In June
2026, a joint media probe conducted by Tempo magazine, Kompas.com,
Suara.com, Tribunnews.com, and the social media monitoring platform Drone
Emprit, conducted under a European Union-backed media development programme
run by Internews, claimed to have identified foreign information
manipulation campaigns during the August and September 2025 protests. The
probe concluded that pro-Russian and pro-Chinese actors had promoted the
characterisation of those protests as a foreign-backed colour revolution
operation. The Jakarta Post reported the study=E2=80=99s finding that no ev=
idence
had been found linking George Soros=E2=80=99s Open Society Foundations to t=
he
organisation or funding of the 2025 protests.

The analytical problem with this investigation is not whether its specific
factual claims are accurate. The problem is that the probe itself =E2=80=94
conducted to investigate allegations of western interference in Indonesia =
=E2=80=94
was funded by western institutions, coordinated by Internews, and published
through outlets with documented USAID-connected funding relationships.
Tempo in particular was named by the analyst Brian Berletic and the
journalist Angelo Giuliano as having published a hit piece accusing both of
them, along with Nile Bowie, of being Russian or Chinese agents on the
basis that they had reported western political organisations including NED
and Internews as active in Indonesia. The Tempo investigation=E2=80=99s evi=
dence
for those accusations amounted to the claim that the reporting was false.
Yet the investigation discrediting those reporters was produced through
exactly the funding network those reporters had identified. The circularity
of that evidentiary structure is not a small methodological concern. It is
the central concern.

This pattern, in which western-funded media outlets in target countries
attack the credibility of journalists who document western funding
networks, has been observed across multiple theatres over several decades.
In Hong Kong ahead of 2019, in Ukraine ahead of 2014, in Venezuela during
the Chavez and Maduro governments, and in various colour revolution
sequences across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, a recognisable
infrastructure preceded major civil unrest: NED and allied organisation
grants to civil society groups, USAID media development funding, internet
platform algorithm alignment with opposition narratives, and eventual
street mobilisation anchored on genuine domestic grievances but organised
and amplified through externally funded logistics. Whether the August and
September 2025 protests in Indonesia fit this template fully, partially, or
not at all cannot be definitively established without access to financial
records that are not publicly available in granular form. However, the
geographic and temporal correlation between NED=E2=80=99s active Indonesian
programming and the emergence of sustained civil unrest coinciding with
Jakarta=E2=80=99s foreign policy independence signals warrant serious analy=
tical
attention rather than institutional dismissal.

The domestic grievances underlying the 2025 protests in Indonesia were real
and substantial. In August 2025, Prabowo announced new salary and benefit
increases for members of the Indonesian House of Representatives at a
moment when mass unemployment, rising living costs, and economic inequality
were generating widespread frustration. The killing of motorcycle taxi
driver Affan Kurniawan by members of the Indonesian National Police during
protests on 28 August 2025 transformed localised demonstrations into
nationwide mobilisation. According to a September 2025 report by the Centre
for Strategic and International Studies, the unrest resulted in at least
ten deaths and twenty people reported missing, with government buildings
torched across multiple cities and damage estimates reaching 55 billion
rupiah, approximately $3.3 million at prevailing exchange rates. Prabowo
characterised the violence as driven by rioters rather than protesters,
describing what he called signs of unlawful acts tending toward treason and
terrorism. Human Rights Watch=E2=80=99s 2026 World Report documented that s=
ecurity
forces detained thousands of demonstrators while the military
simultaneously conducted operations against a separatist insurgency in
Papua. The compound pressures on the Prabowo government reflected both
genuine popular anger at elite economic behaviour and the calculated
escalation potential that external actors with regime change objectives
exploit once domestic unrest reaches a certain threshold of visibility.

The protests have continued into 2026. In June of that year, approximately
1,500 students demonstrated in Jakarta outlining five demands focused on
fuel and food prices, as the region absorbed the economic shock of doubled
jet fuel costs following the Hormuz disruption. The Indonesian rupiah=E2=80=
=99s
weakness against the dollar has increased the local cost of fuel imports
while modestly benefitting overseas remittance recipients, producing an
asymmetric economic impact across the population. Washington=E2=80=99s tari=
ff
policies under Trump, which analysts noted as undermining Prabowo=E2=80=99s
economic growth projections, added further external pressure to the
domestic fiscal position. These are the material conditions on which
externally assisted civil unrest is historically constructed, not
fabricated from whole cloth but amplified, sustained, and channelled
through organisations that serve strategic objectives quite different from
the welfare of the Indonesian people whose grievances they invoke.

Brian Berletic, writing and broadcasting from Bangkok, has described
Washington=E2=80=99s objectives in the region with consistent analytical pr=
ecision
over several years. His formulation that the United States is engaged in
=E2=80=9Cpolitically capturing Asian states along China=E2=80=99s periphery=
=E2=80=9D and that
Indonesia represents one of those targets identifies a strategic logic
supported by the observable pattern of American relationships with Japan,
South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines, all of which maintain defence
arrangements with Washington that constrain their independent foreign
policy capacity to varying degrees. Berletic=E2=80=99s further observation,=
 posted
to the platform X, that nations need to =E2=80=9Csecure their information s=
pace=E2=80=9D
and resist American social media platform algorithms determining what their
populations see and think is an accurate description of a genuine problem.
American technology platforms function as both commercial enterprises and
instruments of information environment management, with moderation
decisions, algorithmic amplification, and content visibility policies that
consistently favour narratives aligned with American foreign policy
objectives while suppressing or reducing the reach of contrary
perspectives. The BBC and Reuters, both of which maintain significant
Indonesian readership and institutional relationships, have historically
declined to give prominent coverage to documented western political
interference operations in countries subject to American pressure, a
pattern consistent with the described information blackout that obscures
the machinery from broader public view.

The fundamental question for Indonesia over the coming period is whether
Jakarta possesses the institutional capacity, political will, and public
information environment to resist the combined pressure of American
strategic demands, externally funded civil society mobilisation, and a
domestic media landscape significantly penetrated by western programme
money. Prabowo=E2=80=99s balancing act, contributing troops to Washington=
=E2=80=99s Gaza
board while meeting Putin, signing a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership
while insisting on airspace sovereignty, praising American partnership
while warning against foreign manipulation, may be sustainable for a period
but carries the structural weakness of any position that attempts to
satisfy mutually incompatible demands simultaneously. Washington=E2=80=99s =
track
record in dealing with governments that pursue genuine non-alignment rather
than managed accommodation suggests that the patience for Indonesian
independent manoeuvring is limited. The appearance of civil unrest, as
analysts of regime change architecture have consistently observed, is the
preparatory stage of a process that has more severe phases available to it.
Whether Indonesia, with its 280 million people, its command over the
maritime approaches to Malacca, and its history of surviving colonial
interference through multiple imperial iterations, has the coherent
national consciousness and institutional depth to navigate what follows
remains the central uncertainty of Southeast Asian geopolitics in 2026.

Authored By: Global GeoPolitics
<https://open.substack.com/users/247935545-global-geopolitics?utm_source=3D=
mentions>

*If you prefer to make a one time donation in support of my work, you can
do so by clicking any link below*:

https://buymeacoffee.com/ggtv |

https://ko-fi.com/globalgeopolitics |

Bitcoin: 3NiK8BoRZnkwJSHZSekuXKFizGPopkE7ns

*References*

Defence Security Asia. =E2=80=9CStrait of Malacca Under Pressure: US=E2=80=
=93Indonesia
Defense Pact Sparks Fears of New Global Oil Chokepoint Crisis Targeting
China.=E2=80=9D Defence Security Asia, 1 May 2026.
https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/malacca-strait-us-indonesia-defense-pact=
-china-energy-chokepoint-crisis/

Romaniuk, Scott N., L=C3=A1szl=C3=B3 Csicsmann, and Amparo Pamela Fabe. =E2=
=80=9CChina and
Maritime Chokepoints: Hormuz, Malacca, and Indo-Pacific Vulnerability.=E2=
=80=9D The
Diplomat, May 2026.
https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/china-and-maritime-chokepoints-hormuz-malac=
ca-and-indo-pacific-vulnerability/

Kpler Marine Analytics. =E2=80=9CFrom Hormuz to Malacca: the Next Chokepoin=
t Risk.=E2=80=9D
Kpler, 22 April 2026.
https://www.kpler.com/blog/from-hormuz-to-malacca-the-next-chokepoint-risk

SOFX. =E2=80=9CIndonesia Opens Airspace Negotiations With Pentagon Weeks Af=
ter
Prabowo Rejected Foreign Bases.=E2=80=9D SOFX, 14 April 2026.
https://www.sofx.com/indonesia-opens-airspace-negotiations-with-pentagon-we=
eks-after-prabowo-rejected-foreign-bases/

Bangkok Post. =E2=80=9CControversy in Indonesia over US Military Overflight
Proposal.=E2=80=9D Bangkok Post, 14 April 2026.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/3236849/controversy-in-indonesia-over-us-=
military-overflight-proposal

Al Jazeera. =E2=80=9CIndonesia, US Sign =E2=80=98Major=E2=80=99 Defence Coo=
peration Agreement.=E2=80=9D Al
Jazeera, 14 April 2026.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/14/us-indonesia-sign-major-defence-co=
operation-agreement

Australian Strategic Policy Institute. =E2=80=9CIndonesia Shouldn=E2=80=99t=
 Give Blanket
Airspace Access to the US.=E2=80=9D The Strategist, 15 April 2026.
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/indonesia-shouldnt-give-blanket-airspace-=
access-to-the-us/

Al Mayadeen. =E2=80=9CIndonesia Chief Accuses Foreign-Backed NGOs of Fuelin=
g
Division.=E2=80=9D Aletho News, 2 June 2025.
https://alethonews.com/2025/06/02/indonesia-chief-accuses-foreign-backed-ng=
os-of-fueling-division/

ANTARA News. =E2=80=9CDo Not Reduce Pancasila to Mere Slogans: Prabowo.=E2=
=80=9D ANTARA, 2
June 2025.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/357441/do-not-reduce-pancasila-to-mere-sloga=
ns-prabowo

VOI Indonesia. =E2=80=9CSpeech On The Birthday Of Pancasila, Prabowo Remind=
s The
Dangers Of Foreign Influence.=E2=80=9D VOI, 2 June 2025.
https://voi.id/en/news/486062

National Endowment for Democracy. 2025 Annual Report. NED, 2026.
https://www.ned.org/national-endowment-for-democracy-2025-annual-report/

Global Research. =E2=80=9CNational Endowment for Democracy =E2=80=94 NGO Fu=
nded by
Taxpayers.=E2=80=9D Global Research, 2 March 2026.
https://www.globalresearch.ca/national-endowment-democracy-ngo-funding-taxp=
ayers/5917494

CGTN. =E2=80=9CReality Behind =E2=80=98Democracy Promotion=E2=80=99: Three =
Questions About US
National Endowment for Democracy.=E2=80=9D CGTN, 18 April 2026.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-04-18/Reality-behind-democracy-promotion-Th=
ree-questions-about-US-NED-1MrNR48zFUA/p.html

Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). =E2=80=9CIndonesia P=
rotests
Amid Economic Anxieties and Police Violence.=E2=80=9D CSIS, September 2025.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/indonesia-protests-amid-economic-anxieties-an=
d-police-violence

Human Rights Watch. =E2=80=9CIndonesia: Perks for Military, Lawmakers Spark
Dissent, Protests.=E2=80=9D Human Rights Watch World Report 2026, 4 Februar=
y 2026.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/02/04/indonesia-perks-for-military-lawmakers-=
spark-dissent-protests

Associated Press / PBS NewsHour. =E2=80=9CWhat to Know About Indonesia=E2=
=80=99s Deadly
Nationwide Unrest Over Lawmakers=E2=80=99 Perks.=E2=80=9D PBS News, 1 Septe=
mber 2025.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/what-to-know-about-indonesias-deadly-nat=
ionwide-unrest-over-lawmakers-perks

Al Jazeera. =E2=80=9CIndonesian Students Protest Government Policies Amid E=
conomic
Strain.=E2=80=9D Al Jazeera, 12 June 2026.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/12/indonesian-students-protest-govt-p=
olicies-amid-economic-strain

The Jakarta Post. =E2=80=9CMedia Probe Reveals Disinformation Behind
=E2=80=98Foreign-Backed=E2=80=99 2025 Protests.=E2=80=9D The Jakarta Post, =
4 June 2026.
https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/06/04/media-probe-reveals-dis=
information-behind-foreign-backed-2025-protests

Internews. =E2=80=9CInternews Funding Helps Strengthen Capacity of Media
Organizations in Indonesia.=E2=80=9D Internews, 2022.
https://internews.org/story/internews-funding-helps-strengthen-capacity-of-=
media-organizations-in-indonesia/

Mongabay. =E2=80=9C=E2=80=99Without Us, No Scrutiny=E2=80=99: Indonesia=E2=
=80=99s Independent Media Count
Cost of US Funding Cuts.=E2=80=9D Mongabay, 16 June 2025.
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/03/without-us-there-is-no-scrutiny-indonesia=
s-independent-media-count-cost-of-us-funding-cuts/

Hermawan, Ary. =E2=80=9CA Year of Protests: What 2025 Says About Indonesian
Democracy.=E2=80=9D Indonesia at Melbourne, University of Melbourne, 23 Dec=
ember
2025.
https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/a-year-of-protests-what-2025-sa=
ys-about-indonesian-democracy/

Berletic, Brian. Post to X (formerly Twitter), June 2026.
[image: X avatar for @BrianJBerletic]

Brian Berletic
@BrianJBerletic
=F0=9F=87=BA=F0=9F=87=B8=F0=9F=87=AE=F0=9F=87=A9NEW VIDEO: Anticipated US-B=
acked Protests in Indonesia Begin &amp;
How it fits into US Desire to Contain China How to Support my Work (and
thank you): Buy Me A Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/TheNewAtlas Patreon:
patreon.com/landdestroyer Follow The New Atlas on Telegram:
[image: Image]

4:41 AM =C2=B7 Jun 14, 2026 =C2=B7 20.2K Views
1 Reply =C2=B7 169 Reposts =C2=B7 482 Likes
<https://substack.com/redirect/38b55577-6861-4b18-8e1a-decb3107a174?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYqlZtxvOc>

Weinstein, Allen, quoted in Ignatius, David. =E2=80=9COpenness Is the Secre=
t of the
NED.=E2=80=9D Washington Post, 21 September 1991.

Modern Diplomacy. =E2=80=9CThe Malacca Dilemma: China=E2=80=99s Achilles=E2=
=80=99 Heel.=E2=80=9D Modern
Diplomacy, 8 July 2025.
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/07/08/the-malacca-dilemma-chinas-achilles-h=
eel/

Global Geopolitics. =E2=80=9CThe Choke Point Doctrine.=E2=80=9D Global Geop=
olitics, 13 May
2026. https://globalgeopolitics.co.uk/2026/05/13/the-choke-point-doctrine/

Invite your friends and earn rewards
If you enjoy Global GeoPolitics, share it with your friends and earn
rewards when they subscribe.

Invite Friends
<https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9nZ3R2c3RyZWFtcy5zdWJzdG=
Fjay5jb20vbGVhZGVyYm9hcmQ_cmVmZXJyZXJfdG9rZW49MWVvZ2Imcj0xZW9nYiZ1dG1fY2Ftc=
GFpZ249ZW1haWwtbGVhZGVyYm9hcmQiLCJwIjoyMDIzNTE0MTUsInMiOjI3MjM5MDgsImYiOmZh=
bHNlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE2NzYxNDgsImV4cCI6MjA5NzI1MjE0OCwiaXNzIjo=
icHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.piOoAh96XmHmSSdl_sKI55jO6Q11KAgRPw=
-KuR0jqwA?&utm_source=3Dsubstack&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_content=3Dpostcta>

