标签： North America

The United States administration has projected that its joint military campaign with Israel inside Iranian territory could extend for up to four weeks, a timeline disclosed amid mounting congressional scrutiny over the operation’s legal foundations. This development emerges as the Pentagon confirmed the deaths of four American service members during Iran’s initial retaliatory strikes, with four others sustaining injuries.

The political landscape in Washington has fractured dramatically over the authorization of force. Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky condemned the operation as “acts of war unauthorized by Congress,” while former Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene denounced the strikes as betraying the “America First” doctrine. Conversely, North Carolina Republican Pat Harrigan contended the 1973 War Powers Resolution provides presidential authority for such military action for up to 60 days without congressional consultation.

Democratic opposition has been unequivocal. Senator Tim Kaine declared the operation “an illegal war” during a Fox News appearance, emphasizing that the executive branch acted “without even notification to the vast majority of us.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio and defense officials are scheduled to brief Congress on Tuesday regarding the escalating situation.

The assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has created a power vacuum that analysts predict will trigger significant regional realignment and prolonged instability. Abu-Bakr Al-Desouky, an Egyptian expert on Gulf affairs, warned that this violation of Iran’s red lines provides justification for Tehran to escalate and broaden its targeting scope.

Internationally, the operation has drawn severe criticism from security experts. Marc Weller of Chatham House’s Global Governance and Security Centre asserted that Washington has “taken a further, major step in upsetting the global order” by bypassing United Nations Security Council protocols for authorized use of force.

In a related domestic incident, a gunman in Texas wearing clothing with Iranian flag motifs and religious inscriptions killed two people and wounded fourteen before being neutralized by police. FBI investigators are examining potential terrorism connections despite the absence of a confirmed motive.

In a significant diplomatic escalation, the United States has levied sanctions against Rwanda’s military apparatus and four high-ranking commanders for their alleged role in destabilizing the Democratic Republic of Congo. The U.S. Treasury Department asserts that the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) has not only trained and equipped the M23 rebel faction but has actively participated in combat operations alongside them, directly violating the Washington Accords peace agreement brokered by the U.S. just three months prior.

The sanctions target Army Chief of Staff Vincent Nyakarundi, 5th Infantry Division Commander Ruki Karusisi, Chief of Defence Staff Mubarakh Muganga, and Special Operations Head Stanislas Gashugi. These measures freeze any U.S.-held assets belonging to the individuals and the RDF while prohibiting American entities from engaging in financial transactions with them.

Rwanda’s government issued a swift and forceful rebuttal, denouncing the sanctions as one-sided and factually distorted. Kigali maintains that its military presence is purely defensive, aimed at countering security threats from armed groups within Congo. It further accused the DRC government of violating ceasefires through indiscriminate drone attacks and employing ethnic militias.

The Congolese government, in contrast, expressed profound appreciation for the U.S. action, viewing it as a robust endorsement of its sovereignty. The Trump administration emphasized its readiness to utilize all available tools to ensure both nations honor their December commitments, which U.S. President Donald Trump had hailed as a historic step toward peace and a means to secure critical mineral supply chains from the cobalt and copper-rich region.

The mineral-rich eastern DRC has been embroiled in conflict for over three decades, with the recent unrest intensifying when M23 captured the provincial capital Goma last year. The U.S. statement warned that the rebel group’s continued presence near Burundi’s border, enabled by Rwandan support, risks escalating the conflict into a broader regional war and is responsible for horrific human rights abuses against civilians.

As global attention focuses on U.S. military operations against Iran, Texas Republican voters demonstrated measured support for President Trump’s actions while prioritizing domestic concerns ahead of Tuesday’s critical primary elections. At a Waco campaign event for Senate candidate Ken Paxton, the state’s attorney general and Trump loyalist, conservative voters expressed approval of the strikes but remained primarily concerned with immigration, government spending, and gun rights.

Paxton, addressing supporters at a central Texas banquet hall, briefly acknowledged the Iran conflict while emphasizing political change through ballots rather than military action. When pressed by reporters afterward, the Senate hopeful unequivocally endorsed Trump’s decision, stating “Iran is a great threat to our country” and expressing strong support for the operation.

