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July 4, 2024
Jack Montgomery
NatSec
World

Putin Says Taliban Are ‘Allies in the Fight Against Terrorism’ in Post-Biden Afghanistan.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin wants closer cooperation with the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism,” now Joe Biden’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan has left the country entirely in their power.

“We must assume that the Taliban control the power in the country. And in this sense the Taliban are, of course, our allies in the fight against terrorism, because any authorities are interested in stability in the state they govern,” Putin said at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Kazakhstan.

The Taliban is a proscribed organization in Russia, and Moscow does not officially recognize it as Afghanistan’s government—but the Islamist group now controls more of the country’s territory than it did before the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. Putin seems ready to adopt a pragmatic approach to it.

“I am sure that the Taliban are interested in everything being stable in Afghanistan,” he said.

Russia was targeted by Tajik jihadists from Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) in March, with over 140 people killed at a concert hall near Moscow. ISIS-K operates in Afghanistan, which lies to the south of Tajikistan, and is blamed for a terror attack in Kabul that killed a number of U.S. servicemen during Biden’s withdrawal.

The Taliban and ISIS-K are rivals, and the Biden regime is also weighing whether to cooperate with the former against the latter due to the shambolic conditions it left the country in.

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8 hours ago
News

CIA Weather Control Files Reignite Chemtrails Debate.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Declassified Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) documents revealed a secretive weather modification agenda involving chemical dispersal to control weather patterns.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The CIA, the late former President Lyndon B. Johnson (D), and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The documents date back to 1965, with programs such as Project Stormfury and Project Popeye conducted in the U.S. and Vietnam.

💬KEY QUOTE: “He who controls the weather will control the world.” – Lyndon B. Johnson

🎯IMPACT: The revelations have fueled controversy about government weather manipulation and chemtrails.

IN FULL

Resurfaced Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) documents, first declassified in 2003, have provided details on past U.S. government research and operations involving weather modification. The files, including an 18-page report, discuss proposals dating back to 1965 for using aircraft to release chemicals into the atmosphere in order to influence climate patterns and storm systems.

According to the documents, federal funding for weather modification efforts rose substantially by 1967. That same period saw the U.S. military carry out cloud-seeding operations in Vietnam as part of Project Popeye, which sought to extend the monsoon season and create floods and landslides along enemy supply routes.

The report includes a letter from the late former President Lyndon B. Johnson (D) expressing support for these activities. In a 1962 speech, Johnson, at the time Vice President to President John F. Kennedy, infamously remarked, “He who controls the weather will control the world. Among the programs developed during his administration was Project Stormfury, an experimental effort that attempted to weaken hurricanes by seeding clouds with silver iodide.

The files have reignited debate over “chemtrails,” trails seen trailing aircraft that some argue are, at least sometimes, not simple contrails—condensation trails caused by exhaust fumes mixing with cold air—but harmful chemicals being purposely sprayed into the atmosphere.

Chemtrails are frequently dismissed as a conspiracy theory, but Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after being elevated to the Trump Cabinet, suggested they are real, likely orchestrated by DARPA, and caused by materials mixed into commercial jet fuel.

“I’m going to do everything in my power to stop it. We’re bringing on somebody who’s going to think only about that, find out who’s doing it, and holding them accountable,” Kennedy vowed last April.

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9 hours ago
Health
News

Argentina Follows U.S. Lead, Exits WHO.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Argentina has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Argentine President Javier Milei’s government and the WHO.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The withdrawal was completed on March 17, 2026, as announced by the Foreign Ministry.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Argentina will continue to promote international cooperation in health through bilateral agreements and regional forums, while fully preserving its sovereignty and its capacity to make decisions regarding health policies.” – Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno

🎯IMPACT: The move follows the United States’ similar decision earlier this year, raising questions about the WHO’s influence.

IN FULL

Argentina has now finalized its exit from the World Health Organization (WHO), with officials confirming the withdrawal was completed on Tuesday. The announcement comes after the United States took similar action earlier this year. The administration of President Javier Milei, an ally of President Donald J. Trump, had signaled its intent to leave the United Nations (UN) agency roughly a year ago. The decision was largely driven by concerns over how the organization managed the COVID-19 crisis.

