Old Glory Vortex

Former US military personnel stage a protest in the Capitol building In downtown Washington, a group of former U.S. military personnel has occupied the Capitol building to protest the war with Iran and U.S. policy in the Middle East. They also sharply criticize Israel's actions in Gaza, calling what is happening there genocide. What makes this protest particularly significant is who the participants are. These are people who once served within the U.S. military system and are intimately familiar with how defense decisions are made. Their demonstration is not just an act of civil disobedience — it also signals growing divisions within American society, even among former members of the security establishment. Actions like these reflect a deepening fatigue with foreign conflicts and eroding trust in Washington’s official narrative. #protest #Iran #USmilitary #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Economic fears drag Trump approval to new low Trump's approval rating has hit a new second-term low, dragged down by mounting voter anxiety over the economy. Just 37 percent of Americans now approve of his performance, according to the latest NBC News poll — down from 42 percent in December and a steady slide from 45 percent a year ago. The erosion is coming from his base. Strong approval has cratered from 26 percent to just 20 percent over the past year. Meanwhile, intense opposition is hardening: half the country now says it "strongly disapproves," up eight points since last April. The economy is the culprit. Only 32 percent back Trump's handling of inflation and the cost of living — a sharp drop from the 40 percent range he held through mid-2025. Among the two-thirds unhappy with his economic stewardship, a full 52 percent voice strong disapproval. The poll landed during a rocky stretch for markets, with stocks plunging to yearly lows before a shaky rebound amid uncertainty over energy prices and the Iran war. #Trump #approvalrating #poll #USeconomy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Peace on the brink: Iran threatens payback as US deadline looms Hopes for an imminent peace deal between Washington and Tehran suffered a fresh blow this week after Iran issued a stark threat of retaliation over the U.S. seizure of one of its cargo vessels. The incident has injected new tension into an already fragile diplomatic window, with a fragile ceasefire set to expire within days. President Donald Trump has responded with characteristic bluntness, warning that the United States stands ready to "knock out every single Power Plant" in Iran if an agreement is not finalized before the deadline lapses. In a sign that negotiations are still technically alive, Trump confirmed that American representatives have already departed for Pakistan to engage in further back-channel discussions. However, the path forward remains murky. Tehran has yet to officially confirm whether it will even send a delegation to the table, despite public statements from President Masoud Pezeshkian underscoring the critical importance of diplomatic engagement. The internal dynamics within Iran are further complicating the prospects for peace. According to multiple reports, the ongoing war has exposed a deepening rift between the country's civilian political leadership and its entrenched military hardliners. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly used the conflict to consolidate its grip on power, effectively overriding the government's earlier decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This internal power struggle suggests that even if political leaders in Tehran seek a compromise, the IRGC — emboldened and increasingly autonomous — may have the final say on both military escalation and economic concessions. #Iran #ceasefire #negotiations Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

GOP strategist says Republicans are bracing for a November wipeout According to former Republican strategist Rick Wilson, Republicans are bracing for serious losses in November.

"The mood among the Republicans I've spoken with over the past few weeks is funereal,"

said Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project and a veteran of George H.W. Bush's campaign staff.

"Behind the bluster of [House Speaker] Mike Johnson lies a strategy of pushing a certain ideology. But beneath those statements, their rank-and-file members are desperate for Trump to just shut up. They're desperate for him to stop doing crazy things. They're desperate for him to stop feuding with the Pope, invading other countries, and doing the things that have driven them into this economic canyon they can't climb out of."

Wilson told MSNBC host Katie Tur that Republicans are having to go back to their constituents with nothing to show for it.

"They have no bill to brag about. They're really skating on very thin ice, because they long ago rebranded themselves as the party of Donald Trump supporters. And as Trump becomes increasingly unhinged, incompetent, and dangerous, and the consequences of his policies start hitting home harder, it becomes much harder for these Republicans to say, 'Oh, here's why you should send me and the Republican majority back to Washington.'"

Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman said he doesn't see how Republicans can win an election in the midst of a war. "You've got sky-high gas prices, and you're saying your only accomplishment is... a tax bill from 18 months ago that netted you an extra $350 — less than what you're going to pay for gas," Sherman said. #republicans #midterms Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

US is running out of expensive weapons The United States now finds itself caught in a grinding mismatch: Iran's swarm tactics with cheap drones have upended the entire economics of combat. Built from off-the-shelf commercial parts and priced at roughly $35,000 apiece, these drones are launched in waves that compel American forces to respond with exquisitely expensive, high-tech weaponry. The result is a perverse dynamic — missiles and aircraft designed for peer-level threats are being burned through to swat relatively crude targets out of the sky. The price tag of this defense is staggering. It often takes multiple missiles or the activation of advanced air-defense batteries to kill a single drone, with the cost of each interception running tens or even hundreds of times higher than the object being destroyed. Even the "budget" options — specialized interceptors or airborne guns — carry a higher sticker price than the drones themselves, while ship and ground-based systems can torch millions of dollars in a single engagement. The bill adds up fast, quickly climbing into the billions. This cost imbalance is slowly reshaping the conflict into a war of financial attrition, where expendable drones drain the adversary's high-end stockpiles faster than they can ever be replaced. America's air defense architecture, forged in a previous era to guard against different dangers, is proving ill-suited for a fight against mass and mediocrity. The real danger here isn't failing to hit the target — it's running out of the expensive ammunition required to try. #Iran #USmilitary #dronewarfare Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump lies about Iran giving up its nuclear ambitions President Trump claimed that the U.S. and Iran have a "good" chance of finalizing a peace agreement after the Islamic Republic agreed to two key demands put forward by the White House, and he hinted that he might personally travel to Pakistan to cement the deal. "It's very important that Iran not have nuclear weapons, and they've agreed to that," Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for a two-day trip out West.

"Iran agreed to that, and agreed very strongly."

Trump then said that Iran "agreed to give us back the nuclear dust that's deep underground from the attack we made with the B-2 bombers," referring to roughly 970 pounds of enriched uranium buried beneath three Iranian nuclear facilities damaged by U.S. strikes on the country in June 2025. Tehran has since categorically denied Trump’s claims. "Iran's enriched uranium is not going to be transferred anywhere. Transferring uranium to the United States has not been an option for us," Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, told state television.  #Trump #Iran #nuclearweapon Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Why the energy crisis is far from over Stock markets rallied and oil prices dipped amid what appeared to be easing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, feeding the illusion that the energy crisis might be over almost as soon as it began. Yet experts caution that this optimism is shallow at best, glossing over profound disruptions to energy supply. Renewed restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz and widespread infrastructure damage point to global supply chains that are already broken — and mending them could take years. Analysts and traders are noting a widening gulf between market sentiment and reality on the ground. Even as reports stream in of disruptions across Asia and Europe — fuel shortages, soaring fertilizer costs, and the looming threat of factory shutdowns — markets keep chasing short-term headlines and diplomatic tea leaves. It feels eerily familiar: a replay of the pandemic's early days, when the true cost of shattered supply chains only became clear much later, delivering a shock to the global economy. The bottom line, experts say, is that this is a long-haul crisis. Infrastructure lies damaged, logistics networks are snarled, and nothing can be fully repaired while the conflict grinds on. For now, the market seems to be pricing in best-case scenarios while downplaying the very real risk of global economic paralysis should things escalate further. History offers a sobering lesson: these kinds of upheavals take years to unwind. Today's investor hubris may well be setting the stage for tomorrow's sharp and painful reckoning. #Iran #globaleconomy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

