| Kensington Review |
26 March 2026 |
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Cogito Ergo Non Serviam |
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Latest Commentary: US, Israel, Gulf States Have Different War Aims-- The US and Israel started the war with Iran on February 28. The Arab Gulf States have had to bear Iranian attacks as a result. These three different power centers are all allied in fighting the Iranian theocrats. They diverge, however, when it comes to why they are fighting. The US wants the war to end quickly with a symbolic surrender of Tehran. Israel is much more concerned with creating a buffer zone south of the Litani River in Lebanon than with anything else. The Gulf States want the war to continue until Iran is incapable of threatening them anymore. As the war goes on, these different war aims will cause fractures in the alliance, which could collapse under the pressure. [26 March] War Going Worse than US Admits -- There is a saying that generals are always fighting the last war. That is a bit of an over-statement as a great many leading military minds are focussed on new technologies and new battlefields, e.g., cyberspace. But there is also a great deal of truth in the adage. The US has a bad habit of fighting the last war and hoping that its massive advantages in production capacity and logistical infrastructure will carry the day. In Iran, the world is seeing what the Soviets learned in Afghanistan; cheap weapons often defeat expensive ones. The US is on the wrong side of this economic-military equation. [25 March] Trump Sets Deadline, Backs Down -- Donald Trump is in over his head with the war in Iran, and he grew desperate over the week-end. He demanded that the Iranians open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Otherwise, he would attack the Iranian electriciy grid, which would be a war crime. With only hours to go, he announced that there had been useful talks with Iran on a “total resolution†of the war. Consequently, he is giving them five more days grace to allow the talks to continue. He will continue hitting other targets. Meanwhile, the Iranian semi-official news agency, Fars, has said no talks occurred. [23 March] Energy Infrastructure Hit in Iran War -- It may not feel like much has changed in the Israeli-American war against Iran since yesterday, but a significant (and bad) change has come. In the last 24 hours, energy infrastructure has become a target of both sides. Israel hit the South Pars natural gas field that provides much of the Iranian domestic energy. In retaliation, Iran hit infrastructure sites in the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. As these sites are damaged, recovery from the war and its economic effects will take longer and longer. The global economy will be in dire straits for much longer than before the attacks. [19 March] Counterterrorism Chief Quits over Iran War -- Joe Kent has resigned as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center. In his resignation letter, he stated that his conscience did not allow him to serve in the administration because of the ill-conceived war with Iran, which he claims was caused by Israel. It is interesting to see someone in Washington resign over a matter of principles these days. It is even odder that Mr. Kent has developed principles suddenly. Thus far, he as been a faithful adherent of MAGA. [18 March] © Copyright 2026 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Ubuntu Linux.
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23 Years Online Volume XXIV, Number 43
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