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New York Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
How Trump can mold the Mideast in his own deal-making image
Just weeks after the US-Israeli victory over Iran, President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu show no signs of resting on their laurels. Indeed, the two leaders appear determined not just to halt Iranian nuclear proliferation, but to fundamentally remake the region for the better. When I served as secretary of state in the first Trump administration, our team recognized that the toxic dynamics of the Middle East could only be reshaped by demonstrating that shared interests can overcome historical grievances and weaken bad actors. Iran, we knew, has been the primary source of bloodshed and instability since the mullahs came to power in 1979. The diminishment of Iran's regional power in recent weeks presents a golden opportunity to build a bright future for the entire region. Right now, the Iranian regime is historically weak — but it won't be licking its wounds forever. We need a comprehensive strategy to keep up the pressure, so that Tehran can never regain its ability to project power and threaten the lives of Americans. We need Israel to win its war against Iran's 'Ring of Fire' proxies and extinguish them for good, to reinforce the futility of cooperating with Iran to other regional powers. And we need a renewed maximum-pressure campaign that uses all available points of leverage to ensure that Iran can pose no further threat to America and our allies. Israel's accomplishments over the past 21 months have been nothing short of extraordinary. Since Hamas — Iran's blood-soaked proxy — launched its barbaric Oct. 7 attacks, Israel has fought a seven-front war against Iran and its terrorist network with remarkable success. Israel is still fighting to destroy Hamas as a military and governing entity, and its victory remains key to the goal of finishing Iran as a regional power. Achieving that goal will open up new avenues for peace and cooperation between Israel and its neighbors. Several Arab nations are reportedly in talks to join the Abraham Accords, a direct result of Israel's military successes and the collapse of Iranian influence. As Iran's clout fades, more nations will see that their future lies in normalization and economic cooperation with Israel — not endless conflict and grievance. Expanding America's maximum-pressure campaign against Tehran is another critical component. This means re-imposing the tough economic sanctions we put in place against the Iranian regime during the first Trump administration, renewing its diplomatic isolation and continuing our willingness to use hard power against Iran and its proxies should they threaten the United States, our allies or our interests. The first iteration of maximum pressure was tremendously successful, slashing billions in revenue the Iranians needed to fund terrorism and their illegal nuclear program. Get opinions and commentary from our columnists Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters With Iran's military infrastructure and proxy forces at their weakest in years, we now have the opportunity to make those gains permanent. There's another pressure point we must exploit: the Iranian people's hunger for freedom. Tehran's theocratic dictatorship rules through lies, fear and brutal oppression because it knows it has zero legitimacy with its own people. The regime is deeply unpopular. It has been gripped by economic crisis and social unrest for years — and only survived the mass pro-democracy protests of 2022 through abject brutality. There are few things the Ayatollah and his cronies fear more than the Iranian people themselves. We should use that fear against them — not by attempting to impose 'regime change' on the country, but by supporting the democratic aspirations of Iran's organized opposition movement. This would provide a powerful source of leverage while we work to neutralize Iran's threat to our national security. And while America is not — and should not be — in the business of attempting to replace Iran's government, we should be prepared for the possibility that this weak and despised regime may someday fall. If and when that happens, it would be in our interest to see pro-democracy forces rise and prevent the emergence of a dangerous power vacuum. The Trump administration can advocate forcefully for the Iranian people on the world stage, and the president can use his unparalleled platform to draw attention to the abuses inflicted upon them by their government. In addition to rhetorical support, Washington should improve our coordination with Iran's democratic opposition, and encourage them to develop a clear plan for a peaceful transition in the event of regime collapse. Thanks to Trump and Netanyahu's bold leadership, a regional transformation may finally be at hand. But this historic opportunity depends upon permanently destroying the Islamic Republic's ability to project power. If America and Israel stay the course, I'm optimistic that we're within striking distance of delivering what once seemed an impossible goal: lasting peace and prosperity to the Middle East. Mike Pompeo was US secretary of state from 2018 to 2021.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Volcanoes are turning in their sleep across the US. What does that mean for Washington?
