Notes in the Margin

After 43 air strikes this year,  AFRICOM is still on track to break its annual record for total US airstrikes in Somalia, which it set at 124 strikes last year.

IEA members are advanced economies in Europe, North America and Northeast Asia. Japan said earlier it will release oil stockpiles as early as next week.

President Trump downplayed the risks to the energy markets as a short-term concern. This was clearly wishful thinking. 

Trump had betrayed his base on everything else. Why not also mass deportations? 

Oil prices hovered around $90 per barrel: "Seven nations are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss a possible joint release of stockpiles to help ease the supply disruption."

President Trump said on Sunday that any decision to end the war with Iran would be a “mutual” one made with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hegseth in March 8 interview: "what I want your viewers to understand is this is only just the beginning."

61% of unaffiliated voters oppose. Once again, Republicans overwhelmingly support war, and endless federal spending to continue it.  

"Trump's war on Iran has left Russia is in the catbird seat while trust regarding Washington's role in the negotiations is at critical lows."

A classified report from the Nat'l Intelligence Council has found that even a large-scale US assault on Iran is unlikely to produce regime change.