--0000000000005057fa06547cdba8
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail-gE gmail-iv gmail-gt" style=3D"font-si=
ze:0.875rem;padding:20px 0px 0px;font-family:&quot;Google Sans&quot;,Roboto=
,RobotoDraft,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><br class=3D"gmail-Apple-interchan=
ge-newline"><table cellpadding=3D"0" class=3D"gmail-cf gmail-gJ" style=3D"b=
order-collapse:collapse;margin-top:0px;width:auto;font-size:0.875rem;displa=
y:block"><tbody style=3D"display:block"><tr class=3D"gmail-acZ" style=3D"he=
ight:auto;display:flex"><td class=3D"gmail-gF gmail-gK" style=3D"white-spac=
e:nowrap;padding:0px;vertical-align:top;width:1547.53px;line-height:20px;di=
splay:block;max-height:20px"><table cellpadding=3D"0" class=3D"gmail-cf gma=
il-ix" style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;table-layout:fixed;width:1547.53px=
"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"gmail-c2" style=3D"display:flex"><h3 class=3D"gma=
il-iw gmail-gFxsud" style=3D"overflow:hidden;font-size:0.75rem;font-weight:=
inherit;margin:inherit;text-overflow:ellipsis;color:rgb(95,99,104);line-hei=
ght:20px"><span class=3D"gmail-qu gmail-yKyxu" role=3D"gridcell" tabindex=
=3D"-1" aria-haspopup=3D"dialog" style=3D"font-variant-ligatures:no-context=
ual;font-feature-settings:&quot;liga&quot; 0"><span name=3D"Global Geopolit=
ics" class=3D"gmail-gD" style=3D"color:rgb(31,31,31);font-size:0.875rem;fon=
t-weight:700;display:inline;vertical-align:top;line-height:20px"><span styl=
e=3D"vertical-align:top">Global Geopolitics</span></span>=C2=A0<span class=
=3D"gmail-cfXrwd"></span><span class=3D"gmail-go" style=3D"vertical-align:t=
op;color:rgb(94,94,94)"><span aria-hidden=3D"true">&lt;</span><a href=3D"ma=
ilto:ggtvstreams@substack.com">ggtvstreams@substack.com</a><span aria-hidde=
n=3D"true">&gt;</span></span>=C2=A0</span><div class=3D"gmail-Xg2J0b" style=
=3D"overflow:visible;display:inline-block;vertical-align:top"><span class=
=3D"gmail-Ca" role=3D"link" tabindex=3D"0" id=3D"gmail-avWBGd-660" style=3D=
"color:rgb(26,115,232);font-size:0.875rem;border-width:medium;border-style:=
none;border-color:currentcolor;display:inline-flex;background:none;box-sizi=
ng:border-box;border-radius:12px;height:20px;margin-left:8px;overflow:hidde=
n;min-width:80px;outline:none;padding:0px 12px">Unsubscribe</span></div></h=
3><h3 class=3D"gmail-iw gmail-rapwed" style=3D"overflow:hidden;font-size:0.=
75rem;font-weight:inherit;margin:inherit;text-overflow:ellipsis;color:rgb(9=
5,99,104);line-height:20px"></h3></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td class=
=3D"gmail-gH gmail-VYc0jb" style=3D"text-align:right;white-space:nowrap;ver=
tical-align:top;max-height:20px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-gK" style=
=3D"padding:0px;display:flex"><span class=3D"gmail-g3" title=3D"Jun 17, 202=
6, 2:02=E2=80=AFAM" alt=3D"Jun 17, 2026, 2:02=E2=80=AFAM" role=3D"gridcell"=
 tabindex=3D"-1" id=3D"gmail-avWBGd-661" style=3D"vertical-align:top;margin=
:0px;font-size:0.75rem;color:rgb(94,94,94);display:block;line-height:20px">=
<span id=3D"gmail-avWBGd-662">2:02=E2=80=AFAM (19 hours ago)</span></span><=
div class=3D"gmail-jvIjkd" id=3D"gmail-avWBGd-663" style=3D"line-height:0;h=
eight:20px;margin-left:10px;padding:10px;text-align:center;width:20px"><div=
 tabindex=3D"0" role=3D"checkbox" aria-checked=3D"false" aria-label=3D"Not =
starred" class=3D"gmail-zd gmail-SKW8Ab" id=3D"gmail-avWBGd-664" style=3D"d=
isplay:inline-block;height:20px;outline:0px"><span class=3D"gmail-T-KT" id=
=3D"gmail-avWBGd-665" style=3D"display:inline-flex;height:20px;width:20px;p=
adding:0px;margin:0px;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:cu=
rrentcolor;outline:none"></span></div></div></div></td><td class=3D"gmail-g=
H" style=3D"text-align:right;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:top;display:=
flex"></td><td class=3D"gmail-gH gmail-acX gmail-bAm gmail-VN9Psd" rowspan=
=3D"2" style=3D"text-align:right;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:top;disp=
lay:inline-flex;max-height:20px"><div class=3D"gmail-X92YGb" id=3D"gmail-av=
WBGd-666"><button class=3D"gmail-pYTkkf-JX-I gmail-pYTkkf-JX-I-ql-ay5-ays g=
mail-R1Zuwf" id=3D"elptr_329" disabled aria-label=3D"You can&#39;t react wi=
th an emoji to a group" style=3D"background-image:initial;background-positi=
on:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-ori=
gin:initial;background-clip:initial;border-width:medium;border-style:none;b=
order-color:currentcolor;display:inline-flex;line-height:inherit;outline:no=
ne;color:rgba(31,31,31,0.38)"></button></div><button class=3D"gmail-pYTkkf-=
JX-I gmail-pYTkkf-JX-I-ql-ay5-ays gmail-DILLkc" id=3D"elptr_330" aria-label=
=3D"Reply" style=3D"background-image:initial;background-position:initial;ba=
ckground-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;b=
ackground-clip:initial;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:c=
urrentcolor;display:inline-flex;line-height:inherit;outline:none;color:rgb(=
68,71,70)"></button><div id=3D"elptr_331" class=3D"gmail-tB5Jxf-M-X-ql-Jf" =
aria-labelledby=3D"qhu9y" style=3D"overflow:visible"><div><button class=3D"=
gmail-pYTkkf-JX-I gmail-pYTkkf-JX-I-ql-ay5-ays gmail-Wsq5Cf" aria-label=3D"=
More message options" id=3D"gmail-qhu9y" style=3D"background-image:initial;=
background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initi=
al;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;border-width:medium;bo=
rder-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;display:inline-flex;line-height:i=
nherit;outline:none;color:rgb(68,71,70)"></button></div><div></div></div></=
td></tr><tr class=3D"gmail-acZ gmail-xD" style=3D"height:auto;display:flex"=
><td colspan=3D"3"><table cellpadding=3D"0" class=3D"gmail-cf gmail-adz" st=
yle=3D"border-collapse:collapse;table-layout:fixed;white-space:nowrap;width=
:1831.56px"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"gmail-ady" style=3D"overflow:visible;te=
xt-overflow:ellipsis;display:flex;line-height:20px"><div class=3D"gmail-iw =
gmail-ajw" style=3D"overflow:hidden;max-width:92%;display:inline-block"><sp=
an class=3D"gmail-hb" style=3D"vertical-align:top;color:rgb(94,94,94);font-=
size:0.75rem;line-height:20px">to=C2=A0<span name=3D"me" class=3D"gmail-g2"=
 style=3D"vertical-align:top">me</span></span></div><div aria-haspopup=3D"t=
rue" class=3D"gmail-ajy" role=3D"button" tabindex=3D"0" id=3D"gmail-avWBGd-=
668" aria-label=3D"Show details" style=3D"display:inline-flex;margin-left:4=
px;vertical-align:top;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:cu=
rrentcolor;outline:none"><img class=3D"gmail-ajz" src=3D"https://mail.googl=
e.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif" alt=3D"" style=3D"background: url(&quot=
;https://www.gstatic.com/images/icons/material/system_gm/1x/arrow_drop_down=
_black_20dp.png&quot;) 50% center / 20px no-repeat; cursor: pointer; paddin=
g: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; height: 20px; width: 20px; border-width: =
medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initi=
al; margin: 0px 0px 0px auto; right: 0px; top: 0px; display: flex; opacity:=
 0.71;"></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><di=
v id=3D"gmail-:1le" style=3D"font-family:&quot;Google Sans&quot;,Roboto,Rob=
otoDraft,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:medium"><div id=3D"gmail-:1p7=
"><div class=3D"gmail-KKSLrd"></div><div class=3D"gmail-qQVYZb"></div></div=
><div class=3D"gmail-utdU2e" id=3D"gmail-avWBGd-669"></div><div class=3D"gm=
ail-wl4W9b" style=3D"display:flex"></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-" style=
=3D"font-family:&quot;Google Sans&quot;,Roboto,RobotoDraft,Helvetica,Arial,=
sans-serif;font-size:medium"><div class=3D"gmail-aHl" id=3D"gmail-avWBGd-67=
0" style=3D""></div><div id=3D"gmail-:1r5" tabindex=3D"-1"></div><div class=
=3D"gmail-ii gmail-gt" id=3D"gmail-:1px" style=3D"direction:ltr;margin:8px =
0px 0px;padding:0px;font-size:0.875rem;overflow-x:hidden"><div class=3D"gma=
il-a3s gmail-aiL" id=3D"gmail-:1p6" style=3D"direction:ltr;font-style:norma=
l;font-variant:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-=
settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:small;line-height:1.5;font-fa=
mily:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;overflow:auto hidden"><div id=3D"gmail-avWB=
Gd-673"><div style=3D"font-kerning:auto"><table role=3D"presentation" width=
=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><=
/td><td width=3D"550"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td width=3D"550" ali=
gn=3D"left"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:26px;max-width:550px;w=
idth:550px;margin:0px auto"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" bor=
der=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"right=
" style=3D"height:20px"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=
=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical=
-align:middle"><span style=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Text&quot;,-apple-sy=
stem,system-ui,BlinkMacSystemFont,Inter,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helveti=
ca,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot=
;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;font-size:13px;color:unset;list-style:none;te=
xt-decoration:unset;margin:0px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/=
eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9nZ3R2c3RyZWFtcy5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vcC9pbmRvbmVzaWEtdW5yZXN=
0LWZyb20taG9ybXV6LXRvLW1hbGFjY2E_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPWVtYWlsLXBvc3Qmcj0xZW9nYi=
Z0b2tlbj1leUoxYzJWeVgybGtJam95TXpZME5Ea3hMQ0p3YjNOMFgybGtJam95TURJek5URTBNV=
FVzSW1saGRDSTZNVGM0TVRZM05qRTBPQ3dpWlhod0lqb3hOemcwTWpZNE1UUTRMQ0pwYzNNaU9p=
SndkV0l0TWpjeU16a3dPQ0lzSW5OMVlpSTZJbkJ2YzNRdGNtVmhZM1JwYjI0aWZRLk1JRmxhUDI=
yNzZKMHU2Z1lTVHlIVU53NGJueUZvaVZra0RkT2xrRnlyTkkiLCJwIjoyMDIzNTE0MTUsInMiOj=
I3MjM5MDgsImYiOmZhbHNlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE2NzYxNDgsImV4cCI6MjA5N=
zI1MjE0OCwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.BZrHGHREj3eXIvFP=
j9hPfCrsfS2hqDwTw8HZyitLpug?" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,=
119)">View in browser</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody=
></table><div role=3D"region" aria-label=3D"Video player" style=3D"line-hei=
ght:26px;margin-top:24px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?pub=
lication_id=3D2723908&amp;post_id=3D202351415&amp;utm_source=3Dpodcast-emai=
l&amp;play_audio=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-play-on-subs=
tack&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIzNTE0MTUsImlhdC=
I6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjY4MTQ4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjcyMzkwOCIsInN1YiI6I=
nBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.MIFlaP2276J0u6gYSTyHUNw4bnyFoiVkkDdOlkFyrNI" target=
=3D"_blank" style=3D"display:block;width:550px;background-color:rgb(0,0,0);=
height:auto;border-radius:8px;padding-bottom:0px"><img width=3D"550" src=3D=
"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!4ujO!,w_1100,h_1100,c_pad,f_auto,q=
_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/l_play_button_usfui2,w_144,e_colorize:0/htt=
ps%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-video.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fvideo_upload%2Fpost%2F20235141=
5%2Febccf849-3097-4a6c-b611-6a4eafb7bf3d%2Ftranscoded-00001.png" class=3D"g=
mail-CToWUd" style=3D"max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; width: 550p=
x; max-height: 100%; background-image: initial; background-position: initia=
l; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachm=
ent: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; border-=
radius: 8px; border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: curren=
tcolor; border-image: initial;"></a></div><table role=3D"presentation" widt=
h=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"width:=
550px"><tbody><tr><td><div style=3D"line-height:26px;height:16px">=C2=A0</d=
iv></td></tr><tr height=3D"8"><td></td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presenta=
tion" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=
=3D"width:550px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle;width:550px"=
><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0"=
 cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"width:550px;min-height:40px;padding-left:0px;pa=
dding-right:0px"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;width:550px;min-height:40px;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;border-=
radius:8px;background-color:rgb(232,181,0)"><a href=3D"https://substack.com=
/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2723908&amp;post_id=3D202351415&amp;utm_sou=
rce=3Dpodcast-email&amp;play_audio=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;utm_campaign=3D=
email-play-on-substack&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoy=
MDIzNTE0MTUsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjY4MTQ4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjc=
yMzkwOCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.MIFlaP2276J0u6gYSTyHUNw4bnyFoiVkkDd=
OlkFyrNI&amp;utm_content=3Dwatch_now_button" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"col=
or:rgb(255,255,255);box-sizing:border-box;width:550px;min-height:40px;font-=
family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Robo=
to,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI =
Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;font-size:14px;font-weight:600;lett=
er-spacing:-0.15px;border-radius:8px;padding:12px 24px;line-height:1;text-d=
ecoration:none;display:inline-block;border-width:medium;border-style:none;b=
order-color:currentcolor"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$=
s_!JR-4!,w_26.046511627906977,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:stee=
p/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FPlayIcon%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D32%26fill=
%3D%2523ffffff%26stroke%3D%2523ffffff%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"13.023255=
813953488" height=3D"16" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"border-wi=
dth: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: =
initial; vertical-align: middle; max-width: 13.0233px;"><span style=3D"marg=
in-left:8px;vertical-align:middle">Watch now</span></a></td></tr></tbody></=
table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"8"><td></td></tr><t=
r><td><div style=3D"line-height:26px;height:16px">=C2=A0</div></td></tr></t=
body></table><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"padding:32px 0px 0px;line-height:26=
px"><div role=3D"region" aria-label=3D"Post header" style=3D"line-height:26=
px"><h1 dir=3D"auto" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);font-family:&quot;SF Pro =
Display&quot;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystem=
Font,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Col=
or Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margi=
n:0px;line-height:36px;font-size:32px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-=
link/post?publication_id=3D2723908&amp;post_id=3D202351415&amp;utm_source=
=3Dpost-email-title&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&amp;isFreemail=3Dfa=
lse&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIzN=
TE0MTUsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjY4MTQ4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjcyMzkw=
OCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.MIFlaP2276J0u6gYSTyHUNw4bnyFoiVkkDdOlkFy=
rNI" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:none">I=
ndonesia Unrest: From Hormuz to Malacca, the Next Front?</a></h1><h3 dir=3D=
"auto" style=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,-apple-system-headli=
ne,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,H=
elvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoj=
i&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;font-weight:normal;margin:12px 0px 0px;=
color:rgb(119,119,119);line-height:24px;font-size:18px">How Washington&#39;=
s drive for maritime dominance, from the Persian Gulf to Southeast Asia - i=
s pulling Indonesia into a widening contest for power and influence.</h3><t=
able role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" ce=
llpadding=3D"0" style=3D"margin:1em 0px;height:20px"><tbody><tr><td><table =
role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpad=
ding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" borde=
r=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertica=
l-align:middle"><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20=
px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0px;font-family:&quot;S=
F Compact&quot;,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&q=
uot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoj=
i&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;text-transfo=
rm:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.2px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/@globalg=
eopolitic" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);list-style:none;m=
argin:0px;line-height:20px;letter-spacing:0.2px;text-decoration:none">Globa=
l GeoPolitics</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td><table r=
ole=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadd=
ing=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><div style=3D"list=
-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb=
(119,119,119);margin:0px;font-family:&quot;SF Compact&quot;,-apple-system,s=
ystem-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helve=
tica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&qu=
ot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.2=
px">Jun 17</div></td><td width=3D"4" style=3D"min-width:4px"></td><td style=
=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" bord=
er=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertic=
al-align:middle"><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:2=
0px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0px;font-family:&qu=
ot;SF Compact&quot;,-apple-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFon=
t,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color =
Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;text-tra=
nsform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.2px">=E2=88=99</div></td><td width=3D"4" =
style=3D"min-width:4px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><div style=
=3D"list-style:none;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;c=
olor:rgb(94,73,217);margin:0px;font-family:&quot;SF Compact&quot;,-apple-sy=
stem,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto=
,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Em=
oji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spaci=
ng:0.2px">Paid</div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></t=
d></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=3D"right"><table role=3D"presentation=
" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><t=
r><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/@glob=
algeopolitic" target=3D"_blank"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/f=
etch/$s_!94tD!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubsta=
ck-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F51a07d82-4f52-4cc5-99a7-=
baea750cb727_600x606.jpeg" width=3D"40" height=3D"40" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd=
" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 550px; border-width: medium; =
border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; vert=
ical-align: middle; width: 40px; height: 40px; min-width: 40px; min-height:=
 40px; object-fit: cover; margin: 0px; display: inline; border-radius: 50%;=
"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table role=3D"pr=
esentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"=
 style=3D"border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:1px solid rgba=
(0,0,0,0.1);min-width:100%"><tbody><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" styl=
e=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"pr=
esentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"=
><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" ce=
llspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:mi=
ddle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://su=
bstack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D2723908&amp;post_id=3D202351415&a=
mp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;submitLike=3Dtrue&amp;t=
oken=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIzNTE0MTUsInJlYWN0aW9uIjoi=
4p2kIiwiaWF0IjoxNzgxNjc2MTQ4LCJleHAiOjE3ODQyNjgxNDgsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0yNzIzOTA=
4Iiwic3ViIjoicmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.ER4jyLXW2DknZG5xQ1_K0hx6-rNbKdj_0V0S4GypVAw&amp=
;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-reaction&amp;r=3D1eogb" target=
=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);font-family:system-ui,-apple-sy=
stem,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-se=
rif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI=
 Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-=
radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:1;padding=
:9px 0px;text-decoration:none;min-width:38px;box-sizing:border-box;width:38=
px"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PeVs!,w_36,c_scale,=
f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2F=
LucideHeart%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26st=
rokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd" s=
tyle=3D"border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolo=
r; border-image: initial; vertical-align: middle; max-width: 18px;"></a></t=
d></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"></td><t=
d style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"38"=
 border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"c=
enter"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D27239=
08&amp;post_id=3D202351415&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail=
&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&amp;comments=3Dtrue&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY=
0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIzNTE0MTUsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjY4MT=
Q4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjcyMzkwOCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.MIFlaP2276J0u6=
gYSTyHUNw4bnyFoiVkkDdOlkFyrNI&amp;r=3D1eogb&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-half-m=
agic-comments&amp;action=3Dpost-comment&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_m=
edium=3Demail" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);font-famil=
y:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,He=
lvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji=
&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;border:1px solid rg=
ba(0,0,0,0.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;=
line-height:1;padding:9px 0px;text-decoration:none;min-width:38px;box-sizin=
g:border-box;width:38px"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s=
_!x1tS!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fs=
ubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideComments%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26s=
troke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" =
class=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"border-width: medium; border-style: none; b=
order-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; vertical-align: middle; m=
ax-width: 18px;"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=
=3D"min-width:8px"></td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"=
presentation" width=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"=
><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/app-link/p=
ost?publication_id=3D2723908&amp;post_id=3D202351415&amp;utm_source=3Dsubst=
ack&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_content=3Dshare&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail=
-share&amp;action=3Dshare&amp;triggerShare=3Dtrue&amp;isFreemail=3Dfalse&am=
p;r=3D1eogb&amp;token=3DeyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzY0NDkxLCJwb3N0X2lkIjoyMDIzNTE0MTU=
sImlhdCI6MTc4MTY3NjE0OCwiZXhwIjoxNzg0MjY4MTQ4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjcyMzkwOCIsIn=
N1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.MIFlaP2276J0u6gYSTyHUNw4bnyFoiVkkDdOlkFyrNI" t=
arget=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);font-family:system-ui,-app=
le-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sa=
ns-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Seg=
oe UI Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);bo=
rder-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:1;pa=
dding:9px 0px;text-decoration:none;min-width:38px;box-sizing:border-box;wid=
th:38px"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_L14!,w_36,c_s=
cale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Fic=
on%2FLucideShare2%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%252380808=
0%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-CTo=
WUd" style=3D"border-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: curre=
ntcolor; border-image: initial; vertical-align: middle; max-width: 18px;"><=
/a></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width=3D"8" style=3D"min-width:8px"><=
/td><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=
=3D"38" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td ali=
gn=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly=
9vcGVuLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbS9wdWIvZ2d0dnN0cmVhbXMvcC9pbmRvbmVzaWEtdW5yZXN0LWZyb=
20taG9ybXV6LXRvLW1hbGFjY2E_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1zdWJzdGFjayZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWls=
JnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1lbWFpbC1yZXN0YWNrLWNvbW1lbnQmYWN0aW9uPXJlc3RhY2stY29tbWV=
udCZyPTFlb2diJnRva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3lNelkwTkRreExDSndiM04wWDJsa0lqb3=
lNREl6TlRFME1UVXNJbWxoZENJNk1UYzRNVFkzTmpFME9Dd2laWGh3SWpveE56ZzBNalk0TVRRN=
ExDSnBjM01pT2lKd2RXSXRNamN5TXprd09DSXNJbk4xWWlJNkluQnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBiMjRp=
ZlEuTUlGbGFQMjI3NkowdTZnWVNUeUhVTnc0Ym55Rm9pVmtrRGRPbGtGeXJOSSIsInAiOjIwMjM=
1MTQxNSwicyI6MjcyMzkwOCwiZiI6ZmFsc2UsInUiOjIzNjQ0OTEsImlhdCI6MTc4MTY3NjE0OC=
wiZXhwIjoyMDk3MjUyMTQ4LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.Ao=
CASTEJWKXXQxxlwmilU5dmi_Yt6bqPTe4ZIiLJP5c?&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;ut=
m_medium=3Demail" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);font-fa=
mily:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto=
,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Em=
oji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;border:1px solid=
 rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12=
px;line-height:1;padding:9px 0px;text-decoration:none;min-width:38px;box-si=
zing:border-box;width:38px"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch=
/$s_!ubXF!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%=
2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2Fnotes__NoteRestackIcon%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill=
%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2%26strokeLinecap%3Dround%26=
strokeLinejoin%3Dround" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-=
CToWUd" style=3D"max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-width: me=
dium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial=
;"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td align=
=3D"right"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspa=
cing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"vertical-align:middle"=
><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0"=
 cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td align=3D"center"><a href=3D"https://open.=
substack.com/pub/ggtvstreams/p/indonesia-unrest-from-hormuz-to-malacca?utm_=
source=3Demail&amp;redirect=3Dapp-store&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-read-in-ap=
p" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(119,119,119);font-family:system-ui,=
-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Aria=
l,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot=
;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1=
);border-radius:9999px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;line-height:=
12px;padding:9px 14px;text-decoration:none"><div style=3D"font-size:16px;li=
ne-height:26px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;max-width:0px;min=
-height:18px"></div><span style=3D"vertical-align:middle;margin-right:4px">=
READ IN APP</span><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ET-_!=
,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack=
.com%2Ficon%2FLucideArrowUpRight%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stro=
ke%3D%2523808080%26strokeWidth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" cla=
ss=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"min-width: 18px; min-height: 18px; border-widt=
h: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: in=
itial; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-wid=
th: 18px;"></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></t=
r></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"fo=
nt-size:0px;line-height:0">=C2=A0</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div=
 dir=3D"auto" style=3D"padding:32px 0px 0px;line-height:26px"><div dir=3D"a=
uto" style=3D"text-align:initial;line-height:26px;width:550px;word-break:br=
eak-word;margin-bottom:16px"><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,5=
5,55);line-height:26px">Editorial Analysis | 16 June 2026</p><p style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The American and Is=
raeli strikes on Iran, launched on 28 February 2026, produced consequences =
that extended well beyond the Persian Gulf. By disrupting transit through t=
he Strait of Hormuz, they elevated every remaining maritime chokepoint in t=
he global trading system into a subject of acute strategic interest. The mo=
st consequential of those remaining corridors is the Strait of Malacca. Com=
pressed at its narrowest point, the Phillips Channel, to a width of 2.8 kil=
ometres, the strait handles approximately 75 to 80 percent of China=E2=80=
=99s imported crude oil, along with roughly a quarter of global seaborne tr=
ade measured by volume. China=E2=80=99s dependence on this passage is not i=
ncidental. Between 2000 and 2025, Chinese oil consumption quadrupled from 3=
.5 million barrels per day to over 15 million barrels per day, and the over=
whelming majority of that supply arrives through Malacca from the Middle Ea=
st and Africa. Rerouting through the Lombok or Sunda Straits adds between 1=
,000 and 1,500 nautical miles and up to 15 days of transit delay to individ=
ual voyages, a cost the Chinese economy can absorb temporarily but cannot s=
ustain as normal operating practice.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;col=
or:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The geopolitical significance of this de=
pendency is not a recent discovery in Washington. American strategic litera=
ture has discussed what it terms the =E2=80=9CMalacca Dilemma=E2=80=9D, Chi=
na=E2=80=99s structural vulnerability to maritime interdiction, for well ov=
er two decades. The question after Hormuz is not whether this vulnerability=
 exists but how actively Washington intends to exploit it, and whether the =
Major Defense Cooperation Partnership formalised between the United States =
and Indonesia at the Pentagon on 13 April 2026 represents one step toward t=
hat exploitation. That agreement, signed by Indonesian Defence Minister Sja=
frie Sjamsoeddin and United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, establis=
hes frameworks for military modernisation, joint training, and expanded exe=
rcises including Super Garuda Shield, in which American forces conducted th=
e first live firing of the FIM-92 Stinger missile on Indonesian soil during=
 the August 2025 iteration. On the same day as the signing, Jakarta confirm=
ed that Washington and Jakarta were also negotiating a separate non-binding=
 Letter of Intent that would extend blanket overflight access to American m=
ilitary aircraft through Indonesian airspace. The preliminary draft remaine=
d under internal discussion and legally non-binding, the Indonesian Defence=
 Ministry stated, stressing that full sovereignty over national airspace wo=
uld be preserved. Whether that preservation holds against sustained America=
n pressure is a separate and more important question.</p><p style=3D"margin=
:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The context behind the =
airspace negotiations had been apparent since at least April 2026, when Ind=
onesia=E2=80=99s Foreign Ministry sent an urgent and confidential letter to=
 the Defence Ministry urging extreme caution before any final arrangement w=
as concluded. The letter noted that American military aircraft had conducte=
d surveillance operations over the South China Sea on at least eighteen occ=
asions between January 2024 and April 2025, operations which constituted vi=
olations of Indonesian territorial waters and airspace that had received no=
 adequate response from Washington despite repeated Indonesian objections. =
Granting blanket overflight permission, the Foreign Ministry argued, risked=
 entangling Indonesia irreversibly in future South China Sea confrontations=
. Reports in April 2026 suggested that President Prabowo had verbally appro=
ved the proposal in principle during a bilateral meeting with President Don=
ald Trump in Washington in February, though Jakarta=E2=80=99s official posi=
tion emphasised that nothing had been finalised or rendered legally operati=
ve. The ambiguity itself is informative. Prabowo is attempting to satisfy m=
ultiple competing pressures simultaneously, maintaining American goodwill w=
hile preserving sufficient operational independence to keep options open wi=
th Beijing, Moscow, and other capitals where he has cultivated ties.</p><p =
style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Prabowo =
met Vladimir Putin in April 2026 to discuss oil supply arrangements, flew t=
o Paris the following day to meet Emmanuel Macron, and has maintained Indon=
esia=E2=80=99s historic non-aligned posture while contributing the largest =
national contingent of troops to Trump=E2=80=99s proposed Gaza stabilisatio=
n force. On Pancasila Day on 2 June 2025, he addressed the nation with a wa=
rning that any outside analyst following Indonesian affairs would immediate=
ly recognise as directed at Washington=E2=80=99s civil society infrastructu=
re. =E2=80=9CWe must not be played by any nation,=E2=80=9D he told the asse=
mbled ceremony at the Foreign Ministry=E2=80=99s Pancasila Building in Jaka=
rta. Foreign nations, he said, remained actively provoking Indonesia, addin=
g that the long history of colonialism and external interference demonstrat=
ed systematic patterns of division-sowing from outside. Without naming spec=
ific organisations, he described foreign-funded non-governmental bodies tha=
t claimed to promote democracy as operating in practice as instruments for =
division and soft-power manipulation. The reference to the National Endowme=
nt for Democracy and associated structures was widely understood in Jakarta=
=E2=80=99s political circles even without explicit naming.</p><p style=3D"m=
argin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The National Endow=
ment for Democracy was established in 1983 under President Ronald Reagan wi=
th the explicit purpose of advancing what Washington termed democratic move=
ments abroad. Its annual congressional appropriation reached $315 million i=
n February 2026, distributed across more than 2,000 grants to non-governmen=
tal organisations in over 100 countries. Indonesia appears by name on the N=
ED=E2=80=99s active grant territory listing alongside China, Iran, Venezuel=
a, Russia, Myanmar, and other countries that have been targets of American =
policy pressure. The organisation describes itself as a non-governmental bo=
dy committed to democratic values, but its board composition, its funding m=
echanism through direct congressional appropriation, its coordination with =
State Department programming objectives, and its pattern of geographic conc=
entration in countries experiencing tensions with Washington all invite scr=
utiny that NED=E2=80=99s self-description cannot resolve. William Blum, All=
en Weinstein, one of NED=E2=80=99s founders, and others have described its =
function in terms that diverge markedly from the organisation=E2=80=99s own=
 institutional language. Weinstein told the Washington Post in 1991 that NE=
D was doing openly what the CIA had previously done covertly. The operation=
al model has not fundamentally changed in the intervening decades.</p><p st=
yle=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">NED has be=
en formally expelled from Russia, Venezuela, mainland China, Hong Kong, Egy=
pt, and other jurisdictions on the grounds that its grant-making constitute=
d foreign interference in domestic political affairs. In each case, the pat=
tern involved a period of grant accumulation to civil society organisations=
, training programmes for activists and journalists, coordination with symp=
athetic media outlets, and the eventual emergence of street mobilisation th=
at the domestic authorities traced to externally funded networks. Whether t=
hat pattern applies in Indonesia requires examining what is actually known =
about NED=E2=80=99s and associated organisations=E2=80=99 activities there,=
 rather than accepting either the Indonesian government=E2=80=99s character=
isations or the NED=E2=80=99s own denials at face value.</p><p style=3D"mar=
gin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Internews, a Washing=
ton-based non-profit funded primarily through USAID contracts and historica=
lly through NED grants, has operated in Indonesia for decades. Its flagship=
 programme, the Media Empowerment for Democratic Integrity and Accountabili=
ty project, known by the acronym MEDIA, funds seven implementing partner or=
ganisations working across investigative journalism, public-interest media =
sustainability, and civil society accountability operations. The programme =
is explicitly framed around democratic governance objectives aligned with U=
SAID priorities. In June 2026, a joint media probe conducted by Tempo magaz=
ine, Kompas.com, Suara.com, Tribunnews.com, and the social media monitoring=
 platform Drone Emprit, conducted under a European Union-backed media devel=
opment programme run by Internews, claimed to have identified foreign infor=
mation manipulation campaigns during the August and September 2025 protests=
. The probe concluded that pro-Russian and pro-Chinese actors had promoted =
the characterisation of those protests as a foreign-backed colour revolutio=
n operation. The Jakarta Post reported the study=E2=80=99s finding that no =
evidence had been found linking George Soros=E2=80=99s Open Society Foundat=
ions to the organisation or funding of the 2025 protests.</p><p style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The analytical prob=
lem with this investigation is not whether its specific factual claims are =
accurate. The problem is that the probe itself =E2=80=94 conducted to inves=
tigate allegations of western interference in Indonesia =E2=80=94 was funde=
d by western institutions, coordinated by Internews, and published through =
outlets with documented USAID-connected funding relationships. Tempo in par=
ticular was named by the analyst Brian Berletic and the journalist Angelo G=
iuliano as having published a hit piece accusing both of them, along with N=
ile Bowie, of being Russian or Chinese agents on the basis that they had re=
ported western political organisations including NED and Internews as activ=
e in Indonesia. The Tempo investigation=E2=80=99s evidence for those accusa=
tions amounted to the claim that the reporting was false. Yet the investiga=
tion discrediting those reporters was produced through exactly the funding =
network those reporters had identified. The circularity of that evidentiary=
 structure is not a small methodological concern. It is the central concern=
.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">=
This pattern, in which western-funded media outlets in target countries att=
ack the credibility of journalists who document western funding networks, h=
as been observed across multiple theatres over several decades. In Hong Kon=
g ahead of 2019, in Ukraine ahead of 2014, in Venezuela during the Chavez a=
nd Maduro governments, and in various colour revolution sequences across Ea=
stern Europe and Central Asia, a recognisable infrastructure preceded major=
 civil unrest: NED and allied organisation grants to civil society groups, =
USAID media development funding, internet platform algorithm alignment with=
 opposition narratives, and eventual street mobilisation anchored on genuin=
e domestic grievances but organised and amplified through externally funded=
 logistics. Whether the August and September 2025 protests in Indonesia fit=
 this template fully, partially, or not at all cannot be definitively estab=
lished without access to financial records that are not publicly available =
in granular form. However, the geographic and temporal correlation between =
NED=E2=80=99s active Indonesian programming and the emergence of sustained =
civil unrest coinciding with Jakarta=E2=80=99s foreign policy independence =
signals warrant serious analytical attention rather than institutional dism=
issal.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:2=
6px">The domestic grievances underlying the 2025 protests in Indonesia were=
 real and substantial. In August 2025, Prabowo announced new salary and ben=
efit increases for members of the Indonesian House of Representatives at a =
moment when mass unemployment, rising living costs, and economic inequality=
 were generating widespread frustration. The killing of motorcycle taxi dri=
ver Affan Kurniawan by members of the Indonesian National Police during pro=
tests on 28 August 2025 transformed localised demonstrations into nationwid=
e mobilisation. According to a September 2025 report by the Centre for Stra=
tegic and International Studies, the unrest resulted in at least ten deaths=
 and twenty people reported missing, with government buildings torched acro=
ss multiple cities and damage estimates reaching 55 billion rupiah, approxi=
mately $3.3 million at prevailing exchange rates. Prabowo characterised the=
 violence as driven by rioters rather than protesters, describing what he c=
alled signs of unlawful acts tending toward treason and terrorism. Human Ri=
ghts Watch=E2=80=99s 2026 World Report documented that security forces deta=
ined thousands of demonstrators while the military simultaneously conducted=
 operations against a separatist insurgency in Papua. The compound pressure=
s on the Prabowo government reflected both genuine popular anger at elite e=
conomic behaviour and the calculated escalation potential that external act=
ors with regime change objectives exploit once domestic unrest reaches a ce=
rtain threshold of visibility.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb=
(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The protests have continued into 2026. In June=
 of that year, approximately 1,500 students demonstrated in Jakarta outlini=
ng five demands focused on fuel and food prices, as the region absorbed the=
 economic shock of doubled jet fuel costs following the Hormuz disruption. =
The Indonesian rupiah=E2=80=99s weakness against the dollar has increased t=
he local cost of fuel imports while modestly benefitting overseas remittanc=
e recipients, producing an asymmetric economic impact across the population=
. Washington=E2=80=99s tariff policies under Trump, which analysts noted as=
 undermining Prabowo=E2=80=99s economic growth projections, added further e=
xternal pressure to the domestic fiscal position. These are the material co=
nditions on which externally assisted civil unrest is historically construc=
ted, not fabricated from whole cloth but amplified, sustained, and channell=
ed through organisations that serve strategic objectives quite different fr=
om the welfare of the Indonesian people whose grievances they invoke.</p><p=
 style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Brian B=
erletic, writing and broadcasting from Bangkok, has described Washington=E2=
=80=99s objectives in the region with consistent analytical precision over =
several years. His formulation that the United States is engaged in =E2=80=
=9Cpolitically capturing Asian states along China=E2=80=99s periphery=E2=80=
=9D and that Indonesia represents one of those targets identifies a strateg=
ic logic supported by the observable pattern of American relationships with=
 Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines, all of which maintain def=
ence arrangements with Washington that constrain their independent foreign =
policy capacity to varying degrees. Berletic=E2=80=99s further observation,=
 posted to the platform X, that nations need to =E2=80=9Csecure their infor=
mation space=E2=80=9D and resist American social media platform algorithms =
determining what their populations see and think is an accurate description=
 of a genuine problem. American technology platforms function as both comme=
rcial enterprises and instruments of information environment management, wi=
th moderation decisions, algorithmic amplification, and content visibility =
policies that consistently favour narratives aligned with American foreign =
policy objectives while suppressing or reducing the reach of contrary persp=
ectives. The BBC and Reuters, both of which maintain significant Indonesian=
 readership and institutional relationships, have historically declined to =
give prominent coverage to documented western political interference operat=
ions in countries subject to American pressure, a pattern consistent with t=
he described information blackout that obscures the machinery from broader =
public view.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-he=
ight:26px">The fundamental question for Indonesia over the coming period is=
 whether Jakarta possesses the institutional capacity, political will, and =
public information environment to resist the combined pressure of American =
strategic demands, externally funded civil society mobilisation, and a dome=
stic media landscape significantly penetrated by western programme money. P=
rabowo=E2=80=99s balancing act, contributing troops to Washington=E2=80=99s=
 Gaza board while meeting Putin, signing a Major Defense Cooperation Partne=
rship while insisting on airspace sovereignty, praising American partnershi=
p while warning against foreign manipulation, may be sustainable for a peri=
od but carries the structural weakness of any position that attempts to sat=
isfy mutually incompatible demands simultaneously. Washington=E2=80=99s tra=
ck record in dealing with governments that pursue genuine non-alignment rat=
her than managed accommodation suggests that the patience for Indonesian in=
dependent manoeuvring is limited. The appearance of civil unrest, as analys=
ts of regime change architecture have consistently observed, is the prepara=
tory stage of a process that has more severe phases available to it. Whethe=
r Indonesia, with its 280 million people, its command over the maritime app=
roaches to Malacca, and its history of surviving colonial interference thro=
ugh multiple imperial iterations, has the coherent national consciousness a=
nd institutional depth to navigate what follows remains the central uncerta=
inty of Southeast Asian geopolitics in 2026.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px =
20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Authored By:=C2=A0<a href=3D"htt=
ps://open.substack.com/users/247935545-global-geopolitics?utm_source=3Dment=
ions" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55)">Global GeoPolitics</a=
></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">=
<em>If you prefer to make a one time donation in support of my work, you ca=
n do so by clicking any link below</em>:</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px=
;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><a href=3D"https://buymeacoffee.com/=
ggtv" target=3D"_blank">https://buymeacoffee.com/ggtv</a>=C2=A0|</p><p styl=
e=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><a href=3D"h=
ttps://ko-fi.com/globalgeopolitics" target=3D"_blank">https://ko-fi.com/glo=
balgeopolitics</a>=C2=A0|</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,5=
5,55);line-height:26px">Bitcoin: 3NiK8BoRZnkwJSHZSekuXKFizGPopkE7ns</p><p s=
tyle=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"></p><p st=
yle=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><strong>Re=
ferences</strong></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);li=
ne-height:26px">Defence Security Asia. =E2=80=9CStrait of Malacca Under Pre=
ssure: US=E2=80=93Indonesia Defense Pact Sparks Fears of New Global Oil Cho=
kepoint Crisis Targeting China.=E2=80=9D Defence Security Asia, 1 May 2026.=
=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/malacca-strait-us-indon=
esia-defense-pact-china-energy-chokepoint-crisis/" target=3D"_blank">https:=
//defencesecurityasia.com/en/malacca-strait-us-indonesia-defense-pact-china=
-energy-chokepoint-crisis/</a></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb=
(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Romaniuk, Scott N., L=C3=A1szl=C3=B3 Csicsmann=
, and Amparo Pamela Fabe. =E2=80=9CChina and Maritime Chokepoints: Hormuz, =
Malacca, and Indo-Pacific Vulnerability.=E2=80=9D The Diplomat, May 2026.=
=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/china-and-maritime-chokepo=
ints-hormuz-malacca-and-indo-pacific-vulnerability/" target=3D"_blank">http=
s://thediplomat.com/2026/05/china-and-maritime-chokepoints-hormuz-malacca-a=
nd-indo-pacific-vulnerability/</a></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color=
:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Kpler Marine Analytics. =E2=80=9CFrom Horm=
uz to Malacca: the Next Chokepoint Risk.=E2=80=9D Kpler, 22 April 2026.=C2=
=A0<a href=3D"https://www.kpler.com/blog/from-hormuz-to-malacca-the-next-ch=
okepoint-risk" target=3D"_blank">https://www.kpler.com/blog/from-hormuz-to-=
malacca-the-next-chokepoint-risk</a></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;col=
or:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">SOFX. =E2=80=9CIndonesia Opens Airspace =
Negotiations With Pentagon Weeks After Prabowo Rejected Foreign Bases.=E2=
=80=9D SOFX, 14 April 2026.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.sofx.com/indonesia-=
opens-airspace-negotiations-with-pentagon-weeks-after-prabowo-rejected-fore=
ign-bases/" target=3D"_blank">https://www.sofx.com/indonesia-opens-airspace=
-negotiations-with-pentagon-weeks-after-prabowo-rejected-foreign-bases/</a>=
</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">B=
angkok Post. =E2=80=9CControversy in Indonesia over US Military Overflight =
Proposal.=E2=80=9D Bangkok Post, 14 April 2026.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www=
.bangkokpost.com/world/3236849/controversy-in-indonesia-over-us-military-ov=
erflight-proposal" target=3D"_blank">https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/3236=
849/controversy-in-indonesia-over-us-military-overflight-proposal</a></p><p=
 style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Al Jaze=
era. =E2=80=9CIndonesia, US Sign =E2=80=98Major=E2=80=99 Defence Cooperatio=
n Agreement.=E2=80=9D Al Jazeera, 14 April 2026.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://ww=
w.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/14/us-indonesia-sign-major-defence-cooperation-=
agreement" target=3D"_blank">https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/14/us-in=
donesia-sign-major-defence-cooperation-agreement</a></p><p style=3D"margin:=
0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Australian Strategic Pol=
icy Institute. =E2=80=9CIndonesia Shouldn=E2=80=99t Give Blanket Airspace A=
ccess to the US.=E2=80=9D The Strategist, 15 April 2026.=C2=A0<a href=3D"ht=
tps://www.aspistrategist.org.au/indonesia-shouldnt-give-blanket-airspace-ac=
cess-to-the-us/" target=3D"_blank">https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/indone=
sia-shouldnt-give-blanket-airspace-access-to-the-us/</a></p><p style=3D"mar=
gin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Al Mayadeen. =E2=80=
=9CIndonesia Chief Accuses Foreign-Backed NGOs of Fueling Division.=E2=80=
=9D Aletho News, 2 June 2025.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://alethonews.com/2025/0=
6/02/indonesia-chief-accuses-foreign-backed-ngos-of-fueling-division/" targ=
et=3D"_blank">https://alethonews.com/2025/06/02/indonesia-chief-accuses-for=
eign-backed-ngos-of-fueling-division/</a></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20p=
x;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">ANTARA News. =E2=80=9CDo Not Reduce=
 Pancasila to Mere Slogans: Prabowo.=E2=80=9D ANTARA, 2 June 2025.=C2=A0<a =
href=3D"https://en.antaranews.com/news/357441/do-not-reduce-pancasila-to-me=
re-slogans-prabowo" target=3D"_blank">https://en.antaranews.com/news/357441=
/do-not-reduce-pancasila-to-mere-slogans-prabowo</a></p><p style=3D"margin:=
0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">VOI Indonesia. =E2=80=9C=
Speech On The Birthday Of Pancasila, Prabowo Reminds The Dangers Of Foreign=
 Influence.=E2=80=9D VOI, 2 June 2025.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://voi.id/en/ne=
ws/486062" target=3D"_blank">https://voi.id/en/news/486062</a></p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">National Endo=
wment for Democracy. 2025 Annual Report. NED, 2026.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https:/=
/www.ned.org/national-endowment-for-democracy-2025-annual-report/" target=
=3D"_blank">https://www.ned.org/national-endowment-for-democracy-2025-annua=
l-report/</a></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-h=
eight:26px">Global Research. =E2=80=9CNational Endowment for Democracy =E2=
=80=94 NGO Funded by Taxpayers.=E2=80=9D Global Research, 2 March 2026.=C2=
=A0<a href=3D"https://www.globalresearch.ca/national-endowment-democracy-ng=
o-funding-taxpayers/5917494" target=3D"_blank">https://www.globalresearch.c=
a/national-endowment-democracy-ngo-funding-taxpayers/5917494</a></p><p styl=
e=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">CGTN. =E2=80=
=9CReality Behind =E2=80=98Democracy Promotion=E2=80=99: Three Questions Ab=
out US National Endowment for Democracy.=E2=80=9D CGTN, 18 April 2026.=C2=
=A0<a href=3D"https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-04-18/Reality-behind-democrac=
y-promotion-Three-questions-about-US-NED-1MrNR48zFUA/p.html" target=3D"_bla=
nk">https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-04-18/Reality-behind-democracy-promotio=
n-Three-questions-about-US-NED-1MrNR48zFUA/p.html</a></p><p style=3D"margin=
:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Centre for Strategic an=
d International Studies (CSIS). =E2=80=9CIndonesia Protests Amid Economic A=
nxieties and Police Violence.=E2=80=9D CSIS, September 2025.=C2=A0<a href=
=3D"https://www.csis.org/analysis/indonesia-protests-amid-economic-anxietie=
s-and-police-violence" target=3D"_blank">https://www.csis.org/analysis/indo=
nesia-protests-amid-economic-anxieties-and-police-violence</a></p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Human Rights =
Watch. =E2=80=9CIndonesia: Perks for Military, Lawmakers Spark Dissent, Pro=
tests.=E2=80=9D Human Rights Watch World Report 2026, 4 February 2026.=C2=
=A0<a href=3D"https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/02/04/indonesia-perks-for-milit=
ary-lawmakers-spark-dissent-protests" target=3D"_blank">https://www.hrw.org=
/news/2026/02/04/indonesia-perks-for-military-lawmakers-spark-dissent-prote=
sts</a></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:=
26px">Associated Press / PBS NewsHour. =E2=80=9CWhat to Know About Indonesi=
a=E2=80=99s Deadly Nationwide Unrest Over Lawmakers=E2=80=99 Perks.=E2=80=
=9D PBS News, 1 September 2025.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.pbs.org/newshou=
r/world/what-to-know-about-indonesias-deadly-nationwide-unrest-over-lawmake=
rs-perks" target=3D"_blank">https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/what-to-know=
-about-indonesias-deadly-nationwide-unrest-over-lawmakers-perks</a></p><p s=
tyle=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Al Jazeer=
a. =E2=80=9CIndonesian Students Protest Government Policies Amid Economic S=
train.=E2=80=9D Al Jazeera, 12 June 2026.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.aljaz=
eera.com/news/2026/6/12/indonesian-students-protest-govt-policies-amid-econ=
omic-strain" target=3D"_blank">https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/12/ind=
onesian-students-protest-govt-policies-amid-economic-strain</a></p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The Jakarta P=
ost. =E2=80=9CMedia Probe Reveals Disinformation Behind =E2=80=98Foreign-Ba=
cked=E2=80=99 2025 Protests.=E2=80=9D The Jakarta Post, 4 June 2026.=C2=A0<=
a href=3D"https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/06/04/media-probe-r=
eveals-disinformation-behind-foreign-backed-2025-protests" target=3D"_blank=
">https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/06/04/media-probe-reveals-d=
isinformation-behind-foreign-backed-2025-protests</a></p><p style=3D"margin=
:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Internews. =E2=80=9CInt=
ernews Funding Helps Strengthen Capacity of Media Organizations in Indonesi=
a.=E2=80=9D Internews, 2022.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://internews.org/story/in=
ternews-funding-helps-strengthen-capacity-of-media-organizations-in-indones=
ia/" target=3D"_blank">https://internews.org/story/internews-funding-helps-=
strengthen-capacity-of-media-organizations-in-indonesia/</a></p><p style=3D=
"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Mongabay. =E2=80=
=9C=E2=80=99Without Us, No Scrutiny=E2=80=99: Indonesia=E2=80=99s Independe=
nt Media Count Cost of US Funding Cuts.=E2=80=9D Mongabay, 16 June 2025.=C2=
=A0<a href=3D"https://news.mongabay.com/2025/03/without-us-there-is-no-scru=
tiny-indonesias-independent-media-count-cost-of-us-funding-cuts/" target=3D=
"_blank">https://news.mongabay.com/2025/03/without-us-there-is-no-scrutiny-=
indonesias-independent-media-count-cost-of-us-funding-cuts/</a></p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Hermawan, Ary=
. =E2=80=9CA Year of Protests: What 2025 Says About Indonesian Democracy.=
=E2=80=9D Indonesia at Melbourne, University of Melbourne, 23 December 2025=
.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/a-year-of-pro=
tests-what-2025-says-about-indonesian-democracy/" target=3D"_blank">https:/=
/indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/a-year-of-protests-what-2025-says-abou=
t-indonesian-democracy/</a></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54=
,55,55);line-height:26px">Berletic, Brian. Post to X (formerly Twitter), Ju=
ne 2026.</p><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellsp=
acing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"background-image:initial;background-=
position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;backgrou=
nd-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;color:rgb(54,55,55);display:flex;=
max-width:550px;margin:20px auto;border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);direction=
:ltr;border-radius:12px;padding:16px 16px 12px;font-family:system-ui,-apple=
-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans=
-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe=
 UI Symbol&quot;;font-size:14px;line-height:20px"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"p=
adding:0px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/38b55577-6861-4b18-8e1=
a-decb3107a174?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMWVvZ2IifQ.JilZISJaTbu7B2wLCo3fGMYZ8454lcFEiXYql=
ZtxvOc" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:inherit;text-decoration:none;displ=
ay:block"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspac=
ing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" wid=
th=3D"auto" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td=
 style=3D"vertical-align:middle"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/=
fetch/$s_!qbwk!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.s=
ubstack.com%2Fprofile_images%2F1586031531864182784%2Fbrtq7a6i.jpg" alt=3D"X=
 avatar for @BrianJBerletic" width=3D"40" height=3D"40" class=3D"gmail-CToW=
Ud" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; border-width: medium; border-style: no=
ne; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; vertical-align: midd=
le; max-width: 100%; width: 40px; height: 40px; min-width: 40px; min-height=
: 40px; object-fit: cover; margin: 0px; display: inline; border-radius: 50%=
;"></td><td width=3D"12" style=3D"min-width:12px"></td><td style=3D"vertica=
l-align:middle"><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" border=3D"0" ce=
llspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:n=
one;color:unset;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;margi=
n:0px;font-weight:600">Brian Berletic</div></td></tr><tr><td><div style=3D"=
list-style:none;font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;color=
:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0px">@BrianJBerletic</div></td></tr></tbody></tabl=
e></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr height=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><=
td><div style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;font-size:15px;line-height:20p=
x;text-decoration:unset;margin:0px;white-space:pre-wrap">=F0=9F=87=BA=F0=9F=
=87=B8=F0=9F=87=AE=F0=9F=87=A9NEW VIDEO: Anticipated US-Backed Protests in =
Indonesia Begin &amp;amp; How it fits into US Desire to Contain China How t=
o Support my Work (and thank you): Buy Me A Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/TheNew=
Atlas Patreon: patreon.com/landdestroyer Follow The New Atlas on Telegram:<=
/div></td></tr><tr height=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><img src=3D"https://=
substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!UYky!,w_550,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_p=
rogressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpubli=
c%2Fimages%2F__ss-rehost__tw-video-preview-13_2066017943839002625.jpg" alt=
=3D"Image" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"border-width: medium; border-sty=
le: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; vertical-align=
: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: inline; width: auto; height: auto; max=
-width: 100%; max-height: 420px; border-radius: 8px;"></td></tr><tr height=
=3D"12"><td></td></tr><tr><td><table role=3D"presentation" width=3D"auto" b=
order=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" style=3D"width:516.222px"><=
tbody><tr><td><div style=3D"list-style:none;font-size:13px;line-height:20px=
;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);margin:0px"><span style=3D"li=
st-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0px">4:41 AM =C2=B7 =
Jun 14, 2026</span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decorati=
on:unset;margin:0px">=C2=A0=C2=B7=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"list-style:non=
e;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0px">20.2K Views</span></div><di=
v style=3D"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);width:516.222px;height:0=
px;font-size:16px;line-height:26px"></div><div style=3D"list-style:none;fon=
t-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-decoration:unset;color:rgb(119,119,119);m=
argin:0px"><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset=
;margin:0px">1 Reply</span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-=
decoration:unset;margin:0px">=C2=A0=C2=B7=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"list-s=
tyle:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0px">169 Reposts</span><=
span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-decoration:unset;margin:0px"=
>=C2=A0=C2=B7=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"list-style:none;color:unset;text-d=
ecoration:unset;margin:0px">482 Likes</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table=
></td></tr></tbody></table></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p style=3D"margin=
:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Weinstein, Allen, quote=
d in Ignatius, David. =E2=80=9COpenness Is the Secret of the NED.=E2=80=9D =
Washington Post, 21 September 1991.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;colo=
r:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Modern Diplomacy. =E2=80=9CThe Malacca Di=
lemma: China=E2=80=99s Achilles=E2=80=99 Heel.=E2=80=9D Modern Diplomacy, 8=
 July 2025.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/07/08/the-malac=
ca-dilemma-chinas-achilles-heel/" target=3D"_blank">https://moderndiplomacy=
.eu/2025/07/08/the-malacca-dilemma-chinas-achilles-heel/</a></p><p style=3D=
"margin:0px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Global Geopolitics. =E2=
=80=9CThe Choke Point Doctrine.=E2=80=9D Global Geopolitics, 13 May 2026.=
=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://globalgeopolitics.co.uk/2026/05/13/the-choke-point=
-doctrine/" target=3D"_blank">https://globalgeopolitics.co.uk/2026/05/13/th=
e-choke-point-doctrine/</a></p></div></div><div style=3D"margin:32px 0px 0p=
x;width:550px;box-sizing:border-box;border-top:1px solid rgb(225,225,225);l=
ine-height:26px"></div><div style=3D"text-align:initial;word-break:break-wo=
rd;margin:32px 0px;line-height:26px"><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-a=
lign:center;width:384px;line-height:26px;max-width:384px;margin:auto"></p><=
h4 style=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,-apple-system-headline,s=
ystem-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helve=
tica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&qu=
ot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margin:1em 0px 0.625em;color:rgb(54,55,55);=
line-height:1.16em;text-align:center">Invite your friends and earn rewards<=
/h4><div style=3D"line-height:26px;text-align:center;font-size:14px">If you=
 enjoy Global GeoPolitics, share it with your friends and earn rewards when=
 they subscribe.</div><p style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);margin:0px auto 20px;=
text-align:center;width:495px;line-height:26px"></p><p style=3D"color:rgb(5=
4,55,55);margin:0px auto;width:495px;line-height:26px;text-align:center"><a=
 role=3D"button" href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly=
9nZ3R2c3RyZWFtcy5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vbGVhZGVyYm9hcmQ_cmVmZXJyZXJfdG9rZW49MWVvZ=
2Imcj0xZW9nYiZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtbGVhZGVyYm9hcmQiLCJwIjoyMDIzNTE0MTUs=
InMiOjI3MjM5MDgsImYiOmZhbHNlLCJ1IjoyMzY0NDkxLCJpYXQiOjE3ODE2NzYxNDgsImV4cCI=
6MjA5NzI1MjE0OCwiaXNzIjoicHViLTAiLCJzdWIiOiJsaW5rLXJlZGlyZWN0In0.piOoAh96Xm=
HmSSdl_sKI55jO6Q11KAgRPw-KuR0jqwA?&amp;utm_source=3Dsubstack&amp;utm_medium=
=3Demail&amp;utm_content=3Dpostcta" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"font-family:=
system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helv=
etica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&q=
uot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;display:inline-block;box-sizing:border-box=
;border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;height:40p=
x;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:600;padding=
:10px 20px;margin:0px;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;background-=
color:rgb(232,181,0);color:rgb(255,255,255);text-decoration:none">Invite Fr=
iends</a></p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div>=
</div></div>

