Welcome to the RedState Weekly Briefing — where we take a quick look at the week’s most viewed stories in case you missed any of them. What do you suppose caught people’s attention as we officially make our way into Spring? Grab a cup of coffee (or something stronger if you’re so inclined), and sit down with this 21st Century Weekend Edition of your favorite (online) publication.
#1 – Trump Calls Reluctant Allies’ Bluff on the Strait, Gets Big Response From NATO Chief — by Nick Arama
“I have been in contact with many allies,” Rutte said during a NATO exercise in Norway.
“We all agree, of course, that Strait has to open up again. And what I know is that allies are working together, discussing how to do that, what is the best way to do it. They’re working on that collectively to find a way forward.”
Rutte also explained the ballistic missile and nuclear capability had been “severely degraded.”
Gee, what happened to “We didn’t start it”? Sounds like Trump shamed them into movement. Rutte gets Trump, so he knows they have to pony up.
Others are showing up some of our European allies. As we reported, India is providing warships to protect their own ships; it is one of the biggest shippers through the Strait, along with China.
#2 – GOP’s Blowout Win Has Virginia Democrats Sweating Their Gerrymander Gamble — by Teri Christoph
Well, when you consider that early voting has already begun on the April 21 gerrymander referendum, it’s looking a whole lot like Virginians are not best pleased with the menu of far-left policies – including onerous new taxes and dangerous gun bans – being force-fed to them by state Democrats and their leader, Gov. Abigail Spanberger. If Democrats win the referendum, they will adopt a new congressional map that replaces the current 6D-5R makeup with a 10D-R1 gerrymandered disaster.
Tuesday’s election result shows the momentum that swept Spanberger into office in November is now flipping towards Republicans. In other words, Republicans in Virginia overperformed so strongly Tuesday that the gerrymander attempt is all the sudden looking much riskier for Democrats.
#3 – European Countries Get Bitten by Karma After They Turn Down Trump Request for Ships for Strait — by Nick Arama
So much for such an “ally.” These are the same folks who think it was our obligation to pour out billions to Ukraine’s defense, which wasn’t even a NATO country, while they still pussy footed around buying Russian oil. The logic is insane.
But they didn’t have to wait long to find out that yes, it is their battle, whether they want to accept it or not. Because then a drone hit the Royal Tulip Al-Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad in the International Zone on Monday. That’s the site of the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq, and other diplomatic facilities, including the Saudi Embassy.
Iraq’s interior ministry condemned any effort to target diplomatic personnel. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
#4 – Here’s What Iran Just Said About the Strait of Hormuz – It Sounds Like a Huge Cave After Trump Threat — by Nick Arama
They’re trying to salvage things, hoping to break up the coalition by saying it’s only the people firing on them.
Araghchi noted that many ships “prefer” not to undertake the journey due to “security concerns,” but insisted, “this has nothing to do with us.”
“And I can say that the Strait is not closed, but it is only closed to American, Israeli, you know, ships and tankers, and not to others.”
The U.S. doesn’t have a lot of traffic through the Strait; the real impact has been on Asian markets. If they’re saying they’re letting those countries through, that should calm those markets. That also sounds like the report of mines in the Strait from Iran is probably a myth.
#5 – Newsom Tries to Shame Nick Shirley for Investigating CA Fraud; Shirley Smokes Him With Brutal Reply — by Bob Hoge
Oh, isn’t that funny? Your state is crumbling, there have been repeated claims of fraud under your leadership, and this is what is posted on your official taxpayer-funded account? Mocking an American citizen for doing legitimate investigative reporting?
Pretty darn shameful.
Nick Shirley quickly showed, however, who is the adult in the room with his excellent response:
You do realize I’m trying to help America eliminate fraud and waste right? No need to try and make me look like the bad guy for exposing fraud.
People are over it. Start working for the people and not against them.
— Nick shirley (@nickshirleyy) March 17, 2026
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