THE BIG STORY
The US-Israel war on Iran enters its 12th day as strikes devastate historical sites in Isfahan, including Naqsh-e Jahan Square and the Shah Mosque. With 32 countries releasing oil reserves amid Strait of Hormuz attacks, the Pentagon tells Congress the first 6 days cost $11.3 billion — and the seventh US service member has been killed in the conflict.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
MIDDLE EAST
• US-Israel strikes on Iran began February 28, 2026, launching the Twelve-Day War (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve-Day_War)
• Strikes on Isfahan damaged Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Chehel Sotoun, Ali Qapu, Shah Mosque and Teymouri Hall (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Iran_conflict)
• 32 countries to release oil reserves as Strait of Hormuz attacks increase (https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/03/11/world/iran-war-news-trump-oil-israel)
• Israel declared nationwide state of emergency; schools and workspaces closed (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Iran_conflict)
TECH
• OpenAI's Pentagon deal faces internal and external scrutiny after mass wave of ChatGPT deletions (https://thedispatch.com/article/open-ai-defense-department-anthropic/)
• OpenAI rewrites Pentagon deal — blanket domestic surveillance now prohibited (at least on paper) (https://www.comriecommunitycentre.co.uk/12-164714-openai-rewrites-pentagon-deal-after-mass-wave-of-chatgpt-deletions/)
• Anthropic refuses Pentagon demands on autonomous weapons, then sues; gains unexpected users from OpenAI backlash (https://communicateonline.me/news/openais-pentagon-deal-gives-anthropic-an-unexpected-boost-as-ai-rivalry-heats-up/)
• OpenAI leader resigns over Pentagon desire for AI mass surveillance of Americans (https://reasonablefaithhonolulu.org/openai-leader-resigns-over-pentagon-desire-for-ai-mass-surveillance-of-americans-and-lethal-autonomy-without-human-authorization-possible-social-credit-scoring-pentagon-refused-to-put-in-safegu/)
EUROPE
• Ukraine peace talks postponed at US request due to Iran situation (https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2026/03/11/ukraine-peace-talks-postponed-us-request-over-iran-situation-zelenskyy/)
• UK and France signed January 2026 Declaration of Intent to deploy forces in Ukraine if peace deal reached (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10412/)
• Erdogan urges Ukraine peace talks continue despite US-Israel Iran campaign (https://english.news.cn/20260311/36a2d10b242f42c59fa88061cf9e148b/c.html)
• Germany announces €200 million aid package for reconnaissance drones (https://www.ukrinform.net/block-lastnews)
US POLITICS
• First 6 days of Iran war cost $11.3 billion, Pentagon tells Congress (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/first-6-days-iran-war-cost-11-billion-pentagon-tells-senators-rcna263060)
• Congress passes automatic involuntary draft registration in NDAA as war escalates (https://ronpaulinstitute.org/as-iran-war-escalates-congress-passes-automatic-involuntary-draft-registration/)
• War Powers Resolution fails to pass — Trump can continue war without Congressional constraints (https://www.washingtoninformer.com/trump-war-powers-resolution/)
• Congress still holds wallet power — $1 billion/day war cost requires supplemental funding (https://theconversation.com/congress-still-has-ways-to-throttle-back-trumps-war-with-iran-and-to-ask-questions-277813)
TODAY'S SMOOTHBRAINS
This week's smoothbrain goes to every member of Congress who voted down the War Powers Resolution to constrain Trump's Iran war authority — then immediately popped up on cable news to express "deep concern" about escalation. You can't have it both ways, folks. If you wanted to stop the war, you had the vote. Instead, they chose to keep their heads down and let the executive branch run wild — now they're shocked-pikachu-facing their way through interviews about $11 billion weekly burn rates. Absolute clownery.
THE SKIM
• Iran war Day 12: Historical sites hit, 7th US soldier dead, $11.3B spent
• OpenAI Pentagon deal rewritten after backlash — but ethical concerns remain
• Ukraine peace talks on ice while US focused on Iran
• Congress let war powers resolution fail — now footing $1B/day bill