Trump to be ‘indirectly’ involved in Iran nuclear negotiations

The president says Tehran does not want to face the consequences of not making a deal as a second round of talks opens in Geneva amid a U.S. military buildup.

U.S. President Donald Trump will “indirectly” take part in U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations set to begin on Tuesday in Geneva, he said on Monday, expressing optimism that Tehran wants an agreement despite recent tensions. Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “I’ll be involved in those talks indirectly and they’ll be very important. We’ll see what can happen.”

“Iran’s a very tough negotiator—they’re good negotiators, or bad negotiators,” he added. “I would say they’re bad negotiators because we could have had a deal instead of sending the B-2s in to knock out their nuclear potential. I hope they’re going to be more reasonable. They want to make a deal.” Asked whether he had been told a deal was nearly impossible, Trump responded, “No, no. I think they want to make a deal. I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal. They want to make a deal.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already arrived in Geneva for what will be a second round of indirect, Oman-mediated talks after an initial meeting in Muscat, with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner expected to lead the American delegation, according to Iranian state media and previous White House statements.

Araghchi met with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi in Geneva on Monday in what both men described in X posts as “in-depth technical discussions,” with Araghchi saying that “nuclear experts” would join the talks. Araghchi also said on Monday that he was meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi ahead of Tuesday’s U.S. talks. (Ed note: One can see that FM Araghchi is already in Geneva working this whole affair, and waiting for the Americans to show up. And what is this "indirect" thing? Is that like being a little bit "pregnant"?) (Read More)

Report: US uncertainty grows over Iran regime change as Trump discusses military options

US President Donald Trump, who has been escalating his rhetoric against Iran, on Friday expressed his belief that regime change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen." However, sources familiar with the administration's planning revealed to CNN on Monday that the US still lacks a clear strategy for what would follow the removal of Iran's government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized this uncertainty during a congressional hearing last month, stating that “no one knows" who would take over if the regime were to collapse, the report noted.

CNN also reported that the US intelligence community has warned that the likely alternative leadership could be even more problematic. If the Iranian regime fell, the hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would likely seize control, at least temporarily, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. “The IRGC is definitely prominent and functions above the standard military bureaucracy, but it is hard to predict exactly what would happen in a regime collapse scenario," said one source familiar with recent US intelligence reports.

The Trump administration’s understanding of the IRGC's internal hierarchy remains limited following the elimination of Iran's most powerful military commander, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, during Trump’s first term. In contrast, US intelligence had a much clearer understanding of Venezuela's power structure before its capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Several sources have suggested that there was a critical window of opportunity for military strikes several weeks ago when Iran's protests were at their height. At that time, US military action could have potentially tipped the balance in favor of the opposition, providing a momentum boost for Iranians seeking to overthrow their government. However, these sources now question whether Trump “missed the moment" and whether military action now would be as effective. (Read More)

Rubio on Iran: ‘Complicated’ to negotiate with ‘radical Shia clerics’

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed on Sunday the challenge in negotiating with the Islamic Republic of Iran due to the “pure theology” that drives its decision-making.“We’re dealing with radical Shia clerics and people who make geopolitical decisions on the basis of pure theology,” Rubio told reporters at the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany.

“It’s a complicated thing. No one’s ever been able to do a successful deal with Iran, but we’re going to try,” he went on to say. Referencing the constitutional requirement for the presidency to wage war with congressional approval, Rubio stated that, “We’ll always comply with the applicable laws of the United States in terms of involving Congress in any decision—but right now we’re not talking about any of that.

“We are postured in the region for one simple reason… we understand that there could be threats to our forces in the region; we’ve seen them threatened in the past, and we want to make sure that we have sufficient capacity to defend them, if God forbid that were to happen.” (Read More)

Will Qatar "buy" Gaza for Hamas?

Qatar reportedly intends to pay the highest amount for the reconstruction of Gaza in order to increase its influence in the Peace Council on behalf of Hamas.

Qatar is considering paying the highest amount for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip as part of the effort established by U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Peace Council," as reported this evening (Monday) on Kan News. In the Peace Council, which is expected to be responsible for financing the reconstruction of the strip, each member country is supposed to contribute about one billion dollars to the overall project, which will include not only the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip but also funding for a peacekeeping force that will operate in the area.

Qatar is already paying high amounts for fuel entering Gaza through Egypt, and the country aims to increase its influence in the Middle East by making a major contribution to the reconstruction of the strip. According to Qatar’s approach, "He who holds the money holds the power," hence its desire to be the primary contributor to the project, likely in an attempt to maintain Hamas' rule.

Meanwhile, Israel is identifying issues in cooperation with Hamas. The organization refuses to transfer its powers to a technocratic committee that would be responsible for managing the strip once reconstruction begins. Hamas has sent a message to Arab countries stating that it seeks to promote a model of control similar to Hezbollah's in Lebanon, meaning maintaining its control as a political body in Gaza while only relinquishing some of its weapons. On the other hand, Israel has informed the Americans that it strongly opposes this and that Hamas should not be included in the management of the Gaza Strip. (Source)

Hezbollah leader vows to 'inflict pain' in response to Israeli strikes | LIVE BLOG

The IDF said earlier today, Monday, it struck and eliminated a Hezbollah operative in the area of Tallouseh in southern Lebanon. According to the military, the individual served as a local representative of Hezbollah and worked to rehabilitate terrorist infrastructure in the area. The IDF said he was responsible for coordinating between the organization and civilians on military and financial matters and operated to seize private assets for terrorist purposes.

