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Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on the UK's military capabilities, describing its aircraft carriers as 'toys' compared to those of the US. Speaking at the White House, Trump claimed that the UK had offered to send two aircraft carriers to support US military actions against Iran, but he had rejected the offer, saying 'Don't bother, we don't need it.'The comments have sparked a fresh row between Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has refused to engage directly with the US president's repeated insults. Starmer has emphasized his focus on addressing the UK's domestic priorities, including the cost of living crisis, and has reiterated his commitment to defending British interests while avoiding escalation.Tensions between the US and UK have been rising over Nato's role in the conflict with Iran. Trump has expressed disappointment with Nato allies, accusing them of not doing enough to support the US. He also criticized Starmer for not providing sufficient support, saying 'He's not exactly Winston Churchill.'In response, Starmer has reaffirmed the UK's commitment to its Nato allies while emphasizing the need to address the threat posed by Russia. During a visit to Finland, Starmer warned of a 'war on two fronts' – Ukraine and Iran – and highlighted the importance of cooperation between Nato allies to counter these threats.The UK has deployed a warship, HMS Dragon, to the eastern Mediterranean in response to an Iranian-made missile launch from Lebanon at a UK RAF base in Cyprus. Officials are also considering deploying a Royal Navy vessel to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies.

The US military operation in Iran has cost a staggering $20bn to date, sparking widespread outrage and protests among American citizens. As tax day approaches, a growing movement of individuals is refusing to pay their federal income taxes to protest against the war. The protesters argue that the war is unjustified and that they do not want their tax dollars to fund military actions that have resulted in civilian casualties, including the killing of over 150 girls in Iran and 73,000 Palestinians in Gaza. They claim that the US government has not consulted Congress or the American people before launching the military operation, which is a clear violation of the separation of powers. The movement is inspired by a long history of war tax resistance in the US, dating back to the American Revolution. In 1637, the Algonquin Nation refused to pay taxes to the Dutch to support their new military fort, and Quakers were the first organized religion to oppose wartime taxation as a rule. War tax resisters are not simply refusing to pay taxes; they are also redirecting the taxes they would have paid to alternative causes, such as relief aid for those affected by the war. This approach is based on the principle that taxpayers have a right to choose how their taxes are spent and that they should not be forced to fund actions that go against their values. The movement is gaining momentum, with up to 50% of federal taxes going towards military spending. While some individuals may face consequences for not paying taxes, many war tax resisters have never faced penalties, and only two individuals have served time for non-payment of taxes in protest of US military interventions since World War II. The war tax resistance movement is part of a broader effort to challenge the US government's military adventurism and to promote civil disobedience as a means of bringing about change. As one protester noted, 'Silent resistance is untenable now. Public and open rejection of our 'peace' president and his military adventurism is the only way for this tactic to have its maximum effect.'

The United States has announced plans to deploy thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. This significant military move comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region. The deployment, as reported, involves a substantial number of troops, indicating a major escalation of US military presence in the area. The 82nd Airborne Division, known for its rapid deployment capabilities, will likely play a critical role in the region's security dynamics. While specific details about the deployment, such as the exact number of soldiers and the mission objectives, have not been disclosed, the move is expected to have far-reaching implications for regional stability and international relations.

The escalating tensions between the US and Israel against Iran have created a lucrative market for arms manufacturers. As the conflict continues to intensify, defense companies are reaping significant benefits from the increased demand for military equipment and technology.The geopolitical landscape in the region remains volatile, with the US and Israel maintaining a strong stance against Iran. This has resulted in a surge in defense spending, with arms manufacturers capitalizing on the opportunity to supply the necessary equipment.The thriving arms industry is a testament to the enduring demand for military hardware and technology in the face of global conflicts. As tensions persist, it is likely that defense companies will continue to experience significant growth and profitability.

QatarEnergy has invoked force majeure on certain long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply contracts, impacting customers in Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China. This decision comes as the company faces production and supply disruptions due to the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.The force majeure clause, commonly included in contracts, allows a party to be excused from its obligations under unforeseen circumstances. This is not an isolated incident, as petroleum companies in Kuwait and Bahrain have also recently invoked force majeure.The global energy market has been significantly affected since the US and Israel began their attacks on Iran on February 28. Iranian missile and drone strikes across the Middle East, particularly in the Gulf region, have targeted crucial oil and gas facilities. These actions have led to international condemnation and have essentially closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and LNG supplies pass.QatarEnergy's CEO, Saad al-Kaabi, recently reported that an Iranian attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan gas facility resulted in the loss of about 17 percent of the country's LNG export capacity. This damage is expected to cause an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatens supplies to Europe and Asia. The repairs are anticipated to sideline 12.8 million tonnes of LNG production per year for three to five years.The conflict escalated after the Israeli military targeted Iran's offshore South Pars gasfield, prompting Qatar and other Gulf countries to condemn the attacks on energy infrastructure. These actions are viewed as threats to global energy security and violate international law and the United Nations Charter.

