Taking the Lead: A Guide to Being in Charge

June 9, 2026

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If you trust our secretary of state, which I do not, America lost control of events in Iran before the first bombs fell on February 28.

Remember that? Days after the war began, Marco Rubio claimed that the United States had joined Israel’s opening strike in a spirit of what we might call “preemptive self-defense.” The Israelis intended to attack whether the Trump administration approved or not, Rubio suggested; the White House believed the Iranians would respond by targeting U.S. assets in the region, dragging us into the war.

Pilar Marrero

Political reporting is approached with a strong interest in power, institutions, and the decisions that shape public life. Coverage focuses on U.S. and international politics, with clear, readable analysis of the events that influence the global conversation. Particular attention is given to the links between local developments and worldwide political shifts.