US Politics
Joe Kent, a retired Green Beret with 11 combat tours and prior CIA experience, whose wife was killed in a 2019 ISIS suicide bombing in Syria, has resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center. In his resignation letter, posted publicly on X, Kent stated he could not in good conscience support the ongoing U.S. war in Iran, asserting that Iran posed no imminent threat to the nation and that the conflict began due to pressure from Israel and its American lobby. He compared the situation to misleading claims that led to the Iraq War and urged President Trump to reverse course.
The resignation, the highest-profile internal objection to the administration’s military operations against Iran, has drawn viral attention and varied reactions. Trump described Kent as “very weak on security” and said such views were unwelcome, while Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard emphasized the president’s authority to assess threats and decide on actions. Other officials and lawmakers have criticized Kent’s letter for echoing certain conspiratorial themes, though some Democrats agreed there was no credible evidence of an imminent Iranian threat justifying the war.
Geopolitics
US Central Command reportedly struck Iranian anti-ship cruise missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz using 5,000-pound GBU-72 penetrator bombs from F-15E, B-1B, or other bombers, aiming to reduce threats to merchant and naval vessels after Trump’s statement on unilateral reopening. Meanwhile, Iranian media reported a 62nd wave of retaliatory missile and drone strikes on U.S. assets.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed deploying 200 drone experts to the Middle East to counter Iranian Shahed drones, offering low-cost interceptors compared to US $4 million Patriots. Critics questioned the deployment’s priorities amid Ukraine’s ongoing defense needs. Eleven countries, including the US, European nations, and Gulf states, reportedly sought Ukraine’s advice after receiving phone calls amid Mideast drone threats to oil and shipping.
Speaking of the Ukraine, Russia claimed to have captured 12 Ukrainian settlements in early March offensives in the east and south, advancing toward Sloviansk, holding 60 percent of Kostiantynivka amid street battles, and establishing buffers along the Kharkiv-Sumy border. Zelensky stated Ukrainian forces disrupted Russia’s planned operation scale.
In the Americas, Ecuador deployed 75,000 troops, armored vehicles, helicopters, and missile strikes against cartels in operations described as a “war,” backed by US joint operations and a new 17-country alliance from a Trump Mar-a-Lago summit. President Daniel Noboa targeted narco-terrorism and illegal mining in Zamora Chinchipe, capturing high-value targets during curfew. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro accused Ecuador of bombing its territory, which Noboa denied, stating strikes remained within Ecuador’s borders.
Artificial Intelligence
Foundation deployed two Phantom Mk-I humanoid robots to Ukraine frontlines for reconnaissance, capable of wielding pistols, shotguns, and rifles, with aims to replace soldiers. Ukraine conducted 7,495 robotics operations in January, mostly logistical but some armed. Russia uses non-humanoid bots; Foundation eyes US-Mexico border patrols. Critics express concern over what happens when these humanoid robots are integrated with AI.
Meanwhile, researchers at Tsinghua University trained a Unitree G1 humanoid robot to play tennis using five hours of human motion data via the LATENT system, achieving agile coordination and reactions. Initial deployment failed to return serves, but by the end it outperformed the trainer, indicating advances in sample-efficient embodied AI for dynamic skills.
In other news, xAI reportedly recruited investment bankers, traders, portfolio managers, and credit analysts to train Grok on financial tasks including leveraged loans, distressed investing, mortgage-backed securities, and crypto markets, addressing data constraints primarily from X amid staff changes and competition from OpenAI and Anthropic. This adds to concerns that such AI training could displace jobs in the finance sector.
Economy
US diesel prices surpassed $5 per gallon, the highest since 2022, contributing to a 35 percent increase in weekly supply chain costs to $6.1 billion for trucking, farming, and construction. Road diesel accounts for 66 percent of consumption, affecting fleets such as those of Walmart and Amazon. Global diesel prices reached $150 per barrel this month, up from February levels, amid reported supply issues linked to the Strait of Hormuz. The IEA announced a release of 400 million barrels from reserves, potentially providing relief if Hormuz disruptions prove temporary.
