My mornings always kick off with a cup of coffee. I often wonder how anyone gets through high school without it. Speaking of valuable routines, longtime NBC News reporter John Ellis turned his “News Items” newsletter into a reliable collection of important news stories, sharing them with friends and family. It started as a simple hobby but eventually evolved into an influential source for overnight news that matters, even if it’s not widely recognized.
For years, I’ve counted on John’s updates, so when he announced his plans to expand the newsletter, I thought it was a worthy investment. It’s refreshing to have a newsletter that cuts through the clutter of traditional media, providing streamlined updates on world events.
His latest “News Items” caught my attention, opening with a significant focus: “Morning Glory: President Trump should once again reject Munich and firmly address Iran.” The newsletter highlighted something worrisome for many officials. The Trump administration’s public statements about Iran’s diminished military capabilities seem to clash with private intelligence reports. A recent confidential review indicated that Iran has regained access to many of its missile facilities, potentially posing risks to U.S. naval forces.
New York Times reporting no longer appeals to me, especially after some controversial pieces, so learning about the “News Items” report was quite a revelation. This newsletter is reliable for readers skeptical of sources on the center-right, yet it covers important information nonetheless.
The CIA, under John Ratcliffe’s leadership, may hold insights from the leaked assessment. Historically, however, the agency hasn’t always been accurate regarding Iran, notably failing to predict the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979. They misspoke dramatically back in 2007 regarding Iran’s nuclear aspirations, which, in my view, should raise concerns about their current assessments.
Back then, the CIA confidently stated, “We judge with confidence that Tehran ceased its nuclear weapons program in the fall of 2003.” That misstep impacted how they influenced policies during President George W. Bush’s tenure.
President Obama also engaged in attempts to integrate Iran into the global community, including sending cash to factions there, seemingly unaware of Iran’s consistent threats stemming from decades of instability and extremist governance.
This leads to the notion that the newer assessments might carry the same mistakes as the previous ones. Optimism shouldn’t replace strategy when dealing with Iran. The administration would do well to heed the intelligence community’s evaluations now, just as they should have before.
Recent reports indicate Iran retaliated to a February 28 attack by targeting U.S. and Israeli installations, reflecting their aggressive stance. It’s concerning that they seem unaffected by previous strikes and, in fact, appear to be escalating their responses.
While things may be calm in China at the moment, the implications of the leaked assessments could lead to renewed conflict once Trump is back in the spotlight. It’s probably futile to engage in negotiations with Iranian leaders at this stage. A strategy focused on weakening their military capacity seems like the only feasible option. There might even be internal dissent brewing, but without a solid military strategy, that resistance will remain fragmented.
Ultimately, ensuring Iran does not acquire missiles or other military capabilities is crucial. Simply put, a dangerous regime shouldn’t have access to such weaponry. It’s imperative for President Trump to take decisive action, whether that means acting independently or alongside allies like Israel and other Gulf nations.
