Wednesday, March 18, 2026

​ March 18, 2026 Good morning, Welcome to the news for independent thinkers ​ Leading the News . . . ​ Gulf States Want the U.S. to Cripple Iran's Regime Before Ending the War . . . The United Arab Emirates, battered by over 2,000 Iranian drones and missiles since Feb. 28, now views Tehran as an existential threat and seeks to weaken—or even dismantle—the regime after the war. More than 80% of attacks targeted civilian infrastructure, killing six and injuring 157, while Gulf allies have stayed largely defensive, refusing open retaliation despite mounting devastation to oil facilities, airports, and hotels. Wall Street Journal​ ​ This is hugely important. The Arabs in the region understand that they are now in it to win it. The missiles being lobbed at them by the Persians tell them that if the threat is not eradicated, it will dangerously reemerge. ​ Qatar's Al Jazeera backs Trump's Iran strikes in Epic Fury twist . . . In a jarring break from its usual posture, Qatar's state-backed Al Jazeera lent support to President Trump's handling of Operation Epic Fury, amplifying an op-ed that claims the US-Israeli campaign against Iran is succeeding. The piece dismisses widespread criticism that Washington blundered into conflict, instead framing the strikes as deliberate and effective—an unexpected narrative boost from a media outlet long seen as hostile to the administration. Washington Examiner​ ​ Israel claims kill of Iran intel chief Khatib as strikes intensify . . . Israel says it eliminated Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in a fresh strike, marking the third top figure targeted in two days as the conflict spirals. Tehran fired advanced missiles that pierced defenses and killed civilians near Tel Aviv, signaling escalation rather than restraint. Associated Press​ ​ ​Trump Postpones Meeting in China with Xi Jinping for a 'Month or So'​ ​ US pounds Iran missile sites near Strait of Hormuz . . . U.S. forces unleashed multiple 5,000-pound bunker-busting bombs on hardened Iranian missile installations along the Strait of Hormuz, striking at the heart of Tehran's coastal defenses. The massive bombardment shows President Trump zeroing in on the strategic waterway linking the Persian Gulf to global trade. Daily Mail​ ​ Trump weighs high-risk operation to remove Iran's nuclear fuel . . . President Trump is reportedly considering a sweeping military operation targeting Iran's near-bomb-grade nuclear material buried deep under a mountain in Isfahan, a move described as among the most dangerous in modern U.S. history. The plan carries extreme uncertainty, with unclear locations of the fuel and risks of toxic, radioactive release or even triggering a nuclear reaction, raising stakes far beyond past high-profile missions. New York Times​ Politics US intel hid Chinese 2020 election meddling from Trump because they opposed his policies, memo says . . . A newly surfaced January 2021 review by intelligence ombudsman Barry Zulauf alleges analysts downplayed evidence of Chinese election meddling in 2020, driven by open disdain for President Trump and resistance to his China policies. Some reportedly withheld insights to avoid aiding what they derided as a "vulgarian" White House, raising sharp questions about politicization inside the intelligence community. Just the News​ ​ ​House Panel Subpoenas Attorney General Bondi in Epstein Probe​ ​ Ireland's leader defends Starmer from Trump insults in White House meeting . . . President Trump used a St. Patrick's Day visit with Ireland's Micheál Martin to hammer U.K. leader Keir Starmer for refusing to join strikes on Iran, sneering he's "no Winston Churchill" while gesturing to the wartime bust behind him. "Keir Starmer has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship. I just want to put that on the record," Martin told Trump. "I do believe that he's a very earnest, sound person that you have a capacity to get along with. You've got along with him before." Politico​ ​ This is not a matter of nice people getting along. It's about Britain assisting the United States with an operation that is designed to prevent nuclear weapons from landing in Trafalgar Square. Culture House report blames universities for post-Oct. 7 antisemitism surge . . . A House Education and Workforce Committee report led by Rep. Tim Walberg accuses university leaders of enabling a sharp rise in antisemitism following the Oct. 7 terror attacks, pointing to weak leadership and concessions to radical campus activism. The investigation