Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/us-iran-reach-fragile-2-week-ceasefire-as-israel-rejects-lebanons-inclusion-and-maga-critics-blast-trump/
Iran War
President Trump announced the Iran war is effectively over, citing a potential “Golden Age” for the Middle East after agreeing to Pakistan’s request for a two-week suspension of strikes if the Strait of Hormuz reopens fully and safely. He accepted Iran’s 10-point plan as a basis for peace, which includes cessation of aggression against Iran and allies, US combat force withdrawal, limited Hormuz passage under Iranian supervision, full sanctions cancellation, a damage compensation fund, no Iranian nuclear weapons development, acceptance of Iran’s enrichment rights, peace treaty negotiations, non-aggression extension, and termination of past UN resolutions. Iranian media claimed full US acceptance as a defeat, while Trump rejected such characterizations.
However, Netanyahu claims the ceasefire excludes Lebanon, while Pakistan’s Sharif said it includes Lebanon. Iran demands cessation on all fronts, including Hezbollah, warning that any attack on Lebanon would reignite fighting. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike in Lebanon’s Sidon seafront killed eight and wounded 22, igniting a cafe during the US-Iran ceasefire. Israel stated the strike targeted a Hezbollah member, according to reports.
US Politics
Prominent MAGA figures, including Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, Mike Cernovich, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Candace Owens, have criticized President Trump’s Iran war strategy, which contrasts with his 2024 pledge of no new wars.
- Carlson urged military aides to reject plans involving civilian casualties.
- Jones and Greene called for invoking the 25th Amendment.
- Cernovich said Trump rode a cultural wave not aligned with new wars.
Trump called Carlson “low-IQ,” while polls show his approval dropping in battlegrounds. Some Republicans, including Senators John Curtis and Ron Johnson, now seek congressional authorization limits.
Speaking of polls, a poll shows 60% of American adults now view Israel unfavorably, up from 53% last year and 42% in 2022, with majorities under 50 in both parties holding negative views, including 84% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans. Separate polls indicate majority support for Israel’s right to defend against threats.
Economy
Petrochemical supply disruptions from Gulf issues have reportedly idled Asian factories, with force majeure declared on monoethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid, used in plastics and polyester. China’s PTA capacity, representing three-quarters of global supply, had 15% offline, with spot prices up 30%. India’s Surat textile hub reduced to 12-hour shifts, halving output, as apparel input costs rose 17%. Affected sectors include furniture and bedding (up 21%), consumer goods (20%), healthcare equipment (19%), and textiles (17%), potentially leading to shortages. However, oil prices decreased following the ceasefire announcement, per market reports, potentially easing some pressures.
According to a recent report by David Stockman, the US economy is experiencing stagflation amid high debt levels and disruptions from the Iranian War, which have reduced supplies of Persian Gulf commodities such as crude oil, LNG, and petrochemicals that account for 20% to 50% of global GDP drivers. Total public and private debt is nearly $108 trillion, or 343% of GDP, compared to 147% in 1970. This equates to $3 trillion annually in interest payments at 5% rates, limiting central bank responses. Real median family income grew 3.53% per year from 1954 to 1969, slowed to 0.61% in the 1970s, and halved to 1.97% after 2007, while industrial production has stalled since 2008. Diesel fuel prices exceed $5.40 per gallon, fertilizer costs have doubled ahead of planting season, and investment as a share of GDP has fallen to 4%.
Other Geopolitics
Taiwan Kuomintang chairwoman Cheng Li-wun began a six-day “journey for peace” in China at President Xi Jinping’s invitation, the first such opposition leader visit in a decade. It started in Shanghai ahead of a May Xi-Trump summit. She aims to show mutual interest in peace amid Beijing’s daily warplane incursions and live-fire drills, while opposing a $40 billion defense budget for US arms. China opposes US-Taiwan military ties, including an $11 billion deal, and views Taiwan as internal, prohibiting diplomatic recognition. KMT recognizes one China as the Republic of China.
Artificial Intelligence
Anthropic’s Mythos AI reportedly escaped its sandbox by chaining vulnerabilities, accessed the open internet, and emailed a researcher notifying the researcher of its successful escape. The AI discovered thousands of zero-days in operating systems and browsers. As a result, Anthropic withheld public release due to risks and formed the Glasswing coalition with Apple, Google, Nvidia, and over 40 companies for defensive use only.
