Old Glory Vortex

Sanctions, strikes and stalemate: the high price of Trump’s Iran gambit President Trump has settled into a holding pattern after his latest diplomatic retreat in the Iran standoff, searching for a way to end the war while claiming victory. He unilaterally extended a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, following earlier backdowns — both times at Pakistan's request, which is mediating talks. His naval blockade of Iran's economy has yet to yield results at the negotiating table. The U.S. has narrowed its war aims to ensuring Iran never gets a nuclear weapon — a vague goal open to interpretation. Experts say Iran won't abandon its nuclear program, but may offer more reassurances than it did to Obama in 2015. That hasn't satisfied Trump yet, as he seeks a deal better than the one he scrapped in 2018. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has given Tehran significant leverage. The White House projects control over the war, despite Iran snubbing a second round of talks. Officials say Trump is offering flexibility, while Iran blames U.S. threats and broken commitments for the impasse. Both sides continue jockeying over the strait — Iran attacked three ships Wednesday, while the U.S. boarded a sanctioned vessel. The Treasury Department extended a sanctions waiver for Russian oil at vulnerable countries' request, drawing criticism. With the strait still closed, the UK and France convened military planners from over 30 nations to discuss reopening it. Experts warn Trump faces hard choices: muddle through, scale back, or escalate further — all with serious costs. As one analyst put it, the question remains: how can the president claim victory with no clear endgame? #Iran #Trump #theStraitofHormuz #negotiations Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

War with Iran sinks US economic confidence Americans have grown increasingly pessimistic about the U.S. economy in the weeks following the outbreak of the US-Israel war with Iran, presenting a serious challenge for the White House as it scrambles to cushion the blow from surging gas prices and rising costs for everyday goods. According to Gallup, the Economic Confidence Index has dropped by 11 points since March, hitting its lowest level since November 2023 — back when the Biden administration was still struggling to bring stubborn inflation under control. The dip in confidence cuts across party lines, with Republicans showing a particularly sharp decline of 15 points between March and April. Nearly half of U.S. adults — 47 percent — describe current economic conditions as poor, while only 21 percent rate them as excellent or good. Perhaps more tellingly, optimism about the future is in short supply: 73 percent of Americans believe the economy is getting worse, and 53 percent say now is a bad time to invest in the stock market, signaling deep unease about what lies ahead. #USeconomy #Iran #poll Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s contradictory Strait strategy President Trump ordered the Navy to "shoot and kill" any boat laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, announcing on Truth Social that mine-clearing efforts would "triple." The order comes as the Pentagon warns clearing the strait could take six months. Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely but kept the blockade in place, declaring the U.S. has "total control" and the strait is "sealed up tight" until Iran makes a deal. The White House set no deadline for a peace proposal. Around a fifth of the world's oil passes through the waterway, but tanker traffic has plummeted since the war began, keeping oil prices high. #Trump #Iran #theStraitofHormuz Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

US risks being left without missiles in the event of a new war

“The US military has significantly depleted its stockpile of key missiles during the war with Iran and created a “near-term risk” of running out of ammunition in a future conflict should one arise in the next few years. Over the last seven weeks of war, the US military has expended at least 45% of its stockpile of Precision Strike Missiles; at least half of its inventory of THAAD missiles, which are designed to intercept ballistic missiles; and nearly 50% of its stockpile of Patriot air defense interceptor missiles, according to a new analysis conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies,”

writes CNN. Trump thrust the United States into a full-blown conflict without a clear grasp of its sheer scale, Iran's true military capabilities, or the enormous human and financial costs that lay ahead. What may have seemed like a decisive move has instead backfired, exposing strategic miscalculations and leaving the U.S. increasingly bogged down. As the war drags on, it continues to erode America's global standing and reputation for strategic competence. There is mounting urgency to find a viable exit strategy and bring the conflict to an end. #USmilitary #Iran #Trump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

