UPDATED: Trump will not escalate the crisis with Iran but talked tough, while inviting NATO to take over at least part of U.S. role in the region.
“It is most unlikely Trump will escalate at this point, and this could provide him with the opportunity to leave the Middle East except for the Gulf States. Trump wants to get out,” a U.S. intelligence source says.
By threatening Iran’s cultural heritage, Trump puts himself in history’s club of barbarians, writes David J. Wasserstein.
This is, of course, because the invasion of Iraq had nothing whatsoever to do with democracy, writes Caitlin Johnstone.
UPDATED: Pentagon contradicts U.S. commander of forces in Iraq, saying the roughly 5,000 troops aren’t going anywhere.
If Tehran ever decided to shut down the Strait of Hormuz it would trigger a global depression, writes Pepe Escobar.
Given the gravity of last week’s drone assassination, the State and Defense Departments must prove their claims against Qassem Soleimani.
The assassination of a top Iranian general reflects a U.S. foreign policy tied to Saudi interests, says Craig Murray.
CN Live!’s second season premiered on Saturday night with an in-depth discussion on the Crisis with Iran, with Scott Ritter and Giorgio Cafiero.