The IDF said the operative’s actions violated the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. It added that over the past week, the 91st Division has eliminated four terrorists involved in efforts to restore Hezbollah infrastructure and stated it will continue operating to remove any threat against the State of Israel.

Earlier today, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem warned that the group may decide to retaliate against Israel’s ongoing strikes on its operatives in Lebanon, saying, “They may inflict pain upon us, but we, too, can inflict pain upon them.” He added that Hezbollah does not seek war but distinguishes between “defending against aggression and initiating a war.” In televised remarks marking slain Hezbollah commanders, Qassem said the group has so far refrained from responding out of concern for Lebanon’s situation but cautioned that “this current situation cannot continue,” without specifying when or how that might change. (Ed note: The area of Tallouseh is about 21 miles from the city of Tyre.)  (Read More)

ISRAEL, ON THE MOVE!

 

Genesis 15:18
In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates. (kjv)

(Ed note: Check out the 3 articles below.)

Cabinet okays new land registration process in West Bank; critics decry ‘massive land grab’

The cabinet authorizes the opening of a land registration process in the West Bank for the first time since 1967, which ministers who initiated the step say will enable the registration of broad swaths of land to the state. The terms of the cabinet resolution, initiated by the defense, finance, and justice ministers, authorize the Land Registration Authority in the Justice Ministry to carry out the land registration process, and it now will receive the necessary funding and manpower for this work. 

The ownership of some two-thirds of West Bank land has never been formally registered, including in Area C, which constitutes some 60% of the entire territory. Israel has full military and civilian control in Area C, which is where the new land registration process will take effect. The registration process will allow the registration of land with the Land Registration Authority if it is not currently registered as privately owned.

An official from the Peace Now organization says that although in theory there could be a fair land registration process for all parties in the West Bank, it would be very hard under current conditions for Palestinians to prove and assert ownership claims. This, he says, will likely lead to the declaration of hundreds of thousands of dunams of land in the territory as state land, meaning it will be available to Israel for the development of settlements, infrastructure, and transportation.

While state land is supposed to be managed for the benefit of all civilians, Israel makes it available almost exclusively for settlers. “The government has approved a massive land grab in the West Bank on the way to de facto annexation, in complete contradiction to the will of the people and the Israeli interest,” Peace Now says in response to the decision. Addressing US President Donald Trump, he says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “annexing [the West Bank] right under your nose. (Ed note: Giv'at Ze'ev is about 3 miles northwest of Jerusalem, located just off highway 443, and they say it's about a 10 minute bus ride. The land is considered a part of Judea.) (Read More)

New settlement to ‘expand Jerusalem’ for first time since 1967

A recent development agreement signed by the state and the West Bank’s Mateh Binyamin Regional Council will, once given final approval, see the establishment of a new settlement that would in practice constitute the first expansion of Jerusalem since 1967. The proposed settlement announced earlier this month would technically be a westward expansion of the Adam settlement, which lies very close to Jerusalem’s northeast boundary. It includes plans for the construction of some 2,780 housing units in a new “neighborhood” for Adam.

But the land on which the new settlement would be built is physically separated from Adam, first by Route 437, a major traffic artery, and second by the security barrier. The proposed settlement would therefore have much greater territorial contiguity with the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Neve Yaakov, which is inside Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries, than with Adam. It would not be a formal part of Jerusalem, and would officially be a neighborhood of Adam, although officials from the Peace Now organization claim that the new settlement would likely obtain at least some municipal services from Jerusalem.

The settlement would be built on 500 dunams of land between the Palestinian towns of Hizma and Al-Ram, and would involve an investment by the government of some NIS 120 million ($39 million) in order to construct the necessary infrastructure, public spaces and community institutions for the new development. The plan has yet to be deposited with the Civil Administration’s Higher Planning Committee, meaning that full authorization could still take as long as two years. Nevertheless, 500 housing units have already been marketed for the first phase of development, the Housing Ministry said. (Ed note: The Adam settlement is about 7 miles from Jerusalem. It is said that Neve Yaakov, located in northeast Jerusalem is about a hours walk to the Old City.)  (Read More)

Cabinet OKs new West Bank land registration process, critics decry ‘de-facto annexation’

The cabinet authorized on Sunday the opening of a land registration process in the West Bank for the first time since 1967, with the ministers who initiated the measure saying it would enable the registration of broad swaths of land as state land available for Israeli development. The resolution authorized an initial budget of NIS 244 million ($79 million) for the land registration process in the years 2026 to 2030 in Area C of the West Bank, where Israel has full military and civilian control, and the establishment of 35 positions in various ministries and state agencies to conduct the registration work.

The explanatory text of the resolution noted, however, that the registration process will be lengthy and take at least a year and a half for every plot of land, if not more, and that registering all non-registered land in Area C could take up to 30 years. The process of establishing the registration mechanisms could itself take a year and a half, the resolution stated, but nevertheless set a goal of registering 15 percent of the unregistered land within five years. The Palestinian presidency condemned the step, saying it constitutes “a de facto annexation of occupied Palestinian territory and a declaration of the commencement of annexation plans aimed at entrenching the occupation through illegal settlement activity.”

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, called on the international community to “assume its legal and moral responsibilities, and to compel Israel, the occupying power, to stop its dangerous escalation.” Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Justice Minister Yariv Levin lauded the decision, saying it will create legal certainty in the territory and protect the national interest.

...The cabinet ministers who initiated the new land registry process extolled the cabinet decision. “The resolution constitutes a real revolution in Judea and Samaria,” said Justice Minister Levin, using the biblical term for the West Bank. “The Land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel. The Israeli government is committed to deepening its grip on all parts [of the land], and this decision is an expression of that commitment.  (Ed note: The so called "West Bank" Hesed Olam, is located in the area really named Samaria and is at this time more of a place than a town.) (Read More)

Does the US have enough bunker busters to end Iran's nuclear program? - analysis

The question of whether the US can destroy the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility will partly be an intelligence race of who can outwit whom, matching offensive and defensive capabilities.