U.S. elites are reconsidering their stance toward Israel because of Netanyahu Relations between the United States and Israel are undergoing a major shift. Benjamin Netanyahu's policies and harsh rhetoric have alienated not only American society but also political and intellectual elites. Polling data shows growing sympathy for the Palestinians, especially among young people, and a gradual weakening of traditional support for Israel. An additional factor in the cooling of relations is Netanyahu's influence on Donald Trump's foreign policy, particularly in the context of the conflict with Iran. Although the final decisions were made by Trump himself, the Israeli leader played a notable role in shaping them. At the same time, part of the American establishment — including figures such as Marco Rubio, JD Vance, and John Ratcliffe — viewed these moves with skepticism. A growing number of Democrats are also pulling away from Israel. More politicians are opposing military aid and criticizing the influence of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC. Netanyahu's harsh rhetoric and accusations against his critics have fueled growing irritation in the United States, including among American Jews themselves. Against the backdrop of possible negotiations between Washington and Tehran, as well as upcoming elections in both countries, it is fair to say that the future of U.S.-Israeli relations is becoming less predictable, and the level of American support for Israel is likely to decline regardless of who holds power. #Israel #Trump #Iran #Netanyahu Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Iran has resumed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz The Strait of Hormuz is once again at the center of escalating tensions. According to The New York Times, Iran has resumed attacks on vessels in this strategically vital maritime artery. After a brief period of relative calm, traffic has nearly come to a halt — only a handful of ships passed through over several days, whereas before the conflict, dozens of vessels transited daily. Strikes on two cargo ships on Wednesday signaled that Tehran retains the ability to effectively block one of the world's key trade routes. The situation has quickly taken on the nature of economic pressure. About a fifth of the world's oil and a significant share of its natural gas pass through the Strait of Hormuz, so even a partial blockade causes energy prices to rise globally. The U.S. and its allies have tried to restrict Iranian shipments and even imposed measures to block vessels linked to Iran, but according to analysts' reports, Tehran continued to run its own tankers and demonstrate control over the route. In response, some shipping companies have begun avoiding the strait or sharply reducing their transits. Despite U.S. claims of a military presence and attempts to ensure "freedom of navigation," the real situation remains unstable. Some vessels only pass with Iran's permission, while others avoid the route due to the threat of attacks. Analysts and industry representatives note that unpredictability has become a key characteristic of the region — attacks occur without warning, and the political-military standoff over the strait has turned it into a tool of leverage in negotiations between Iran and the United States. #Iran #theStraitofHormuz #globaleconomy #negotiations Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