--0000000000005057fa06547cdba8--

From spytalk@me.com  Wed Jun 17 18:16:42 2026
Return-Path: <spytalk@me.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 86536B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:16:42 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 86536B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=me.com header.i=@me.com header.b="Mw2hsjUE"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 72058BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:16:42 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from outbound.ms.icloud.com (ms-2005c-snip4-7.eps.apple.com
 [57.103.72.30])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 659F8BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:16:42 -0700 (PDT)
Received: from outbound.ms.icloud.com (unknown [127.0.0.2])
 by p00-icloudmta-asmtp-us-west-3a-60-percent-0 (Postfix) with ESMTPS id
 95144180010D
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:16:41 +0000 (UTC)
X-ICL-Out-Info: HUtFAUMHWwJACUgBTUQeDx5WFlZNRAJCTQhIA0MGXhxBAUkdXAZbEhVdRUAdTh9THFI4XggZCF0dGR5XUFoOHBNWFRMfVFYDUFEdXwIKBEcEWxdGA1NFXwMXEVABWB5WXloXXk1HH0BNYkkBWhlbHEAXSm5NUw8PHVxWUAJaS18ZXUUPXnJadkQBPHJAD110NRRMBV8CRgoxDD4eK3RfBjMOQXVcc110MFQdHQ5YBgxQTQFDCAoCURxWDVc=
Dkim-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=me.com; s=1a1hai;
 t=1781745402; x=1784337402; bh=Jc1ESh9A/v9RKWiOowMCTXSZoimTo7x4E9CSxiXY8TA=;
 h=From:Content-Type:Mime-Version:Subject:Message-Id:Date:To:x-icloud-hme;
 b=Mw2hsjUEyJ+aoymctZ9E7hyH2SoVwEKQ4ie6WhU4BGGpq4NykAQTZ7hgXVqt1aScPMkJ5vsZNiChAX54Ov1pVFQxUL3Jg/rtc1IVTQSPecdcCCOeBR/+lE+VlHF1QBZf5iMCzXzEkjJuqdcTDnLtjja4U9ZraFmdNkgZSeJM4fIstZCSK9zJ1dBMVuFg5OYmbnzOy/0APOBVmsg3KOEgfvXkqLTT2zaFEcPk07DFT4mPhbZ4xsUyJgVeRhQj1L2RGc+PnQP2YpyXldvQBhQFF8v2vgzViP5/QJ09si20786dkPwiHGxaosGX3Cl8bdT9i1VB5odDt7o0JkKC0zXNYw==
Received: from smtpclient.apple (unknown [17.57.154.37])
 by p00-icloudmta-asmtp-us-west-3a-60-percent-0 (Postfix) with ESMTPSA id
 E1F8A18000BC
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:16:40 +0000 (UTC)
From: Jeff Stein <spytalk@me.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
 boundary="Apple-Mail=_01E02ACA-E5D8-4421-9AEC-F5A8A8A7C25B"
Mime-Version: 1.0 (Mac OS X Mail 16.0 \(3864.600.51.1.1\))
Message-Id: <3E1D48DA-86FE-4625-8A5F-FC44C79F1D6F@me.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:16:15 -0400
To: salon <salon@listserve.com>
X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.3864.600.51.1.1)
X-Proofpoint-GUID: MVKCLnDVxLCNGkB8mN5yEWzgRckTOPPp
X-Proofpoint-ORIG-GUID: MVKCLnDVxLCNGkB8mN5yEWzgRckTOPPp
X-Proofpoint-Spam-Details-Enc: AW1haW4tMjYwNjE4MDAwOSBTYWx0ZWRfX+6XojXwHc+o1
 M6OvBi/+TqAu/7viB/kwv3+y/P2XtouPG1mblqP/dlwaG2bTrGOhiJxgUIY+6p6nKuLpcTjyUQa
 ArMmAWv2CAhThDQtAs3+FIGOGry6l6FRiG9Or5hFMlLPOkTchm5u8xQS5Ltl2nHqbHttGoA91xp
 rVeyOxxtKym20lbY73jHSWzVNVdgZc4VdNjPf+FJ3j4rz3q12kqnNOdD7lrJWXEkr4kRVA8U4zU
 ObuxK08RR3tx8eJcffT119oeWM4838Y9tZBr8InULdSJvvik+KWBVGa3XjG3MWE0825vIktPBTw
 lTNogy8EQ24HquBWekD
Subject: [Salon] The DNI Debacle
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:16:42 -0000


--Apple-Mail=_01E02ACA-E5D8-4421-9AEC-F5A8A8A7C25B
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/plain;
	charset=utf-8

h=
ttps://open.substack.com/pub/spytalk/p/the-dni-debacle?r=3D2hta&utm_campai=
gn=3Dpost&utm_medium=3Demail
 =20

=EF=BF=BC

Jeff Stein
Editor-in-chief, SpyTalk.co
(202) 812-3034


--Apple-Mail=_01E02ACA-E5D8-4421-9AEC-F5A8A8A7C25B
Content-Type: multipart/related;
	type="text/html";
	boundary="Apple-Mail=_A4F5BA95-5238-420B-9607-3566D7550459"


--Apple-Mail=_A4F5BA95-5238-420B-9607-3566D7550459
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Type: text/html;
	charset=us-ascii

<html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"content-type" content=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Dus-ascii"></head><body style=3D"overflow-wrap: break-word; =
-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><a =
href=3D"https://open.substack.com/pub/spytalk/p/the-dni-debacle?r=3D2hta&a=
mp;utm_campaign=3Dpost&amp;utm_medium=3Demail">
=
https://open.substack.com/pub/spytalk/p/the-dni-debacle?r=3D2hta&amp;utm_c=
ampaign=3Dpost&amp;utm_medium=3Demail</a><div>&nbsp;

<br><br><div>
<span><img alt=3D"icon_spytalk.gif" =
src=3D"cid:78229DF5-86F0-41B1-BEF6-E192EB1D3354@local"></span><div =
style=3D"font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;; font-size: 14px; =
font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; =
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; =
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; =
-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; =
text-decoration-thickness: auto; text-decoration-style: solid; =
caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br =
class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline">Jeff Stein</div><div =
style=3D"font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;; font-size: 14px; =
font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; =
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; =
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; =
-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; =
text-decoration-thickness: auto; text-decoration-style: solid; =
caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Editor-in-chief, =
SpyTalk.co</div><div style=3D"font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;; =
font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; =
font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; =
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; =
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-line: =
none; text-decoration-thickness: auto; text-decoration-style: solid; =
caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(202) 812-3034</div>
</div>

<br></div></body></html>=

--Apple-Mail=_A4F5BA95-5238-420B-9607-3566D7550459
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
Content-Disposition: inline;
	filename=icon_spytalk.gif
Content-Type: image/gif;
	name="icon_spytalk.gif"
Content-Id: <78229DF5-86F0-41B1-BEF6-E192EB1D3354@local>
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--Apple-Mail=_A4F5BA95-5238-420B-9607-3566D7550459--

--Apple-Mail=_01E02ACA-E5D8-4421-9AEC-F5A8A8A7C25B--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 18:16:57 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 1F2C4B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:16:57 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 1F2C4B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="OAWWPTJv"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 03C00BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:16:57 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f45.google.com (mail-ej1-f45.google.com
 [209.85.218.45])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id EE6C6BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:16:56 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f45.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-beeba001887so41019766b.3
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:16:56 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781745415; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=AprVFTPcvuD1h6FIj1n1+XX0IGkYgl92FjbG9p2D+T1I8NWgESZYIrYQ0LzQgl7KQA
 XuLFtQxSOsETGFw4jB5SELIZC9QbB5xEQ9c6OIzk/+Kid327+YCcLR1ffT7SzmYkN94A
 GPeb170t8uUAMrw662e/+MzyOHm2GwlOC6IOSPn5+6Jl7yJvTRi7ZRX/Ph2YaaANbMna
 745r1FLKcQlFWZxQQ14Xug2zO23bOoLrYqDaKbvWCPrWfil0pw2iDkQiKi0aPUZewli5
 mEHG++l8FlUt1g1l+2xX1ly4+t4WzSfqFXf8hZWM88nRHnA45ytqNxSwk4BoapNjFOgc
 esjA==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=vcoq/esA06j4f5gDvDEbrnj4JLRFIOEBfpZs3U/iQms=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=BaSkPdIHPXHXNHe3yiTZeGU0/syGe83AsbfY5OsvlrCjK3nLhdEc4MAucAGbLXVYd9
 jAr/5bj4ntJePaPCpZ73KPj4w2UWIjfONgSie+41LdRXmfrJp1Pf5MxrEgaCE11a3E+h
 rZM0Dnz62y/bD0kzCYidufaiKgms/6KsIijcBUQ/B4LA2tXqUogh+FOQMHDZc1pGmBhc
 kPpxK75CXfbEPhsheGtRfU+8fRmdWo3XmFOTKrRUlhc1vztSl3gbY7bqj3aEVbHBu7Of
 r3BBzuqhmz98FdhbH5T0Whss05V/MzAjhrBe/IPxS2ohA/nhYN+7qvO87ZcxG8xRpgAD
 AEJw==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781745415; x=1782350215; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=vcoq/esA06j4f5gDvDEbrnj4JLRFIOEBfpZs3U/iQms=;
 b=OAWWPTJvrbkhXBvxlDUukQYwJ0ytUmCRSiHAUlmlcLXJD4n1lUxQsAJZ2paZmXNI2c
 q80bX+IrFvhbLeJohbGe+XukCp3dBqFoJMfk1y23SaIqOFQRUxbKYUiTukKIq4JBAHId
 5hpK/cFNtMsNWmiNNcqTVklyLi0Ikc/2RT52a5AQL6SRixR3N/ah5k85iw7x6ONrCWxa
 QkYW653lGdOkBcZje/x2WtwE791Rzn1CDdq/73SwH5J/CBnlnR5Xqcj5TleQsJ3BrnCC
 3EORfak9ll2lZoqzmuqwh/Ka3iKX2N9yvDcrx6lT9sNPoRtyQ2e2iAOBujOHSziNQG62
 Z9GQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781745415; x=1782350215;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=vcoq/esA06j4f5gDvDEbrnj4JLRFIOEBfpZs3U/iQms=;
 b=Z8Lwc2FoujuEX8n1C8WPW3Kk9RUQaV9hljRsBHFHFmaYLYAiM/K9PPO9B4+29PZ2Yz
 NGOopsMP14Ki800XGMpRh6M5vTg3KcbLdqAEdX97XTW1uR6QEfpNyv91cswNESIB7sRl
 xtolXGgiKRYUC0V18crc5UQ9TJCAcdKJoTlbxgK2Z0yHE1a7RIOfcTZo1micZ+5n21CP
 hiAdN3nOWNrUJmlOU104nD+0dUhFaAw/ffCZRbJmcPxYo/0s6ieW8Yye+ql+7jnDfwYR
 QiE92JcHHtWhkt6zwhVzF2yeOmu9Zf7tfoJi5WP/zPIpfs1gV04nmH5z8eRRexUaqble
 262g==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YyHuFGvCq+jUbRLq44mZYptD4a1/OukFIgR1/vtjebr2SYJ8ONN
 nxtYnP1BMScdZ8wSvT7TwqCkNPbu4nwx34v+MOjfNQRPYOj6KLLjj+twEzV4vLg1rBGAvA8fYRq
 ta4iDs4nMzfg3ai02RejdVpyhSpeoY9eS1o9kSBw=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7cnkmCtt1WU6lwRxGitIkT/ALXAa+WSM6un/NmbE/Lw2+E+GhrCNk8Qf5S3lzBx
 pO1jb8dY6Uq+4KxUAZHsFz5I4mHMO/NU5/71a+ncCJbxHseGmPnC/udE2VwEnC18fJRSpY6uqg0
 cozMtWfQfArCUtjqD0mvhvb8fYIph/wXIbMZidJ9R2H4RGXPrqoAh9CKjRgkocAg1r8/gaZOF0O
 wxV8mxgIBJPaFD9XLhoyXForYWfT9zSc72hcOjrAVInfxGpU7J4eFOKCaMxbR12lAqgm8J/TGlu
 1/P36obIp6OEVYrQq8GezSbF97Srcj0Nirfadq9P/RiRFL6lew7jkTRxnj4KF7LDjCPXWZaaKwV
 Ep4u1/+SHwdTsNVGH9T8AvYsisbY2QGumV7H9lsmPgMkCPmhswSLWhBqDOksLoCV0q9bh0PSzq+
 tCP0odTnIwuKvIX1cAu59IuZnqco3U/PFV1GbiV6qtEsjaL00ckRC/Fiwcp0UwX3q2swUJCxfy4
 NUJZ3D17XjkzY2HOARzklVub66z/MGD1CnXM9EqTuduPVc=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:7212:b0:bec:9f90:629d with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c074c5f9377mr66366866b.39.1781745415195; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 18:16:55 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzDz4sYvQcz=SJrA0ZVegQ9FPgQbnn=pLpQJzqeTYjtQAw@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzDz4sYvQcz=SJrA0ZVegQ9FPgQbnn=pLpQJzqeTYjtQAw@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:16:39 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CcPU0-flsiddxZX-hA2zH3p_ErmdpALngxKf3Pxyap5vyHBzWa9HS8OXLE
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=qV7AzxOzV1-LuD6vgPTB4ehvd_fz_oQ2VA6VA8AziFw@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000008d8ff806547cee34"
Subject: [Salon] CIA director doubtful of Trump's Iran deal
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:16:57 -0000

--0000000000008d8ff806547cee34
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/cia-director-doubtful-of-trumps-iran-dea=
l-report/3968533
<https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/cia-director-doubtful-of-trumps-iran-dea=
l-report/3968533>*

616/26

*CIA director doubtful of Trump's Iran deal: Report*Secretary of State
Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also raise concerns about
agreement with Iran
[image: Content media]

*CIA Director John Ratcliffe has told US President Donald Trump that the
intelligence agency has serious doubts about an agreement with Iran,
particularly Tehran's willingness to make a series of nuclear concessions,
according to a report.*

*Axios reported on Tuesday that Ratcliffe, along with Secretary of State
Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, expressed concerns about
the agreement, while Vice President JD Vance and US envoys Steve Witkoff
and Jared Kushner advocated for it.*

*The report said Trump and his advisers held a series of high-level
meetings to discuss the deal.*

*During those meetings, Trump and his team reviewed intelligence that
indicated Iranian officials were discussing the agreement internally in a
manner =E2=80=9Cinconsistent with what they were telling the mediators and =
the US,=E2=80=9D
according to the report.*

*Ratcliffe and Rubio argued that the intelligence raised doubts about
whether Iran would agree to take the nuclear-related steps sought by
Washington.*

*"President Trump listens to all opinions on any given issue -- but
everyone understands he is the final decision-maker," a White House
official said.*

*The agreement =E2=80=9Cmeets all of the red lines that the administration =
has long
articulated by ensuring that Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon, they
cannot keep their highly enriched uranium, and they cannot hold the world's
energy supply hostage," the official added.*

--0000000000008d8ff806547cee34
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/cia=
-director-doubtful-of-trumps-iran-deal-report/3968533" target=3D"_blank">ht=
tps://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/cia-director-doubtful-of-trumps-iran-deal-r=
eport/3968533</a></font></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b =
style=3D"background-color:transparent"><br></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=
=3D"gmail_attr"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent">616/26</span><=
/div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"line-height:1.21=
41em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"=
><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>CIA director doubtful of Trump=
&#39;s Iran deal: Report</i></font></h1><h2 style=3D"line-height:1.27275em;=
max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif" color=3D"#000000">=
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also rais=
e concerns about agreement with Iran</font></h2><div style=3D"max-width:100=
%;margin-bottom:1.15em;line-height:1.5em;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65)"><img src=
=3D"https://web-cdnprod.aa.com.tr/uploads/Contents/2026/06/16/thumbs_b_c_f8=
b69786b127b109d4076907f0436fb6.jpg" alt=3D"Content media" style=3D"margin:a=
uto 0px auto auto;display:block;clear:both" width=3D"412" height=3D"232"></=
div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgi=
a, serif">CIA Director John Ratcliffe has told US President Donald Trump th=
at the intelligence agency has serious doubts about an agreement with Iran,=
 particularly Tehran&#39;s willingness to make a series of nuclear concessi=
ons, according to a report.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:=
rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Axios reported on Tuesday t=
hat Ratcliffe, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secret=
ary Pete Hegseth, expressed concerns about the agreement, while Vice Presid=
ent JD Vance and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner advocated for it=
.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif">The report said Trump and his advisers held a series =
of high-level meetings to discuss the deal.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">During thos=
e meetings, Trump and his team reviewed intelligence that indicated Iranian=
 officials were discussing the agreement internally in a manner =E2=80=9Cin=
consistent with what they were telling the mediators and the US,=E2=80=9D a=
ccording to the report.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Ratcliffe and Rubio argued that=
 the intelligence raised doubts about whether Iran would agree to take the =
nuclear-related steps sought by Washington.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">&quot;Presi=
dent Trump listens to all opinions on any given issue -- but everyone under=
stands he is the final decision-maker,&quot; a White House official said.</=
font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">The agreement =E2=80=9Cmeets all of the red lines that =
the administration has long articulated by ensuring that Iran can never pos=
sess a nuclear weapon, they cannot keep their highly enriched uranium, and =
they cannot hold the world&#39;s energy supply hostage,&quot; the official =
added.</font></b></p></div></div>
</div>
</div>
</div></div>

--0000000000008d8ff806547cee34--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 18:37:39 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id B4072B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:37:39 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net B4072B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="AwPUFodr"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 8D567BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:37:39 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f45.google.com (mail-ej1-f45.google.com
 [209.85.218.45])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 210A5BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:37:39 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f45.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c07c67ad9f2so3552766b.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:37:39 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781746657; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=DZroaQ4BsCAtC5jmC+9TmoZjAhpmm00LzVlUDeTaLbMykQ/UeDS2VDWlES5kzXRmxx
 xdKcQk/8su8w0dIMFo1V5rhx2fXeFTwua1qEvdDIuo2Gi4DQtHZWffyK7ZrVd5KLQ40g
 Zt/2QxWZK8egLZw7Nigh0W68SdYJ2BE/0oSb1NxIOHv+xj0wh61Mxyr+9IG38dk2MAmY
 SylvU+QikuPKAAhALo3MGs4K9AfhuHncONV/A+q7vXjv9WJ7uiuNsZoohUvcFoTVv0dn
 gzdkBAGdJ9cd0B9FeMS3ARCG6ukaR2w4wNs6HfD0Ss8C47qN0Iv0BcgPJn/wwiWHbha1
 pW5Q==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=SOI7wKMdIIrvm1uCH4TKR36e8HWtFUvzg1S/ebudJEg=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=lG1cGz+hmGY6DVnlGbQuXuaG0j4+g12SDfVR+f6zaB2egoBfiRfzkFVMcEmseFIoHW
 fLkE3PdBY8/kDnkHgt6DSI9Vhgjfd8w+4bmbfurxsy9gEqqGMgZeAadjGZlCxHCCjUQ6
 ZG5sNj2CIgYEahht0TpcfCLmx1opYjOMM6aMbI7iSv5TF/6lngeqi6w3nvP0lm/ci6KO
 48T4rWf6aNVbx9E5+p9iBn0RkrU9W0bPy6YPng1JOiOVEP8yFgc0bVIxH0MrcT41uArJ
 rI/Rx+fk4+Zt+vyq35Q8VFau1q5m9Q8u3M43+yz0+vwRY5nS9h2ftHQ86Pyg3OkXWzQ4
 z51A==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781746657; x=1782351457; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=SOI7wKMdIIrvm1uCH4TKR36e8HWtFUvzg1S/ebudJEg=;
 b=AwPUFodrvsWFfF7t8czdUWIynC5wGYkBbl7UNI+LU9uOYhiNBQiyJgmvD0Q/xKBhR2
 914J4IgJIdADHxErdQuQG+5ltwpFaATMwXPNtQCMiA+lufcJLAcLQRu9Fbqf3xeLK98W
 zatSahKbkseYZ12fXQkXnDr5mdigbT/a6ovrFqb5hDGlaDdYm5C/3HjfCuUcSa3N3DsS
 bqpoAflcUUeU6EyS7lvH3ZQL6WyvyY40Xr/IEZc9tevl/Aha6TopBrWei0/0dEu/A2Dx
 qvKnO6FnKHpArfjzO2S0pZaB0ExH3W5TaPnZ2t49hKAyB+D84jcTvXV+g7F1s6O9VC9Z
 AOLw==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781746657; x=1782351457;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=SOI7wKMdIIrvm1uCH4TKR36e8HWtFUvzg1S/ebudJEg=;
 b=GYG5BuxHP8BsJS6WBdrqd5QK7ChE7EoQmhW3C9q0grtb71aN4KKflopCpod4bfnyOQ
 GD6Xeqm5HBTwEDNmNIpPd4dgaujq2jw2iAc/z3HTVwumwXJws9T4IvugUWQY5b26uiCq
 rl4ZyR3HMTnuOgB5pyGeBKwByBzGzH5gYXfCkWp+Ax5HFZnsuZuhvbvnsTx/Yfhi3132
 XDFZcke+UFOB3RtqqiV4s8NLO6IpX9dUYAAxPQDflelvjN9a7y8bBpuP98Mr1k1SuJuS
 sY6nFM2KmKAhV6m9igVS0yf4mfrKWhUE6KWDRnwmdL0FJIGMCN1bHB/DNtTXfJUfE5Qv
 C/ig==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YxzS2l3GzLbKwgSLBEqOh+L8C11NinFQ9sX5QJ+cKQNZlus2o1M
 pvXFfr/zHAB1kdU3HnkO8eCQnJuil0RVKgFCsT2ATdU4hX8uLGUDxYp5bFChk5NQrU+SKuOoW4s
 8Q8sVcG3srqqlFudlOwNp2awfwc6HxCQGzmvTc8Fm1A==
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7clxnZ7CHu/Bb8+mt9LrdVCN8mz5Z3JsH6OME4SOAW28EVCSd+A71a87SoYHVdI
 hf5dDiD3QIh87bEhks7QRZahMFyWkhofRTS7bUwysXOfMfI8dlMrNIoCgYwIZfNo6sS/uUMK5fk
 bKufDpk9Z2KTGO+51ZWgI7jzvFfMiF3QoI04rwnOsjCRbdyTgGqNQ5JzIOIkiGwIU4Ws12FvB4B
 ojIKWL8dZ6BAav9opkYL1gbH3mjo9m5n3ybAFqiPLmUtYQhdk5WezBjWs2j8Cgvl6DutnbM/D9d
 YYTVehq4gi6Lh1K/23N2xRyXQv3hmV5sPwZfoqxy0gWuQ2pV0+Y/AjbVDomt0QPdi5m0MxHpTAM
 8JEsaTEls2pguuXA5f4PJpPXO4nXHdq2+DsqKQVeluAxyRtv0SnxlG3+A8bdGjaMS8B2nQwbYLD
 1mZmt5BFa7xaP0Ex1RWYpS+lTK4fRUTr9rdbPxx7FrlDIh7kcSOb8EcKqC720up5l3jYL8lWWZu
 +mRhofNAtgGB0LzPEt8/hzR3Dj+WilUgjoIauwCwAZo0Cc=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:3d4d:b0:beb:f357:7755 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c07317547f4mr78135266b.12.1781746656810; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 18:37:36 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:37:20 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CcfYYxl6p6VLB4KhFGK6Wd-7aFnk355TQOqh7qr6EhWMLz9AUaRWhybXpk
Message-ID: <CANbmmQ=TiGDbUY_DdBEu6hyDA9Ab7z4JYAVqBekMw4Wk=1hVJQ@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000008f195306547d3891"
Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?With_Trump=E2=80=99s_Iran_deal=2C_the_October_?=
 =?utf-8?q?7_wars_are_over=2E_Israel_really_has_no_idea_what_to_do_?=
 =?utf-8?q?next?=
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:37:39 -0000

--0000000000008f195306547d3891
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

With Trump=E2=80=99s Iran deal, the October 7 wars are over. Israel really =
has no
idea what to do nextNetanyahu promised a new Middle East and total victory
over enemies. Having failed to stop Trump=E2=80=99s hugely problematic Iran=
 deal,
Jerusalem is being left behind, vulnerable, in a changed region
[image: Lazar Berman]
By Lazar Berman <https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/lazar-berman/> 15
June 2026
https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-trumps-iran-deal-the-october-7-wars-are-=
over-israel-really-has-no-idea-what-to-do-next/


Share
 53
<https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-trumps-iran-deal-the-october-7-wars-are=
-over-israel-really-has-no-idea-what-to-do-next/#openwebComments>
[image: Left-to-right: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a special
government meeting in Nof Hagalil, June 11, 2026. (Haim Zach/GPO); A woman
holds up an Iranian flag in front of a banner showing a portrait of the
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in Tehran, June 4, 2026. (AP
Photo/Vahid Salemi); US President Donald Trump attends the UFC Freedom 250
on the South Lawn of the White House, June 14, 2026. (AP/Alex Brandon)]
<https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/06/3-combo-8.jpeg>
Left-to-right: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a special government
meeting in Nof Hagalil, June 11, 2026. (Haim Zach/GPO); A woman holds up an
Iranian flag in front of a banner showing a portrait of the Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in Tehran, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid
Salemi); US President Donald Trump attends the UFC Freedom 250 on the South
Lawn of the White House, June 14, 2026. (AP/Alex Brandon)

Two days after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu promised that =E2=80=9Cwe are going to change the Middle East.=E2=
=80=9D

That phrase was used by Netanyahu repeatedly over the next two and a half
years, as Israel went to war against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.

=E2=80=9CWe turned Israel into a regional power that deters and defeats its
enemies,=E2=80=9D Netanyahu boasted
<https://www.gov.il/en/pages/spoke-statement080326> in March, at the height
of the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.

At the time, the Iran war looked like the successful culmination of
Israel=E2=80=99s military response to October 7. It had delivered painful b=
lows to
Hamas and Hezbollah, and was now fighting alongside the most powerful
military in history to topple the Iranian regime and permanently end the
threat posed by the Iranian axis.

The defeat of Israel=E2=80=99s enemies had finally arrived, some hoped.

Now things look very different. The Islamic Republic=E2=80=99s grasp on pow=
er seems
more secure than ever, Israel has lost the legitimacy to respond to direct
Hezbollah attacks on its territory, and US President Donald Trump is about
to sign a deal with Iran that achieves none of the goals stated by either
the US or Israel at the outset of the war on February 28.
Activists carry portraits of Iran=E2=80=99s slain supreme leader Ayatollah =
Ali
Khamenei, as they pay tribute in Lahore, Pakistan, on June 13, 2026. (Arif
Ali / AFP)

The post-October 7 wars, which came with expectations and promises of
=E2=80=9Ctotal victory,=E2=80=9D are over, as are their illusions. Palestin=
ians are not
going to leave Gaza. Hamas won=E2=80=99t disarm, nor will Hezbollah. Trump =
is not
going to return to war in Iran, which can now threaten to withdraw from a
deal to get Trump to stop any major Israeli operation against Hamas or
Hezbollah.

Threats haven=E2=80=99t disappeared, and enemies haven=E2=80=99t been defea=
ted. Israel will
continue to face threats from the same adversaries, and will have to fight
wars against them sometime in the future, whatever Trump or subsequent
American presidents have to say.

The Middle East has certainly changed, and many of Israel=E2=80=99s enemies=
 are
indeed weakened. But many of the changes =E2=80=94 with Iran=E2=80=99s embo=
ldening and
Trump=E2=80=99s imposed restrictions on Israel most emphatically at the for=
efront =E2=80=94
are not in Israel=E2=80=99s favor.

In this emerging and challenging reality, likely shaped by a new US-Iran
deal, Jerusalem will also have to find new ways to act and new means of
achieving goals beyond military force.
Goals abandoned

It is today painfully obvious that this is not the outcome Israel wanted,
nor is it the outcome other US allies in the region expected, when the two
allies went to war a little over 15 weeks ago.

Trump and his staff made explicit promises at the outset of the war.
US President Donald Trump arrives for a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East
Room of the White House on March 2, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Saul Loeb/AFP=
)

=E2=80=9COur objectives are clear,=E2=80=9D Trump said
<https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2028516725767999865> on March 2.
=E2=80=9CFirst, we=E2=80=99re destroying Iran=E2=80=99s missile capabilitie=
s=E2=80=A6 Second, we=E2=80=99re
annihilating their navy=E2=80=A6 Third, we=E2=80=99re ensuring that the wor=
ld=E2=80=99s number one
sponsor of terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon=E2=80=A6 And finally, w=
e=E2=80=99re
ensuring that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund, and direct
terrorist armies outside of their borders.=E2=80=9D

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said repeatedly
<https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/04/president-trumps-clear-and-unc=
hanging-objectives-drive-decisive-success-against-iranian-regime/>
that
dealing with Iran=E2=80=99s missile program and its proxies was a stated ob=
jective
of the operation.

The exact details of the MOU remain unclear, but in no version leaked to
the media does the agreement touch on ballistic missiles or Iran=E2=80=99s =
support
for terror groups.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing
at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2026. (Jim Watson/AFP)

It will, rather, provide for an end to US military operations and blockade
in exchange for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and agreeing to talk
about its nuclear program, while enjoying some sanctions relief. Trump will
get reduced prices at the gas pump ahead of the midterms.

But the US will not have definitively blocked Tehran=E2=80=99s path to the =
bomb,
nor will it have removed Iran=E2=80=99s 440-kilogram stockpile of highly en=
riched
uranium. Those central issues have been set aside for 60-days of post-MOU
negotiations, in which Iran can be reliably expected to resist all
substantive concessions.

Not exactly a case of Iran bending to US military might or Trump=E2=80=99s =
threats.

The MOU also represents a complete abandonment of the protesters who took
to the streets earlier this year to demonstrate against the regime.
This frame grab from footage circulating on social media from Iran shows
protesters once again taking to the streets of Tehran despite an
intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the
rest of the world in Tehran, Iran, January 10, 2026. (UGC via AP)

=E2=80=9CIranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING =E2=80=94 TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITU=
TIONS!!!=E2=80=9D Trump
wrote on Truth Social during the protests. =E2=80=9CSave the names of the k=
illers
and abusers. They will pay a big price.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CHELP IS ON ITS WAY.=E2=80=9D he promised.

While Trump repeatedly claims to have achieved regime change, the MOU, and
any subsequent deal, will only strengthen the same regime that mowed down
tens of thousands of Iranians.

=E2=80=9CWhile the new regime in Iran has not come out of this confrontatio=
n
stronger right away, it appears clear that shortly it will be much
stronger,=E2=80=9D said
<https://whatthehellisgoingon.substack.com/p/wth-the-trump-problem>Danielle
Pletka of the American Enterprise Institute.

=E2=80=9CThe old guard has been swept away,=E2=80=9D she continued, =E2=80=
=9Cthe IRGC is firmly in
charge; Iran=E2=80=99s leadership has proven it can withstand the combined =
might of
the United States and Israel; its proxy warfare is untouched; and the new
Iran that rises from the ashes will be more dangerous to the United States
and its allies.=E2=80=9D
FILE: In this handout picture provided by the Islamic Consultative Assembly
News Agency (ICANA), Iran=E2=80=99s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghal=
ibaf,
dressed in an IRGC uniform, chairs a session in Tehran on February 1, 2026.
(ICANA News Agency/AFP)

Any limits on Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear program that it agrees to will be acco=
mpanied
by the release of billions of dollars of frozen assets, or the lifting of
sanctions that will pour many billions more into regime coffers.

That money will go to two main purposes =E2=80=94 rebuilding the military a=
ssets
that were lost in the war, and aiding the recovery of Iran=E2=80=99s armed =
proxies.
Whatever money does filter down to the Iranian public will only be enough
to help release pressure in a shattered and mismanaged economy.
Iranian influence spreads

Iran=E2=80=99s influence in the region is set to recover, as well, in the w=
ake of
the agreement.

Since October 7, Israel had been hammering Iran=E2=80=99s proxy network in =
Gaza,
Lebanon, and beyond. Hezbollah agreed to a humiliating ceasefire in 2024,
and sat quietly while Israel continued to take out hundreds of its fighters=
.
A banner bearing the image of Hassan Nasrallah, the slain Hezbollah leader,
hangs from a building along a street littered with building debris at the
site of an overnight Israeli airstrike that targeted a neighborhood in
Beirut=E2=80=99s southern suburbs on March 25, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

With Hezbollah=E2=80=99s wings clipped, Syrian rebels were able to quickly =
topple
the Bashar Assad regime, taking out another key cog in the Iranian machine.

Iran quietly helped Hezbollah recover somewhat, and with the US-Israeli
attack, the Shiite group resumed its fire on Israel. Many Israeli
decision-makers saw an opportunity to deal Hezbollah a fatal blow, but Iran
succeeded in rescuing its loyal proxy by conditioning any ceasefire with
the US on a truce in Lebanon.

Trump, increasingly desperate for a halt in the fighting, agreed to this in
April. But Hezbollah kept firing at northern Israel and at IDF troops in
southern Lebanon, and Israel kept fighting back.
The aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Hezbollah at a building
in Beirut=E2=80=99s southern suburbs on June 14, 2026 (Ibrahim AMRO / AFP)

When Hezbollah attacked Israel with drones four times over the weekend,
Israel responded with a strike in Hezbollah=E2=80=99s stronghold in Beirut,=
 risking
the president=E2=80=99s displeasure.

And, indeed, Trump would have none of it. =E2=80=9CThis morning=E2=80=99s a=
ttack on Beirut
should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so
close to a peace deal with Iran,=E2=80=9D Trump wrote
<https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/trump-israeli-strike-on-beiru=
t-shouldnt-have-happened-none-of-lebanon-should-be-in-future/>
on
Sunday.

=E2=80=9CIsrael has the right to defend itself against threats, but the att=
ack it
was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured
or killed and should not disrupt this important process.=E2=80=9D

Never mind that Trump had said
<https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/trump-us-must-retaliate-for-i=
ran-shooting-down-helicopter-over-strait-of-hormuz/>
last
week that the US =E2=80=9Cmust, of necessity, respond=E2=80=9D to the Irani=
an downing of an
American helicopter in which both pilots escaped uninjured, which the US
military did.

As part of its plan for Lebanon, the US has been investing significant
effort in propping up the government in Beirut and giving it the legitimacy
to clear parts of Lebanon of Hezbollah arms. That effort is entirely
undermined by the MOU. Trump has accepted the Iranian demand that a
ceasefire between the US and Iran extend to the fighting between Israel and
Hezbollah =E2=80=94 meaning that what happens in Lebanon is still determine=
d in
Tehran, not in Beirut.

=E2=80=9CIsraeli leaders are given a choice between avoiding a conflict wit=
h the
president,=E2=80=9D said Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to the U=
S, =E2=80=9Cor
basically surrendering the northern part of the country.=E2=80=9D
A new Middle East

As Israel seeks ways to defend itself, deter its enemies, and strengthen
alliances in the new reality, its leaders will discover that other aspects
of the Middle East have changed while it has been at war.
Saudi Arabia=E2=80=99s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Sa=
ud,
Bahrain=E2=80=99s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and United Arab Emirates=E2=
=80=99 President
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan attending a Gulf Cooperation Council
meeting in Doha, on December 5, 2023. (Abdulla AL-NEYADI / UAE PRESIDENTIAL
COURT / AFP)

Arab countries in the region have sought for years to find a way to
guarantee stability and security. They certainly saw Iran as the major
threat, and in recent years tried to stave off any attacks by Iran and its
proxies through dialogue with the Islamic Republic.

That approach failed spectacularly during the war, as Iran targeted nearly
all the Arab countries in the region.

But it is not only Iran that they see as an aggressive military power
destabilizing the region. They are also unnerved by Israel=E2=80=99s post-O=
ctober 7
approach, and its willingness to carry out strikes across the Middle East,
including in Qatar when it was mediating talks to release hostages.
This frame grab taken from an AFPTV footage shows smoke billowing following
an Israeli strike on the Hamas headquarters in Doha, Qatar, September 9,
2025. (PENNEY / AFPTV / AFP)

Arab countries are increasingly working together to end conflicts, and
creating a regional architecture through which they speak with one voice to
the US.

That architecture is open to dialogue with Iran, despite the attacks. The
Arab states still see Iran as their greatest threat, but are convinced that
military force will not end the threat or bring the regime down.

Officials from a range of Arab countries that were targeted by Iran,
including the UAE
<https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/national-security-officials-f=
rom-uae-iran-hold-first-in-person-meeting-since-wars-start-report/>,
have held meetings with their Iranian counterparts in the past few weeks.

The signal that Arab countries have been sending in recent years is that
Israel =E2=80=94 like Iran =E2=80=94 is also welcome to enter ongoing dialo=
gue with them;
indeed, many of them have hosted Israeli security officials or attended
multilateral meetings with Israelis.
>From left, Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and United Arab
Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, sit during the
Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, in
Washington, September 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Despite that openness to dialogue with Israel, an expansion of the Abraham
Accords, especially an agreement with Saudi Arabia, seems extremely
unlikely. Arab nations don=E2=80=99t need Israel in order to access the Whi=
te
House. Far from it: They have increasingly been influencing US policy in
the region, while Israel is witnessing a series of decisions by Trump that
go against its core interests.

