Tag: Israel

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Morning Briefing — Monday, March 23, 2026 · 08:23 EST · ~1,310 words⸻

Colin Henderson

Introduction The dominant story today is a sudden and potentially significant de-escalation signal in the Iran conflict: Trump announced a five-day delay on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure after what he describes as “very good and productive” talks with Tehran — but the same morning, Israel launched fresh strikes on Tehran and the Hormuz closure remains in effect. Markets are whipsawing on the mixed signals. The secondary cluster is economic stress: Brent above $113, the ECB on hold, and Goldman projecting elevated prices through 2027. The Anthropic-Pentagon case moves to a San Francisco courtroom tomorrow — a structural inflection point … Continue reading Morning Briefing — Monday, March 23, 2026 · 08:23 EST · ~1,310 words⸻

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Israel is controlling US actions on Iran

Colin Henderson

Although Trump red lines get lost in what he says a few hours later, his 48 hour deadline on Hormuz is significant. But I worry more about Israel. They are openly defying yet supporting US at the same time. Quite a feat. More research source Claude.ai Good observation. Israel’s posture throughout this war has been remarkably dexterous — drawing the US in as the indispensable military partner while simultaneously operating on its own strategic timeline. The Natanz strike is the clearest example: Israel almost certainly executed it, both governments declined to confirm, and the Pentagon refused comment. That’s not coordination … Continue reading Israel is controlling US actions on Iran

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Joe Kent, Trump’s Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his immediate resignation March 17, 2026.

Colin Henderson

Joe Kent Resignation — Summary Axios report follows. The influence from Israel is important and represents a new level of power accepted by US.#us #israel Joe Kent, Trump’s Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his immediate resignation this morning, posting his letter directly to X. He stated he could not support the ongoing war against Iran, asserting that Iran posed no imminent threat to the US and that the war was started due to pressure from Israel and its American lobby.  The letter’s key charges, paraphrased from the Axios report: ∙ Kent accused senior Israeli officials and influential … Continue reading Joe Kent, Trump’s Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his immediate resignation March 17, 2026.

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Morning Briefing — Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Colin Henderson

Morning Briefing — Wednesday, March 4, 2026 1. What Changed Iran-Israel-U.S. War Enters Day Five — Strikes Widen, Leadership Vacuum Deepens Day five of Operation Epic Fury. Israel launched a new broad wave of strikes targeting internal security command centres in Tehran, missile launchers, and other systems, as Iran began three days of public mourning for Khamenei. NPR Israel simultaneously conducted a limited ground incursion into southern Lebanon to establish a “security layer” against Hezbollah. Wikipedia Hormuz: Effectively Closed, Insurance Doing the Work The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed for commercial shipping despite technically remaining open — insurance withdrawal … Continue reading Morning Briefing — Wednesday, March 4, 2026

AI, Cybersecurity

The Cyber Angle

Colin Henderson

Bloomberg The US private equity firm AE Industrial Partners has acquired one of Israel’s leading spyware companies in a move that’s injected enthusiasm into the Middle Eastern country’s scandal-plagued surveillance technology industry. Florida-based AE bought Tel-Aviv’s Paragon in a deal worth up to $900 million, according to a person familiar with the deal, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential business. The agreement consists of an initial $500 million payment and could increase by a further $400 million depending on sales and other targets, the person added. AE plans to merge Paragon with REDLattice, a US cybersecurity firm … Continue reading The Cyber Angle

Geopolitics, Risk

Israeli Settlers Storm West Bank Village, Drawing Rare Rebukes From Israeli Officials

Colin Henderson

The Palestinian Authority said one person was shot dead; the Israeli military said it was investigating and condemned the attack, as did the Israeli prime minister. By Ephrat Livni Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians have surged in the West Bank, but a riot on Thursday in the village of Jit stood out for drawing rapid and unusual rebukes from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose coalition government includes West Bank settlers in top positions. “Dozens of Israeli civilians, some of them masked, entered the town of Jit and set fire to vehicles and structures in the area, hurled rocks … Continue reading Israeli Settlers Storm West Bank Village, Drawing Rare Rebukes From Israeli Officials

Geopolitics

Middle East CrisisHamas Says It Will Not Take Part in New Round of Cease-Fire Talks

Colin Henderson

Get notifications for updates on this story. TOP NEWS Hamas sends a signal that a breakthrough is unlikely in negotiations. A Hamas official said on Tuesday that the group will not take part in the round of cease-fire talks on Thursday, sending a strong signal that any breakthrough in negotiations was still elusive even as the United States, Qatar and Egypt were stepping up pressure on Hamas and Israel to reach a deal. Ahmad Abdul Hadi, Hamas’s representative in Lebanon, said in an interview that Hamas had decided not to participate in the talks because its leaders do not think the … Continue reading Middle East CrisisHamas Says It Will Not Take Part in New Round of Cease-Fire Talks