The Daily Signal’s Senior National Security and Legal Analyst Mehek Cooke argued in an appearance this week on Newsmax TV that Iran’s regime is fractured, financially strained, and increasingly desperate.

Cooke explained to host Bianca de la Garza that internal divisions within Iran—between hardliners and so-called moderates—are becoming more visible under the weight of U.S. sanctions and military pressure. She pointed out that Tehran has time to deliver a unified response only because President Donald Trump agreed to extend the ceasefire. According to Cooke, this internal breakdown is central to understanding Tehran’s erratic behavior.

“There’s a myriad of ways this could go,” Cooke said, noting that Iran has lacked a unified front in negotiations. She questioned who is truly in charge, arguing that a legitimate leader would be publicly addressing the Iranian people and declaring victory if the regime were confident in its position.

Cooke emphasized that Trump currently holds decisive leverage, as Iran’s leadership has its “backs against the wall.” She added that Tehran is now attempting to communicate indirectly—including through Pakistan—because it cannot negotiate from a position of strength.

Iran’s recent actions in the Strait of Hormuz are signs of weakness rather than power, Cooke argued, as the regime has targeted small vessels to test American resolve. “We have the ability to eviscerate them,” Cooke said, urging against giving Tehran additional economic or diplomatic lifelines.

She also defended Trump’s decision to restructure military leadership, particularly within the Navy, saying the administration is focused on cutting through bureaucracy and ensuring execution rather than delay.

Turning to domestic politics, Cooke addressed the looming War Powers debate over Trump’s authority to continue the conflict without congressional authorization, with a potential May 1 deadline. She criticized Republicans for hesitation, calling on Senate leadership to use available procedural tools, including the filibuster, to allow Trump to continue the operation.

“This is the most important and critical time in our history,” Cooke said, arguing that no other president is positioned to bring lasting peace to the Middle East. She described the moment as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and warned that political stalling—especially amid rising gas prices and instability in the Strait of Hormuz—risks undermining U.S. national security.

Two Democrat-appointed judges have struck down President Donald Trump's border restrictions against asylum seekers, prompting applause from open-borders advocates in the ACLU and the Democratic Party.

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President Donald Trump addressed concerns about potential insider trading in global betting markets after being asked about suspected wagering tied to the Iran conflict, following a case involving a U.S. Special Forces soldier accused of using classified information to bet on a raid targeting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

The post Trump on Betting Activity Tied to Global Conflicts: ‘I’m Not Happy with Any of That Stuff’ appeared first on Breitbart.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner will head to Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday for another round of negotiations with Iran, and Vice President JD Vance "is on standby" and could potentially join them there.

The post Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner Heading to Islamabad for Iran Talks Saturday; Vance ‘On Standby’ appeared first on Breitbart.

Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida says the soldier charged with using inside information about the raid that captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to bet on its outcome […]

The post GOP Rep. Luna Calls for Clemency for Soldier Charged in Maduro Raid Betting, Notes Congress Plays the Same Game appeared first on The Western Journal.

WILMINGTON, DE — Residents and staff at a local elder care facility were forced to stifle their laughter again this week, as a crazy old man who moved into the nursing home over a year ago kept telling people he was once the President of the United States.

More Hollywood insiders, including Robert De Niro, Elliot Page, Lilly Wachowski, Sofia Coppola, and Holly Hunter have signed the petition opposing the Paramount Skydance merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

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United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Friday announced an agreement with the European Union to coordinate trade policies to ensure more resiliency in securing critical minerals.

The post Ambassador Jamieson Greer Announces US-EU Deal to Boost Critical Minerals Resilience appeared first on Breitbart.

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) plans to introduce the Citizenship Documented License (CDL) Act, Breitbart News has exclusively learned.

The post Exclusive: Sen. James Lankford to Introduce Bill Adding Citizenship Marker on REAL IDs appeared first on Breitbart.