San Diego, CA

Oliver Stone talking about War in San Diego, a military Hub, is a perfect Fit

Published

1 year ago

November 11, 2024

Oliver Stone talking about War in San Diego, a military Hub, is a perfect Fit

( The San Diego Union-Tribune) – To mark this year’s Veterans Day, the fifth anniversary of the foundation of Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington, D.C., and the 50th anniversary of the end of Vietnam War, the Center for War and Society at San Diego State University will be hosting a completely booked event aboard San Diego’s USS Midway museum with Oliver Stone, America’s foremost director of films on the Vietnam War, on the evening of Nov. 14.

A former aircraft carrier is the perfect location, as in not too distant waters, the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln deployed to the Gulf of Oman, off the coast of Iran, in July 2024. In 2019, it was the same carrier strike group then-President Donald Trump deployed to deter Iran.

The conversation with Stone on the Midway will examine how America’s relationship with war, both before and after Vietnam, have informed and influenced his work over the past 40 years, most notably beginning with “Platoon” in 1986. He will discuss how those wars have influenced U.S. foreign policy and American society, how they provoked Americans to think about concepts and consequences of empire and military power overseas, and how they ultimately helped establish the framework for the “forever wars” in which the United States now participates.

One of the forever wars continues more than a year after violence that began on Oct. 7, 2023, between Israel and Hamas, making the Mediterranean Sea a combat theater. American forces are still deployed off the coast of Lebanon to deter Hamas’ ally Hezbollah, even though it is mostly on the defensive after Israel began its offensive, and to withdraw American citizens from there, despite that the U.S. left some behind.

Normally, the Lincoln is the flagship of a carrier strike group deployed in the Pacific, but its mission to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman was extended even further in September to deter Iran.

Furthermore, over the last year the U.S. and Israel have expanded their war to the Red Sea to attack the Yemeni Houthi militia for targeting international shipping in solidarity with Hamas, bringing war to the three seas in the region.

Over the last year the U.S. has mobilized local personnel and military assets, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Naval Base Coronado and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (otherwise known as “Top Gun”). The Lincoln’s aircraft includes an F-35C strike aircraft squadron from Miramar, (the planes often seen flying over Interstates 15 and 805), and two helicopter squadrons from Coronado’s Naval Air Station North Island.

The Lincoln is escorted by the San Diego-based destroyer USS O’Kane, which carries long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, costing $2 million each, Washington’s preferred weapon to strike the Houthis.

“Carrier,” Digital, Midjourney / Clip2Comic, 2024

Just the deployment of those two vessels represents 6,500 personnel. Carrier group deployments are routine, and the Lincoln will return to San Diego in mid-November, only to be replaced with more B-52s and destroyers. The possibility of American forces being targeted or lost has increased exponentially, just as a Houthi missile almost hit the USS Eisenhower last June, demonstrating that American strikes have not degraded their ability to attack vessels in the Red Sea.

If American forces were lost in combat, Washington would escalate its presence in the region, rather than withdrawing from the conflict, succumbing to “mission creep.” In these three naval conflict theaters there is no articulated end goal as to when “mission accomplished” can be declared.

The presidential election will not change the number of forces deployed to these theaters, which are likely to be maintained or even increase.

During Trump’s first presidency, he routinely deployed B-52 bombers and the Lincoln off the coast of Iran to deter the Islamic Republic in 2019, almost going to war in January 2020 after the U.S. assassinated one of Iran’s generals.

The U.S. left Iraq in 2011 and Afghanistan 2021. It seemed the forever wars had ended. Yet they continued to shape San Diego County, with veterans making it home after serving multiple tours in both places. The wars also sent a whole generation of Afghan and Iraqi refugees fleeing those conflicts to San Diego.

Finally, the 2023 war has led to another sort of mobilization: protests in San Diego, on its campuses, even in front of the Midway itself, on the anniversary of Oct. 7. The war that began in October 2023 has the potential to serve as the third forever war of the 21^st century, ironically giving Stone further material for his next film.

Al-Marashi is an associate professor of history at Cal State San Marcos and a visiting scholar at University of San Diego and San Diego State University, and lives in Encinitas.

Reprinted from The San Diego Union-Tribune> with the author’s permission.

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San Diego, CA

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

Published

14 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices soar nearly another dime overnight

On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.

The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.

The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.

“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.

“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”

The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.

The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

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San Diego, CA

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

Published

12 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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San Diego, CA

Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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