VoteVets is the largest Democratic Veterans group in America, Monday. The day before the midterms: Trump threatens to “give Iran the hammer” in the same breath as hunting for an exit; an AP investigation reveals how badly Iran battered two dozen US bases while the administration hid the damage; the Pentagon moves to cut off support for Navy families it evacuated from a war zone; and the midterms could remake who oversees the military entirely. Day 247 of the “4-week” war. Here’s what you need to know. ⭐ Iran offers to open Strait of Hormuz - The HillTwo days before the election, Trump sent opposite signals. At an Iowa rally, he bragged that the only thing stopping him from finishing off Iran is his own mercy: “The only reason why I’m not finished with Iran is I want to be nice. I want to try and save all those lives if I can. But at some point we’re going to have to give them the hammer.” He named a remaining target, the suspected underground site “Pickaxe Mountain,” and claimed it could be destroyed “in 10 minutes.” Yet in nearly the same breath he reached for an exit, predicting the eight-month war would end “very soon, one way or the other, either they’ll make a deal or we’ll just end it,” as Iran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the US lifts sanctions and unfreezes its assets. Qatari mediators are shuttling terms. The tell is the timing: Trump’s self-imposed moratorium on striking Iran lapses Nov. 3, and Gulf officials say they’ve been warned new strikes could come as soon as Nov. 4, the day after America votes. ⭐ Iran Targeted US Air Defenses Then Hit Aircraft and Buildings on Mideast Bases, AP Analysis Finds - Associated PressAn AP investigation using satellite imagery and regional officials found that Iran’s retaliation battered US forces far more than the administration has let on: more than 115 drone and missile strikes damaged or destroyed structures on 26 US bases and sites, causing billions in losses. Iran struck methodically, first knocking out the early-warning radars that detect incoming fire, including one of only 13 the Army owns worldwide, worth about half a billion dollars, then hitting hangars, barracks, mess halls, refueling tankers and a surveillance plane. Tellingly, CENTCOM refuses to detail any of it, and US officials even had satellite providers delay public imagery, leaving outside analysts unable to confirm the damage for months. The Pentagon’s only response: “America’s military is stronger than ever.” ⭐ Pentagon Denied More Financial Support for Navy Families Evacuated from Middle East Base, Audio Suggests - Military.comWhen the Iran war erupted in February, the military rushed roughly 1,300 Navy families out of Naval Support Activity Bahrain as drones hit the base. Now, leaked town-hall audio shows the Pentagon is cutting off their safe-haven support on Nov. 30, and refusing the Navy’s request to keep paying until families get back the household goods they left behind. Instead of a blanket extension, each family will have to apply individually, with the acting Navy secretary personally approving each request. “We realize that there’s a lot of miscommunication between us and D.C.,” Capt. Matthew Smidt told the families, many of whom have been stuck in hotels and short-term rentals for months. He also told them it’s still far too dangerous to go home. ⭐ As Veterans Leave Congress, Tuesday’s Midterm Elections Could Change Who Oversees the Military - Military.comA wave of veteran lawmakers is leaving Congress this cycle, and several held the gavels that write the annual defense bill, put Pentagon leaders under oath, and shape VA health care and benefits, oversight that does not transfer automatically to whoever wins their seats. Veterans now make up just one in six members of Congress, down from three in four in 1973. But there’s a powerful counter-current, and it’s where this story gets encouraging: a record number of veterans ran for Congress this cycle, a 47% jump from 2024, and VoteVets has endorsed a large share of them heading into the general election tomorrow, from Senate contenders down through dozens of US House candidates. Every one VoteVets is backing is a veteran running as a Democrat, which means Tuesday could do more than refill empty seats. It could remake Congress into one with a greater number of Democratic veterans than any time in recent memory. Those Democratic veterans will fill the void being left by Republican veterans who are retiring or may lose their seats. Did we miss anything? Pop the link in the comments!
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