Reports on Friday that the United States was ordering an additional round of 30,000-pound (13,600-kilogram) mega bunker buster bombs, known as the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), on an emergent basis raised the issue anew of whether the American military possesses the capability to end Iran’s nuclear program, should it decide to attack. There are at least two avenues from which to analyze the question. One is the fact that Washington is ordering new mega bunker buster bombs for the first time in years without carrying out a standard competitive bidding process.

The second is multiple differences between the defensive situation at Pickaxe Mountain, the largest remaining Iranian nuclear facility, which lies underneath a mountain, versus that at Fordow, the Islamic Republic’s key nuclear facility under a different mountain, which the US bombed with 12 MOPs in June 2025. Regarding the US military ordering new bunker busters, there are positive and negative points.

The positive points are that the US did not issue such orders immediately after June 2025 and that the orders are for these same bombs, and not for some new larger bomb that has yet to be developed. Had the American military ordered additional such bombs immediately after June 2025, this could have been a concern that there were not enough even for one more similar operation – such as what might be necessary against Tehran now. (Read More)

Why the Pentagon is buying 30,000-pound bunker busters as Iran tensions rise

Amid high-tensions between the United States and Iran, the US Air Force has awarded Boeing a sole-source contract to replenish its arsenal of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs. The US dropped over a dozen MOPs on Iranian nuclear facilities in June during Operation Midnight Hammer.

According to a partially redacted justification notice posted online last week, the US Air Force said that it was awarding Boeing the sole-source contract because “this procurement and sustainment activity is critically needed to replenish the inventory of GBU-57's, ended during Operation Midnight Hammer (21 Jun. 25).”

Boeing is the only company that makes the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator and the justification notice is intended to explain why the Pentagon did not carry out a fully competitive tender for the specially designed munition.

The defense giant has “uniquely acquired expertise over a period of 18 years of adapting this specialized weapon to meet evolving mission needs as MOP transitioned from proof-of-concept to Full Operational Capability,” the document said, adding that awarding the contract to any other company would have resulted in unacceptable delays. (Read More)

The Oil Weapon: Iran Threatens Multi-Year Energy Blackout if War Begins

Tehran has responded to President Trump’s thirty-day deadline with a chilling promise of a "deterrent lesson," warning that any military action will trigger a global economic collapse and the permanent destruction of Gulf energy hubs.

As diplomatic teams prepare to head to Geneva for a high-stakes Tuesday summit, the Iranian leadership has issued a defiant and aggressive response to President Donald Trump’s recent ultimatum. General Mousavi, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, labeled Trump’s recent demands as "reckless" and unbefitting of a world leader. While the U.S. has pushed for a swift deal to curb nuclear activity, Tehran has signaled that it has no intention of backing down on its core capabilities. In a series of coordinated statements from the military, parliament, and state media, Iran has made it clear that while it is willing to discuss economic cooperation, its uranium enrichment program andmissile stockpiles are non-negotiable. Furthermore, the regime has warned that any attempt to resolve the standoff through force will result in a regional war that will bypass Iran’s borders and shatter the stability of the global energy market for years to come.

Ebrahim Rezai, the spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee, stated firmly on Sunday that the Geneva talks will not include concessions on nuclear fuel. "In the round of negotiations in Geneva, we will not discuss stopping or giving up uranium enrichment, and there is no intention to remove Iran's nuclear stockpiles from the country," Rezai said. He claimed that these points were already accepted by the Americans and are entirely separate from regional issues or missile development. According to Rezai, the "Zionist regime" remains the central problem in the region and should be dealt with in a separate framework with neighboring countries.

...The article explained that while a blocked shipping lane can be reopened quickly, the destruction of refineries takes years and billions of dollars to repair. In such a scenario, the global market would face a prolonged oil shortage that would cripple the economies of both Western and regional powers. Citing the failures of Western military campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the war against terrorists in Gaza, the Iranian press argued that military superiority does not guarantee victory. Instead, an attack on Iran would only "strengthen the discourse of resistance" and unite actors opposed to Western hegemony, turning a regional war into a permanent global crisis. (Read More)

Netanyahu: Iran ‘lies and cheats’

Any agreement must remove all enriched nuclear material from Iran, dismantle its enrichment infrastructure, curb its ballistic missile program and dismantle the axis of terror that Tehran has built across the region, said the Israeli premier.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reiterated his doubts regarding the possibility of any deal with Iran, which he said must include the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, and not just stopping uranium enrichment. His comments came ahead of a second round of U.S.-Iranian talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, and amid a major American military buildup in the region which is still underway.

“I will not hide from you that I express my skepticism of any deal with Iran, because, frankly, Iran is reliable on one thing: they lie, and they cheat,” Netanyahu said in a keynote speech to the annual gathering of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem.

In his first public address after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington last week, the Israeli leader said that any agreement must remove all enriched nuclear material from Iran, dismantle its enrichment infrastructure, curb its ballistic missile program and dismantle the axis of terror that Tehran has built across the region. “There shall be no enrichment capability—not stopping the enrichment process, but dismantling the equipment and the infrastructure that allows you to enrich in the first place,” he said. (Read More)

Trump told Netanyahu he’d back Israeli strikes on Iran if talks fail – report

Discussion of potential attack is ongoing, CBS reports; as 2nd round of US-Iran talks set to start, PM demands Iran remove enriched uranium, dismantle facilities, limit missiles.

US President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Netanyahu in December that he would support Israeli strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile program if the US and Iran could not reach a deal, CBS News reported on Sunday, citing two sources familiar with the matter. The US outlet reported that discussions about such an attack, roughly eight months after the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June, are ongoing. During last year’s war, the US joined the Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. This time, the American role in an Israeli attack would involve helping jets refuel in midair or aiding Israel in receiving permission to fly over neighboring countries, CBS reported.

Several countries have said they would not let their airspace be used for an attack on Iran. The report came as Iran’s foreign minister departed for Geneva on Sunday ahead of a second round of talks with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program, and as Netanyahu voiced skepticism that the negotiations would succeed.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also acknowledged that the talks could fail, while emphasizing that Trump remains committed to seeing them through. Iran, meanwhile, signaled flexibility on its nuclear program and urged Washington to pursue a deal with mutual economic benefits. (Read More)

Netanyahu: Israel ready to phase out US military aid

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the opening gala of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations’ 51st Leadership Mission to Israel on Sunday night in Jerusalem.

The Prime Minister spoke about his recent trip to the United States and his meeting with President Trump. “I just had very important meeting with President Trump. The focus was on Iran. The President is determined to exhaust the possibilities of achieving an agreement," Netanyahu said. Addressing the Iranian issue, Netanyahu stated, “I expressed my skepticism of any deal with Iran because Iran is reliable on one thing - they lie and cheat." 

He outlined conditions that he said must be included in any agreement. “First, all enriched material has to leave Iran. Second, there should be no enrichment capability. Not just stop the process but dismantle the infrastructure that allows you to enrich. Third, need to deal also with the question of ballistic missiles. And the fourth is to dismantle is the axis of terror of Iran. And finally, distrust and verify. Must have effective inspections for all of the above." Turning to Gaza, Netanyahu said Israel had three goals in the war: “return the hostages, disarm and dismantle Hamas military capabilities, and third dismantle Hamas governing capabilities. The first has been achieved."

“Hamas must give up its weapons. The weapon that does the most damage is the AK-47. Assault weapons. There are 60,000 such weapons, they must go," he said. “First disarm Hamas. Second, demilitarize Gaza. We dismantled about 150 km of 500 km of tunnels. We’re giving the President’s plan a chance. It can be done the easy or hard way. We hope the easy way. Because we know the human cost of war. But that goal must be achieved. And one way or another it will be. “Gaza will not pose a threat ever again to the State of Israel," Netanyahu declared. On the economy, the Prime Minister said, “After 2 years of war, our economy is growing rapidly, our stock market is at an all-time high. The shekel vs the dollar is almost at a 30-year high. Inflation is going down." (Read More)

Syria demands full Israeli withdrawal

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said that the current talks with Israel are focused on Israel’s withdrawal from territories it occupied in southern Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, and not on the Golan Heights issue. Speaking at a security conference in Munich, al-Shibani emphasized the importance of a full Israeli withdrawal to reach a security agreement between the two countries.

The negotiations will certainly not reach a point where there is acceptance of the current situation imposed by Israel in southern Syria," al-Shibani said. According to him, the process will ultimately lead to an Israeli withdrawal, a halt to interference in Syria’s internal affairs, respect for Syrian airspace, and non-interference with Syrian sovereignty.

He noted that the new Syrian regime has been working from day one to rebuild the country and unify internal ranks. However, he added, Israel may not view Syrian policies favorably or might be seeking to provoke conflicts in the region. In another context, al-Shibani said that the Syrian regime is working to integrate the civil and military institutions of the Kurdish minority within the Syrian government, and that there is no possibility of re-admitting ISIS-affiliated fighters who were held by the Kurdish militia and were recently transferred to Iraq. (Ed note: Yep, always remember to keep one eye on the state of Syria and old HTS.) (Source)

Israeli Tanker Jets Fly Openly in Syrian Skies

In a stark demonstration of Israel's evolving dominance over the skies of the Middle East, an Israeli Air Force (IAF) aerial refueling aircraft was publicly tracked operating deep inside Syrian airspace.

The Boeing 707 Re’em tanker, bearing tail number 264, transmitted an unencrypted squawk code of 4512 as it cruised visibly over eastern Syria near the border with Iraq. Flight tracking data from aviation enthusiasts and open-source intelligence monitors captured the jet's path in real time, with no apparent efforts to mask its identity or trajectory. The aircraft, a veteran of Israel's long-range strike capabilities, was observed loitering at altitudes typical for in-flight refueling operations, likely supporting fighter jets on extended patrols.

This overt incursion marks a profound departure from the shadows of secrecy that once defined Israeli operations in Syrian territory. Just a few years ago, such a flight would have triggered immediate Syrian air defenses, risking escalation with Damascus's Russian-backed forces or even direct confrontation with Iranian proxies. The skies over Syria were a no-man's-land of electronic warfare, where Israeli jets hugged terrain and jammed radars to evade detection during precision strikes on Hezbollah arms convoys or Iranian entrenchments.

But the landscape has changed irreversibly. The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2024, followed by the fragmentation of Syrian military cohesion and the withdrawal of key Russian assets amid Moscow's quagmire in Ukraine, has left the country's airspace as porous as it is precarious. Israel's subsequent normalization pacts with Arab states, coupled with targeted operations that have decimated Iran's "Axis of Resistance," have further tilted the balance. No longer must the IAF operate as an uninvited guest; today, it moves as a de facto sovereign.

Syria's air defenses are a shell of their former selves, and with Iran's supply lines severed, the regime in Tehran watches helplessly as its strategic depth evaporates. Israel's reach now extends unchallenged from the Golan to the Euphrates." The implications ripple far beyond the tactical. For Iran, whose influence once radiated through Syria as a vital corridor for arming militants in Lebanon and beyond, this openness signals a closing window. Tehran's ability to project power, via precision-guided missiles or drone swarms, relies on safe havens in Syrian territory. (Read More)

Israel warns: Hamas setting conditions for second stage of ceasefire

Ahead of the transition to Phase B of US President Donald Trump's plan for rebuilding Gaza, Hamas has set a new demand: to maintain its control over Gaza while keeping its role as a political entity. Israel has sent a firm message to the US that any inclusion of Hamas in the administration of the Gaza Strip will not be accepted under any circumstances. Israel has also made it clear that it will not agree to any political or economic agreements where the murderous terror organization maintains its power within Gaza's government system.

According to Kan News, Hamas refuses to transfer its authority to the technocratic committee established to manage Gaza, preferring instead to maintain control over the territory while partially disarming. According to the information provided, Hamas has approached Arab countries and expressed its desire to advance an arrangement similar to Hezbollah’s control in Lebanon, combining political activity with military control over the territory.

On Sunday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told attendees at the opening gala of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations that Israel had three goals in the war: "return the hostages, disarm and dismantle Hamas military capabilities, and third dismantle Hamas governing capabilities. The first has been achieved."

He stressed, "Hamas must give up its weapons. The weapon that does the most damage is the AK-47. Assault weapons. There are 60,000 such weapons, they must go." "First disarm Hamas. Second, demilitarize Gaza. We dismantled about 150 km of 500 km of tunnels. We’re giving the President’s plan a chance. It can be done the easy or hard way. We hope the easy way. Because we know the human cost of war. But that goal must be achieved. And one way or another it will be. "Gaza will not pose a threat ever again to the State of Israel," Netanyahu declared. (Source)

‘We are prepared to move from defense to offense’: Israel signals harder line in Gaza

Military leaders warn that failure to disarm Hamas could trigger renewed operations even as diplomacy moves forward. Israel and Hamas continued to exchange fire over the weekend, despite a fragile ceasefire still in place in Gaza.

Health officials from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said eight Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces overnight between Saturday and Sunday. The IDF has yet to comment, though recent days have shown an uptick in clashes. Hamas says nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since a ceasefire took effect in October 2025, after two years of war. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed since.

“Things are moving in Gaza,” Dr. Nimrod Goren, president of Mitvim – the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, and an executive board member at Diplomeds – The Council for Mediterranean Diplomacy, told The Media Line. “Even if the plan appears questionable in terms of its sequencing and its end game on the ground, the reality on the ground in recent months has improved, and the process is continuing, contrary to expectations. There is a very limited momentum of progress, and if you look at the plan with adjusted expectations, there is room for some satisfaction.”

After completion of the first phase of the deal, which included the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a halt in large-scale fighting, US President Donald Trump is trying to kickstart the second phase. That phase is expected to include Hamas’ complete disarmament, a full Israeli withdrawal, and the establishment of a technocratic government to administer the territory, removing Hamas as Gaza’s sovereign authority.

...“We are not giving up on the war objective that was set out, which is to completely demilitarize Gaza and disarm Hamas of all its weapons,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir told troops stationed along the Yellow Line in Gaza on Friday. “We are prepared to move from defense to offense.” (Read More)

PM and Trump reportedly agree to ‘full force’ economic pressure campaign against Iran

Blocks on Iranian oil exports to China among options, US official tells Axios; Geneva to host next round of US-Iran talks, though second American official sees ‘zero chance’ of deal.

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to intensify the “maximum pressure policy” in order to force Iran to give up its nuclear program, including clamping down on the sale of Tehran’s oil to China, according to a Saturday report citing two US officials.

At the two leaders’ meeting at the White House earlier this week, “We agreed that we will go full force with maximum pressure against Iran, for example, regarding Iranian oil sales to China,” a senior American official told Axios.

According to the report, some 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports go to China, leading the US and Israel to believe that clamping down on trade between the two countries would “significantly” increase economic pressure on Tehran. Trump, under authority by an executive order he signed last week, could impose 25% tariffs on China for trading with Iran. The pressure campaign will be implemented alongside the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran, the report said. (Read More)

US demands for zero enrichment ‘not on the table anymore,’ senior Iranian negotiator says

Majid Takht-Ravanchi issued threats to U.S. forces, warning war would be bad for "those who have initiated this aggression" and "a different game" compared to June 2025.

Iranian deputy foreign minister and nuclear negotiator Majid Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC on Sunday that, as far as Tehran is concerned, U.S. demands for zero enrichment are “not on the table anymore." The Islamic Republic is ready to consider U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposals if the Americans are willing to discuss sanctions relief, the senior Iranian official told the BBC during an interview in Tehran. 

“The ball is in America’s court,” Takht-Ravanchi continued. “They have to prove that they want to have a deal with us, and if we see a sincerity on their part, I’m sure that we will be on a road to have an agreement.” Takht-Ravanchi’s claim that the “issue of zero enrichment is not an issue anymore and, as far as Iran is concerned, it is not on the table anymore” directly contradicts claims made by Trump as recently as Friday.