According to Argentina’s Foreign Ministry, the withdrawal was carried out in full compliance with the rules governing international agreements. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno stressed that the country will continue to engage in global health efforts, stating that Argentina remains open to cooperation through bilateral and regional partnerships while prioritizing national sovereignty.

“Argentina will continue to promote international cooperation in health through bilateral agreements and regional forums, while fully preserving its sovereignty and its capacity to make decisions regarding health policies, ” Quirno said.

In prior statements, Argentine officials criticized the WHO, arguing that its guidance during the pandemic appeared influenced by politics rather than grounded purely in scientific evidence. This mirrors the justification offered by the United States, which formally exited in January after an executive order signed by President Trump.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, a former Ethiopian health minister for the left-wing ethnic nationalist Tigray People’s Liberation Front, expressed disappointment following the U.S. withdrawal, claiming that the move could weaken global health security and coordination.

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9 hours ago
News

Country’s Largest Railway Station Still Partially Closed Ten Days After Vape Store Caused Devastating Fire.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Scotland’s Glasgow Central Station remains partially closed after a vape store caused a fire that destroyed a historic building nearby.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ScotRail, Network Rail Scotland, Glasgow City Council, and passengers impacted by the closure.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Glasgow Central Station; services remain limited as of Wednesday, March 18, 2023, following the March 8 fire.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We realise the closure is causing significant disruption for our customers, and we’re very sorry for the impact it is still having on journeys.” – David Ross, ScotRail Chief Operating Officer.

🎯IMPACT: Partial reopening allows reduced capacity services to Ayr, Paisley Gilmour Street, and other destinations, while demolition of the fire-damaged building continues.

IN FULL

Glasgow Central Station, Scotland’s largest railway hub, remains partially closed ten days after a vape store caused a devastating fire nearby, destroying the city’s 175-year-old Union Corner building and forcing a full closure. ScotRail Chief Operating Officer David Ross said: “We realize the closure is causing significant disruption for our customers, and we’re very sorry for the impact it is still having on journeys.”

Network Rail Scotland route director Ross Moran said: “This has been an exceptionally challenging situation for everyone affected.”

The blaze highlights wider concerns over the proliferation of vape stores, seemingly out of all proportion to the economic demand for them, across many Western countries. The store that caused the fire was unregistered, and Scottish reporters found over a dozen similar unregistered stores within a mile of Union Corner after the fire.

The stores are frequently linked to organized crime, including human trafficking and illegal immigration, on both sides of the Atlantic. Earlier this month in the United States, raids on vape stores in North Carolina resulted in four arrests and the seizure of drugs and millions of dollars in cash.

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By Popular Demand.
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10 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

House Panel Summons Soros-Backed Prosecutor for Releasing Violent Migrants.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: House Republicans have summoned two top Fairfax County law enforcement officials, including a prosecutor backed by George Soros, for a hearing on the consequences of sanctuary-style policies after violent crimes involving illegal immigrants released from custody raised federal concerns.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Ann Kincaid, Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Steven Descano, and House Judiciary Committee members, including Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock (R-CA).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The hearing is scheduled for April 15 at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. The officials have until Monday to confirm their attendance.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The hearing will examine how state and local policies that prohibit cooperation with federal immigration authorities hurt public safety,” wrote Jordan and McClintock in their letters.

🎯IMPACT: The case highlights growing scrutiny on sanctuary policies, particularly those that prioritize illegal immigrants over public safety.

IN FULL

House Republicans are summoning two of Fairfax County, Virginia’s top law enforcement officials to testify at an Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement Subcommittee hearing on April 15, entitled “Fairfax County, Virginia – The Dangerous Consequences of Sanctuary City Policies.” Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock (R-CA) issued letters late Tuesday to Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Ann Kincaid and Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Steven Descano, requesting their testimony, with a deadline of next Monday to respond.

“The hearing will examine how state and local policies that prohibit cooperation with federal immigration authorities hurt public safety,” Jordan and McClintock wrote, adding, “Your testimony will assist the Committee and Subcommittee in developing legislative reforms to address sanctuary jurisdictions.”

Descano, whose campaigns have reportedly received over $700,000 from organizations backed by George Soros, has faced scrutiny for dropping charges against illegal immigrants, including Salvadoran national Marvin Morales-Ortez. Morales-Ortez was released despite a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer and later allegedly murdered a man in Reston, Virginia.

