War & Conflict with Preston Stewart

Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/23/opinion/trump-iran-general-mcchrystal.html https://farsnews.ir/Qaysar/1774438398843134762/Iran-Denies-Reports-of-Negotiations-with-US https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-trump-lebanon-march-24-2026-8bb5e79a98ea72fccc5c50b4931ad778 https://x.com/MiddleEast_24/status/2036613511153848582?s=20 Substack: https://prestonstew.substack.com/ Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lightning drone campaign: https://dzygaspaw.com/lightning-strike?project=Lightning+Strike Find more content on Substack: https://prestonstew.substack.com/ Today we're looking at a new Russian assessment of how difficult it will be for them to take the remainder of the Donbas anytime in the near future. FighterBomber, a Russian milblogger says they can either accelerate the offense, turn to the defense, or start using nuclear weapons. Quite a sign of how far things have come in the four years of this war. Fighter Bomber: https://t.me/bomber_fighter/24678 GUR: https://t.me/DIUkraine/8038 3rd Army: https://t.me/ab3army/6806 Substack: https://prestonstew.substack.com/ Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're looking into new assessments that boots on ground are likely in Iran. From General Mattis saying we're in a tough spot, to the Wall Street Journal publishing an article saying it's the only way forward, it seems like this has turned from a maybe to a matter of time. We also look at a Washington Post article suggesting that we're moving towards the Strait of Hormuz as the overriding priority right now, which does seem to line up with recent statements, and would show that we're reacting now to Iranian moves. Sources: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/american-credibility-is-on-the-line-in-iran-84c13e6a https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/23/mattis-ending-iran-war-now-cede-hormuz-00841109?ICID=ref_fark&utm_campaign=fark&utm_content=link&utm_medium=website&utm_source=fark https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/03/22/marines-hormuz-strait-decisive-battle-iran-trump/ https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2026-03-24/karag-82nd-airborne-marines-iran-21167074.html https://www.cbsnews.com/news/strait-of-hormuz-mines-iran-talks-officials/ School of War Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/76aesHusuLHkG0aNU0AAY0?si=18312a38c30f45b1 Substack: https://prestonstew.substack.com/ Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go to http://proton.me/prestonstewart to get started with Proton Mail. Sign up for a free account and take back control of your email. Check out all the content consolidated in one place at https://prestonstew.substack.com/ Today we're looking into new statements from President Trump that the United States has granted Iran a five day window to open the Strait of Hormuz, extending his previous 48 hour deadline. Iran claims these talks aren't happening so we look into a few scenarios that would explain each argument as of now. Substack: https://prestonstew.substack.com/ Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Car4Ukraine Campaign: https://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaigns/preston-stewart-offensive-2026 Today we're looking into a recent event where Ukrainian drones brought down two Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters. We look at the footage released by Ukraine and the explanations offered by a number of Russian analysts. Source video from Madyar:  https://t.me/robert_magyar/2106 https://x.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/2034969304383304065?s=20 Substack: https://prestonstew.substack.com/ Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're looking into a new red line drawn by President Trump where he says Iran needs to open the Strait of Hormuz or we'll start hitting their energy infrastructure. This risks a broader escalation in the region and Iran has already said they'll consider all energy in the area viable targets. This comes as additional US forces surge into the area. Sources: https://apnews.com/article/diego-garcia-iran-missiles-what-to-know-d51bd9c3bcd83ee0300288221bff5614 Substack: https://prestonstew.substack.com/ Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lightning drone fundraiser: https://dzygaspaw.com/lightning-strike?project=Lightning+Strike Today we're looking into a new report of life in a Russian assault unit. A Russian soldier writes about the problems with these units being used more for punishment than anything else and how little the commanders there care for the lives of their soldiers. We also have more Russian armored assaults starting to take place, an indicator for what we can expect in coming months. Patreon:   / prestonstew   Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're looking at the Israeli strike campaign that is steadily eliminating Iran's senior leadership. Over the past 24 hours, they've taken out three senior officials and have been hitting police checkpoints with the hope of providing an opportunity for the people to rise up. The Hudson Institute talked to this suggesting that, as of now, hardliners are solidifying their power and there doesn't seem to be an internal organization pushing back. Hudson Institute piece:https://x.com/HudsonInstitute/status/2033632311338574089 Patreon:   / prestonstew   Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're looking into reports that suggest the US is considering using military force to open the Strait of Hormuz. This comes after our allies from around the world rejected President Trump's call for support in the region. We also have the first senior US official resigning over the war. Patreon:   / prestonstew   Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're looking into some ways that US forces in the Middle East can augment their drone defense as we start to see FPV and recon drones appear over key facilities. Bottom line, find nets and fencing and start covering overhead of key facilities. These will help stop FPV drones and catch drone dropped munitions. Patreon:   / prestonstew   Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel has begun ground operations in southern Lebanon focused on eliminating the Hezbollah threat. There are some indications this could be the largest invasion since 2006 and we need to keep an eye out to see if Hezbollah adjusts tactics from the last round of fighting that pretty clearly played out in Israel's favor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lightning drone fundraiser: https://dzygaspaw.com/lightning-strike?project=Lightning+Strike For the first time in a while, Russian sources are openly concerned about a Ukrainian breakthrough at the front. We look today into what's causing that between drone tactics, technology and some shocking UN statements on how Russia is treating their soldiers.  