Ex-Bush advisor: Trump's Iran war is a 'catastrophe' built on lies

 

Steve Schmidt, a Republican political strategist who famously advised President George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), warned on his Tuesday Substack that President Donald Trump’s war against Iran is a “catastrophe.”

“The lies never, ever stop,” Schmidt wrote. He played clips of Trump saying America is more respected in the world than ever before and that the Iran war has been “one of the most stunning operations ever conducted.” He also showed Trump claiming that the economy in his first term was “the greatest economy in the history of our country” and that the next one “is going to blow it away.”

Schmidt contested these assumptions.

“We're always told there isn't enough money for schools, for health care, or for our veterans — but there's always enough money to bomb people on the other side of the world,” Schmidt pointed out. “We can support the democracy movement in Iran. We can prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon — all without bombing innocent schoolchildren or sending American troops off to die on the other side of the world.”

He concluded, “The American people understand, and are seeing more clearly every day, that everything Donald Trump promised was a lie — and that what they've been given is a catastrophe. What we have to do is vote these people out and take away the political power they have abused so badly.”

This is not the first time that Schmidt, despite his Republican roots, has blasted the current president. Earlier in March he called out Trump for trying to suppress documents in which a woman alleged the president sexually assaulted her in the 1980s when she was a 13-year-old girl.

“A woman told FBI investigators that Epstein had trafficked her to Donald Trump,” Schmidt wrote. “The rot is otherworldly.”

Earlier in March, he also criticized Trump for invading Iran without a coherent plan.

“There has been no debate, no plan, and no thought given by Donald, his stooges and politicized generals about the second-and third-order effects of their decisions,” Schmidt wrote. “This is escalating.”

He also pointed out that we now “have war, chaos, economic crisis, corruption and insanity served up non-stop, extolling the wrong against the right, while abusing American citizens with violence, including murder.”

As he put it up earlier in the same article, “We had peace, and we chose Trump.”

Last month, meanwhile, Schmidt laid the blame for Trump’s abuses of power at the feet of the pro-Republican Supreme Court.

“The Roberts court has destabilized our American society through partisan rulings,” Schmidt argued. “We have a corrupt Supreme Court with [Judge Samuel] Alito’s misconduct, Clarence Thomas’s misconduct, flying around with all these billionaire extremist doners from here to there and everywhere.”

“The court has lost its reputation for a reason,” he continued, “and now we have Trump’s visage looming down at the American people from the Department of Justice, which is a corrupt institution that can’t be trusted, filled with corrupt prosecutor who abuse their oath, abuse the Constitution, and abuse the American people in the name of power.”

Ex-Bush advisor: Trump's Iran war is a 'catastrophe' built on lies

Story by Matthew Rozsa

 

Putin’s foreign minister fumes after Russia’s consulate in Iran hit by drone strike

 

Putin’s foreign minister fumes after Russia’s consulate in Iran hit by drone strike

Iran has supplied Russia with military equipment including Shahed drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities, while the two countries have strengthened political and economic cooperation in response to Western sanctions.

The partnership has made Iran one of Russia’s most important allies on the international stage, especially as tensions between Tehran and Western powers continue to rise.

Russian consulate damaged in strike

Russia says its consulate in the Iranian city of Isfahan was damaged during recent strikes linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the incident occurred on March 8 when a nearby provincial government building was targeted.

According to her statement, the blast shattered windows in both the office and residential parts of the consulate building. The shockwave was strong enough to knock several staff members off their feet.

Fortunately, no one was killed or seriously injured in the incident.

Zakharova condemned the attack, calling it a “blatant violation” of international conventions protecting diplomatic missions and urged all parties involved in the conflict to respect the inviolability of diplomatic facilities.

War spreads across the region

The incident comes amid a rapidly escalating conflict that began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched large-scale strikes against Iranian targets.

The attacks triggered retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Iran across the Middle East, hitting military bases, infrastructure and strategic sites throughout the region.

Isfahan has been one of the locations repeatedly targeted during the campaign because it hosts major military and nuclear-related facilities.

Moscow backs Tehran

Russia has strongly condemned the strikes against Iran and has positioned itself diplomatically on Tehran’s side during the crisis.

The Kremlin has described the attacks as destabilizing for the region and has continued close political contact with Iranian leaders as the conflict unfolds.

At the same time, reports in Western media have suggested Moscow may be providing intelligence assistance to Iran, although U.S. officials have played down the significance of those claims.

Sources: Reuters, Digi24, The Guardian, Britannica,

Putin’s foreign minister fumes after Russia’s consulate in Iran hit by drone strike

Story by Kathrine Frich

Erika Kirk appointed to US Air Force Academy board by Trump: Is she actually qualified?