Even more recently, Descano’s office has faced backlash over its failure to pursue charges against Abdul Jalloh, a 32-year-old illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone with an extensive criminal history, including over 30 arrests. Among Jalloh’s prior criminal counts are rape, malicious wounding, assault, drug possession, identity theft, and more, but charges against him were frequently dropped by Descano’s office. In late February, Jalloh stabbed 41-year-old Stephanie Minter to death at a bus stop along Richmond Highway in Fairfax County, and is currently facing a charge of murder.

Meanwhile, the Fairfax County Police Department and Sheriff’s Office are restricted from cooperating with ICE under policies enacted by the Democratic-controlled county government. “Fairfax County does not and will not enforce civil federal immigration laws,” the county website states.

Image by Niccolò Caranti.

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11 hours ago
Immigration

Trump Admin Imposes $15,000 Visa Bond on Foreign Nationals from 12 Countries.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a visa bond requirement for applicants from 12 countries, with bonds reaching up to $15,000.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and applicants from Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bond will take effect on April 2, as announced on Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The law gives us the right, and in fact I would argue the obligation, to remove people like that from our country. And we’re going to continue to do it. I mean, it’s as simple as that.” – Marco Rubio

🎯IMPACT: A total of 50 countries now face the visa bond requirement, impacting regions across Africa, South Asia, the Caribbean, and Central Asia.

IN FULL

The U.S. State Department will impose visa bond requirements of up to $15,000 for applicants originating from 12 countries. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the bonds will take effect on April 2 and apply to visa applications filed by foreign nationals from Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.

“Our visa system—who you allow to visit your country should reflect the national interest! We said that from the very beginning,” Sec. Rubio said when announcing the move on Wednesday. He added, “The law gives us the right, and in fact I would argue the obligation, to remove people like that from our country. And we’re going to continue to do it. I mean, it’s as simple as that.”

Notably, the United States already imposes bond requirements on visa applicants from 38 countries. The 12 new countries will now bring that total to 50, spanning much of Africa, South Asia, the Caribbean, and Central Asia.

The visa bond policy is part of broader efforts to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration rules and to address overstays by foreign nationals—particularly applicants originating from countries with high rates of non-compliance with U.S. visa laws. The measure is expected to impact thousands of applicants from the affected regions.

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11 hours ago
Lawfare

Federal Judge Orders Voice of America to Reinstate Dismissed Staff, Resume Broadcasts.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge has ordered the reinstatement of 1,042 employees at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) after they were placed on paid administrative leave last year under the Trump administration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth, Kari Lake, and Voice of America (VOA) employees.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The rulings were issued late Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The plaintiffs challenge the defendants’ actions in March 2025 to dramatically downsize the United States Agency for Global Media and its subsidiary, Voice of America, as violating Sections 706(1) and (2) of the APA. After clearing a series of threshold hurdles, the Court ultimately concludes that the plaintiffs prevail on all aspects of their APA claims except for certain contractors’ requests for reinstatement.” — Judge Lamberth

🎯IMPACT: The decision reinstates employees, voids Kari Lake’s actions as acting CEO, and restores most USAGM and subagency operations and broadcasts.

IN FULL

U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth—a Ronald Reagan appointee—issued two rulings late Tuesday mandating the reinstatement of 1,042 employees at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent agency that oversees Voice of America (VOA), the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and the Open Technology Fund. The employees were placed on paid administrative leave last year under the Trump administration. The rulings also ordered VOA to resume its news reporting and programming, which had been largely dormant since March 2025.

“Before the Court are cross-motions for partial summary judgment on the Administrative Procedure Act claims raised by the plaintiffs in the above-captioned cases. The plaintiffs challenge the defendants’ actions in March 2025 to dramatically downsize the United States Agency for Global Media and its subsidiary, Voice of America, as violating Sections 706(1) and (2) of the APA,” Judge Lamberth wrote, adding, “After clearing a series of threshold hurdles, the Court ultimately concludes that the plaintiffs prevail on all aspects of their APA claims except for certain contractors’ requests for reinstatement.”

Notably, Lamberth’s accompanying order vacates a Statutory Minimum Memorandum signed by USAGM officials last March that reduced the agency’s operating staff to just 68, and placed over 1,000 other employees on administrative leave. In addition, the order lifts the cessation of USAGM and its subagencies’ broadcasts.

