March 2026

It’s March, and if you read February’s article, you can probably guess what’s coming next. This series has been building toward this moment, and in today’s article, we’ll finally highlight exactly what that is.

We Have A Problem!

Since Joe Biden has been in office, and for many decades before, we as a nation have been searching for solutions and resources to support Americans facing challenges like homelessness, lack of healthcare coverage, limited childcare access, gaps in education, food insecurity, mental health needs, the need for rehabilitation services, and even concerns about air quality, do I need to say more? These issues could be addressed effectively if our contributions were managed by the right delegation, but it seems nearly impossible for our presidents, Congress, and other leaders to make happen.

The focus is not where it needs to be. Since Donald Trump took office again in November 2025, America has become increasingly divided: Americans versus non-Americans, Black versus white, Democrats versus Republicans, and so on. These divisions serve as distractions from the nation’s real issues. Everyday Americans feel the consequences: long lines and delays at airports, understaffed security checkpoints, and malfunctioning systems have made travel a struggle, while the same leaders pour attention into foreign conflicts. Meanwhile, decisions in foreign policy, like the escalating conflict in the Middle East, show just how poorly our politicians are managing the country. I’d be the 109,756th person to say it: “What our leaders are doing is wrong, and things must change. Their actions are highly dangerous, irresponsible, and destructive. I hold a deep disdain for those who knowingly prevent us from making progress to move forward!”

On the Grits and Eggs podcast, Deonte Kyle discusses Independence and Integrity, emphasizing the importance of showing up for people. In the segment Politics & The Guillotine, he addresses extreme dissatisfaction with our politicians, suggesting they take accountability as corrupt officials and those who exploit their incompetence — and I agree. (EPS 120)

Israel, Iran, and Us

Our “Officials” have decided to put all their focus into Israel. The conflict between the United States under President Donald J. Trump and Iran did not start suddenly in 2026. Instead, it built up over several years as tensions gradually increased between the two countries. A key turning point dates back to 2018, when the Trump administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, reimposing sanctions and increasing pressure on Iran’s economy and government. Through 2025, tensions remained high, including smaller-scale confrontations and a brief but significant military exchange between Iran, the United States, and Israel, which left the region unstable and set the stage for further escalation.

By January 2026, the situation intensified dramatically. Iran was experiencing widespread internal protests, met with a forceful government crackdown. In response, President Trump issued strong warnings and increased U.S. military presence in the Middle East, including naval deployments and strategic positioning of air and ground forces. At the same time, the United States pushed for stricter limits on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, while also applying economic pressure, including threats of tariffs on countries trading with Iran. Although indirect diplomatic talks took place in February 2026, they failed to resolve key disagreements, and tensions continued to rise as Iran conducted military exercises and disrupted strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict reached a boiling point on February 28, 2026, when the United States, in coordination with Israel, launched large-scale airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear-related infrastructure. This marked the official start of open warfare. Iran responded quickly with missile and drone attacks against U.S. bases, Israeli targets, and regional allies, expanding the conflict beyond a single battlefield. In the following weeks, the strikes killed several key Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, and Esmail Khatib, Iran’s Intelligence Minister. These targeted assassinations, confirmed by both Israeli and Iranian sources, highlighted the high stakes and rapid escalation of the war.

Newspaper Insights

For this article, I decided to do boots-on-the-ground journalism and actually pick up a newspaper! Here’s what it informed me of. According to the Arizona Republic, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (azcentral.com), a top U.S. counterterrorism official, Joe Kent, resigned in protest over the war with Iran. Kent said he believed the conflict was unnecessary and influenced by pressure from Israel and its allies, and he claimed President Trump had been misled by misinformation. His resignation marked the first by a U.S. official over the war.

U.S. leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, rejected Kent’s claims, arguing that Iran did pose a serious and immediate threat due to its growing nuclear program and missile capabilities. Kent’s resignation, however, underscores how controversial and poorly handled the war has been, exposing internal divisions in Washington while ordinary Americans continue to deal with unresolved domestic crises — from homelessness to healthcare struggles, and yes, even the growing difficulties at airports that affect travelers across the country.

Closing Thoughts

The situation in Iran and the Middle East remains volatile, with no clear end in sight. The U.S.-Israel airstrikes, Iran’s retaliatory attacks, and resignations of top U.S. officials reveal both the danger abroad and the failures of our political leadership at home. 

Ultimately, the message is clear: America’s challenges are not abstract. They affect real people every day. While leaders argue, divide, and mismanage, ordinary citizens are left to navigate failing systems, crowded airports, and unmet needs. Change will not come from empty promises or partisan games; it requires leaders who prioritize the welfare of the people over personal gain, who are willing to be held accountable, and who act with integrity. Until that happens, the frustration, stagnation, and injustice will persist. It’s up to us, the citizens, to demand better, stay informed, and insist on a government that serves its people rather than distracts us from the issues that truly matter.