Trends in geopolitics, global security, and international relations

"How the Iran War worsened a growing disquiet in the U.S. militia." Views expressed in this World and US news update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 19 April 2026, 1346 UTC. Content and Source:  "NPR-up first."  https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQgLPTNzSFhWNGkdnMFwZGJZNfr URL--https://www.npr.com. Please check email link, URL, or scroll down to read your selections.  Thanks for joining us today. Russ Roberts (https://trendsingeopolitics.blogspot.com). Was this newsletter shared with you? Subscribe now. by  Suzanne Nuyen April 19, 2026 Good morning. This week, the Commission of Fine Arts voted to move ahead with President Trump's plans to  build a 250-foot "victory arch"   in Washington, D.C., NPR  received $113 million  in charitable gifts, and a team of researchers reported that a group of wild chimpanzees is  embroiled in a brutal "civil war." Disquiet in the ranks by  Kat Lonsdorf , ge...

"Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over US blockade and fires on ships." Views expressed in this geopolitical news and analysis are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 18 April 2026, 1723 UTC. Content and Source:  "AP News." https://apnews.com/article/us-iran-war-israel-hormuz-18-april-2026-ab475cb979825b956a10d60103026b37 Please check URL or scroll down to read your selections.  Thanks for joining us today. Russ Roberts (https://trendsingeopolitics.blogspot.com). WORLD NEWS Iran closes Strait of Hormuz again over US blockade and fires on ships 1 of 9  |    Confusion over the critical chokepoint threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy and push the two countries toward renewed conflict, even as mediators expressed confidence a new deal was within reach. Iran’s joint military command said on Saturday that “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state ... under strict management and control o...