Articles from ‘Independent News Roundup’

The Islamic Republic will likely become much stronger, but also more moderate, free, and open. · John Leake · It seems to me that the history of Iran between 1941 and 1979 was dominated by the drama of the British, Americans, and Russians coveting the nation’s vast and strategically located oil reserves. As I mentioned in an earlier column, I was surprised to learn that Iranian Light is almost as valuable as West Texas Intermediate. …

World Affairs In Context · Overview · In a wide-ranging and highly critical interview, economist Dr. Steve Hanke delivers a stark assessment of the United States economy, warning that the gap between political rhetoric and economic reality is widening rapidly. · Speaking on the World Affairs and Context podcast, Hanke outlines a system under pressure from inflation, policy missteps, geopolitical conflict, and structural financial instability —…

RT covers the aftermath of Israel’s latest strikes on Beirut as Benjamin Netanyahu insists there will be no ceasefire in Lebanon until IDF bombings bring his vision of security to the neighbouring country. JD Vance takes off to join the peace talks in Islamabad scheduled for Saturday. While the Lebanese Parliament’s Former Deputy Speaker says Israel’s reluctance to accept the ceasefire is a sign of a broader strategic failure. The…

Redacted · Analyst Dr. Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute argues that a Saudi-Israel normalization deal will fail to stabilize the Middle East and could be detrimental depending on its terms. Citing his March 2025 paper, Parsi outlines a "bad deal" as one that drags the United States into deeper military obligations, offers sensitive nuclear concessions, or sidelines the issue of Palestinian statehood. The core of his argument is that…

Washington calls truce expectations for Lebanon a misunderstanding, as Israeli strikes on Beirut kill more than 250 people after Tehran’s ceasefire terms demanded the IDF end its operations in the country. Search and rescue operations are underway as Beirut declares April ninth a National Day of mourning for those killed in the Israeli assault. Iran says the attack violates the terms of its 10-point truce with Washington.  Amid…

A new CDC report confirms America is now reproducing at the lowest rate in recorded history, with fertility dropping 5.7% since 2021 alone. · by Nicolas Hulscher, MPH · A newly released CDC report confirms that the U.S. fertility rate has declined to the lowest level ever recorded in modern American history. · In 2025, the general fertility rate fell to just 53.1 births per 1,000 women aged 15–44, marking yet another historic low. · At…

For as compelling as this hypothesis may be to many on social media, especially anti-Zionist activists, it doesn’t account for why Israel still allows China’s state-owned Shanghai International Port Group to run the Port of Haifa, which is one of the Jewish State’s economic lifelines. · Andrew Korybko · One of Israel’s last strikes against Iran before its surprise ceasefire with the US, which Israel has thus far abided by in the sense of…

The actions by Oslo could drag NATO into the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, a defense source has told the agency · Norwegian Skjold-class corvettes taking part in exercises. ©  Norwegian Navy · Norway is assisting Ukraine with preparing “terrorist attacks” on Russian commercial vessels in the Barents and Norwegian seas, TASS has reported, citing a defense source. · Around 50 Ukrainian drone operators have already arrived in…

The US president has demanded that members must make commitments to help address the loss of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz ‘within days’ according to Bloomberg · US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office in Washington DC, October 22, 2025. ©  AP Photo/Alex Brandon · US President Donald Trump has lashed out at NATO over the inaction of European allies during the war with Iran. ·…

The pause in the fighting will last from 16:00 (Moscow time) on Saturday through Sunday, according to the Kremlin · Orthodox cathedral with its golden domes inside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia © Getty Images · Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the nation’s military to halt all operations against Ukrainian forces over Orthodox Easter weekend, the Kremlin has announced. The unilateral pause is scheduled to last from 16:00…