GEOPOLITICS: The Clock Is Ticking In The Middle East

The US has assembled its largest military presence in the Middle East since 2003, including two aircraft carriers and F-22 stealth fighters. Indirect talks in Geneva between US envoys (Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner) and Iranian officials ended Thursday without a breakthrough. The Trump administration has warned of "drastic consequences" if Iran does not make significant nuclear concessions.

Israel has opened bomb shelters and warned Lebanon that its infrastructure will be targeted if Hezbollah intervenes in a US-Iran conflict. The State Department has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and families from the US Embassy in Israel as of today, February 27. Similar orders were issued for the embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on February 23. Reports also indicate the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain has been reduced to fewer than 100 mission-critical personnel.