Iran War and beyond
(Al Arabiya) Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed warned that continued Iranian attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council countries represent a “dangerous escalation,” Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said Monday. – Saudi Crown Prince, UAE president warn against continued Iranian attacks on GCC
(Al Arabiya) Flights at Dubai International Airport (DXB) have been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure after a drone incident in the vicinity of the airport caused a fire at one of the fuel tanks, the Dubai Media Office said early Monday. – Dubai suspends flights at DXB after drone incident near airport
(Ghoncheh Habibiazad – BBC) Iran is taking steps to prevent anti-establishment protests, with checkpoints appearing across the streets of the capital, internet access restricted, and mass text warnings sent to residents. In Tehran, people have been telling the BBC about new security checkpoints around the city, where they say residents are stopped and searched. They have told BBC Persian that some checkpoints are positioned under footbridges and inside road tunnels, after reports that several checkpoints in the middle of roads had been targeted by drone strikes. A number of Iranian security personnel were killed in Israeli strikes on four checkpoints across Tehran, the hardline Fars News Agency reported on 11 March. – Iran taking steps to prevent anti-establishment protests, Tehran residents tell BBC
(Stephen Collinson – CNN) A week ago, President Donald Trump told Britain not to bother sending ships to the Middle East because he’d already won the Iran war. Now, he’s calling on America’s “special relationship” ally; fellow NATO states; and even China to dispatch vessels to open the Strait of Hormuz. He implied that if help didn’t arrive, Europe’s US defense umbrella and his planned summit this month with Chinese leader Xi Jinping could be at risk. Trump’s salvo, in an interview with the Financial Times, was a fresh sign that despite his multiple Iran victory laps, the war is far from over. – Analysis: If Trump has already won the Iran war, why does he need foreign ships to help him end it? | CNN Politics
(Ben Geman – Axios) Oil prices rose over $3 per barrel Sunday in the first major trading since President Trump’s threat to strike Iran’s main oil export hub unless Tehran allows tankers through the Strait of Hormuz — and they remained somewhat volatile into Monday. The climb shortly after the markets’ opening signals that traders see no major near-term market loosening or end to a conflict that has brought an unprecedented throttling of oil flows. U.S. gasoline, diesel and home fuel oil prices are slated to see continued increases. The global benchmark Brent crude jumped to over $106 per barrel, over $3 above Friday’s close. – Oil prices rise despite Trump moves to temper market over Iran war
China/US
(Global Times) In response to a media inquiry over the United States Trade Representative (USTR)’s announcement on Thursday (US time) that it has initiated investigations of 60 economies including China to look for practices by these economies in relation to what it called failures to take action on forced labor, a Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson said on Monday that China has noticed the investigation launched by the US on March 12, and this is another Section 301 investigation launched by the US after it initiated a “capacity overproduction” Section 301 investigation on March 11. The ministry spokesperson said on Monday that the US had previously “fabricated claims” of forced labor to impose a series of trade restrictions on Chinese products, noting that China had already lodged representations with the US side at the ongoing trade talks in Paris. – China lodges representations during Paris trade talk to US over Section 301 investigation on 60 economies over ‘forced labor’: MOFCOM – Global Times
Hungary
(Max Griera – Politico) As Hungarians awoke to a sunny national day on March 15, a question overshadowed the celebrations: Who would draw the larger crowd to the streets of Budapest? Would it be incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, still a formidable force after 16 years of uninterrupted rule? Or Péter Magyar, a less prickly opposition wild card who is bidding to bring down Orbán’s government? With less than a month to go until the April 12 election — and with Magyar’s opposition Tisza party polling about 10 points ahead of Orbán’s Fidesz — the national day festivities offered both parties a final chance to show off their strength and sway public opinion as the campaign enters its final stretch. – Showdown: Hungary’s Orbán, Magyar flex strength at huge rallies as election looms – POLITICO
Ukraine/EU/Hungary
(Luca Léry Moffat – The Kyiv Independent) Ukraine has no good options to replace a crucial cash package from the European Union, which Hungary continues to block, leaving Kyiv hurtling towards a hole in its finances as it awaits a solution to the impasse. The loan, agreed unanimously by EU countries at a summit in December, would provide 90 billion euros ($103 billion) to Ukraine over 2026–2027, covering two-thirds of the country’s financial and military needs. But Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban has since U-turned, ostensibly over a dispute pertaining to Russian oil transit through Ukraine. – Exclusive: Ukraine has few options if Hungary keeps EU funding frozen
US
(Avery Lotz – Axios) FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened to revoke broadcasters’ licenses over Iran war coverage, a day after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth singled out CNN and rooted for a friendlier owner. President Trump has taken credit for “reshaping” the American media landscape via intimidation, regulatory leverage and policy pressure that’s cast a shadow over newsroom autonomy. Now, facing a war with dismal polling and a muddled message, the administration is turning its fire on reporters and threatening news outlets. Trump said on Truth Social Sunday evening he is “thrilled” that Carr is “looking at the licenses” of some “Highly Unpatriotic ‘News’ Organizations”.
Hegseth scolded reporters during his Friday briefing on the war and targeted CNN, saying “the sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.” – Iran war fuels Trump’s media feud as FCC threatens broadcasters
(Holly Otterbein, Alex Thompson – Axios) Democrats are barreling toward an identity crisis: When Donald Trump is gone, they’re not sure what they’ll stand for. Top party strategists are warning they can’t win back the White House in 2028 by coasting on voters’ dissatisfaction with the president and MAGA. Democrats expect to pick up congressional seats in this year’s midterms by riding an anti-Trump wave — and history suggests they’re probably right. But some in the party worry they could learn the wrong lessons from victory. – Democrats face a post-Trump identity crisis for 2028
