Politics and Government – War Watch

Arms trade | Defense and Military Forces | House Committee on Foreign Affairs | House of Representatives | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Jordan | Kuwait | Mast, Brian J (1980- ) | Meeks, Gregory W | Missiles and Missile Defense Systems | Politics and Government | Rubio, Marco | Senate | State Department | United Arab Emirates | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts | War and Emergency Powers (US)

Trump Officials Bypass Congress to Sell Weapons to U.A.E., Kuwait and Jordan
ByMegan Mineiro and Edward Wong March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Some of the proposed sales, valued at more than $23 billion, were under review, while others were never sent to Congress. The administration is pushing them through without congressional approval.

Read More Trump Officials Bypass Congress to Sell Weapons to U.A.E., Kuwait and Jordan
Diaries | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Pezeshkian, Masoud | Politics and Government | Social Media | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

A Diary of War From an Unlikely Author: the Son of Iran’s President
ByFarnaz Fassihi March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

In an online journal, Yousef Pezeshkian offers readers a mix of personal anecdotes and glimpses behind the scenes as Iranian leaders are picked off one after another.

Read More A Diary of War From an Unlikely Author: the Son of Iran’s President
Defense and Military Forces | Europe | Great Britain | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Politics and Government | Ships and Shipping | Starmer, Keir | Strait of Hormuz | Trump, Donald J | United States Central Command | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

U.K. Advisers Sent to U.S. to Help Develop Options to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
ByStephen Castle March 19, 2026March 20, 2026

The move comes after President Trump sharply criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not supporting his initial military strikes on Iran.

Read More U.K. Advisers Sent to U.S. to Help Develop Options to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Basij | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Netanyahu Hopes Strikes on Iran Will Lead to Uprising and Regime Change
ByAdam Rasgon, Ronen Bergman and David M. Halbfinger March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

Israeli attacks have targeted the command centers of Iran’s repressive, internal security forces in hopes that Iranians will overthrow their rulers. Some see that as wishful thinking.

Read More Netanyahu Hopes Strikes on Iran Will Lead to Uprising and Regime Change
Assassinations and Attempted Assassinations | Basij | Defense and Military Forces | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Larijani, Ali | Nasrallah, Hassan | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Israel Keeps Killing Key Iranian Leaders. Will It Work?
ByDavid M. Halbfinger March 17, 2026March 18, 2026

Israeli officials trumpeted airstrikes that killed Iran’s de facto leader and the commanders of a militia notorious for violently suppressing protests. But “decapitation has its limits,” an analyst warns.

Read More Israel Keeps Killing Key Iranian Leaders. Will It Work?
internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kent, Joe (1980- ) | National Counterterrorism Center | Politics and Government | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Joe Kent, a Top Counterterrorism Official for the Trump Administration, Resigns, Citing Iran War
ByJulian E. Barnes, Robert Draper and Luke Broadwater March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Mr. Kent is the highest-ranking Trump administration official to quit in opposition to the conflict. He is also known for his support of conspiracy theories.

Read More Joe Kent, a Top Counterterrorism Official for the Trump Administration, Resigns, Citing Iran War
internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kent, Joe (1980- ) | National Counterterrorism Center | Politics and Government | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts

Joe Kent, a Top Counterterrorism Official for the Trump Administration, Resigns, Citing Iran War
ByJulian E. Barnes and Robert Draper March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Mr. Kent is the highest-ranking Trump administration official to quit in opposition to the conflict. He said pressure from Israel had pushed the president into war against Iran.

Read More Joe Kent, a Top Counterterrorism Official for the Trump Administration, Resigns, Citing Iran War
Appointments and Executive Changes | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Larijani, Ali | Politics and Government | Supreme National Security Council (Iran) | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

Israel’s Killing of Ali Larijani Could Allow Military to Tighten Grip on Iran
ByYeganeh Torbati March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

As Iran’s top national security official, Mr. Larijani had a reputation for acting as a bridge between hard-line figures in the armed forces and more moderate political factions.

Read More Israel’s Killing of Ali Larijani Could Allow Military to Tighten Grip on Iran
Defense and Military Forces | Hamas | Hezbollah | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Katz, Israel (1955- ) | Kiryat Shmona (Israel) | Lebanon | Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)

As Rockets Fly Overhead, Residents of Israel’s Border City Stay Underground
ByIsabel Kershner and Amit Elkayam March 15, 2026

The Israeli government evacuated Kiryat Shmona during the last round of fighting with Hezbollah in 2023. Residents who were told it was safe to return are again under fire.

Read More As Rockets Fly Overhead, Residents of Israel’s Border City Stay Underground
Bolsonaro, Eduardo | Bolsonaro, Jair (1955- ) | Brazil | Da Silva, Luiz Inacio Lula | Diplomatic Service, Embassies and Consulates | Elections | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Politics and Government | Right-Wing Extremism and Alt-Right | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations

A New Trump Envoy Stirs Fears of U.S. Meddling In Brazil’s Elections
ByAna Ionova March 13, 2026March 14, 2026

Darren Beattie, the U.S. policy adviser on Brazil, planned to visit former President Jair Bolsonaro in prison and meet his son, who is also seeking the presidency.

Read More A New Trump Envoy Stirs Fears of U.S. Meddling In Brazil’s Elections