2026-02-28 | UPDATES #141 | War Without the Vote: US–Israel strikes on Iran, the law they skipped, and the Ukraine knock-on effects. It’s Saturday 28 February 2026 and the U.S. is at war with Iran. It finally happened. The United States has launched strikes on Iran alongside Israel — and the White House is calling this “major combat operations.” Is this an unambiguous declaration of war, or something more akin to the Russian phrase SVO “special military operation?”Here’s the issue: this is an act that looks and feels like war — without the constitutional process and indeed ritual that’s supposed to precede war. No vote. No mandate. No consultation with lawmakers even – which would usually be the minimal possible bar to meet before any such operation. No coalition of allies you can point to and say, “this is collective security.” Just jets, missiles, and the drama of one criminal regime attacking another.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformation----------A REQUEST FOR HELP!I'm heading back to Kyiv this week, to film, do research and conduct interviews. The logistics and need for equipment and clothing are a little higher than for my previous trips. It will be cold, and may be dark also. If you can, please assist to ensure I can make this trip a success. My commitment to the audience of the channel, will be to bring back compelling interviews conducted in Ukraine, and to use the experience to improve the quality of the channel, it's insights and impact. Let Ukraine and democracy prevail! https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrashttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/scaling-up-campaign-to-fight-authoritarian-disinformationNONE OF THIS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!So what's next? We're going to Kyiv in January 2026 to film on the ground, and will record interviews with some huge guests. We'll be creating opportunities for new interviews, and to connect you with the reality of a European city under escalating winter attack, from an imperialist, genocidal power. PLEASE HELP ME ME TO GROW SILICON CURTAINWe are planning our events for 2026, and to do more and have a greater impact. After achieving more than 12 events in 2025, we will aim to double that! 24 events and interviews on the ground in Ukraine, to push back against weaponized information, toxic propaganda and corrosive disinformation. Please help us make it happen!----------SOURCES: Reuters (Feb 28, 2026): Israel “pre-emptive” strike; US strikes underway The Guardian (Feb 28, 2026): US–Israel joint attack; legality concerns; live updates Washington Post live updates (Feb 28, 2026): airspace closure reporting Axios (Feb 28, 2026): Jeffries / Davidson reactions Statement from Sen. Adam Schiff War Powers Resolution (48-hour report requirement; 60-day limit) (Justia Law)2001 AUMF; 2002 Iraq AUMF (Congress.gov) (United Nations)UN Charter Article 51 (self-defence) (Congress.gov)Legal analysis: TIME explainer; EJIL:Talk! critique (Congress.gov)Newsweek (Feb 25, 2026): regional partners denying basing/launchpad accessKyiv Independent (Feb 28, 2026): Zelensky reaction; Iran–Russia support monitoring (Foreign Policy Research Institute)Reuters (Feb 25–26, 2026): Russia budget stress / oil revenues context CSIS: missile defence inventory constraints (background)Financial Times / Washington Post: US munitions & stockpile concerns (background)----------