Here’s what caught my eye this week: A Russian ship mysteriously sunk with two nuclear sub reactors on board, Qatar unlikely to resume full LNG production until end of decade even if Strait opens today, and demand for AI regulations rises. Enjoy! newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/what-caugh...

This week on World Review, Xi takes Trump’s measure in Beijing Summit, Russia is in trouble but Putin fears end of war more than continuing to fight, and Stalemate in the Strait continues. With Carla Anne Robbins, Jamil Anderlini, and @yanpal.bsky.social. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/world-revi...

This week, how the Iran War signals the end of America’s empire, the closure of the Strait holds chilling lesson for Taiwan, David Sacks led Big Tech’s capture of the state, and Xi Jinping favors party loyalty to military competence. Enjoy! newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/what-caugh...

I joined @stephruhle.bsky.social last night on @11thhourmsnow.bsky.social and explained why I think the US will blink first in the Iran and Hormuz standoff. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/why-trump-...

Few people have been better positioned to dominate foreign and national security policy than Marco Rubio, who serves as both secretary of state and national security advisor. But what’s most remarkable about Rubio is his ever shrinking role. My latest www.politico.eu/article/marc...

"We're not going to get the deal the president wants." @ivodaalder.bsky.social‬ breaks down where discussions between the U.S. and Iran stand, as the two countries exchange fire amidst a ceasefire.

About to join @11thhourmsnow.bsky.social to talk about the latest on Iran

If you missed Ask Ivo, here’s the full video and my three key take-aways: The Iran War was unnecessary. A more European NATO is a stronger NATO—IF/IF the US remains fully engaged. A cornered Putin is a more dangerous Putin. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/ask-ivo

Don’t forget to join me in two hours, at noon ET, and ask me anything about what’s happening in the 🌍 today. open.substack.com/live-stream/...?

In Iran, Ukraine, and transatlantic relations, the real danger now is escalation rather than negotiations or compromise. My interview on @cnn.com yesterday. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/the-danger...

This week — how Iran has accumulated enough nuclear materials for 100 bombs, AI chatbots can help create deadly pathogens, and how Donald Trump wants to be one of the Great Men in history. open.substack.com/pub/ivodaald...

Chloe loves lazy Sunday mornings.

On World Review this week: The stalemate in the Iran War, King Charles’s surprising diplomatic triumph, and Germany rearms alone. With Anna Sauerbrey, Alex Ward and Giles Whittell. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/world-revi...

For NATO to survive it needs to become a very different NATO. www.politico.eu/article/diff...

Here’s what caught my eye this week: The Supreme Court’s “shadow docket,” Gen-Z doesn’t trust government, Ukraine’s drone innovations, and why the Iran War fails the “just war” test. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/what-caugh...

NATO needs to become more European. That much is clear. But how can that be done? @camillegrand.bsky.social and I explore the answer in this new “Brussels Sprouts” podcast. www.cnas.org/publications...

This week on World Review, I talk with @eliselabott.bsky.social, @prashantrao.bsky.social, and @kaminskimk.bsky.social about the long-term consequences of the Strait’s closure, the opportunity in Lebanon, and the new vibe in Ukraine. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/world-revi...

Does Trump realize that comparing his Iran War to the failed Vietnam and Iraq Wars isn’t the most convincing argument to convince the country he’s winning?

Trump knows he’s lost this war. That’s what an indefinite ceasefire means. He just doesn’t want to say it out loud. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/trump-know...

The fundamental problem for Trump in finding an acceptable end to the Iran War is asymmetry—which, except for military power, favors Iran. substack.com/@ivodaalder/...

About to join @theweekendmsnow.bsky.social at the top of the hour to talk about Iran War, Trump and more.

Telling the Pope that “it’s very, very important for the pope to be careful when he talks about matters of theology,” takes some chutzpah. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/u...

A strongman loses an election, after Trump and Vance throw their full support behind him. And then concedes. What a novel idea. www.cnn.com/2026/04/12/w...

The Iran War, of course. But also a tale of bobbing heads with Russia and a must-red profile of Sam Altman. Plus links to a whole bunch of interviews I did this past week. open.substack.com/pub/ivodaald...

The Iran War was a blunder of historic proportions. As a result we know live in the most dangerous era in our lifetimes. My interview with @shonamurray.bsky.social on @euronews.com youtube.com/shorts/Lxman...