The response among Texas Republicans reflects a broader pattern of cautious endorsement without enthusiastic celebration. Senator John Cornyn described Trump’s actions as “decisive,” while congressional candidate Wesley Hunt praised the achievement of “peace through American strength” in social media posts. Rally attendee Marcia Michael characterized Trump’s strategy as “five-dimensional chess” in addressing long-standing Iranian threats.

Despite general support, underlying concerns about prolonged military engagement surfaced among voters. Mark Plough expressed worries about potential “quagmire” scenarios reminiscent of Afghanistan and Iraq, highlighting the tension between Trump’s campaign promises to avoid “forever wars” and current military operations.

The administration has deliberately framed the campaign as limited and targeted, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasizing “This is not endless” and contrasting it with previous nation-building efforts. This messaging aligns with Trump’s historical criticism of extended Middle East engagements but contrasts with the multi-day duration of current operations.

Public opinion remains divided nationwide, with Morning Consult showing 41% support versus 42% preferring diplomacy, and Reuters-Ipsos indicating only 27% approval. These numbers predate the announcement of six American combat fatalities, with Trump warning of additional potential casualties.

The political calculus remains complex for the administration, as outcomes including oil price spikes, retaliatory attacks, or regional destabilization could significantly impact Trump’s standing. For now, Texas supporters maintain cautious optimism that operations will conclude swiftly with minimal lasting consequences.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has dramatically escalated his diplomatic efforts to contain the rapidly deteriorating security situation across the Middle East, issuing renewed demands for immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities throughout the region.

During Monday’s daily press briefing at UN headquarters, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that Guterres’ position remains consistent with his urgent weekend address to the Security Council. “What is needed now in the region more than anything is a way out,” Dujarric emphasized, conveying the Secretary-General’s grave assessment of current conditions.

The UN chief has maintained relentless diplomatic engagement over the past 48 hours, conducting high-level consultations with multiple regional leaders including Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. Guterres specifically commended Oman for its critical mediation efforts in facilitating peaceful negotiations while simultaneously condemning recent attacks against Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting Gulf nations.

Adding to these efforts, the Secretary-General has convened multiple discussions with ambassadors from the Gulf Cooperation Council, seeking to establish multilateral pathways toward conflict resolution. The diplomatic surge comes amid growing humanitarian concerns, with Guterres expressing particular alarm over increasing civilian casualties and systematic destruction of essential infrastructure throughout conflict zones.

The UN leadership reiterated that international humanitarian law establishes unambiguous protections for civilian populations and critical infrastructure during armed conflicts. This renewed diplomatic initiative follows recent military actions between the US, Israel, and Iran that have significantly heightened regional tensions and raised fears of broader regional conflagration.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has significantly revised his assessment of the US military engagement with Iran, declaring that American forces possess the “capability to go far longer” than his initial four-to-five-week projection. The statement was delivered from the White House on Monday, March 2, 2026, amid escalating hostilities across the Middle East.

Contradicting his own remarks from media interviews just one day prior, Trump asserted there would be no operational time constraints. “We have capability to go far longer than that. We’ll do it,” the President stated, emphasizing his personal resolve by adding, “I don’t get bored. There’s nothing boring about this.

The administration’s strategic posture appears to be hardening. In an interview with the New York Post, President Trump declined to rule out the deployment of US ground troops to Iran, contingent upon military necessity. This suggestion marks a potential intensification of a conflict that has already seen joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including a police station in Tehran.

Domestically, the military campaign faces growing public scrutiny. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over the weekend revealed significant opposition among Americans, with 43% disapproving of the strikes and only 27% expressing approval. This data suggests a contentious reception to the administration’s foreign policy decisions as operations continue to evolve.

In an unprecedented diplomatic moment, First Lady Melania Trump presided over a United Nations Security Council meeting addressing the protection of children in conflict zones. The high-level session, convened during the United States’ rotating presidency of the Security Council, marked the first time a world leader’s spouse has chaired such proceedings.

Mrs. Trump centered her remarks on educational opportunities as fundamental tools for fostering tolerance and global peace among vulnerable youth populations. ‘The US stands with all of the children throughout the world,’ she declared. ‘I hope soon peace will be yours.’

The First Lady extended poignant condolences to families of fallen American service members, stating, ‘Their bravery and dedication will always be remembered.’ She further expressed wishes for ‘swift and smooth recovery to all those who have been injured,’ assuring they remained in her ‘thoughts and prayers during these challenging times.’