Trump told reporters following a military gathering at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Friday that he continues to insist on no enrichment. “Tremendous [military] power has arrived, and additional power, as you know, another carrier is going out shortly, so we’ll see it out if we can get it settled for once and for all that would be good,” the president added. Reuters cited two U.S. officials as saying on Friday that the military had been preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against the Islamic Republic. (Read More)

PA's draft constitution enshrines pay-for-slay, defines Palestine as part of 'Arab homeland'

A draft of a constitution for a future Palestinian state made public this week cemented in law the pay-for slay program, omitted any mention of the Jews' historic ties to Jerusalem and appeared to endorse the idea that descendants of Palestinians displaced during the 1948 war have a so-called "right of return" to Israel. The first article of the document apparently seen by PA leadership as the equivalent of a foundational document of their future state affirms that Palestine is "part of the Arab homeland" and the "Palestinian people are part of the Arab nation."

The fourth article designates Islam as the official religion and Islamic Sharia as the principal source of legislation. While Christianity is accorded a protected status, Judaism is not mentioned in the article nor anywhere else in the text. Neither are Jews. Article XXIV assigned to the future state the duty to "work to provide protection and care for the families of martyrs, wounded, and prisoners, and those released from the occupation prisons and the victims of genocide."

Last year Abbas announced the cancellation of the PA's terror rewards program known as "Pay-for-Slay," saying that the payments to terrorist prisoners and so-called Martyrs’ families would be reconfigured into a more general social welfare program. Yet article XXIV suggests that financial support for perpetrators of terror remains a priority. The text was made public at the order of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. It makes references to the Palestinians' "right of return" without clarifying that the return would be to the future Palestinian state. (Read More)

Iran Issues Chilling "Death Sentence" to Israeli Leaders

Iranian state TV has broadcast a "hit list" of Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu and the Mossad chief, marked with red crosshairs. In a chilling Hebrew-language threat, the regime warned: "We will determine the time of your death."

In a blatant escalation of psychological warfare, Iranian state television has broadcast a graphic "hit list" targeting Israel's top political and military leadership. The segment, which aired late yesterday, featured the faces of Israeli officials marked with red crosshairs and included a direct threat delivered in Hebrew. The broadcast by Iran’s state-run Ofogh network displayed what it termed a "bank of legitimate targets." The list of individuals marked for assassination includes: 

* Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister
* Israel Katz, Defense Minister
* R/A Eyal Zamir, IDF Chief of Staff
* David (Dadi) Barnea, Director of the Mossad
* Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, Head of Military Intelligence (Aman)
* Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, Commander of the Israeli Air Force

The Iranian presenter accompanied the images with a menacing ultimatum aimed directly at the Israeli public. Speaking in Hebrew, the host declared, "We will determine the time of your death. Wait for the Ababil." The term "Ababil"** carries a dual meaning intended to strike fear. In Islamic tradition and the Quran, it refers to a miraculous flight of birds that dropped stones to destroy an army of enemies. In the modern military context, "Ababil" is the name of a prolific family of Iranian-manufactured tactical drones and loitering munitions, suggesting a direct threat of UAV strikes against these specific individuals. (Read More)

Erdogan’s New Empire: How the Sunni Axis Quietly Surrounded Israel

While the eyes of the State of Israel are fixed with anxious anticipation on the Iranian uprisings that erupted in January 2026, a threat no less severe is metastasizing under the national radar. In the brief strategic window between the waning of high-intensity combat in Gaza in September 2025 and the pivot of our attention eastward, a dangerous vacuum was created, and the Sunni Axis is racing to fill it.

The American withdrawal from Syria was far more than a logistical maneuver; it was the starting pistol for a new era. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani now rules with an iron fist over critical trade routes and oil pipelines. While Jerusalem was busy celebrating the "elimination" of Hezbollah, Jolani has already managed to explicitly threaten Israel twice this month alone.

The bombing of his headquarters may have made for a good photo op, but on the ground, Jolani doesn't take Israel into account. Syria is undergoing a rapid process of re-armament. The achievements gained from the collapse of the Assad regime are vanishing, replaced by a radical Sunni rule under Turkish patronage, presenting Israel with a new Northern Front far more complex than the one we knew. 

The warning is written in bright Sunni letters. A triple alliance of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt is taking shape, with one clear goal: to push Israel to the edge. 

* Egypt: Continues to arm itself at a frantic pace while facilitating, or at the very least, allowing, arms smuggling into Judea and Samaria, and likely Gaza as well.

* Jordan: As usual, the Hashemite Kingdom remains at the mercy of the Bedouin tribes and American support, while our eastern border has become a "Wild West" of unchecked smuggling.

* Turkey: Erdogan is no longer satisfied with mere rhetoric. Turkey now maintains a presence within Gaza and near Mount Hermon, posing a direct military threat to Israel.  (Read More)

Marco Rubio's Munich Speech Just Went Viral | WATCH

Trump’s fire, Rubio’s logic, and the standing ovation that signaled the end of the Globalist era. Deploying a masterclass in "Common Sense Realism," Secretary of State Marco Rubio tonight forged an unapologetic backbone for the American vision of a reshaped West. Speaking to a room of European elites in Germany, Rubio achieved the unthinkable: he dismantled Europe’s radical drift and its dogmatic obsession with globalist institutions, and received a standing ovation for it. Rubio didn't just carry the message of the Trump era; he weaponized it into a rigorous realist framework. He bypassed standard political broadsides to deconstruct the European status quo: a "blind" radicalism and a religious devotion to international bureaucracy that hollows out the very heritage it claims to protect.

By pivoting from the hollow rhetoric of "shared values" to the cold reality of strategic necessity, Rubio held up a mirror the European elite could no longer ignore. He juxtaposed American diplomatic triumphs against the inertia of the UN, grounding his argument in a shared Western tradition. As the "Good Cop" to Trump’s disruptor and JD Vance’s provocateur, Rubio struck the ultimate balance: a masterclass in historical depth, economic logic, and diplomatic humility.

