This story appeared in The Logoff, a every day publication that helps you keep knowledgeable concerning the Trump administration with out letting political information take over your life. Subscribe right here.
Welcome to The Logoff: Extra US naval forces are arriving within the Center East as President Donald Trump threatens army motion in opposition to Iran.
What’s taking place? An plane service strike group arrived within the North Arabian Sea this week, becoming a member of 5 different US destroyers deployed all through the area, after Trump warned that “time is operating out” for the Iranian regime to make a deal.
The brand new service group is “prepared, prepared, and in a position to quickly fulfill its mission, with velocity and violence, if essential,” Trump wrote in a social media submit.
What sort of deal? Trump reportedly has three calls for: no enriched uranium, limits on Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, and no Iranian help for proxy forces within the Center East, comparable to Hezbollah. Not included, notably, is any point out of Iran’s protest motion.
What’s the context? The Iranian regime is on shaky footing after mass protests started in late December in response to financial circumstances. Earlier this month, Trump informed protesters that “HELP IS ON THE WAY.” It wasn’t — and Iranian safety forces have reportedly carried out a historic bloodbath in response to the protests, doubtlessly killing greater than 30,000. (Estimates fluctuate; verified dying tolls are far decrease, however virtually actually an undercount.)
Will strikes really occur? As my colleague Josh Keating wrote earlier this month, there are many causes Trump may maintain again from putting Iran — first amongst them, it’s not all that clear what the US may accomplish by doing so. And it’s solely doable that the naval buildup is designated to intimidate and produce Iran to the desk, somewhat than take motion.
However after putting Iranian nuclear services final yr and efficiently capturing Venezuelan chief Nicolás Maduro this month, there’s purpose to imagine Trump is perhaps lethal critical.
And with that, it’s time to log out…
Right here’s some excellent news: Polar bears in Svalbard, Norway, are doing higher than anticipated at the same time as sea ice continues to soften. In reality, over the past 20 years, they’ve gotten more healthy, and their inhabitants has both remained steady or elevated. You’ll be able to learn my colleague Benji Jones’s reporting right here (and see a really cute photograph of two polar bear cubs with their mom).
As at all times, thanks for studying, have an excellent night, and we’ll see you again right here tomorrow!
