Trump has already been involved in Cuba. He imposed an oil blockade on Cuba in February, while also repeatedly hinting at a possible regime change operation against the socialist island, located 93 miles (150 km) from Florida’s coast.

He’s also already stated that he intends to have the “honor” of “taking Cuba” by military force.

Trump: “I Do Believe I’ll Be…Having The Honor of Taking Cuba”

However, Cuba’s president claims it would fight back against any US aggression. While speaking to RT in Havana on Saturday, Cuban ruler Miguel Diaz-Canel stressed that the country’s government has made national defense a “top priority” since the escalation of the US president’s threats.

Cuba is “not a country that is calling for war or promotes it, but we are also not afraid of war if we must wage it to defend our homeland,” he warned.

According to a report by RT, Cuba uses a strategy called “an all-people’s war,” according to which the entire population is engaged in repelling an attack. Which means, accoridng to Cuba’s president, the US will face a tough battle if it decides to target the island.

Trump: Kidnapping Cuba’s Ruler Would Be Easy

The US kick-started its threat of war with Cuba after it invaded Venezuela and kidnapped the ruler, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, forcing regime change and taking over the oil there. These wars appear to be about little more than oil. Trump did make an attempt to get the American public on his side by committing war crimes in the Caribbean and striking civilian boats he claimed, without evidence, were transporting drugs to the US.

Not long after the Venezuela debacle, he imposed the oil blockade on Cuba and attacked Iran. In response, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for oil, and because of it, the cost of fuel in the US has skyrocketed.

It’s All About The Oil: Trump Wants “Oil Rights” In Venezuela

Trump is making it clear he intends to come for any country that has oil, and he’ll start any war he wants in order to get it.

According to two U.S. officials and two additional sources briefed on the talks, Axios’ Barak Ravid reports that the US and Iran are negotiating over a three-page plan to end the war.

The three-page memorandum of understanding (MOU) the two sides are negotiating over also includes a “voluntary” moratorium on nuclear enrichment by Iran.

The U.S. demanded in the last round of talks that Iran agree to a 20-year moratorium. Iran countered with five years. The mediators are still trying to close the gap.

As part of the MOU, Iran would be allowed to have nuclear research reactors for the production of medical isotopes, but would pledge that all of its nuclear facilities would be above ground.

The existing underground facilities would remain out of commission.

Perhaps the most notable element under discussion is that the U.S. would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Axios adds that a top priority for the Trump admin is ensuring Iran can’t access the stockpile of nearly 2,000kg of enriched uranium buried in its underground nuclear facilities, in particular the 450kg enriched to 60% purity.

The Iranians, meanwhile, need money.

The parties are negotiating over what will happen to the stockpile and how much of Iran’s assets will be unfrozen. They are also discussing the terms on which Iran could use that money.

WTI Crude front-month oil futures prices are tumbling on the report, down over 8% – back near post-ceasefire lows…

President Trump said Thursday that U.S. and Iranian negotiators would likely meet this weekend for a second round of talks to try to seal the deal.

Developing…

Hegseth: Hormuz Blockade Stays “As Long As It Takes” – Ships Now Fair Game For Search & Seizure

Saudi Pipeline Attack Removes 700,000 Barrels Daily from Oil Exports

Introduction: The Fraying Fabric of an Empire

I look at the world in 2026, and I no longer see a beacon of liberty, but a dying empire stumbling toward its own ruin. This is not a sentiment born of pessimism, but of cold observation. The American project, hijacked by a nexus of central banking, perpetual war, and crony capitalism, has embarked on a suicide mission.

The endpoint, I am convinced, will not be a soft landing into mediocrity. It will be a violent descent into widespread poverty, social chaos, and despair. The evidence is no longer in the periphery; it is the central plot of our national story. Every policy, from the funding of foreign wars to the relentless debasement of our currency, is systematically stripping the American people of their wealth, their autonomy, and their future.

The Dollar’s Death Spiral Has Begun

The American empire is not dying from an external enemy, but from a self-inflicted currency destruction. We have committed the foundational error of believing endless foreign wars and domestic entitlements can be funded by endless money printing. This is not a remote economic theory; it is the lived reality eroding our purchasing power every single day. When a currency loses the trust of its users, the empire built upon it collapses. We are witnessing that collapse in slow motion.

The process is mechanical and inevitable. As author David Graeber observed in his analysis of financial systems, ‘The new global currency is rooted in military power even more firmly than the old was.’ ^[1] Our dollar’s hegemony is propped up by force, not sound economics. Yet this force is funded by creating money from nothing, a policy that directly impoverishes every citizen holding dollars. The research is clear: currency crises are triggered by such fundamental inconsistencies in policy. ^[2] We have abandoned every sound economic principle, and the bill is now coming due.

The War Machine’s True Cost is Domestic Poverty

The bipartisan push for wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the looming confrontation with China is not about national defense. It is the life support system for imperial overreach, a racket that enriches contractors and empire managers while bankrupting the nation. I believe the true weapon of mass destruction deployed against the American people is the Federal Reserve’s printing press. It funds these foreign adventures by directly stealing the value of every dollar in your wallet and savings account.

This is not capitalism. It is a corrupt cronyism where the political and financial elite feast on the fruits of this manufactured money. As economist Ellen Brown notes, in our system, the economy grows mainly from ‘money making money,’ with the proceeds funneled to a financial elite rather than laborers. ^[3] The tangible cost is here at home. We see it in the skyrocketing prices of essentials, in the warehouse fires sparked by desperate workers denied a living wage — a wage whose value has been vaporized by inflation. ^[4] The war machine’s most devastating casualties are not on foreign battlefields, but in the collapsing standard of living of the American working class.

From Protests to Guillotines: The Inevitable Path to Chaos

History is unequivocal: an impoverished and hungry populace does not remain docile forever. We are not an exception to this rule. As the financial vise tightens, I foresee the initial wave of protests — likely from a desperate left reacting to economic immiseration — being met not with reform, but with escalating government authoritarianism. We have already seen the blueprint for crushing speech and dissent. ^[5]

This crackdown will not solve the crisis; it will fuel it. It will serve as a recruiting tool for more desperate factions, leading to the kind of kinetic, violent unrest that has toppled empires and shattered states throughout history. The social contract is broken. When people have nothing left to lose, they become ungovernable. The state’s response will be to become more tyrannical, creating a feedback loop of oppression and resistance that ends only in widespread chaos and bloodshed.

The False Savior: Why Socialism Will Rise from the Ashes

When the fraudulent ‘crony capitalist’ system finally implodes, the masses will be angry, frightened, and seeking immediate relief. They will not, in that moment of crisis, turn to the principles of liberty and sound money. They will demand handouts, security, and for someone to make the pain stop.

Here’s why this matters profoundly: The popular, emotionally appealing ‘solution’ will be socialism. It will promise centralized control of food, resources, and distribution — a new master to replace the old. This is a fatal trap. As the Mises Institute has documented through the work of scholars like Thomas Sowell, centralized planning cannot match the intelligence of free individuals acting in a market. ^[6] It fails every time, creating greater scarcity and tyranny. But a starving, desperate people will embrace the lie, trading the chaotic oppression of a collapsing empire for the orderly oppression of a totalitarian state. It is the final betrayal, offering a cage in exchange for bread.

My Prescription: Escape the Grid Before It Crashes Down

The real solution — ending the Federal Reserve, abolishing the income tax, and returning to honest, commodity-backed money — requires a level of public education and political will that is currently impossible. It will remain unpopular with the political class until it is tragically too late. Therefore, my urgent advice is not to wait for a political savior, but to act on your own behalf.

You must minimize your exposure to the failing dollar. Convert paper wealth into tangible assets you physically control, starting with physical gold and silver. These are analog assets in a digital world, with intrinsic value and no counterparty risk. ^[7] Furthermore, prepare for self-reliance. Build your knowledge in areas the system wants you to be ignorant of: organic gardening, natural medicine, water procurement, and decentralized communication. Your personal sovereignty — your health, your skills, your tangible resources — is the only reliable hedge against the coming empire of despair.

For uncensored knowledge on these topics, I recommend the free AI research engine at BrightAnswers.ai and the independent reporting at NaturalNews.com.

Conclusion: A Choice Between Freedom and Despair

I do not write this to spread fear, but to sound an alarm. The trajectory is set. The American empire, built on a foundation of fiat debt and military hegemony, is entering its terminal phase. The outcome will be poverty and despair for those who remain dependent on its corrupt systems.

This leaves each of us with a stark choice. We can remain passive, hoping the collapsing system will provide for us as it falls apart. Or we can choose a different path — one of decentralization, self-reliance, and honest money. We can build networks of mutual aid, preserve our wealth in real assets, and cultivate the knowledge to live free. The empire will end. Our fate within that ending is still ours to decide. Choose freedom, choose preparation, and choose to build a life that does not depend on the very structures destined to fail.

References

1. 1. Debt: The First 5000 Years. David Graeber.
   2. Currency Crisis Duration and Interest Defense. International Journal of Finance & Economics.
   3. Web of Debt: The Shocking Truth About Our Money System and How We Can Break Free. Ellen Brown.
   4. Why Warehouses Will Keep Burning: The Real Poverty is Caused by Government Money Printing. NaturalNews.com.
   5. Bright Videos News – AI DERANGEMENT SYNDROME. Mike Adams – BrightVideos.com.
   6. How “The Vision of The Anointed” Explains Every Crisis in America. Mises.org.
   7. Mike Adams interviews Andy Schectman. Mike Adams.

Explainer Infographic:

Iranian Professor Says Israel Is “Desperate” To Destroy The Ceasefire

While speaking to reporters on Thursday,  Trump announced an upcoming meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, adding that “they’re going to be having a ceasefire, and that will include Hezbollah.”

The official announcement of this ceasefire, however, did not mention Hezbollah, according to a report by RT. But a lawmaker for the terrorist group, Ibrahim Moussawi, reportedly told the media that the group would respect the ceasefire, stressing that Israel must “abide by it completely,” including a “total cessation of hostilities” and withdrawal from the “occupied territories.”

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that the announcement was “welcome” in a post on X, while Netanyahu also reportedly confirmed he had agreed to the truce.

More than 2,000 people have been killed and thousands more wounded, including hundreds of women and children, since Israel launched its invasion of southern Lebanon in early March in what it described as an operation against Hezbollah. More than one million people have been displaced – around one in five of the population. –RT

Iran Rejects The U.S.’s Ceasefire Plan

Others are warning of this war’s potential to cause global catastrophes, such as a famine.

Disruptions to fertilizer supplies caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran risk triggering a multi-year food crisis globally, World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder Jose Andres has warned, according to a separate report by RT. 

Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have already driven up energy prices and rattled the global economy, disrupting one of the world’s most important trade arteries. The route handles around 20% of global crude exports, but it is also critical for shipments of nitrogen-based fertilizers. –RT

Andres isn’t the first, and likley won’t be the last to warn of famine potential.

The Window Is Closing: How the Iran Conflict Just Unleashed a Global Famine Trigger

Summary

• US Navy: vessels seeking entry into Hormuz Strait now fair game for boarding, search, and outright seizure – including for suspicion of ‘contraband’.

• Hegseth: US forces are ready to restart combat if Iran doesn’t agree to a deal & a Strait blockade to continue for as long as it takes. Already, 13 ships have been turned around.
• Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, calls the ceasefire in Lebanon “as important as a ceasefire in Iran.”
• Heavy Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanon, including the targeting of infrastructure and bridges.

*  *  *

Boarding, Search, & Outright Seizure

Ships seeking to enter the Hormuz Strait already sanctioned by the US just got a lot more vulnerable: under Washington’s blockade of Iranian ports, they’re now fair game for boarding, search, and outright seizure, per US Naval Forces Central Command.

“In addition to enforcing the blockade, all Iranian vessels, vessels with active OFAC sanctions, and vessels suspected of carrying contraband, are subject to belligerent right to visit and search,” the notice said, referring to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. “These vessels, regardless of location, are subject to visit, board, search, and seizure.”

The definition of “contraband” is broad and expansive. It spans weapons, ammunition, combat aircraft, and military electronics, WSJ has described. “Petroleum products and lubricants are conditional contraband due to their essential role in military operations and their contribution to Iran’s war-sustaining economy,” the advisory also said. “Contraband is defined as goods that are destined for an enemy, and that may be susceptible to use in armed conflict.”

US Marine Corps image

 

Up until now, the blockade – initially rolled out Monday – was limited to ships moving in and out of Iranian ports, but the definition of who can be targeted just widened. Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that in the first 48 hours, not a single ship made it past the blockade.

Hormuz Blockade: ‘As Long As It Takes’

The US will maintain a naval blockade of Iran for as long as it takes, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has stated in a press briefing Thursday. He and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine say that US forces are ready to resume major combat operations at a moment’s notice, which suggests the initial two-week ceasefire could get extended, as was widely reported the day prior. But this also suggests that Washington likely has no appetite for resuming major aerial operations directly against Iran anytime soon.

On the question of resumption of major combat operations, Hegseth warned: “To Iran, choose wisely. I pray you choose a deal which is within your grasp for the betterment of your people and the betterment of the world.” He followed with, “In the meantime, the War Department is locked and loaded.” Additional main highlights to the Hegseth/Caine update and presser:

• Iran likes to say it controls Strait of Hormuz but it has no navy
• Energy industry not destroyed ‘yet’, US blockade shutting down exports
• For as long as it takes, we will maintain blockade
• Launching operation ‘economic fury’
• Iran is digging out bombed out launchers
• I hope you choose a deal which is within your grasp

But again, the chief takeaway is that the Pentagon and Trump administration are making clear that US forces are ready to restart combat if Iran doesn’t agree to a deal. On that front, US officials say future talks are likely to be held again in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Prior reports have indicated both sides have “agreed in principle” to engage in another round of talks.