The Iran War has created a rift between the United States and Europe that even Trump’s favorite whisperer won’t be able to bridge. My conversation with @audiecornish.bsky.social youtube.com/watch?v=ObxI...

On World Review this week: A fragile ceasefire upsets negotiations. Evaluating the Iran War’s outcomes. And the impact on NATO. With @scribblercat.bsky.social Philp, Michael Birnbaum, and David Luhnow. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/world-revi...

My take on the state of NATO before the Rutte-Trump meeting. Nothing much seems to have changed as a result of the meeting. open.substack.com/pub/ivodaald...

“Good Sunday morning! Now, can I please chew my cow hoof!” — Chloe

On NATO’s 77th birthday, I explain why NATO is still vital to US security on Bloomberg This Weekend. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/nato-is-77...

This week: Iran (of course). NATO’s fate. Netanyahu’s Greater Israel strategy. Putin throttles the internet. And a lot of links to my interviews, discussions, and writings. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/what-caugh...

JOINING US - Major Gen. Randy Manner, @ivodaalder.bsky.social, @maya4rights.bsky.social, @repespaillat.bsky.social, @adamsmith.house.gov, @staceyabrams.com, @calebsilver.bsky.social, Shelly Bloomrose, @pbump.bsky.social, @repbowman.bsky.social, Kian Tajbakhsh, @esglaude.bsky.social

77 years ago, 12 nations led by the US signed the North Atlantic Treaty. Today, NATO faces the gravest crisis ever. But NATO will survive—and thrive—with or without America. Here is how: www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...

This week on World Review: Trump’s Iran Speech; the impact of the Strait’s Closure; and Israel’s Strategy after 30 months of war. With @bobbyghosh.bsky.social, @gideonrachman.bsky.social, and @isabelcoles.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/ivodaald...

Trump's primetime address didn't clarify anything. Its nuclear weapons are buried, its regime has been changed, the Strait will "open naturally," its military has been devastated, Trump claimed of Iran. But we still need 2-3 weeks to do ... what? My take youtu.be/n89bisimA38?...

@crampell.bsky.social @peterbakernyt.bsky.social @sykescharlie.bsky.social @ivodaalder.bsky.social @bhgreeley.bsky.social

The rift between the Trump administration and NATO allies runs deep, I tell CNN News Central. Allies won’t open the Strait of the Hormuz, but they can do more for their own security. open.substack.com/pub/ivodaald...

There was only one thing missing from Trump’s speech tonight.

My take on what Trump might say tonight and what to make of his threats to withdraw from NATO. On CNN earlier today. open.substack.com/pub/ivodaald...

This is the worst crisis in NATO's history. open.substack.com/pub/ivodaald...

This is the worst crisis in NATO's history. open.substack.com/pub/ivodaald...

Trump likes to go with his “gut.” In the Iran War, we are all paying the price. My latest for @politico.eu www.politico.eu/article/iran...

Iran’s ballistic missile threat, a toll system in the Strait, the mirage of a “final blow” and a whole lot more in this week’s reads. Also, a few links to interviews and commentary you may have missed. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/what-caugh...

Is it too early to say the US has been defeated? @ldfreedman.bsky.social doesn’t think so. His concluding sentence in this excellent piece: “As things stand, this counts as defeat.” open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...

The number of troops being sent to the Gulf aren’t sufficient to open the Strait either. More likely is Trump declaring victory and leaving others to sort out the Strait. Both Rubio and Trump have said as much.

Good Morning! Almost 6-months old Chloe is my constant reminder that not everything is dark in this world!

I take a hard look at the US strategy in the Iran War—and why it is failing. And take strong exception to the President’s criticism of NATO, which is not only wrong, but counterproductive and even obscene. newsletter.ivodaalder.com/p/the-truth-...

Sorry Mr. President, but that’s not how NATO works. Let me help you out. 1/ 🧵

The goal of Trump’s Iran War seems to have shifted to opening the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait was open before the war began. Trump should have declared victory then. Just sayin’.

It’s high time for the media to stop reporting every statement by Trump on the war as factual or true. It’s very doubtful there were any talks with Iran, let alone “productive” talks. His statement was all about markets, not about ending the war.