How Trump destroyed Pax Americana The era of "Pax Americana" has come to an end. The reason is not the weakening of the United States as a power, but the sharp decline in trust in Washington and its decisions. Donald Trump seeks to benefit from U.S. global influence while avoiding commitments to allies, which undermines the legitimacy of American hegemony. For eighty years after World War II, the United States built a system of alliances and institutions — Pax Americana — that promoted the country's values and prevented major international conflicts. This system is now collapsing because it relied not only on strength but also on trust. Attacks on Iran without consulting allies, threats toward NATO, and the devaluation of its own system indicate that the former respect for American leadership is disappearing. Under Trump's leadership, the United States prefers only the feeling of superpower status without wanting to assume the real responsibilities of a hegemon, such as ensuring collective security or strengthening alliances. As a result, the country possesses power but loses the legitimate right to wield it on the global stage — influence remains, while trust and respect fade away, leaving the international community bewildered. #Trump #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Democrats show growing resistance to arming Israel Senate Democrats failed to block U.S. arms sales to Israel — but the vote exposed deepening cracks in the party over backing its ally amid the widening war with Iran. Progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders led the push to stop shipments of bombs and bulldozers — the very equipment Israel has used to level neighborhoods in Gaza and Lebanon. And this time, more Democrats joined him. Thirty-six voted to block 1,000-pound bombs. Forty voted to halt the bulldozers. That's about a dozen more than supported similar measures in the past. But it wasn't enough. Republicans voted unanimously against the resolutions, killing them on the spot. "If we want to restrain the Trump administration, which has launched an illegal war against Iran, we must also restrain the Netanyahu administration, which is doing the same thing at the expense of American taxpayers," Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said ahead of the vote. For now, the arms keep flowing. But the Democratic dam is showing cracks. #Congress #democrats #Israel #Iran #budget Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The White House is hiding the true cost of the Iran war A top White House budget official refused to tell senators how much the Iran war is costing taxpayers — even as the price tag is believed to hit $10 billion a week. Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, dodged questions Thursday about the cost of military operations against Iran, saying expenses "fluctuate" day to day. When Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) asked whether the administration has already burned through $50 billion, Vought replied: "I wouldn't want to make a characterization of that at this point." The answer infuriated Merkley. "I would expect you to have pretty good numbers on that," he shot back. "I'm a little disappointed." Vought also declined to confirm reports that the White House is preparing a request for $80 billion to $100 billion in supplemental war funding. He said the administration is "working on" a supplemental but wouldn't provide specifics. Merkley later accused Vought of trying to "hide" the true cost of the war while the national debt tops $38 trillion. "He doesn't want a number to be out there because it's a big number and it's very disturbing to Americans that we're spending $1 to $2 billion a day," Merkley said. #Iran #budget Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Iran extends an olive branch, opens the Strait of Hormuz for the remainder of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" for the remainder of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, raising hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough in the weeks-long standoff over the world's most critical oil chokepoint. Tehran had maintained its blockade of the strait despite agreeing to a two-week ceasefire with the United States — a truce that is set to expire on Tuesday. Iranian officials had previously made clear they would not reopen the key waterway as long as Israel continued its military strikes against Lebanon. The dramatic reversal sent oil prices tumbling after Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X that "all commercial vessels" would be permitted to transit the strait for the remainder of the ten-day ceasefire in Lebanon. The move signaled Tehran's willingness to de-escalate, at least temporarily, in the face of mounting economic pressure. President Donald Trump responded swiftly to the olive branch, thanking Iran in a post on Truth Social. But he was quick to add a caveat: the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain "in full force and effect" until a comprehensive peace deal is finalized. "This process should go very quickly in that most of the points are already negotiated," Trump added, suggesting that a final agreement may be within reach. Diplomatic momentum appears to be building. A second round of truce talks between the US and Iran is expected to take place as early as this weekend, raising the possibility that the two longtime adversaries could be inching toward a broader understanding. #theStraitofHormuz #Iran #ceasefire Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Republicans split with Trump on $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget House Republicans pushed back against Trump's demand for a massive Pentagon budget hike, warning the administration is ignoring a $1.2 trillion deficit. Trump wants $1.5 trillion in baseline defense funding, plus another $350 billion via reconciliation. But Republicans on the House Budget Committee aren't buying it. "They need to sharpen their pencil," said Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.). "We're