Trump Loses Power over Markets

Trump (R) is Losing His sway over Financial Markets, with His Latest Claims of Iranian Peace Talks Failing to Soothe Oil Prices and Stocks. Brent Crude Oil climbed as much as 3.3pc on 3/27/2026, to more than $111 a Barrel despite Trump Announcing a 10-day Extension of Negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Global Stocks also Continued their Slump, even after Trump’s Post on Truth Social, Claiming that Talks with Iran were “going very well”. The Tech-Heavy Nasdaq Composite Index has Fallen 10pc since the Beginning of the War, while the S&P 500 on Wall Street Plunged to a Six-Month Low on 3/27/2026. The FTSE 100 is On-Track for its Worst Month since the Pandemic, Down nearly 9pc so far in March.

It marks a Significant Break from how Markets have Reacted to Trump’s Pronouncements on the Future of the War so far. On 3/8/2026, after Trump said High Oil Prices were “a very small price to pay U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace”, Oil Surged as High as $120 a Barrel as Traders took that to mean a Protracted Conflict was Likely.

On 3/23/2026, Oil Prices Plummeted by 15pc after Trump Announced a Five-Day Suspension of Hhis Promise to “Obliterate” Iran’s Power Plants, Raising Hopes of a Path to Peace. However, Traders are Beginning to Doubt the Ability of the U.S. to Reach a Deal with Tehran and Reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is Crucial to a Fifth of the World’s Energy Supplies.

Jordan Rochester, the Executive Director of Mizuho Bank, said the Focus for Traders had Switched from the Taco (Trump always chickens out) Trade, to Nacho (“Not actually changing hormuz opening”). The Extension of Talks “does not fix the problem that builds day by day with the Strait of Hormuz being closed”, He said.

“It also gives the market a higher sense of confidence this war will continue for ‘at least’ 10 more days, as we know negotiations rarely end early, with the final scrabble of diplomacy where the real compromises are made.” Jim Reid, an Analyst at Deutsche Bank, said Only a “mini easing of the market tension” had Occurred after Trump’s 10-Day Extension of Talks was Announced.

“While the delay might reduce some of the immediate escalation risk, it offers no new visibility on the path towards resolution, given Iran’s denials over talks, and while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed,” He said. He Added that a “risk premium was beginning to be added in markets before weekends to cover for potential turmoil.”

On Friday, the U.S. was considering Sending 10,000 more Troops to the Region, Supported by Fighter-Jet Squadrons and Armoured Vehicles. Neil Crosby, of Oil Analysts Sparta, suggested that Traders were “all too aware of the build up of US military power, Iranian intransigence, and the ‘tendency’ towards a flurry of events over the weekend when markets are closed”.

City Analysts Interpreted Trump’s Extension of the Talks as further Proof that the U.S. President is Feeling the Pressure from Declining Stocks and Surging Oil Prices. Deutsche Bank has Created an Index to Chart the Pressure on the U.S. Administration, Combining Changes in the President’s Approval Rating, Inflation Expectations, the Performance of the S&P 500 and U.S. Treasury Bond Yields.

The Index hit a Record High this Week, Eclipsing Past Peaks seen before Trump’s Clim-Ddown on His “liberation day” Tariffs in 2025 and His Push to take Control of Greenland earlier this year. Michael Brown, an Analyst at Pepperstone, said: “Call me a Cynic, but the Latest ‘Taco’ coming just 11 minutes after the S&P had Closed-Out its Worst Day since the Conflict Began on 3/26/2026, having Notched a Loss of 1.7pc on the Day, is surely Not a Coincidence.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Putin Forced to Beg for Money to Continue to Fund Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin is Reportedly seeking Hefty Donations from Russia's Wealthy Upper Class to help Fund the Increasingly Expensive Ukraine War. Sources told The Financial Times that Putin wants more Money so he can continue the now Four Year War, with the Goal of Forces Capturing the Rest of Ukraine's Eastern Donbas Region that it hasn't already taken Over.

The Kremlin's Request for Funds Suggests that Putin continues to March forward with the Invasion, despite its Draining Effect on the Country's Budget. Putin Aide Fears 'Nuclear Conflict' as 'Biggest War' in Middle East Still Ahead. The War has ballooned Russia's Defense Costs to an Estimated 15.5 trillion Rubles ($191 billion) in 2025, up from an Estimated 9.1 trillion Rubles ($86.4 billion) in 2022.

