What the geopolitics podcasts and publications said today, and where they disagree.

The Houthis have gained firm control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coast and all its islands, enabling them to close the southern exit of the Red Sea at will. Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West oil pipeline after multiple drone attacks from Iraq, halting oil exports through that route. The combined disruption leaves Saudi Arabia unable to export oil through the Strait of Hormuz or the Red Sea, creating what is described as the kingdom's greatest financial crisis since the 1920s. A global diesel and aviation fuel shortage is worsening as strategic reserves deplete, with no immediate solution available.

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Alexander Mercouris speculates the Trump administration is delaying a massive military operation against Iran until after the November midterms to avoid galvanizing opposition and manage political damage. He believes the U.S. is effectively telling Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to hold out for two months before the big war begins. Mercouris reports a belief is building within the Trump White House to go all out to break Iran with massive missile bombing raids after the midterms, viewing it as a massive gamble comparable to historical blunders like Germany in 1914. He asserts a real serious deal with Iran is impossible due to strong political opposition from the deep state, Congress, Trump's donors, family, and Trump himself, leaving the U.S. with no choice but to go for broke.

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The White House revoked Executive Order 13508, asserting its lack of clarity led jurisdictions to impose harmful stormwater management fees without measurable environmental benefits. The order directs the EPA to coordinate with watershed states and the District of Columbia to assess financial burdens from these fees and encourage their repeal. Federal agencies must redirect funding away from activities that do not generate measurable progress toward reducing nutrient and sediment run-off, focusing instead on direct, on-the-ground projects. The White House reports watershed jurisdictions have met 100 percent of their sediment reduction goal, 90 percent of phosphorus, and 57 percent of nitrogen as of 2025, with scientists projecting the 2026 annual dead zone will be among the smallest since 1985.

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The White House asserts Canada has imposed unreasonable barriers on U.S. companies seeking access to Canadian government procurement markets through its Buy Canadian policy and provincial restrictions. It directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the United States Trade Representative to identify and remove Canadian origin items from the Federal civil procurement system where warranted by law. The Trade Representative must monitor Canada's treatment of U.S. origin items in federal and provincial procurement markets and report circumstances that might warrant further action or the restoration of Canadian items' availability. The memorandum does not create any enforceable rights or benefits for any party.

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The U.S. Department of State designated 11 actors under Executive Order 14404, including four state-run nickel enterprises, four military R&D enterprises, and three military officials, for channeling Cuba's resources to a corrupt military elite. The action aims to curb exploitation and support a Cuba governed by its people rather than a military class. The sanctions are authorized under E.O. 14404, which targets those supporting Cuba's security apparatus and responsible for repression, and further E.O. 14380 and National Security Presidential Memorandum 5, which direct the Executive Branch to improve human rights, foster free markets, and promote democracy in Cuba.

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The United States and Lithuania signed a Critical Minerals Framework Memorandum of Understanding to secure supply chains and finance priority projects within six months. The agreement aims to mobilize government and private sector investment to strengthen economic and national security. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the framework highlights strong cooperation and will mobilize financing for priority projects, while Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys called the agreement Lithuania's second highest foreign policy priority, expecting it to result in large projects that build security and prosperity.

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