🔥 Iran/Middle East — Day 14

• Explosions shake Dubai; US refueling plane crashes in Iraq https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/13/iran-war-news-live-updates-us-israel-middle-east-crisis-latest

• Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei issues first statement, vows to fight on https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxQT0QzM3VUcHBkVE1JdkNPZXRQcEJySDVKQnN3WlpEMDJlY2NKb21Pc29palpfZFRQZU56MkNTQjduY0FqTlJqY1pHRl9FMnoxc09nRDRKVFFRam5objdtd2RGZk5XMWJVYloweXdzXzRGa2ZYSGJqTW5tc0lPbzBHWkh5dWcxZ1BsZEVGSXhBOG02ZGdPc01QZnZDRmRHUXk0REprdjU5bTd6U2tvZS0yWFFRTGE1SVd0QkJr

• Ships must coordinate with Iran’s navy to transit Strait of Hormuz https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxNYzJxMEE4QlJGUTZsb2g5U3VCNzRULXljMjc2allqX1I2RWRBQjhsWVFfa1NONmJhdVlHeHgzU2FySEtLLUcxZl9BWVo3YWZEX1FQcXhHVmFkeWdrVDhtLW1LX0xGb05VM0FOdEFPcHhOV2pqWUJJc2NCanNoRXBLdWNuUmw4Szhob2N0SzlsdURQVmNuYTdvNW5Ha3NkT2ZPUkJjUGs3Qkprb3pkYlhuMXoyN2I

• US lifts Russian oil sanctions temporarily as Iran war drives global prices to $100+ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/13/iran-war-oil-prices-russian-sanctions-lifted

• Putin’s “hidden hand” behind Iran’s drone tactics — UK Defence Secretary says Iran using Russian drone playbook https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/12/iran-using-russian-drone-tactics-uk-defence-secretary-john-healey

• Democrats ask Pentagon about Iran school strike & role of AI https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxOOGhPLUhUQWoxYnRNYzdpZDN4LURpek55aWktNVVDRjVsWEg4TWVwR1RtcHB3bVB3X2NpWHU2Z24ydS05R1lJUHlvWnNLVGZIVHpnVTZfLWZPYmppWVJ2TnVGSHdxT2tQZHZfUEFqZHg2V245ZnhxY0lkeGpvbmVLYzdQbnNwc0hpZ0lSMll3OW12dDExcFdmNkhRc3RhUXFFOU1tRUdTbFFjMXhPVG9WeA

🛡️ Defense

• Fighter jets downing Iranian drones — dangerous, expensive mission https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/03/fighter-jets-are-downing-iranian-drones-dangerous-expensive-mission/412097/

• Hegseth orders “ruthless” review of JAG offices https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/03/hegseth-orders-ruthless-review-jag-offices-some-see-attempt-evade-accountability/412076/

• Mines laid in Hormuz; US casualty count; missile defenses pulled from Asia https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/03/the-d-brief-march-11-2026/412042/

🤖 Defense AI & Tech

• State Dept dumps Anthropic’s Claude from StateChat https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2026/03/state-offloads-claude-underpinning-model-flagship-statechat/412052/

• AI-enabled watch towers to proliferate along US border https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/03/ai-enabled-watch-towers-set-proliferate-along-border/412041/

• AI on submarines + 3D-printing on the battlefield https://www.defenseone.com/business/2026/03/defense-business-brief-3d-printing-battlefield-reshoring-drone-dominance-ai-submarines/412048/

🏢 GovCon

• Anduril acquiring ExoAnalytic Solutions — Space domain awareness play https://www.govconwire.com/articles/anduril-exoanalytic-solutions-acquisition

• AFRL awards DCS $95M ASSET contract https://www.govconwire.com/articles/afrl-dcs-asset-contract-sensor-analysis