Anthropic, a leading artificial intelligence company, is set to face off against the US Pentagon in a San Francisco court over a ban that prevents the military from using its Claude AI model. The company refused to remove safety guardrails that prevent its AI from being used for fully autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance.The legal showdown began on Tuesday, with US District Judge Rita Lin presiding over the hearing. Anthropic argues that the Pentagon's move is an unprecedented and unlawful designation that violates freedom of speech protections and due process rights.The Pentagon-led ban was enacted after Anthropic refused to strip safety guardrails from its AI model. The company's designation as a national security supply chain risk prohibits anyone within the Defense Department or its contractors from using the technology.Legal experts believe that Anthropic is likely to prevail, pointing to a February 27 post on X in which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he is directing the DoD to designate Anthropic a Supply-Chain Risk to National Security. The post also said that contractors, suppliers, or partners for the United States military are prohibited from commercial activity with Anthropic.The White House has pushed back on Anthropic's claims that government action violated free speech protections under the First Amendment of the US Constitution, saying the dispute stems from contract negotiations and national security concerns rather than retaliation.Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has penned a letter to Hegseth voicing her concerns, saying she is particularly concerned that the DoD is trying to strong-arm American companies into providing the Department with the tools to spy on American citizens and deploy fully autonomous weapons without adequate safeguards.

US President Donald Trump has asserted that negotiations to end the war on Iran are ongoing, claiming Tehran is eager to make a deal. Speaking at the White House, Trump stated the US is talking to 'the right people' about a potential agreement, mentioning a 'very big present' related to 'oil and gas' allegedly gifted by Tehran. Trump's claims come as fighting continues, with Iran launching attacks on Israel and a strike near Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant. Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, had previously dismissed Trump's claims as 'fake news.' Media reports suggest Washington has sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war, which includes ending Iran's nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 61% of Americans disapprove of the attacks on Iran, while 35% approve. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged receiving messages from 'friendly countries' indicating a US request for negotiations. Negar Mortazavi, a senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy, stated Iran would seek to end the war on its 'own terms,' including establishing deterrence and economic gains. Despite Trump's diplomatic efforts, Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said Israel's war plan remains 'unchanged,' aiming to 'deepen the damage and remove existential threats.' The US is reportedly preparing to send thousands of soldiers to the Middle East, fueling fears of a longer conflict.

Robert Habeck, former German Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, has issued a stark warning about the dangers posed by authoritarian leaders driven by megalomania, drawing parallels between Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine and Donald Trump's actions in Iran.Habeck argues that both leaders are primarily concerned with their own greatness, making them unpredictable and disinterested in international law. This megalomania has led to massive military miscalculations, including underestimating the resolve of the countries they attacked to make sacrifices.The article highlights the impact on energy prices, with both conflicts threatening to disrupt global energy supplies. Habeck recalls the high oil prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which rose to $130 a barrel, and warns that a prolonged conflict in Iran could lead to an inflationary contagion beyond energy.Habeck emphasizes the need for Europe to develop its defence capabilities, including stockpiles of interceptor drones and new production capacity, to prepare for the scenario of a long war. He also stresses the importance of rapid electrification of industry, transport, and the heating and cooling sectors to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.The author concludes that Europe must act to prevent the worst outcome, rather than relying on hope or second-best outcomes. As he notes, hope is not a strategy, and the EU must use its resources wisely to protect its infrastructure and ensure energy security.

The UK government has taken a significant step in its ongoing efforts to counter Russia's attempts to evade Western sanctions. Armed forces have been authorized to board Russian oil tankers in British waters, a move aimed at disrupting Moscow's 'shadow fleet' of vessels.This fleet, comprising over 600 vessels targeted by sanctions from the EU, UK, and US, uses tactics such as false national flags and opaque ownership structures to export Russian crude oil while avoiding Western sanctions. The new rules apply specifically to vessels sanctioned by the UK.The Royal Navy has previously collaborated with allies to take action against these vessels. For instance, last week it helped track a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the Mediterranean, which was subsequently boarded by the French navy.The UK's move is part of a broader strategy to hamper Russia's economy and, consequently, its war efforts in Ukraine. Prime Minister Starmer emphasized that the goal is to 'starve Putin's war machine of the dirty profits that fund his barbaric campaign in Ukraine.'However, Russia has warned that direct action against shadow fleet vessels could lead to direct conflict. A senior Russian official, Nikolai Patrushev, suggested that Moscow could deploy its navy to protect Russian-linked vessels from potential European seizures.The UK's defense secretary, John Healey, previously suggested using 'military options' against sanctioned vessels, with any seized oil potentially being sold and the proceeds sent to Ukraine.Before any ship is boarded, its situation will be examined by law enforcement, military, and energy market specialists, with a recommendation made to ministers. Seizure could be followed by criminal proceedings against the owners, operators, and crew for breaches of UK sanctions legislation.