Putin called on "voluntary contributions" to the Wartime Budget during Private Meetings with Top Business Executives, as Reported by Russian independent News Outlet The Bell. A Personal Ask from the President essentially points to it being "all but inconceivable" to Turn Down Funding for the War, Reports the Financial Times.

So far, at least Two Wealthy Businessmen have Reportedly Pledged to Donate Funds to the Kremlin's Budget. Some of these Donors include Russian Senator Suleiman Kerimov, who has an Estimated Net Worth of More than $25 billion. Kerimov reportedly said He'd be Willing to Donate around 100 billion rubles ($1.23 billion).

Metals Magnate Oleg Deripaska, believed to be Worth more than $7 billion, also Agreed to Contribute. Both Kerimov and Deripaska have been Sanctioned by the U.S. and Ukraine. Earlier this month, the Russian Government is Preparing to Potentially Cut 10% of All "Non-Sensitive" Spending in the 2026 Budget. However, the Final Say depends on how Sustainable the Oil Price Hike Triggered by the Iran War is.

As the U.S. Iran War continues, it seems Russia has received an unlikely Payday Caused by the Conflict. Analysis Suggests Russia is Pulling in nearly $690 million in Oil Revenues each Day due to the War.

A Report by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) Institute, Released Earlier this Month, suggests that Russia's Oil and Gas Sales will Double from around $12bn to nearly $24bn in 3/2026. But that will be Reduced, as Ukraine Slowly Destroys their Ability to sell Oil and Gas.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine and Saudi Arabia Sign Defense Deal

Ukraine President Zelenskyy sought Saudi Backing, as the U.S. Reportedly weighed Shifting Eeapons to the Middle East. The U.S. Troop Buildup in the Middle East Suggests Limited Operations, Not a Ground Invasion, Analysts told CNBC. EU Funding for Ukraine was Thrown into Doubt after Hungary Vetoed Aaid.

Zelenskyy on Friday, said the Country had Signed an Agreement on Defense Cooperation with Saudi Arabia, that Lays the Foundation for Future Contracts and Investment. The Deal, which came during Zelenskyy's Surprise Visit to the Oil-Rich Kingdom, was Signed Ahead of His Meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia, and towWork together to strengthen the protection of lives," Zelenskyy said in a Social Mmedia Post.

"Now into the fifth year, Ukrainians are resisting the same kind of terrorist attacks – ballistic missiles and drones – that the Iranian regime is currently carrying out in the Middle East and the Gulf region." Zelenskyy added that Saudi Arabia "also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial."

Zelenskyy Met with Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, to Discuss the Escalating Military Tensions in the Middle East, and the War in Ukraine. Zelenskyy said He Expected to Hold "important meetings" during this Trip, as Kyiv Offered its Air-Defense Expertise and Drone Technology to Countries in the Region Reeling from the Iranian Strikes.

More than 200 Ukrainian Experts have been Dispatched to Advise Middle East Ccountries on how to Intercept Attacks that have Wreaked Havoc on Energy Infrastructure across the Region. Zelenskyy is Hoping to Ddraw Ssupport from the Gulf Nations in Kyiv's War against Russia, which is Now in its Fifth year and Western Military Aid Faces New Encertainty.

Iran's Shahed-136 'Kamikaze' Drone has become a Fixture of Modern Warfare, with Moscow Utilizing the Technology in its Years-Long Invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine has found some Success in Downing Drones with Fighter Jet Cannon Fire and recently Pioneered the Development of Cheaper Mass-Produced Interceptors. In an earlier Speech to the U.K. Parliament on 3/17/2026, Zelenskyy sought to Draw Parallels between the Iran War and Kyiv's Battle with Russia.

"If, together with Partners in the Middle East, we build a [military] system like Ukraine's, they will be able to track attacks from Iran or the Houthis in real time, analyze them, keep improving their defense – giving people, critical infrastructure, and trade routes real security," He said.

Zelenskyy's trip comes as the Pentagon was Weighing Redirecting the Equipment and Weapons Intended for Ukraine, to the Middle East, as the Conflict with Iran Strains Existing American Munitions Stockpiles. The Trump Administration was also considering Sending another 10,000 Troops to the Middle East, adding to the Buildup of roughly 5,000 Marines and Thousands of Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division in the Region.

The Growing U.S. Military Presence in the Middle East has Fueled Concerns about a Ground Attack against Iran, even as Both Sides Held on to Contradictory Signals on Potential Peace Talks. Trump on 3/26/2026 Insisted that the Negotiations were going Well, while Tehran has Denied any Direct Talks with the U.S.

