Despite Iran’s extensive military support to Russia, Moscow has offered only limited direct assistance to Tehran in its recent conflicts. While Russia has provided surveillance and repression technologies, and possibly intelligence for drone attacks, this support may have unintended consequences. These attacks have incentivized targeted nations to value Ukraine’s defensive capabilities, potentially straining Russian relations with regional states wary of Tehran’s actions and diminishing Moscow’s utility to Iran. Ultimately, while the conflict offers immediate benefits to Russia, its long-term advantages are likely to wane as the war persists.
Read More
As many as 5,000 additional U.S. Marines are reportedly being dispatched to the Middle East, a move that suggests a potential escalation in military operations against Iran. This deployment, involving an “Amphibious Ready Group” with warships and a landing force, follows reports of air assaults failing to achieve their objectives and mounting pressure for decisive action. U.S. administration officials have not ruled out deploying ground troops, a development that would significantly raise the stakes of the conflict and signal a strategic shift to target the Iranian regime.
Read More
In the Iraqi town of Haditha, a survivor recounts the day her family was killed when US marines opened fire in their home. A recent BBC Eye investigation has unveiled evidence implicating two marines who were never tried for the crime, raising questions about the American investigation. The killings, part of the Haditha massacre, saw US marines kill 24 Iraqi civilians, yet no one was ever convicted. This incident remains a significant example of the challenges in holding US armed forces accountable.
Read More
US Marines carrying out the first known detention of a civilian in Los Angeles, as shown in a video, is raising serious concerns about the blurring lines between military and civilian law enforcement. The presence of civilian officers at the scene makes it highly questionable whether the Marines’ intervention was necessary, sparking speculation of a pre-planned action aimed at testing the limits of military involvement in domestic affairs. The incident underscores the fundamental principle of separating military and police forces; one to defend against external threats, the other to protect and serve the citizenry. When these roles merge, it becomes far too easy for the citizens themselves to become perceived as the enemy.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood