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Michigan routs Tennessee to win regional final, enter NCAA men's Final Four

The Michigan Wolverines got off to a hot start in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sunday and never looked back as the Dusty May-led squad punched their ticket to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four.

The Wolverines were on a 21-0 run in the first half and ended it on a 34-10 run. Michigan led Tennessee 48-26 when the first half was over.

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Michigan won the game, 95-62.

It will be the first Final Four appearance for the Wolverines since 2018. Michigan lost the national championship that season to the Villanova Wildcats.

Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg dominated the offensive side of the court for the Wolverines. He led all scorers with 27 points on 10-of-19 from the floor. He added seven rebounds and four assists to his stat line.

IOWA HITS CLUTCH 3-POINTER IN CLOSING SECONDS TO STUN FLORIDA

Three other Michigan players had at least 10 points in the game. Morez Johnson Jr. finished with 12 points and five rebounds. He was 8-of-11 from the free-throw line. Aday Mara added 11 points and four rebounds and Nimari Burnett had 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Elliot Cadeau nearly had a double-double. He had eight points and 10 assists.

Tennessee only shot 32% from the floor and 19% from the 3-point line.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the Volunteers with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists. Felix Okpara was the only other Tennessee player in double figures. He had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Michigan will now meet Arizona in the Final Four.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Cory Booker confronted with old clip of himself saying he loves Donald Trump

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., was confronted Sunday with a clip of himself from 2016 declaring, "I love Donald Trump" while he was running for president, as NBC's Kristen Welker asked the senator if he still loved the president.

"You have run for president before in 2020 on a message of love. It’s the same message you had back in 2016. I want to play you a little bit of something that you had to say back in 2016," Welker said.

In the clip, Booker said, "I love Donald Trump. I’m going to say that. I don’t want to answer his hate with hate. I’m not going to answer his darkness with darkness. I love him."

SEN CORY BOOKER PROPOSES ‘KEEP YOUR PAY ACT,’ ELIMINATING FEDERAL INCOME TAX ON FIRST $75,000

Welker asked, "Do you still love Donald Trump?"

"I’m a Christian, and my faith is very clear: Love your enemies, love your adversaries. Never let someone pull you so low as to hate them. That doesn't mean I won't fight him with ferocity to try to defend and protect people's healthcare and public education," he responded.

Booker went on to quote the Declaration of Independence.

"God bless America," he said. "Our Declaration of Independence ends with those profound words: If we’re going to succeed as a nation, we must, quote, 'mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.' He may be abandoning that ideal of sacred honor, but we need a return to it—an urgency to return to it in our country."

HOMAN FIRES BACK AT BOOKER AFTER SENATOR VOICES 'OUTRAGE' OVER ICE AIRPORT DEPLOYMENTS

Booker said hate was tearing America apart and argued that Americans didn't want leaders who

"So, yes, I will not hate my adversaries in Congress," the congressman said. "I'll be doing a better and better job, I hope, of reaching out to people, pulling them together, and reminding them that in this American moment, the definition of our success ultimately will come down to: 'Are we able to put more indivisible into this one nation under God?'"

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The Democratic senator was also asked about whether he was planning to run for president in 2028.

"I am definitely not ruling it out. I’m running for re-election; I hope New Jersey will support me for another six years," he said.

In February, the senator said he hadn't "dismissed" a possible presidential run.

Sleeping 11 minutes longer each night shows surprising health benefit, study finds

The secret to a healthier heart may not be a major lifestyle overhaul, but rather a series of small, sustainable daily habits.

New research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that combining modest shifts in daily habits is associated with a significantly reduced risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, stroke and heart failure.

The study, which followed more than 53,000 adults over an eight-year period, highlighted how even the smallest increase in rest can yield clinically meaningful benefits.

SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF NIGHTLY SLEEP MAY LOWER DIABETES RISK, RESEARCHERS FIND

Researchers found that sleeping for just 11 minutes more per night was a key component of a lifestyle shift associated with a 10% lower risk of major cardiovascular events.

This modest increase in sleep was most effective when paired with an additional 4.5 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and eating an extra quarter-cup of vegetables every day.

"We show that combining small changes in a few areas of our lives can have a surprisingly large positive impact on our cardiovascular health," said lead author Nicholas Koemel, a research fellow at the University of Sydney.

