Tag: Middle East

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European defense autonomy: Kiel Institute puts a price on it

Colin Henderson

This is the Kiel Institute paper which provides costing to achieve military autonomy that excludes US. This clear evidence that a new structure for Europe following the clear messaging from America, including most recent inclusion of European commentary in recent Security paper which refers to Europe as a terrorist breeding ground. This from a country which promotes guerrilla tactics against its own citizens based on race or political persuasion. European defense autonomy: Kiel Institute puts a price on it ⚑ A paper by five senior German defense economists and industry executives, published by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, concludes … Continue reading European defense autonomy: Kiel Institute puts a price on it

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Morning Briefing — Thursday, April 2, 2026 · EST · 1,290 words⸻

Colin Henderson

Today’s environment is dominated by two inter-locked escalations: Trump’s prime-time Iran address last night — heavy on rhetoric, thin on exit architecture — and the growing NATO rupture it is accelerating. Neither resolved; both moved. The secondary story is the one-year anniversary of Liberation Day tariffs, which arrive today with a Supreme Court ruling largely gutting them — a quiet structural reversal getting minimal airtime amid the war noise. ⸻ 1. Top Stories — What Changed Trump addresses nation on Operation Epic Fury: war “nearing completion”In a roughly 20-minute prime-time address Wednesday, Trump declared Iran’s navy destroyed, its air force … Continue reading Morning Briefing — Thursday, April 2, 2026 · EST · 1,290 words⸻

AI

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

Military

Trying to Head Off War, U.S. Moves Naval Forces Closer to Israel

Colin Henderson

Trying to Head Off War, U.S. Moves Naval Forces Closer to Israel American officials are sending a signal to Iran and its allies, in the form of two aircraft carrier groups and an attack submarine. By Eric Schmitt With fears rising that a wider war could break out in the Middle East, the United States has steadily been moving Navy forces closer to the area, including two aircraft carrier groups and an attack submarine. And it has not been shy about announcing the details, in a clear effort to deter Iran and its allies from more intense attacks on Israel. Earlier … Continue reading Trying to Head Off War, U.S. Moves Naval Forces Closer to Israel

Geopolitics

The Forty-Year War

Colin Henderson

How America Lost the Middle East By Lisa Anderson May/June 2023Published on April 18, 2023 In March 2023, China’s announcement that it had brokered renewed diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran threw into sharp relief the United States’ rapidly diminishing role in the Middle East. Shortly after President Joe Biden came to office, the United States completed its inept withdrawal from Afghanistan, a country that Washington had spent 20 years trying and failing to bring into the Western fold. Then the president, who as a candidate had cast Saudi Arabia as a “pariah” because of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s alleged … Continue reading The Forty-Year War

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Weekend Read: On China and Middle East – Saudi Arabia and Iran

Colin Henderson

Iran and Saudi Arabia just agreed to restore relations, with support from China but importantly no direct action by them. I am watching China a lot these days because there are economic and political influences that impact Banks, western markets and economic valuations. China just by its size creates impact just with small movements – literally the elephant in the room. It is the more significant with one single authoritarian leader. I am in the camp that says US policy impressing China to become more authoritarian to balance US rhetoric making this a western problem if its own making. So … Continue reading Weekend Read: On China and Middle East – Saudi Arabia and Iran