"All announcements regarding troop deployments will come from the Department of War. As we have said, Trump always has all military options at his disposal," White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly (R) told CNBC in an emailed Statement. Ukraine is also Facing Renewed Russian Offensives as U.S. Backed Peace Talks Stalled, while Struggling to Secure Fresh Commitments from NATO Allies to Replenish Stocks of American-made Air Defense Interceptors capable of Countering High-Speed Russian Ballistic Missiles.

A Critical €90 billion ($104 billion) European Union Loan Package for Ukraine, has also been Thrown into Question after Hungary Vetoed the Financial Aid. Military Experts said the Scale of Additional Troop Deployments to the Region Appeared Consistent with Plans for Discrete, Time-Limited Operations, rather than a Sustained Ground Campaign. Former Assistant Secretary of State Mark Kimmitt said Friday, that the Number of American Troops being Mobilized to the Region so far, pointed to Targeted Missions rather than a Broader Land War.

"There may be a specific operation that [Trump] has in mind, but unless you're going to be bringing in some very, very light units, this is going to take a significant period of time before we get those troops on the ground," the Retired Brigadier General told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on 3/27/2026y. A Direct Ground Assault on Tehran would Require a Minimum of Two to Three Divisions, He Said, a Scale-of-Force that is Neither in Current Planning, nor One the American Public would Tolerate.

The more Plausible Sscenario, He Suggested, was Targeted High-Risk Missions: a Paratroop Insertion onto Kharg Island, the Hub for the Vast Majority of Iran's Crude Exports, or a Marine Landing along the Coast, to Seize Control of the Strait of Hormuz. "There are lots of different small-scale tactical operations that could be conducted — but nothing of the strategic importance or operational scale that would indicate a ground invasion," Kimmitt said.

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Daniel Davis, Estimated Thursday that only 4,000 to 5,000 "Trigger Pullers" or Ground Troops were being Ddeployed in the Region. "I have seen no evidence that any kind of force of size has been even considered, much less alerted, prepared, equipped, or trained up that you would need to go. … That takes months of time to do," Davis, a Senior Fellow and Military Expert at Defense Priorities.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Signs Order to Pay TSA Workers

With No End in Sight to the Intractable Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Shutdown, Trump (R) Signed an Order on 3/27/2026, to Re-Route Federal Funds to Pay Airport Security Workers by Declaring an Unprecedented Emergency Situation.

The White House said it Will "use funds that have a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations to provide TSA employees with the compensation and benefits that would have accrued to them if not for the Democrat-led DHS shutdown," according to Text of the Decree.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin (R) began the Process of Paying TSA Workers as soon as Trump Signed the Memo, the Agency said in a Statement to USA TODAY Unlike in Past Shutdowns, TSA Employees should begin receiving Paychecks as Early as 3/30/2026, instead of Back Pay, after the Crisis Eventually Resolves.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

CENTCOM Reveals Toll of Wounded US Troops in Iran War

More than 300 American Service Members have been Injured during Trump's (R) War in Iran. Central Command SSokesperson, U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, told the Daily Mail that approximately 303 Service Members have been Wounded during Operation Epic Fury, which will Stretch to a Month-Long Conflict Tomorrow. Of those, 273 are back on Duty, with 10 still Seriously Wounded. That's more than Double the 140 Wounded Service Members the Pentagon Reported on 3/10/2026.

It comes as even some Republicans fear that Trump could Launch a Massive Ground Invasion that could Result in Ddroves of U.S. Casualties. Thirteen American service Members have Died since Trump First Ordered Strikes on Iran, on 2/28/2026. Trump has Traveled to Dover Air Force Base Twice in recent Weeks to Watch Ddignified Transfers, when the Remains of Troops Return to the U.S. and are Reunited with their Families.

Trump Delayed a Larger Military Assault on Iran's Energy Infrastructure on 3/26/2026, giving the Iranians a Deadline of 4/6/2026 to make an Agreement with the U.S. He had previously set the Deadline to 3/27/2026. Still the Price of Crude Oil Increased to above $100 a Barrel and Stocks took a Tumble on 3/27/2026. The U.S. has Presented Iran with a 15-Point Ceasefire Plan, with Special Eenvoy Steve Witkoff (R) and Trump's Son-in-Law Leading Negotiations and Pakistan Serving as a Mediator.

Trump and U.S. Officials haven't Specifically said Who they're Negotiating with in the Iranian Government. Some Iranian Officials have Publicly Denied that Talks with the U.S. are Happening.