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While every extra minute counts, the study identified an ideal range for maximum heart protection that could slash the risk of heart disease by 57% compared to those with the least healthy habits.

The primary pillar of that profile was achieving eight to nine hours of sleep per night, the study noted.

This optimal routine also included completing 42 minutes or more of moderate physical activity per day and maintaining a diet high in fish, whole grains, and dairy while remaining low in processed meats and sugary drinks.

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"Making even modest shifts in our daily routines is likely to have cardiovascular benefits as well as create opportunities for further changes in the long run," Koemel added. "I would encourage people not to overlook the importance of making a small change or two to your daily routine, no matter how small they may seem."

Researchers utilized wearable devices to track the sleep and movement of participants, providing more accurate data than previous self-reported studies.

Several limitations were noted for the research.

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The study was observational, meaning it showed a strong link between these small habits and heart health but could not prove that one directly caused the other.

The findings were also based on participants reporting their own dietary habits, which may not always be perfectly accurate.

The researchers emphasized that studying these behaviors together is more meaningful than looking at them in isolation because sleep, diet and movement are constantly influencing one another in a daily cycle.

Vacation rental near Yosemite allegedly used to secretly record guests, 4,000 illegal files found

A vacation rental near Yosemite National Park is at the center of a disturbing investigation in California after authorities uncovered thousands of files of alleged child sexual abuse material, along with a "lifelike child doll" intended for sexual use.

Christian Parmalee Edwards, 44, was arrested on March 19 after detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Granite Butte Way in Oakhurst — roughly 15 miles south of Yosemite National Park, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office

Investigators allege the property was being used as a short-term rental where guests may have been secretly recorded during private moments without their knowledge.

'SADISTIC' MAN LINKED TO NIHILISTIC VIOLENT EXTREMISM CHARGED WITH GROOMING CHILD INTO SEXUAL ACTS, SELF-HARM

During the search, detectives said they discovered more than 4,000 files of suspected child sexual abuse material. 

"Detectives also found Mr. Edwards to be in possession of a lifelike child doll designed for sexual use," a spokesperson for the Madera County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News Digital. "The dolls hands were bound."

Authorities also reported finding new children’s clothing.

"This showcases the escalation in behaviors from viewing digital images to filming to physical behaviors," the spokesperson said.

Officials added that Edwards was watching a recently recorded video when detectives arrived to serve the warrant.

FBI CAPTURES BANGLADESHI FUGITIVE EXTRADITED IN MASSIVE ONLINE CHILD SEXTORTION CASE

The investigation began after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which flagged suspected distribution of illegal material originating in Madera County. 

Detectives worked alongside the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force to carry out the search, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

Edwards was booked into the Madera County Jail and faces multiple felony charges related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. 

Authorities say more charges — including invasion of privacy — could be added as the investigation progresses.

DECORATED DETROIT POLICE SERGEANT LED ‘DOUBLE LIFE’ AS SERIAL RAPIST IN DISTURBING CASE: PROSECUTOR

Officials said electronic devices tied to Edwards have been collected and will undergo further forensic review.

A judge reduced Edwards’ bail from $225,000 to $75,000 during his initial court appearance, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

"Protecting the innocent, upholding the law, and holding offenders accountable remains a top priority of the Madera County Sheriff’s Office," Sheriff Tyson Pogue said in a statement. "We stand ready for when our community needs us most."

Over 2 dozen children among 33 bodies pulled from Kenyan mass grave: authorities

At least 33 bodies — including children and dismembered remains stuffed in sacks — were unearthed from a mass grave in western Kenya on Thursday, raising questions about whether the corpses were secretly moved from a hospital morgue.

Detectives exhumed the remains of 25 children and eight adults, as well as dismembered body parts packed in gunny sacks, from a mass grave at a church-owned cemetery in Kericho, authorities said.

"We were able to establish that these were bodies transferred from Nyamira District Hospital to a private cemetery in Kericho," Mohamed Amin, who leads the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, told reporters.

He said detectives are seeking to determine whether the bodies were legally disposed of after being removed from a morgue.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AFTER HUNDREDS OF CREMATED HUMAN REMAINS DISCOVERED, RECOVERED FROM NEVADA DESERT

The Associated Press reported that Kenyan law allows hospitals and morgues to dispose of unclaimed bodies after 14 days with court authorization.

Government pathologists conducted autopsies Thursday to determine the cause of death, though the identities of the victims have not been released.

Authorities have arrested two people in connection with the case.

HUNDREDS OF MUTILATED BODIES FOUND IN SUSPECTED NIGERIAN ORGAN-HARVESTING RING

Local media reported the bodies were transported in a government vehicle by unidentified individuals and buried hastily, with some gravediggers later alerting police.

"We need authorities to conduct a thorough investigation," resident Brian Kibunja said.

Another resident, Samuel Moso, said authorities should "reveal if the government was involved or if a different group of people was behind the mass burial."

PENNSYLVANIA MAN ALLEGEDLY FOUND WITH OVER 100 SETS OF HUMAN REMAINS IN HOME, STORAGE UNIT: ‘HORROR MOVIE'

There have been three major mass-grave incidents in Kenya over the past three years.

Police in 2023 uncovered hundreds of bodies buried in a forest in Kenya’s coastal Kilifi region, exhuming mass graves tied to a religious leader accused of starving his followers to death.

In 2024, authorities recovered nine bodies from a dumpsite in Nairobi, the Eastern African nation's capital.

The latest discovery comes as concerns grow among some Kenyans over alleged abuses by police.

Missing Voices, a human rights group, said it documented 125 extrajudicial killings and six enforced disappearances in Kenya over the past year, compared to 104 reported killings the year before.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

F1 star Max Verstappen suggests he's considering retirement at age 28

Max Verstappen snatched the torch from Lewis Hamilton and became one of the most unstoppable Formula 1 drivers in the sport from 2021 to 2024.

The 2025 and 2026 seasons have been a struggle for the Red Bull racer. He finished second to McLaren’s Lando Norris in the drivers’ standings last season, ending his streak of world championships, and has yet to finish in the top five this year.

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After finishing eighth in the Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen suggested he was contemplating retirement at the age of 28.

"Privately I’m very happy," Verstappen told the BBC. "You also wait for 24 races. This time it’s 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?"

He made clear he was suggesting that 2026 could be his final season.

"I want to be here to have fun and have a great time and enjoy myself. At the moment that’s not really the case," he said. "Of course I do enjoy certain aspects. I enjoy working with my team. It’s like a second family. But once I sit in the car it’s not the most enjoyable unfortunately. I’m trying. I keep telling myself every day to try and enjoy it. It’s just very hard."

ISRAELI RACING STAR 'NERVOUS' AS FAMILY DEALS WITH IRAN'S RETALIATORY STRIKES, EXPRESSES HOPE FOR REGION

Part of the struggles for Verstappen has been trying to get acclimated to the regulation changes.

"I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am," he said. "Because I also know that you can’t be dominating or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time. I’m very realistic in that and I’ve been there before. I’ve not only been winning in F1.

"But at the same time when you are in P7 or P8 and you are not enjoying the whole formula behind it, it doesn’t feel natural to a racing driver," he continued. "Of course I try to adapt to it, but it’s not nice the way you have to race. It’s really anti-driving. Then at one point, yeah, it’s just not what I want to do."

Maybe a break in the schedule will help clear Verstappen’s head.

Formula 1 will have a few weeks off as two races that were set for April in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were canceled because of military operations in Iran.

The next race is set for May 3 in Miami.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Olena Zelenska warns abducted Ukranian kids may take ‘dozens of years’ to return, praises Melania Trump’s help

Ukraine is scrambling to recover thousands of children taken by Russia, and Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska is crediting Melania Trump for helping spotlight the effort.

"The community that has been created by the first lady, Melania Trump, is very important," Zelenska said in a special interview on "The Sunday Briefing."

"I'm very grateful to her for getting involved in this," she added later, her words translated from Ukrainian. "She deeply understands how important this subject is, and I am sure that her involvement is very helpful, because her advocacy attracts attention."

MELANIA TRUMP DECLARES 'THE MOMENT IS NOW' FOR NEW GLOBAL CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE AT UN

Zelenska said the effort to bring the children home depends on a growing coalition of countries working together to identify their whereabouts and pressure Russia to return them.

So far, about 2,000 children have been brought back to Ukraine, but she warned the current pace is far too slow.

"If we go as slow as this, it will take dozens of years to bring them all back," Zelenska said.

MELANIA TRUMP SAYS 7 MORE UKRAINIAN CHILDREN REUNITED WITH FAMILIES AS PART OF INITIATIVE WITH RUSSIA

"It's very important that as many countries as possible join us [in the effort to find them]."

Ukraine is reportedly still searching for roughly 20,000 children believed to have been "forcibly relocated" by Russia since the start of the war in 2022. The Trump administration boosted the effort last week with a fresh $25 million in funding.

Investigations have found that many of the children have been taken to a network of more than 200 facilities across Russia and occupied territories, where they are subjected to "re-education" programs, placed with Russian families and more.

Some sites have also been linked to military-style training for some children, according to research from Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab.

Zelenska said efforts to locate the children are complicated by a lack of reliable information, accusing Russia of making it difficult to track their whereabouts.

Nick Cannon backs President Trump and speaks out on ‘conservative’ views

Nick Cannon is getting real about his political stance. 

During Friday’s episode of Cannon's "Big Drive" online talk show, the "Masked Singer" host had an open conversation with model Amber Rose about President Donald Trump and the political parties.

"Democrats don’t care about Black people, and they don’t care about people of color, and the Republicans do, and that’s the misconception," Rose said. 

"I agree with you 100 percent," Cannon replied. "People don't know that the Democrats are the party of the KKK. People don't know that the Republicans are the party that freed the slaves."

JOY REID SAYS GOP USING NICKI MINAJ AS A 'HOUSE PET' TO PUT 'BLACKFACE' ON MAGA

"I mean, both you and I have some conservative views," he continued. "You just a little bit more outspoken than I am. And honestly, I don’t subscribe to either party. I rock with W. E. B. Du Bois, when he said there’s no such thing as two parties. It’s just one evil party with two different names."

When the topic of conversation turned to Trump, Cannon said, "Motherf---er’s cleaning house," and is "doing what he said he was gonna do."

"We got the Gulf of America now. [Trump is] like the club. He’s charging a $5 million bottle service fee to get into the country. I f--- with Trump," he added.

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While Cannon has been more reserved about discussing his political beliefs, Rose has been open about how her support for Trump has impacted her career. 

"During the election, I was ‘canceled,’" Rose told Maxim, as the magazine's February cover star. "Now? All the naysayers are quiet. They see he’s already changing our country for the better."

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At the Republican National Convention in 2024 in 2024, Rose said she would not be silenced.

"I let go of my fear or judgment of being misunderstood, of getting attacked by the left, and I put the red hat on," she told attendees. "The left told me to hate Trump. And even worse, to hate the other side: the people who support him."

"Unfortunately, the ‘woke’ left cancels people for having a different ideology," she told Maxim. "Fortunately for me, I don’t give a f--- and will always stand 10 toes down until the wheels fall off, regardless of what my beliefs may be. I used to be on the left and thought I was doing the right thing. That’s why it’s so important to have open conversations."

"On the left, there’s no objective truth. It’s only about feelings," she stated. "As a society, we all need to get back to reality and have these difficult conversations to bring us all back to a better place."

New study reveals happiest cities in America, and they aren't where you'd expect

Americans searching for a happier place to live may want to look beyond the country’s biggest and most well-known cities.

A new WalletHub study analyzing more than 180 of the largest U.S. cities found that overall happiness is driven by more than just income, factoring in mental health, physical well-being and community environment.

Instead of major hubs like New York or Los Angeles topping the list, smaller and mid-sized cities dominated the rankings.

MORE AMERICANS LEAVE BIG CITIES FOR RURAL STATES AS MIGRATION PATTERNS SHIFT IN 2026

Fremont, California, ranked as the happiest city in America. It was followed by Bismarck, North Dakota, Scottsdale, Arizona, South Burlington, Vermont and Fargo, North Dakota.

Rounding out the top 10 were Overland Park, Kansas, Charleston, South Carolina, Irvine, California, Gilbert, Arizona and San Jose, California.

Higher salaries in large metro areas don’t necessarily lead to greater happiness, the results suggest. Instead, quality of life appears to play a larger role.

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"Research shows that having more money only increases your happiness until you’re making at least $75,000 per year — anything more you earn likely won’t have an impact," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in a statement.

"Therefore, when deciding where to live to maximize your happiness, you’ll want to pick a city that offers more than just a decent average income," he added.

Cities that ranked highest tended to perform well in areas such as emotional and physical well-being, job satisfaction and strong community ties.

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Fremont stood out in particular, ranking first in emotional and physical well-being and fourth in community environment.

The city also has one of the lowest separation and divorce rates in the country, along with a low depression rate and high life expectancy, the study noted.

Nearly 80% of Fremont households earn more than $75,000 annually, a key benchmark tied to happiness levels, according to the report.

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Fremont also ranks fifth among the most caring cities in America, WalletHub noted.

Together, those factors highlight what separates the happiest cities from the rest.

"The ideal city provides conditions that foster good mental and physical health, like reasonable work hours, short commutes, good weather and caring neighbors," Lupo said.

TANVI RATNA: With one war, Trump is breaking Middle East's old power structure

The Middle East is once again on edge as U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian military infrastructure continue. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks. Oil markets have surged, and global shipping lanes are under pressure.

But this is not unfolding like a typical war in the region.

Even as strikes continue, tankers are still moving through the Strait of Hormuz under constrained conditions. Backchannel communications have not collapsed. Key regional players are not fully committing to either escalation or restraint. Instead, they are doing something far more telling: they are adjusting.

That is the first signal that this is not just a military confrontation. It is a system under stress—one that is being deliberately reshaped.

TRUMP SAYS IRAN’S SUCCESSION BENCH WIPED OUT AS ISRAELI STRIKE HITS LEADERSHIP DELIBERATIONS

To understand what is happening now, you have to go back to the system that existed before this moment.

For nearly two decades, the Middle East operated on a managed equilibrium. After the Iraq War, through the Arab Spring, and into the fight against ISIS, three distinct power structures emerged and learned to coexist without resolving their conflicts.

Shia-dominated Iran built what became known as the "Axis of Resistance," embedding itself across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. These were not loose proxy relationships. They were institutional footholds—militias integrated into state structures, political actors controlling territory and budgets. Iran’s incentive was clear: expand influence without triggering a direct, overwhelming response. Stay below the threshold of full-scale war while steadily increasing leverage.

TRUMP'S OPERATION EPIC FURY PROVES REAGAN-STYLE PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH IS BACK

Across the Sunni world, there was no unified front to counter this. Saudi Arabia and the UAE pushed for a centralized, state-led regional order, while Turkey and Qatar backed Islamist political movements that offered a competing model of legitimacy. Their incentive was not alignment, but competition. Each camp used regional conflicts to expand influence without fully committing to a single strategic bloc.

Israel, meanwhile, stood apart. By the mid-2010s, it had unmatched military capability and operational reach, but it remained outside the region’s political framework. Its incentive was to preserve that advantage through deterrence—strike when necessary, but avoid becoming entangled in the region’s unstable alliances.

The United States managed this system rather than resolving it. The Iran nuclear deal treated Tehran’s nuclear ambitions as separate from its regional behavior. Conflicts like Gaza followed a predictable cycle of escalation and ceasefire. Stability was maintained, but only by compartmentalizing the underlying tensions.

TRUMP’S STRIKE ON IRAN DEALS A MAJOR BLOW TO PUTIN’S WAR MACHINE IN UKRAINE

That model allowed every actor to operate within the system without fundamentally changing it.

President Donald Trump rejected that model from the start.

His first major break came in May 2018, when he withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sweeping sanctions. This was not just a policy shift on nuclear issues. It was a systemic move. By targeting Iran’s oil exports, financial networks and shipping, the administration began raising the cost of maintaining its regional architecture.

MORNING GLORY: TRUMP HAS RESTORED THE GOP AS THE PARTY OF DEFENSE AND DETERRENCE

The incentive for Iran started to change. Expansion was no longer low-risk. Every additional node in its network now carried economic and operational consequences.

That pressure escalated in April 2019 with the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, and then in January 2020 with the strike that killed Qassem Soleimani. These actions were widely described as escalation at the time. In reality, they were consistent steps in a broader strategy: eliminate the assumption that Iran could operate indefinitely in the gray zone.

At the same time, Trump moved to reshape the other side of the system.

TRUMP’S IRAN STRATEGY IS WORKING AND TEACHING OUR FOES WHAT DETERRENCE MEANS

The Abraham Accords in 2020 broke one of the longest-standing constraints in Middle Eastern diplomacy. For decades, Arab states had conditioned normalization with Israel on a resolution to the Palestinian issue. Trump reversed that sequence. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normalized relations first, followed by Morocco and Sudan.

This created a new set of incentives across the Sunni world. Alignment with Israel was no longer politically off limits. It became a pathway to security cooperation, advanced technology and closer ties with the United States. Instead of waiting for a final settlement, states could now act in their immediate strategic interest.

For Israel, this was a structural shift. It was no longer operating outside the regional system. It was being integrated into it.

NEW YORK TIMES COLUMNIST TELLS LIBERAL READERS TRUMP'S WAR WITH IRAN IS 'GOING BETTER THAN YOU THINK'

But alignment alone did not resolve the system’s contradictions.

Saudi Arabia remained cautious. Turkey and Qatar continued to pursue their own networks. Iran’s influence persisted through deeply embedded institutions. The region had new alignments, but they were incomplete.

This is where Trump’s approach evolved from alignment to enforcement.

AMB. GORDON SONDLAND: THE TRUTH ABOUT IRAN'S 'IMMINENT THREAT' THAT POLITICIANS HATE TO ADMIT

During the Gaza war following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, the United States helped broker a phased arrangement by early 2025 that tied hostage releases to Israeli withdrawals and linked humanitarian aid to monitoring mechanisms. This was not a traditional ceasefire. It introduced conditionality directly into the structure of the agreement.

That logic carried forward into 2026 with the development of a U.S.-led reconstruction and governance framework involving Israel and its regional partners. The principle was clear: participation in the system would now be tied to measurable outcomes.

This changed incentives again. Cooperation was no longer symbolic. It became transactional and enforceable.

MORNING GLORY: THERE’S A WAR GOING ON IN THE MIDDLE EAST. HAVE YOU HEARD?

And yet, even with these changes, the system did not fully realign.

Iran’s networks remained intact. Sunni divisions persisted. Israel continued to expand its own strategic relationships beyond the immediate region. The old structures were weakened, but not dismantled.

That is why the current war matters.

MORE THAN 90% OF IRANIAN MISSILES INTERCEPTED, BUT A DANGEROUS IMBALANCE IS EMERGING

The strikes that began at the end of February 2026 are not just about degrading Iranian military capabilities. They are about forcing simultaneous adjustments across all three systems.

Iran is now facing a different calculation than at any point in the past two decades. Its strategy of gradual expansion has collided with sustained economic pressure and direct military risk. The incentive is shifting from building influence to preserving it under constraint.

Sunni states are being pushed out of their comfort zone of strategic ambiguity. The ability to hedge between competing blocs is narrowing. As pressure increases, the cost of remaining non-aligned rises, and the incentive to consolidate around a clearer regional framework becomes stronger.

THE FUTURE OF WAR? US-ISRAEL BLITZ ON IRAN UNVEILS NEXT-GEN ALLIED COMBAT

Israel, in turn, is being positioned not just as a military actor, but as a central node in that emerging framework. Its role is evolving from deterrence to system participation—linking security, technology and governance across aligned states.

What Trump is doing through this war is not simply escalating a conflict. He is compressing timelines.

Instead of allowing these systems to evolve gradually, he is applying pressure that forces decisions now. Each actor is being pushed to reveal its position, not in theory, but in practice.

TRUMP DELAYS XI MEETING AS IRAN CONFLICT LETS US STRONG-ARM CHINA’S OIL SUPPLY

That is why this war appears inconsistent on the surface. Escalation and negotiation are happening at the same time because the objective is not a clean military victory. It is a forced realignment of incentives across the entire region.

This marks a fundamental break from the model that defined U.S. policy for decades. The old approach managed instability and accepted unresolved tensions as the cost of avoiding larger conflicts. The current approach is attempting to resolve those tensions by making the cost of maintaining them too high.

Whether that works remains uncertain. What is clear is that the Middle East is no longer operating under the same rules.

This is not just a war with Iran. It is an attempt to change how the region functions and who gets to shape it going forward.

This article is a Fox News Digital exclusive from the author’s Substack series on different theaters President Trump is realigning with the Iran War.

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