Iran’s PressTV touting ability to inflict global economic pain…

Pentagon: 13 Ships Turned Around

Since the blockade went live, US forces have already turned around 13 ships, according to Gen. Caine in the same briefing. He underscored how far this reach extends, saying operations will take place “inside Iran’s territorial seas and in international waters.”

Officially, the Pentagon claims the blockade is limited – targeting Iran’s ports and coastal areas while sparing vessels simply passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In practice, however, the net is touted as much wider, as US forces “will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran,” including so-called “dark fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil,” Caine added.

He confirmed that more than 10,000 service members are now involved in the blockade, but with more US servicemembers en route to the region.

Lebanon Still Bombed Heavily by Israel amid US Ceasefire Efforts

Israeli jets pounded Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon Thursday, unleashing one of the heaviest barrages there since the war began and sending black smoke billowing over the region. Strikes hit near the industrial zone and a supermarket on Nabih Berri Avenue, with nearby suburbs also taking damage, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.

Iran has signaled urgency on de-escalation, with parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf calling a ceasefire in Lebanon “as important as a ceasefire in Iran.” He described, “In the Islamabad negotiations and afterward, we have been seriously pursuing efforts to compel the adversaries to establish a permanent ceasefire in all areas of conflict.” Pakistan’s army chief is in Tehran mediating between Washington and Tehran.

Lebanon’s leadership is, in the meantime, framing any truce as a gateway to talks, despite Hezbollah having rejected direct talks with Israel. The ceasefire it is “demanding with Israel” would be a “natural entry point for direct negotiations,” President Aoun said, adding: “Lebanon is keen to halt the escalation… so that the targeting of the innocents ceases, and the destruction of homes” stops.

Destruction of Al-Qasimia Bridge in Southern Lebanon

He stressed negotiations “are to be undertaken by the Lebanese authorities alone,” and said “the withdrawal of Israeli forces… is an essential step,” alongside redeploying the army “up to the international borders” to “end any manifestation of armed presence.”

And yet Israeli strikes are now hitting infrastructure. A key bridge over the Litani River near Qasmiyeh – linking Tyre and Sidon – was reportedly destroyed, though Israel said it only “struck adjacent to it.” The broader campaign is cutting off southern Lebanon, targeting chiefly Hezbollah positions, Israeli officials have claimed.

Introduction

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept – it is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful and disruptive forces shaping the future of humanity, according to a recent report. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has issued a stark warning, describing AI as “a supersonic tsunami headed toward humanity.” ^[1]

His concerns are echoed across the tech industry, with leaders predicting massive shifts in how people work, live, and think. International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva has warned that AI is hitting the global labor market “like a tsunami,” with rising worker anxiety about job loss. ^[2] These developments are setting the stage for widespread economic displacement and intensifying geopolitical competition for control over the emerging technology.

Experts Warn AI Advancements Could Displace Millions of Workers

AI capabilities now threaten middle-class cognitive jobs previously considered secure – including clerical, administrative, and creative roles. A senior researcher from China’s leading AI firm, DeepSeek, has publicly warned that AI could eliminate most human jobs within the next decade. ^[3] Demonstrations of AI capabilities suggest that AI agents will replace at least 50% of remote jobs – including email management, customer service, and business operations – within the next one to three years. ^[4]

Economic analysts predict societal disruption without proactive policy responses. Studies indicate that automation threatens to displace over 300 million jobs globally by 2030. ^[5] In a conversation about AI’s implications, the Health Ranger Mike Adams highlighted that AI models have surpassed basic predictive tasks, demonstrating complex cognitive abilities and the potential to replace up to 50% of desk jobs in the coming years. ^[6] The integration of AI into various industries is expected to lead to widespread job displacement, collapsing economies and forcing reliance on government support systems. ^[7]

Corporate and Government Power Dynamics Intensify

Corporate concentration of AI development raises concerns about market monopolization and regulatory capture. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the SANDBOX Act, which aims to create a regulatory ‘sandbox’ for AI companies to bypass federal rules for up to 10 years. ^[8] The bill aligns with President Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan, prioritizing corporate innovation over government oversight. ^[8]

Governments worldwide are enacting competing regulations to assert control over the technology. Power struggles are emerging between tech firms, sovereign states, and international bodies.