A recent earthquake swarm at Mount Rainier in Washington state, along with increased volcanic activity in Alaska, Oregon, and Hawaii, has captured the news media's attention and sparked questions about what the rumbling might mean. Natalia Ruppert, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Science Center in Seattle, cleared the air about the likelihood of eruptions happening, the possible connections between the events, and how experts monitor these lava-spewing beasts. Here's what you should know. What do the experts say about volcano activity in Washington state, US? Geologists say there's no cause for alarm. "Volcanoes can be unpredictable, and there's always the chance that something bad will happen, but these recent seismic events along the Pacific Ring of Fire from Alaska to Washington to offshore Oregon are probably not directly related to each other," Ruppert said. "This is what volcanoes do," she said. "They come to life for a while; sometimes the earthquake activity leads to an eruption, and sometimes it doesn't." Most of the U.S. volcanoes that have been making themselves known since spring woke up, shook themselves off, and then fell back into slumber. Two, one in Hawaii and one in Alaska, are in active–but relatively small and nonthreatening–eruptions. Though it all might seem ominous, it isn't. It's simply part of life on a dynamic, seismically active planet. There's no direct connection between any of these, Ruppert said. "The distance between these (seismic) activity centers is thousands of miles." Recent volcanic activity across the country Though volcanoes have always been a part of the West Coast's geography, it might seem this is an especially busy time for these mountains, caused by fissures in the Earth's crust that go down to the mantle below. But seismologists and volcanologists are keeping a careful eye on them, Ruppert said. "This is why the federal government funds earthquake and volcano monitoring efforts through the Department of the Interior and USGS." Consider these events: More than 300 earthquakes hit Washington's Mount Rainier in early July, the largest earthquake swarm ever recorded at the volcano. The swarm, a cluster of earthquakes in the same area in rapid succession, began on July 8. Within two days, 334 earthquakes had been identified by the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. But that's not hugely unusual for the majestic volcano about 70 miles southeast of Seattle, which registered a similar swarm of quakes in 2009. Rainier's last eruption, however, was about 1,000 years ago, Ruppert said. North of Washington state, Alaska has three volcanoes that are making themselves felt just now. As of July 10, Alaska's Great Sitkin volcano in the Aleutian Islands was on a watch alert level, with lava erupting in the summit crater. Seismicity levels were low with occasional small earthquakes, the USGS reports. That eruption began in May 2021. Lava has been erupting at the summit since July 2021. On Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, a flurry of small earthquakes shook the Iliamna volcano on June 15. No surface activity was observed, however, and on July 1 the volcano was set at a normal alert code. North of Iliamna, another Alaskan volcano, Mount Spurr, has been experiencing swarms of shallow earthquakes since February. It's now at a normal advisory level. For now, there's little concern, Ruppert said. Heading down the West Coast, seismologists are also monitoring the Axial Seamount, a massive undersea volcano 300 miles off Oregon. It has been attracting attention for months as scientists prepare for an eruption they expect sometime in 2025. Because it's so far underwater, only scientists using an array of instruments will know about the eruption. The volcanoes are along what's known as the Ring of Fire, a 25,000-mile-long horseshoe-shaped string of volcanoes and seismically active areas that stretches from the southern tip of South America, up along the West coast of the United States, across the coast of Alaska, down through Japan, all the way to New Zealand. It's created by the Pacific tectonic plate sinking below the North American plate and is the most seismically and volcanically active zone in the world, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Hawaii eruptions Far to the west in Hawaii, Mount Kilauea continues to erupt, though as of July 11 it has not been exhibiting the fountains of lava seen earlier in the month. On July 9, the USGS said the most recent eruption had ended. Hawaii's volcanoes are not part of the Ring of Fire. The island chain was (and still is) formed by a volcanic hot spot that has created 15 volcanoes that stretch 3,800 miles across the Pacific. In Hawaii's case, the volcanoes are the result of a heat source deep within the Earth's mantle. The plume of magma coming from that hot spot in the ocean floor remains stationary as the Pacific Plate slowly – 2 to 4 inches a year – moves over the top of it. That's why Hawaii's oldest volcanoes, on Kauai, are 5.5 million years old, while the newest, on the Big Island, are "only" 700,000 years old and still growing. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Volcanoes in Washington state and the US are rumbling. What's going on Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Warming climate, volcanos raise risk of ice falls on Chile's glaciers
SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Chile's glaciers are facing a higher risk of collapse and landslides due to rising temperatures and the country's seismic and volcanic activity, according to an academic study. The study, published in the Journal of South American Earth Sciences in late May, modeled variables such as the possible sudden emptying of glacial lakes, mud and debris flows, avalanches, landslides, or abrupt glacial advances beyond normal speeds. "The study determined that around 10 glaciers ... would be highly susceptible" to one or more of those main destabilizing factors, said geologist Felipe Ugalde of the University of Chile, one of the study's authors. That included some glaciers at risk of ice avalanches, others that had steep overhangs, and some that could be affected by declining glacial lakes. Others faced risk from volcanic eruptions in the nation that sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a belt of volcanos and earthquakes. "Three highly susceptible glaciers are those closest to the main emission centers of the San José volcano, highly susceptible to lahars," Ugalde said, referring to volcanic mud flows that are usually a mix of water, volcanic ash, and rock debris. The geologist added that glaciers globally were retreating amid warming temperatures, causing them to lose mass and become less stable over time. "When temperatures are high, water infiltrates either through rain or through rapid melting of the snowpack. This water percolates into the base of the glacier and acts as a lubricant," Ugalde said, adding this could cause ice to fall off more rapidly in a natural process called calving. "This is ultimately a response to the imbalance that glaciers are experiencing as a result of increasingly higher average air temperatures, even in high mountain environments," he said.