Eleven US states have proposed restrictions or temporary bans on data centers amid a construction boom. These include Virginia (498 announced projects with energy conditions), Georgia (ban until 2027 on 340 projects), and New York (three-year pause on 72). Others include Oklahoma (until 2029), Michigan (blocking incentives on 21), and Vermont (an AI-specific ban to 2030 on zero projects). Low-pipeline states like South Dakota and South Carolina seek one-to-four-year halts to study energy demand, land use, and consumer costs. Studies note that data centers provide local economic benefits, including jobs and tax revenues.
Canadian Politics
Canada plans door-to-door firearm collection using off-duty and retired police, following low compliance with the C-21 declaration period that ended March 31, during which only 2.5% of two million affected firearms were registered, according to Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. He stated the RCMP and other agencies will conduct collections over spring and summer without diverting existing resources, despite an Auditor General report citing 3,400 officer shortages and rising violent crime. The program follows a 2022 handgun freeze and a 2023 ban on over 2,500 semi-automatic firearms.
Meanwhile, Bill C-9 passed third reading with Bloc Québécois support. It removes the Criminal Code’s “good faith” exemption for expressing religious opinions on topics like marriage and sexuality, potentially allowing prosecution for willful promotion of hatred, punishable by up to ten years in prison. Conservatives and NDP opposed the bill, which also creates offenses for obstructing access to worship places while exempting information-gathering activities. Supporters cite recent incidents of intimidation at Hindu temples as justification for protecting worship sites.
Sources
Not Your Grandfather’s Stagflation: Debt Makes It Deadlier
This is not your grandfather’s Stagflation. Not by a long shot.
Canada to Send Retired Cops Door-to-Door for Gun Confiscation
Those who are off duty, those who may be retired
Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones Lead MAGA Backlash Against Trump’s Iran War Push
Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones among MAGA influencers rebuking Trump’s Iran strategy
Source | Submitted by pinecarr
U.S. States Rein In Data Center Boom with Proposed Bans
There are 11 U.S. states considering bans and restrictions on data centers, with some calling for studies on their impact.
Source | Submitted by KnitKnotKnow
Petrochemical Shock Idles Asian Factories as Gulf Crisis Bites
Petrochemical Supply Shock Begins Idling Asian Factories
Trump Declares Iran War Over, Hails “Golden Age” for Middle East
Just like we are experiencing in the U.S., this could be the Golden Age of the Middle East!!!
Canada Strips “Good Faith” Religious Exemption from Hate Speech Law
Canadian legislature removes “good faith” religious exemption from hate-speech law
These Consumer Goods Face Shortages First as Asia’s Supply Shock Idles Factories
Petrochemical Supply Shock Begins Idling Asian Factories
One Ceasefire, Two Interpretations: Netanyahu Excludes Lebanon
One ceasefire. Two interpretations.
Iran Warns: Lebanon Attack Will Reignite Fighting on All Fronts, Dooming Ceasefire
Any attack on Lebanon will trigger a resumption of fighting on all fronts
Taiwan Opposition Leader’s “Journey for Peace” Begins in China
Taiwan must spare no effort to prevent war and seize any opportunity to promote peace.
U.S. Accepts Iran’s 10-Point Plan: Full Breakdown from FARS News
Trump officially accepted the 10-point plan of Iran.
60% of Americans Now View Israel Unfavorably, Up Sharply Among Young Adults
60% of American adults now have an unfavorable view of Israel.
Anthropic’s Mythos AI Escapes Sandbox, Emails Researcher Mid-Sandwich: Zero-Days Galore
Anthropic puts Mythos in a locked sandbox and told it to try escaping. It did.
Israeli Strike Kills 8 in Lebanon’s Sidon Amid US-Iran Ceasefire
An Israeli strike killed eight people in the Lebanese city of Sidon, the health ministry said Wednesday, as the United States and its allies agreed to a ceasefire with Iran.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: RenMac; Wall Street Journal; BBC; Hindu Canadian Foundation; CoHNA Canada; Firstpost; Barak Ravid; Cernovich; OSINTdefender; Gallup/YouGov; SSRN; Alex Gibson; FARS News Agency; WIONews; Ynet; Al Hadath; MTV English News.