During 3/26/2026 Cabinet Meeting, which was Attended by Witkoff, Trump revealed that the 'Present' He had Teased from Iranian Negotiators was the Allowance of 10 Oil Ships to Pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Military Aactions in the Strait of Hormuz, a Major Global Shipping Llane, have Spiked Ooil Prices and Prompted Trump to Complain Loudly about Allies, Particularly NATO Members, Not Willing to Lend a Hand.

Trump hadn't Warned Allies ahead of time. that He Planned to join Israel in Striking Iran. But Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) walked away from a Meeting with His G7 Counterparts in France on Friday, with some Commitments to Helping Patrol the Strait of Hormuz. He had Told the Group that the U.S. is 'not asking for anybody to join the war' but said the Countries Impacted by the Closure of the Strait of Hormuz 'should be willing to do something about it, and we'll help them.'

Rubio Suggested that would come after the Conflict Winds Down. 'This is not going to be a prolonged conflict,' Rubio told Reporters after the Meeting when asked about the Buildup of U.S. Troops in the Region.

The Secretary of State then Outlined a Series of U.S. Objectives in Iran, including Degrading their Military to the Point 'they can never hide behind these things to get a nuclear weapon.'

'We can achieve - we are achieving all those objectives,' He said. 'We are ahead of schedule on most of them, and we can achieve them without any ground troops.' He Added that the Deployment of Thousands of Marines and other Troops is so Trump can be prepared for 'Multiple Contingencies.'

'But we can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops, but we are always going to be prepared to give the President maximum optionality and maximum opportunity to adjust to contingencies, should they emerge,' He said.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine Wiped Out Russia’s Baltic Port

Oil is Burning in Russia’s Baltic Region, after Ukraine launched a Devastating Strike on the Primorsk Export Hub, a Port Crucial to Keeping Kremlin Oil Revenues Flowing.

Satellite Images reveal Multiple Fuel Tanks Destroyed, Forcing Shutdowns and Threatening Billions in Income tied to Putin’s Shadow Fleet. A Powerful New Weapon may have Changed the Rules of Deep-Strike Warfare. What Ukraine Used, and why Primorsk Matters far more than Moscow Admits, Changes Everything Now.

For the Third Consecutive Night, Russia's Essential Oil Infrastructure is Facing Assaults. Major Oil Terminals in the Leningrad area, such as Ust-Luga and Primorsk, Critical Export points for the Nation, were Shaken by Eexplosions.

There are Indications that Ukrainian Drones may have Penetrated Deep into Russian Territory, Leading to Significant Fires and Potential Oil Tank Blasts. This Follows Earlier Assaults on a Refinery in Kirishi and other Energy Sites, Indicating a Rising Trend in Attacks Targeting Russia's Oil System.

These Ports are Responsible for the Annual Handling of Millions of Tons of Oil, making them Crucial to Russia's Economy. With Estimates Suggesting that up to 40% of Oil Export Capabilities have already been Affected, the Consequences could be Substantial.

What's particularly Alarming is that these Attacks are occurring nearly 1,000 kilometers away from Ukraine’s Border. What Implications does this Hold for the Conflict, and for Global Energy Markets?.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ukraine's Southern Counter Offensive Retakes Land

Heavy Russian Losses and Fresh Territorial Gains for Ukraine.

Since the Start of the Counter-Offensive Operation in the South, Ukraine has Regained Control of about 470 Square Kilometers of Territory and Neutralized more than 11,000 Russian Militants, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.

During a Working Trip to the Southern Operational Zone, He held a Meeting with the Command of the Offensive Grouping, and the Commanders of Assault and Air Assault Units.

The Commander-in-Chief received Reports on the Execution of Combat Tasks, Discussed Options for Further Action, and Co-Ordinated the Interaction among Units within their Areas of Responsibility.

“Since the start of the operation, we have regained control of about 470 sq. km, neutralizing more than 11,000 invaders,” He Said.

Syrskyi also thanked Ukrainian Servicemen for their Courage and Effectiveness in Fighting the Occupiers, Emphasizing that the Liberation of Ukrainian Land Continues.

Situation on the Front Line: As a Reminder, Ukrainian Forces have Recently been Showing Progress in the South of the Country.

3/26/2026, Control had been Established over the Settlement of Berezove in the Dnipropetrovsk Region.

In addition, during the Counter-Offensive in the Oleksandrivka Direction, Ukrainian Troops Liberated 9 Settlements and Fully Cleared 3 more. of Enemy Forces.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker