Donald Trump aboard Air Force One, February 16, 2026 (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)
EA on DW News and Firstpost: Iran Downs US F-15E Fighter Jet
EA on Morning Ireland: Trump Fires Pam Bondi and Purges US Generals
I joined Times Radio’s Maddie Hale for a 32-minute weekend review of the US-Israel War on Iran, beginning with the loss of two American warplanes on Friday.
I evaluate the military and political consequences, including the psychological boost to the Iranian regime, and conclude that it brings the Trump camp nearer to an important decision.
They either have to go into talks with the Iranians, which will not be on the basis of a US ultimatum, or they will have to pursue ground operations.
There is no in-between here.
I also highlight the Trumpist purge of the US military, with the dismissal of more commanders including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
And I explain why Donald Trump scapegoated and fired his loyal servant, Attorney General Pam Bondi — and why it will not save him from the Epstein Files.
[Editor’s Note: As always, Trump’s claims should be treated with extreme caution.]
Trump admits sending weapons to arm protesters during unrest in January: https://x.com/mashabani/status/2040788477675991178
“We sent a lot of guns to the Iranian protesters, we sent guns through the Kurds.”
Mossad has admitted its plan was to incite riots in Iran
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/strange-figures-and-unexplained-killings-clues-mossad-infiltrated-irans-protests
“Witnesses described to MEE seeing civilian bystanders gunned down seemingly at random by unknown assailants. Though the authorities have killed hundreds of people in the crackdown, and have a history of publicising deaths to sow fear, sources on the ground suggested that what they saw did not appear to be the work of Iranian security forces. One source in Iran said they had watched bystanders being killed from the roof of their home in a northern city near the Caspian Sea on 9 January. “I went up to the roof to see what was happening. Two young girls entered our alley, far from the centre of the protests. As they walked down the street, a street sweeper suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot them. Both girls fell to the ground,” they said.”