#ourCOG Daily Brief [March 17, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for March 17, 2026.

In today’s top stories, the Middle East remains a focal point of tension. Iranians find themselves caught between what’s described as unremitting U.S.-Israeli attacks and an unyielding regime, with Israel’s killing of pivotal leader Ali Larijani further escalating the crisis. Meanwhile, Israelis, after nearly two and a half years of intermittent conflict, acknowledge their war fatigue even as they remain resolute in their desire to see arch-foe Iran defeated. Moving to Africa, women in Nigeria are challenging established social norms and cultivating new paths forward by forming farming cooperatives, addressing their exclusion from traditional landownership.

Turning our attention to recent video releases, we’ve seen three new programs from ‘Power Unlimited’: Program 47 titled ‘The LORD,’ Program 65 focusing on ‘Phonies,’ and Program 42 exploring what it means to be ‘Backslidden in Heart.’

From the FaithNews RSS feed, the latest updates include an ongoing ‘Church Planting Intensive,’ news about the ‘Jesus Wells’ Campaign aiming to reach the ‘World’s Thirstiest Communities,’ and a ministry winning ‘Best Children’s Feature’ at the Movieguide® Awards. We also note that a ‘Church Planting Intensive’ was set for March 11th through the 13th.

In prophecy news, the situation in the Middle East continues to unfold with reports on Tehran’s Escalation Doctrine, suggesting Iran’s aggression across the entire region reflects its internal vulnerabilities, aiming to project power and divert attention from domestic instability. We also revisit a piece comparing the Ark Encounter’s 10-year anniversary with our nation’s 250th, highlighting similarities between their foundational leaders. Interestingly, Hamas has reportedly urged Iran to cease attacking neighboring countries, marking a significant first for the Iran-backed group, even as it affirms Iran’s right to defend itself. Finally, President Trump announced that the U.S. “obliterated” military targets in a strike on Iran’s Kharg Island, a crucial oil hub.

And finally, in Jewish history, looking back to March 18th, we note a couple of significant events. In the year 37, the Roman Senate proclaimed Caligula emperor. From a Jewish perspective, he was a volatile leader whose demand for worship and insistence on placing a statue of himself in Jerusalem led to major confrontations, though thankfully his death prevented that travesty. Later, in 1123, the First Lateran Council opened. While it didn’t directly address Jewish issues, one of its canons did significantly reignite the impetus for the Crusades.