While Rubio’s vision was forward-looking, it remained silent on the structural vacuum the U.S. helped create. To understand the "Rubio Doctrine," one must look at the scars of the past: The 1956 Post-Colonial Pivot: Washington and Bonn effectively colluded to re-engineer Western Europe into a defensive garrison, systematically dismantling British and French imperial reach to consolidate continental stability under an American umbrella.

The Sutton Thesis: As historian Antony Sutton argued, American industrial and financial interests historically played a paradoxical role in fueling the very Soviet threat that necessitated Europe's dependency.The Internal Rot: The Neo-Marxism currently hollowing out European culture is not a foreign virus; it is an ideological export, as prevalent within American institutions today as it is in Brussels. 

(Ed note: It is said that Rubio is quite the intellect and statesman. Rubio in '28'?  I'll bet that he said nothing that the future coming Antichrist would appreciate.)  (Read More)

‘Aliens are real’: What former US president Barack Obama said about extraterrestrial and Area 51

In a podcast interview, former US president Barack Obama said aliens are “real” but dismissed claims that extraterrestrials are being held at Area 51.

Former US president Barack Obama answered a question that has created a social buzz for decades, saying that aliens are “real”. He made the remarks in a podcast interview released on Saturday (Feb 14), confirming the existence of extraterrestrial life. The former leader also addressed popular conspiracy theories linked to Area 51, the top-secret US Air Force base in Nevada that is rumoured to keep aliens. (Source)

Obama: 'Aliens exist'

Former US President Barack Obama appeared on Tyler Cohen’s “No Lie" podcast this week and stated that “aliens are real." Obama also dismissed longstanding conspiracy theories, particularly the claim that aliens are being held at the secretive Area 51 military base in Nevada. According to him, there is no underground facility where aliens are being kept-unless there is a “massive conspiracy" hiding such information even from him as President of the United States.

When asked what his first question was upon entering the White House, he once again returned to the subject. “Umm… where are the aliens kept?" he joked. This is not the first time Obama has publicly addressed the possibility of life beyond earth.

The remarks come amid renewed interest in unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), following years of reports about Pentagon-released UFO videos and growing public discussion about the possibility of extraterrestrial life. One of the most well-known claims relates to the 1947 Roswell incident, which believers say involved the discovery of debris from a non-human craft. (Source)

Breaking: Next Round of US-Iran Nuclear Talks Set for Tuesday in Geneva, Led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner

The outcome could prove pivotal in averting escalation following last year's U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities and amid Tehran's internal challenges.

The Trump administration is gearing up for the next phase of high-stakes negotiations with Iran, scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland. A U.S. delegation including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner will lead the American side in indirect talks mediated by Omani representatives, according to sources briefed on the matter and reported by Reuters and other outlets.

This follows the first round of renewed discussions held on February 6 in Muscat, Oman, where Witkoff and Kushner met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Those talks were described as a "good beginning" by Iranian officials and "very good" by President Trump, focusing exclusively on Iran's nuclear program amid heightened regional tensions. No major breakthroughs were announced, but both sides agreed to continue consultations after returning to their capitals.

The Geneva session comes as the U.S. maintains significant military pressure in the Middle East, including the deployment of a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the region alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln. Trump has repeatedly warned that failure to reach a deal curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile capabilities could lead to "very traumatic" consequences for Tehran, even floating regime change as potentially the "best thing" for Iran. (Ed note: Has anyone thought about this entire situation? We've two real estate developers dealing with the Iran and US, Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Gaza.)    (Read More)

US military preparing for potentially weeks-long Iran operations

The US military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, two US officials told Reuters, in what could become a far more serious conflict than previously seen between the countries. The disclosure by officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the planning, raises the stakes for the ongoing diplomacy between the United States and Iran.

US and Iranian diplomats held talks in Oman last week in an effort to revive diplomacy over Tehran's nuclear program, after Trump amassed military forces in the region, raising fears of new military action.
US officials said on Friday that the Pentagon was sending an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, adding thousands more troops, fighter aircraft, guided-missile destroyers, and other firepower capable of conducting attacks and defending against them.

Trump, speaking to US troops on Friday at a base in North Carolina, said it had "been difficult to make a deal" with Iran. "Sometimes you have to have fear. That's the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of," Trump said. Asked for comment on the preparations for a potentially sustained US military operation, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said: "President Trump has all options on the table with regard to Iran." "He listens to a variety of perspectives on any given issue, but makes the final decision based on what is best for our country and national security," Kelly said. The Pentagon declined to comment. The United States sent two aircraft carriers to the region last year when it carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. (Read More)

Message to Iran: USS Gerald R. Ford redeployed to Middle East

The US Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its escort ships, currently deployed in the Caribbean, have been ordered to the Middle East and are not expected to return to their home ports until late April or early May, according to US officials quoted by the New York Times on Thursday. The redeployment marks a significant extension of the carrier strike group’s mission, which was originally expected to conclude with an early March return.

Officials informed the Ford’s crew of the decision on Thursday, according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The strike group will now join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group in the Persian Gulf, strengthening the US naval presence amid ongoing tensions with Iran. The redeployment comes as part of President Donald Trump’s renewed pressure campaign against Iran’s leadership.

Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House on Wednesday. During the meeting, Netanyahu attempted to persuade the US President not to reach a partial deal with Iran and to safeguard Israeli interests. On Thursday, Trump called on Iran to make a deal, warning the Islamic Republic “it's going to be very traumatic if they do not. The Gerald R. Ford’s warplanes previously took part in the January 3 operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. US military leaders have not publicly commented on the redeployment. (Source)

US strikes 30 Islamic State targets in Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the forces used precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft.