=E2=80=9CWithout meaningful progress on the Palestinian issue, Gulf leaders=
 have
little political incentive to deepen ties with Israel,=E2=80=9D British mil=
itary
analyst Andrew Fox wrote
<https://mrandrewfox.substack.com/p/anatomy-of-a-debacle?r=3D65b4f&utm_medi=
um=3Dios&utm_source=3Dnotes-share-action>
on
Monday. =E2=80=9CMore importantly, they have reached a sober assessment of =
Iran
itself. Whatever damage has been inflicted on the regime, it remains the
dominant power on the northern shore of the Gulf and will continue to be a
permanent feature of the regional landscape. Attempts to isolate Tehran
completely or force its collapse no longer seem realistic.=E2=80=9D
L-R: Egypt=E2=80=99s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Pakistan=E2=80=99s Fo=
reign Minister
Ishaq Dar, Turkey=E2=80=99s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Saudi Foreign =
Minister
Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud sit for a discussion during the 5th edition of
the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, April 17, 2026. (Turkish
Foreign Ministry Press Service)

Another informal alliance has emerged as well. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey,
and Pakistan have created a quadrilateral partnership to balance against
both Israeli and Iranian power. The foreign ministers of the four countries
have met in Riyadh, Islamabad and Antalya to push for an end to the Iran
war and to throw their collective muscle behind Pakistani mediation efforts=
.

Israel will have to figure out how to communicate with that alliance,
especially given the presence of Turkey, one of its most bitter critics on
the world stage.
Netanyahu alone

In the face of Trump=E2=80=99s decision to press ahead with an MOU on terms=
 Israel
deplores, Netanyahu finds himself with no recourse in the US system.

=E2=80=9CWe have no friends who will stand up to Trump,=E2=80=9D said Oren =
bluntly.
File =E2=80=93 Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (left), a New York Demo=
crat,
meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Feb. 23, 2021.
(Amos Ben-Gershom/Israel Government Press Office)

Netanyahu cannot turn to the Democrats for support, as they long ago soured
on him, and increasingly on Israel itself.

Though they still answer his calls, Republicans in Congress won=E2=80=99t d=
efy
Trump to help Netanyahu either.

And forget about turning to allies elsewhere. Netanyahu has thrown in his
lot entirely with Trump. That strategy has now led to a starkly different
outcome than the one the prime minister envisioned, and he doesn=E2=80=99t =
have
world leaders ready to stick their necks out for him or for Israel.

In the eyes of most of the region, Netanyahu himself is too toxic a figure
at this point to partner with them on regional integration. He is the
leader who led the war in Gaza. Moreover, he is seen as too concerned about
domestic politics, and self-interest, to be trusted.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (left) is received by UAE Foreign Minister
Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, June 9, 2022. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Netanyahu reportedly
<https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-netanyahu-revealed-secret-uae-visit-t=
o-avoid-being-upstaged-by-election-rival-bennett/>
decided
to publicize his wartime visit to the UAE =E2=80=94 a trip that the UAE was=
 said to
have sought to keep secret and which Abu Dhabi has publicly denied took
place =E2=80=94 in order to reduce the political impact of a planned trip t=
o the
Gulf state by political rival Naftali Bennett.

Netanyahu could start making some moves to shift the discourse around
Israel and show some goodwill toward potential partners in the region and
beyond. That could include cracking down forcefully on Jewish violence in
the West Bank, and agreeing to some symbolic moves on the Palestinian front=
.

But his current government doesn=E2=80=99t give him the maneuverability he =
needs to
adapt to the new and challenging era. The right flank of his coalition
won=E2=80=99t let him solve soaring extremist settler violence or make any =
gestures
toward the Palestinian Authority.

A powerful country with deep ties in the region and beyond, Israel will
eventually find options moving forward, and opportunities to improve its
standing. But with Trump=E2=80=99s MOU, the wars that began on October 7 ar=
e over.

Under Netanyahu, Israel has no plan for what to do next.

--0000000000008f195306547d3891
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><br><div><h1 class=3D"gmail-headline" style=3D"margin:0px =
0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;font-size:54px;line-height:56px;font-family:Roboto,sans-s=
erif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:in=
herit;vertical-align:baseline;clear:both">With Trump=E2=80=99s Iran deal, t=
he October 7 wars are over. Israel really has no idea what to do next</h1><=
h2 class=3D"gmail-underline" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;borde=
r:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:400;font-stretch:=
inherit;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;font-family:&quot;Roboto Slab&quot;=
,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:=
inherit;vertical-align:baseline;clear:both;letter-spacing:-0.02em;color:rgb=
(102,102,102)">Netanyahu promised a new Middle East and total victory over =
enemies. Having failed to stop Trump=E2=80=99s hugely problematic Iran deal=
, Jerusalem is being left behind, vulnerable, in a changed region</h2><div =
class=3D"gmail-under-headline" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:20px 0px;border-=
width:1px 0px 0px;border-style:dotted none none;border-color:rgb(214,214,21=
4);font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;display:flex"><img width=3D"140" he=
ight=3D"140" src=3D"https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/terms-imag=
es/writers/Untitled-1-1-medium.jpg" class=3D"gmail-attachment-medium gmail-=
writers-thumbnail" alt=3D"Lazar Berman" title=3D"Lazar Berman" style=3D"mar=
gin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); font: i=
nherit; vertical-align: baseline; display: inline-block; width: 50px; heigh=
t: 50px; border-radius: 50%; background: lightgray;"><div class=3D"gmail-wr=
ap-byline" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inher=
it;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-f=
eature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;max-width:100%"><span id=3D=
"gmail-follow-block-wrap" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-byline" style=3D"margi=
n:0px 0px 4px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inheri=
t;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:12px;line-height:16px;font-family:Roboto,s=
ans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(82,82,82);display:block;white-=
space:nowrap;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;max-width:640px">By=C2=
=A0<a title=3D"Lazar Berman" href=3D"https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/=
lazar-berman/" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inheri=
t;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inher=
it;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ke=
rning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:r=
gb(14,78,151);background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;outline:0px=
;text-transform:uppercase;display:inline-block">Lazar Berman</a><span class=
=3D"gmail-add-after" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:=
inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;font-size=
:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;f=
ont-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;t=
ext-transform:uppercase;color:rgb(36,75,136)"></span>=C2=A0</span></span><s=
pan class=3D"gmail-date" style=3D"margin:5px 0px 0px;padding:0px;border:0px=
;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:i=
nherit;font-size:12px;line-height:16px;font-family:&quot;Roboto Condensed&q=
uot;,sans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-=
settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(82,82,82)">15 June 2026=
=C2=A0 =C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-trumps-iran-deal=
-the-october-7-wars-are-over-israel-really-has-no-idea-what-to-do-next/">ht=
tps://www.timesofisrael.com/with-trumps-iran-deal-the-october-7-wars-are-ov=
er-israel-really-has-no-idea-what-to-do-next/</a></span></div><ul class=3D"=
gmail-social gmail-social-in-app" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0p=
x;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;list-style:none;display:flex"></ul><=
div class=3D"gmail-single-share-wrap" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;borde=
r:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmai=
l-single-share" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;ver=
tical-align:baseline;width:auto;display:inline"><button type=3D"button" cla=
ss=3D"gmail-single-share-wrap-btn" style=3D"padding:0px 16px;border-width:0=
px;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;font-size:12px;text-transfor=
m:uppercase;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:0.6px;color:rgb(255,255,255);fon=
t-family:&quot;Roboto Condensed&quot;;height:30px;background-color:rgb(33,7=
9,146);border-radius:60px;display:inline-flex">Share</button></div><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-social-comments" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;fon=
t:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;background:rgb(80,80,80);border-radius:14=
px;min-height:30px;min-width:30px"><a class=3D"gmail-ow-comments-inner-a" h=
ref=3D"https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-trumps-iran-deal-the-october-7-wa=
rs-are-over-israel-really-has-no-idea-what-to-do-next/#openwebComments" sty=
le=3D"margin:8px 6px 6px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-var=
iant:inherit;font-weight:bold;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:12px;line-heig=
ht:inherit;font-family:&quot;Roboto Condensed&quot;;font-size-adjust:inheri=
t;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:middle;=
color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;ou=
tline:0px;display:inline-block">=C2=A0<span style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px=
;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block">53</=
span></a></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-media" style=3D"margin:0px 0=
px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-variant-ea=
st-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-=
size:10px;line-height:inherit;font-family:&quot;PT Serif&quot;,serif;font-s=
ize-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;verti=
cal-align:baseline;float:none;width:1000px;height:auto;overflow:hidden;colo=
r:rgb(30,30,30)"><a rel=3D"lightbox" href=3D"https://static-cdn.toi-media.c=
om/www/uploads/2026/06/3-combo-8.jpeg" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;bord=
er:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:inherit;background-color:=
transparent;text-decoration:none;outline:0px;display:block;width:1000px"><i=
mg width=3D"1024" height=3D"640" src=3D"https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/ww=
w/uploads/2026/06/3-combo-8-1024x640.jpeg" class=3D"gmail-attachment-fullwi=
dth gmail-size-fullwidth gmail-wp-post-image" alt=3D"Left-to-right: Prime M=
inister Benjamin Netanyahu at a special government meeting in Nof Hagalil, =
June 11, 2026. (Haim Zach/GPO); A woman holds up an Iranian flag in front o=
f a banner showing a portrait of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khame=
nei, in Tehran, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi); US President Donald =
Trump attends the UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Jun=
e 14, 2026. (AP/Alex Brandon)" title=3D"Left-to-right: Prime Minister Benja=
min Netanyahu at a special government meeting in Nof Hagalil, June 11, 2026=
. (Haim Zach/GPO); A woman holds up an Iranian flag in front of a banner sh=
owing a portrait of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in Tehra=
n, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi); US President Donald Trump attends=
 the UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, June 14, 2026. (=
AP/Alex Brandon)" style=3D"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: in=
herit; vertical-align: baseline; display: block; width: 1000px; height: aut=
o; cursor: zoom-in;"></a><div class=3D"gmail-caption" style=3D"margin:0px;p=
adding:10px 0px;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-style:none none dotted;bord=
er-color:rgb(214,214,214);font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weig=
ht:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:14px;line-height:16px;font-family=
:Roboto,sans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featu=
re-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;clear:both;color:rgb(102,102,10=
2)">Left-to-right: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a special governmen=
t meeting in Nof Hagalil, June 11, 2026. (Haim Zach/GPO); A woman holds up =
an Iranian flag in front of a banner showing a portrait of the Supreme Lead=
er Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in Tehran, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Sal=
emi); US President Donald Trump attends the UFC Freedom 250 on the South La=
wn of the White House, June 14, 2026. (AP/Alex Brandon)</div></div><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-article-content gmail-sticky-sidebar-relative" style=3D"margin:=
0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-a=
sian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size=
:10px;line-height:inherit;font-family:&quot;PT Serif&quot;,serif;font-size-=
adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;width:640px;max-width:640px;float:left;color:rgb(30,30,30)">=
<div class=3D"gmail-the-content" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px=
;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:i=
nherit;font-size:19px;line-height:28px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust=
:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline;float:left;width:640px;color:rgb(18,18,18)"><p style=3D"margin:0px=
 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Two =
days after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, Prime Minister Benjamin Net=
anyahu promised that =E2=80=9Cwe are going to change the Middle East.=E2=80=
=9D</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline">That phrase was used by Netanyahu repeatedly over =
the next two and a half years, as Israel went to war against Hamas, Hezboll=
ah, and Iran.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;fon=
t:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=E2=80=9CWe turned Israel into a regiona=
l power that deters and defeats its enemies,=E2=80=9D Netanyahu=C2=A0<a hre=
f=3D"https://www.gov.il/en/pages/spoke-statement080326" target=3D"_blank" s=
tyle=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine;color:rgb(54,98,155);background-color:transparent;outline:0px">boasted<=
/a>=C2=A0in March, at the height of the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.</=
p><div id=3D"gmail-gpt-passback" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 26px;padding:0px;b=
order:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing:border-box"></div=
><p style=3D"margin:26px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;verti=
cal-align:baseline">At the time, the Iran war looked like the successful cu=
lmination of Israel=E2=80=99s military response to October 7. It had delive=
red painful blows to Hamas and Hezbollah, and was now fighting alongside th=
e most powerful military in history to topple the Iranian regime and perman=
ently end the threat posed by the Iranian axis.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0=
px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">The de=
feat of Israel=E2=80=99s enemies had finally arrived, some hoped.</p><p sty=
le=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline">Now things look very different. The Islamic Republic=E2=80=99s =
grasp on power seems more secure than ever, Israel has lost the legitimacy =
to respond to direct Hezbollah attacks on its territory, and US President D=
onald Trump is about to sign a deal with Iran that achieves none of the goa=
ls stated by either the US or Israel at the outset of the war on February 2=
8.</p><img class=3D"gmail-size-large gmail-wp-image-3842539" src=3D"https:/=
/static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/06/AFP__20260613__B6YJ24H__v1__H=
ighRes__PakistanWarIranUsIsraelProtest-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" =
height=3D"375" style=3D"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inher=
it; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">=
Activists carry portraits of Iran=E2=80=99s slain supreme leader Ayatollah =
Ali Khamenei, as they pay tribute in Lahore, Pakistan, on June 13, 2026. (A=
rif Ali / AFP)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline">The post-October 7 wars, which came with ex=
pectations and promises of =E2=80=9Ctotal victory,=E2=80=9D are over, as ar=
e their illusions. Palestinians are not going to leave Gaza. Hamas won=E2=
=80=99t disarm, nor will Hezbollah. Trump is not going to return to war in =
Iran, which can now threaten to withdraw from a deal to get Trump to stop a=
ny major Israeli operation against Hamas or Hezbollah.</p><p style=3D"margi=
n:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"=
>Threats haven=E2=80=99t disappeared, and enemies haven=E2=80=99t been defe=
ated. Israel will continue to face threats from the same adversaries, and w=
ill have to fight wars against them sometime in the future, whatever Trump =
or subsequent American presidents have to say.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0p=
x 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">The Mid=
dle East has certainly changed, and many of Israel=E2=80=99s enemies are in=
deed weakened. But many of the changes =E2=80=94 with Iran=E2=80=99s embold=
ening and Trump=E2=80=99s imposed restrictions on Israel most emphatically =
at the forefront =E2=80=94 are not in Israel=E2=80=99s favor.</p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline">In this emerging and challenging reality, likely shaped by a new =
US-Iran deal, Jerusalem will also have to find new ways to act and new mean=
s of achieving goals beyond military force.</p><h3 style=3D"margin:26px 0px=
 13px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-s=
tretch:inherit;font-size:24px;line-height:30px;font-family:inherit;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;clear:both">Goals abandoned</h3><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px=
 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">It is to=
day painfully obvious that this is not the outcome Israel wanted, nor is it=
 the outcome other US allies in the region expected, when the two allies we=
nt to war a little over 15 weeks ago.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;pa=
dding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Trump and his st=
aff made explicit promises at the outset of the war.</p><img class=3D"gmail=
-size-large gmail-wp-image-3766936" src=3D"https://static-cdn.toi-media.com=
/www/uploads/2026/03/AFP__20260302__99M79KX__v1__HighRes__UsPoliticsTrump-e=
1772470200460-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" height=3D"375" style=3D"m=
argin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: basel=
ine; max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">US President Donald Trump=
 arrives for a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House =
on March 2, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Saul Loeb/AFP)<p style=3D"margin:0px =
0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=E2=
=80=9COur objectives are clear,=E2=80=9D Trump=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://x.co=
m/RapidResponse47/status/2028516725767999865" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:=
rgb(54,98,155);background-color:transparent;outline:0px">said</a>=C2=A0on M=
arch 2. =E2=80=9CFirst, we=E2=80=99re destroying Iran=E2=80=99s missile cap=
abilities=E2=80=A6 Second, we=E2=80=99re annihilating their navy=E2=80=A6 T=
hird, we=E2=80=99re ensuring that the world=E2=80=99s number one sponsor of=
 terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon=E2=80=A6 And finally, we=E2=80=99=
re ensuring that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund, and direc=
t terrorist armies outside of their borders.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"margin=
:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.wh=
itehouse.gov/releases/2026/04/president-trumps-clear-and-unchanging-objecti=
ves-drive-decisive-success-against-iranian-regime/" target=3D"_blank" style=
=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;=
color:rgb(54,98,155);background-color:transparent;outline:0px">said repeate=
dly</a>=C2=A0that dealing with Iran=E2=80=99s missile program and its proxi=
es was a stated objective of the operation.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 2=
0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">The exact =
details of the MOU remain unclear, but in no version leaked to the media do=
es the agreement touch on ballistic missiles or Iran=E2=80=99s support for =
terror groups.</p><img class=3D"gmail-size-large gmail-wp-image-3787480" sr=
c=3D"https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/03/AFP__20260325__A4=
PG3CR__v1__HighRes__UsPoliticsBriefingLeavitt-e1774461342683-640x400.jpg" a=
lt=3D"" width=3D"600" height=3D"375" style=3D"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; bo=
rder: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 100%; height=
: auto; width: auto;">White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks d=
uring a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2=
026. (Jim Watson/AFP)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px=
;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">It will, rather, provide for an end =
to US military operations and blockade in exchange for Iran reopening the S=
trait of Hormuz and agreeing to talk about its nuclear program, while enjoy=
ing some sanctions relief. Trump will get reduced prices at the gas pump ah=
ead of the midterms.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:=
0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">But the US will not have definiti=
vely blocked Tehran=E2=80=99s path to the bomb, nor will it have removed Ir=
an=E2=80=99s 440-kilogram stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Those centr=
al issues have been set aside for 60-days of post-MOU negotiations, in whic=
h Iran can be reliably expected to resist all substantive concessions.</p><=
p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline">Not exactly a case of Iran bending to US military might or=
 Trump=E2=80=99s threats.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;bo=
rder:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">The MOU also represents a co=
mplete abandonment of the protesters who took to the streets earlier this y=
ear to demonstrate against the regime.</p><img class=3D"gmail-size-large gm=
ail-wp-image-3733177" src=3D"https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2=
026/01/528-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" height=3D"375" style=3D"marg=
in: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline=
; max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">This frame grab from footage=
 circulating on social media from Iran shows protesters once again taking t=
o the streets of Tehran despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Re=
public remains cut off from the rest of the world in Tehran, Iran, January =
10, 2026. (UGC via AP)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0p=
x;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=E2=80=9CIranian Patriots, KEEP PRO=
TESTING =E2=80=94 TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!=E2=80=9D Trump wrote on Tr=
uth Social during the protests. =E2=80=9CSave the names of the killers and =
abusers. They will pay a big price.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px =
20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=E2=80=9C=
HELP IS ON ITS WAY.=E2=80=9D he promised.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20p=
x;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">While Trump =
repeatedly claims to have achieved regime change, the MOU, and any subseque=
nt deal, will only strengthen the same regime that mowed down tens of thous=
ands of Iranians.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px=
;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=E2=80=9CWhile the new regime in Ira=
n has not come out of this confrontation stronger right away, it appears cl=
ear that shortly it will be much stronger,=E2=80=9D=C2=A0<a href=3D"https:/=
/whatthehellisgoingon.substack.com/p/wth-the-trump-problem" target=3D"_blan=
k" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:b=
aseline;color:rgb(54,98,155);background-color:transparent;outline:0px">said=
=C2=A0</a>Danielle Pletka of the American Enterprise Institute.</p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline">=E2=80=9CThe old guard has been swept away,=E2=80=9D she continue=
d, =E2=80=9Cthe IRGC is firmly in charge; Iran=E2=80=99s leadership has pro=
ven it can withstand the combined might of the United States and Israel; it=
s proxy warfare is untouched; and the new Iran that rises from the ashes wi=
ll be more dangerous to the United States and its allies.=E2=80=9D</p><img =
class=3D"gmail-size-large gmail-wp-image-3787506" src=3D"https://static-cdn=
.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/03/AFP__20260325__A4MA49J__v1__HighRes__Fil=
esIranUsIsraelWar-e1774463913525-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" height=
=3D"375" style=3D"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; ve=
rtical-align: baseline; max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">FILE: =
In this handout picture provided by the Islamic Consultative Assembly News =
Agency (ICANA), Iran=E2=80=99s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf,=
 dressed in an IRGC uniform, chairs a session in Tehran on February 1, 2026=
. (ICANA News Agency/AFP)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border=
:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Any limits on Iran=E2=80=99s nuc=
lear program that it agrees to will be accompanied by the release of billio=
ns of dollars of frozen assets, or the lifting of sanctions that will pour =
many billions more into regime coffers.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;=
padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">That money wil=
l go to two main purposes =E2=80=94 rebuilding the military assets that wer=
e lost in the war, and aiding the recovery of Iran=E2=80=99s armed proxies.=
 Whatever money does filter down to the Iranian public will only be enough =
to help release pressure in a shattered and mismanaged economy.</p><h3 styl=
e=3D"margin:26px 0px 13px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:24px;line-height:30px;font-fam=
ily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-sett=
ings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;clear:both">Iranian influence spreads<=
/h3><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;ver=
tical-align:baseline">Iran=E2=80=99s influence in the region is set to reco=
ver, as well, in the wake of the agreement.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 2=
0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Since Octo=
ber 7, Israel had been hammering Iran=E2=80=99s proxy network in Gaza, Leba=
non, and beyond. Hezbollah agreed to a humiliating ceasefire in 2024, and s=
at quietly while Israel continued to take out hundreds of its fighters.</p>=
<img class=3D"gmail-size-large gmail-wp-image-3786998" src=3D"https://stati=
c-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/03/AFP__20260325__A4LL2J8__v1__HighRes=
__LebanonIsraelIranUsWar-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" height=3D"375"=
 style=3D"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-a=
lign: baseline; max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">A banner beari=
ng the image of Hassan Nasrallah, the slain Hezbollah leader, hangs from a =
building along a street littered with building debris at the site of an ove=
rnight Israeli airstrike that targeted a neighborhood in Beirut=E2=80=99s s=
outhern suburbs on March 25, 2026. (Photo by AFP)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px=
 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">With Hez=
bollah=E2=80=99s wings clipped, Syrian rebels were able to quickly topple t=
he Bashar Assad regime, taking out another key cog in the Iranian machine.<=
/p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline">Iran quietly helped Hezbollah recover somewhat, and wi=
th the US-Israeli attack, the Shiite group resumed its fire on Israel. Many=
 Israeli decision-makers saw an opportunity to deal Hezbollah a fatal blow,=
 but Iran succeeded in rescuing its loyal proxy by conditioning any ceasefi=
re with the US on a truce in Lebanon.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;pa=
dding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Trump, increasin=
gly desperate for a halt in the fighting, agreed to this in April. But Hezb=
ollah kept firing at northern Israel and at IDF troops in southern Lebanon,=
 and Israel kept fighting back.</p><img class=3D"gmail-size-large gmail-wp-=
image-3842554" src=3D"https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2026/06/=
AFP__20260614__B6ZR777__v1__HighRes__LebanonIsraelIranUsWar-640x400.jpg" al=
t=3D"" width=3D"600" height=3D"375" style=3D"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; bor=
der: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 100%; height:=
 auto; width: auto;">The aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted He=
zbollah at a building in Beirut=E2=80=99s southern suburbs on June 14, 2026=
 (Ibrahim AMRO / AFP)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px=
;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">When Hezbollah attacked Israel with =
drones four times over the weekend, Israel responded with a strike in Hezbo=
llah=E2=80=99s stronghold in Beirut, risking the president=E2=80=99s disple=
asure.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline">And, indeed, Trump would have none of it. =E2=
=80=9CThis morning=E2=80=99s attack on Beirut should not have happened, par=
ticularly on a special day when we are so close to a peace deal with Iran,=
=E2=80=9D Trump=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entr=
y/trump-israeli-strike-on-beirut-shouldnt-have-happened-none-of-lebanon-sho=
uld-be-in-future/" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(54,98,155);background-color:transparent;o=
utline:0px">wrote</a>=C2=A0on Sunday.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;pa=
dding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=E2=80=9CIsrael =
has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was respo=
nding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured or killed=
 and should not disrupt this important process.=E2=80=9D</p><p style=3D"mar=
gin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e">Never mind that Trump had=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.timesofisrael.com/=
liveblog_entry/trump-us-must-retaliate-for-iran-shooting-down-helicopter-ov=
er-strait-of-hormuz/" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(54,98,155);background-color:transparen=
t;outline:0px">said</a>=C2=A0last week that the US =E2=80=9Cmust, of necess=
ity, respond=E2=80=9D to the Iranian downing of an American helicopter in w=
hich both pilots escaped uninjured, which the US military did.</p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline">As part of its plan for Lebanon, the US has been investing signif=
icant effort in propping up the government in Beirut and giving it the legi=
timacy to clear parts of Lebanon of Hezbollah arms. That effort is entirely=
 undermined by the MOU. Trump has accepted the Iranian demand that a ceasef=
ire between the US and Iran extend to the fighting between Israel and Hezbo=
llah =E2=80=94 meaning that what happens in Lebanon is still determined in =
Tehran, not in Beirut.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;borde=
r:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=E2=80=9CIsraeli leaders are gi=
ven a choice between avoiding a conflict with the president,=E2=80=9D said =
Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to the US, =E2=80=9Cor basically =
surrendering the northern part of the country.=E2=80=9D</p><h3 style=3D"mar=
gin:26px 0px 13px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:in=
herit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:24px;line-height:30px;font-family:inhe=
rit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;vertical-align:baseline;clear:both">A new Middle East</h3><p style=3D"=
margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line">As Israel seeks ways to defend itself, deter its enemies, and strengt=
hen alliances in the new reality, its leaders will discover that other aspe=
cts of the Middle East have changed while it has been at war.</p><img class=
=3D"gmail-size-large gmail-wp-image-3738924" src=3D"https://static-cdn.toi-=
media.com/www/uploads/2026/01/AFP__20231205__346Z8HG__v2__HighRes__QatarGcc=
Diplomacy-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" height=3D"375" style=3D"margi=
n: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;=
 max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">Saudi Arabia=E2=80=99s Crown =
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Bahrain=E2=80=99s King Ha=
mad bin Isa Al Khalifa and United Arab Emirates=E2=80=99 President Sheikh M=
ohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan attending a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in=
 Doha, on December 5, 2023. (Abdulla AL-NEYADI / UAE PRESIDENTIAL COURT / A=
FP)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline">Arab countries in the region have sought for years to =
find a way to guarantee stability and security. They certainly saw Iran as =
the major threat, and in recent years tried to stave off any attacks by Ira=
n and its proxies through dialogue with the Islamic Republic.</p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline">That approach failed spectacularly during the war, as Iran target=
ed nearly all the Arab countries in the region.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0=
px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">But it=
 is not only Iran that they see as an aggressive military power destabilizi=
ng the region. They are also unnerved by Israel=E2=80=99s post-October 7 ap=
proach, and its willingness to carry out strikes across the Middle East, in=
cluding in Qatar when it was mediating talks to release hostages.</p><img c=
lass=3D"gmail-size-large gmail-wp-image-3638065" src=3D"https://static-cdn.=
toi-media.com/www/uploads/2025/09/AFP__20250909__73XD2KQ__v1__HighRes__Qata=
rIsraelPalestinianHamas-e1760762078593-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" =
height=3D"375" style=3D"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inher=
it; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">=
This frame grab taken from an AFPTV footage shows smoke billowing following=
 an Israeli strike on the Hamas headquarters in Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2=
025. (PENNEY / AFPTV / AFP)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;bord=
er:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Arab countries are increasingl=
y working together to end conflicts, and creating a regional architecture t=
hrough which they speak with one voice to the US.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px=
 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">That=
 architecture is open to dialogue with Iran, despite the attacks. The Arab =
states still see Iran as their greatest threat, but are convinced that mili=
tary force will not end the threat or bring the regime down.</p><p style=3D=
"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:bas=
eline">Officials from a range of Arab countries that were targeted by Iran,=
 including<a href=3D"https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/national-=
security-officials-from-uae-iran-hold-first-in-person-meeting-since-wars-st=
art-report/" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;color:rgb(54,98,155);background-color:transparent;outline=
:0px">=C2=A0the UAE</a>, have held meetings with their Iranian counterparts=
 in the past few weeks.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;bord=
er:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">The signal that Arab countries=
 have been sending in recent years is that Israel =E2=80=94 like Iran =E2=
=80=94 is also welcome to enter ongoing dialogue with them; indeed, many of=
 them have hosted Israeli security officials or attended multilateral meeti=
ngs with Israelis.</p><img class=3D"gmail-size-large gmail-wp-image-3211803=
" src=3D"https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2024/01/AP21077410734=
454-e1737696411422-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" height=3D"375" style=
=3D"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: =
baseline; max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">From left, Bahrain F=
oreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Benjamin Netany=
ahu, US President Donald Trump, and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister A=
bdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, sit during the Abraham Accords signing ceremon=
y on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, September 15, 2020. =
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0=
px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Despite that openness to dialogue =
with Israel, an expansion of the Abraham Accords, especially an agreement w=
ith Saudi Arabia, seems extremely unlikely. Arab nations don=E2=80=99t need=
 Israel in order to access the White House. Far from it: They have increasi=
ngly been influencing US policy in the region, while Israel is witnessing a=
 series of decisions by Trump that go against its core interests.</p><p sty=
le=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline">=E2=80=9CWithout meaningful progress on the Palestinian issue, =
Gulf leaders have little political incentive to deepen ties with Israel,=E2=
=80=9D British military analyst Andrew Fox=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://mrandrew=
fox.substack.com/p/anatomy-of-a-debacle?r=3D65b4f&amp;utm_medium=3Dios&amp;=
utm_source=3Dnotes-share-action" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(54,98,155=
);background-color:transparent;outline:0px">wrote</a>=C2=A0on Monday. =E2=
=80=9CMore importantly, they have reached a sober assessment of Iran itself=
. Whatever damage has been inflicted on the regime, it remains the dominant=
 power on the northern shore of the Gulf and will continue to be a permanen=
t feature of the regional landscape. Attempts to isolate Tehran completely =
or force its collapse no longer seem realistic.=E2=80=9D</p><img class=3D"g=
mail-size-large gmail-wp-image-3804812" src=3D"https://static-cdn.toi-media=
.com/www/uploads/2026/04/AFP__20260417__A8927ZQ__v1__HighRes__TurkeySaudiPa=
kistanEgyptDiplomacy-e1776512690392-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" hei=
ght=3D"375" style=3D"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit;=
 vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">L-R=
: Egypt=E2=80=99s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Pakistan=E2=80=99s Forei=
gn Minister Ishaq Dar, Turkey=E2=80=99s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Sa=
udi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud sit for a discussion during =
the 5th edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, April 17=
, 2026. (Turkish Foreign Ministry Press Service)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px =
20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Another i=
nformal alliance has emerged as well. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Paki=
stan have created a quadrilateral partnership to balance against both Israe=
li and Iranian power. The foreign ministers of the four countries have met =
in Riyadh, Islamabad and Antalya to push for an end to the Iran war and to =
throw their collective muscle behind Pakistani mediation efforts.</p><p sty=
le=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline">Israel will have to figure out how to communicate with that all=
iance, especially given the presence of Turkey, one of its most bitter crit=
ics on the world stage.</p><h3 style=3D"margin:26px 0px 13px;padding:0px;bo=
rder:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-=
size:24px;line-height:30px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;fon=
t-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;cle=
ar:both">Netanyahu alone</h3><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;bo=
rder:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">In the face of Trump=E2=80=
=99s decision to press ahead with an MOU on terms Israel deplores, Netanyah=
u finds himself with no recourse in the US system.</p><p style=3D"margin:0p=
x 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=E2=
=80=9CWe have no friends who will stand up to Trump,=E2=80=9D said Oren blu=
ntly.</p><img class=3D"gmail-size-large gmail-wp-image-3249343" src=3D"http=
s://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-19-at-7=
.40.35-PM-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" height=3D"375" style=3D"margi=
n: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;=
 max-width: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">File =E2=80=93 Senate Majorit=
y Leader Chuck Schumer (left), a New York Democrat, meets with Prime Minist=
er Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Feb. 23, 2021. (Amos Ben-Gershom/Israel=
 Government Press Office)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border=
:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Netanyahu cannot turn to the Dem=
ocrats for support, as they long ago soured on him, and increasingly on Isr=
ael itself.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:=
inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Though they still answer his calls, Republ=
icans in Congress won=E2=80=99t defy Trump to help Netanyahu either.</p><p =
style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-a=
lign:baseline">And forget about turning to allies elsewhere. Netanyahu has =
thrown in his lot entirely with Trump. That strategy has now led to a stark=
ly different outcome than the one the prime minister envisioned, and he doe=
sn=E2=80=99t have world leaders ready to stick their necks out for him or f=
or Israel.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline">In the eyes of most of the region, Netanyah=
u himself is too toxic a figure at this point to partner with them on regio=
nal integration. He is the leader who led the war in Gaza. Moreover, he is =
seen as too concerned about domestic politics, and self-interest, to be tru=
sted.</p><img class=3D"gmail-size-large gmail-wp-image-2778108" src=3D"http=
s://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2022/06/KBG_GPO2306-e1654783434192=
-640x400.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"600" height=3D"375" style=3D"margin: 0px; p=
adding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-widt=
h: 100%; height: auto; width: auto;">Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (left) =
is received by UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan in Abu Dha=
bi, June 9, 2022. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)<p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:=
0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Netanyahu=C2=A0<a href=
=3D"https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-netanyahu-revealed-secret-uae-visi=
t-to-avoid-being-upstaged-by-election-rival-bennett/" style=3D"margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(54,98,=
155);background-color:transparent;outline:0px">reportedly</a>=C2=A0decided =
to publicize his wartime visit to the UAE =E2=80=94 a trip that the UAE was=
 said to have sought to keep secret and which Abu Dhabi has publicly denied=
 took place =E2=80=94 in order to reduce the political impact of a planned =
trip to the Gulf state by political rival Naftali Bennett.</p><p style=3D"m=
argin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine">Netanyahu could start making some moves to shift the discourse around =
Israel and show some goodwill toward potential partners in the region and b=
eyond. That could include cracking down forcefully on Jewish violence in th=
e West Bank, and agreeing to some symbolic moves on the Palestinian front.<=
/p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline">But his current government doesn=E2=80=99t give him th=
e maneuverability he needs to adapt to the new and challenging era. The rig=
ht flank of his coalition won=E2=80=99t let him solve soaring extremist set=
tler violence or make any gestures toward the Palestinian Authority.</p><p =
style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-a=
lign:baseline">A powerful country with deep ties in the region and beyond, =
Israel will eventually find options moving forward, and opportunities to im=
prove its standing. But with Trump=E2=80=99s MOU, the wars that began on Oc=
tober 7 are over.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;border:0px=
;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Under Netanyahu, Israel has no plan =
for what to do next.</p></div></div></div></div>

