Episode Details

//The Wire//2300Z October 26, 2026//
 //ROUTINE//
 //BLUF: PENTAGON ANNOUNCES PREPAREDNESS PLANS REGARDING MILITARY BASES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. NETANYAHU ACCUSED OF TREASON FOR PLANNING OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS TO DELAY ELECTIONS. DIPLOMATIC VISITS TAKE PLACE IN IRAN AS GULF STATES SEEK TO CONTINUE EFFORTS TO DEESCALATE THE WAR.//

 -----BEGIN TEARLINE-----

-International Events-

Iran: Over the weekend, Iran conducted more ballistic missile tests, continuing the trend of earlier last week. Several launches of ballistic missiles were noted at several missile cities, as IRGC forces conducted tests of newer missile components that they have been able to develop and produce during the war. In Tehran, diplomatic endeavors continue as representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey met to further de-escalation measures regarding the war, and to continue the dialog between all parties.

Analyst Comment: This meeting is a big deal as this is the most public effort by Saudi Arabia to seek terms for peace. Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) sending his brother (the Defense Minister) to Tehran on peaceable terms is a diplomatic move that has not gone unnoticed by the United States and Israel. How this works out is anyone's guess, but many speculate that these are the initial first steps toward Saudi Arabia cutting a deal with the Iranians to pressure the Houthis to stop their attacks.

Red Sea/HOA: Houthi attacks have intensified over the past few days, with substantial missile and drone attacks being reported along the Saudi East-West Pipeline. Abnormal flaring was observed at two pumping stations on Saturday, along with several large fires at petroleum storage depots as well.

Russia: The Embassy in Tehran denied reports of evacuations over the weekend, stating that evacuations have not taken place and that they are operating as usual within Iran. Military flights continued over the weekend, however the exact nature of the cargo flights into Tehran is not known.

Israel: As election day approaches, PM Netanyahu has stated that Iran has restarted their nuclear program, and are also planning to attack Israel to disrupt the elections tomorrow. Last night, former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman formally filed a request within the Knesset to open an investigation into PM Netanyahu on charges of treason, for his effort to restart the war with Iran to disrupt elections.

Analyst Comment: At the eleventh hour, internal Israeli politics are rather important as the political situation cannot be extricated from the military situation. Many of Netanyahu's opponents within the Israeli government have countered his statements on Iranian attack plans, with many critics stating that he's fabricating the threat for political gain. Over the weekend, rumors emerged that Netanyahu had actually given the order to attack Iran, however IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir pushed back on the order. Some say that he requested the order in writing and dragged his feet on the implementation, while other sources claim he flat out refused the order entirely. At the moment these claims are unconfirmed, however that's what's on the front page of domestic Israeli news organizations on the eve of their election day.

-HomeFront-

Washington D.C. - The Pentagon announced a new initiative, Project FORTRESS, which is a preparedness plan to ensure that military bases within the United States could operate without any outside support for 90 days, in the event of enemy attack. This program is intended to come online within the next few years, with planning efforts beginning shortly.

Analyst Comment: This plan was initially announced back in September as part of a list of other modernization programs, though at the time few details were released. The exact details of this plan have still not been released yet, but the plan seems to mostly center around electrical power needs. Pentagon officials are prepa