Zane Piebalga

The US/Israeli Bombing Of Iran: Means and Ways Without Ends An Update

Just sent out this free post. After more than 2 days of bombing it is clear that this campaign has no national interest goals for the USA but is entirely about getting a personal/political victory for Donald Trump. And because of that, he is flailing around wildly. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

A reminder that America supplied Iran with its civil nuclear programme with no regard for who might come after the Shah. If there's an emblem of consistent US foreign policy blunder over the last 60 years it is Iran. Alas, it will continue to be Iran.

Who loses from the Anthropic fight? Maybe Elon Musk and Alex Karp. Arbitrary state power can cut in many directions

What Hegseth wants to do to Anthropic, future presidents, or even this one, can do to Elon Musk or Alex Karp. Always worth reading @himself.bsky.social www.programmablemutter.com/p/who-loses-...

Really important. The kernel of a European SNOWCAT, the NATO scheme under which European air forces practice supporting and enabling nuclear-armed strike missions with conventional air power?

An important article - in an era of asymmetric warfare and dramatic power imbalances on the world stage, Western democratic leaders, so often in public, will likely come to regret the degradation of the norm against Head of State/Govt assassination by other states much more than autocrats will...

Very significant: "France said in-depth talks had already been conducted with Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, and Sweden, and they were willing to move ahead with deeper co-operation."

Trump’s Push for Election Power Raises Fears He Will ‘Subvert’ Midterms

Iran wasn’t an imminent threat. This is!

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/u...

In latest statement, Trump says US was 'very nearly under threat' from Iran, drawing immediacy of attacks into question

In latest statement, Trump says US was 'very nearly under threat' from Iran, drawing immediacy of attacks into question https://aje.news/67hqvo

Coordinated with Macron - sometimes that Franco-German cooperation does work - Merz announces that France and Germany have set up a 'nuclear steering group' and that DE will participaty with conventional forces in French nuclear exercises.

I wish there was something more to add to this other than “WOW he’s dumb,” but there isn’t 🤷‍♂️

FM Anand on Iran strikes: “Canada wasn't involved. We weren't notified, and we do not have intention to be involved in any military strikes or operation. Canada believes in a diplomatic and peaceful solution.”

Starmer: "I will not permit, I will not commit our military personnel to unlawful action. That is not what they would expect and deserve. They are entitled to better than that."

"The Peace President."

Earlier today I read the phrase (about Proust in fact) ‘It came to an end but it wasn’t finished.’

Losing the War on Truth Iran and what to make of it

Trump seems lost as to which lie he wants to tell. We are in a war on truth; but truth can win – if it finds friends.
snyder.substack.com/p/losing-the...

Just a matter of time before one of our more putinized Trumpers calls this a "special military operation"

Burvīgs pavediens.
Un tā ir laba taktika medijiem - vnk turpināt uzdot vienu un to pašu jautājumu tik reizes, cik nepieciešams, ļaujot politiķiem un funkcionāriem izspēlēt liekulības un izvairīšanās paraugstundu. Vismaz kādas grūtības ir jāļauj izciest. Lai nekrietnības netop darīt viegli.

No “stupid rules of engagement” huh. If this is true it’s a terrible war crime by the USA.

Trump Administration Loses Push to Delay Tariff Refund Fight A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s request to delay next steps in the fight over tariff refunds for importers, after the US Supreme Court struck down the president’s signature economic policy.

A federal appeals court has rejected the Trump administration’s request to delay next steps in the fight over tariff refunds for importers after the US Supreme Court struck down the president’s signature economic policy.

Maritime insurers cancel war risk cover in Gulf as Iran conflict disrupts shipping Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed and vessels rerouted, sending some freight costs surging Leading maritime insurers have cancelled war risk cover for vessels operating in the Gulf as the escalating Iran conflict disrupted shipping and sent some freight costs surging. At least 150 vessels including oil and liquefied natural gas tankers have dropped anchor in the strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. Continue reading...

Maritime insurers cancel war risk cover in Gulf as Iran conflict disrupts shipping

Oligarchs Are Building The World's Biggest Propaganda Machine. Their Success Isn't Guaranteed. America's wealthiest, shittiest people are trying to hoover up the entirety of new and old media companies in a bid to pummel the plebs with propaganda. But what they want, and what they actually get,...

Over at the newsletter I wrote about the Paramount/Warner deal, how it's best viewed as a well-funded attack on informed consensus, and how we still have collective agency to determine whether or not it actually succeeds.

This is just the truth.

Russia Poses Main Threat to Denmark’s March Election, Intelligence Services Warn Denmark cites possible election interference and cyber incidents ahead of March 24; Russia named top threat, others may join.

⚡️ Denmark's intelligence officials warn Russia is targeting the upcoming March election with cyberattacks and disinformation.

Results so far:
✅ hundreds of school kids killed

✅ three planes shot down by own air defence

Post Nigel Farage @Nigel_Farage We don't need to take foreign policy advice from the American President. The last time we did that it was called the Iraq War. 6:29 PM Jun 7, 2015 338 replies 2.3K shares 2.7K likes https://x.com/Nigel_Farage/status/607600226774482945

Nigel Farage MP @Nigel_Farage The Prime Minister needs to change his mind on the use of our military bases and back the Americans in this vital fight against Iran! 10:34 AM Feb 28, 2026 4.7M Views 8.1K replies 5.4K shares 35K likes https://x.com/Nigel_Farage/status/2027693784310710744

Full Farage

UK’s Starmer breaks with Trump on Iran The British PM questioned if there is a thought-through plan for the Middle East during a House of Commons statement.

Keir Starmer hit back at Donald Trump’s criticism of the U.K.’s Iran strategy today, arguing he does not believe in “regime change from the skies.”

"This is not a state looking after itself, it is a leadership, and in particular one leader, using the resources of a state to serve his very individual and selfish interests."

Friday, the Trump administration began stalling IEEPA tariff refunds in court. In a new @cato.org blog post, we review US regs on customs duty refunds and find that IEEPA refund delays will cost taxpayers ~$700M/month in additional interest payments owed to importers: www.cato.org/blog/tariff-...

Trump 2.0:

-Bombed Iran (twice), Venezuela, and Yemen
-Allowed Israel to repeatedly violate a ceasefire and kill civilians
-Ripped healthcare and SNAP away from millions
-Deployed masked ICE agents to terrorize American cities

The "Peace President."