The cessation of operations at Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility have reduced global helium supply by 33 percent, or 5.2 million cubic meters monthly, with spot prices rising over 100 percent. Helium is used in semiconductors, MRI machines, and fiber optics, with no substitutes and a 45-day evaporation period. South Korean chipmakers Samsung and SK Hynix, reliant on Qatar for 64 percent of imports, hold six months of inventory but could face shortages if disruptions last 60 to 90 days, potentially driving prices above $2,000 per thousand cubic feet.
Trump faces an Iran standoff amid risks of escalation affecting energy markets, with Iran reportedly targeting UAE oil and gas fields such as Shah. Energy futures indicate expectations of resolution despite current backwardation suggesting physical shortages. Treasury Secretary Bessent stated the US is okay with passage of select Iranian, Chinese, and Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, excluding those linked to enemies or allies. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping but closed to enemies including the US, Israel, and their allies. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.10 percent, citing upside inflation risks from higher energy prices.
The Trump administration reportedly authorized increased fertilizer production in Venezuela and began talks with Morocco, which holds the world’s largest potash reserves, to address Gulf shipping disruptions affecting 20 to 30 percent of global exports, including 35 percent of urea. A Qatari facility supplies about 20 percent of US fertilizer, primarily ammonia, urea, nitrogen-based, and potash products for spring planting. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that disruptions could raise global food prices. U.S. farmers have expressed concerns over soaring fertilizer prices potentially reducing crop yields as spring planting nears.
Energy
Saudi Aramco restarted its Ras Tanura refinery and offshore loading facility, rerouting crude via the East-West pipeline to Red Sea ports Yanbu and Al Muajjiz. Aramco reported fourth-quarter net profit of $17.77 billion, down from $22.34 billion, and announced a $3 billion share buyback plus a 3.5 percent higher quarterly dividend totaling $21.89 billion.
Iraq reportedly negotiated with Iran to allow some oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz after cutting production to 1.4 million barrels per day from over 4.4 million, as storage filled during the blockade, which the IEA estimates causes 10 million barrels daily in global losses. Iran maintains selective control, allowing passage to about 90 ships including its own oil tankers since the war began. Additionally, Iraq restarted the Kirkuk-to-Ceyhan pipeline to Turkey at 250,000 barrels daily, plus 210,000 from Kurdistan, bypassing Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Israel reportedly struck phases 3 through 6 of Iran’s South Pars gas field and Asaluyeh petrochemical facilities, described as the first upstream attacks, with WTI reaching $95 per barrel. South Pars, shared with Qatar’s North Field, produced 730 million cubic meters daily in 2025 for power, industry, and exports to Turkey.
In news unrelated to the Iran conflict, the US confirmed a $4.3 billion lithium iron phosphate battery factory by Tesla and LG Energy Solution in Lansing, Michigan, for 2027 production to power Tesla Megapack 3 systems with 20 megawatt-hour capacity, 25-year life, and over 10,000 cycles. LG targets 17 GWh annual energy storage capacity by year-end and 30 GWh by 2026.
Additionally, Oklo’s Atomic Alchemy received the first US Nuclear Regulatory Commission materials license for processing radium-226, cobalt-60, and americium-241 at its Idaho lab for cancer therapies and manufacturing. Some analysts noted the license is limited in scope and does not advance the Aurora reactor’s full licensing timeline. The Department of Energy approved the Nuclear Safety Design Agreement for Oklo’s Aurora powerhouse at Idaho National Laboratory using recycled fuel.