broke." One GOP lawmaker called the request "a heavy lift," insisting any defense increase be offset by cuts elsewhere. The White House has already proposed slashing domestic spending by 10%. Other Republicans argue the military buildup is essential to counter threats like the war with Iran. Democrats, however, are blasting the plan as robbing domestic programs to fund the Pentagon. With the federal deficit at $1.2 trillion, the fight over defense spending is shaping up to be a major battle. #Trump #republicans #Pentagon #budget Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump advisor says Iran blockade could be extended “indefinitely,” despite Trump’s claims of conflict being over soon Stephen Miller said the U.S. could continue its blockade of Iranian ships for the foreseeable future, telling Sean Hannity that Washington "has the capability to keep this going indefinitely." The staunch Trump adviser told Hannity that the president is a "man of peace," but made it clear that America's interest in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons has not changed. "President Trump is a man of peace. President Trump wants peace. President Trump wants stability," he said. "But President Trump has also made it crystal clear: America is not to be trifled with. America cannot be intimidated, and America will never, ever be threatened by Iran's nuclear weapons. Not now, not ever." Miller told the Fox News host that the president's recent actions in the Strait of Hormuz are dealing a devastating blow to Iran's economy, and then argued that, if necessary, the U.S. could maintain its military presence in the strait for an extended period. "This embargo is bleeding the life out of Iran's economic regime, and the United States has the ability to keep this going indefinitely if Iran chooses the wrong path," Miller said. Trump has repeatedly said that the U.S. war with Iran is coming to an end, and told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo that the conflict is "close to being over." #Trump #theStraitofHormuz #Iran Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The Iran distraction: how a fourth-rank priority is derailing US global strategy The US war with Iran diverts Washington's attention and resources from higher-priority theaters — Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Western Hemisphere. This conflict affects the global balance of power and indirectly strengthens the positions of China, Russia, and North Korea. Even though the Middle East formally ranks only fourth in the US national security strategy, it is once again becoming the main arena of military activity. The situation resembles historical examples where choosing the wrong theater of war led to strategic mistakes. As during the Vietnam War, military successes alone do not guarantee the achievement of political goals. Meanwhile, the consequences of the conflict are already being felt: rising energy prices benefit Russia, while China gains additional time to build up its military potential. The conflict in Iran could trigger broader destabilization, as the US is forced to redistribute its forces, weakening its positions in other regions. Russia and China are using this situation to strengthen their capabilities, while Iran's role in the global confrontation remains secondary. In the long term, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region remain key, as that is where the balance of power will be decided. #Iran #USmilitary #foreignpolicy #China Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump claims credit for Israel-Lebanon ceasefire Donald Trump announced that he held talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to him, the parties agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, which will take effect at 5:00 PM US Eastern Time. Earlier, representatives of the two countries met in Washington for the first time in 34 years, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance. Trump also tasked Vice President JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Razin Caine with working alongside Israel and Lebanon to achieve lasting peace. Shortly afterward, Israeli army radio confirmed that the ceasefire had already started. Meanwhile, Iran responded positively to the developments. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that the country welcomes the ceasefire in Lebanon and noted that this had been one of the conditions of the agreements between Iran and the United States. #Israel #Iran #Lebanon #Trump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Is ceasefire extension near? Or is Trump lying yet again Iran and the United States are reportedly close to extending their two-week ceasefire, as diplomatic efforts to bring both sides back to the negotiating table gain real momentum. Setting an unexpectedly conciliatory tone for potential talks, President Trump described Iran's new leadership as "pretty reasonable" and suggested a deal is within reach. The comments marked a sharp shift from his earlier rhetoric, which painted Tehran as an implacable enemy. But not everyone is buying the optimism. Critics point out that Trump has repeatedly described the war as proceeding more positively than conditions on the ground would suggest — a pattern they call dangerously misleading. Still, even some of his usual detractors are sounding hopeful. Former Secretary of State John Kerry, a frequent Trump antagonist, said he also expects an agreement soon. Kerry argued that Trump's decision to blockade the Strait of Hormuz — widely condemned as reckless — may actually force Tehran back to the table by squeezing its economy. Markets appear to share the cautious optimism. Stocks extended their gains Thursday, while oil prices stabilized below $100 a barrel — a sign that investors are betting on de-escalation rather than a wider conflict. For now, the question isn't whether peace is possible. It's whether Trump's rosy framing matches the reality. #Iran #Trump #ceasefire Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