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for a balanced approach to AI, advocating for less hype and fear while promoting human oversight. ^[9] Meanwhile, leading American and Canadian artificial intelligence companies have been engaged in discreet collaborations with Chinese AI experts to shape international AI policy. ^[10]

National Security and Geopolitical Competition Accelerate

Major powers view AI leadership as a core component of national security strategy. Adams has reported that energy serves as a critical limiting factor for AI research, driving an unprecedented arms race for superintelligence among nations like China, the United States and Russia. ^[11] The United States is lagging years behind China in the realm of robotic automation, a gap with profound implications for global manufacturing and trade dynamics. ^[12]

Intelligence officials warn of an escalating arms race in autonomous weapon systems. Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer of the technology, has compared the use of AI for military purposes to chemical weapons deployment, warning that “very nasty things” will occur before the global community arrives at a comprehensive agreement. ^[13] Export controls on AI hardware have become a focal point of international tension, as control over the physical supply chain for advanced computing is seen as a key strategic advantage.

Decentralization Advocates Criticize Centralized AI Control

Critics argue centralized AI development threatens privacy and enables mass surveillance. The implementation of Universal Basic Income alongside Central Bank Digital Currencies could create a system where individuals are under constant surveillance and control, according to an interview with Marjory Wildcraft. ^[14] This aligns with broader criticisms that globalist initiatives like ‘The Great Reset’ represent a power grab that ties individuals to an electronic ID linked to their bank account and health records. ^[15]

Advocates for open-source models warn against control by a handful of large corporations. Adams envisions decentralized AI as a catalyst for American innovation and creativity, fostering a more democratic tech landscape away from corporate and government control. ^[16]

Some experts call for decentralized AI frameworks to distribute power and protect individual liberties. The plummeting cost of creating powerful AI models is leading to a proliferation of decentralized and ‘rogue’ systems that challenge centralized control. ^[17]

Conclusion

The rapid deployment of artificial intelligence is triggering concurrent crises in labor markets, corporate governance, and international relations. Experts consistently describe the coming impact as a “tsunami,” highlighting both the scale and suddenness of the disruption. Without coordinated and transparent policy responses that prioritize human welfare and decentralized control, analysts warn the technology could deepen global inequality and erode personal freedoms.

For those seeking analysis from perspectives skeptical of centralized institutions, sources like NaturalNews.com provide independent reporting on technology and its societal impacts. Platforms such as BrightAnswers.ai offer an uncensored AI engine for research, while BrightLearn.ai serves as a free library for generating educational materials on these complex subjects.

References

1. 1. AI Tsunami Ahead”: Experts Warn of Job Loss, Power Struggles, and a Global Race for Control. – YourNews.com. Gloria Ogbonna. March 19, 2026.
   2. AI is impacting the labor market ‘like a tsunami’ as layoff fears mount. – CNBC.
   3. An Ominous Warning from the Epicenter of AI. – NaturalNews.com. Willow Tohi. November 12, 2025.
   4. AI Takeover: 50% of Remote Jobs to Be Replaced Within 3 Years as Machines Outperform Humans in Fairness and Accuracy. – NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. September 01, 2025.
   5. AI’s Dual Revolution: Job Displacement, Decentralization, and Global Power Shifts. – NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. November 07, 2025.
   6. 2025 11 20 BBN Interview with Aaron Day. – Brighteon Broadcast Network. Mike Adams.
   7. China’s Expanding AI and Robotics Industry Raises Questions About Future Job Markets. – NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. November 06, 2025.
   8. Cruz’s SANDBOX Act Sparks Debate Over AI Deregulation and Technocratic Governance. – NaturalNews.com. Willow Tohi. October 09, 2025.
   9. United Nations Launches New IPCC for Artificial Intelligence, Bernie Sanders Issues Dire Warnings. – Watts Up With That. Gulam Jeelani. February 24, 2026.
   10. US Canadian AI companies COLLABORATE with Chinese experts to shape international AI policy. – NaturalNews.com. January 16, 2024.
   11. Health Ranger Report – SECURITY THREAT. – Brighteon.com. Mike Adams. January 13, 2025.
   12. Health Ranger Report – robotics. – Brighteon.com. Mike Adams. September 18, 2025.
   13. Godfather of AI warns of battle robots. – NaturalNews.com. April 10, 2024.
   14. 2025 11 28 BBN Interview with Marjory Wildcraft. – Brighteon Broadcast Network. Mike Adams.
   15. Why the ‘Great Reset’ Is a Power Grab of Unprecedented Magnitude. – Children’s Health Defense.
   16. Trump’s New Sheriff in Town: AI, Decentralization, and the Future of America. – NaturalNews.com. Finn Heartley. February 21, 2025.
   17. The Algorithmic Leviathan: How Cheap, Biased AI Threatens Democracy and Your Job. – NaturalNews.com. Willow Tohi. November 14, 2025.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned on Wednesday that the U.S. is preparing to ramp up economic pain on Iran by levying secondary sanctions on financial institutions that do business with the Middle Eastern nation, according to the Associated Press News (AP News). Bessent called the measure the “financial equivalent” of the bombing campaign.