 

The appointment of political activist Erika Kirk to the US Air Force Academy's influential Board of Visitors by President Donald Trump has become a fresh flashpoint in the wider battle over who should help shape America's future military leaders. The move has ignited scrutiny over whether her background matches the oversight responsibilities of one of the country's most prestigious military institutions, and whether political loyalty is beginning to outweigh experience in defence and education.

The decision places Kirk, the widow of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, within a body tasked with evaluating the education, discipline and culture of future Air Force officers. While supporters argue she represents a new generation of conservative leadership, critics are questioning whether her professional experience adequately matches the responsibilities of a board historically populated by military leaders, policymakers and national security experts.

The Role And Influence Of The Air Force Academy Board Of Visitors

The Board of Visitors at the United States Air Force Academy is a federally mandated advisory body responsible for monitoring the academy's performance and reporting findings to senior defence officials.

According to official descriptions of the board's mandate, members are authorised to examine the institution's 'morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy'. The board compiles annual reports for the Secretary of the Air Force and the US Congress and may offer recommendations for institutional reforms.

Although the board does not directly control academy operations, its oversight role can influence discussions about academic standards, military training and broader institutional direction.

The board typically consists of a mixture of congressional appointees, presidential appointees and senior military figures. Members have historically included former officers, defence policy specialists and lawmakers with experience overseeing the armed forces.

Presidents have long used these appointments to shape the philosophical direction of military education. In 2025, President Trump dismissed several board members across US service academies, arguing they had promoted 'woke leftist' ideology within military institutions.

Trump's Appointment Of Erika Kirk

Kirk's addition to the board emerged quietly in early March 2026 when her name appeared on the official membership list, despite no formal public announcement from the academy itself.

The appointment effectively places her in the position previously held by her late husband, Charlie Kirk, who had been selected by Trump for the same board in March 2025.

Charlie Kirk attended at least one board meeting before his assassination in September 2025 while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. Following his death, his widow became increasingly involved in national conservative politics.

Rep. August Pfluger, a Republican congressman from Texas who chairs the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, publicly supported the appointment.

'Erika is the right person to fill Charlie's place on the Board and continue his work of inspiring the next generation of service members and advancing the academy,' Pfluger said in remarks reported after the appointment.

The White House has not released a detailed statement outlining the criteria used in selecting Kirk for the role.

Trump quietly appoints Erika Kirk to new leadership position

Story by Ariana Baio

Iran sends chilling assassination threat to Trump - 'You will be eliminated'

 

Iran has warned Donald Trump he could be "eliminated" in what appeared to be a threat to assassinate the US President.

Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, reposted on X a message Mr Trump shared on Truth Social adding what appeared to be a threat to the U.S. President.

Larijani said: "The Ashura-loving nation of Iran does not fear your paper threats. Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Watch out for yourself-lest you be eliminated!"

This came after Mr Trump wrote that Iran could be hit "20 times harder than they have been hit thus far" if the country "does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz".

He said: "If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far. Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again - Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them.

"But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen! This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this matter."

Iran sends chilling assassination threat to Trump - 'You will be eliminated'

Story by Antonio Scancariello

Iran reveals stealthier 'kamikaze' drone as Middle East war escalates

 Iran has unveiled a stealthier version of its infamous Shahed 'kamikaze' drone, potentially making it harder for air defense systems to detect.

Images of the modified Shahed-101 loitering munition were shared Tuesday by Middle East security analyst Mohammed al-Basha, who highlighted several structural changes suggesting the drone may operate more quietly than earlier variants.

Drones have emerged as one of the most influential weapons in the Middle East conflict, allowing forces to carry out long-range attacks at relatively low cost while overwhelming air defenses.

Unlike most Shahed drones, which rely on rear-mounted gasoline engines that produce a distinctive buzzing sound during flight, the new version appears to feature a nose-mounted propeller powered by an electric motor.

This configuration pulls the aircraft through the air rather than pushing it from the rear, a design change that could reduce both acoustic and thermal signatures and potentially make the drone more difficult for radar and infrared detection systems to detect.

The aircraft also appears to feature a rocket booster mounted at the rear of the fuselage, which helps accelerate the drone during launch before detaching once it reaches operational speed. 

he development comes as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned that Tuesday could be the 'most intense day' of US strikes.

Hegseth, who made the comments during a press briefing, also said that 'Iran stands alone, and they are badly losing.'

The Shahed-101 is an autonomous, electric-powered loitering munition designed to carry a high-explosive warhead. 

It can remain in the battlespace while searching for targets before striking by flying directly into them and detonating, using a rocket-assisted launch system to take off. 

The drone is designed to strike enemy targets while remaining difficult to detect. 

Its small size and limited radar signature make it harder for conventional air defense systems, including surface-to-air missiles and radar networks designed to track larger aircraft, to identify and intercept.

The Shahed-101 is also characterized by low acoustic and thermal signatures, further complicating detection by traditional surveillance systems. 

Unlike many other Shahed models that rely on gasoline piston engines, the Shahed-101 uses an electric motor, a design choice that significantly reduces noise and makes the drone difficult to hear from the ground.