--0000000000008f195306547d3891--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 18:39:57 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 30E12B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:39:57 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 30E12B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="n9+OHViQ"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 212DABD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:39:57 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f48.google.com (mail-ej1-f48.google.com
 [209.85.218.48])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id D0750BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:39:56 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f48.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c069d7646b2so41450366b.2
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:39:56 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781746795; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=HDw6tbPZlmMawy8RuIu8dcJkqKj1aL3UaO0Qlx5cpwNRTdIXs1kUXETv2y2sSIFGPd
 AeXGzVrQTpnjx5Qpgk/advs0+oSPsf1/ZAdeFnhkS/Np8rXobP1WFaDFzHdWszL6mI8g
 qZRDBhpNDNjideJtBbE3yjXK9gOARzhvUH3saH3senFdgdgAfRXQbLs+kMRDXtnUWouF
 vb7aAEdAMOvLn4Ujfa0ScoevPf/YabUaMWvjPYLjfm+K7VMJ2j+FUgdG0BDudhavWsat
 1Mz6B8KNcZyGbsM2WUfwn71Fu0gWjf+MwIZeNrZ2fyjQWG5fNkXcMMgBZrnKbUPiEwSF
 IYpA==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=X+cD+Eb2TWns6Fmwv0p/+T1vDeIEftvCwDtXx5po4FA=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=gckgoAq63TI5h2y01w0nW151Hv7fwzq+pW+n6SrhwUxb3FeW5WOXRTBNkPIX3CYyii
 0AQnJpkvXsGZ+/0DB0HYEYfzqNK746yY5ykp6gPlOZbDXbIB2YqT9fkwye/V/OzUSjOz
 bXP4UfnI7wjZYzd/Hpyued3bMZJUlWrHWPvmZksklE63tzXmMDHnhKBomFr+3NveftzS
 Gy4Kn9MilyRIinFS93DUKEa/d3L/IyXR1ePfdMtBDJi3Uev8GP0SogP6ywkwN5bL+ikg
 uoOXZkUtZwfdgOMnlydKc+Oy07EroEorTn27VLhV9QkOL604HtI0TK7d3m1Dv2iQVALU
 kACg==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781746795; x=1782351595; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=X+cD+Eb2TWns6Fmwv0p/+T1vDeIEftvCwDtXx5po4FA=;
 b=n9+OHViQFSAJLHb1nGCmjlFGI513CD8v8ofszr0IO7QSRZPrlhPhxAMCBXGKKjlhAp
 8OkR6XFj+ZFV8SHk2oFCh3Pcu4HRHjgQAe256QEoyLXT0flWo9Dtwhm5aMLtVIRiHQGh
 C/SLljThTVo5JbgcMiQ9Miq0897+mfg6NdRDfuehURkEtPOzgchHGmTQ8u4ohkEZUUfg
 I61fhR11AOCd/opbP9WUBYR2W8mBqZNN+R3HNA2ggko+By5wMwZAG+w6g9/lEGxB4kQk
 MoRHVuLAmEKoC/tpUhM8kcCKk/1+6D9ghUeMfcADyfVfQSItG+M5CtlBbrsPkvv07Zbt
 NIDA==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781746795; x=1782351595;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=X+cD+Eb2TWns6Fmwv0p/+T1vDeIEftvCwDtXx5po4FA=;
 b=XxkmOKyAREmBrhKkrvo4ytedstA6322RK5Mb37XftlRBfgYHulXmQ3Ts3iEAuE+GVg
 SmYQyTomDE9eDoULr5a2ns8Rc0oK5heJGrJJuD2cqb/d0L4lrSCk3cAwQy+Ipfrhaf17
 s933ZEHQcM8eXcCmUfqRFBpzYIWsmtHAiuBsRRzZQjUHEfILjehicRsnlRSDrzGthfjW
 W1O/8Q3auZ4B2D2WJliWjtLMHOT8kSnynD01TV6ZRn99RZawRuDPn44wR5nXocFIy6CR
 kwVQ/F0dQpYS7gz3iD3km9x+QZJ63FTTnbvyFkUIazxeMoSfyNl4jHEAbo9YKIZpPgDP
 OqpQ==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YwupmReJ5Yz0TGv2geFxlTz5WayJuKHZOKr46CobxAheKSEtito
 woEKGxaJGlkbo8peaVkNSH5GxMxG/GrsD8/33kv6imSKqBiXlbGV77aZX7b0r6oG62vt33PRirZ
 zysUopPXWM+0ltxYJ6HszBJy1DZ1MCTddKf1g5m4=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7cmXpd4LpY8dVD0iR3uo5C1HGSIu7mwAeKBq06yz26saUNaT/OV4s4KEUwm9Eyx
 /TacoBWfOXEi5fWTvl+nlifH1+3Vw6mU4xV0v8nKZlYZO0tb1T/L1GmFuh98GceqVJCFaQG2jky
 5JYpLlx3RB3dsyKMto9Ic3yGKmeM9JZLgV3odQrFPfbLHPyTpGVJsraQIFYZXMTvhvGYVTMpL4R
 IUPQit4KlwlqSkHHgPXBD48MbslBEMm8QC/OOOpN2IDCqHqaE4Ctoy1jVL+oYbzbC8rAeRHFiyO
 40KGm0Zfs3X20eR3LOLTOEGqHa6I5DtjJrHMGJTzLyS5vzIs3Tqj3rNvowENanFOS2iWXDjssXC
 TKxAnH6ygUB6qRndLOmPR9GaJnnKTIA56q6f/yj8raPHn3ySYJaSLH6Yr5BqfKq0T3lXSU0l9qj
 7YJ2MSpo1ZKlprhrCZjv9BqOMNICYu6DTlinUrGpmH2RKu8H82b/Gf1gQigvwhKbyfcm0jbCZsP
 u/9LqnOLQ7wUu6iKF3SW121JnVIBPqcWiJ9C4yOERuyWmG1uJ7pHU9kAw==
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:944d:b0:c07:5ee3:cede with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c075ee3d97emr68272566b.2.1781746794810; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 18:39:54 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <CAA8bVzDOA7qFrgbazwCqXE_-n-Sw0-CFMNOfZvXc6YaiithPXQ@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <CAA8bVzDOA7qFrgbazwCqXE_-n-Sw0-CFMNOfZvXc6YaiithPXQ@mail.gmail.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:39:39 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Ce9M_ZUsj88nK6FNYtEuhkjsN6DKCrNYKlMkIm82jJ_XxtK-i1eC_ZGThk
Message-ID: <CANbmmQmQsMTQ=aKBmYQWnh=U-AHTaimpCfBZPFSP9VE9fWQpDQ@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000c8d18606547d40c5"
Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?Fwd=3A_=22The_UK=E2=80=99s_Most_Unpopular_Gove?=
 =?utf-8?q?rnment_on_Record_Just_Went_All-In_On_Digital_Surveillanc?=
 =?utf-8?q?e=2C_Censorship_and_Control=2E=22_=28Naked_Capitalism=2C?=
 =?utf-8?q?_6/16/26=29?=
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:39:57 -0000

--000000000000c8d18606547d40c5
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/06/the-uks-most-unpopular-government-=
on-record-just-went-all-in-on-digital-surveillance-and-control.html
<https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/06/the-uks-most-unpopular-government-=
on-record-just-went-all-in-on-digital-surveillance-and-control.html>*

*The UK=E2=80=99s Most Unpopular Government on Record Just Went All-In On D=
igital
Surveillance, Censorship and Control*
*Nick Corbishley
<https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/author/nick-corbishley>June 16, 2026*

*What could possibly go wrong?*

*UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer appears to be on borrowed time. Barely two
years into his first term, he is the most unpopular prime minister on
record =E2=80=94 indeed he had already earned that dubious distinction by t=
he end
of his first year in office. More than 100 backbench members of parliament
(MPs) have called for him to quit in recent weeks.*

*Last Thursday, his defence secretary resigned, becoming the seventh senior
minister to abandon ship in recent months and the 21st since the government
was formed just two years ago.*

*Starmer himself will not resign though he is likely to face a leadership
challenge in the coming weeks or months. If the Mayor of Manchester, Andy
Burnham, wins the Makerfield by-election on June 18, he will become an MP,
thereby becoming eligible to challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership
and the premiership of the UK.*

*Despite all this, Starmer is no lame duck. He still has a huge
parliamentary majority backing him up, albeit begrudgingly. And he is using
that majority to push through policies that will grant his government, and
future governments, including possibly one led by Nigel Farage,
unprecedented digital surveillance and control powers, much as we warned
<https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/07/will-a-keir-starmer-government-mak=
e-digital-identity-a-reality-in-uk.html>
would
happen in July 2024:*

*Like his mentor, Blair, Starmer has clear technocratic sensibilities. On
his return from the World Economic Forum=E2=80=99s annual meeting in Davos =
in
January, he was asked on a news podcast to choose between Davos or
Westminster. Without hesitation, he answered: Davos. There, he said, you
=E2=80=9Cactually engage with people that you can see working with in the f=
uture.=E2=80=9D
Westminster, by contrast, is just a =E2=80=9Cshouting place=E2=80=9D.*

*The World Economic Forum, of course, has done more than just about any
other organisation to push the development and roll out of digital identity
systems, especially since signing its strategic partnership with the UN in
2019.*

*Taking a Bludgeon to End-to-End Encryption*

*In a speech at London Tech Week last week, Starmer gave
<https://www.itv.com/news/2026-06-08/keir-starmer-speech-social-media-ai-te=
chnology-safeguards-jobs>
tech
companies operating in the UK an ultimatum: introduce device controls that
prevent children from sending and receiving explicit images, or the
government will bring forward legislation making it mandatory to do so in
just three months=E2=80=99 time.*

*The UK aspires to be the first country in the world
<https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cr5j43zp2rpt?post=3Dasset%3A47babb2f-e2a0-=
4933-ac53-5ad8afeebfef#post>
to
stop children taking, sharing, or viewing naked pictures on their devices.
To do that, it is calling on companies to perform what is called
client-side scanning on all their under-16 customers =E2=80=94 a controvers=
ial
practice we previously discussed in our article on the EU=E2=80=99s propose=
d Chat
Control law, =E2=80=9CThe EU=E2=80=99s Latest Plan to Stifle Online Privacy=
 Is Terrifying
<https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/11/will-online-age-verification-be-th=
e-trojan-horse-for-mass-rollout-of-digital-id.html>=E2=80=9C.*

*If tech firms buckle under the pressure or Starmer carries through on his
threat, assuming he=E2=80=99s still in office in three months=E2=80=99 time=
. every child=E2=80=99s
messages and images will be pre-inspected while every adult will be
required to show a form of ID in order to operate their phones and tablets
without restrictions or monitoring. As far as I understand it, the proposed
system will happen on-device at the operating system level, meaning VPNs
will offer no respite.*

*The technology that enables client-side scanning already exists today. As
the Indian tech analyst Anish Moonka notes
<https://x.com/anishmoonka/status/2066256864711430333> on Twitter, if it
came into widespread use, it would essentially drive a nail through the
coffin of end-to-end encryption, the technology that prevents third parties
from accessing data transferred from one endpoint to another, as is the
government=E2=80=99s clear goal:*

*Apple built this exact tool in 2021. Within weeks, security researchers
showed it could flag innocent people=E2=80=99s content. Apple killed it 16 =
months
later. The UK just gave tech companies three months to build it anyway,
threatening prison for executives who refuse.*

*The proposal is for something called client-side scanning. End-to-end
encryption (the technology that protects your WhatsApp or Signal messages)
works by scrambling your messages on your phone before they leave it.
Nobody intercepting them can read them.*

*Client-side scanning changes that sequence: your phone checks every image
and message against a database of prohibited content before encrypting it.
The lock stays in place, but the inspection happens first. When the
government says =E2=80=9Cscan for nude images,=E2=80=9D technically they me=
an =E2=80=9Cscan
everything.=E2=80=9D*

*The people who invented internet security have already ruled on this.
Ronald Rivest helped create RSA encryption, the system behind every padlock
icon you see in a browser. Whitfield Diffie invented public-key
cryptography, the math that all web security is built on. In October 2021,
both co-signed a paper with twelve other leading cryptographers, concluding
that device-level scanning undermines security for everyone while giving
law enforcement only unreliable gains. Once that infrastructure is on every
phone, any government can point it at whatever they decide to ban next.*

*The EU spent three years trying to pass something identical. Germany
blocked a Council vote in October 2025. On March 26, 2026, the European
Parliament voted 307 to 306 to reject it. One vote. German federal police
data from those debates showed roughly 48% of the 300,000 chats reported
annually under existing scanning rules were false positives, innocent
people=E2=80=99s messages treated as criminal evidence.*

*The ostensible goal of Starmer=E2=80=99s proposed legislation is to protec=
t
minors, but the measure would require inspecting the content of every
camera, messaging app and gallery to detect a single prohibited image.*

*And what begins with the suppression of nude images can easily bleed into
other areas, such as the censorship of speech. As the mobile messenger app
Signal notes
<https://signal.org/blog/pdfs/2026-06-08-uk-surveillance-is-not-safety.pdf>=
,
=E2=80=9CForcing all UK residents to prove their age and/or have all their =
content
scanned, simply to exercise their fundamental right to communicate, is a
perilous proposition=E2=80=9D:*





*The UK government=CA=BCs demand that all content on all devices sold or us=
ed in
theUK be scanned on the presumption of nudity, using a dystopian
combination of ageverification and content scanning, will not safeguard
children. It endangers us all, whilststrengthening Apple, Google, and
Microsoft=E2=80=99s market dominance and their control over ourmost persona=
l
information=E2=80=A6*

*We know that mass surveillance and censorship capabilities, however
sincere-sounding the promises of those who initiate them are, never remain
narrowly scoped. Once created, they will be expanded, forming a dangerous
tool that will be wielded both in the UK and abroad to censor and surveil
whatever they might consider =E2=80=98threats=E2=80=99 or =E2=80=98harmful =
content.=E2=80=99*




*Promises that this system will only run on-device are cold comfort.
Wherever it runs,including the =E2=80=9Ccamera=CB=AE itself once it is in p=
lace on UK
devices =E2=80=93 its scope will be defined bythe whims and proscriptions o=
f the
government to detect nudity today and political speechtomorrow.*

*=E2=80=9CAustralia-Plus=E2=80=9D Social Media Ban*

*This week, the Starmer government followed up its proposed assault on
end-to-end encryption by announcing a ban on major social media and
streaming platforms for under-16s that will come into effect by Spring
2027. The measure will apparently apply to Snapchat, TikTok,  YouTube,
Instagram, Facebook Reddit and X but, for some reason, not to Bluesky. Also
under consideration is a social media curfew for under-18s.*

*The Starmer government is calling the measure =E2=80=9CAustralia-plus=E2=
=80=9D, as it
seeks to improve on the social-media ban imposed by Australia in December,
with limited success. As we warned before the ban came into effect,
Australian teens have found numerous work-arounds, including, of course,
VPNs. Australia=E2=80=99s eSafety Commissioner=E2=80=99s latest compliance =
update
<https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-03/SocialMediaMinimumA=
geComplianceUpdateMarch2026.pdf?v=3D1774905032806>reports
that 70% cent of the 898 parents surveyed said their kids still had active
social media accounts.*

*=E2=80=9CEvidence from Australia demonstrates that these bans are largely
ineffective, as over sixty per cent of underage users bypassed restrictions
simply because platforms failed to close existing accounts, while others
easily utilised workarounds like alternative routing and shared
accounts,=E2=80=9D writes
<https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-uk-government-announ=
cing-a-ban-on-social-media-for-under-16s-2/>
Prof
Elvira Perez Vallejos, Professor of Digital Technology for Mental Health,
University of Nottingham.*

*The problem is not just the ineffectiveness of the proposed solutions =E2=
=80=94
biometric age estimation, for example, can be deceived by high quality
photographs, deepfakes, and AI generated imagery =E2=80=94 but also the pot=
ential
unintended consequences, warns
<https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-uk-government-announ=
cing-a-ban-on-social-media-for-under-16s-2/>
Dr
Hisham Al-Assam, associate professor in Computing at the University of
Buckingham:*

*Requiring identity documents and biometric information at scale would
create highly attractive targets for hackers, increasing the risk of data
breaches and identity theft on an unprecedented scale.*

*The deeper problem is architectural. The internet was designed to route
information, not to verify human identity. Any attempt to impose state
mandated identity verification across the network is therefore built on
foundations that were never intended for that purpose, making such systems
inherently fragile, costly, and prone to failure.*

*Australia was the first country in the west to implement an under-16
social media ban. Since then, more than two dozen countries around the
world have proposed or adopted bans on social media use for large sections
of their public, reports
<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/02/ban-children-social-=
media-biometic-data-surveilled>
Taylor
Lorenz in The Guardian:*

*These laws, often proposed under the guise of =E2=80=9Cchild safety=E2=80=
=9D, are ushering
in an era of mass surveillance and widespread censorship, contributing to
what scholars have called <https://www.jstor.org/stable/27121590> a =E2=80=
=9Cglobal
free speech recession=E2=80=9D.*

*Last year, Australia became the first country
<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/09/australia-under-16-=
social-media-ban-begins-apps-listed>
to
ban anyone under the age of 16 from accessing social media. The move
emboldened other countries around the world to quickly follow suit.
Germany=E2=80=99s ruling party announced it was backing a social media ban
<https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/germanys-ruling-party-backs=
-social-media-curbs-children-2026-02-21/>.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, called for a ban on social media for
under-15s
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/27/france-social-media-ban-unde=
r-15s>.
In the UK, Keir Starmer has sought to enact sweeping social media bans
<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg38x13x5yo>. Greece, the Philippines
<https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/07/02/2454966/skibidi-no-more-lacs=
on-seeks-bar-minors-social-media>,
Indonesia
<https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/2/14/after-australias-ban-indonesia=
-mulls-minimum-age-for-social-media>,
Malaysia
<https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-may-bar-those-under-13-=
from-having-social-media-accounts-says-minister>,
Singapore
<https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/spore-in-talks-with-austra=
lia-over-social-media-ban-for-young-users>
and Japan
<https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3288647/japan-ey=
es-australias-under-16-social-media-ban-amid-addiction-worries>
have
also pursued similar online identity verification laws.*

*In the US, online age verification laws have passed or are being
considered in more than half
<https://action.freespeechcoalition.com/age-verification-resources/state-av=
s-laws/>
of
the nation=E2=80=99s states. In the coming weeks, a package of 19 =E2=80=9C=
child safety=E2=80=9D
bills
<https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairmen-guthrie-and-bilirakis-anno=
unce-legislative-hearing-on-protections-for-children-and-teens-online>,
several which require identity verification for social media, are set to
move forward in the House of Representatives. Big tech platforms such as
Meta, Google and Discord have begun pre-complying with the laws in order to
get ahead of regulation.*

*As we have argued since July 2024, when the Spanish government proposed
launching
<https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/07/a-license-to-wank-spain-to-launch-=
digital-identity-wallet-to-limit-and-ration-public-access-to-internet-porn-=
sites.html>
a
digital identity wallet to limit and ration access to Internet porn sites,
online age verification is ultimately a Trojan Horse for the mass rollout
of digital IDs. As an Australian government official admitted in testimony
to the Senate in November 2024, online age verification traps everyone, not
just minors, in its web:*

*The Starmer government=E2=80=99s proposed online age verification does exa=
ctly the
same, as the following headline confirms. Put simply, it is an ID check on
all adults on social media.*

*=E2=80=9CThe result would be that millions of British adults would have to
surrender passports, biometric facial scans, or financial records to
technology companies simply to access online services,=E2=80=9D notes
<https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-uk-government-announ=
cing-a-ban-on-social-media-for-under-16s-2/>
Dr
Hisham Al-Assam. =E2=80=9CIn effect, the privacy of the entire population w=
ould be
sacrificed in an attempt to regulate the behaviour of a minority.=E2=80=9D*

*This is a reality that is not lost on many UK-based commenters.*

*Admittedly, protecting children from the darker corners of the Internet as
well as over-use of social media is a commendable goal. We have featured a
number of articles on this site warning (e.g., here
<https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/07/the-anxious-generation-a-view-of-w=
here-we-are-and-what-should-come-next.html>,
here
<https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/01/we-are-watching-critical-thinking-=
disappear-in-real-time-due-to-ai-addiction-40-of-kids-cant-read-teachers-qu=
itting-in-droves.html>
and here
<https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/01/screens-and-social-media-are-damag=
ing-kids-conversation-skills-heres-why-this-matters-and-how-to-get-them-bac=
k.html>)
of the harms resulting from children=E2=80=99s excessive use of social medi=
a, AI
bots and smart phones. However, as the German financial journalist Norbert
H=C3=A4ring argues <https://norberthaering.de/news/alterskontrollen/>,
governments have, until now, sat on their hands as the harms have
multiplied.*

*It takes little imagination to think of effective measures that could have
been taken a long time ago: enforcement of data protection law. Bans on
algorithmic suggestion systems for social media to prevent tech companies
from deliberately creating online addiction, opinion manipulation and
artificially increased radicalisation=E2=80=A6 Development of a child prote=
ction
app by tech firms or governments that allows parents to effectively protect
their children from pornography and online addiction. Smartphone bans in
schools.*

*Instead, governments did next to nothing for more than a decade and are
now using child protection as a pretext for launching
<https://www.thenational.scot/news/25780001.shabana-mahmood-proposes-ai-pan=
opticon-system-state-surveillance/>
an
unprecedented =E2=80=94 and quite possibly, irreversible =E2=80=94 assault =
on online
speech, privacy and anonymity. The real goal, notes
<https://x.com/ggreenwald/status/2066558495747354988> Glenn Greenwald, =E2=
=80=9Cis
online surveillance, an end to anonymity, and control over political
content that young people can access.=E2=80=9D*

*The real goal arguably extends beyond that. Digital identity is intended
not just as a tool for online surveillance and control but as the lynchpin
for all digital public infrastructure (DPI) =E2=80=94 including, crucially,=
 central
bank digital currencies, which 146 countries & currency unions,
representing over 98% of global GDP, are exploring, according to
<https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/cbdctracker/> the Atlantic Council=E2=80=
=99s CBDC
Tracker.*

*In other words, if this global push for age verification is successful in
facilitating the mass roll out of digital identity, as intended, CBDCs will
be next on the agenda. This fact is openly admitted by the Bank for
International Settlements (BIS), the central bank of central banks. In a
2023 paper <https://www.bis.org/fsi/fsisummaries/cbdcs.htm>, the BIS
concluded that CBDCs must be account-based and ultimately tied to a digital
identity. Without digital identity, there will be no CBDCs.*

*Lastly, it=E2=80=99s worth adding that social media bans are not only inef=
fective,
they endanger both children and adults alike, as Lorenz warns:*

*Removing anonymity from the web, which will inevitably happen when tech
companies are required to identify and ban children, allows for easier
government tracking and censorship of journalists, activists and
whistleblowers, who rely on online anonymity.*

*And while some claim the laws would curb big tech=E2=80=99s power, only th=
e
largest tech companies have the resources to shoulder the extensive costs
of age verification systems. Non-profit and indie platforms could be forced
to close, consolidating big tech=E2=80=99s power further. Mass surveillance
systems, once constructed, could also be easily leveraged by governments
and bad actors.*

*The UK=E2=80=99s Home Secretary recent admission
<https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/01/uk-home-secretarys-surprisingly-ca=
ndid-admission-about-real-reason-for-ai-surveillance-state.html>
in
a conversation with Tony Blair (who else?) that =E2=80=9Cher ultimate visio=
n=E2=80=9D is to
=E2=80=9Cachieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried =
to do
with his Panopticon=E2=80=A6 that the eyes of the state can be on you at al=
l times=E2=80=9D
is hardly reassuring in this regard. When the senior minister in charge of
policing and national security makes such a frank statement of intent, it
probably makes sense to take her at her word.*

*After all, this is a government that is not only seeking to radically
reconfigure the way the Internet works for everyone, adults included,
regardless of the intended consequences it could unleash, but is also
determined to scrap the right to trial by jury in the majority of cases =E2=
=80=94 a
right that dates back to the 12th Century and is a foundation stone of
common law justice systems.*

--000000000000c8d18606547d40c5
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/=
06/the-uks-most-unpopular-government-on-record-just-went-all-in-on-digital-=
surveillance-and-control.html" target=3D"_blank">https://www.nakedcapitalis=
m.com/2026/06/the-uks-most-unpopular-government-on-record-just-went-all-in-=
on-digital-surveillance-and-control.html</a></font></b></div><div dir=3D"lt=
r"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></=
div><div><h1 style=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5=
em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=
=3D"4"><i>The UK=E2=80=99s Most Unpopular Government on Record Just Went Al=
l-In On Digital Surveillance, Censorship and Control</i></font></h1><div st=
yle=3D"margin-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/author/nic=
k-corbishley" title=3D"Nick Corbishley" rel=3D"author" style=3D"text-decora=
tion:none;margin:0px;color:rgb(27,27,27);max-width:100%;display:inline" tar=
get=3D"_blank">Nick Corbishley</a><span style=3D"margin:0.07em 0.45em 0px;p=
adding:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline"></span>June 16, 2026</font></b></=
div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><strong style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif">What could possibly go wrong?</font=
></strong></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer appears to be on borrowe=
d time. Barely two years into his first term, he is the most unpopular prim=
e minister on record =E2=80=94 indeed he had already earned that dubious di=
stinction by the end of his first year in office. More than 100 backbench m=
embers of parliament (MPs) have called for him to quit in recent weeks.</fo=
nt></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D=
"georgia, serif">Last Thursday, his defence secretary resigned, becoming th=
e seventh senior minister to abandon ship in recent months and the 21st sin=
ce the government was formed just two years ago.</font></b></p><p style=3D"=
max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Starme=
r himself will not resign though he is likely to face a leadership challeng=
e in the coming weeks or months. If the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, =
wins the Makerfield by-election on June 18, he will become an MP, thereby b=
ecoming eligible to challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership and the pre=
miership of the UK.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,2=
7,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Despite all this, Starmer is no lam=
e duck. He still has a huge parliamentary majority backing him up, albeit b=
egrudgingly. And he is using that majority to push through policies that wi=
ll grant his government, and future governments, including possibly one led=
 by Nigel Farage, unprecedented digital surveillance and control powers, mu=
ch as we<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/=
07/will-a-keir-starmer-government-make-digital-identity-a-reality-in-uk.htm=
l" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" targ=
et=3D"_blank">warned</a><span>=C2=A0</span>would happen in July 2024:</font=
></b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);margin-left:2px;margin=
-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-style:solid;=
border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100=
%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Like his mentor, Blair, Starmer has cle=
ar technocratic sensibilities. On his return from the World Economic Forum=
=E2=80=99s annual meeting in Davos in January, he was asked on a news podca=
st to choose between Davos or Westminster. Without hesitation, he answered:=
 Davos. There, he said, you =E2=80=9Cactually engage with people that you c=
an see working with in the future.=E2=80=9D Westminster, by contrast, is ju=
st a =E2=80=9Cshouting place=E2=80=9D.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:=
100%"></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The =
World Economic Forum, of course, has done more than just about any other or=
ganisation to push the development and roll out of digital identity systems=
, especially since signing its strategic partnership with the UN in 2019.</=
font></b></p></blockquote><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><=
strong style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Taking a Blud=
geon to End-to-End Encryption</font></strong></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%=
;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">In a speech at Londo=
n Tech Week last week, Starmer<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.itv=
.com/news/2026-06-08/keir-starmer-speech-social-media-ai-technology-safegua=
rds-jobs" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,2=
10);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">gave</a><span>=C2=A0</span>tech compa=
nies operating in the UK an ultimatum: introduce device controls that preve=
nt children from sending and receiving explicit images, or the government w=
ill bring forward legislation making it mandatory to do so in just three mo=
nths=E2=80=99 time.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,2=
7,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The UK aspires to be<span>=C2=A0</s=
pan><a href=3D"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cr5j43zp2rpt?post=3Dasset%3A=
47babb2f-e2a0-4933-ac53-5ad8afeebfef#post" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-d=
ecoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">the =
first country in the world</a><span>=C2=A0</span>to stop children taking, s=
haring, or viewing naked pictures on their devices. To do that, it is calli=
ng on companies to perform what is called client-side scanning on all their=
 under-16 customers =E2=80=94 a controversial practice we previously discus=
sed in our article on the EU=E2=80=99s proposed Chat Control law, =E2=80=9C=
<a href=3D"https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/11/will-online-age-verifica=
tion-be-the-trojan-horse-for-mass-rollout-of-digital-id.html" style=3D"text=
-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Th=
e EU=E2=80=99s Latest Plan to Stifle Online Privacy Is Terrifying</a>=E2=80=
=9C.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font=
 face=3D"georgia, serif">If tech firms buckle under the pressure or Starmer=
 carries through on his threat, assuming he=E2=80=99s still in office in th=
ree months=E2=80=99 time. every child=E2=80=99s messages and images will be=
 pre-inspected while every adult will be required to show a form of ID in o=
rder to operate their phones and tablets without restrictions or monitoring=
. As far as I understand it, the proposed system will happen on-device at t=
he operating system level, meaning VPNs will offer no respite.</font></b></=
p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia,=
 serif">The technology that enables client-side scanning already exists tod=
ay. As the Indian tech analyst Anish Moonka<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"ht=
tps://x.com/anishmoonka/status/2066256864711430333" rel=3D"nofollow" style=
=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_b=
lank">notes</a><span>=C2=A0</span>on Twitter, if it came into widespread us=
e, it would essentially drive a nail through the coffin of end-to-end encry=
ption, the technology that prevents third parties from accessing data trans=
ferred from one endpoint to another, as is the government=E2=80=99s clear g=
oal:</font></b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);margin-left:=
2px;margin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-st=
yle:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max=
-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Apple built this exact tool i=
n 2021. Within weeks, security researchers showed it could flag innocent pe=
ople=E2=80=99s content. Apple killed it 16 months later. The UK just gave t=
ech companies three months to build it anyway, threatening prison for execu=
tives who refuse.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">The proposal is for something called client-side scanni=
ng. End-to-end encryption (the technology that protects your WhatsApp or Si=
gnal messages) works by scrambling your messages on your phone before they =
leave it. Nobody intercepting them can read them.</font></b></p><p style=3D=
"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Client-side scanning chan=
ges that sequence: your phone checks every image and message against a data=
base of prohibited content before encrypting it. The lock stays in place, b=
ut the inspection happens first. When the government says =E2=80=9Cscan for=
 nude images,=E2=80=9D technically they mean =E2=80=9Cscan everything.=E2=
=80=9D</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">The people who invented internet security have already ruled on this=
. Ronald Rivest helped create RSA encryption, the system behind every padlo=
ck icon you see in a browser. Whitfield Diffie invented public-key cryptogr=
aphy, the math that all web security is built on. In October 2021, both co-=
signed a paper with twelve other leading cryptographers, concluding that de=
vice-level scanning undermines security for everyone while giving law enfor=
cement only unreliable gains. Once that infrastructure is on every phone, a=
ny government can point it at whatever they decide to ban next.</font></b><=
/p><blockquote style=3D"margin-left:2px;margin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;=
border-left-width:3px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,=
0.1);max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">The EU spent three years trying to pass something identical. Germany=
 blocked a Council vote in October 2025. On March 26, 2026, the European Pa=
rliament voted 307 to 306 to reject it. One vote. German federal police dat=
a from those debates showed roughly 48% of the 300,000 chats reported annua=
lly under existing scanning rules were false positives, innocent people=E2=
=80=99s messages treated as criminal evidence.</font></b></p></blockquote><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The ostensible =
goal of Starmer=E2=80=99s proposed legislation is to protect minors, but th=
e measure would require inspecting the content of every camera, messaging a=
pp and gallery to detect a single prohibited image.</font></b></p></blockqu=
ote><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgi=
a, serif">And what begins with the suppression of nude images can easily bl=
eed into other areas, such as the censorship of speech. As the mobile messe=
nger app Signal<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://signal.org/blog/pdfs/2=
026-06-08-uk-surveillance-is-not-safety.pdf" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text=
-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">no=
tes</a>, =E2=80=9CForcing all UK residents to prove their age and/or have a=
ll their content scanned, simply to exercise their fundamental right to com=
municate, is a perilous proposition=E2=80=9D:</font></b></p><blockquote sty=
le=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);margin-left:2px;margin-right:6px;padding-left:=
16px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0=
,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"geor=
gia, serif">The UK government=CA=BCs demand that all content on all devices=
 sold or used in the<br style=3D"max-width:100%">UK be scanned on the presu=
mption of nudity, using a dystopian combination of age<br style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%">verification and content scanning, will not safeguard children. It =
endangers us all, whilst<br style=3D"max-width:100%">strengthening Apple, G=
oogle, and Microsoft=E2=80=99s market dominance and their control over our<=
br style=3D"max-width:100%">most personal information=E2=80=A6</font></b></=
p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">We know that=
 mass surveillance and censorship capabilities, however sincere-sounding th=
e promises of those who initiate them are, never remain narrowly scoped. On=
ce created, they will be expanded, forming a dangerous tool that will be wi=
elded both in the UK and abroad to censor and surveil whatever they might c=
onsider =E2=80=98threats=E2=80=99 or =E2=80=98harmful content.=E2=80=99</fo=
nt></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Pro=
mises that this system will only run on-device are cold comfort. Wherever i=
t runs,<br style=3D"max-width:100%">including the =E2=80=9Ccamera=CB=AE its=
elf once it is in place on UK devices =E2=80=93 its scope will be defined b=
y<br style=3D"max-width:100%">the whims and proscriptions of the government=
 to detect nudity today and political speech<br style=3D"max-width:100%">to=
morrow.</font></b></p></blockquote><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,=
27,27)"><strong style=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=E2=
=80=9CAustralia-Plus=E2=80=9D Social Media Ban</font></strong></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Th=
is week, the Starmer government followed up its proposed assault on end-to-=
end encryption by announcing a ban on major social media and streaming plat=
forms for under-16s that will come into effect by Spring 2027. The measure =
will apparently apply to Snapchat, TikTok,=C2=A0 YouTube, Instagram, Facebo=
ok Reddit and X but, for some reason, not to Bluesky. Also under considerat=
ion is a social media curfew for under-18s.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The Starmer=
 government is calling the measure =E2=80=9CAustralia-plus=E2=80=9D, as it =
seeks to improve on the social-media ban imposed by Australia in December, =
with limited success. As we warned before the ban came into effect, Austral=
ian teens have found numerous work-arounds, including, of course, VPNs. Aus=
tralia=E2=80=99s eSafety Commissioner=E2=80=99s latest<span>=C2=A0</span><a=
 href=3D"https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-03/SocialMedia=
MinimumAgeComplianceUpdateMarch2026.pdf?v=3D1774905032806" rel=3D"nofollow"=
 style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=
=3D"_blank">compliance update</a>reports that 70% cent of the 898 parents s=
urveyed said their kids still had active social media accounts.</font></b><=
/p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia=
, serif">=E2=80=9CEvidence from Australia demonstrates that these bans are =
largely ineffective, as over sixty per cent of underage users bypassed rest=
rictions simply because platforms failed to close existing accounts, while =
others easily utilised workarounds like alternative routing and shared acco=
unts,=E2=80=9D<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.sciencemediacentre.=
org/expert-reaction-to-uk-government-announcing-a-ban-on-social-media-for-u=
nder-16s-2/" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,11=
0,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">writes</a><span>=C2=A0</span>Prof =
Elvira Perez Vallejos, Professor of Digital Technology for Mental Health, U=
niversity of Nottingham.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb=
(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The problem is not just the in=
effectiveness of the proposed solutions =E2=80=94 biometric age estimation,=
 for example, can be deceived by high quality photographs, deepfakes, and A=
I generated imagery =E2=80=94 but also the potential unintended consequence=
s,<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-r=
eaction-to-uk-government-announcing-a-ban-on-social-media-for-under-16s-2/"=
 rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-w=
idth:100%" target=3D"_blank">warns</a><span>=C2=A0</span>Dr Hisham Al-Assam=
, associate professor in Computing at the University of Buckingham:</font><=
/b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);margin-left:2px;margin-r=
ight:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-style:solid;bo=
rder-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%"=
><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Requiring identity documents and biometri=
c information at scale would create highly attractive targets for hackers, =
increasing the risk of data breaches and identity theft on an unprecedented=
 scale.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia,=
 serif">The deeper problem is architectural. The internet was designed to r=
oute information, not to verify human identity. Any attempt to impose state=
 mandated identity verification across the network is therefore built on fo=
undations that were never intended for that purpose, making such systems in=
herently fragile, costly, and prone to failure.</font></b></p></blockquote>=
<p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif">Australia was the first country in the west to implement an under-16 =
social media ban. Since then, more than=C2=A0two dozen countries around the=
 world have proposed or adopted bans on social media use for large sections=
 of their public,<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.theguardian.com/=
commentisfree/2026/mar/02/ban-children-social-media-biometic-data-surveille=
d" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max=
-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">reports</a><span>=C2=A0</span>Taylor Lorenz =
in<span>=C2=A0</span><em style=3D"max-width:100%">The Guardian</em>:</font>=
</b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);margin-left:2px;margin-=
right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-style:solid;b=
order-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%=
"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">These laws, often proposed under the gui=
se of =E2=80=9Cchild safety=E2=80=9D, are ushering in an era of mass survei=
llance and widespread censorship, contributing to what=C2=A0<a href=3D"http=
s://www.jstor.org/stable/27121590" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoratio=
n:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">scholars hav=
e called</a><span>=C2=A0</span>a =E2=80=9Cglobal free speech recession=E2=
=80=9D.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia,=
 serif">Last year,=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.theguardian.com/australia-ne=
ws/2025/dec/09/australia-under-16-social-media-ban-begins-apps-listed" rel=
=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width=
:100%" target=3D"_blank">Australia became the first country</a><span>=C2=A0=
</span>to ban anyone under the age of 16 from accessing social media. The m=
ove emboldened other countries around the world to quickly follow suit. Ger=
many=E2=80=99s ruling party announced it was=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.re=
uters.com/business/media-telecom/germanys-ruling-party-backs-social-media-c=
urbs-children-2026-02-21/" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;c=
olor:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">backing a social med=
ia ban</a>. The French president, Emmanuel Macron,=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://=
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/27/france-social-media-ban-under-15s" re=
l=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-widt=
h:100%" target=3D"_blank">called for a ban on social media for under-15s</a=
>. In the UK, Keir Starmer has sought to=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.bbc.co=
m/news/articles/cvg38x13x5yo" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:non=
e;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">enact sweeping so=
cial media bans</a>. Greece, the=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.philstar.com/h=
eadlines/2025/07/02/2454966/skibidi-no-more-lacson-seeks-bar-minors-social-=
media" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210)=
;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Philippines</a>,<a href=3D"https://www.a=
ljazeera.com/economy/2025/2/14/after-australias-ban-indonesia-mulls-minimum=
-age-for-social-media" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color=
:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">=C2=A0Indonesia</a>,=C2=
=A0<a href=3D"https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-may-bar-th=
ose-under-13-from-having-social-media-accounts-says-minister" rel=3D"nofoll=
ow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" tar=
get=3D"_blank">Malaysia</a>,=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.straitstimes.com/s=
ingapore/politics/spore-in-talks-with-australia-over-social-media-ban-for-y=
oung-users" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110=
,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Singapore</a>=C2=A0and=C2=A0<a href=
=3D"https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3288647/japan=
-eyes-australias-under-16-social-media-ban-amid-addiction-worries" rel=3D"n=
ofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%=
" target=3D"_blank">Japan</a><span>=C2=A0</span>have also pursued similar o=
nline identity verification laws.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"=
><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">In the US, online age verification laws h=
ave passed or are being considered in=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://action.freesp=
eechcoalition.com/age-verification-resources/state-avs-laws/" rel=3D"nofoll=
ow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" tar=
get=3D"_blank">more than half</a>=C2=A0of the nation=E2=80=99s states. In t=
he coming weeks, a package of=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://energycommerce.house.=
gov/posts/chairmen-guthrie-and-bilirakis-announce-legislative-hearing-on-pr=
otections-for-children-and-teens-online" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-dec=
oration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">19 =E2=
=80=9Cchild safety=E2=80=9D bills</a>, several which require identity verif=
ication for social media, are set to move forward in the House of Represent=
atives. Big tech platforms such as Meta, Google and Discord have begun pre-=
complying with the laws in order to get ahead of regulation.</font></b></p>=
</blockquote><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">As we have argued since July 2024, when the Spanish gov=
ernment<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/0=
7/a-license-to-wank-spain-to-launch-digital-identity-wallet-to-limit-and-ra=
tion-public-access-to-internet-porn-sites.html" style=3D"text-decoration:no=
ne;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">proposed launchi=
ng</a><span>=C2=A0</span>a digital identity wallet to limit and<span>=C2=A0=
</span><em style=3D"max-width:100%">ration</em><span>=C2=A0</span>access to=
 Internet porn sites, online age verification is ultimately a Trojan Horse =
for the mass rollout of digital IDs. As an Australian government official a=
dmitted in testimony to the Senate in November 2024, online age verificatio=
n traps everyone, not just minors, in its web:</font></b></p><p style=3D"ma=
x-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The Starmer government=E2=80=99=
s proposed online age verification does exactly the same, as the following =
headline confirms. Put simply, it is an ID check on all adults on social me=
dia.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"></p><p s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif=
">=E2=80=9CThe result would be that millions of British adults would have t=
o surrender passports, biometric facial scans, or financial records to tech=
nology companies simply to access online services,=E2=80=9D<span>=C2=A0</sp=
an><a href=3D"https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-uk-gove=
rnment-announcing-a-ban-on-social-media-for-under-16s-2/" rel=3D"nofollow" =
style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=
=3D"_blank">notes</a><span>=C2=A0</span>Dr Hisham Al-Assam. =E2=80=9CIn eff=
ect, the privacy of the entire population would be sacrificed in an attempt=
 to regulate the behaviour of a minority.=E2=80=9D</font></b></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Th=
is is a reality that is not lost on many UK-based commenters.</font></b></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"></p><p style=3D"max-width:=
100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27=
)"></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"geo=
rgia, serif">Admittedly, protecting children from the darker corners of the=
 Internet as well as over-use of social media is a commendable goal. We hav=
e featured a number of articles on this site warning (e.g.,<span>=C2=A0</sp=
an><a href=3D"https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/07/the-anxious-generatio=
n-a-view-of-where-we-are-and-what-should-come-next.html" style=3D"text-deco=
ration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">here</a=
>,<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/01/we-=
are-watching-critical-thinking-disappear-in-real-time-due-to-ai-addiction-4=
0-of-kids-cant-read-teachers-quitting-in-droves.html" style=3D"text-decorat=
ion:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">here</a><s=
pan>=C2=A0</span>and<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.nakedcapitali=
sm.com/2026/01/screens-and-social-media-are-damaging-kids-conversation-skil=
ls-heres-why-this-matters-and-how-to-get-them-back.html" style=3D"text-deco=
ration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">here</a=
>) of the harms resulting from children=E2=80=99s excessive use of social m=
edia, AI bots and smart phones. However, as the German financial journalist=
 Norbert H=C3=A4ring<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://norberthaering.de=
/news/alterskontrollen/" rel=3D"nofollow noopener" style=3D"text-decoration=
:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">argues</a>, g=
overnments have, until now, sat on their hands as the harms have multiplied=
.</font></b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);margin-left:2px=
;margin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-style=
:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">It takes little imagination to t=
hink of effective measures that could have been taken a long time ago: enfo=
rcement of data protection law. Bans on algorithmic suggestion systems for =
social media to prevent tech companies from deliberately creating online ad=
diction, opinion manipulation and artificially increased radicalisation=E2=
=80=A6 Development of a child protection app by tech firms or governments t=
hat allows parents to effectively protect their children from pornography a=
nd online addiction. Smartphone bans in schools.</font></b></p></blockquote=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">Instead, governments did next to nothing for more than a decade and =
are now using child protection as a pretext for<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=
=3D"https://www.thenational.scot/news/25780001.shabana-mahmood-proposes-ai-=
panopticon-system-state-surveillance/" rel=3D"nofollow noopener" style=3D"t=
ext-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank"=
>launching</a><span>=C2=A0</span>an unprecedented =E2=80=94 and quite possi=
bly, irreversible =E2=80=94 assault on online speech, privacy and anonymity=
. The real goal,<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://x.com/ggreenwald/stat=
us/2066558495747354988" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;colo=
r:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">notes</a><span>=C2=A0</=
span>Glenn Greenwald, =E2=80=9Cis online surveillance, an end to anonymity,=
 and control over political content that young people can access.=E2=80=9D<=
/font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">The real goal arguably extends beyond that. Digital ide=
ntity is intended not just as a tool for online surveillance and control bu=
t as the lynchpin for all digital public infrastructure (DPI) =E2=80=94 inc=
luding, crucially, central bank digital currencies, which 146 countries &am=
p; currency unions, representing over 98% of global GDP, are exploring,<spa=
n>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/cbdctracker/" rel=
=3D"nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width=
:100%" target=3D"_blank">according to</a><span>=C2=A0</span>the Atlantic Co=
uncil=E2=80=99s CBDC Tracker.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;colo=
r:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">In other words, if this g=
lobal push for age verification is successful in facilitating the mass roll=
 out of digital identity, as intended, CBDCs will be next on the agenda. Th=
is fact is openly admitted by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS),=
 the central bank of central banks. In a 2023<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"=
https://www.bis.org/fsi/fsisummaries/cbdcs.htm" rel=3D"nofollow" style=3D"t=
ext-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank"=
>paper</a>, the BIS concluded that CBDCs must be account-based and ultimate=
ly tied to a digital identity. Without digital identity, there will be no C=
BDCs.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"></p><p =
style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, seri=
f">Lastly, it=E2=80=99s worth adding that social media bans are not only in=
effective, they endanger both children and adults alike, as Lorenz warns:</=
font></b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);margin-left:2px;ma=
rgin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-style:so=
lid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width=
:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Removing anonymity from the web, wh=
ich will inevitably happen when tech companies are required to identify and=
 ban children, allows for easier government tracking and censorship of jour=
nalists, activists and whistleblowers, who rely on online anonymity.</font>=
</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">And wh=
ile some claim the laws would curb big tech=E2=80=99s power, only the large=
st tech companies have the resources to shoulder the extensive costs of age=
 verification systems. Non-profit and indie platforms could be forced to cl=
ose, consolidating big tech=E2=80=99s power further. Mass surveillance syst=
ems, once constructed, could also be easily leveraged by governments and ba=
d actors.</font></b></p></blockquote><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(2=
7,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The UK=E2=80=99s Home Secretary =
recent=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/01/uk-home-secr=
etarys-surprisingly-candid-admission-about-real-reason-for-ai-surveillance-=
state.html" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:1=
00%" target=3D"_blank">admission</a><span>=C2=A0</span>in a conversation wi=
th Tony Blair (who else?) that =E2=80=9Cher ultimate vision=E2=80=9D is to =
=E2=80=9Cachieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried =
to do with his Panopticon=E2=80=A6 that the eyes of the state can be on you=
 at all times=E2=80=9D is hardly reassuring in this regard. When the senior=
 minister in charge of policing and national security makes such a frank st=
atement of intent, it probably makes sense to take her at her word.</font><=
/b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"geo=
rgia, serif">After all, this is a government that is not only seeking to ra=
dically reconfigure the way the Internet works for everyone, adults include=
d, regardless of the intended consequences it could unleash, but is also de=
termined to scrap the right to trial by jury in the majority of cases =E2=
=80=94 a right that dates back to the 12th Century and is a foundation ston=
e of common law justice systems.</font></b></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--000000000000c8d18606547d40c5--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 18:42:21 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id A71F0B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:42:21 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net A71F0B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="C6xWs9iV"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 8E00BBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:42:21 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f48.google.com (mail-ej1-f48.google.com
 [209.85.218.48])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 7082BBD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:42:21 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f48.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bebc80100efso32200966b.1
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:42:21 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781746940; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=JYkMtTJOblRCnKaZWJyEnt5IjBeUfNpiH6yApnXMlHvuujsilH/UnvSa/Dv133SPw0
 wfH/AkHgIA+Un4+fbaAasDctJlADSdemhI/kpn3t5KPNXJooNO7KWQF1y27JrVClbzRW
 XrdTV7u8M8IU0brpiF/ohf0nzxXHV7FRi+5YGyhAs6os0QAxWuHUIDqHXKU5eDGK1Y+V
 b2kXjyOs0SKacx08wzwlUB9gETV9YFNxerMW7PWJHihVXc6xHasnslSeFg6PpnpvL7vL
 cQQP9wZokqse4R7VUSJQhz+ecgLJTyQ+vbX/6g0TdTwJsxm/blt7LUAAfa52W8hS3QdJ
 FxLQ==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :dkim-signature;
 bh=96gw3cUD5+udTz45OATGs+oLk2Zn5/UxI1QHqjEDhfo=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=DO95VqPHyFAROVmmy1SarynueQLV0acbXgEb0wTFqj9/F3Bz+OOKwBpZY+Y4WMRc7N
 PkWZKBJAS/VxPA6fRpHCR4GdkNuhI1hD4fQHP4x+wSHJ8Ww5oZIiGMr7gwLoNXPBlx26
 v8jj+qLrzTirnDU8SIGTeyrMXttPiNzxZxjp51WOy67HFo345W0r4Uh7+QUx0yK1dUAe
 KxihaY7q37IIYPXECRrL3BgoGpN3SOo1ZN/ZeZN2n3MLQz2mQ6/oKJxpkbeV7C5QKsJn
 5Zd2g9/Xw7I8YBjaAfA9vAhRNUi8TmtJMJYgO2WjtsUqpddb6Uz8oBJOgncvQJdDOW3D
 46/Q==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781746940; x=1782351740; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=96gw3cUD5+udTz45OATGs+oLk2Zn5/UxI1QHqjEDhfo=;
 b=C6xWs9iVcJedvQ15l53bR/mFg6lilN5w9TuIQUYN5DvT54e4a/845U+a350MtHA5Jr
 fq07936bbdH6li/zA1x9Sjji/s3/m6C1+QybRrDu0JNOAYZekMf5prjDn29pD5XzKcw9
 C8jNUkxD0yb8W6KSlWKuY35bUZzsMjjS/o6ebOesXCQuvNwgPRgmm02BlTiLFVk5JPfy
 Xhri5LiNq2fhKPpTv1pQIgzGOycAu25PcOBcpoCMMBF2LgUbgQMf3JkxlIknHdtFYSH1
 4WSAPi7ExfGmRIDfezbelGGr/rp6cTIZS4d+fTrcmSOBU7yNBPhbGIfg/0jdA2N9v/LV
 jsQQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781746940; x=1782351740;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:in-reply-to:references:mime-version
 :x-gm-gg:x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id
 :reply-to;
 bh=96gw3cUD5+udTz45OATGs+oLk2Zn5/UxI1QHqjEDhfo=;
 b=pGRLODPpME2UwOdOdgy10wTbPdvBKAZ/QEeBSa2Nfq0EUamHDntEGKSPWG9pks+v9b
 jP24S5cv6sJKGxkKhlRJ8hJM8XKYDgmKcRSrpIrJQdMMm29LlmCmVPOxRK9UYI/E1M4Q
 HwBtNeMyMZXUyWqunuD6AOWLKpCA8qQpA8EMlbK/5CXsfTqNYO/nfCqb9XjFW0PreFDW
 C1wITKuXKJGdKnCF+dPHtum6l2UhC9QeuQzNMBHrHl7DI1UG926yg+1oKH1STFH5OxSr
 yPx5tc+qOZSbjOEFcXUrSZQAL8vZ0syjPKYdNyyFWMZHCZZjnVPhmKI+X8TTk815ZSOd
 lLVA==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YyQzvKHRodqS4+0bpsRIGjHOJL7i6/IzZlnX7ColxeLVoC+lpNb
 ZqVP8AYy1Nlac96uh+Bpe0P8PTjLhNMTEVVfFHJ7dWIl8LKG81M7oLodZEIHSrlRDYL66P+v03Q
 IEOLzo69KPPpNPAnwMSQAuwPAvImbMqCboJ0Pg9g=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7clZiqZ2HjgdxqndmW2PyHiQ5yeQdJ/vWrLlXCCz6uNy7rU2klVkoByHsmsNYEp
 T8khT1NVWZ/EXVwHTbnO3gh+KBAEz/JRBK+V00rHL2/kf9Gkt+iRSjmW6jbT1WMXwdF3qpxp8eo
 +4i3p0tgG02uU08mDfXfl2+rI3BrGod1VKWY8t1NrG06Kr4HtkLumXycPwFbjnE4ckP+2Jl6011
 HOg/8NHp8U5kum0YiWxhO5GvD8UQejd8gAApBy3tWWGhArp2OQs25VKLJJNvDCyYPabgoAeu/im
 CKgTj4yW20U9qG5hWMYprkj9sc4tj/YH1flt3Oc+ze3og0PfJu7FCbxzJqbjbKvY9tflgjRzJhX
 0q9rrDyy+i2juz6vaF88qDEGdSKVWbJOTG2Er81oUXs6UkRIOJ4bzYXR6Ps5/9Ht7b3Pmyg1abN
 mb5rn5CUVSXoTNNrFAj7E29RHFjwrinKLpCCSy++MpQnozzYPlnk5cTeEmhe/khWLYaEewArQVg
 HqKWqxTPNASWOucWieb6BGHAy7+ri9AP+T/60qXfqmyaUA=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:989:b0:bd5:18e8:1ac1 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a61054ebmr435471166b.5.1781746939659; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 18:42:19 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
References: <1066158699.1679922.1781403732447.ref@mail.yahoo.com>
 <1066158699.1679922.1781403732447@mail.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To: <1066158699.1679922.1781403732447@mail.yahoo.com>
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:42:04 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8Cf2LaRjgbBghLTuXDS0LD2dXEAcvE6xVcYGWh6ZzZKUAiOvuDZjYnD6VYU
Message-ID: <CANbmmQneQzJSxDgqfSZCa42ZdfDm_OZ_NZiH7g54GMzenzOAzA@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000006b08ef06547d4932"
Subject: [Salon] The Israeli dream of regional domination has only been dented
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 01:42:21 -0000

--0000000000006b08ef06547d4932
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

https://x.com/academic_la/status/2065825468474109960
Israel is starting to realize that there will be a deal in Iran and is
trying to figure out how to handle it. Veteran defense journalist Ron
Ben-Yishai wrote today on how concerned Israel is about that and what it
will do next:

1) Israel is locked out. The talks run through Qatar and Pakistan.
Netanyahu's frequent calls with Trump move the margins and nothing more.
Ben Yishai is blunt about it. Same dynamic as the Obama years, now under
the friendliest president Bibi will ever get.

2) The regime gets oxygen. Sanctions relief and unfrozen funds come back
gradually, but they come back. This is the deal's worst feature for Israel.

3) The Gulf is drifting toward Tehran, not Israel. The Saudis, the
Emiratis, and the Qataris watched Washington fail to defend them from
Iranian attack. So they are courting Iran, not normalizing with Israel.

4) Iran rebuilt its tie to the proxies with US consent. Tehran is already
demanding Israel withdraw from south Lebanon. That gives it a lever to bind
our hands through Hezbollah, and through the Houthis at Bab al-Mandab.

5) Israel is hoping that now that the war will stop the protests in Iran
will restart. Some in the IDF believe  the regime falls in one to three
years if Washington plays it patiently.

6) Israel will use Lebanon as its main way to undermine the deal or at
least to shape it. Lebanon is where Israel actually holds cards. The IDF
crossed the Litani and took the Beaufort ridge and Nabatieh. It destroyed
two massive tunnel systems the IDF calls Hezbollah's "Navarone guns." Those
are bargaining chips.

The deal sidelines Israel and weakens it. There is no question about that
and everyone in Israel knows it. Their main consolation is that there will
be other rounds. Probably instigated by Israel which can end differently.
The Israeli dream of regional domination has only been dented.
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/ryenuiqwze

--0000000000006b08ef06547d4932
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><a href=
=3D"https://x.com/academic_la/status/2065825468474109960" rel=3D"noreferrer=
" target=3D"_blank">https://x.com/academic_la/status/2065825468474109960</a=
><br>
Israel is starting to realize that there will be a deal in Iran and is tryi=
ng to figure out how to handle it. Veteran defense journalist Ron Ben-Yisha=
i wrote today on how concerned Israel is about that and what it will do nex=
t:<br>
<br>
1) Israel is locked out. The talks run through Qatar and Pakistan. Netanyah=
u&#39;s frequent calls with Trump move the margins and nothing more. Ben Yi=
shai is blunt about it. Same dynamic as the Obama years, now under the frie=
ndliest president Bibi will ever get.<br>
<br>
2) The regime gets oxygen. Sanctions relief and unfrozen funds come back gr=
adually, but they come back. This is the deal&#39;s worst feature for Israe=
l.<br>
<br>
3) The Gulf is drifting toward Tehran, not Israel. The Saudis, the Emiratis=
, and the Qataris watched Washington fail to defend them from Iranian attac=
k. So they are courting Iran, not normalizing with Israel. <br>
<br>
4) Iran rebuilt its tie to the proxies with US consent. Tehran is already d=
emanding Israel withdraw from south Lebanon. That gives it a lever to bind =
our hands through Hezbollah, and through the Houthis at Bab al-Mandab.<br>
<br>
5) Israel is hoping that now that the war will stop the protests in Iran wi=
ll restart. Some in the IDF believe=C2=A0 the regime falls in one to three =
years if Washington plays it patiently.<br>
<br>
6) Israel will use Lebanon as its main way to undermine the deal or at leas=
t to shape it. Lebanon is where Israel actually holds cards. The IDF crosse=
d the Litani and took the Beaufort ridge and Nabatieh. It destroyed two mas=
sive tunnel systems the IDF calls Hezbollah&#39;s &quot;Navarone guns.&quot=
; Those are bargaining chips.<br>
<br>
The deal sidelines Israel and weakens it. There is no question about that a=
nd everyone in Israel knows it. Their main consolation is that there will b=
e other rounds. Probably instigated by Israel which can end differently. Th=
e Israeli dream of regional domination has only been dented.<br>
<a href=3D"https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/ryenuiqwze" rel=3D"noreferre=
r" target=3D"_blank">https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/ryenuiqwze</a><br>
</div></div>

--0000000000006b08ef06547d4932--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 19:20:54 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 85CC1B0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:20:54 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 85CC1B0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="Pfff1JGl"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 5E0B3BD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:20:54 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f44.google.com (mail-ej1-f44.google.com
 [209.85.218.44])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 26538BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:20:54 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f44.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bebac79fff8so44173966b.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:20:54 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781749252; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=dC9ag7cPd7DETA7RLK34qUjXKFRtINy70YO79+r0B2B9qeDJN2ApQ7Jz0WA6+VVIrj
 2rP7YaLApJ38XcFCgkCZk9wMTweVAxuh9CfJHgIJScHZ55k914UUpz2h1u9iP5/d8MfK
 CTSfDHR0ijN3+Wayl1xAIDDaPgNsKw8lP0ip2a2vgWIJW6HZLraoky6JxrsNfCQPEbes
 Th3VC7ElSDD2vGm/WWtb7GuO5EUtDxzQbdUwHp2iTX5wNgLnzvVXtJ46be4GrkrmKi/O
 5FRXGsU7bXSKa0+6vGjb4taZmfC117snNqHdfRj2c1UcpVUkknYfMoqZCx3r9cQfebnw
 sAoQ==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=sRbjIqGIPygVGEIbckOEMIiESNJgzddDM9IC5M+AgRo=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=fLdUgRVVkxlmBMCgVorOMQdE5tohq8s+8mq9RJi7JJdb2fYyoTtPJvl6Q7iJZsEwLp
 hHiB2PmzkAwREUU8XgNtGkk9l7q4qU9J+QnbLMhwO+UEwtqw42u4FfF+R++jdRzB+hSo
 VGIf/r44v5Lo0f789HrribMyjlOpwI249b+o8wEHixEwHlkvL6mTwey6awD8cN//QZOj
 JbZztFjihVEhWLg+mhgIhez6QOkWlLRU4JGxxchNNdb/FLBFlgihNEV1J5AIX17M0soc
 FHmc8hRoXDkRKnILRv1Y0yiadnDS1GHoWLMrCZwEyGYYkJj0JMYxbHy1uoPWcppCOPcg
 4glA==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781749252; x=1782354052; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=sRbjIqGIPygVGEIbckOEMIiESNJgzddDM9IC5M+AgRo=;
 b=Pfff1JGlND+bCL0nyPKVmJyaHxhzXRyxTCsbHLUhepZczaR2EoYGW2h6qmexRdcSQN
 sXUwlA8qB8Qki3SsDGUTx/kbtoy72srRHzu07CHX74rjyQZ2IdT14mWiDVZ+mujczVY1
 b7MoNjFeGV5Gx7cSQgWIm6vMUY4IYwiMhWFrTIJMAKt7Q+7eF5ClCC9I5+a1mYICyTIb
 6CR5Zy92m/CsH5yVaLbV5SeF6xuz77EYJmNXpvAwKfktEknrH0b9y8coGn75noeEDXAE
 /MaGvfTzG9VwkN0hcSPaspw82WQCVzHNGpkhYfutRcAr1ywI2o+c9aZ0vJJykabHxoFr
 4yww==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781749252; x=1782354052;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=sRbjIqGIPygVGEIbckOEMIiESNJgzddDM9IC5M+AgRo=;
 b=AvoJKONCNQwaeeZGgtRZDUbzCW3LcLF+iSFTBDOxBMNalW5Sw/xCRRhklco6htA25L
 HOH5ESAI5ISJxhIyfZA3uAPSTBSPUWbuJzbINJl5qEL/IML8pxj8V+qZWCmhG5qMPOR9
 sbeLI6Eyr7WS450y+82nYKBUVE7FJe13DRt9S60uFze5Rvk4/Ac0siUc1bttfJ1opdjU
 NJlIDE4rpHIrMut3ru45qr6DpFaD0wdqAT7aoLx+cJaJ7QoBw+EUv5K/KCp2WCWUO96K
 fcJ/4i3CRSZWPCPNZUnlysQc8X/J0O6cAlc9aoe26ilHsji00kXgFZi8tpfTLI4zhqP1
 IhRA==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YyVLclkVNZHo2d1ft7caaw5NtiOIWJzQpRCOVJxK7SBIpS34PzW
 h3ebvexZEwTUR9dWKFfB9cN+KJzH6B/3gwwzjIgeY4rX9IS6CaTXxi3l2DGnclBUqtjvE4TUJA5
 RaZ3Aw0SKFOyiSZwrT+1jNNAwuOGibZuHvaw1MNG5jQ==
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7clDkfHkIZ4MeqnsgEnAByhTVm8o2A/Z+ay4yS7L0xnJ81bzy1f7LSphNxaRvh+
 X/X+XI9e4Bwgc0b3FZsYTvkDW9Vfw6pNd9h18maFPgaodcPcTl111HCq/h1r/Q6V71jnR2xkdgW
 6SCYZM/hY2eLjO/VHbS1xrRq3zGssK2gVVA0i9Kxu626rSq3NOZsNmbhNlmZnXykERcGGN3Bjh/
 d2UjvCU5c88D/bVMYmho3/v9Mr/vX69amd2zzQCZldw427GUeA+14stFRS87Eo8SN5jojXUNDcN
 sihz8YAeyTuHG69Ra80tz8vKEwK5werm7JcY6u8mmyZKPQ+9LcMU5oQyN7FGWRTdqLCY1Tw2uAl
 lSca+cncpSO/abopuKnq8n+0zz9rYtQtfToRoZgZGVA2OeNzeL5wsIBkjML2G19QHZiY1oMaNeh
 0ZXpsko8dpzAvnHrHuVEPDY/sweLEqKCQbGYO6stCm6G1yJqtwc4WLHpXBJVxsXAuTRj1fZQk1P
 4uIATlyLkPJlpPmYIVoxS3iGvfWGMfSq50WiqWLwc5TrCGkI/SiVjTKUg==
X-Received: by 2002:a17:906:6a16:b0:bef:1512:fdf2 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a4916773mr383933066b.10.1781749251822; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 19:20:51 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:20:36 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CeRHlbft83H3Q3yITH2o0vkT8YsL42x0Od2MOKPb_y3jVbUnjfekzg6YiY
Message-ID: <CANbmmQmSd4VMc-YXqxNN6uiq7auM7jcurLK+45ENygwpCvtDYw@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000003bd9b406547dd305"
Subject: [Salon] The Taiwan Lobby moves to put a full court press on Trump
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:20:54 -0000

--0000000000003bd9b406547dd305
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/taiwan-trump/

The Taiwan Lobby moves to put a full court press on Trump

Pro-Taipei advocates are enlisting members of the president's inner circle
to sway his views on China



Joseph Solis-Mullen
<https://responsiblestatecraft.org/author/josephsolismullen/>
Jun 15, 2026

Perhaps fearful of abandonment, or of being treated as a mere =E2=80=9Cbarg=
aining
chip=E2=80=9D in negotiations with Beijing, Taiwan has worked diligently to
ingratiate itself with President Donald Trump=E2=80=99s inner circle.

Just last month, Taipei *hired*
<https://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/24736/2026-05-12/taiwan-calls-checkm=
ate.html>
Checkmate
Government Relations, a firm whose founder, *Ches McDowell*
<https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/the-maga-lobbyists-upending-washington=
-with-mcdonalds-and-bear-hunting-a37e3d06>,
enjoys close ties to Donald Trump Jr. and access to the president himself.
The six-month contract is worth roughly $300,000. The move follows Taiwan=
=E2=80=99s
2025 decision to retain *Ballard Partners*
<https://floridapolitics.com/archives/739861-ballard-partners-signs-taiwan-=
embassy-as-client-as-tensions-with-china-rise/>,
another well-connected Washington firm led by prominent Trump fundraiser
Brian Ballard.

Yet Taiwan=E2=80=99s influence operation is hardly confined to one party. T=
aipei
has long maintained relationships with Democratic-aligned firms as well,
*including* <https://efile.fara.gov/docs/5874-Exhibit-AB-20250214-34.pdf>
Gephardt
Government Affairs, which has represented Taiwanese interests *since*
<https://www.odwyerpr.com/blog/index.php?/archives/5697-taiwan-taps-gephard=
t.html>
2013.
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has also *frequently*
<https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/309120-taiwan-=
lobby-scores-victory-with-trump-call/>
 *worked* <https://efile.fara.gov/docs/6280-Exhibit-AB-20250506-26.pdf> on
Taiwan-related advocacy efforts.

The coordinator for most of these efforts is the Taipei Economic and
Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), Taiwan=E2=80=99s de facto embassy i=
n
Washington. TECRO manages a sophisticated influence network involving
lobbying firms, public relations consultants, congressional outreach, and
partnerships with prominent *think tanks*
<https://quincyinst.org/2020/06/17/taiwan-funding-of-think-tanks-omnipresen=
t-and-rarely-disclosed/>
.

There, Taiwan-related funding has also reached institutions across the
ideological spectrum, including the centrist Center for Strategic and
International Studies, the liberal Brookings Institution, and the
conservative Hudson Institute.

The goal is not difficult to discern: maintain broad elite consensus behind
closer U.S.-Taiwan relations, continued arms sales, and an increasingly
expansive American commitment to Taiwan=E2=80=99s security.

Of course, there is nothing unusual about a foreign government attempting
to persuade American policymakers. Moreover, compared to the sums
spent by Saudi
Arabia <https://responsiblestatecraft.org/tag/saudi-arabia/>, the United
Arab Emirates, or pro-Israel organizations, Taiwan=E2=80=99s expenditures a=
re
relatively *modest* <https://www.opensecrets.org/fara/countries/147>,
particularly in relation to the multi-billion dollar defense deals they
help produce.

In many ways, this reflects Taiwan=E2=80=99s success. Support for Taipei ha=
s become
so deeply embedded within the Washington foreign-policy establishment that
it requires less lobbying than more obviously controversial causes =E2=80=
=94 a
remarkable fact given the enormous costs the U.S. might incur in a
prospective war with China <https://responsiblestatecraft.org/tag/china/> o=
ver
Taiwan.

For those hoping to understand how Taipei became so influential in
Washington, it is important to note that Taiwan=E2=80=99s contemporary lobb=
ying
efforts are not new. Rather, they are the latest manifestation of a much
older phenomenon, once known as the =E2=80=9CChina Lobby.=E2=80=9D

During the early Cold War, supporters of Chiang Kai-shek=E2=80=99s National=
ist
government *cultivated*
<https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transc=
ripts-and-maps/china-lobby>
one
of the most influential foreign-policy pressure groups in modern American
history. Organizations such as the Committee of One Million Against the
Admission of Communist China to the United Nations, the American China
Policy Association, and the Committee to Defend America by Aiding
Anti-Communist China mobilized public opinion in favor of continued support
for the Republic of China.

The movement enjoyed powerful allies. Senators such as William F. Knowland
of California, often called the =E2=80=9CSenator from Formosa=E2=80=9D (ano=
ther name for
Taiwan), Joseph McCarthy, Pat McCarran, and H. Alexander Smith championed
the Nationalist cause in Congress. Media
<https://responsiblestatecraft.org/media/> magnate Henry Luce used the
pages of Time and Life to advocate for Chiang=E2=80=99s government. Togethe=
r, these
networks helped sustain American backing for Taipei long after the
Nationalists=E2=80=99 retreat to Taiwan in 1949.

The diplomatic revolution initiated by President Richard Nixon and
completed under President Jimmy Carter altered the landscape. Washington
normalized relations with Beijing in 1979 and formally recognized the
People=E2=80=99s Republic of China. Yet the Taiwan Relations Act, passed th=
e same
year, preserved substantial unofficial ties and committed the United States
to providing Taiwan with defensive arms.

Rather than disappearing, the China Lobby adapted. As Taiwan democratized
and rebranded itself as a vibrant liberal democracy confronting an
increasingly powerful People=E2=80=99s Republic of China, the old China Lob=
by
gradually evolved into the modern Taiwan Lobby. The methods changed, but
the objective remained largely the same: securing American political,
military, and diplomatic support for the island=E2=80=99s interests.

Over the past decade, the Taiwan Lobby has helped generate congressional
momentum behind a series of increasingly ambitious initiatives that
threaten to destabilize an already increasingly tenuous status quo. These
include the *Taiwan Travel Act*
<https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/535>; the Taiwan
Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative *Act*
<https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1678/text>; the
Taiwan Enhanced Resilience *Act*
<https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/chairman-menendez-announc=
es-historic-inclusion-of-taiwan-legislation-in-annual-defense-bill>
 (*TERA*
<https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/chairman-menendez-announc=
es-historic-inclusion-of-taiwan-legislation-in-annual-defense-bill>),
which was incorporated into the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act;
and a *variety*
<https://youngkim.house.gov/2025/05/09/us-senators-reintroduce-bill-to-supp=
ort-taiwan/>
of
other proposals aimed at accelerating arms transfers, expanding military
cooperation, deepening Washington=E2=80=99s strategic commitment, strengthe=
ning
Taiwan=E2=80=99s international participation, and deepening economic integr=
ation.

Perhaps the most outrageous legislative effort was the debate in 2022 over
the *Taiwan Policy Act*
<https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4428/cosponsors>
 and *Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act*
<https://web.archive.org/web/20230515051457/https:/www.congress.gov/bill/11=
7th-congress/senate-bill/332/cosponsors?s=3D6&r=3D1&q=3D%7B%22search%22%3A%=
5B%22Taiwan+Invasion+Prevention+Act%22%5D%7D>,
which saw bipartisan support for a (thankfully defeated) de facto
authorization for the use of military force in the event of an invasion of
Taiwan.

Many of these measures enjoy broad bipartisan support independent of any
lobbying effort. Still, Taiwan=E2=80=99s representatives and contracted fir=
ms have
worked diligently to cultivate congressional champions, organize visits,
support caucus activity, and maintain pressure for continued action. As Ben
Freeman of the Quincy Institute has *shown*
<https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/08/04/how-the-taiwan-lobby-helped-p=
ave-the-way-for-pelosis-trip/>
in
his research, the result has been one of the most successful foreign
influence campaigns in Washington =E2=80=93 not because it operates in secr=
et, but
because it has become so thoroughly normalized.

With respect to Taiwan=E2=80=99s most recent efforts, the hiring of Checkma=
te
Government Relations appears less the manifestation of a new policy
initiative than the addition of another proverbial horse to an already
well-stocked stable.

Taipei=E2=80=99s objectives remain largely unchanged: securing timely arms
deliveries, strengthening defense cooperation, and ensuring that American
support for Taiwan remains firm amid escalating tensions with Beijing.

What has changed is the political environment. Trump=E2=80=99s highly trans=
actional
approach to foreign policy, his willingness to treat arms sales and
security commitments as negotiating leverage, and his public frustration
with Taiwan=E2=80=99s defense spending have introduced a degree of uncertai=
nty
absent from previous administrations.

In that context, retaining a firm with close ties to Trump=E2=80=99s inner =
circle
reflects a rational effort to secure access and influence at a critical
moment. That the contract was *signed*
<https://news.bgov.com/bloomberg-government-news/taiwan-taps-trump-linked-l=
obby-firm-in-time-for-us-china-summit>
shortly
before Trump=E2=80=99s Beijing trip =E2=80=94 and amid questions surroundin=
g a delayed arms
*package*
<https://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/24736/2026-05-12/taiwan-calls-checkm=
ate.html>
and
Washington=E2=80=99s *dissatisfaction*
<https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-05-10/us-disappointed-in-t=
aiwans-smaller-defense-budget-official-says>
with
Taipei=E2=80=99s defense budget =E2=80=94 suggests a willingness to adapt t=
o new political
realities. It remains to be seen whether this shift will bear fruit.


Joseph Solis-Mullen
<https://responsiblestatecraft.org/author/josephsolismullen/>
Author of The Fake China Threat, The National Debt and You, and Classical
Liberalism, Joseph Solis-Mullen is a political scientist, economist, and
historian. He teaches history and politics at Spring Arbor University,
economics at Jackson College, is the Ralph Raico Fellow at the Libertarian
Institute, Sound Money Fellow at Money Metals Exchange., and is an
Associate Scholar at the Ludwig von Mises Institute.
The views expressed by authors on Responsible Statecraft do not necessarily
reflect those of the Quincy Institute or its associates.

--0000000000003bd9b406547dd305
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><a href=3D"https://responsiblestatecraft.org/taiwan-trump/=
">https://responsiblestatecraft.org/taiwan-trump/</a><br><div><br></div><di=
v><div class=3D"gmail-mb-2 gmail-large_headline gmail-current-post__headlin=
e-text" id=3D"gmail-sDefault_Post_0_0_3_0_0_0_0_3_1_0" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,serif;fo=
nt-size:10px"><div class=3D"gmail-posts-custom gmail-posts-custom-section g=
mail-section-holder gmail-clearfix" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;zoom:1;m=
argin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-posts-wrapper gmail-cl=
earfix" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;zoom:1;margin-left:0px;margin-right:=
0px;font-size:22px;line-height:28.6px;display:grid"><div class=3D"gmail-wid=
get gmail-post-partial gmail-tag-lobbying gmail-tag-foreign-influence gmail=
-tag-china gmail-tag-donald-trump gmail-tag-taiwan gmail-post-section--regi=
ons/asia-pacific" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;width:664px;dis=
play:inline-block;padding:0px;vertical-align:top;overflow:visible"><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-row gmail-px10" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;overf=
low:visible"><div class=3D"gmail-rm-col-center gmail-col gmail-sm-mb-1" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-size:1.6rem;line-height:1.4;margin:0px;flo=
at:none;padding:0px;width:664px"><div class=3D"gmail-widget__body gmail-cle=
arfix gmail-sm-mt-1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;zoom:1;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;display:flex"><h1 class=3D"gmail-widget__headline gmail-h1" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;font-weight:400;margin:0px 0px 8px;padding:0px;font-=
size:40px;color:rgb(19,19,19);width:664px;font-family:Merriweather,serif;li=
ne-height:52px"><span class=3D"gmail-widget__headline-text gmail-custom-pos=
t-headline" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-family:inherit;color:inheri=
t;word-break:break-word">The Taiwan Lobby moves to put a full court press o=
n Trump</span></h1><div class=3D"gmail-widget__subheadline" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;width:664px;font-size:20px=
;line-height:20px;color:rgb(131,137,159)"><h2 class=3D"gmail-widget__subhea=
dline-text gmail-h2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-weight:400;margin:=
0px;padding:0px;font-size:28px;display:inline;line-height:36.4px;color:rgb(=
75,76,82)"><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;display:inline;line=
-height:36.4px">Pro-Taipei advocates are enlisting members of the president=
&#39;s inner circle to sway his views on China</p></h2></div></div></div></=
div></div></div></div></div><ol class=3D"gmail-rm-breadcrumb__list" style=
=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;box-sizing:border-box;list-style:none none"><br>=
</ol><div class=3D"gmail-mb-2 gmail-current-post__post-body" id=3D"gmail-sD=
efault_Post_0_0_3_0_0_0_0_3_1_5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-top:=
0px;color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,serif;font-size=
:10px"><div class=3D"gmail-posts-custom gmail-posts-custom-section gmail-se=
ction-holder gmail-clearfix" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;zoom:1;margin-b=
ottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-posts-wrapper gmail-clearfix"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;zoom:1;margin-left:0px;margin-right:0px;fon=
t-size:22px;line-height:28.6px;display:grid"><div class=3D"gmail-widget gma=
il-post-partial gmail-tag-lobbying gmail-tag-foreign-influence gmail-tag-ch=
ina gmail-tag-donald-trump gmail-tag-taiwan gmail-post-section--regions/asi=
a-pacific" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;width:664px;display:in=
line-block;padding:0px;overflow:visible"><div class=3D"gmail-row gmail-px10=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;overflow:visible"><div class=3D=
"gmail-rm-col-center gmail-col gmail-sm-mb-1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;font-size:1.6rem;line-height:1.4;margin:0px;float:none;padding:0px;width:=
664px"><div class=3D"gmail-widget__head" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-widget__body gmail-clearfix =
gmail-sm-mt-1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;zoom:1;margin:0px;padding:0px=
"><div class=3D"gmail-social-author gmail-clearfix" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;zoom:1;margin:0px 200px 4px 0px;color:rgb(75,76,82);line-height:0px=
;font-size:0px;width:auto"><a class=3D"gmail-social-author__name gmail-rm-s=
tats-tracked" href=3D"https://responsiblestatecraft.org/author/josephsolism=
ullen/" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);text-decoration:none;box-sizing:border-=
box;font-size:15px;font-weight:700;line-height:19.5px;display:inline;overfl=
ow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:inherit;text-transform:upperca=
se">Joseph Solis-Mullen</a></div><div class=3D"gmail-social-date" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(75,76,82);font-size:15px;line-he=
ight:19.5px;text-transform:uppercase;font-weight:700;float:left;width:auto"=
><span class=3D"gmail-social-date__text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">Ju=
n 15, 2026</span></div><div class=3D"gmail-snark-line" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin-bottom:26px;text-align:right;margin-right:3px"><div class=
=3D"gmail-widget__shares gmail-share-panel" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
font-size:0px"><br><span aria-hidden=3D"true" class=3D"gmail-icons-share em=
 gmail-fa gmail-fa-envelope" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;speak:none;font=
-variant:normal;line-height:1;display:inline-flex;font-size-adjust:none;fon=
t-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:i=
nherit;margin:auto;height:1em;font-family:FontAwesome,fontawesome-mini"></s=
pan></div></div><span class=3D"gmail-js-scroll-trigger" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;display:block;width:664px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:12px"></=
span><div id=3D"gmail-utm_campaign" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-t=
op:0px;margin-bottom:12px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-body gmail-js-expandab=
le gmail-clearfix gmail-js-listicle-body gmail-css-listicle-body-2677038578=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;zoom:1;margin:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-bod=
y-description" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-size:22px;color:rgb(19,1=
9,19);line-height:28.6px;margin-top:24px"><div class=3D"gmail-trinity-playe=
r-iframe-wrapper" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:24px;width:6=
64px;padding:0px;clear:both;min-height:80px"></div><p style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">Perhaps fearful of abando=
nment, or of being treated as a mere =E2=80=9Cbargaining chip=E2=80=9D in n=
egotiations with Beijing, Taiwan has worked diligently to ingratiate itself=
 with President Donald Trump=E2=80=99s inner circle.</p><p style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">Just last month, Tai=
pei=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/24736/2026-05-12/=
taiwan-calls-checkmate.html" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" =
class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:bor=
der-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">hired</u></a>=C2=A0Checkmate Go=
vernment Relations, a firm whose founder,=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.wsj.c=
om/politics/policy/the-maga-lobbyists-upending-washington-with-mcdonalds-an=
d-bear-hunting-a37e3d06" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" clas=
s=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-=
box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">Ches McDowell</u></a>, enjoys close=
 ties to Donald Trump Jr. and access to the president himself. The six-mont=
h contract is worth roughly $300,000. The move follows Taiwan=E2=80=99s 202=
5 decision to retain=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://floridapolitics.com/archives/7=
39861-ballard-partners-signs-taiwan-embassy-as-client-as-tensions-with-chin=
a-rise/" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-st=
ats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box">Ballard Partners</u></a>, another well-connected Wa=
shington firm led by prominent Trump fundraiser Brian Ballard.</p><p style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">Yet Taiwa=
n=E2=80=99s influence operation is hardly confined to one party. Taipei has=
 long maintained relationships with Democratic-aligned firms as well,=C2=A0=
<a href=3D"https://efile.fara.gov/docs/5874-Exhibit-AB-20250214-34.pdf" rel=
=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked"=
 style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box">including</u></a>=C2=A0Gephardt Government Affairs, which has r=
epresented Taiwanese interests=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.odwyerpr.com/blo=
g/index.php?/archives/5697-taiwan-taps-gephardt.html" rel=3D"noopener noref=
errer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rg=
b(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">since<=
/u></a>=C2=A02013. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has also=C2=A0=
<a href=3D"https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/business-a-lobbying/3091=
20-taiwan-lobby-scores-victory-with-trump-call/" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer=
" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,3=
7,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">frequently<=
/u></a>=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://efile.fara.gov/docs/6280-Exhibit-AB-2025050=
6-26.pdf" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-s=
tats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box">worked</u></a>=C2=A0on Taiwan-related advocacy e=
fforts.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-heigh=
t:28.6px">The coordinator for most of these efforts is the Taipei Economic =
and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), Taiwan=E2=80=99s de facto embas=
sy in Washington. TECRO manages a sophisticated influence network involving=
 lobbying firms, public relations consultants, congressional outreach, and =
partnerships with prominent=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://quincyinst.org/2020/06/=
17/taiwan-funding-of-think-tanks-omnipresent-and-rarely-disclosed/" rel=3D"=
noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" sty=
le=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box">think tanks</u></a>.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0p=
x 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">There, Taiwan-related funding has also reach=
ed institutions across the ideological spectrum, including the centrist Cen=
ter for Strategic and International Studies, the liberal Brookings Institut=
ion, and the conservative Hudson Institute.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">The goal is not difficult to =
discern: maintain broad elite consensus behind closer U.S.-Taiwan relations=
, continued arms sales, and an increasingly expansive American commitment t=
o Taiwan=E2=80=99s security.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0p=
x 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">Of course, there is nothing unusual about a =
foreign government attempting to persuade American policymakers. Moreover, =
compared to the sums spent by=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://responsiblestatecraft=
.org/tag/saudi-arabia/" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb=
(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box">Saudi Arabia</a>, the United Arab Emirates=
, or pro-Israel organizations, Taiwan=E2=80=99s expenditures are relatively=
=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.opensecrets.org/fara/countries/147" rel=3D"noo=
pener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box">modest</u></a>, particularly in relation to the multi-billion dollar =
defense deals they help produce.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">In many ways, this reflects Taiwan=E2=80=
=99s success. Support for Taipei has become so deeply embedded within the W=
ashington foreign-policy establishment that it requires less lobbying than =
more obviously controversial causes =E2=80=94 a remarkable fact given the e=
normous costs the U.S. might incur in a prospective war with=C2=A0<a href=
=3D"https://responsiblestatecraft.org/tag/china/" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-t=
racked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box">China</a>=C2=A0o=
ver Taiwan.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-h=
eight:28.6px">For those hoping to understand how Taipei became so influenti=
al in Washington, it is important to note that Taiwan=E2=80=99s contemporar=
y lobbying efforts are not new. Rather, they are the latest manifestation o=
f a much older phenomenon, once known as the =E2=80=9CChina Lobby.=E2=80=9D=
</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6p=
x">During the early Cold War, supporters of Chiang Kai-shek=E2=80=99s Natio=
nalist government=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-scien=
ces/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/china-lobby" rel=3D"noopene=
r noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"c=
olor:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"=
>cultivated</u></a>=C2=A0one of the most influential foreign-policy pressur=
e groups in modern American history. Organizations such as the Committee of=
 One Million Against the Admission of Communist China to the United Nations=
, the American China Policy Association, and the Committee to Defend Americ=
a by Aiding Anti-Communist China mobilized public opinion in favor of conti=
nued support for the Republic of China.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">The movement enjoyed powerful all=
ies. Senators such as William F. Knowland of California, often called the =
=E2=80=9CSenator from Formosa=E2=80=9D (another name for Taiwan), Joseph Mc=
Carthy, Pat McCarran, and H. Alexander Smith championed the Nationalist cau=
se in Congress.=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://responsiblestatecraft.org/media/" c=
lass=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:bord=
er-box">Media</a>=C2=A0magnate Henry Luce used the pages of Time and Life t=
o advocate for Chiang=E2=80=99s government. Together, these networks helped=
 sustain American backing for Taipei long after the Nationalists=E2=80=99 r=
etreat to Taiwan in 1949.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0=
px 16px;line-height:28.6px">The diplomatic revolution initiated by Presiden=
t Richard Nixon and completed under President Jimmy Carter altered the land=
scape. Washington normalized relations with Beijing in 1979 and formally re=
cognized the People=E2=80=99s Republic of China. Yet the Taiwan Relations A=
ct, passed the same year, preserved substantial unofficial ties and committ=
ed the United States to providing Taiwan with defensive arms.</p><p style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">Rather th=
an disappearing, the China Lobby adapted. As Taiwan democratized and rebran=
ded itself as a vibrant liberal democracy confronting an increasingly power=
ful People=E2=80=99s Republic of China, the old China Lobby gradually evolv=
ed into the modern Taiwan Lobby. The methods changed, but the objective rem=
ained largely the same: securing American political, military, and diplomat=
ic support for the island=E2=80=99s interests.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">Over the past decade, the =
Taiwan Lobby has helped generate congressional momentum behind a series of =
increasingly ambitious initiatives that threaten to destabilize an already =
increasingly tenuous status quo. These include the=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://=
www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/535" rel=3D"noopener norefe=
rrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb=
(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">Taiwan =
Travel Act</u></a>; the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancem=
ent Initiative=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress=
/senate-bill/1678/text" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=
=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-b=
ox"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">Act</u></a>; the Taiwan Enhanced Res=
ilience=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/ch=
airman-menendez-announces-historic-inclusion-of-taiwan-legislation-in-annua=
l-defense-bill" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmai=
l-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box">Act</u></a>=C2=A0(<a href=3D"https://www.for=
eign.senate.gov/press/dem/release/chairman-menendez-announces-historic-incl=
usion-of-taiwan-legislation-in-annual-defense-bill" rel=3D"noopener norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(=
0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">TERA</u>=
</a>), which was incorporated into the FY2023 National Defense Authorizatio=
n Act; and a=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://youngkim.house.gov/2025/05/09/us-senat=
ors-reintroduce-bill-to-support-taiwan/" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=
=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);bo=
x-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">variety</u></a>=C2=
=A0of other proposals aimed at accelerating arms transfers, expanding milit=
ary cooperation, deepening Washington=E2=80=99s strategic commitment, stren=
gthening Taiwan=E2=80=99s international participation, and deepening econom=
ic integration.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;li=
ne-height:28.6px">Perhaps the most outrageous legislative effort was the de=
bate in 2022 over the=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-c=
ongress/senate-bill/4428/cosponsors" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"=
_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-si=
zing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">Taiwan Policy Act</u></=
a>=C2=A0and=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://web.archive.org/web/20230515051457/http=
s:/www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/332/cosponsors?s=3D6&am=
p;r=3D1&amp;q=3D%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22Taiwan+Invasion+Prevention+Act%22%5=
D%7D" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats=
-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box">Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act</u></a>, which saw bipa=
rtisan support for a (thankfully defeated) de facto authorization for the u=
se of military force in the event of an invasion of Taiwan.</p><p style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">Many of these=
 measures enjoy broad bipartisan support independent of any lobbying effort=
. Still, Taiwan=E2=80=99s representatives and contracted firms have worked =
diligently to cultivate congressional champions, organize visits, support c=
aucus activity, and maintain pressure for continued action. As Ben Freeman =
of the Quincy Institute has=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://responsiblestatecraft.o=
rg/2022/08/04/how-the-taiwan-lobby-helped-pave-the-way-for-pelosis-trip/" t=
arget=3D"_self" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91=
);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">shown</u></a>=
=C2=A0in his research, the result has been one of the most successful forei=
gn influence campaigns in Washington =E2=80=93 not because it operates in s=
ecret, but because it has become so thoroughly normalized.</p><p style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">With respect t=
o Taiwan=E2=80=99s most recent efforts, the hiring of Checkmate Government =
Relations appears less the manifestation of a new policy initiative than th=
e addition of another proverbial horse to an already well-stocked stable.</=
p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px"=
>Taipei=E2=80=99s objectives remain largely unchanged: securing timely arms=
 deliveries, strengthening defense cooperation, and ensuring that American =
support for Taiwan remains firm amid escalating tensions with Beijing.</p><=
p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">Wh=
at has changed is the political environment. Trump=E2=80=99s highly transac=
tional approach to foreign policy, his willingness to treat arms sales and =
security commitments as negotiating leverage, and his public frustration wi=
th Taiwan=E2=80=99s defense spending have introduced a degree of uncertaint=
y absent from previous administrations.</p><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px 0px 16px;line-height:28.6px">In that context, retaining a firm=
 with close ties to Trump=E2=80=99s inner circle reflects a rational effort=
 to secure access and influence at a critical moment. That the contract was=
=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://news.bgov.com/bloomberg-government-news/taiwan-tap=
s-trump-linked-lobby-firm-in-time-for-us-china-summit" rel=3D"noopener nore=
ferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:r=
gb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">signe=
d</u></a>=C2=A0shortly before Trump=E2=80=99s Beijing trip =E2=80=94 and am=
id questions surrounding a delayed arms=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.odwyerp=
r.com/story/public/24736/2026-05-12/taiwan-calls-checkmate.html" rel=3D"noo=
pener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=
=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-sizing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box">package</u></a>=C2=A0and Washington=E2=80=99s=C2=A0<a href=3D"https:/=
/www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-05-10/us-disappointed-in-taiwans-s=
maller-defense-budget-official-says" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"=
_blank" class=3D"gmail-rm-stats-tracked" style=3D"color:rgb(0,37,91);box-si=
zing:border-box"><u style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">dissatisfaction</u></a>=
=C2=A0with Taipei=E2=80=99s defense budget =E2=80=94 suggests a willingness=
 to adapt to new political realities. It remains to be seen whether this sh=
ift will bear fruit.</p></div></div><span class=3D"gmail-" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"></span></div></div></div><=
/div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-mb-2 end-of-post-cta" id=3D"gmai=
l-sDefault_Post_0_0_3_0_0_0_0_3_1_7_0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color=
:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,serif;font-size:10px"></=
div><div class=3D"gmail-" id=3D"gmail-sDefault_Post_0_0_3_0_0_0_0_3_1_8" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-size:22px;color:rgb(19,19,19);font-family=
:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,serif"><div class=3D"gmail-formatted-text gmail-ql=
-editor" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;line-height:1.42;height:55.2375px;o=
utline:none;overflow-y:auto;padding:12px 15px;white-space:pre-wrap"><p styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px"><br style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box"></p></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-current-post__post-body_bot=
tom" id=3D"gmail-sDefault_Post_0_0_3_0_0_0_0_3_1_9" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:&quot;EB Garamond&quot;,serif;font-=
size:10px"><div class=3D"gmail-mb-2 gmail-current-post__post-body_bottom-au=
thor" id=3D"gmail-sDefault_Post_0_0_3_0_0_0_0_3_1_9_0" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-posts-custom gmail-posts-custom-section gma=
il-section-holder gmail-clearfix" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;zoom:1;mar=
gin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-posts-wrapper gmail-clea=
rfix" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;zoom:1;margin-left:0px;margin-right:0p=
x;font-size:22px;line-height:28.6px;display:grid"><div class=3D"gmail-widge=
t gmail-post-partial gmail-tag-lobbying gmail-tag-foreign-influence gmail-t=
ag-china gmail-tag-donald-trump gmail-tag-taiwan gmail-post-section--region=
s/asia-pacific" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;width:664px;displ=
ay:inline-block;padding:0px;overflow:visible"><div class=3D"gmail-row gmail=
-px10" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;overflow:visible"><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-rm-col-center gmail-col gmail-sm-mb-1" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;font-size:1.6rem;line-height:1.4;margin:0px;float:none;padding:0px;w=
idth:664px"><div class=3D"gmail-widget__body gmail-clearfix gmail-sm-mt-1" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;zoom:1;margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex">=
<div class=3D"gmail-social-author gmail-clearfix" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;zoom:1;margin:16px 0px 26px;color:rgb(75,76,82);line-height:22px;font=
-size:22px;width:664px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(240,240,240);bor=
der-width:1px 0px;padding:16px 0px"><div class=3D"gmail-social-author__avat=
ar gmail-image" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-position:center c=
enter;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;float:left;border-r=
adius:0px;margin-right:35px;height:125px;width:125px;min-width:30px;overflo=
w:hidden;clear:left;margin-bottom:24px"><div class=3D"gmail-cover-all gmail=
-image" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:125px;height:125px;background-=
position:center center;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;ba=
ckground-image:url(&quot;https://responsiblestatecraft.org/media-library/ey=
JhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5t=
cy82NjcxOTgwNS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTgwMDA3ODM3OH0.acXI1dKOXZ3=
6fs_PrDwPNh81bYcifrC1Ae8YDQ0ir70/image.png?width=3D210&quot;)"></div></div>=
<a class=3D"gmail-social-author__name gmail-rm-stats-tracked" href=3D"https=
://responsiblestatecraft.org/author/josephsolismullen/" style=3D"color:rgb(=
0,37,91);text-decoration:none;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:24px;font-wei=
ght:700;line-height:31.2px;display:block;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:elli=
psis;white-space:inherit;font-family:Merriweather,serif;margin-bottom:16px"=
>Joseph Solis-Mullen</a><div class=3D"gmail-social-author__bio" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;min-height:87px;line-height:28.6px">Author of The Fake =
China Threat, The National Debt and You, and Classical Liberalism, Joseph S=
olis-Mullen is a political scientist, economist, and historian. He teaches =
history and politics at Spring Arbor University, economics at Jackson Colle=
ge, is the Ralph Raico Fellow at the Libertarian Institute, Sound Money Fel=
low at Money Metals Exchange., and is an Associate Scholar at the Ludwig vo=
n Mises Institute.<div class=3D"gmail-disclaimer" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;font-size:14px;font-style:italic;line-height:18.2px;margin:16px 0px">=
The views expressed by authors on Responsible Statecraft do not necessarily=
 reflect those of the Quincy Institute or its associates.</div></div></div>=
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

--0000000000003bd9b406547dd305--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 19:23:07 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id 9983DB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:23:07 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net 9983DB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="MyUrPlBU"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id 932CABD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:23:07 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f46.google.com (mail-ej1-f46.google.com
 [209.85.218.46])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 584D8BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:23:07 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f46.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bebac79fff8so44344766b.0
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:23:07 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781749386; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=iOfXt4IkdQZ1jOtSVQGgPESQdovrYoMxksvtqvT4cfWfNeR2z1IFnkBIpeQ2YDHXWC
 YyKXgmCSjMbgp3ucLVfVa2sE04gF2AkDhgxktR8dk/Be0+5KugGPQfZdd+M3Av6J+8gc
 D7iGsp2VcgIbmyEePxqvz3Pb80l+w1G0wVrqXr5tL+5lfwdlbTkOnNmJ36fdjRqXUV1E
 FICZlXmSlAMH5ziX6VCuPZvK6mj3FQSO2xoq7mCmMLE4GWuk/U1Ounzq2i9FMfo5eNGj
 RHShFYRFaEDIW1KikCtv4FKldIRx2d5w05hWCrq/jOnrIASpPWsNq1OhIgOhAVnfIfwS
 yfFw==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=STodW1Xg+2+pDASKRTTEMC85aQv4ukMQSfhFFeQgteI=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=B9AiBDX7HY3rcGH9ldUVlZhfYeqIiytuhmiH6U86JChCrQxMRKfSiuwHx2IzOcyS2R
 HWHd6TrKvNXPaaTFub4+OwoBpoMtCh+P8Ji6RsYv5J+tn51ua7tHAlAjMDuf8N4OZOeM
 cGd+741OuCLAalW4KiSxV9Chy7F5G8bnsXolW2lwFgkuuvlTYPv1VoKhOPadG4NujX+4
 2Ri5g1lrHSssIJp8sB9lybmedHuss8NW+zBumxqtwfaOZCpdnMOXCjLpQ0PkPp1gWbQf
 ciy82Cvq0dSaUkO9bOzzoAV9EZZ3NtT1eqOQR23mvdKHURan68OskdbnvBTFFjOyC/Mj
 BM1w==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781749386; x=1782354186; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=STodW1Xg+2+pDASKRTTEMC85aQv4ukMQSfhFFeQgteI=;
 b=MyUrPlBUIwgTK2DT6RxPNP402viSLDIZQhkjWnsWYBWD0AAirf3GJbInHWNcM/lL5x
 63TbXvScey/p2kzfPsrU0Sr4PErdFTLAbwZNcm3iHKFLcdhls9bxLj/C1yCoa6dLfQ+F
 VJ72Kn8pxwY3fm23ji1gvrjeWkzx0Q3JYjxQ6z986AQMb5MRqhbY27k6rRbeMYAwAPu/
 L3rsSB16KbsQ14r+Wo72q8+MuzJpa9D/AVJiMHDJNEco1JnymZ0elWIh+0xE1iolbKnK
 hIaxoYlv6yfj/AgThKrvQWqngADabJFATvVUHJVL7linyLj6X+pFMKJXhFmAizWW1j8K
 THzQ==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781749386; x=1782354186;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=STodW1Xg+2+pDASKRTTEMC85aQv4ukMQSfhFFeQgteI=;
 b=rcZIdD82QrfBLpP5nAcngPe6QyMX4h5xTCsdbVKeQY4pfjk6X1vk84bUpyXLucy7tw
 MA0Q1PwYulX53oOnLdC9SZYRYj3PENJNZjz2Unaid44wUWWXdgNcyYuAOsl+5qoVmoXk
 Z58ZjkEDAVyH6p/Vrnw669iDJw848cicZv0CAIFyEqA/5w6didT6qh7hx/Xmw3e3Fqb4
 nBKzCl83t84e5bS8Ywt+Mfk8ZKY+b+gLzy25TFAfyDmdSpPH+vMoN9DlKQ2rZM6uYJWW
 MJsN8G6U+lro4QnOlgUBDnLzpqGZl2JF6ES++27czUIYOYkGCBnWBkBAGNT251q3L2je
 U8hw==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0Yzv0p1MY2o5qRToergvGdJo5nNnOqsOkqRr8RX42oduBwtZvt4a
 WQuRXzRaXZn0JgM5lX9dPR+eZJqKEchxI4qk8SJjPvFxBiAA2zkjmsPvvaSEOc4qslHzGZh0zYW
 54MA9o+VKB5kyw22LGFiE7aHyWXWRNiijA7jO41g=
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7cnwYqHFYWclIajivnJtvgrFJr54t6TM2ctQ8OcJ260wF4CrUZjoVb7+7wtqqVM
 p5S+ilSM77HxJIrSPBPAHrwoVw3mdllPKJHLBmxDTKe9b7HEVXghBTL5JzlxVx+frQM4fvV9gBN
 iqDMTmmHz/Dvc8+TBN5c1Je/53WX4DzfBbUWS6nu63k6bZ5jVlrWvWDRSqcqRjovmJ0eaKYgcQE
 B6Gb6WS6gA8V2ZUzkvoIzRAWW5h/59JmXj9Mjs6OLHMX4nkhF1T7hbKr97bxSYkWqAAIHDKf9T9
 Wo+zrLUpAUvBDkiUNJplPCjVUf15VZ89XApgDXfAVHXxs44VLXZ4g1v1lXfXv5zS10JE7uXjrEU
 +4GRQEA/JmWVX5WOcT57EjD3OfGqag15voYlaAzbaD65RTxH8HUXeMEBIjAuRu0sgxzYgtz7LsO
 yb+j8ZcPgmEl9FJxHXJcHVQMy6Vt6af7nmOigsJeEW+N3wXu7E4lnOZ08/I3p1jU1gNiQTyG2qB
 aQeRwLnEFqLm5QFdquUVouyvA1q/58VPEwxcTUejhKXQF0=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:3cc6:b0:bee:a25:b977 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a7ab6625mr379641566b.45.1781749385316; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 19:23:05 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:22:49 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CdyUJKMUUNvy8f0MiUoJCnVHYm7iglg_xoWHafBpegY4vID_SAHo2Qy8ys
Message-ID: <CANbmmQnRx6_nD8m3QzsxGR1TCZqafwVf5Ztp1q0auhthdnqzPQ@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="00000000000030cdbc06547ddbd9"
Subject: [Salon] Iran Will Sign a Deal on Friday as the Winner,
 But Will the War Be Over?
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:23:07 -0000

--00000000000030cdbc06547ddbd9
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://www.juancole.com/2026/06/iran-friday-winner.html
<https://www.juancole.com/2026/06/iran-friday-winner.html>*

*Iran Will Sign a Deal on Friday as the Winner, But Will the War Be Over?
(Juan *Cole)

*Juan Cole <https://www.juancole.com/author/jcedit> 06/16/2026*

*Here is the interview Ian Masters conducted with me Monday at Background
Briefing
<https://www.backgroundbriefing.org/2026/06/15/background-briefing-june-15-=
2026/>*

*Here is an computer-generated transcript, which I have manually tried to
correct:*

*Ian Masters: Now, here=E2=80=99s Juan Cole. He=E2=80=99s a professor of Mo=
dern Middle East
and South Asian history at the University of Michigan, and he has an
article at Informed Comment, =E2=80=9CU.S.-Iran MOU is a Mere Agreement to =
keep
Talking.=E2=80=9D <https://www.juancole.com/2026/06/iran-agreement-talking.=
html>*

*Welcome to background briefing, Juan Cole. *

*Juan Cole: Thanks so much, Ian. *

*Ian Masters: Well, thanks for joining us. President Trump, Vice President
Vance, and the Iranian Speaker, Ghalibaf, apparently signed electronically
a deal. It wasn=E2=80=99t an MOU. That happens on Friday in Geneva. But do =
we know
exactly what they signed? In other words, what they signed electronically
is that going to be the same as what will be signed on Friday, or is there
more work to be done? *

*Juan Cole: Oh, I think it=E2=80=99s probably the same as what will be sign=
ed in
person on Friday, but all it is, is an agreement, in my view, to keep
talking. I don=E2=80=99t think very many specifics have been agreed upon. A=
nd, in
fact, given the erratic character of both governments, it might be very
difficult to nail down details. *

*Ian Masters: Well, one of the details coming out of the White House is
that the frozen funds are going to be released, and this $24 billion
upfront, the Iranians want half of that on signing. But the total package
is something like a $300 billion fund to rebuild Iran. So the idea that the
U.S. is in on the idea of a fund to rebuild a country that you=E2=80=99ve j=
ust
bombed. It=E2=80=99s pretty extraordinary, isn=E2=80=99t it? *

*Juan Cole: The U.S. is thinking about this more as a set of carrots than
has a done deal. That is to say =E2=80=94 and moreover, I think they=E2=80=
=99re not
expecting these funds to come from the United States =E2=80=94 so what they=
=E2=80=99re
really doing is facilitating investment in Iran by Iran=E2=80=99s neighbors=
, which=E2=80=A6
is ironic because Iran bombed them. Assuming Iran=E2=80=99s good behavior f=
rom a
U.S. and Gulf point of view, and Vice President J.D. Vance just told CBS
news that Iran all along could have had access to $300 billion in
investments if it had behaved itself. So, this is a behavior modification
attempt. *

*Ian Masters: Well, I don=E2=80=99t think that=E2=80=99s going to go down w=
ell with the
Iranian opposition, right? The people that shot down on the streets. It
looks as if they=E2=80=99re being sold out, that this is all about consolid=
ating
this regime, and in effect, rewarding it. *

*Juan Cole: Not only is the opposition to the government in Iran, angry
about this deal, but so are the hardliners in Iran, who, I think, are
having to go along, because it appears that the clerical leader, Ayatollah
Mojtaba Khamenei, has signed off on this MOU, and so it=E2=80=99s very, ver=
y hard
for the hard liners to go against him. But they are carping and very angry.
And so this is a centrist deal. Ironically enough, the war by Israel, the
United States, on Iran killed a lot of pragmatists and centrists like Ali
Larijani, and appeared to promote hardliners into high office, especially
in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. But the deal was negotiated by
pragmatists, and it is a win for that faction inside Iran. Everybody else
is upset. *

*Ian Masters: Well, that includes the Israelis. I mean, the Israeli
opposition is upset. All of the ministers, in this right wing cabinet, are
screaming, Netanyahu is silent, and a part of the deal is that Israel has
to stop attacking Lebanon, and then basically saying, =E2=80=9CNo, we=E2=80=
=99re going to
occupy Lebanon.=E2=80=9D What=E2=80=99s missing from the deal, as far as we=
 know, is
there=E2=80=99s nothing to co curb Iran=E2=80=99s missile programs, nor its=
 support for
proxies. And the nuclear part of it is a little opaque. So=E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=
=A6 I=E2=80=99m trying
to=E2=80=A6 Where is the good news? That oil is going to flow? Is that the =
good
news? *

*Juan Cole: That certainly is good news if it happens. Even it is not
guaranteed, but if the U.S. blockade is lifted, as President Trump
announced it was, and if Iran allows shipping through the Strait of Hormuz
=E2=80=94 it says it still wants to collect what it calls administrative fe=
es, the
word toll is not being used anymore =E2=80=94 but if that happens, it=E2=80=
=99s great good
news for a lot of people. Because, as you know, in California, working
families have been hard hit by high energy prices. It=E2=80=99s even worse =
in Asia,
in the Philippines and Bangladesh, and so forth. So, that=E2=80=99s a piece=
 of good
news, if it happens. You know, the deal doesn=E2=80=99t include things that=
 are not
achievable. The United States and Israel lost the war. They just lost. They
achieved none of their objectives. They bombed Iran 13,000 times,and came
away with nothing to show for it. They didn=E2=80=99t cripple Iran=E2=80=99=
s ballistic
missile launchers, even the ones that they already had. They didn=E2=80=99t=
 cripple
its vast, thousands-strong fleet of small Shahed drones that only cost
$30,000 apiece =E2=80=93 and 400 of them can be produced a week. So the str=
ucture
of the government is still there. They killed the clerical Leader, but his
son has taken over, and, presumably, with a set of grudges about his father
and wife and baby daughter being killed. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards
Corps is, if anything, more powerful domestically than it had been before.
So, this is a loss. You just have to accept that it=E2=80=99s a loss. And s=
o why
would you get anything in a negotiation with a country that you didn=E2=80=
=99t
defeat? *

*Ian Masters: Well, Juan, I=E2=80=99m just astounded at the stupidity of Tr=
unk and
the White House, and the extent to which so many people in this country
don=E2=80=99t understand what an idiot, amateur, fool this man is. You=E2=
=80=99ve got this
whole propaganda network led by Fox, you know, and I=E2=80=99m sure he=E2=
=80=99s going to
do well out of this deal. I don=E2=80=99t think people are going to hold hi=
m to
account in the way that you=E2=80=99ve just pointed out what a catastrophe =
it=E2=80=99s
been, and what a loss it is for both Israel and the United States. I=E2=80=
=99m not
sure that that=E2=80=99s necessarily going to be the people who are going t=
o be
relieved. The gas prices will go down. He will go back up in the polls. I
mean, from day one, why did they not understand, for example, going back to
the hostage crisis that brought about the Iranian Revolution, where
American diplomats were held for 440 days? Of course, Iran, this
revolutionary government, operates on the basis of taking hostages, and
that=E2=80=99s what they did in =E2=80=9979, and that=E2=80=99s what they d=
id in taking over the
Straitsof Hormuz.. And these idiots did not even predict that as a
possibility. They thought it=E2=80=99d be all over in 100 hours. *

*Juan Cole: Yeah, they assumed that they could decapitate the government.
They seem to have been working from a Venezuela model, where you have a
strong man at the top, and you could just remove him. And then everything
would change, the people who remained would be docile =E2=80=94 as happened=
 in
Venezuela so far. But the Iranian government is not =E2=80=94 in my view, i=
t=E2=80=99s
inaccurate to call it a regime. It=E2=80=99s a very complicated beast. It h=
as, you
know, an elected Parliament, and I think the members of Parliament
genuinely represent their districts. So, it has an elected president, and
at some points in modern Iranian history the elected president has been
extremely popular, and has carried out policy. And then it has this
clerical core, and then it has both a conventional army and an
unconventional paramilitary, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. So,
the idea that you could decapitate this kind of setup, for anybody who knew
Iran, was always ridiculous. And that was what they were told by the Israel
lobbies, by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy (so called), which
is a proxy for Netanyahu=E2=80=99s thinking on Iran. *

*And so, you know, Trump is gullible, and he was sold a bill of goods. But
as you say, his experience in life =E2=80=94 he was born into an extremely =
wealthy
family. He inherited a lot of money. He was in the New York real estate
scene. His experience in life is, oh, you make a mistake, you move on. His
casinos went bankrupt. He arranged loans, he came back out of it. He did
more deals. So that=E2=80=99s the way he deals with life. So, he makes the =
mistake
in Iran, he thinks that, well, you make a different deal. It doesn=E2=80=99=
t matter
to him. And so whether=E2=80=A6 whether he will be unscathed politically by=
 this
misadventure, is still an open question. Ian a third of the refinery
capacity in the Gulf was destroyed in this war, or damaged. And it can be
repaired, but it will take months, 17% of Qatar=E2=80=99s liquefied natural=
 gas
capability was destroyed, and estimates are three to five years to repair
it. Qatar supplies a fifth of the world=E2=80=99s liquefied natural gas. So=
, the
underlying inflationary effects of this war are going to be with us. The
petroleum is not going to be entirely restored to pre-war prices. I think
the estimates are that it=E2=80=99ll stay around $100 a barrel the rest of =
this
year. And so, you know, the consumers in the United States are going to
suffer. *