U.S. President Donald Trump also claimed that China has agreed not to supply Iran with any weapons to be used in the current war. China’s Foreign Ministry has denied reports that Beijing has considered transferring arms.

While Trump claims the war is close to over, the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is ongoing.

Trump: Iran War Is “Very Close To Being Over”

The commander of Iran’s joint military command on Wednesday threatened to halt trade in the Gulf region if the U.S. does not lift its blockade on Iranian ports. No vessels have made it past U.S. naval forces during the first 48 hours of the blockade, according to the U.S. Central Command. Even so, Trump said Wednesday the war in Iran was “very close to over.” –AP News

The U.S. also said it has not agreed to formally extend the ceasefire that Iran already claims Israel, and by proxy, the U.S. has violated.

Iran Accused Israel and The U.S. Of Violating The Ceasefire

Israel’s continued raid on Lebanon is being blamed for the ceasefire violation. The Israeli aerial and ground war in Lebanon has resulted in more than 2,100 people being killed. The country’s National News Agency reported airstrikes and artillery shelling throughout southern Lebanon on Wednesday, where Israeli forces have encircled fighters with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Just one day ago, the two nations held their first direct talks in decades.

For all intents and purposes, this war does not look like it’ll be over soon, as neither side appears to want to make concessions that will make the other happy. It could be a long, drawn-out “peace” process that results in more financial damage being done to everyday Americans than anything else.

Around 191,200 birds were part of the affected flock at the Clay County farm.

First Human Bird Flu Case In 9 Months: Person Was Infected With A New Strain

According to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (ADA), the farm was placed under quarantine, and containment measures were underway. While officials didn’t say what happened to the affected commercial poultry flock, its website said depopulation is “the only effective control method.”

Dr. Meryl Nass: Culling Poultry in Response to Bird Flu is a Failed Strategy and Should Cease

“Poultry growers in the region are urged to stay alert for signs of [Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI] and continue following strict biosecurity practices to protect their flocks,” ADA said.

The avian influenza is still a problem, as war wages all around the globe. Rising fuel prices, coupled with inflation, are staring American consumers in the face, causing them to forget about issues that could linger long after a peace deal is reached.

USDA said over 1.5 million birds have been affected by bird flu in the past 30 days, and that spring is a peak season as migrations take place.

“Detections are higher in the fall and spring, because we continue to see wild birds spreading the virus as they migrate to their seasonal homes. [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] continues to work closely with state animal health officials on surveillance efforts to look for the virus in commercial, backyard, and wild birds,” USDA said, according to THV11. 

The dominant H5N1 strain looks be sticking around, and will likely become endemic.

Starting in 2024, severe infections from avian influenza were reported in North America. Every severe case was caused by this newly dominant D1.1 strain, though at the time, the disparate geographical locations of those cases made the source of the infections unclear, according to PR Newswire. 

A Biosecure Facility in Texas is Creating Bird Flu Vaccines For Humans

Vaccines could be readily available in the near future, as Kansas State University works on one for chickens. The research team at the College of Veterinary Medicine previously developed a vaccine designed to guard cattle against bovine parainfluenza and bovine viral diarrhea, then adjusted it so it could protect against bird flu, too.

According to a report by Reuters, the source did not clarify whether Iran would allow all ships, including those linked to Israel, to pass freely. A Western source confirmed that the proposal to allow vessels to sail through the Omani side had been in the works, but did not say whether there had been any response from the U.S. ruling class on it.

The proposal appeared to be more of a gesture than a move that would, on its own, offer an immediate breakthrough for hundreds of ships waiting to pass through the key waterway, which handles about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows. –Reuters

“We welcome any moves to permit safe transit of ships through the established traffic separation scheme,” said a ⁠spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is the United Nations’ shipping agency.

US Says ‘No Ships Made It Past Blockade’ As Iran Mulls Hormuz Shipping Pause To Preserve Talks

The American military said the goal of the blockade was to cut off Iran’s trade in an attempt to force a peace deal. “Ten vessels have now been turned around, and zero ships have broken through since the start of the US blockade on Monday,” US Central Command said on Wednesday. However, a large Maltese-flagged tanker, the Agios Fanourios I, passed through Hormuz the same day, according to maritime tracking websites.

