Daily Intelligence Brief - Mar 20, 2026
The global order is reorganizing, with multiple power centers emerging. Iran, under pressure from US sanctions easing, has targeted energy sites in the Gulf and exchanged strikes with Israel on Persian New Year. In response, the US has deployed more Marines to the Middle East and considered “winding down” its operation in Iran.
US President Trump has claimed he is considering reducing the war, which may be aimed at lowering gas prices. As a result, US sanctions have been eased on 140 million barrels of Iranian oil. This move suggests a strategic shift to maintain energy security and reduce economic pressure on Iran.
The easing of sanctions on Iranian oil signals a weakening of the US dollar-based order. Nation-states are fragmenting into competing blocs, with old alliances dissolving. The situation is fluid, with multiple actors repositioning for a new multipolar world.
Watch for:
- Trump’s next move on Iran and the potential implications for regional stability
- Further sanctions easing or rollbacks in response to growing US-Iran tensions
- Escalation of proxy conflicts between Israel and Iran-backed groups in the region