The modified version appears to feature several design tweaks intended to make the drone more difficult to detect, Defence Blog reported. 

Most notably, analysts say the aircraft now uses a nose-mounted propeller powered by an electric motor rather than the rear-mounted propulsion systems typically seen on other Shahed drones.

This configuration pulls the drone through the air instead of pushing it from behind, a change that could alter its aerodynamic profile and potentially reduce noise during flight.

The electric propulsion system may also produce a smaller thermal signature compared with gasoline engines, which could make the drone harder for infrared sensors and other detection systems to identify.

Despite these changes, the overall airframe remains largely unchanged, retaining the fixed-wing design and X-shaped tail configuration commonly seen across Iran’s Shahed drone family. 

The modification highlights Iran’s continued efforts to refine its one-way attack drones, which have been widely used in regional conflicts and by Russia in its war against Ukraine. 

Analysts say the design changes in the new version could influence how the drone is detected and deployed on the battlefield. 

Iran reveals stealthier 'kamikaze' drone built to slip past US air defenses as Middle East war escalates | Daily Mail Online

Story by Stacy Liberatore

Putin and Trump Discuss Iran and Ukraine Wars

 

Russia's Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday discussed the wars in Iran and Ukraine during a "frank and constructive" phone call, the Kremlin said.

The one-hour call marked the first conversation between the two leaders since December, Putin's foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov said, adding that the White House had requested the call.

Ushakov said the two presidents mainly discussed "the situation surrounding the conflict with Iran and the bilateral negotiations underway with the representatives of the United States on settling the Ukrainian question."

He added that Putin called for a "quick political and diplomatic settlement" to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which is a close ally of Russia.

The Russian leader also gave Trump "a description of the current situation on the line of contact where Russian troops are progressing with a lot of success," Ushakov said, referring to the war in Ukraine.

Putin "positively evaluated the mediation efforts undertaken" by Trump in the Ukraine war, the adviser said.

A series of talks has been held between Russian and U.S. officials, and between Russian, U.S., and Ukrainian officials, but with no breakthrough in efforts to reach a ceasefire.

Ushakov said Washington had wanted to "discuss a series of extremely important questions linked to the current international situation."

"The conversation was serious and constructive," he added.

Trump later said his conversation with Putin on ending the four-year war in Ukraine was upbeat.

"We were talking about Ukraine, which is just a never-ending fight," Trump told reporters. "But I think it was a positive call on that subject."

He added that he will waive some sanctions on oil to boost supply and bring down prices due to market turmoil over the war in the Middle East.

"We have sanctions on some countries. We're going to take those sanctions off till this straightens out," Trump told reporters after the call with Putin, without specifying any country or providing details on which sanctions would be lifted.

Trump and Putin held a summit in Alaska in August last year.

Putin and Trump Discuss Iran and Ukraine Wars - The Moscow Times

By AFP

12 hours ago

New documents raise fresh questions about Jeffrey Epstein’s death in custody

 

Reporting by The Sun, based on FBI and Department of Justice material, alongside details cited from the New York Post, centers on guard checks, computer activity, financial records and an inmate statement that investigators logged but did not verify.

Epstein was arrested in July 2019 and later housed in the Special Housing Unit at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan. On August 10, 2019, he was found dead there while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.

New York City’s medical examiner ruled the death a suicide. Even so, the case has remained under scrutiny because of breakdowns inside the jail, including missed monitoring rounds and questions about surveillance coverage.

According to the reporting, correctional officers Tova Noel and Michael Thomas were accused of failing to complete required 30-minute checks during the overnight shift. Prosecutors said records were falsified to show the rounds had been done, though the criminal case was later dropped.

Records under review

The newly reported documents also point to evidence investigators reviewed at the time. They include search activity on a computer linked to Noel’s workstation and financial transactions that drew attention from authorities.

Investigators found that the computer searched “latest on Epstein in jail” at 5.42am and again at 5.52am, according to the reports. In a 2021 sworn statement, Noel denied making those searches, saying: “I don’t remember doing that.” She also said: “I don’t recall looking him up.”

The same reporting says bank activity tied to Noel was flagged in a suspicious activity report sent to the FBI, including a $5,000 cash deposit made days before Epstein’s death.

Inmate claim surfaces

In FBI interview notes cited by The Sun, an inmate housed near Epstein said he overheard commotion outside the unit where Epstein was being held as officers tried to revive him.

The prisoner told investigators that one guard said: “Dudes, you killed that dude.” Another voice allegedly replied: “If he’s dead, we’re going to cover it up and he’s going to have an alibi – my officers”.

That account has not been independently confirmed. Still, taken together with the disputed search records, the missed checks and the other material reviewed by investigators, it adds new questions to a case that has faced years of scrutiny.

New documents raise fresh questions about Jeffrey Epstein’s death in custody

Story by Kenneth Glad