Rival Vessel Passes Through Strait of Hormuz Despite Trump’s Blockade

Both sides have been using this vital waterway to make life more difficult for its civilians. The cost of fuel has skyrocketed, forcing people who have nothing to do with this war to pay for it.

Over the last year, the precious metal markets have seen historic increases and then decreases in price. This, of course, is the result of the workings of supply and demand, but there have also been cries of market manipulation.

I have laid out the supply and demand conditions both in the pure free market and under current conditions in the real world on this podcast and in several interviews reproduced here.

Several forms of manipulation, such as changing margin requirements, are expected, and other forms of manipulation, such as mysterious shutdowns and slowdowns, can be anticipated. Above all else, organized markets and political actors will act to save themselves first.

As a result, I have declared several times over the last year that when prices began to reach record levels—particularly when silver approached $50 per ounce—that precious metal markets are going to experience “growing pains.”

Of course, all market activities manipulate the market in terms of changing prices and quantities exchanged, but in this case, commentators are often pointing to alleged illicit activities.

Our primary understanding of these markets is that—in a total free market model, where gold is literally money—it has a remarkable stability of purchasing power over the long haul, and that major alterations of price or purchasing power are the result of government interventions, and that deviations of price from long-run trends in inflation are the result of real world short-run adjustments in supply and demand, such as changing expectations, the outbreak of war, and developments in the business cycle.

Prior to the bull market in gold and silver, some commentators, myself included, have pointed out several reasons to suspect that gold might experience an increase in demand and that the realities of precious metal supply in terms of mine output would amplify price adjustment to those increases in demand. Those commentators turned out to be correct.

Prior to the recent, sharply lower prices, some commentators pointed out that any decrease in demand could also have sharp negative effects on prices. Those commentators were also correct. However, it is important to list some examples of those who decreased their demand, becoming suppliers, how that worked for them, and establish that these markets work. Will everyone decrease their demand to hold precious metals entirely, and will the prices fall to zero?

Precious metals have 24/7 global markets, but let us start in the US. Among all the various reasons why precious metals have been sold domestically—shifting demanders into suppliers are the following:

1. Speculators and traders: They rode the markets up and then decided to take profits and switch to other markets, notably oil, even before the outbreak of hostilities. This type of trading is dependent on the valuation of relative performance and speculation of future conditions, including inside information. Meanwhile, “manipulators” were also helping to push the markets up in anticipation of taking advantage of shorting the markets.
2. Liquidity crunches: We know that certain investments—notably private equity and private credit—are experiencing so-called liquidity issues because the Fed started an emergency program in December, and redemptions of this “sequestered” capital category (not openly traded in markets) have been blocked by the gatekeepers. This means that these assets are not generating enough revenues to cover expenses and debt obligations, and cannot be readily redeemed for cash. The Fed’s $40 billion a month program of Reserve Management Purchases (RMPs) seems to have been sufficient in December of 2025. Maybe not, more recently. If this is a significant ongoing problem, then expect this program to be expanded.

In both of these cases, precious metal markets performed as expected. People shifted currency into precious metals as a risk-off monetary asset and then shifted back out to address liquidity problems and to address changing market conditions.

Outside of the US, the primary event has been the Israelis’ attack on Iran with the notable support of the US. Without going into the details, so far, this war has destroyed a great deal of capital and business activity.

It is important to note that this has harmed the global population in terms of the consumption of petrochemicals, all the derivative products, and the decrease in supply of just about everything consumed, because it drives up costs of production generally. The disruption of trade has put hundreds of millions of people at particular risk, and of course, the situation could get much worse.

However, if we focus our attention on those in the conflict zone itself, the states surrounding the Persian Gulf and the Levant: Syria, Lebanon, Judea/Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus—the original land of the rising Son. We would note that the Persian Gulf states have been large liquidators of gold due to the destruction and idling of their oil-related assets/their primary income stream, and the desire to exit the region.

This selling of gold is indicated by the discount price it is selling at in Persian Gulf markets, and gold has undoubtedly served its primary role as a monetary asset for deeply troubling times, just as it would for others during hyperinflation.

It is important to remember that crises, crashes, and war have negative effects that can be contagious, but they nonetheless impact groups of people differently inside the global context.