Reuters
09-07-2025
- Science
- Reuters
Warming climate, volcanos raise risk of ice falls on Chile's glaciers
SANTIAGO, July 9 (Reuters) - Chile's glaciers are facing a higher risk of collapse and landslides due to rising temperatures and the country's seismic and volcanic activity, according to an academic study. The study, published in the Journal of South American Earth Sciences in late May, modeled variables such as the possible sudden emptying of glacial lakes, mud and debris flows, avalanches, landslides, or abrupt glacial advances beyond normal speeds. "The study determined that around 10 glaciers ... would be highly susceptible" to one or more of those main destabilizing factors, said geologist Felipe Ugalde of the University of Chile, one of the study's authors. That included some glaciers at risk of ice avalanches, others that had steep overhangs, and some that could be affected by declining glacial lakes. Others faced risk from volcanic eruptions in the nation that sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a belt of volcanos and earthquakes. "Three highly susceptible glaciers are those closest to the main emission centers of the San José volcano, highly susceptible to lahars," Ugalde said, referring to volcanic mud flows that are usually a mix of water, volcanic ash, and rock debris. The geologist added that glaciers globally were retreating amid warming temperatures, causing them to lose mass and become less stable over time. "When temperatures are high, water infiltrates either through rain or through rapid melting of the snowpack. This water percolates into the base of the glacier and acts as a lubricant," Ugalde said, adding this could cause ice to fall off more rapidly in a natural process called calving. "This is ultimately a response to the imbalance that glaciers are experiencing as a result of increasingly higher average air temperatures, even in high mountain environments," he said.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘9-1-1: Nashville': ABC Spinoff Unveils Explosive New Teaser
Appropriately set to a cover of Johnny Cash's 'Ring of Fire', ABC has released an explosive new teaser for 9-1-1: Nashville, which shows fiery tornados racing across Music City, apparently the spinoff's first disaster for the city's emergency response team. As in previous iterations of 9-1-1, the new spinoff is an action procedural about heroic first responders, which also weaves in a family saga of power and glamour set in Tennessee. More from Deadline Ryan Murphy Teases Sarah Paulson's 'AHS' Return: "Cooking Up Something Cool" 2025 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming Rob Lowe Open To '9-1-1' Return As Brother Chad Lowe EPs 'Nashville' Spinoff: "Just Waiting For My Phone To Ring" 9-1-1: Nashville stars stars Chris O'Donnell as Captain Don Sharpe, along with Jessica Capshaw, LeAnn Rimes and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. 9-1-1: Nashville is produced by 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television. Murphy, Minear and Rashad Raisani will serve as executive producers and writers, with O'Donnell, Brad Buecker, Brad Falchuk and Bassett also executive producing. Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group, spoke with Deadline last month about the upcoming spinoff. 'I think that the 9-1-1 team are truly the masters of event-izing television, the way that be-nado kicked off 9-1-1 last year,' Erwich said. 'They have a really special event planned for 9-1-1: Nashville, and although we haven't discussed [crossovers], I think it's an incredible opportunity that I'm sure at some point we'll figure out how to capitalize on. What the 9-1-1's been able to do, it's really a master class in television, which is consistently event-izing that show to keep it fresh after all these many years, my hat's off to [showrunner] Tim {Minear] and Ryan for that.' 9-1-1: Nashville premieres this fall on ABC. Check out the teaser above. [youtube Best of Deadline 'Bachelor in Paradise' Cast Announcement: See Who Is Headed To The Beach For Season 10 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