The rulings come nearly a year after President Donald J. Trump sought to reduce the federally funded international broadcast agency to its legal minimum. Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake, Trump’s pick to manage VOA, and other defendants had “unlawfully withheld mandatory agency action.”

Earlier this month, Judge Lamberth ruled that Lake was ineligible to serve as USAGM’s acting CEO because she was appointed without Senate confirmation. Lake is currently appealing that ruling.

Image by G. Edward Johnson.

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12 hours ago
Politics

Senator Pushes Taxpayer Spending Transparency as Part of Anti-Somali Fraud Drive.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the COST Act, a bill requiring detailed proof of federal tax dollar usage by entities receiving federal funding.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Joni Ernst, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Somali-run social services fraud schemes in Minnesota.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced during Sunshine Week, which runs from March 15-21.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If you can’t find waste in Washington, there can only be one reason—you didn’t look.” – Sen. Joni Ernst

🎯IMPACT: The bill aims to expose fraudulent spending and increase transparency in federal fund usage.

IN FULL

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has introduced the COST (Cost Openness and Spending Transparency) Act, a measure designed to require every government agency to list all projects funded by taxpayer dollars. The bill seeks to bring transparency to federally funded social services programs, it states, as well as combat fraud and waste, such as the alleged fraudulent activities in Minneapolis’s Somali-run daycares.

The legislation coincides with the White House’s announcement of a joint state-and-federal anti-fraud task force led by Vice President J.D. Vance. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the initiative as a “whole of government effort to fight fraud at the state and federal level.”

“As I always say, if you can’t find waste in Washington, there can only be one reason—you didn’t look,” Ernst said after introducing her legislation. She added that transparency is essential to holding Washington accountable and preventing wasteful spending.

Under the COST Act, entities receiving federal funds would be required to publicly report details, including the percentage of costs covered by taxpayer dollars, the total dollar amount, and any privately financed portions. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), led by Director Russell Vought, would oversee compliance by reviewing random samples and publicly reporting findings.

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13 hours ago
Economy
War

What Does Trump’s Jones Act Waiver Mean for Oil Prices?

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act to address rising gas prices amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and the U.S. Maritime Administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for sixty days, and the Administration remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains.” — Karoline Leavitt.

🎯IMPACT: The waiver aims to mitigate short-term disruptions to the oil market amid ongoing U.S. military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump is set to issue a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act, a federal statute dealing with cabotage, with the aim of lowering gas prices amid ongoing U.S. military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The Jones Act, formally known as Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be on American-built, owned, and operated ships.

“President Trump’s decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver is just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury. This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for sixty days, and the Administration remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains,” Leavitt wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The announcement comes as Americans face spiking gas prices, with AAA reporting an average of $3.842 per gallon on Wednesday, up from $3.578 a week earlier and $2.923 a month earlier. The rising prices have presented a political challenge for Trump ahead of the midterms.

Supporters of the waiver believe it could provide some relief by opening domestic shipping routes to foreign-flagged vessels, potentially expanding transportation options. However, experts remain divided. Some estimates forecast that the waiver could decrease East Coast gas prices by 3 cents but might raise costs on the Gulf Coast. Other experts contend that while a waiver may not lead to dramatic price drops, it could reduce market distortions and increase energy movements.

Operation Epic Fury, authorized by President Trump on February 28, has provoked Iranian retaliation across the Middle East—including the targeting of oil and gas infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states, and attacks on international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, a critical bottleneck for global oil transport, sees an estimated 20 million barrels of oil per day pass through the waterway. However, Iran’s targeting of several oil tankers and cargo ships with drone and missile strikes has led to skyrocketing insurance costs and a steep decline in traffic through the strait.

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13 hours ago
News

Audit Reveals Systemic Failures Allowed Somali Fraud to Persist for Years.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A new state audit revealed that Minnesota’s Department of Human Services failed to investigate Medicaid kickback allegations, despite having the legal authority to do so for decades.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Minnesota Department of Human Services, Governor Tim Walz (D) and his administration, and the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The audit was released on Tuesday, March 17, 20226, focusing on Minnesota’s Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) program.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We disagree with [Minnesota’s] assertion that it did not have the authority to investigate allegations of kickbacks alone. Based on our analysis, [the Minnesota Department of Human Services] has had the authority to investigate allegations of kickbacks in MA since the late 1990s.” — OLA audit report

🎯IMPACT: The report highlights systemic failures in oversight, costing taxpayers millions and placing public funds for autism services at risk.

IN FULL

Minnesota’s Department of Human Services systemically failed to investigate Medicaid kickback allegations for years, according to a newly completed state audit. The agency claimed it lacked the authority to conduct such investigations, effectively turning a blind eye to widespread social services fraud—especially among the state’s Somali immigrant community.

Released by the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) on Tuesday, the audit directly contradicts Minnesota’s claims that it lacked the legal investigatory authority. “We disagree with [Minnesota’s] assertion that it did not have the authority to investigate allegations of kickbacks alone,” the OLA report states, adding, “Based on our analysis, [the Minnesota Department of Human Services] has had the authority to investigate allegations of kickbacks in MA since the late 1990s.”

The audit focused on the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) program, which provides autism services. The program’s budget skyrocketed from $3 million in 2018 to nearly $400 million in 2023, raising concerns about fraud risks. Kickbacks were a key element in fraudulent schemes uncovered in the program, with providers using financial incentives to maximize Medicaid billing.

Deputy Legislative Auditor Katherine Theisen noted that the Minnesota Department of Human Services declined to investigate three specific kickback allegations from 2021 to 2023, failing to refer them to law enforcement or other investigative agencies. The audit also identified a decades-old administrative rule error that may have limited the agency’s ability to suspend payments during investigations.

In response, the Minnesota Department of Human Services stated in a letter included in the report, “We agree with the recommendation that fraud should be defined to more clearly include kickbacks.” However, Republican lawmakers criticized the agency’s inaction. Minnesota House Fraud Prevention Committee Chair Kristin Robbins (R) called the lack of oversight “astounding,” adding that Minnesota’s failure to address administrative errors compounded the issue.

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14 hours ago
War

Tulsi Gabbard Tells Senate that Trump’s Iran Strikes Are Strategic Success.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard briefed the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, stating that the U.S. military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran are a strategic success.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tulsi Gabbard, the Senate Intelligence Committee, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The briefing occurred on Wednesday during a Senate Intelligence Committee meeting in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: Gabbard stated that Iran’s capability to project military force has been “largely destroyed” and the regime’s strategic position in the region is now “significantly degraded.”

🎯IMPACT: The U.S. intelligence community cautions that the Islamist government remains relatively intact and, should it survive the current military operation, U.S. intelligence agencies believe it will “seek to begin a years-long effort to rebuild its military, missiles and UAV forces.”

IN FULL

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, telling lawmakers that President Donald J. Trump’s authorization of U.S. military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran has proven to be a strategic success. Gabbard, while emphasizing her remarks reflected the overall assessment of the American intelligence community and not her own “personal views or opinions,” stated that Iran’s capability to project military force has been “largely destroyed” and the regime’s strategic position in the region is now “significantly degraded.”

Still, President Trump’s top intelligence official cautioned that the Islamist government remains relatively intact and should it survive the current military operation, U.S. intelligence agencies believe it will “seek to begin a years-long effort to rebuild its military, missiles and UAV forces.”

Since the state of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, Iran’s retaliatory actions have resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and injuries to approximately 200 more. In addition, the targeting of oil tankers traversing the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian drones and anti-ship missiles has caused insurance costs for the shipping industry to skyrocket—effectively closing the critical waterway to cargo and tanker traffic. The closure of the strait has disrupted global supply chains for critical resources, including oil, fertilizer, and aluminum.

Joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic have eliminated most of the regime’s top political and military leadership. Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial strikes on February 28, along with 40 to 50 other top regime officials. The 86-year-old theocrat was succeeded by his 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as Supreme Leader. Notably, senior U.S. government officials, including President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, have indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei was likely seriously wounded and possibly disfigured in the same airstrike that killed his father. He has made no public appearances or released any prerecorded messages since assuming power.

In subsequent weeks, other key Iranian officials have perished, including Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, and General Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary morality police. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib had also been killed in a “targeted strike” in Tehran.

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