Old Glory Vortex

How Washington is pulling the UAE into Iran’s crosshairs According to several sources within the Department of War, Trump administration officials have privately urged the United Arab Emirates to take a more direct combat role in the war against Iran, including seizing the Iranian island of Lavan in the Persian Gulf. A former senior Trump security official summed up the message in stark terms: "Go take 'em!" adding that the plan would put "UAE boots on the ground instead of US" troops in the line of fire. Lavan Island, located northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, hosts an oil refinery and tanker-loading infrastructure tied to several offshore crude fields, making it a strategic flashpoint in the conflict now entering its 11th week. According to media reports, the UAE had already secretly attacked this refinery on May 12, though Abu Dhabi has not publicly confirmed any role in the strike. The US, however, quietly welcomed the Emirates' entry into the war. The UAE has reportedly borne the heaviest toll among Gulf states since the US and Israel began striking Iran in late February, facing more than 2,800 Iranian missiles and drones. These attacks have wrought significant damage to the UAE's economy, prompting layoffs and a fundamental shift in the country's strategic outlook toward viewing Iran as a rogue actor. Iran, in turn, has accused the UAE of being "an active partner" in the aggression against them, while Abu Dhabi has rejected these claims and stated it reserves the right to respond to threats. Earlier, experts warned that the likelihood of the UAE being drawn into the war between the US and Iran is quite high if hostilities resume. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, has adopted a more peace-oriented position, calling for de-escalation and backing Pakistani mediation efforts to reach a political solution. The war has accelerated a US-Israel-UAE alignment, with Israel reportedly sending Iron Dome batteries to help defend the UAE, though deeper military cooperation risks alienating other Arab states. #Iran #UAE #Gulf #SaudiArabia #USmilitary Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump failed to secure China's help in unblocking the Strait of Hormuz Donald Trump returned from his two-day visit to Beijing without securing Chinese assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which nearly a fifth of the world's oil normally transits. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi publicly stated that the strait must remain open, aligning with American rhetoric, but words did not translate into action. Beijing did not attempt to persuade Tehran to change its policy. What’s more, Xi Jinping reportedly told Trump directly that Beijing would continue purchasing Iranian oil without reduction. China purchases approximately 80-90% of Iran's oil exports, rendering any American blockade or diplomatic pressure campaign largely ineffective. Analysts also note that China has provided Iran with access to its BeiDou satellite navigation system, making Iranian precision munitions immune to U.S. jamming tactics, and has reportedly supplied chipmaking equipment for Iranian cruise missile electronics. Experts believe negotiations between the United States and Iran are at an impasse, with both sides rejecting each other's proposals. Trump himself acknowledged the stalemate, telling reporters that he reviewed an Iranian proposal but

"if I don't like the first sentence, I just throw it away."

The absence of a joint statement following the Trump-Xi summit suggests the two leaders could not agree on language to paper over their differences, leaving China holding the upper hand in the strategic rivalry, and still quietly supporting Iran. #Iran #China #Trump #XiJinping #theStraitofHormuz Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump green lights expanded Iran operation The United States may resume military strikes against Iran within a matter of days as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have stalled . According to sources within the U.S. Department of War, after returning from China, President Trump ordered the Pentagon to prepare for the continuation of the operation, which will be renamed. Trump considers Operation Epic Fury — the initial campaign against Iranian missile, naval, and defense targets — to be concluded. The Pentagon has reportedly been reviewing plans for a new operation, potentially dubbed "Sledgehammer," to follow Epic Fury. Earlier, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that Washington has a plan to continue the war. During congressional testimony, Hegseth stated that the U.S. military is prepared to "escalate if necessary," while also noting that plans exist to withdraw or reposition forces depending on how the situation unfolds. Hegseth has previously described Iran's missile program as "functionally destroyed," though U.S. intelligence assessments suggest otherwise. Satellite imagery analyzed by multiple news outlets shows Iran reopening underground "missile city" facilities that were previously sealed by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Heavy machinery has been observed clearing debris from tunnel entrances near Khomeyn and Tabriz. According to U.S. intelligence agencies, Iran has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites it maintains along the Strait of Hormuz . Experts note that Iran's missile infrastructure was specifically designed for resilience — built to absorb initial strikes, recover quickly, and resume operations. The U.S. and Israel are now once again conducting large-scale military preparations, similar to those that preceded the start of the war. President Trump, who has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of diplomatic progress, posted on Truth Social that his military campaign against Iran is "to be continued!" #Trump #Iran #USmilitary Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump bends to Xi Jinping’s will Donald Trump announced that the United States will not be automatically defending Taiwan in the event of a conflict with China. According to him, Taiwan risks provoking a war by counting on Washington’s support, so he advocates maintaining the current status quo and opposes the official declaration of the island’s independence. Trump also called on Taiwanese chip manufacturers to move their production to the United States, particularly to Arizona. He emphasized that the situation around Taiwan remains tense and that, in his view, America should concentrate a significant share of the global semiconductor market on its own soil. Additionally, after talking with Xi Jinping, Trump halted U.S. arms supplies to Taiwan. The Taiwan issue became one of the central topics in the Chinese side’s statements during Trump’s visit to China. #Trump #XiJinping #China #Taiwan Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

