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National Security Expert Warns U.S. Vulnerability Growing After Trump’s Iran Strikes

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — With approximately 40,000 U.S. troops in the region, Castleberry-Hernandez stressed that their safety is paramount. But she warned that domestic security is also at risk, recalling how past conflicts in the Middle East have sparked terror attacks on American soil, such as those in San Bernardino and Orlando.

Published

12 months ago

June 25, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

As global tensions spike following President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and Tehran’s retaliation with missile launches at U.S. bases in Iraq and Qatar, national security and foreign policy expert Asha Castleberry-Hernandez warned that the United States is dangerously close to a full-blown war.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known, Castleberry-Hernandez, a former senior official in the Biden administration’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and an Iraq War veteran, called the situation “deeply concerning,” especially given what she described as escalating international alignment behind Iran and widespread inexperience in key U.S. national security positions.

“My reaction was quite concerning with regards to potential escalatory behavior,” Castleberry-Hernandez said. “Many Americans were not supportive of strikes in Iran because they want to avoid an escalatory war or just U.S. involvement overall.”

Last week, B-52 bombers carried out airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. The Department of Defense claims those sites were eradicated. In response, Iran launched missiles targeting U.S. military installations in Qatar and Iraq. While U.S. forces successfully intercepted the missiles, Castleberry-Hernandez cautioned that the conflict is intensifying quickly and diplomatically difficult to contain.

“If we had just stayed in the Iran nuclear deal, which President Obama started, this could have been avoided,” she said. “The Iran nuclear deal worked.”

She blamed the Trump administration for withdrawing from the agreement, which she said led to the loss of leverage with Iranian leadership. “We transitioned from diplomacy to defense,” she said, noting that Iran now has greater backing from nations like China, Russia, and North Korea.

Castleberry-Hernandez, author of the memoir, “Why National Security Matters,” noted that under the U.S. Constitution, the commander-in-chief has the latitude to conduct such airstrikes. But she questioned whether Trump’s actions—reportedly carried out without broad consultation with his national security team—violate the constitutional balance between the executive and legislative branches.

“This is why it matters who we put in the Oval Office,” she said. “You’re giving them access to trade policy, nuclear codes, and how they manage the troops.”

Castleberry-Hernandez said Vice President Kamala Harris’s previous warning that a Trump presidency could lead to war was not alarmist. She pointed to the growing signs of Iranian aggression even before Trump took office and said U.S. intelligence had long indicated that Iran was close to building a nuclear bomb.

“Now that Trump is in, he’s going to do anything he can to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear state. And this is what you’re seeing play out right now,” she said.

Asked how close the U.S. is to war, Castleberry-Hernandez said developments are moving by the hour. “President Trump is demanding a ceasefire, but let’s see if Iran will come to the table,” she said. “Iran knows the U.S. has an asymmetric operational advantage, and that may eventually bring them to negotiate.”

Castleberry-Hernandez rejected claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had manipulated Trump into the strikes but confirmed that Israeli intelligence strongly influenced the decision. “Israel had legitimate concerns and shared them. President Trump, lacking the political capital but influenced by Israel, decided to move forward,” she said.

With approximately 40,000 U.S. troops in the region, Castleberry-Hernandez stressed that their safety is paramount. But she warned that domestic security is also at risk, recalling how past conflicts in the Middle East have sparked terror attacks on American soil, such as those in San Bernardino and Orlando.

“We’ve already seen violence near the Israeli embassy and in Colorado. These conflicts fuel both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia here at home,” she said, adding that cities like New York have ramped up security in response.

She also warned of cyber threats and information warfare, especially with Iran’s close ties to Russia. “They’re very capable in conducting cyberattacks and manipulating online disinformation to destabilize us,” she said.

Castleberry-Hernandez raised concerns about the economic fallout, particularly in the oil and global markets. “Engaging Iran disrupts the global energy market. Gas prices and stock fluctuations could spike, especially if this conflict drags on.”

She also confirmed reports that multiple Republican lawmakers purchased “war stocks” just hours before the strikes. “I’m pretty sure those that were trading were fully aware of what was going to happen,” she said.

As questions swirl about Trump’s decision-making and reports suggest that many national security officials were shut out of the process, Castleberry-Hernandez said her book was meant to educate Americans about why qualified leadership is essential.

“I wrote ‘Why National Security Matters’ because I saw a growing rejection of global engagement,” she said. “But we’re more interconnected than ever—through cyber threats, pandemics, and climate change.”

She criticized the current administration’s staffing of key security posts with inexperienced personnel, including a 22-year-old former grocery clerk now reportedly working in Homeland Security.

“It’s already playing out. These inexperienced officials are more prone to rubber-stamp Trump’s decisions. Compared to his first administration, this is far more dangerous,” she said.

Asked if the U.S. is more vulnerable than ever, Castleberry-Hernandez replied, “We are. Not just because of inexperience, but because the world has learned how not to work with us anymore. Our troops, our economy, our national security institutions—everything is at risk.”

She called on the American people to act. “We don’t have the House or Senate to provide real checks. It has to come from the people—mobilize and engage with your elected officials. The American people can make a difference working together right now,” she said.

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Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled

BLACKPRESS USA NEWSWIRE — “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”
The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

21 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Oakland Post

By National Women’s Law Center

The National Women’s Law Center released its annual State Child Care Assistance Policies report, finding that the number of children placed on waiting lists for federally funded child care assistance nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025 — and that number has only continued to grow.

