This Week in the World Affairs Brief

TRUMP FIGHTING ANTI-WAR SENTIMENT

When Trump requested all the national networks give him 20 minutes for a special broadcast to the nation everyone was expecting a major announcement about the Iran war and most were hoping Trump would announce a quick end to the war. After all, he had recently claimed he was going to end the war in “2 or 3 weeks.” But not only was no peace deal announced, there was no specific news to support the hope that Trump was winding things down. The entire speech was a litany of boastful statements about how the US is "winning bigger than ever before," bragging about how much of Iran’s military has been destroyed and how most of their leaders have been killed. Trump even made the impossible claim that all the “gold star” families of the 13 US military who have died in this conflict have pleaded with Trump to “finish the job.” All of this indicates that this speech was primarily an attempt to confront the growing public dissatisfaction with this war, while pressuring Iran to give in to his demands. To receive a free one-time copy of the Brief, along with options on how to subscribe, click on Request a Sample on the left.

Also:
  • Trump’s Ego Knows No Bounds
  • Supreme Court Rules Against Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy’

Daily News

US Official Cites 'Glimmer Of Progress' On Ceasefire After Trump Warns 'A Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight'

ZeroHedge

Axios cites "glimmer" of progress on negotiations. In a call with FOX's Bret Baier, Trump says 8 PM deadline today "could change if negotiations move forward, but sticking to deadline for now." Kharg Island heavily bombed in preparation for potential US Marine/Special Forces ground seizure. Reports of 'human chains' at bridges, power plants, in Iran forming. Israel has begun attacking Iran's railway infrastructure, telling civilians to not take trains, cancelations across country. IRGC still defiant - announces new retaliatory attacks on petrochemical plants in eastern Saudi Arabia. Iran's 10-point counter to the US 15-point ceasefire shows signs of willingness to compromise ('reparations' from US dropped as a demand). Vance says war will end "very shortly". Russia, China veto UNSC Hormuz resolution.

US Already Spent Over $42 Billion & Counting On Iran War

ZeroHedge

The real cost could be much, much higher given that at this point dozens of ultra-expensive aircraft and radars have been knocked out by Iran's ongoing retaliation, and as the US has begun high risk incursions into the region and into Iranian territory itself. Axios in a report days ago highlighted that "The U.S. is dedicating significant amounts of firepower to the Middle East as it wrestles with Iran. Some of it — billions of dollars' worth, in fact — will not be returning."

Trump Details ‘Historic’ Mission to Rescue Downed Airmen: Key Takeaways

The Epoch Times

The U.S. military encountered terrain-related problems during the weekend recovery efforts in Iran, Trump said. Wet, sandy conditions made it too difficult for the large planes—which carried rescue personnel and equipment—to take off from the ground, he said. “We had a contingency plan, which was unbelievable, where lighter, faster aircraft came in, and they took them out. We blew up the old planes,” Trump said.

Trump Endorses Steve Hilton in Heated Race for California Governor

The Epoch Times

The British American political commentator and entrepreneur is running on what he calls “commonsense ideas,” such as cutting gas taxes, in a state in which the average price for a gallon of gas is nearly $2 more than the national average. He is also calling for cutting electric bills in half, and making homes more affordable by exempting the first $100,000 of home value from taxes. “I’m grateful for the president’s support. Together, we can turn things around and make California truly Golden Again,” Hilton said.

Trump Threatens To 'Take Out Entire Country Of Iran' Tomorrow Night, Demands 'Free Traffic Of Oil' In Hormuz

ZeroHedge

Trump threatens "Iran can be taken out in one night... maybe tomorrow"; Warns 'every bridge and power plant' will be destroyed WSJ reports US military is making preparations for potential strikes on energy targets in Iran A Sunday night Axios report on a US-proposed 45-day ceasefire has by Monday morning been rejected by Iran, which later on Monday issued a 10-point letter via Pakistan. Israel strikes large petrochemical plant at South Pars, which is responsible for half of the country’s petrochemical production.

Key Takeaways From Supreme Court’s Rejection of Law Banning ‘Conversion Therapy’

The Epoch Times

The Colorado law, passed in 2019, forbids therapists from any practice or treatment “that attempts to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity,” or “eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions toward individuals of the same sex.” Kaley Chiles, a licensed therapist, challenged the law in 2022, saying it violated her First Amendment free speech rights. After losing in lower courts, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor in an 8–1 decision that may impact similar laws in 26 other states.

US Fighter Jet Downed Over Iran; 1 Crew Member Rescued, Search Ongoing

The Epoch Times

The semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing an IRGC statement, said the aircraft was an F-35 and published images it said showed parts of the wreckage. The outlet added that the pilot’s fate remains unknown and claimed U.S. forces were seen conducting a search operation in the area using Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft.

Trump To Declare Iran War Wind-Down As Iranian President Issues Open Letter To Americans

ZeroHedge

Trump to declare Iran war is winding down and others need to resolve Hormuz Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has released an open letter to the American people, questioning whether Washington is truly putting “America First” or merely acting as a “proxy for Israel” willing to fight “to the last American soldier.”... Oil tanker leased to QatarEnergy was struck by an Iranian cruise missile in Qatari waters Wednesday. IRGC has newly vowed to keep attacking with "full intensity and power" - suggesting this is far from over, as ceasefire talks remain theater lacking in much substance. Ayatollah praises Hezbollah in written statement.

Minnesota Judges Enabling Somali Fraud Epidemic With Slaps On Wrist

ZeroHedge

The Feeding Our Future fraud is the largest pandemic-relief theft in American history - $250 million stolen, mostly by Somali immigrants who fabricated meal counts and pocketed federal child nutrition funds. The prosecutions have dragged on for years. Now that sentences are finally coming down, a troubling pattern is emerging: the punishments don’t seem to fit the crime.

Pentagon Prepares A-10 Warthog Surge As Mideast Fleet Set To Double

ZeroHedge

The surge of additional Warthogs, as many as 18, on top of the roughly dozen A-10s already operating in the region, has already been used to sink Iranian boats in the Hormuz chokepoint and strike Iran-backed militias in Iraq, according to the NYT, citing DoW officials. The expanded fleet suggests a broader aviation campaign in and around Hormuz and could even play a critical role in supporting a potential seizure of Kharg Island, Iran's main oil hub in the northern Persian Gulf.

Iran Says 'Prepared To End War' If Security Guarantees Offered, But Still No Direct Negotiations - Just 'Messages'

ZeroHedge

He said that all communication concerning diplomacy and the war is routed through the Foreign Ministry and overseen by the National Security Council. They have neither responded to reported US proposals nor submitted their own, stressing that no decision on talks has been made. Instead of a ceasefire, Iran is calling for a full regional end to the war, along with guarantees against future attacks and compensation for damages.

Bullet Used in Charlie Kirk Murder Doesn't Match The Alleged Weapon, Defense Claims

ZeroHedge

However, in a motion filed Friday, Robinson's attorneys disclosed that they had received an ATF summary report with an unexpected finding. "Regarding the firearm evidence, the defense has been provided with an ATF summary report which indicates that the ATF was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr. Robinson," the motion reads. The defense added, “Although the State has not indicated an intent to produce this report at the preliminary hearing, the defense may very well decide to offer the testimony of the ATF firearm analyst as exculpatory evidence.”

U.S. Gasoline Prices Hit Politically Sensitive $4 Level As Trump Eyes Iran War Off-Ramp

ZeroHedge

The overnight Wall Street Journal report that President Trump told aides he is willing to wind down the U.S. military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted (and appeared to confirm this narrative in a social media post this morning) comes just as the national average gasoline price hit the politically sensitive $4-a-gallon threshold, underscoring the delicate balancing act the administration is facing in managing battlefield objectives and domestic fuel costs.

China’s Quiet Gains during U.S.-Israel War on Iran

Real Clear Wire

While both sides suffer great losses in this protracted conflict, America’s biggest geopolitical rival – China – seems to be gaining palpable economic and strategic benefits from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Challenges to Petrodollar and Yuan’s Rise against U.S. Dollar

Tracking The Last UK-Bound Jet Fuel Tanker As Shortages Near

ZeroHedge

The UK has heavily relied on jet fuel transiting the Hormuz chokepoint for several years after phasing out Russian supplies. Analysts warn that airlines may begin to feel the supply crunch in late April if disruptions in Hormuz persist. As of Monday, northwest European jet fuel prices were roughly double prewar levels. In Asia, Singapore kerosene is trading at more than $200 a barrel, more than double the level at the start of the year.

Oil Slides As Trump Reportedly Told Aides He's Willing To End War Without Reopening Hormuz

ZeroHedge

Trump reportedly told his aides he's willing to end the war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz Iran struck a fully-laden Kuwaiti oil tanker in a Dubai port Iran rejects 'excessive, illogical' US demands while Trump mentions 'progress' with a 'more reasonable regime'. Trump again threatens to destroy Iran energy sites and Kharg Island. Hundreds of US Special Forces arrive in region. White House seriously considering ground operation to seize Iran's enriched uranium stockpile but also wants Tehran to negotiate handing it over willingly. Bessent: US will 'retake' Hormuz Strait 'over time'. Bazan oil refinery in Israel's northern city of Haifa is on fire after a second apparent Iranian missile strike of the war. Trump says US response 'coming shortly'. Iran accuses Israel of more 'false flags' - after Kuwait water desalination plant hit.

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