highlights the roles of administrators, faculty, student groups, and foreign funding in fostering hostile environments, arguing institutional failures allowed anti-Jewish hostility to spread unchecked across major campuses. Daily Signal​ ​ ​Harvard to Recruit at Jewish Day Schools After Study Finds Steep Decline in Jewish Enrollment​ ​ Oscars hit new low as Conan fails to pull viewers . . . The 98th Academy Awards flopped with just 17.9 million tuning in on ABC and Hulu, dropping 9% from last year and hitting a post-2022 audience low. Even host Conan O'Brien's second-year antics and awkward jokes couldn't spark interest, as viewers ignored the stage spectacle. New York Post​ ​ ​'You Guys Need to Close Down': Abortion Pill Nightmare Survivor Has Message for Planned Parenthood National Security Armed intruder walks free after Texas school scare in Texas . . . An Iraqi-born man who entered Zwink Elementary in Spring, Texas wearing tactical gear and carrying a firearm has been released after posting $75,000 bond, raising alarms about school security lapses. The suspect, a naturalized U.S. citizen, allegedly slipped in through an unlatched door and reached the front office before being questioned. Charged with a felony weapons violation, his quick release is fueling concern over safety failures and accountability. Daily Wire​ ​ Oh, okay, fingers crossed! ​ ​White House, after top counterterrorism official quits, says Trump had 'strong' evidence Iran would attack US​ Money Epstein mined billionaire contacts for secret investment tips . . . Jeffrey Epstein exploited his elite network to collect confidential financial intel, blending social access with potential securities violations. Files reveal he received board updates from Ehud Barak, M&A details from JPMorgan's Jes Staley, and biotech tips from a Gates adviser—sometimes using the insights to invest for himself. Even when he didn't act, Epstein leveraged his connections to amass privileged information from billionaires and top-tier firms. Wall Street Journal​ You should also know Cesar Chavez events scrapped as abuse claims rock UFW legacy . . . Celebrations for Cesar Chavez's 99th birthday are collapsing nationwide as mounting allegations threaten to upend the civil rights icon's legacy. Local groups are pulling events amid reports of an impending exposé, while the United Farm Workers confirmed accusations involving abuse of young women or minors and abruptly withdrew from all commemorations. Fox News​ ​ ​Libations of Liberty: The Top 10 Historic Drinking Sites in the US​ ​ Venezuela stuns Team USA in WBC final as Trump jokes about annexation . . . Venezuela edged the United States 3-2 in a dramatic World Baseball Classic final, exposing a sluggish Team USA that only woke up late behind Bryce Harper's game-tying blast. The comeback fizzled fast as Eugenio Suárez delivered the decisive hit and Daniel Palencia slammed the door. The upset win handed Venezuela its first title—and prompted President Trump to stir headlines, floating a tongue-in-cheek jab about making the country America's 51st state. Washington Examiner​ ​ Excellent. We'll soon be able to add Cuba too, which used to produce some good baseball players, including . . . Fidel Castro. ​ Meteor blast rattles area in Ohio with homes shaking . . . A massive boom that shook homes across Northeast Ohio was traced to a 6-foot, 17,000-pound meteor tearing through the sky at 44,000 mph, according to NASA. The object detonated high above Lake Erie, sparking widespread panic as residents reported explosion-like noise and vibrations. The Hill​ ​ Those 17,000-pound meteors are such a nuiscance. Guilty Pleasures Munchies Marketing: Girl Scouts spark controversy selling cookies outside NJ cannabis shop . . . A New Jersey troop turned heads—and raised eyebrows—by selling cookies outside Mount Laurel's Daylite Cannabis, tapping into what the dispensary owner called "marijuana-induced cravings." The stunt drew local and online buzz and boosted traffic, but the troop has no plans to return after catching the attention of Girl Scouts leadership. Fox News​ ​ Everyone knows the Girls Scouts are some of the best capitalists in America. Even if you're not high, how you can resist buying such sweet little cookies from such sweet little things? ​ Cut to the News brings the day's top news to conservative-leaning readers and others with insight, humor, and concision. ​ Help CTTN reach more people by forwarding it to your family and friends. 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