Articles from ‘Independent News Roundup’ in ‘Geopolitics’

Never mind reserving its sole right to declare war, Congress is now too scared to pass even a wishy-washy Authorization for Use of Military Force. · John Leake · In 27 BC, four years after Octavian defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium, he made a gesture to the Roman Senate of surrendering his emergency, wartime power. All the Senators perceived his gesture to be pure show, and they believed he had every…

If Turkiye launches a military intervention in Iran along the lines of its earlier ones in Iraq and Syria to stop what it considers to be Kurdish terrorists, then its Azerbaijani ally might make a move on what it considers to be “South Azerbaijan”, and then the Gulf Arabs and Pakistan might be emboldened to join the fray too. · Andrew Korybko · CNN reported that “CIA working to arm Kurdish forces to spark uprising in Iran, sources say”, …

Iran perceives the Gulf States to be easy targets, the Turkish Armed Forces have thus far deterred Iran through their proven formidableness, and Iran doesn’t want to risk Turkiye requesting the intervention of its NATO and/or Azerbaijani allies in the war. · Andrew Korybko · Iran has attacked US bases in the Gulf States on the pretext that they were used to some extent by the US in its joint campaign with Israel against Iran. By that…

Trump called Britain "uncooperative," dismantled Lloyd's three-century grip on the Strait of Hormuz, and inherited a united Gulf alliance — all in 72 hours. This is what the end of empire looks like. · Susan Kokinda · In this Wednesday update, Susan Kokinda argues that President Trump has openly ruptured with the UK over Iran, base access, and broader British policies on energy and immigration, while treating Germany under…

He defines World War III as a country “want[ing] to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves”, which doesn’t describe what Russia did in 2022, but what the US has been doing from 1991 till Trump’s return to office last year. · Andrew Korybko · Zelensky told the BBC right before the four-year anniversary of Russia’s special operation that “I believe that Putin has already started…

Russia is the only country in the world that’s on decent terms with Iran, the US, Israel, and the Gulf Kingdoms, thus making Putin the only person who could potentially mediate an end to the war. · Andrew Korybko · Putin spoke with the leaders of the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia (de facto since he spoke with Mohammed bin Salman) on Monday, all of whose countries have been attacked by Iran on the pretext that the US military facilities…

Alex Krainer · On Saturday, 28 February, U.S. and Israeli armed forces launched a coordinated joint military operation against Iran. The U.S. designated its side as the Operation Epic Fury (per Pentagon announcements and multiple reports). Israelis named their campaign as Operation Roaring Lion (or Lion’s Roar). · If you are like me, you are swamped with news reports, analysis and commentary of this event and much of it amounts…

From Iran’s perspective, they’re all complicit in the US’ massive first strike even if the role that US military infrastructure in their countries allegedly played was only indirect in the sense of providing radar or just logistical support, with this perception and its response thereto being totally predictable. · Andrew Korybko · Prior to the joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran, there was a belief among the Gulf States that hosting US…

Stewart Battle- Iran’s President Pezeshkian called the assassination of Khamenei a “declaration of war against Muslims.” Credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe”Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget / falls drop by drop upon the heart, / until, in our own despair, / against our will, / comes wisdom / through the awful grace of God.” · This quote from Aeschylus’ play Agamemnon was recited from memory by Robert F. Kennedy Sr. the night Martin…

The neocons say Trump has no plan. Chatham House says you can't do regime change from the air. Then Iran's new leadership called Washington and Trump picked up. The special relationship is cracking open — and the men who ran it are on the chopping block. · Susan Kokinda · Susan Kokinda argues that John Bolton and the foreign policy establishment are alarmed not by U.S. strikes on Iran, but by President Trump’s refusal to commit to…