Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ignored warnings from senior U.S. military leaders and cut offices responsible for preventing and investigating civilian casualties, reducing staff from about 200 to fewer than 40.

Critics say the cuts weakened oversight just before a U.S. strike on an Iranian girls’ school that killed more than 170 students, an incident now under investigation.

Military officials argued the offices helped avoid mistakes and save resources, but Hegseth viewed them as unnecessary and part of “woke” policies.

Source: POLITICO

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy and lead negotiator with Iran, has drawn scrutiny for his unusually close ties to Israel while overseeing negotiations meant to prevent war.

A longtime supporter of Israel, Witkoff has close relationships with prominent pro-Israel figures. He counts megadonor Miriam Adelson as a “dear friend” and reportedly helped raise large sums from pro-Israel donors for Trump during the 2024 campaign.

He also carries a custom pager gifted by Benjamin Netanyahu and senior Mossad officials — a reference to an Israeli operation targeting Hezbollah.

Reports indicate Witkoff was in frequent contact with Israeli officials, including Netanyahu and the Mossad Chief, during the negotiations and in the lead-up to the conflict with Iran.

Source: Responsible Statecraft

The Finalissima between EURO 2024 winners Spain and Copa América 2024 champions Argentina has been officially cancelled.

The match was scheduled for 27 March in Doha, Qatar, but UEFA announced it cannot take place due to the current political situation in the region.

UEFA tried to find alternative solutions, but none were accepted by the Argentine Football Association.

A French delegation asked Russia to allow European countries to join the Ukraine peace talks. Russia rejected the idea and made clear that Europe would not be included.

As one senior European diplomat described Russia’s response:

“The Russian response from Ushakov was basically, ‘Sorry, actually, no we don’t, fuck you.’”

Source: FT

Netanyahu says he is still alive.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf:

He has claimed he 'defeated' us 9 times in the last two weeks. Hilarious!

US tech billionaire Peter Thiel is holding secret lectures in Rome about the antichrist and technology, in tension with Pope Leo XIV, who warns about AI risks.

Thiel says AI regulation could enable a global authoritarian system that halts scientific progress, while the Pope argues regulation is needed to manage AI’s dangers.

The private talks, organised by a conservative Catholic group linked to the far right, have been criticised by Vatican figures and Catholic media.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

We never asked for a ceasefire or negotiations.

We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes until Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war.

There are people being killed only because Trump wants to have fun.

The UK is considering sending naval ships and mine-hunting drones to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz after the waterway was effectively closed during the conflict with Iran.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the government is discussing options with allies, including the US.

Q: You're speaking to us via Zoom. The Iranian people don't have open Internet access, but you do. Why?

Iran's FM Araghchi: Because I'm the voice of Iranians, and I have to defend their right...

…Internet is closed because of the security reasons, because we are under attack.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

I've been told that family of a U.S. soldier killed in the war of choice on Iran is relying on public donations.

As fair and equitable deal was within reach, those providing poor advice to POTUS are responsible for bloodshed.

This war is imposed on both Americans and Iranians.

Iran women’s football captain Zahra Ghanbari has withdrawn her asylum request in Australia and plans to return to Iran.

She is the fifth member of the team to change their decision after initially seeking asylum during the Asian Cup. In total, seven players and staff had applied, but most later reversed their choice.

Two players remain in Australia and may still be granted asylum.

Zelensky on Iran:

What American bases need now are interceptors. It’s our technology.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the U.S.–Israel War with Iran may end “in a few more weeks.”

A report claims that West Germany secretly financed a large part of Israel’s Dimona nuclear reactor project.

According to Haaretz, between 1961 and 1973 Bonn transferred about 140–160 million German marks annually to Israel through a covert loan system, totaling around 2 billion marks (≈€5 billion today).

The funding was officially labeled as aid for “Negev development,” but was allegedly used to support Israel’s nuclear program.

The arrangement reportedly began after a 1960 meeting between Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, reflecting Germany’s post-Holocaust commitment to Israel’s security.

While France provided technical support for the Dimona reactor, the report suggests German public funds secretly financed much of the project.

Source: Haaretz

Palantir has demonstrated its Maven Smart System, which uses artificial intelligence to analyze intelligence data and help plan military operations.

A drone strike hit Ali al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, destroying an Italian MQ-9A Predator surveillance drone worth about $30–35 million.

The drone belonged to Italy’s Task Force Air and was used for intelligence and surveillance missions supporting the coalition against ISIS.

No Italian personnel were injured.

Q: At least 4 Americans are being held at Evin Prison... Are they safe?

Iran's FM Araghchi: Well, if the U.S. and Israel do not attack our prisons, I guess they are safe.

Israel will reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Wednesday for limited movement of people, after it was closed when the war with Iran began.

Israel’s military liaison agency, COGAT, said the crossing will operate in both directions but under strict security restrictions.