As liquidity conditions in world asset markets are still very uncertain and war conditions in the Middle East are ongoing, precious metal markets will continue to experience a decrease in demand and an increase in supply until those balances approach exhaustion or relief. At that point, markets may shift their attention to issues such as credit crises, asset overvaluation in the face of rising interest rates, and increasing costs of maintaining government spending and debt obligations, specifically inflation and interest rates. Most critically, what will central banks do next?

Over the last year, the precious metal markets have seen historic increases and then decreases in price. This, of course, is the result of the workings of supply and demand, but there have also been cries of market manipulation.

I have laid out the supply and demand conditions both in the pure free market and under current conditions in the real world on this podcast and in several interviews reproduced here.

Several forms of manipulation, such as changing margin requirements, are expected, and other forms of manipulation, such as mysterious shutdowns and slowdowns, can be anticipated. Above all else, organized markets and political actors will act to save themselves first.

As a result, I have declared several times over the last year that when prices began to reach record levels—particularly when silver approached $50 per ounce—that precious metal markets are going to experience “growing pains.”

Of course, all market activities manipulate the market in terms of changing prices and quantities exchanged, but in this case, commentators are often pointing to alleged illicit activities.

Our primary understanding of these markets is that—in a total free market model, where gold is literally money—it has a remarkable stability of purchasing power over the long haul, and that major alterations of price or purchasing power are the result of government interventions, and that deviations of price from long-run trends in inflation are the result of real world short-run adjustments in supply and demand, such as changing expectations, the outbreak of war, and developments in the business cycle.

Prior to the bull market in gold and silver, some commentators, myself included, have pointed out several reasons to suspect that gold might experience an increase in demand and that the realities of precious metal supply in terms of mine output would amplify price adjustment to those increases in demand. Those commentators turned out to be correct.

Prior to the recent, sharply lower prices, some commentators pointed out that any decrease in demand could also have sharp negative effects on prices. Those commentators were also correct. However, it is important to list some examples of those who decreased their demand, becoming suppliers, how that worked for them, and establish that these markets work. Will everyone decrease their demand to hold precious metals entirely, and will the prices fall to zero?

Precious metals have 24/7 global markets, but let us start in the US. Among all the various reasons why precious metals have been sold domestically—shifting demanders into suppliers are the following:

1. Speculators and traders: They rode the markets up and then decided to take profits and switch to other markets, notably oil, even before the outbreak of hostilities. This type of trading is dependent on the valuation of relative performance and speculation of future conditions, including inside information. Meanwhile, “manipulators” were also helping to push the markets up in anticipation of taking advantage of shorting the markets.
2. Liquidity crunches: We know that certain investments—notably private equity and private credit—are experiencing so-called liquidity issues because the Fed started an emergency program in December, and redemptions of this “sequestered” capital category (not openly traded in markets) have been blocked by the gatekeepers. This means that these assets are not generating enough revenues to cover expenses and debt obligations, and cannot be readily redeemed for cash. The Fed’s $40 billion a month program of Reserve Management Purchases (RMPs) seems to have been sufficient in December of 2025. Maybe not, more recently. If this is a significant ongoing problem, then expect this program to be expanded.

In both of these cases, precious metal markets performed as expected. People shifted currency into precious metals as a risk-off monetary asset and then shifted back out to address liquidity problems and to address changing market conditions.

Outside of the US, the primary event has been the Israelis’ attack on Iran with the notable support of the US. Without going into the details, so far, this war has destroyed a great deal of capital and business activity.

It is important to note that this has harmed the global population in terms of the consumption of petrochemicals, all the derivative products, and the decrease in supply of just about everything consumed, because it drives up costs of production generally. The disruption of trade has put hundreds of millions of people at particular risk, and of course, the situation could get much worse.

However, if we focus our attention on those in the conflict zone itself, the states surrounding the Persian Gulf and the Levant: Syria, Lebanon, Judea/Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus—the original land of the rising Son. We would note that the Persian Gulf states have been large liquidators of gold due to the destruction and idling of their oil-related assets/their primary income stream, and the desire to exit the region.

This selling of gold is indicated by the discount price it is selling at in Persian Gulf markets, and gold has undoubtedly served its primary role as a monetary asset for deeply troubling times, just as it would for others during hyperinflation.

It is important to remember that crises, crashes, and war have negative effects that can be contagious, but they nonetheless impact groups of people differently inside the global context.

As liquidity conditions in world asset markets are still very uncertain and war conditions in the Middle East are ongoing, precious metal markets will continue to experience a decrease in demand and an increase in supply until those balances approach exhaustion or relief. At that point, markets may shift their attention to issues such as credit crises, asset overvaluation in the face of rising interest rates, and increasing costs of maintaining government spending and debt obligations, specifically inflation and interest rates. Most critically, what will central banks do next?