#ourCOG Daily Brief [March 11, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for March 11, 2026.

In today’s top stories, a near-record number of U.S. representatives and senators are opting not to seek re-election, a trend that could significantly influence the upcoming midterms. Defense Secretary Hegseth’s strong statements on the war in Iran continue to spark debate, energizing his base while drawing criticism for what some perceive as a glorification of violence. The ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran is also revealing deep divisions among the Iranian diaspora concerning military action and the future of Tehran’s government. Adding to domestic political news, Georgia’s 14th Congressional District is seeing a crowded field of 17 candidates in the race to succeed Marjorie Taylor Greene, highlighting a fragmented Republican coalition amidst Greene’s public criticism of President Trump. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are investigating a strike that tragically hit an Iranian elementary school last week, raising serious questions about targeting and intelligence for Operation Epic Fury. On the world stage, African students studying in Iran on government scholarships are finding themselves caught in the crossfire of U.S. and Israeli missile strikes, forcing many to return home. Sweden is now requesting Syrian refugees, who have built new lives within its borders, to return to Syria following the end of its civil war. And, 15 years after the Fukushima disaster, Japan is re-evaluating its energy strategy, warming up once again to nuclear power as a reliable low-carbon solution.

Here are the latest video titles you can watch: “Spiritual Warfare: Guarding Your Eyes, Perception, and Discernment | Hell’s Spells Chapter 3,” “Today On Jentezen Franklin TV,” and “The Abraham Accords – Is This The Beginning of Daniel 9:27? | Perry Stone.”

From our FaithNews feed, among the latest titles are: “Church Planting Intensive Set for March 11-13,” a report that a “Church Files Emergency Appeal to Resume Worship,” news that “‘The Bible Recap’ Hits Top 100 on Apple Podcasts,” and a “Multi Million Dollar Gift Launches New Era for SMCH.”

Turning to prophecy news, experts are sounding alarms over Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is reportedly “obsessed” with end-times prophecies, believing himself to be a prophesied figure, the ‘Khorasani,’ destined to conquer Jerusalem and Mecca to prepare for the Mahdi. This comes as we also reflect on historical prophecies, with a look at ‘Cyrus’s gold,’ recalling how wealthy outsiders like Cyrus the Great funded Jerusalem’s rebirth over 2,500 years ago as a deliberate investment. In a more contemporary interpretation, Rabbi Mendel Kessin suggests the Messiah is coming this year, with the ongoing war between President Trump, Israel, and Iran cited as evidence. And in a more literal sense of saving the Earth, a recent study confirms NASA’s DART mission successfully changed an asteroid’s orbit around the sun, a critical step in developing strategies to deflect future threats to our planet.

Finally, in Jewish history, this day, March 12th, marks a few significant events. In 515 BCE, the construction of the Second Temple was completed, a momentous occasion chronicled in the Book of Ezra. Many centuries later, on this day in 604, Pope Gregory I passed away. Known for his vigorous opposition to Judaism, Pope Gregory I viewed the Jewish understanding of scripture as ‘perverse’ and worked to keep Jews and Christians separate, forbidding Christians from using Jewish doctors, preventing clergy from employing Jews, and prohibiting Jews from holding public office, building new synagogues, or marrying non-Jews.