The White House's Oil-Restraint Toolbox Is Empty
Friday, March 13, 2026
Despite President Donald Trump’s blustering that America benefits when oil prices surge, crunch time is fast approaching for both the war and the energy market. He either ends the conflict quickly, or sky-high energy costs will force him to do so. The oil market may not have the same fearsome reputation as the bond market but, trust me, it can be equally savage in twisting a politician’s arm.
When the first cruise missiles began detonating inside Iran, the strikes had all the hallmarks of previous successful US military campaigns — unstoppable, overwhelming force delivered without warning. But as the conflict extends toward a third week, the US war effort is showing unexpected signs of strain against an adversary whose military budget is smaller than the GDP of Vermont — but which has an arsenal of missiles and drones unlike anything the US has ever faced.
Iran’s Cheap, Plentiful Weaponry Puts US Military Under Unprecedented Strain
As the conflict extends toward a third week, an arsenal of attack drones and ballistic missiles has helped make Tehran unlike any adversary the US has faced.
By March 10, 2026 at 5:38 PM EDT
Thursday, March 12, 2026
The wall Street Journal's Editorial board has lost its mind stating "The reality inside Iran and the region is that the U.S. and Israel continue to make progress. The regime loses more of its military each day, along with the ability to hurt its neighbors. The Israelis estimate 70% to 75% of Iran’s missile launchers have been destroyed, and the U.S. has destroyed at least 43 Iranian ships." as if that was going to change the direction of a quagmire the U.S. getting deeper into with no end game obejctive articulated.
Iran Isn’t Winning This War
Wall Street Journal's editorial board doesn't recognize Trump isn't winning this war either
The potential human, economic and geopolitical costs of this demolition derby are harrowing and perilous, but none of it should be surprising. “NO PLAN” could be fashioned into a billboard fixed atop the 90,000-square-foot ballroom Trump wants to attach to the White House. And his hasty, tumultuous and open-ended prosecution of the Iran war thus far is entirely in character. The president — as heir to a sizable fortune, haphazard developer, dysfunctional casino impresario, reality TV curiosity, ubiquitous self-promoter and tectonic political force — has spent most of his nearly 80 years flying without maps.
Iran is demonstrating every day that the killing of the country’s supreme leader at the beginning of the war has not totally crippled its ability to fight, the officials and military experts said. Iran, they said, is not acting like a decapitated regime.
Iranian Military Shows It Knows How to Adapt, U.S. Officials Say
Iran appears to be targeting what it views as American vulnerabilities, including air defenses meant to guard troops and assets in the region.
Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt
Reporting from Washington
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
It was said of Winston Churchill that he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle. Donald Trump’s trick with the mother tongue is to douse it in gasoline, set it on fire and drop it in a dumpster in the middle of his own parade ground.
In a War of Words, Trump Always Defeats Himself
The public started out opposing the conflict in Iran. That will be a problem if things go south.
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