Health
The COSMOS study of 958 healthy adults averaging 70 years old found that daily multivitamins slowed biological aging by about four months over two years, as measured by epigenetic clocks tracking DNA methylation, particularly in those with older baseline biological age. Multivitamins outperformed placebo on two mortality-linked clocks, with trends on three others. Prior COSMOS data linked multivitamins to reduced risks of memory decline, cancer, and eye disease. Researchers suggested that addressing nutrient gaps such as B12, D, and magnesium reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, though the effect size is modest compared to calorie restriction.
Sources
‘Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation’: Trump-appointed intelligence official resigns over Iran war
“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
Trump’s Kobayashi Maru: No-Win Iran Standoff
President Trump is himself caught in a Kobayashi Maru scenario
Source | Submitted by PhilH
Iraq in Talks with Iran to Unlock Strait of Hormuz for Oil Tankers
“There is communication with Iran regarding allowing the passage of some Iraqi oil tankers,”
Daily Multivitamins Slow Biological Aging Clock by Four Months, Trial Reveals
those taking multivitamins showed slower aging in two epigenetic clocks linked to mortality risk. The effect translated to about four months less biological aging over two years.
Zelensky Confirms 200 Ukrainian Drone Experts Deployed to Mideast to Counter Iran
his government has sent 200 Ukrainian air defense experts to the Middle East
Russia Claims Capture of 12 Ukrainian Settlements in Early March Offensive
12 settlements have been liberated
US Confirms Tesla-LG’s $4.3 Billion LFP Battery Factory in Michigan
The U.S. government has confirmed that Tesla and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution have signed a supply agreement to build a $4.3 billion lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cell factory in Michigan.
Trump Admin Taps Venezuela, Morocco for Fertilizer as Iran War Hits Gulf Shipping
The Trump administration is working on securing alternative fertilizer supplies for U.S. farmers as conflict with Iran threatens shipping through the Gulf
Ecuador’s “War” on Cartels: 75,000 Troops, Missile Strikes Ignite Colombia Border Clash
We’re at war
$5 Diesel Ignites 35% Surge in US Supply Chain Costs
$5 Diesel Means A 35% Jump In Prices For US Consumers
xAI Recruits Wall Street Bankers to Sharpen Grok’s Financial Edge
Job listings show the company is recruiting investment bankers, traders, portfolio managers, and credit analysts to join its data-training teams.
Oklo’s Dual Triumph: First NRC Isotope License and DOE Aurora Safety Nod
Oklo Lands First NRC License & Another DOE Milestone
Humanoid Robots Deployed to Ukraine Frontlines in Apparent Combat First
“We think there’s a moral imperative to put these robots into war instead of soldiers,”
Robot Aces Tennis in 5 Hours: Terminator Training Next?
Scientists taught a robot to play tennis with just 5 hours of training data (here’s why this is terrifying)
Iran’s South Pars Struck: Oil Surges Amid Worst-Ever Hormuz Disruption
The blockade is now the worst disruption to oil flows ever. Real barrels are now disappearing from global oil markets, which can lead to demand destruction in the weeks to come.
Iran War Sparks Helium Crisis, Threatening Global Chip Production
The Iran War is putting the semiconductor industry on high alert
U.S. Strikes Iran’s Anti-Ship Missile Sites in Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Central Command announced Tuesday that it has bombed Iranian antiship cruise missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz
Joe Kent: The Green Beret Who Buried His Wife at Arlington Warns Against War
When the person with the most skin in the game tells you it’s wrong, you listen.
Saudi Aramco Restarts Ras Tanura Refinery After Drone Strike, Boosts Shareholder Payouts
Saudi Arabia’s national oil company said its Ras Tanura refinery was restarting after an Iranian drone attack last week led to a shutdown, as the energy giant outlined plans to boost payouts to shareholders.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Mario Nawfal, Insurance Journal, AP News, BloombergNEF, Oilprice.com, SilentlySirs, SuppressedNws1, Adam Townsend @adamscrabble, @EiaoFaheem, Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Press TV, Boring_Business, Nikhil Rathod, @DyvKln9, Catturd, and LHGrey.
by dotmatrix 