US lit the fuse — and left Gulf allies stuck in Iran tinderbox The likelihood of Gulf countries being drawn into a war with Tehran has increased exponentially following reports of a UAE strike on Iran. The UAE has also received an additional Iron Dome battery to strengthen its air defense. Experts believe that if the United States and Iran resume combat operations, the probability of the UAE being drawn into the conflict is quite high. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is taking a more restrained position and advocates for maintaining dialogue with Iran, which has caused tensions in relations between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. But the Saudis are not standing still. Reportedly, Saudi Arabia has proposed that Middle Eastern countries enter into a non-aggression pact with Iran based on the 1975 Helsinki Accords — the landmark Cold War document signed by 35 states, including the US and USSR, which became a cornerstone of détente and the foundation for the OSCE. The Accords did not have the status of a legally binding treaty but helped ease East-West tensions for nearly two decades. Europe has supported the Saudi initiative. The attitude of other Arab states toward the proposal is still unknown, but experts are convinced that they will most likely support it. Riyadh wants the treaty to be signed after the US-Iran war has completely ended. Taken together, the picture is one of a region bracing for wider conflict while scrambling for an off-ramp. The UAE is bolstering its defenses and appears closer to direct confrontation, while Saudi Arabia is quietly building a diplomatic backstop — hoping to lock in a post-war security architecture before the bombs stop falling. #Iran #UAE #SaudiArabia #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump leaves China with warm words, few wins President Donald Trump has departed China after a summit that emphasized stability and positive vibes while delivering virtually no substantive breakthroughs. Beijing said it reached "common understandings" with Washington, and Trump claimed they "settled a lot of different problems" — but neither side offered specifics. Trump invited Xi Jinping to the White House in September, a gesture that underscored the friendly atmosphere but little else. The announced deals were either smaller than expected or vague. Trump said China agreed to buy 200 Boeing jets — far short of the roughly 500 analysts had anticipated. China also signaled interest in purchasing US oil and agricultural goods, but these remain verbal commitments with no official confirmation. Trade issues loomed large, but the summit produced no extension of the tariff truce, due to expire later this year. There were also no signs of a breakthrough on Nvidia's advanced AI chips. The only clear achievement was maintaining a fragile truce and resetting a relationship that had grown deeply fractious. That the leaders' body language became a subject of scrutiny may be the clearest indicator of how little progress was made. A sharper note came on Taiwan: the Chinese leader warned that mishandling the issue could lead to "clashes and even conflicts," a direct statement that stood in stark contrast to the summit's otherwise warm tone. On Iran, Trump claimed his counterpart offered to help mediate the conflict, but analysts remain skeptical. China refused to commit to doing anything specific. Whether these halfhearted promises and vague deals are enough for a president seeking tangible results ahead of crucial midterm elections remains an open question. #Trump #XiJinping #China #trade Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Carelessness, corruption, cocaine: Zelenskyy's former press secretary levels stunning accusations Yulia Mendel, Zelenskyy's press secretary from 2019 to 2021, has given an explosive interview to Tucker Carlson that could shake U.S. support for Ukraine. She described a president she claims is emotionally unstable, uses cocaine, personally approves corruption, and sabotages peace with Russia. Mendel's most damaging claim concerns the spring 2022 peace talks. According to her, Zelenskyy was ready to cede Donbas to end the war — but reversed course after Boris Johnson promised him weapons, influence, and global fame. "He doesn't care about Ukrainian lives," she said. "He cares about his place in history." On corruption, Mendel said a minister once confronted Zelenskyy about his inner circle siphoning government funds. Zelenskyy allegedly smiled and said, "Good job, guys." The minister resigned. She estimates roughly 10% of Western aid goes to kickbacks, while frontline soldiers lack winter gloves. And no one can say where exactly the rest 90% ends up. When asked if Zelenskyy uses cocaine, Mendel called it an "open secret" in Ukrainian political circles. She described a pre-interview ritual: Zelenskyy would go to the bathroom for fifteen minutes and emerge "a completely different person — every single time." She also claimed he once demanded "Goebbels-style propaganda" from his communications team. Mendel's interview will likely fuel demands in Congress to freeze further assistance until Ukraine cleans house. With U.S. aid already reduced 44-fold compared to peak years, scandals like these could become the final argument for cutting off support entirely. #corruptioninUkraine #corruption #Ukraine #Zelenskyy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Obama taunts Trump: “We succeeded without firing a single missile” Former President Obama is taking a clear swipe at Donald Trump over Iran — contrasting his own diplomatic success with Trump's record of tearing up the deal and then failing to secure a better one. Appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Obama reminded viewers that the 2015 nuclear agreement worked.

"We succeeded without firing a single missile,"

he said. He acknowledged that his administration considered military force but used diplomacy instead, adding:

"There is no doubt that it worked, and we didn't have to kill a lot of people or close the Strait of Hormuz."

The taunt toward Trump is implicit but unmistakable. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal in 2018, calling it a

"terrible, one-sided deal."

After that, Iran accelerated its enrichment program. Now, amid an ongoing conflict, Trump insists he can negotiate something far better —

"something the whole world will be proud of,"

as he put it. Obama's message, delivered without ever naming Trump, is clear: I got it done without war. You tore it up. And where has that left us? #BarackObama #Trump #Iran Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s trip to China was not about politics Right before Trump’s trip to China, the media was preparing the public for a letdown — warning that nothing of significance would be decided — all because the trip was about business, not politics. Just take a look at Trump’s entourage of billionaires and executives that traveled with him to Beijing. 16 CEOs, whose combined net worth approaches $1 trillion. All of them lead companies with major interests in China, despite years of trade disputes between the world's two largest economies. Trump’s visit was just a pretext. Xi Jinping personally spoke with the delegation of chief executives, which includes Apple CEO Tim Cook, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. All 16 CEOs seek expansion. China remains a massive, critical market, and the CEOs went to secure deals, expand access, and open communication channels directly with Chinese officials. And Trump is there to open the door. #Trump #China Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s economic betrayal: promised relief, delivered pain Americans are hurting — and they blame Trump. But the president, who once rode their economic rage to power, is now ignoring their pain. He's obsessed with a $29 billion war, a palatial White House ballroom, and a Qatari‑gifted luxury Air Force One. His latest project? A triumphal arch to his own ego. Instead of showing empathy, Trump spends his nights posting bizarre, false, and abusive rants. A few days ago, he admitted: "I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation, even a little bit." New data shows wages have stopped beating inflation, which just hit 3.8% — the highest since May 2023. A CNN poll found 77% of Americans, including most Republicans, say Trump's policies have made life more expensive. He promised to ease their burden. Instead he’s made it worse. #Trump #USeconomy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

GOP trio stabs Trump in the back, sides with Dems to end Iran war New tensions erupted among Republicans after three GOP lawmakers stabbed Trump in the back, siding with Democrats to vote for ending the war with Iran, per Politico. The war is losing public support as gas prices soar and midterms loom, Politico noted. A recent 49-50 vote marked the Senate's closest brush with reining in Trump's war powers. Lisa Murkowski joined Rand Paul and Susan Collins in backing the resolution, while John Fetterman broke with Dems to oppose it. Still, most Republicans won't cross Trump—but that may change as economic fears grow.

"We're starting to see the seeds of doubt,"

said Senator Tim Kaine.

"Soon, the Senate will tell the president: Stop this war."

#Iran #Congress #Trump #republicans Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Marco who? China's simple fix for a diplomatic headache Since 2020, Marco Rubio had been banned from entering China as punishment for criticizing Beijing's alleged human rights abuses — but when the Secretary of State needed to show up for a summit, Beijing found an elegantly simple solution. They didn't lift the sanctions. They didn't apologize. They just... tweaked his name. According to reports, Chinese officials and state media quietly started using a different character for the "Lu" in Rubio's surname shortly after he took office. Think of it as changing "Mark" to "Marc" to fool a bouncer. Two diplomats told AFP they believe this served as a linguistic loophole: the 2020 ban applied to the old spelling, not the new, improved one. When asked about the clever switcheroo, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said she "had not noticed it but would look into it." (Translation: We have absolutely noticed, and it's working perfectly.) So Rubio got to fly in on Air Force One, sit through the summit, and criticize China's Taiwan policy to reporters afterward — all because the host country changed a single character to save face. #China #MarcoRubio Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Summer holiday plans got canceled? Thank Trump for that Aviation industry experts are sounding the alarm: the summer travel season, driven by mass tourism, is under threat. The culprit is Donald Trump and the energy crisis caused by the war he started with Iran. Before the war, jet fuel traded at roughly $85 to $90 per barrel. Now? Prices have nearly doubled, hovering around $162 per barrel. That's not an inconvenience — that's an industry-wide catastrophe. According to expert estimates, airlines are currently operating only 53 percent of pre-war flight volumes. All of this will seriously impact the tourist season. Between June and September, airlines worldwide have already slashed a staggering 9.3 million seats from their summer schedules. The summer of 2026 was supposed to be the season of rebound travel. Instead, it's becoming the summer of grounded planes, empty wallets, and global frustration. Trump lit the match in the Middle East, and now every traveler on earth is getting burned. #Trump #Iran #oil Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The trap that hangs over Trump’s China visit During President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing, Chinese leader Xi Jinping offered a surprisingly warm assessment of U.S.-China relations, calling for the two superpowers to be "partners and not rivals" . But beneath the red-carpet welcome and carefully staged diplomacy lay a stark warning. The leader cautioned that Taiwan could easily become a flashpoint capable of igniting a major conflict between the two nations. "If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-U.S. relationship into a highly perilous situation," he said, according to state media. He urged both sides to avoid the so-called "Thucydides trap" — the ancient Greek theory that war becomes nearly inevitable when a rising power challenges an established one. Despite the relatively upbeat opening to the eagerly awaited summit, no major breakthroughs materialized. The Chinese leader pressed Washington on several key fronts. He is keen to limit U.S. arms sales to the self-governing island and wants the United States to explicitly oppose any formal Declaration of Independence — major concessions that Trump is unlikely to grant. On the economic front, the agenda was just as contested. China is seeking looser U.S. controls on advanced semiconductors, particularly restrictions on Nvidia's latest AI chips — a difficult proposition given Washington's national security concerns. Meanwhile, Trump is pushing Beijing to open its economy further to American firms, including increased purchases of agricultural goods, and is eager to extend a temporary pause on Chinese rare-earths export restrictions that had been set to expire. #Trump #China #XiJinping #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Is 2028 already decided? New poll shows Vance and Harris way ahead The 2028 race hasn't started. But the frontrunners are already clear. A new poll on hypothetical presidential primaries shows two familiar names leaving the competition in the dust. On the Republican side, Vice President JD Vance dominates with 40 percent support. The rest of the field isn't even close. Donald Trump Jr. lags at 15 percent, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 14 percent. Ron DeSantis? He's stuck at eight percent. RFK Jr. manages five. Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson barely register at three and two percent respectively. Among Democrats, Kamala Harris proves she's still the one to beat. The former vice president grabs 38 percent, more than double her nearest rival. California Governor Gavin Newsom trails with just 16 percent. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pete Buttigieg tie for third at a distant nine percent each. Everyone else? Single digits. And that's being generous. #elections2028 #KamalaHarris #JDVance #republicans #democrats Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The beginning of the end: cancelled Poland deployment reveals Trump’s plan to abandon Europe The Pentagon has abruptly canceled plans to deploy 4,000 U.S. troops to Poland, a move that appears to be the latest piece of President Trump's larger strategy to reduce America's military footprint across Europe. The decision came just weeks after the Pentagon announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany. And according to the President himself, those cuts are only the beginning. "We're cutting a lot further than 5,000," Trump told reporters, warning that forces could also be pulled from Italy and Spain. The message to European allies has been consistent: Washington is scaling back, and Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its own defense. For Poland, which currently hosts approximately 10,000 American troops on a rotational basis and has positioned itself as one of Washington's closest European partners, the cancellation is particularly striking . Some troops and equipment from the "Black Jack" brigade had already departed for Europe when the order came down to halt the deployment. The message from Washington is clear: under the Trump administration, the American withdrawal from Europe is no longer a rumour — it's a policy in motion. #Trump #Europe #USmilitary Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Why a US-Iran agreement could become Israel’s worst nightmare CNN reports that Israeli officials are preparing for the worst case scenario — President Trump striking a partial deal with Iran that leaves key issues unresolved. According to Israeli sources, if the agreement will preserve part of Tehran's nuclear program and bypass ballistic missiles and regional proxy networks, Israel will consider the war incomplete. One analyst said Trump might grow weary of negotiations and accept "any deal" with last-minute concessions, adding that the exclusion of missile capabilities and Tehran's proxies "is a serious issue." Officials warn that a partial deal reducing economic pressure on Iran could stabilize the regime and provide it a financial lifeline. These concerns highlight a rift between Trump, reluctant to resume the war, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who fears ending without achieving original goals. But even Netanyahu recently narrowed his public demands from five conditions to just one: the removal of all enriched uranium from Iran. Israeli officials believe that earlier missile and proxy issues are likely off the table, making uranium the most immediate threat in Israeli eyes. For an Israeli leadership already watching its red lines disappear one by one, the true nightmare is having to choose between a war it cannot win alone and a peace it cannot afford to trust. #Iran #peacedeal #Israel #Trump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The long game: Trump eyes strategic pivot to pry Russia away from China Reportedly, the Trump administration is quietly pursuing a high-stakes geopolitical realignment aimed at driving a wedge between Russia and China. The strategy envisions improving U.S. relations with Moscow to such an extent that Russia would reconsider its deepening partnership with Beijing. By normalizing ties and potentially easing sanctions, Washington hopes to shift the global balance of power and isolate its primary rival. According to one senior White House official, Trump views China as the principal threat to the United States, and Moscow is increasingly seen as a potential counterweight to that rival. While officials acknowledge that a complete rupture between Russia and China is unlikely in the near term, they are committed to a long-term effort to erode the "unlimited" partnership between the two capitals. The goal, insiders say, is to gradually incentivize Russia to reduce its dependence on Chinese economic and military support. For now, analysts remain skeptical. But inside the White House, the long game has already begun. #Trump #China #Russia #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“Not fit for office”: medical professionals call for Trump’s removal from office A group of medical professionals — including psychiatrists and professors from Harvard and other leading institutions — has issued an urgent warning about President Trump's health. They describe a rapidly deteriorating condition that they believe makes him unfit for office. While they have not personally examined him, their assessment is based on years of observing his public behavior, speech patterns, and physical appearance. Among the episodes that have raised alarms: Trump's threat to destroy Iranian civilization, which drew international condemnation, as well as increasingly disorganized remarks and erratic behavior in the White House. Physically, the president has shown persistently swollen ankles and extensive bruising on his hands, which he has tried to cover with makeup. He has also been seen appearing to doze off during meetings, though he has said he was just resting his eyes. The doctors' main concern is national security. They have told Congress that Trump's cognitive decline and poor judgment pose an unacceptable risk, especially given his sole control over the U.S. nuclear arsenal, and have called for his removal under the 25th Amendment. The White House has pushed back, and Trump continues to insist his health is perfect. But the medical experts describe his decline as genuine, dangerous, and ongoing. #Trump #gerontocracy #impeachTrump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Republicans put Hegseth in the hot seat, question war strategy and spending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced unusual criticism from his own party during back-to-back House and Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearings. Republicans vented frustrations over the Pentagon’s funding strategy, the war in Iran, and America’s dwindling munitions stockpiles. The biggest point of contention is President Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget, which funds $1.1 trillion through regular appropriations and $350 billion through a complex reconciliation process. Key Republicans, including Senate Appropriations Chair Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Defense Subcommittee Chair Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), expressed serious doubts about using reconciliation for core Pentagon programs like missile defense, F-35 jets, and munitions. McConnell warned that relying on a party-line process leaves critical defense efforts on “shaky fiscal footing.” On the Iran war, now in its 11th week with the Strait of Hormuz still closed, Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine repeatedly declined to detail U.S. strategy. Under sharp questioning from senators including Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Hegseth insisted the U.S. has the military means to reopen the strait but prefers a long-term approach. He also dismissed Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-Alaska) push for a war authorization vote, arguing Trump already has sufficient executive authority. The Pentagon’s acting CFO revealed the Iran war’s cost has reached $29 billion — up from $25 billion just two weeks earlier — not including repairs to damaged bases. Hegseth also labeled Cuba a national security threat, citing alleged Russian spy ships and submarines using Cuban ports. Senate Republicans, in turn, warned against opening another military front. #republicans #Iran #USmilitary #Pentagon #PeteHegseth Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