The meeting occurred against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions. UN Under-Secretary General Rosemary DiCarlo highlighted the severe impact of conflicts on children, noting numerous Middle Eastern nations—including Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman—had transitioned to remote learning due to ongoing military operations.

DiCarlo specifically referenced reports from Iran concerning a devastating strike on an elementary school in Minab that allegedly resulted in 153 fatalities. Iranian authorities have attributed responsibility to the United States and Israel, though both nations have offered contrasting responses. US Central Command confirmed it was investigating the incident while Israel’s military denied awareness of operations in the area.

Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned the timing of the US-chaired session as ‘deeply shameful and hypocritical’ given recent events. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that ‘the United States will not deliberately target a school.’

The carefully orchestrated diplomatic appearance underscores the Trump administration’s continued engagement with international institutions while maintaining military readiness in volatile regions.

With Texas primary elections looming, Republican voters across the state are expressing strong opinions regarding recent U.S. military actions in the Middle East. Interviews conducted with Donald Trump’s base reveal complex perspectives on foreign policy as they prepare to cast their ballots.

The geopolitical developments have emerged as a significant talking point among conservative Texans, many of whom view the situation through the lens of national security priorities. While some express unwavering support for decisive military action against Iranian interests, others voice concerns about potential escalation and prolonged engagement in the region.

These discussions occur against the backdrop of upcoming electoral decisions, where foreign policy positions traditionally influence voter preferences. The timing of the strikes has created a natural experiment in how international events shape domestic political discourse, particularly among voters who strongly identify with the America First philosophy championed by former President Trump.

The responses highlight a nuanced understanding of the balance between demonstrating strength and avoiding unnecessary conflict, with many respondents drawing comparisons to previous administrations’ approaches to Middle East tensions. This electoral dynamic offers insight into how national security issues resonate at the grassroots level within one of the nation’s most politically influential states.

Newly released footage from the House Oversight Committee has revealed a dramatic confrontation during Hillary Clinton’s closed-door deposition regarding Jeffrey Epstein. The proceedings nearly derailed when the former Secretary of State threatened to walk out after learning an unauthorized photograph from the hearing had been leaked to the public.

The tension escalated when Clinton’s legal team informed the room of the security breach. Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert admitted to sharing an image from inside the deposition room, though she claimed it was taken before the official proceedings began. Clinton responded by pounding her fist on the table, declaring, ‘I’m done with this. If you guys are doing that, I am done. You can hold me in contempt from now until the cows come home.’

Her legal representatives emphasized the irony that Clinton had previously requested an open hearing—which would have allowed real-time public viewing—but the committee had denied this petition. The deposition was temporarily paused following the exchange, with Clinton’s counsel later chastising the committee for what they termed ‘unacceptable, unprofessional, and unfair’ conduct.

The lengthy testimony, spanning over nine hours across separate sessions with both Hillary and Bill Clinton, covered numerous topics related to the Epstein investigation. In one particularly contentious moment, Rep. Boebert raised the thoroughly debunked ‘Pizzagate’ conspiracy theory, asking if Clinton had reviewed any Epstein files referencing the fabricated allegation. Clinton dismissed the line of questioning as outrageous, stating the theory had ‘ended up hurting a number of people.’

Meanwhile, Bill Clinton’s deposition included questions about his relationship with Epstein, which he characterized as a ‘brief acquaintance’ that ‘ended years before his crimes came to light.’ The former president denied any knowledge of Epstein’s wrongdoing and expressed hope that his cooperation would ‘prevent something like this from happening again.’

When questioned about Donald Trump’s potential testimony, Bill Clinton recalled a conversation at Trump’s golf course around 2002-2003 where Trump mentioned their friendship with Epstein had ended over ‘a real estate deal.’ Clinton noted Trump ‘never said anything to me to make me think he was involved in anything improper.’

The deposition also addressed a previously released photo showing Bill Clinton in a redacted hot tub image from the Epstein files. The former president explained the context of the image, describing it as taken during exhaustion at the end of a long Asia trip at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei. He repeatedly stated he didn’t know the identity of the other person in the photo and denied any sexual activity occurred.