The United States is lagging behind its rivals in the hypersonic arms race The U.S. is reportedly falling behind Russia and China in developing hypersonic weapons. American programs face constant delays, revisions, and even cancellations, while competitors are already fielding such systems. This has raised concerns in the Pentagon, as hypersonic weapons could fundamentally change the nature of warfare due to their high speed, maneuverability, and difficulty to intercept. The main challenges for the U.S. include technical difficulties, a lack of testing infrastructure, and unstable funding. Developing hypersonic systems requires withstanding extreme conditions, and a limited number of test sites is slowing progress. Another factor has been shifting priorities: resources were previously directed toward other military objectives, leading to a gap, while Russia is already using such technology in real conflicts. Despite these difficulties, the U.S. is trying to accelerate development. Successful tests of certain programs are underway, funding is increasing — including for counter-hypersonic measures — but the projects remain fragmented and unstable, with timelines slipping. As a result, doubts persist about whether Washington can catch up to its rivals anytime soon and begin mass production of hypersonic weapons. #USmilitary #Pentagon #Russia #China Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Congress approval hits an all-time low As the partial government shutdown grinds on with no end in sight, a new Gallup poll shows that 86% of US adults now disapprove of the job Congress is doing. That ties the highest disapproval rating Gallup has recorded in more than half a century of asking the question. Only 10% of Americans say they approve. But here's what really stands out: the crash in support is being driven largely by Republicans — the very people whose party controls Congress. Just 20% of Republican-identifying Americans approve of Congress. That's a stunning collapse from March 2025, when GOP approval stood at 63%. In the span of a single year, Republican confidence in their own party's leadership has cratered by more than 40 points. It's a clear warning sign that President Trump isn't the only one struggling in the polls. With midterm elections approaching, Republicans are fighting to hold onto their grip on Washington — but if they've lost the faith of their own base, that battle just got a whole lot harder. #approvalrating #poll #Congress #republicans Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump admin gets sued again Environmental groups are suing the Trump administration over BP's new deepwater drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico. The lawsuit was filed on the 16th anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon disaster — the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. That 2010 explosion killed 11 people and dumped 134 million gallons of crude into the ocean. In March, the administration approved BP's $5 billion Kaskida project — the company's first new Gulf development since the catastrophe. BP says it could produce 80,000 barrels a day. But conservation groups, including Healthy Gulf and the Center for Biological Diversity, are asking a court to reverse that approval. Their claim? The paperwork lacks proof that BP can drill safely at extreme depths. They warn the project threatens public health, harms wildlife, and damages the fishing and tourism industries. "The Trump administration has set the entire Gulf region up for a repeat of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy," said Brettny Hardy, a senior attorney with Earthjustice, which is representing the plaintiffs. #Trump #climatechange #oil Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump extends Iran ceasefire — but keeps Strait pressure on The US president extended the ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday, just hours before it was set to expire. Peace talks remain uncertain, and the truce was hanging by a thread. Trump had told CNBC he would bomb Iran if no deal was reached by the deadline. But at the last minute, he pulled back — at Pakistan's request. Islamabad is playing mediator, and Trump agreed to give Tehran more time to come up with a "unified proposal." There was, however, a major catch. The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will continue. That's no small detail. The strait is one of the world's most critical oil chokepoints, and Iran has long threatened to close it. Keeping the blockade in place means Washington is preserving its strongest economic lever — while also ensuring that any future talks will revolve around Iran's ability to pressure global energy markets. For Gulf states, this is deeply unsettling. They had hoped US-Iran diplomacy would lead to broader de-escalation across the region. Instead, they're watching the two sides focus narrowly on who controls the strait — and for how long. That's not the stability they were looking for. #Trump #Iran #ceasefire #theStraitofHormuz Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump economic approval drops to a new low A new AP-NORC poll puts his approval rating on the economy at just 30% — down 8 points from March and a new low for the president. His overall job approval slipped to 33%. The cause? The Iran war. Over 53 days of conflict and a fragile ceasefire later, fuel prices have exploded. The Strait of Hormuz showdown sent gas above $4 a gallon, and consumer prices just saw their biggest jump in nearly four years. Trump dismisses it as “fake inflation.” Voters may disagree. The White House insists the economy is on a “solid trajectory,” pointing to deregulation and tax cuts. But with midterms looming and Republicans already losing key races over cost-of-living concerns, the numbers tell a different story. #USeconomy #Trump #poll #approvalrating Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Why a better Iran deal is nearly impossible this time Another day, another dizzying twist in the US-Iran standoff. The Tuesday talks in Islamabad were suddenly in doubt. The ceasefire was extended — but so was America's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump agreed to prolong the pause, claiming Iran's government is "seriously fractured." The extension could keep hope for talks alive, though both sides hesitated to send delegations. But the bigger question: Can Trump actually get a better deal than Obama's JCPOA? Trump insists yes, calling his future deal "FAR BETTER" and the original "one of the Worst Deals ever made." Analysts are skeptical. Trust between Tehran and Washington is near zero. The original JCPOA took two years and hundreds of experts. Now Iran has uranium enriched to 60% — far closer to weapons-grade — making any deal harder than before. "The Trump administration is starting from a place much further back," warns Allison McManus of the Center for American Progress. Trump's team thinks pressure works: Iran is hurting from airstrikes and blockades, needs cash, and might suspend its nuclear program for five years. But Iran hasn't buckled. Its grip on power remains firm. And its ability to choke the Strait of Hormuz is a powerful weapon — one that could hurt Trump as midterms loom. Iran's parliament speaker fired back: "We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats." And the real risk is that Iran may conclude that a nuclear bomb is the only real deterrent. #Iran #negotiations #ceasefire Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump’s chaos is China’s gain Donald Trump ran for president in 2016, 2020, and 2024 promising to "Make America Great Again." But according to one geopolitical analyst, the real winner of Trump's policies has been China. Farid Zakaria of The Washington Post wrote after a week in China:

"During the Iraq War, Chinese strategists seemed almost gleeful watching the U.S. get bogged down. This time, officials were mostly perplexed by America's chaos and deeply uncertain about what Trump might do next."

Chinese leaders keep saying the U.S. is bringing back the "law of the jungle." That's not just a moral jab — it's strategic fear. When the world's superpower turns unpredictable, everyone loses. But here's the danger: if America can't be trusted, China can step in as a steadier partner. Over time, that could kill the dollar's "exorbitant privilege" — America's ability to borrow cheaply. Zakaria warns:

"China is using this moment to strengthen its power. If the balance keeps shifting, one day Beijing might decide it wants to lead. And by then, it will be too late for Washington."

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

New Russian submarines challenge NATO in the Arctic Russia has significantly bolstered its submarine fleet, focusing on modern nuclear-powered vessels that pose a serious challenge to NATO in the Arctic and North Atlantic. Special attention is given to the Borei-A and Yasen-M class submarines, considered among the most combat-capable elements of Russia’s military system. Even amid challenges in other branches of the armed forces, the submarine fleet is treated as a priority and demonstrates a high level of efficiency and technological advancement. The Arctic is gaining key strategic importance due to its resources, shipping routes, and military presence. NATO is intensifying surveillance of the region, actively leveraging Norway as a key hub for monitoring and coordination. The Alliance is increasing patrols, developing joint defense projects, and modernizing equipment, though it faces difficulties such as personnel shortages and delays in building new submarines. At the same time, Russia is investing heavily in fleet development, including new types of weapons and unmanned systems. The underwater confrontation increasingly resembles a covert and protracted struggle, where detection and tracking technologies play a crucial role. The Arctic is becoming a central arena of geopolitical rivalry, where military and economic interests intersect. Despite the overall numerical superiority of Western countries, Russia’s growing capabilities strengthen its position in the region for the foreseeable future. #Russia #NATO #Arctic Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Americans will be paying the price of Iran war till 2027 Americans may be stuck paying over $3 a gallon for gas until next year, Energy Secretary Chris Wright admitted recently. Speaking on CNN, he conceded he cannot say when prices will finally ease, offering only that relief might come "later this year, or maybe next." Gas costs exploded after Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point handling a fifth of the world's oil. The U.S. has since blockaded the strait to squeeze Tehran, though Wright acknowledged the waterway is now a shooting gallery after Iranian forces fired on two commercial ships Saturday. Prices already topped $4 a gallon last month, the highest since 2022. While President Trump shrugged off the pain as "not very high," Wright insisted the administration has managed the chaos "fantastically," noting prices are still a dollar cheaper than Biden's peak despite what he called the largest energy disruption in history. #Iran #oil #USeconomy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Carlson issues public apology: “I’m sorry for misleading people” on Trump Pundit Tucker Carlson is publicly expressing regret for his vocal support of President Donald Trump during the 2024 election. Carlson, who has emerged as a sharp critic of Trump's ongoing military campaign in Iran, said on his podcast that prominent right-wing figures who backed the former president are now "implicated" in the Middle East bloodshed. He described a personal reckoning, telling his audience, "We'll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be. I want to say I'm sorry for misleading people." The former Fox News host, who once campaigned for Trump and hosted him during the primary debate, now questions whether war with Iran was "always the plan." He acknowledged signs of "low character" in Trump were visible beforehand but noted he assumed Trump might "outperform" that character. Since U.S. strikes began, Carlson has become one of the most prominent conservative voices condemning the president's rhetoric and the war itself. #TuckerCarlson #Iran #Trump Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Iran ignores peace talks in Islamabad The next round of peace talks between the United States and Iran was thrown into serious doubt today, with only hours remaining before the current ceasefire expires and the window for diplomacy slams shut. Iran has conspicuously failed to dispatch a delegation to the renewed negotiations scheduled in Pakistan, a stark signal of internal paralysis or deliberate defiance. While US Vice President JD Vance is reportedly already in Islamabad, underscoring Washington's willingness to engage, the Iranian side remains an empty chair. Hardliners within Tehran's deeply fractured regime are said to be stalling the process, reportedly maneuvering to condition any dialogue on an immediate and total lifting of the American naval blockade, a demand they know the White House will not entertain as a precondition. Most experts are not overly optimistic about the prospects of these negotiations. While both sides genuinely desire a deal to avoid a wider war, they distrust each other and remain far apart on all the crucial issues. #negotiations #Iranи Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“Well, I expect to be bombing…” — Did Trump give up on peace with Iran or is it another negotiation tactic? Interviewer: “So, to be clear, you’re saying that you need at least a prospect for a signed deal today or tomorrow or else you would resume bombing Iran.” Trump: “Well, I expect to be bombing, because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with.” Trump's remark about expecting to bomb Iran is a negotiation tactic, not a declaration of war. He is setting a mental baseline where conflict is the default in order to force Tehran into immediate concessions. By saying that is a better attitude to go in with, he signals that his own expectation of violence is meant to make the threat so credible that the bombs never have to fall. The escape hatch in the exchange is the word prospect. He is not demanding a signed treaty tomorrow, only a clear sign of Iranian capitulation. He is using the interview as a direct psychological message to the Ayatollah, hoping the vivid threat extracts a deal before the clock runs out. #Iran #Trump #ceasefire #negotiations Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