The United States announced it struck 30 Islamic State targets in Syria on Saturday, including infrastructure and weapons storage targets. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), US forces used precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft.

The strikes are a part of the larger Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched on December 13, 2025, in response to attacks on US forces in Syria's Palmyra, which resulted in the death of two US servicemembers.

"More than 50 ISIS terrorists have been killed or captured and over 100 ISIS infrastructure targets have been struck with hundreds of precision munitions during two months of targeted operations," the CENTCOM statement said. This is a developing story. (Ed note: The Islamic State is ISIS. Did you know that there are at least eight different terrorists groups now operating in Syria, four major, and four minor groups? Always keep one eye on the state of Syria.) (Source)

Board of Peace envoy: Technocrats can’t enter Gaza if ceasefire violations persist

The Board of Peace’s High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov said at the Munich Security Conference on Friday that the Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with governing Gaza in place of Hamas cannot enter the Strip if violations of the ceasefire continue. “We need to make sure that what is happening now with the violations of the ceasefire stops,” said Mladenov, without placing blame on either Israel or Hamas. “If you put the committee tomorrow in Gaza and the violations of the ceasefire continue the way they are now. We’re only embarrassing the committee and ultimately making it ineffective.”

Under US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a committee of Palestinian technocrats unaffiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority, is supposed to oversee the reconstruction of the devastated Strip, with backing from the US-led Board of Peace. Mladenov, a former Bulgarian minister and UN envoy to the Mideast, took on his central role on the Board last month.

Mladenov’s comments came as IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir saidon Friday the military would “respond to any violation” and would not give up on the war objectives of demilitarizing the Strip and disarming Hamas. Zamir, who was visiting Gaza, confirmed that the army has such plans ready to go if the government orders it. Israel has carried out daily strikes on what it says are terror operatives in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, the death toll since the October ceasefire stands at nearly 600 and includes scores of women and children. (Ed note: And not only the problem of the committee members, but how would you like to be a construction worker, trying to build, and having Hamas take shots at you all day long?)   (Read More)

Doctors Without Borders suspends activities at Gaza hospital due to presence of gunmen

Organization says incidents, including, suspected weapons transfers, have increased since ceasefire; statement marks 1st time international group confirmed gunmen in Gaza hospitals.

Doctors Without Borders said in a statement on that it has suspended non-critical medical activities at Nasser Hospital in Gaza’s Khan Younis due to the presence of armed men at the medical facility and “a recent situation of suspicion of movement of weapons.” The aid group said that armed men have additionally been arresting patients. MSF’s statement appeared to mark the first time that an international humanitarian group in Gaza has publicly reported the presence of armed men in a hospital or the possible use of such a facility for moving weapons.

“In recent months, in Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, patients and MSF personnel have seen armed men, some masked, in different areas of the large compound of the hospital. This had not been in areas where MSF has activities, but in other parts of the hospital compound,” Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French acronym MSF, said in the statement explaining its decision to halt work at the Nasser Hospital since January 20.

MSF has been a key provider of medical and humanitarian aid in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel triggered a two-year war in the enclave. Israel and Hamas agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire in October, though both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations. “With an uptick since the ceasefire, MSF teams have reported a pattern of unacceptable acts, including the presence of armed men, intimidation, arbitrary arrests of patients, and a recent situation of suspicion of movement of weapons,” the humanitarian organization said. “These incidents pose serious security threats to our teams and patients.” (Read More)

A SUMMARY OF THE 2025 ANNUAL REPORTS

A MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC: 

The Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds report on the current and projected financial status of the two programs each year. This document summarizes the findings of the 2025 reports. As in prior years, we found that the Social Security and Medicare programs both continue to face significant financing issues. The non-health-specific intermediate (best estimate) assumptions for these reports were set in December 2024. The Trustees will continue to monitor developments, reevaluate the assumptions, and modify the projections in later reports. Based on our best estimates, this year's reports show that: 

• The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2033, unchanged from last year’s report. At that time, the fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 77 percent of total scheduled benefits.

• The Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund is projected to be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits through at least 2099, the last year of this report’s projection period. Last year’s report projected that the DI Trust Fund would be able to pay scheduled benefits through at least 2098, the last year of that report’s projection period.

• If the OASI Trust Fund and the DI Trust Fund projections were combined, the resulting projected fund (designated OASDI) would be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2034, one year earlier than reported last year. At that time, the projected fund’s reserves would become depleted, and continuing total fund income would be sufficient to pay 81 percent of scheduled benefits. (The two funds could not actually be combined unless there were a change in the law, but the combined projection of the two funds is frequently used to indicate the overall status of the Social Security program.) 

• Although the OASI Trust Fund depletion year remains the same, both the OASI and OASDI depletion dates advanced by about 3 calendar quarters, relative to last year’s projection.

• The Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund will be able to pay 100 percent of total scheduled benefits until 2033, three years earlier than reported last year. At that point, that fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 89 percent of total scheduled benefits.

• The Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Trust Fund is adequately financed into the indefinite future because, unlike the other trust funds, its main financing sources—enrolled beneficiary premiums and the associated federal contributions from the Treasury—are automatically adjusted each year to cover costs for the upcoming year. Although the financing is assured, the rapidly rising SMI costs have been placing steadily increasing demands on beneficiaries and general taxpayers. (Ed note: I had thought that SSA would begin 'shortpaying' by 2029 and 'bankrupt' by 2031. A very well explained article with lots of charts, and it's very long. I guess we may have 2 more years.) (Read More)