President Trump is considering a range of options for military escalation with Iran , several of which center around strategic islands in the Persian Gulf. Why it matters: The importance of the islands comes from their proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint, and in some cases their role in Iran's own oil industry or military defenses. But taking and holding Iranian territory would be far riskier than anything the U.S. has attempted thus far in the war. State of play: The Pentagon is developing military options for a knockout blow to the war, including potential ground and bombing operations, multiple officials and sources familiar tell Axios' Barak Ravid. - Options on the table include seizing ships near the…
President Trump is considering a range of options for military escalation with Iran , several of which center around strategic islands in the Persian Gulf. Why it matters: The importance of the islands comes from their proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint, and in some cases their role in Iran's own oil industry or military defenses. But taking and holding Iranian territory would be far riskier than anything the U.S. has attempted thus far in the war. State of play: The Pentagon is developing military options for a knockout blow to the war, including potential ground and bombing operations, multiple officials and sources familiar tell Axios' Barak Ravid. - Options on the table include seizing ships near the…Open
House Democrats chose not to force a vote this week to block President Trump from unilaterally waging war with Iran in part out of fear that they still lacked the votes to pass the measure, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The move is frustrating the Democratic grassroots, with some progressive groups and lawmakers fuming over the fact that another vote won't be possible until mid-April. - Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) told Axios there is "absolutely" frustration among lawmakers on the left that an Iran war powers resolution didn't get a vote this week. - "Democrats should absolutely be forcing Republicans to vote on stopping this war as urgently as possible," Andrew O'Neill, national advocacy director at the progressive group…
House Democrats chose not to force a vote this week to block President Trump from unilaterally waging war with Iran in part out of fear that they still lacked the votes to pass the measure, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The move is frustrating the Democratic grassroots, with some progressive groups and lawmakers fuming over the fact that another vote won't be possible until mid-April. - Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) told Axios there is "absolutely" frustration among lawmakers on the left that an Iran war powers resolution didn't get a vote this week. - "Democrats should absolutely be forcing Republicans to vote on stopping this war as urgently as possible," Andrew O'Neill, national advocacy director at the progressive group…Open
The U.S. government has blocked Venezuela from paying for its former leader’s defense lawyers. In a hearing, a judge said repeatedly that the former president’s right to his own defense was “paramount.”