How To Fix

  US-Iran Tensions Escalate: Tehran Threatens Retaliation, US Withdraws Personnel from Middle East Bases In early January 2026 , tensions between the United States and Iran surged to levels not seen in years, driven by domestic unrest inside Iran and increasingly aggressive rhetoric from both capitals. What began as widespread protests against economic hardship and political repression has now escalated into a confrontation with potential regional military implications. Iran’s Internal Unrest and Regional Diplomatic Rift Iran has been shaken by nationwide protests since late December 2025 , originally sparked by economic grievances — including high inflation and severe currency devaluation — but quickly evolving into broader demands for political change. The domestic crisis has seen tens of thousands of arrests, internet blackouts and violent security force responses, contributing to one of the deadliest periods of civil unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution . Amid this...

  U.S. policy on Venezuela and Cuba: pressure, incentives, and the politics of sanctions (A detailed, original explainer) U.S. policy toward Venezuela and Cuba is often discussed as if it’s one single “Latin America policy.” In reality, Washington treats them as two separate cases —but with a big overlap: energy, migration, and geopolitical alignment . Both policies are built around a familiar toolkit (sanctions, diplomacy, visas, enforcement, and selective carve-outs), yet they differ in history , legal structure , and how much room the U.S. president has to change course without Congress . This article breaks down what the U.S. is trying to achieve, what tools it uses, how those tools have evolved, and why Venezuela and Cuba keep getting linked together. 1) The big picture: what Washington says it wants Venezuela: “democracy + accountability” (plus energy realities) Across administrations, the U.S. has framed its Venezuela approach around: backing a return to democrati...