U.S. and Iran Blow Past War Deadline, and the Rise of Islamophobia in Texas
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From the New York Times, it's the headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. Today's Monday, August 17th. Here's what we're covering. As of today, the US and Iran have blown past the sixty day deadline they set to reach a broad deal to end the war. So is this just essentially setting the stage for deeper talking about this place?
It's a very strong memorandum of understanding. That is a little conceptual, but it's something that's gonna get done. And if it doesn't get done for any reason, which I can't imagine that not happening, they want
Back in June, President Trump hailed the so-called memorandum of understanding that was supposed to stop the fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and rein in Iran's nuclear program. But the ceasefire deal faltered almost immediately, with strikes resuming, Iran reasserting control over the strait, and the US reimposing its blockade of Iranian ports. While the passing of the deadline today is to some extent symbolic, it underscores how, six months into the war, Trump has failed to achieve his main goal of crushing Iran's nuclear program, and how emboldened the Iranian government feels. Over the weekend, Iran's foreign minister said the country hasn't decided yet whether to even resume direct talks with the US.
Analysts say that the US and Iran now seem to be in a drawn-out campaign of economic attrition, basically a high-stakes game of chicken. Iran's using its control of the strait to push up global energy prices, and the US is using the blockade along with reimposed sanctions to pressure Iran's already struggling economy. One expert on Iran told the Times, quote, They both think that in a matter of days or weeks, the other side will be more desperate for a deal, so they'll be able to get more out of it. Meanwhile, in a convoluted social media post yesterday, President Trump said he'd ordered the Pentagon to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, a longtime US ally. In the post, Trump slammed South Korea for not joining the quote denuclearization of Iran, and said the military exercises would be overly hostile to North Korea, which he praised as respectful and unthreatening.
The US and South Korean militaries have held joint exercises for more than 70 years, and their relationship has been seen as a key part of the US's security strategy in the region, as both North Korea and China have flexed their military muscle. According to a senior US military official, the Pentagon was caught off guard by Trump's sudden announcement. Just last week, a defense official said the exercises would be an opportunity to simulate combat against North Korean troops, who have recently gained crucial battlefield experience helping Russia in Ukraine.
Over the last few decades, the Muslim population here in Texas has really grown quite remarkably, particularly in the urban areas of Houston, where I live, and up in Dallas. But along with that growth, we've seen a real rise in anti Muslim sentiment. And this is something that you know had been present on the fringe, particularly on the right, but that's really moved into the mainstream of Republican politics in the state.
J. David Goodman is the Times Texas bureau chief. He says that this summer, at the Texas State Republican Party Convention, nearly every speech included some expression of anti-Muslim sentiment. And there were multiple panels at the event warning of a Muslim invasion. Hard right figures in the state have increasingly described Islam as incompatible with American values, with some going so far as to claim that Islam is not a religion, but a political ideology.
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