*Moreover, when they cut off the natural gas, liquefied natural gas
exports, and some petrochemicals, as we have talked about before, they made
fertilizer, extremely expensive, or even hard to get. So, 4 million acres
that ordinarily would have been planted with corn this spring in the United
States were not planted. And that=E2=80=99s phenomenon we see all around th=
e world.
So, food inflation is going to be tremendous. Of course, some of it may not
hit till next winter. But I think that it=E2=80=99s an open question as to =
whether
consumers, having been put through this ringer by Trump and who will
continue to suffer into the fall, will forgive him in the midterms. *

*Ian Masters: And in terms of the Gulf, it looks as if these allies are now
thinking, What the hell have we done? We bought all this American
equipment, we bribed the Trump family with crypto money, and free 747 jets,
et cetera. And look what we got out of it. We got a pounding, and the
American defense shield didn=E2=80=99t work. Are they going to start divers=
ifying
their pipelines? For example, there are pipelines that UAE have taken
across to the Indian Ocean, avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, and Oman could
do the same thing. As for the LNG that you mentioned, a third of which is
from Qatar, could they start putting pipelines from Kuwait across Iraq,
through Syria, into the Mediterranean? There is a pipeline from northern
Iraq, through to Ceyhan in Turkey, but in other words, are they going to
figure ways around not being so vulnerable to the Iranians dominance of a
stray of humans? *

*Juan Cole: I think that you=E2=80=99re right that they will try to diversi=
fy their
export routes by pipeline, and that can be done. I think what it does is
reduce the dangers of having to pay Iranians, essentially, protection
money, to go out through the Strait. By the way, the Iranians are claiming
enough ocean so that UAE=E2=80=99s Fujaira Port would still be included. *

*But that kind of thing doesn=E2=80=99t protect them militarily. Were anoth=
er war
to break out =E2=80=94 and it=E2=80=99s entirely possible, it should be rem=
embered, that
another war will break out, both because these negotiations are unlikely to
end satisfactorily to all parties, and because the Israelis, under Prime
Minister Netanyow, and likely even his opponents, are determined to have
another war with Iran. They believe they haven=E2=80=99t finished the job. =
They
don=E2=80=99t seem to realize that they can=E2=80=99t. that they=E2=80=99ve=
 been defeated, that
this is a meal that they cannot digest. *

*And so [should that happen], those pipelines that you=E2=80=99re talking a=
bout are
just as vulnerable to being bombed as the ships in the Gulf. In fact, what
would be more vulnerable than a gas pipeline? A Shahed drone would take it
out. And we saw during the Iraq War, that that pipeline you were talking
about in the north of Iraq to Turkey and the Mediterranean, was very
frequently out of commission because of sabotage. *

*I think this is a world historical change. I don=E2=80=99t think the world=
 can
ever again depend on energy from the Gulf. It=E2=80=99s always going to be
intermittent, and that=E2=80=99s ironic, because the proponents of fossil f=
uels
always said that they are reliable, and that renewable energy is
intermittent. But the opposite seems to be increasingly the case.
California=E2=80=99s grid is now largely clean energy, and it=E2=80=99s sho=
wing great
stability because of batteries. *

*And so, one of the things that you see is this vast rush in Asia, in
particular, away from petroleum, to electric vehicles and electrification
of transport. Ian, 67% of new vehicle purchases in China, in the last
month, have been EVs. *

*Ian Masters: Right, but we can=E2=80=99t get cheap EVs here, and Trump has=
 turned
these idiots in the Big Three, the CEOs, and now, they are going back to
pick-up trucks and gas guzzlers. I mean, it=E2=80=99s just insane what=E2=
=80=99s happening
over here, compared to what the Chinese and others around the world see as
the writing on the wall, which is, you=E2=80=99ve got to get off oil and ge=
t into
wind and solar. So, you know, how do you get to the point in this country
where you actually have the ability, like the Chinese consumers do, to have
cheap EVs? *

*Photo Iran solidarity gathering by sina drakhshani
<https://unsplash.com/@sina_drakhshani?utm_source=3Dunsplash&utm_medium=3Dr=
eferral&utm_content=3DcreditCopyText>
on Unsplash
<https://unsplash.com/photos/a-crowd-of-people-holding-iranian-flags-on-a-s=
treet-zqo8mkyG9Sc?utm_source=3Dunsplash&utm_medium=3Dreferral&utm_content=
=3DcreditCopyText>*

*Juan Cole: It will be slower in the United States, because the Republican
Party, and much of the Democratic Party, is the back pocket of Big Oil, but
it will happen here, too. It can=E2=80=99t be stopped. If petroleum remains
unreliable, and you see these big price spikes, people will migrate to
lower cost transportation. *

*Ian Masters: If they can find it, Juan. *

*Juan Cole: Yeah, well, they will. They=E2=80=99ll find a way. You know, th=
ey=E2=80=99ll
put pressure on their politicians to change the laws. This is, I=E2=80=99m =
talking
about over the next 10 to 20 years. I=E2=80=99m not saying this is going to=
 happen
today. But over time, the United States will also electrify its
transportation. It just will be behind everybody else. *

*And this is very dangerous. One of the engines for American industrial
mastery in the world was the auto industry, and it still is a very
important industry in the United States. If it becomes a dinosaur =E2=80=94=
 and
remember, most showrooms in the world are not in the United States, they
have to sell Fords and GM cars abroad =E2=80=94 if everybody goes electric =
and they
don=E2=80=99t, then they=E2=80=99ll be like the horse and buggy in the age =
of the Ford
automobile. They=E2=80=99ll just decline into insignificance. And if we, as=
 a
country, lose our manufacturing base, we become a third world country.
There=E2=80=99s real danger of this being an inflection point for the decli=
ne of
the United States. And the decline could significantly be driven by our
failure to do the research and development to stay at the forefront of
clean energy technology. *

*Ian Masters: Well, historians will judge Donald Trump as the man who
destroyed America. So I thank you for joining us. I appreciate it. *

*Juan Cole: Thanks so much, Ian. All the best. *

*Ian Masters: And again, I=E2=80=99ve been speaking with Juan Cole, who is =
a
professor of Modern Middle Eastern and South Asian history at the
University of Michigan. He=E2=80=99s also the author of the blog Informed C=
omment
at juancole.com <http://juancole.com>, and the author of Engaging the
Muslim World
<https://www.amazon.com/Engaging-Muslim-World-Juan-Cole/dp/0230102751>,
Muhammad
Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires
<https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/juan-cole/muhammad/9781568587837/=
>,
and most recently Gaza yet Stands
<https://www.amazon.com/Gaza-Yet-Stands-Juan-Cole-ebook/dp/B0DKZXR6JP/ref=
=3Dsr_1_1?crid=3D1UWL0SJ9B5WGY&dib=3DeyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KJOol-pzuqtyK0Jin-hrFzdQ9=
X1LMnDl-AMJXw5dTUldCajQtxMhhFBZkfeypVTkl5Wtg2x5QCpDDbBsRx44veTdNze3uOk4WbjL=
BbhDn5a_zMpsGrMdt16DP0ny_TmxxnLcH28McyPdNAxRUBTjr_Q1l3vKLB0uJuwzpOxkenmKLLc=
WIwKUjNLcDZdYdcwOsUw1mZFaUxNX446QFaY6zSEjIRMfP7uWdR5HGWHmgjA.YcD5uDGvGA2GRz=
TadXwvCuy-FW4TeR-AQdaLharyYa8&dib_tag=3Dse&keywords=3Djuan+cole+gaza+yet+st=
ands&qid=3D1781583106&sprefix=3Djuan+cole+gaza+yet+stands%2Caps%2C147&sr=3D=
8-1>,
and he has an article at Informed Comment, =E2=80=9C U.S.- Iran, MOU is mer=
e
Agreement to Keep Talking
<https://www.juancole.com/2026/06/iran-agreement-talking.html>.=E2=80=9D*

--00000000000030cdbc06547ddbd9
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"lt=
r" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:georgia,se=
rif;background-color:transparent"><a href=3D"https://www.juancole.com/2026/=
06/iran-friday-winner.html" target=3D"_blank">https://www.juancole.com/2026=
/06/iran-friday-winner.html</a></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr">=
<div><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b><br></b></font></di=
v><div><h1 style=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em=
;max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"=
><i>Iran Will Sign a Deal on Friday as the Winner, But Will the War Be Over=
? (Juan </i></font><font size=3D"2" color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, seri=
f">Cole)</font></h1><div style=3D"margin-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%"><p s=
tyle=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline"><font color=3D"#000000" f=
ace=3D"georgia, serif"><b><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%;clear:bo=
th;display:inline"><a href=3D"https://www.juancole.com/author/jcedit" rel=
=3D"author" style=3D"text-decoration:none;margin:0px;max-width:100%;display=
:inline" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%">Juan C=
ole</span></a></span><span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"margin:0.07em 0.45em=
 0px;padding:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline"></span>06/16/2026</b></font=
></p></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"geor=
gia, serif"><b>Here is the interview Ian Masters conducted with me Monday a=
t<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.backgroundbriefing.org/2026/06/1=
5/background-briefing-june-15-2026/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-widt=
h:100%" target=3D"_blank">Background Briefing</a></b></font></p><p style=3D=
"max-width:100%"><i style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Here is an computer-generated transcript, which I ha=
ve manually tried to correct:</b></font></i></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"=
><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Ian Masters: Now, here=
=E2=80=99s Juan Cole. He=E2=80=99s a professor of Modern Middle East and So=
uth Asian history at the University of Michigan, and he has an article at I=
nformed Comment,<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.juancole.com/2026=
/06/iran-agreement-talking.html" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:10=
0%" target=3D"_blank">=E2=80=9CU.S.-Iran MOU is a Mere Agreement to keep Ta=
lking.=E2=80=9D</a></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=
=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Welcome to background briefing, Jua=
n Cole.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font =
color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Juan Cole: Thanks so much, Ian=
.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=
=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Ian Masters: Well, thanks for joini=
ng us. President Trump, Vice President Vance, and the Iranian Speaker, Ghal=
ibaf, apparently signed electronically a deal. It wasn=E2=80=99t an MOU. Th=
at happens on Friday in Geneva. But do we know exactly what they signed? In=
 other words, what they signed electronically is that going to be the same =
as what will be signed on Friday, or is there more work to be done?<span>=
=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000=
000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Juan Cole: Oh, I think it=E2=80=99s probabl=
y the same as what will be signed in person on Friday, but all it is, is an=
 agreement, in my view, to keep talking. I don=E2=80=99t think very many sp=
ecifics have been agreed upon. And, in fact, given the erratic character of=
 both governments, it might be very difficult to nail down details.<span>=
=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000=
000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Ian Masters: Well, one of the details comin=
g out of the White House is that the frozen funds are going to be released,=
 and this $24 billion upfront, the Iranians want half of that on signing. B=
ut the total package is something like a $300 billion fund to rebuild Iran.=
 So the idea that the U.S. is in on the idea of a fund to rebuild a country=
 that you=E2=80=99ve just bombed. It=E2=80=99s pretty extraordinary, isn=E2=
=80=99t it?<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><f=
ont color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Juan Cole: The U.S. is thi=
nking about this more as a set of carrots than has a done deal. That is to =
say =E2=80=94 and moreover, I think they=E2=80=99re not expecting these fun=
ds to come from the United States =E2=80=94 so what they=E2=80=99re really =
doing is facilitating investment in Iran by Iran=E2=80=99s neighbors, which=
=E2=80=A6 is ironic because Iran bombed them. Assuming Iran=E2=80=99s good =
behavior from a U.S. and Gulf point of view, and Vice President J.D. Vance =
just told CBS news that Iran all along could have had access to $300 billio=
n in investments if it had behaved itself. So, this is a behavior modificat=
ion attempt.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><=
font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Ian Masters: Well, I don=
=E2=80=99t think that=E2=80=99s going to go down well with the Iranian oppo=
sition, right? The people that shot down on the streets. It looks as if the=
y=E2=80=99re being sold out, that this is all about consolidating this regi=
me, and in effect, rewarding it.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Juan=
 Cole: Not only is the opposition to the government in Iran, angry about th=
is deal, but so are the hardliners in Iran, who, I think, are having to go =
along, because it appears that the clerical leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khame=
nei, has signed off on this MOU, and so it=E2=80=99s very, very hard for th=
e hard liners to go against him. But they are carping and very angry. And s=
o this is a centrist deal. Ironically enough, the war by Israel, the United=
 States, on Iran killed a lot of pragmatists and centrists like Ali Larijan=
i, and appeared to promote hardliners into high office, especially in the I=
ranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. But the deal was negotiated by pragmatis=
ts, and it is a win for that faction inside Iran. Everybody else is upset.<=
span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D=
"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Ian Masters: Well, that includes the I=
sraelis. I mean, the Israeli opposition is upset. All of the ministers, in =
this right wing cabinet, are screaming, Netanyahu is silent, and a part of =
the deal is that Israel has to stop attacking Lebanon, and then basically s=
aying, =E2=80=9CNo, we=E2=80=99re going to occupy Lebanon.=E2=80=9D What=E2=
=80=99s missing from the deal, as far as we know, is there=E2=80=99s nothin=
g to co curb Iran=E2=80=99s missile programs, nor its support for proxies. =
And the nuclear part of it is a little opaque. So=E2=80=A6 I=E2=80=A6 I=E2=
=80=99m trying to=E2=80=A6 Where is the good news? That oil is going to flo=
w? Is that the good news?<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-=
width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Juan Cole: T=
hat certainly is good news if it happens. Even it is not guaranteed, but if=
 the U.S. blockade is lifted, as President Trump announced it was, and if I=
ran allows shipping through the Strait of Hormuz =E2=80=94 it says it still=
 wants to collect what it calls administrative fees, the word toll is not b=
eing used anymore =E2=80=94 but if that happens, it=E2=80=99s great good ne=
ws for a lot of people. Because, as you know, in California, working famili=
es have been hard hit by high energy prices. It=E2=80=99s even worse in Asi=
a, in the Philippines and Bangladesh, and so forth. So, that=E2=80=99s a pi=
ece of good news, if it happens. You know, the deal doesn=E2=80=99t include=
 things that are not achievable. The United States and Israel lost the war.=
 They just lost. They achieved none of their objectives. They bombed Iran 1=
3,000 times,and came away with nothing to show for it. They didn=E2=80=99t =
cripple Iran=E2=80=99s ballistic missile launchers, even the ones that they=
 already had. They didn=E2=80=99t cripple its vast, thousands-strong fleet =
of small Shahed drones that only cost $30,000 apiece =E2=80=93 and 400 of t=
hem can be produced a week. So the structure of the government is still the=
re. They killed the clerical Leader, but his son has taken over, and, presu=
mably, with a set of grudges about his father and wife and baby daughter be=
ing killed. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps is, if anything, more po=
werful domestically than it had been before. So, this is a loss. You just h=
ave to accept that it=E2=80=99s a loss. And so why would you get anything i=
n a negotiation with a country that you didn=E2=80=99t defeat?<span>=C2=A0<=
/span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Ian Masters: Well, Juan, I=E2=80=99m just astounde=
d at the stupidity of Trunk and the White House, and the extent to which so=
 many people in this country don=E2=80=99t understand what an idiot, amateu=
r, fool this man is. You=E2=80=99ve got this whole propaganda network led b=
y Fox, you know, and I=E2=80=99m sure he=E2=80=99s going to do well out of =
this deal. I don=E2=80=99t think people are going to hold him to account in=
 the way that you=E2=80=99ve just pointed out what a catastrophe it=E2=80=
=99s been, and what a loss it is for both Israel and the United States. I=
=E2=80=99m not sure that that=E2=80=99s necessarily going to be the people =
who are going to be relieved. The gas prices will go down. He will go back =
up in the polls. I mean, from day one, why did they not understand, for exa=
mple, going back to the hostage crisis that brought about the Iranian Revol=
ution, where American diplomats were held for 440 days? Of course, Iran, th=
is revolutionary government, operates on the basis of taking hostages, and =
that=E2=80=99s what they did in =E2=80=9979, and that=E2=80=99s what they d=
id in taking over the Straitsof Hormuz.. And these idiots did not even pred=
ict that as a possibility. They thought it=E2=80=99d be all over in 100 hou=
rs.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font colo=
r=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Juan Cole: Yeah, they assumed that=
 they could decapitate the government. They seem to have been working from =
a Venezuela model, where you have a strong man at the top, and you could ju=
st remove him. And then everything would change, the people who remained wo=
uld be docile =E2=80=94 as happened in Venezuela so far. But the Iranian go=
vernment is not =E2=80=94 in my view, it=E2=80=99s inaccurate to call it a =
regime. It=E2=80=99s a very complicated beast. It has, you know, an elected=
 Parliament, and I think the members of Parliament genuinely represent thei=
r districts. So, it has an elected president, and at some points in modern =
Iranian history the elected president has been extremely popular, and has c=
arried out policy. And then it has this clerical core, and then it has both=
 a conventional army and an unconventional paramilitary, the Iranian Revolu=
tionary Guards Corps. So, the idea that you could decapitate this kind of s=
etup, for anybody who knew Iran, was always ridiculous. And that was what t=
hey were told by the Israel lobbies, by the Foundation for the Defense of D=
emocracy (so called), which is a proxy for Netanyahu=E2=80=99s thinking on =
Iran.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font co=
lor=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>And so, you know, Trump is gulli=
ble, and he was sold a bill of goods. But as you say, his experience in lif=
e =E2=80=94 he was born into an extremely wealthy family. He inherited a lo=
t of money. He was in the New York real estate scene. His experience in lif=
e is, oh, you make a mistake, you move on. His casinos went bankrupt. He ar=
ranged loans, he came back out of it. He did more deals. So that=E2=80=99s =
the way he deals with life. So, he makes the mistake in Iran, he thinks tha=
t, well, you make a different deal. It doesn=E2=80=99t matter to him. And s=
o whether=E2=80=A6 whether he will be unscathed politically by this misadve=
nture, is still an open question. Ian a third of the refinery capacity in t=
he Gulf was destroyed in this war, or damaged. And it can be repaired, but =
it will take months, 17% of Qatar=E2=80=99s liquefied natural gas capabilit=
y was destroyed, and estimates are three to five years to repair it. Qatar =
supplies a fifth of the world=E2=80=99s liquefied natural gas. So, the unde=
rlying inflationary effects of this war are going to be with us. The petrol=
eum is not going to be entirely restored to pre-war prices. I think the est=
imates are that it=E2=80=99ll stay around $100 a barrel the rest of this ye=
ar. And so, you know, the consumers in the United States are going to suffe=
r.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=
=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Moreover, when they cut off the nat=
ural gas, liquefied natural gas exports, and some petrochemicals, as we hav=
e talked about before, they made fertilizer, extremely expensive, or even h=
ard to get. So, 4 million acres that ordinarily would have been planted wit=
h corn this spring in the United States were not planted. And that=E2=80=99=
s phenomenon we see all around the world. So, food inflation is going to be=
 tremendous. Of course, some of it may not hit till next winter. But I thin=
k that it=E2=80=99s an open question as to whether consumers, having been p=
ut through this ringer by Trump and who will continue to suffer into the fa=
ll, will forgive him in the midterms.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>=
Ian Masters: And in terms of the Gulf, it looks as if these allies are now =
thinking, What the hell have we done? We bought all this American equipment=
, we bribed the Trump family with crypto money, and free 747 jets, et ceter=
a. And look what we got out of it. We got a pounding, and the American defe=
nse shield didn=E2=80=99t work. Are they going to start diversifying their =
pipelines? For example, there are pipelines that UAE have taken across to t=
he Indian Ocean, avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, and Oman could do the same =
thing. As for the LNG that you mentioned, a third of which is from Qatar, c=
ould they start putting pipelines from Kuwait across Iraq, through Syria, i=
nto the Mediterranean? There is a pipeline from northern Iraq, through to C=
eyhan in Turkey, but in other words, are they going to figure ways around n=
ot being so vulnerable to the Iranians dominance of a stray of humans?<span=
>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#00=
0000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Juan Cole: I think that you=E2=80=99re rig=
ht that they will try to diversify their export routes by pipeline, and tha=
t can be done. I think what it does is reduce the dangers of having to pay =
Iranians, essentially, protection money, to go out through the Strait. By t=
he way, the Iranians are claiming enough ocean so that UAE=E2=80=99s Fujair=
a Port would still be included.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>But =
that kind of thing doesn=E2=80=99t protect them militarily. Were another wa=
r to break out =E2=80=94 and it=E2=80=99s entirely possible, it should be r=
emembered, that another war will break out, both because these negotiations=
 are unlikely to end satisfactorily to all parties, and because the Israeli=
s, under Prime Minister Netanyow, and likely even his opponents, are determ=
ined to have another war with Iran. They believe they haven=E2=80=99t finis=
hed the job. They don=E2=80=99t seem to realize that they can=E2=80=99t. th=
at they=E2=80=99ve been defeated, that this is a meal that they cannot dige=
st.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font colo=
r=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>And so [should that happen], those=
 pipelines that you=E2=80=99re talking about are just as vulnerable to bein=
g bombed as the ships in the Gulf. In fact, what would be more vulnerable t=
han a gas pipeline? A Shahed drone would take it out. And we saw during the=
 Iraq War, that that pipeline you were talking about in the north of Iraq t=
o Turkey and the Mediterranean, was very frequently out of commission becau=
se of sabotage.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%=
"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>I think this is a worl=
d historical change. I don=E2=80=99t think the world can ever again depend =
on energy from the Gulf. It=E2=80=99s always going to be intermittent, and =
that=E2=80=99s ironic, because the proponents of fossil fuels always said t=
hat they are reliable, and that renewable energy is intermittent. But the o=
pposite seems to be increasingly the case. California=E2=80=99s grid is now=
 largely clean energy, and it=E2=80=99s showing great stability because of =
batteries.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><fo=
nt color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>And so, one of the things t=
hat you see is this vast rush in Asia, in particular, away from petroleum, =
to electric vehicles and electrification of transport. Ian, 67% of new vehi=
cle purchases in China, in the last month, have been EVs.<span>=C2=A0</span=
></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D=
"georgia, serif"><b>Ian Masters: Right, but we can=E2=80=99t get cheap EVs =
here, and Trump has turned these idiots in the Big Three, the CEOs, and now=
, they are going back to pick-up trucks and gas guzzlers. I mean, it=E2=80=
=99s just insane what=E2=80=99s happening over here, compared to what the C=
hinese and others around the world see as the writing on the wall, which is=
, you=E2=80=99ve got to get off oil and get into wind and solar. So, you kn=
ow, how do you get to the point in this country where you actually have the=
 ability, like the Chinese consumers do, to have cheap EVs?<span>=C2=A0</sp=
an></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><img src=3D"https://media.jua=
ncole.com/images/2026/06/sina-drakhshani-zqo8mkyG9Sc-unsplash.jpg" alt=3D""=
 width=3D"570" height=3D"380" style=3D"max-width:100%;margin:0.5em auto;dis=
play:block;height:auto"><i style=3D"max-width:100%"><small style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Photo Iran soli=
darity gathering by<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://unsplash.com/@sina=
_drakhshani?utm_source=3Dunsplash&amp;utm_medium=3Dreferral&amp;utm_content=
=3DcreditCopyText" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"=
_blank">sina drakhshani</a><span>=C2=A0</span>on<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=
=3D"https://unsplash.com/photos/a-crowd-of-people-holding-iranian-flags-on-=
a-street-zqo8mkyG9Sc?utm_source=3Dunsplash&amp;utm_medium=3Dreferral&amp;ut=
m_content=3DcreditCopyText" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" t=
arget=3D"_blank">Unsplash</a></b></font></small></i></p><p style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Juan Cole: It w=
ill be slower in the United States, because the Republican Party, and much =
of the Democratic Party, is the back pocket of Big Oil, but it will happen =
here, too. It can=E2=80=99t be stopped. If petroleum remains unreliable, an=
d you see these big price spikes, people will migrate to lower cost transpo=
rtation.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font=
 color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Ian Masters: If they can find=
 it, Juan.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><fo=
nt color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Juan Cole: Yeah, well, they=
 will. They=E2=80=99ll find a way. You know, they=E2=80=99ll put pressure o=
n their politicians to change the laws. This is, I=E2=80=99m talking about =
over the next 10 to 20 years. I=E2=80=99m not saying this is going to happe=
n today. But over time, the United States will also electrify its transport=
ation. It just will be behind everybody else.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font>=
</p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, se=
rif"><b>And this is very dangerous. One of the engines for American industr=
ial mastery in the world was the auto industry, and it still is a very impo=
rtant industry in the United States. If it becomes a dinosaur =E2=80=94 and=
 remember, most showrooms in the world are not in the United States, they h=
ave to sell Fords and GM cars abroad =E2=80=94 if everybody goes electric a=
nd they don=E2=80=99t, then they=E2=80=99ll be like the horse and buggy in =
the age of the Ford automobile. They=E2=80=99ll just decline into insignifi=
cance. And if we, as a country, lose our manufacturing base, we become a th=
ird world country. There=E2=80=99s real danger of this being an inflection =
point for the decline of the United States. And the decline could significa=
ntly be driven by our failure to do the research and development to stay at=
 the forefront of clean energy technology.<span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif=
"><b>Ian Masters: Well, historians will judge Donald Trump as the man who d=
estroyed America. So I thank you for joining us. I appreciate it.<span>=C2=
=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000=
" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Juan Cole: Thanks so much, Ian. All the best.<=
span>=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D=
"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Ian Masters: And again, I=E2=80=99ve b=
een speaking with Juan Cole, who is a professor of Modern Middle Eastern an=
d South Asian history at the University of Michigan. He=E2=80=99s also the =
author of the blog Informed Comment at <a href=3D"http://juancole.com" targ=
et=3D"_blank">juancole.com</a>, and the author of<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=
=3D"https://www.amazon.com/Engaging-Muslim-World-Juan-Cole/dp/0230102751" s=
tyle=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Engaging the=
 Muslim World</a>,<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.hachettebookgro=
up.com/titles/juan-cole/muhammad/9781568587837/" style=3D"text-decoration:n=
one;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Muhammad Prophet of Peace amid the Cl=
ash of Empires</a>, and most recently<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://=
www.amazon.com/Gaza-Yet-Stands-Juan-Cole-ebook/dp/B0DKZXR6JP/ref=3Dsr_1_1?c=
rid=3D1UWL0SJ9B5WGY&amp;dib=3DeyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KJOol-pzuqtyK0Jin-hrFzdQ9X1LMnDl=
-AMJXw5dTUldCajQtxMhhFBZkfeypVTkl5Wtg2x5QCpDDbBsRx44veTdNze3uOk4WbjLBbhDn5a=
_zMpsGrMdt16DP0ny_TmxxnLcH28McyPdNAxRUBTjr_Q1l3vKLB0uJuwzpOxkenmKLLcWIwKUjN=
LcDZdYdcwOsUw1mZFaUxNX446QFaY6zSEjIRMfP7uWdR5HGWHmgjA.YcD5uDGvGA2GRzTadXwvC=
uy-FW4TeR-AQdaLharyYa8&amp;dib_tag=3Dse&amp;keywords=3Djuan+cole+gaza+yet+s=
tands&amp;qid=3D1781583106&amp;sprefix=3Djuan+cole+gaza+yet+stands%2Caps%2C=
147&amp;sr=3D8-1" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"_=
blank">Gaza yet Stands</a>, and he has an article at Informed Comment, =E2=
=80=9C<a href=3D"https://www.juancole.com/2026/06/iran-agreement-talking.ht=
ml" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank"><span>=
=C2=A0</span>U.S.- Iran, MOU is mere Agreement to Keep Talking</a>.=E2=80=
=9D</b></font></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>
</div>

--00000000000030cdbc06547ddbd9--

From cwfresidence@gmail.com  Wed Jun 17 20:08:33 2026
Return-Path: <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
X-Original-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Delivered-To: salon@mlm2.listserve.net
Received: from mlm0.listserve.net (mlm0.listserve.net [161.35.233.68])
 by mlm2.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTP id EB07EB0851
 for <salon@mlm2.listserve.net>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:08:32 -0700 (PDT)
DKIM-Filter: OpenDKIM Filter v2.11.0 mlm2.listserve.net EB07EB0851
Authentication-Results: mlm2.listserve.net;
 dkim=pass (2048-bit key) header.d=gmail.com header.i=@gmail.com
 header.b="VwqYq9xD"
Received: by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix)
 id C4BFDBD04E; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:08:32 -0700 (PDT)
Delivered-To: salon@listserve.com
Received: from mail-ej1-f47.google.com (mail-ej1-f47.google.com
 [209.85.218.47])
 by mlm0.listserve.net (Postfix) with ESMTPS id C1882BD029
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:08:32 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by mail-ej1-f47.google.com with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-bef1e6423e7so40119866b.1
 for <salon@listserve.com>; Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:08:32 -0700 (PDT)
ARC-Seal: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; t=1781752111; cv=none;
 d=google.com; s=arc-20240605;
 b=X5fUTDv+thgV367Z2GpngjybseNx0Ks4IzIw+or7/cDEYjYtMSEyhrFZuiLFhq1GNb
 osAz4DzTHqH7vz9VgSzA8qStRQmrRdMgvVvqpt2711u0e231wN+Dn+XmQcLfI3Aq7rdg
 Kng1ZJemXmXI32mnvExtvkY1Vxfh09Zc1kELaUiRUKham4zzR2kIiO4RSEYt4fKazq6L
 3N9UTrtFGKv2a5RJS47ct7EKfdF/BcYkSg9kgEB5bKQvKryz9SdlfZq4wb/PiP82ztlh
 gLNJGbjBMEhoEmh79pPrpiTnNjivxBCpRgd6fz4NrIDSmN36TW1lUkeN8U4g9MjfimOH
 qYiw==
ARC-Message-Signature: i=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=google.com;
 s=arc-20240605; 
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:dkim-signature;
 bh=tWdqKgqDmoAWChdJYUF4qKcQuWQO9/0k/dw/KtMVgBQ=;
 fh=wPGf20UGQxVPQrvS2v8tjKowEPMRawCAkzSjcxz5/HM=;
 b=MqUD9mnrvG76fleBCYtFGQ0Frt2DInS5z/WrT92gkY2BU0qiYe0kjhSCYnPjSwGAyj
 j87gCJiVnYcmA72K+sVDPMDWwrp424MtEq8G41YCGd7FzdW3wlFtKj9cnL/rjpcJL/ZZ
 O8G6xqDrNxeD/YFxt5LIDfV2zQar60bmARRG9e4507hrolXJvEypspJ4a1U076oYigbk
 rskISfqZmzHdEqkzwHXWhWHL4Ng9JR2WwyY53xOub1aMZTYhN1X/RmHw3G65gsAGAWhD
 EYSaIoaUYZC0jdbIu6o517O+jXl0G/J3e+tZvZZZJRVmZlYICGYtHMKBtEFg8mhLkhe3
 W/WQ==; darn=listserve.com
ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; arc=none
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=gmail.com; s=20251104; t=1781752111; x=1782356911; darn=listserve.com;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:from:to:cc:subject
 :date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=tWdqKgqDmoAWChdJYUF4qKcQuWQO9/0k/dw/KtMVgBQ=;
 b=VwqYq9xD82mYO645GoDMWdcI24reKG7bGYMCOn1LFncFe7JbTYepyfRGCztuYdA9Nl
 XkKZyD0xsosq4n739xIJNf7TGbV/CYX3As5fn9dhylvLpPqk6K4vo2JgmGaiulUIvyyO
 hybFmsPlwcKXS5i605+3acjv26u1cEiw5y+qMbVHMLRPH3jYNwZpGVFdoqfxkwVyDhqa
 oR+BNEbSsZ7PTznb3VCU05ebdxShDJzrZ8SCJs1SV58jKUwgZHdU7run8skQ4AXbbic0
 yCCJRFDZyEctxQ2FXINcpPbWteHKH4sdPFeX5RBXyjCgoHBofCXREHw9UAy3Vw005N1x
 rOSg==
X-Google-DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed;
 d=1e100.net; s=20251104; t=1781752111; x=1782356911;
 h=to:subject:message-id:date:from:mime-version:x-gm-gg
 :x-gm-message-state:from:to:cc:subject:date:message-id:reply-to;
 bh=tWdqKgqDmoAWChdJYUF4qKcQuWQO9/0k/dw/KtMVgBQ=;
 b=RSiih6bCY5/yk5sv6YyH0ktFFL95cO5UMOLFHqx1ljYg8lu0d2rlXyQlWAILrPesKc
 hN9mxWy9Igh4UEn1BN6yB1sL43ZJOTGA07UeYR/OSk9hffXFCNc49368jTAUuXGLyThA
 LDc3L1OR6CaMe6TlUlcJc0JE6gtTf+uGsin0ppK5ZWLKRu5wXgmB/sRe/BVnb+1fmVHI
 ol7ylUbS7UiLS93nds2/01rih93k/2oOWj/vqVE6/PmUPwi9mqmXe5O1oCGqAfaK/cc8
 Hyo8UzRtwuzkkdjRUS8K0BsSIGxF+/DJ9FA65o+J6BhtLIXdt34YWTNpdGJoy+MC/Pd7
 FwYg==
X-Gm-Message-State: AOJu0YybRA9mnqH4fBs24uaVJj7UUg4d7CpofkTAP86u5vORfV2bYW5T
 upVk3n+yHg4M2A7WEOGzVSrMKgEc6wdQWE/nDaI1lsq8RDWVPWebJ6LeIw1EG0zlnMwE9d39msa
 owYueKW2fnyDOsNYRbftK7CQr/8jRc/mqfvBYfrsbFw==
X-Gm-Gg: AfdE7clqniVifsrGzjHGC2oAiQRvzNxurbb6fBaytvnxdCAnl8QAVOX0EJZ4K3yTzUK
 5CtWqc/neJd6Km5nI6fyygT1/1bdANyFCOsfPVDfs5jjk+pXq0mExXeNgVMAcoqaS3dZbkacdbP
 5Kol4RwolMiHgo2hGNzLygiejxtKlP2kAQJLMZV94XCHGODXfd/t6FguNtPcg6aekwrUd8nNry7
 TmBN4dwUAbkCVr6k+VkOlnGUdp4ScBOgnJLxivJF+wC7CK01VDpLnTSrN02X2M2WAJHkEKP8Hx1
 FEmx5tS1eYhYf0sIFJ2bze6QYoSF5MVlF0rz/2SaGCmJFqi16H9OHS2ryWlFUmFICqCTDf0JhK7
 QXLoKlGBzN7bGFr01D6cj7S5rZdSXss1qzievTzTXpd8OjQ7OpnhOXjYjy5YN4u2LwxJ/s2Opk0
 90r171OwgI8HhuQ6+uUSrrcsf4x81DXnP4lEPCqU8CiqCFD/TYPfgZGpSnqUSQpApmrPE93FsCF
 eF3lwUB7ktXE7o4PDyrPSgZheV4UjMNWMFSLyMFdM5bKkc=
X-Received: by 2002:a17:907:9305:b0:beb:b53d:4841 with SMTP id
 a640c23a62f3a-c05a73a7992mr438034466b.35.1781752110845; Wed, 17 Jun 2026
 20:08:30 -0700 (PDT)
MIME-Version: 1.0
From: Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:08:14 -0400
X-Gm-Features: AVVi8CfzR_8437_xni9eDo4iduzeBqSvZxcV83MEK4awh7nO0hmuU9HYOkW0gCc
Message-ID: <CANbmmQmgy+=t+vJKYanswm1EuQnDVhthtAwfX_NeAy8D-Obeyw@mail.gmail.com>
To: "salon@listserve.com" <salon@listserve.com>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000a512d406547e7d27"
Subject: [Salon] Larry Johnson & Mohammad Marandi: The White House has
 released the full text of the 14-point MoU
X-BeenThere: salon@listserve.com
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.33
Precedence: list
List-Id: Discussion List for the Committee For The Republic
 <salon.listserve.com>
List-Unsubscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/options/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=unsubscribe>
List-Archive: <http://mlm2.listserve.net/pipermail/salon/>
List-Post: <mailto:salon@listserve.com>
List-Help: <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=help>
List-Subscribe: <https://mlm2.listserve.net/mailman/listinfo/salon>,
 <mailto:salon-request@listserve.com?subject=subscribe>
X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:08:33 -0000

--000000000000a512d406547e7d27
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDVwed9QDRk&t=2421s

--000000000000a512d406547e7d27
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"

<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDVwed9QDRk&amp;t=2421s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDVwed9QDRk&amp;t=2421s</a></div>

--000000000000a512d406547e7d27--

