From Our Own Correspondent Iran War: A sharp escalation in the Gulf
Mar 21, 2026
Frank Gardner, veteran Middle East security reporter, files on strikes that hit Gulf energy infrastructure. Ione Wells reports from Caracas on life after Nicolás Maduro’s seizure. Jenny Norton, editor of the BBC Russian Service, reflects on reporting in exile. Jake Kwon explores South Korea’s one- to two-minute micro-dramas. Justin Rowlatt, BBC climate editor and cold-water swimmer, recounts competing in Finland’s Winter Swimming Championships.
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Cheap Weapons Shift Power In The Gulf
- The Gulf faces a new kind of threat where cheap, mass-produced drones and missiles let Iran directly target energy infrastructure and Gulf states.
- Frank Gardner notes Iran still fields enough weapons after weeks of US and Israeli strikes to unsettle shipping, economies, and regional security.
Maduro Posters Stay While Support Sometimes Feels Forced
- Caracas looks unchanged with Maduro billboards and staged rallies, yet many attendees are public sector workers compelled to attend.
- Ione Wells heard a 22-year-old say workers were promised bonuses to join rallies and feared speaking freely if the same government remained.
Venezuela Transition Lacks Electoral Timetable
- Washington's three-stage plan for Venezuela (stabilisation, recovery, transition) lacks a clear timetable for elections, leaving young Venezuelans sceptical.
- Ione Wells found released political prisoners optimistic about freer protest, yet systemic reforms remain uncertain.