Russia Sends Reinforcements To Huliaipole, U.S. Targets Iranian Oil

ISSUE #271Sunday, 8 March 20263 min read5 stories · 1 deep dive

The Briefing

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Here’s what’s happening in geopolitics today. Another busy day on the geopolitical stage: U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure signal a new phase in the conflict, while an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut underscores how far the fighting is spilling across the region.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s premier makes a rare and symbolic visit to Japan, protests in New York lead to arrests after suspicious devices are thrown near the mayor’s residence, and Pope Leo XIV calls for an end to the bombing and a return to diplomacy. In today’s deep dive, Russia sends more reinforcements to Huliaipole as it looks to press the advantage. While the Iran-USA war enters a new level of escalation.

— The Basedment Editorial Team· 08 Mar 2026

The Last 24 Hours in Geopolitics

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US, Israeli strikes hit Iranian oil depots for first time since war began

U.S. and Israeli forces have struck Iranian oil depots for the first time since the war began, targeting fuel storage sites and energy infrastructure around Tehran and the nearby Alborz province, according to Iranian and international reports. The strikes hit multiple oil storage facilities and a fuel transfer centre, sparking large fires and killing several tanker drivers, while emergency crews worked to contain the blazes. The attacks mark a significant escalation in the conflict, expanding targets from primarily military infrastructure to Iran’s energy network, which plays a key role in domestic fuel distribution and the wider economy.

Source →⚡ Critical

Israeli attack on hotel in Lebanon’s Beirut kills four

An Israeli airstrike hit an apartment inside the Ramada hotel building in central Beirut, killing at least four people and injuring around ten others, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Israeli officials said the strike targeted Iranian Quds Force commanders believed to be operating in the Lebanese capital and coordinating attacks against Israel. The attack marks one of the first strikes in central Beirut’s Raouche district during the current escalation.

Source →⚡ Critical

Taiwan Premier makes first Japan visit since 1972, defying China

Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai made a rare trip to Tokyo, marking the first visit by a sitting Taiwanese premier to Japan since Taipei and Tokyo severed diplomatic ties in 1972. Cho described the trip as a personal visit to attend a World Baseball Classic game at the Tokyo Dome, where he appeared publicly alongside Taiwanese officials and fans. The visit risks angering China, which views official contacts between Taiwan and foreign governments as a challenge to its “One China” policy and has previously warned against such exchanges.

Source →◇ Elevated

6 arrested after ‘suspicious devices’ thrown outside NYC mayor’s home

Six people were arrested after “suspicious devices” were thrown outside the official residence of Zohran Mamdani in New York City during clashes between opposing protest groups. Police said the incident occurred near Gracie Mansion, where smoke-emitting devices containing items such as bolts and screws were reportedly thrown, though no injuries were reported. Authorities, including the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, are investigating the devices and the circumstances surrounding the protest, which led to multiple arrests.

Source →◇ Elevated

Pope Leo urges end to bombing, calls for dialogue amid Middle East violence

Pope Leo XIV has urged an immediate end to bombing in Iran and across the wider Middle East, warning that the escalating conflict risks spreading further across the region. Speaking during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square, he called for weapons to fall silent and for renewed diplomatic dialogue to prevent further suffering and instability. The pope said the violence was fuelling fear and hatred, stressing the need for international efforts to open space for negotiations and de-escalation.

Source →◆ High

Daily Deep Dive

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Analysis · iran

Russia Sends Reinforcements To Huliaipole, U.S. Targets Iranian Oil

Russia sends more reinforcements to Huliaipole as it looks to press the advantage there. While the Iran-USA war enters a new level of escalation.

Basedment Analysis

This weeks topics:

Geopolitical shift: Leaders increasingly suggest the post–Cold War order is fading, with Trump’s foreign policy reflecting a move toward a more unstable and competitive era. Conflict reality: The U.S.–Israel war with Iran is becoming more complex than expected, with no rapid collapse of the Iranian system despite the scale of strikes. Changing battlefield: Ballistic missile barrages have declined, while Shahed drone attacks have expanded, exposing strain on air defences, jamming, and coordination systems. Escalation risk: Kurdish militant activity in western Iran raises fears of a proxy ground war, with the possibility of troops on the ground not fully ruled out. Watch on Youtube below!

Listen on Spotify here!

Tweet of the Day

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Tweet of the Day

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Today in History

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This Day in History

TODAY IN HISTORY (March 8, 2014): During a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, Malaysia Airlines flight 370 disappeared, prompting a massive search effort. Though some debris from the aircraft was found in 2015, the full wreckage was never located.

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