Iran's military has taken a significant beating in the opening weeks of the U.S.-Israeli offensive — but Tehran continues to demonstrate a defiant disruptiveness. The big picture: The U.S. is developing military operations for a "final blow," Axios' Barak Ravid reported, but some hypothetical next steps, like the use of ground forces, could risk intensifying the fight. Context: Trump has repeatedly claimed that the war is essentially over, but Iran continues to launch strikes against Israel and other Gulf countries. The nation is also maintaining the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, impacting oil and gas prices worldwide. - The White House and the Pentagon are considering sending at least 10,000 additional combat troops to the…
Cheap, mass-produced drones have permanently changed the face of warfare. - Without them, Russia's overwhelming manpower and firepower advantage would grind Ukraine into dust. - Without them, the Houthis are a ragtag militia in Yemen — not a force that brought global shipping to its knees. - Without them, a sanctioned, isolated Iran couldn't inflict nearly as much damage to the most powerful military in world history. Why it matters: Size no longer guarantees victory. Any nation, any proxy, any rebel group with access to cash and commercial components can now bleed a superpower slowly, expensively and without a clean answer. Driving the news: Iran's Shahed drone — said to cost between $20,000 and $50,000 — has been the regime's…
Azerbaijan's ambassador to the U.S. told Axios his country is taking "appropriate defensive and precautionary measures" following an Iranian drone strike on the Nakhchivan exclave. - Asked if he was worried about another attack, ambassador Khazar Ibrahim said it's "not about worrying." Instead: "We are calculating, we are looking at facts, and we are making decisions." Why it matters: The salvo, which Iran denied responsibility for, again widens a war that is just days-old and has killed many, including American troops. The latest: Baku and Washington are in close contact regarding the incident, according to Ibrahim. - The two governments have a track record of cooperation, including overflight and refueling rights during the global…