"The President of Peace" has already lined up his next war The Pentagon, according to USA Today, is accelerating preparations for a possible invasion of Cuba. According to several anonymous sources, the matter is being handled with such seriousness that all decisions are being made under strict secrecy — presumably to keep the world from panicking prematurely. U.S. officials emphasize they are ready to carry out any order from President Trump, who previously claimed that after Iran, the US "might stop by Cuba." The deteriorating relationship between Washington and Havana is no accident. In January, Trump restricted oil shipments to Cuba in an attempt to force the communist leadership to undertake "deep reforms." Despite economic talks in March that could have been a historic breakthrough, tensions have flared, and the level of hostility has risen noticeably in recent weeks. Cuban President Díaz-Canel has vowed to fight back against any aggression, and Trump's statements about "being able to do whatever I want with Cuba" have made meaningful dialogue nearly impossible. #Trump #Pentagon #Cuba Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“Humiliated”: Iran says Trump is the real obstacle to a deal Tehran will continue participating in talks with the United States — even though it considers Washington "untrustworthy," according to an Iranian lawmaker. "Iran will continue to engage in negotiations to expose U.S. behavior, while remaining fully prepared — under the wise guidance of the country's leadership — to foil any self-serving American plots," said Esma'il Kowsari as reported by IRNA news agency. "Ultimately, such actions will only drag the U.S. deeper into the quagmire and damage its international standing," added Kowsari, a member of Iran's parliament and the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said that "something might happen" in Pakistan within the next few days, as both sides try to return to the negotiating table. Kowsari stated that the U.S. has suffered a "humiliating defeat" and said Trump is trying to secure an exit from the war that saves face. He added that Trump's character is a key obstacle to reaching any meaningful agreement, IRNA reported. #Iran #ceasefire #negotiations Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump goes after Iran oil buyers The White House has threatened sanctions on any country buying Iranian oil — a sharp escalation meant to tighten the U.S. naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. In practice, the move targets one nation above all: China. Before the war, Beijing bought more than 80% of Iran's crude exports. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he believes China will blink first and pause those purchases under the threat of U.S. secondary sanctions. That bet could backfire spectacularly. The sanctions threat now hangs directly over the fragile trade truce between the two superpowers — just weeks before President Trump is set to visit Beijing, where he hopes to unveil a major trade deal as a signature win. Making matters worse, reports have emerged that Beijing may be backing Tehran with more than just oil purchases — including a spy satellite and weapons systems. If true, that would push the U.S.-China rivalry from the negotiating table to the edge of a proxy confrontation. #Trump #Iran #China Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s Iran blockade is ruining his big China trip China called the U.S. blockade of Iranian oil "dangerous and irresponsible." That was a warning shot: Trump's Iran conflict is now threatening his carefully planned Beijing trip. Trump lands in China in four weeks for a high-stakes reset. He's already delayed once. Now the blockade — targeting 1.3 million barrels of Iranian oil daily, 90% of which China bought — is making things awkward. Beijing was quiet at first. It had oil in the pipeline and reserves in the tank. It ignored Trump's demand for warships. But when the blockade hit and Chinese tankers started getting turned back, the tone flipped. Xi Jinping spoke out Tuesday: no return to

"the law of the jungle."

He didn't name Trump. He didn't have to.

"We cannot use international law when convenient and discard it when not,"

he said. This was a jab at Trump, who once told the Times,

"I don't need international law."

Beijing's foreign ministry went further, calling the blockade a move that will "intensify contradictions" and "endanger safe navigation." Trump has mostly held his fire — even after U.S. intelligence suggested China might have shipped missiles to Iran. He threatened a 50% tariff, then quickly dropped it. A trade deal is his easiest win in Beijing, he can’t risk it.

"Trump has created a situation where his two major goals are in direct conflict,"

said Kurt Campbell, former top U.S. diplomat.

"One is controlling the strait — including Chinese ships. The other is a successful trip to Beijing."

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