BL—Is the image at the top of this article freedom? Many people think so. A single individual with no ties to anything reaching out to an infinite horizon (The Grand Canyon). After all, how many car commercials have you seen with rugged individualist men tearing around curves which might just as well have been the edge of the Grand Canyon? But what global capitalists have done is to smuggle in the infinite horizons of the global marketplace for the infinite horizons of the Grand Canyon. Capitalists must strip individuals of their intermediate connections of culture, class, ethnicity, race and historical circumstances and convince these rugged individuals that these connections are impediments to this freedom. In its place are abstract universal human rights, which are voluntary and connected to the infinite capitalist marketplace.

DW—Larry Johnson argues that Iran maintains effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting claims by Donald Trump and Marco Rubio that the strait remains open. He outlines Iran’s conditions for reopening the strait, which include ending the naval blockade, lifting sanctions on Iranian energy exports, and recognizing Iran’s right to collect maritime fees.

Military Escalation & Energy Markets: The discussion covers recent attacks on US assets in Kuwait and Iraq as well as the depletion of US missile stockpiles (PRSM, THAAD, ATACMS), which Johnson suggests limits Trump’s military options. There is a detailed breakdown of the global shortage of high-sulfur (sour) crude oil caused by the disruption in the Persian Gulf, impacting diesel and aviation fuel supplies

Regional Dynamics:

Yemen & Saudi Arabia: Johnson notes the ongoing conflict, highlighting a recent drone attack by Yemeni forces on the Najam International Airport that destroyed critical radar infrastructure.

GER—Norton identifies three primary factors forcing the US to seek an off-ramp:
Missile Shortages: The Pentagon is running dangerously low on Patriotinterceptors, with analysts estimating they have used roughly 60% of their initial inventory since the war began in February 2026
Rising Casualties: The video claims the Pentagon is hiding the true extent of USmilitary fatalities and injuries to avoid political backlash before upcoming midterm elections •••••••••••••••••••
Energy Crisis: The expansion of the conflict to include Yemen and the subsequent Houthi blockade of Red Sea oil routes—combined with Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz—has severely tightened global oil supplies and driven inflation.

DW—This video features a conversation between host Nima and Lt. Col. Anthony Aguilar regarding the escalating regional conflicts in West Asia and the involvement of multiple nations, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Yemen. The discussion emphasizes that these events are unfolding as a complex, interconnected “world war” scenario, characterized by regional instability and a lack of clear diplomatic exits.

DW—Professor Marandi asserts that Iran is determined to maintain full supervision and control over the Strait of Hormuz (8:41, 17:12, 35:02). He argues that there will be no peace or normalized traffic through the strait without Iran’s full knowledge and consent, and that ships will be required to pay a fee.
Conflict in Yemen: The situation in Yemen is described as a critical factor in the regional crisis. Marandi notes that Yemen has been striking Saudi targets (specifically the Najran airport and radar installations) in response to the Saudi blockade, which he views as a barbaric siege on civilians.

AN—Ambassador Freeman argues that the Trump presidency has been undermined by its unconditional alignment with Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies. He suggests that the recent chilly reception of Netanyahu at the White House reflects a shift, as Netanyahu left “empty-handed” after what were described as performative meetings. Ambassador Freeman argues that the Trump presidency has been undermined by its unconditional alignment with Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies. He suggests that the recent chilly reception of Netanyahu at the White House reflects a shift, as Netanyahu left “empty-handed” after what were described as performative meetings.