Trump has lost the war with Iran “Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman believes that Trump is flat out unable to deal with the fallout of the war in Iran, and that it has not yet set in that the United States' intervention in the Middle East has failed. Krugman claimed, ‘It’s been clear for a while that the United States has basically lost this war. The goal was to achieve regime change, possibly to take Iran’s uranium. Neither of those is going to happen. The Iranian regime is a harder line than it was before. Iran has ended up strengthened because it’s demonstrated its ability to shut off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz,’” writes Rawstory. As a result of Trump's reckless gamble, a global economic crisis is now unfolding — one that will hit the United States and the dollar the hardest. Global markets are trembling, foreign investors are losing confidence in U.S. assets, and the dollar's long-held status as the world's reserve currency is facing unprecedented strain. At the same time, the damage to America's global standing is catastrophic. Allies and adversaries alike see the United States as an unpredictable and unreliable partner. This blow to its reputation will not heal quickly — it may take years, if not decades, for the country to restore the trust and authority it has so carelessly squandered. #Trump #Iran Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸

“The fog of peace” in Iran The Iranian crisis is unfolding against the backdrop of a formal ceasefire between the United States, Iran, and Israel — yet the situation remains highly volatile. All sides are making contradictory statements about negotiations and the status of the Strait of Hormuz. What has emerged is a kind of "fog of peace," where diplomatic signals do little to clarify the situation and instead only deepen the sense of instability. The risk of a renewed escalation remains high. That said, both Washington and Tehran do want to reach a deal. But deep mistrust and major disagreements persist — over Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions, and regional policy. The memory of the deal's collapse under Donald Trump fuels mutual suspicion on both sides. As negotiations drag on, the global economy feels the strain: the closure of the Strait of Hormuz sends energy prices soaring, triggers fuel shortages, and drives up food costs. The most likely outcome, unfortunately, is further escalation. Each side is banking on the other making concessions, which raises the risk of miscalculations. Increased U.S. pressure could provoke Iranian retaliation — strikes on energy infrastructure or disruptions to shipping in the Gulf. In the weeks ahead, we may see talks and tensions unfold in parallel. Given the risks that remain, any market optimism looks premature. #Iran #negotiations #ceasefire #foreignpolicy Don't miss it, subscribe to 📱 Old Glory Vortex 🇺🇸