Sources:  https://t.me/swodki/567515 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/14/ukraine-russia-war-front-line-troops-kill-zone-drones/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_tw_post_line-troops-kill-zone-drones%2F https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/advance-version/a-hrc-61-61-auv.pdf Patreon:   / prestonstew   Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Unclassified Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZi... YouTube:    / @theunclassifiedpod   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump is calling on our allies around the world to help us open the Strait of Hormuz. While an international coalition would be a solid move, it's going to be harder to build that now than before the conflict kicked off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're looking at a new red line drawn by President Trump for Iran: open the strait of Hormuz or we hit your oil infrastructure. This comes after a significant attack on Kharg Island last night but I'm not sure the Iranian regime has any intentions of opening the strait in the near future. This is one of, if not their only, strategic advantage over the United States in this war and it will probably take a lot for them to ease up the pressure.  James Acton: https://x.com/james_acton32/status/2032594251171627472?s=20 Patreon:   / prestonstew   Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Unclassified Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZi... YouTube:    / @theunclassifiedpod   Contact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US announced that we're deploying the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East as the war with Iran grinds on. Today we get into what that entails and four scenarios that could play out once they arrive in the next 1-2 weeks. Sources: https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/us-israel-iran-war-news-2026?mod=WSJ_home_mediumtopper_pos_1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier today, Secretary Hegseth said the US and Israel have hit more than 15,000 targets since the war in Iran began. They added that today is set to be the heaviest volume of strikes so far as they explained that Iranian air defense is so degraded that we're able to put fighters and bombers over Tehran to carry out additional strikes. We're seeing Iran double down on their strategy of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz and tragic news of a KC-135 crew lost overnight.  Damiem Symon on X: https://x.com/detresfa_  NYT article:  https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/03/11/world/middleeast/iran-us-military-bases-strikes-map.html Patreon:   / prestonstew   Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Unclassified Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZi... YouTube:    / @theunclassifiedpod   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's old is new again. Drone fundraiser: https://dzygaspaw.com/lightning-strike?project=Lightning+Strike Today we're looking into a new tactic being described by Russia where Ukraine is using a rolling drone barrage to take out defensive positions ahead of an infantry assault. This brings to mind the early days of combined arms warfare in WWI where soldiers in the trench had to wait for the barrage to lift to advance and hope that it was timed just right.  Patreon:   / prestonstew   Twitter:   / prestonstew_   TikTok:   / prestonstew   Instagram:   / prestonstew_   Facebook:   / 61584740132063   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a high-risk move for Iran. Today we're looking at recent developments around the Strait of Hormuz that Iran may have mined, but certainly has been targeting in recent days. This is a major chokepoint and the type of global disruption that could force an end to the conflict before all US objectives are met. For now, it appears we're going after mine-laying boats and the next step could be mine-sweepers and escorts, but each of those are rather complicated and risky. Great resources: Sal:    / @wgowshipping   Mr. Global:    / @mrglobalyoutube   School strike update: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/us/politics/iran-school-missile-strike.html?unlocked_article_code=1.SVA.eukK.0YqgqZyGDkKn&smid=url-share Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will this be a short spurt or the start of something big?Today we're looking into a major operation in Mexico where the government eliminated El Mencho, the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG. This marks the highest profile capture/killing of a cartel leader in years and immediately led to a spike in violence across the country. This is a developing situation so this is what we know so far.Sources referencedhttps://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-02-22/mexican-army-kills-leader-of-jalisco-new-generation-cartel-official-sayshttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/violence-mexico-jalisco-new-generation-cartel-killed-military-puerto-vallarta/https://apnews.com/article/jalisco-cartel-drugs-mexico-mencho-new-generation-5014a70bc62a81d74849146c59ba19f8Reliable sources to follow on the cartelshttps://x.com/All_Source_Newshttps://x.com/HuasoBBhttps://x.com/natsecboogiehttps://x.com/Borderland_Beathttps://x.com/HEARST_BB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This could begin any day at this pointToday we're looking into the possible options for the US to strike Iran in the coming days. Based on what we have in theater right now it could be a sustained campaign for about a week, no boots on ground and we should expect a panicked Iranian response. Right now we're in a window where we have enough assets in the region for limited strikes and every day more flow in to increase our capabilities.Sourceshttps://www.csis.org/analysis/us-military-middle-east-numbers-behind-trumps-threats-against-iranhttps://mei.edu/publication/iran-considers-its-response-to-potential-renewed-us-israeli-strikes/https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/20/europe/britain-air-base-access-us-iran-intl-hnk-mlhttps://www.twz.com/air/f-16s-heading-to-middle-east-equipped-with-angry-kitten-electronic-warfare-podshttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/us/politics/us-military-jordan-iran.html?unlocked_article_code=1.N1A.gnno.pHFDbndQ22hK&smid=url-sharePatreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/prestonstewTwitter:   https://x.com/prestonstew_TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstewInstagram:   https://www.instagram.com/prestonstew_/Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PrestonStewartUnclassified Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=efe0b3bd89b6421d&nd=1&dlsi=417702a2c0914864Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unclassified-with-preston-stewart-and-ben-wheeler/id1781679521YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSuyLEHMTO-oDHObnCeYwnQContact: preston@warstories.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices