🇮🇷 Iran / Middle East

• Mojtaba Khamenei chosen as Iran’s new supreme leader — Ali Khamenei’s son selected to succeed, signaling dynastic consolidation amid ongoing conflict https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/08/ali-khameneis-son-mojtaba-chosen-as-irans-new-supreme-leader

• Trump vows to escalate; US weighs special forces to seize Iran’s nuclear stockpile — Axios reports the administration is considering ground options alongside continued air campaign https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/09/us-israel-war-iran-gulf-monarchies

• 7th US service member killed — wounded in attack in Saudi Arabia, died of injuries https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTE0tQlctMWplaExmRmVNVC1uMjdHNl81dlg2Tm5iQlFOZlZuU2prS3pGZEExbVptWGVqX0xER3VqZHUzaW0yMjlGOUxEN3REeWh1SjdGTnlVdEVSaDJGVFFxNVRSQnJzWnNkYWhLQ3o2MFRTS2pYcDYzRUFsTmFldw

• State Dept orders diplomats in Saudi Arabia to leave — ordered departure as regional security deteriorates https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxNXzBSc0x4dXF1M3UzbzAwN2htdXEwVTQwbFRBb1BEVlM5MHhNVW8yd1gxTmwwZzg0YzBhdE9FNFNHYUp6QTlCZURhdkEyZEtPTTVxUDRReG5FUnJmUk5CeklZWjFoM201OElvMEQtT0dEYjJNOXh3SVhxSktuYUVvTVJoMHZjZTRKS01SNE1pZ21IdXhwb3hwZmpDRmFFTWRWd0xQeTJleEpRZw

• Tehran oil depots bombed — Iranians describe “dark, like our future” scenes of catastrophe https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/08/dark-like-our-future-iranians-describe-scenes-of-catastrophe-after-tehrans-oil-depots-bombed

• Oil prices rocket past $100/barrel — first time since 2022; Hormuz Strait effectively blockaded https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/09/iran-war-drives-oil-price-above-100-a-barrel-for-first-time-since-2022

• Ukraine sent drone experts to protect US bases in Jordan https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxQMmZOajhaN1RPT0xIa21VTzExZmdrbmtzM2dtbTQxSVhSRUpvSk9sR3BpaTJpcDBEM05MTjNiT3k1cEVHSk5QSE0yNjllYzJfMDJub01JSW1LQklIejFyNU9PX3J2RUlxSmVnYUcyd1FXOVJXdTQ0RzBha1dqZGYybDRZdkY4ZEdjbFpITnh0Z014MW8

• China warns “flames of war” spreading https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMidkFVX3lxTE1sbjZTN2VnLUlBanpUT1l1MU9sVnB0SS00NDhrQ0trdjFieDhrMm9rSU5DZmJ2NUw1OTNvRldkREhHa3E4ZEtvWVc4R1B5OWpOX3ltSWtGQXlTdXIwczQwOUZZN3dBMGxvOVpQWjVUVmptOGZrRVE

🛡️ Defense & AI

• Meet the startups trying to build military-specific AI https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2026/03/meet-startups-trying-build-military-specific-ai/411969/

• The quantum curtain — Defense One on emerging quantum technology implications for national security https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2026/03/quantum-curtain/411967/

🏢 GovCon

• AeroVironment lands $97M Army contract for GENESIS missile sensor test environment https://www.govconwire.com/articles/aerovironment-army-genesis

• Sierra Space hits $8B valuation with $550M financing round https://www.govconwire.com/articles/sierra-space-550m-equity-investment