The report serves as a key resource for state lawmakers, advocates, and policymakers by tracking state child care assistance policies and identifying where states are strengthening support for families and early educators — or falling behind.

“This deeply troubling increase in the number of children on child care waiting lists is the result of a failure to invest in this crucial sector,” said Karen Schulman, senior director of state child care policy and author of the report. “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”

Key findings in the report related to waiting lists for child care assistance include:

• 17 states had waiting lists or a freeze on intake for child care assistance in February 2025, up from 13 states in February 2024.

• Approximately 106,700 children nationwide were added to waiting lists between February 2024 and February 2025, bringing the total to 225,500 children in February 2025 — a 90 percent increase compared to February 2024.

• The numbers climbed even further between February 2025 and summer/fall 2025, with more than 175,000 additional children added to state waiting lists in just a few months — a 78 percent increase.

• At least seven states newly began placing families on waiting lists or freezing intake, while at least 10 additional states saw their waiting lists grow, after February 2025.

The report also includes state-by-state data on key child care assistance policies, including income eligibility limits, parent copayments, provider payment rates, and eligibility policies for parents searching for work.

Click the link to learn more: Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025.

The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy

ROLLING OUT — Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport.
The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

The seven-time major champion read frustration, not a real goodbye, in the world No. 1’s words

By David Kesiena | Rolling Out

When the world’s top-ranked player said she wanted to walk away from the sport, Venus Williams chose empathy over alarm.

Aryna Sabalenka’s blunt remark after her French Open quarterfinal collapse rattled plenty of fans, but Williams heard something different in it. The seven-time Grand Slam champion treated the comment as the raw reaction of a hurting athlete rather than a serious signal about her future.

The collapse that triggered the comment

Sabalenka looked headed for a routine win over Diana Shnaider. She took the opening set 6-3 and built a commanding lead in the second, climbing to 4-1 and later serving for the match at 5-4 while sitting just two points from victory.

Then everything unraveled. Shnaider stormed back to steal the second set 7-5 and bageled the world No. 1 in the third, with Sabalenka dropping 12 of the final 13 games in gusty conditions that reached around 26 mph. The 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 result sent Shnaider into her first Grand Slam semifinal and extended Sabalenka’s long wait for a maiden Roland Garros title.

In the aftermath, Sabalenka did not soften her feelings. She told reporters she had no thoughts and no emotions left and felt like quitting on the spot. She described being stuck in a deep, dark mental hole during the match, unable to find her way back.

What Venus Williams said about Sabalenka

Williams reacted with understanding. She admitted the moment made her sad and said she had been swept up in Sabalenka’s emotions, feeling a surge of empathy for her. She praised the Belarusian for laying everything bare on court, where every feeling shows.

Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport. Rather than scold her, Williams offered a gentle observation about the rhythm of professional tennis. She suggested players might benefit from a little more time to gather themselves before stepping in front of the cameras, a quiet acknowledgment that athletes are routinely asked to dissect painful defeats before the sting has faded.

Sabalenka walks it back

The story did not end on that bleak note. Within days, Sabalenka signaled she was not actually quitting, framing the press-conference outburst as heat-of-the-moment honesty rather than a plan. At the time of the loss she had also left the door open, saying she would see how she felt in a few days and hoped to get back on track mentally. The walk-back lined up with how Williams had read the situation from the start.

It is not the first time a Paris quarterfinal has pushed Sabalenka to her limit. In 2024 she exited at the same stage and skipped her press conference entirely because of illness, with the tour later releasing her quotes on her behalf. The pattern underscores how heavily this particular tournament has weighed on her despite deep runs in recent years.

For now, attention shifts to the grass. Wimbledon offers Sabalenka a quick chance to reset, and a strong showing there would turn this French Open meltdown into a footnote rather than a turning point.

Originally published by Rolling Out — https://rollingout.com.

The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue

THE CAROLINIAN — Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.
The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

By Judaea Ingram | Special to The Carolinian

RALEIGH, N.C. – Music filled the air as families danced through the crowd, children gathered around activity stations, and community members explored wellness resources from local organizations. Black-owned businesses lined the streets while people stopped for chair massages, conversations, and moments of connection inside the wellness suite.

At the center of the event stood a simple but powerful reminder:

“You Matter.”

For Darkness RISING, those words represent far more than a slogan. They reflect the organization’s mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community while creating spaces centered on healing, honesty, and hope.

Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.

The organization hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including block parties, wellness workshops, mixers, kickoff events, community classes, and Darkness RISING: Live — a free annual arts and wellness festival now celebrating its ninth year.

The festival combines entertainment with healing-centered resources, featuring live music, dancing, singing, food trucks, Black vendors, children’s activities, mental health resources, wellness spaces, and opportunities for open conversations about mental health.

While the events may feel celebratory on the surface, organizers say the deeper purpose is creating safe spaces where people can feel comfortable discussing mental health without fear of judgment.

Darkness RISING also provides free nationwide resources, including a Black Mental Health Resource Packet, a Black Mental Health Provider Database, and its “Find Me a Therapist” initiative, which helps connect individuals with culturally competent care.

The organization’s work is rooted in addressing longstanding inequities that continue impacting mental health access within Black communities.

Historically, segregation, redlining, racial discrimination, incarceration, poverty, and unequal healthcare access have contributed to higher rates of behavioral health challenges while simultaneously limiting access to proper treatment and support. Darkness RISING approaches those issues through what organizers describe as a transformative justice lens, focusing on healing rather than punishment and creating equitable wellness opportunities for marginalized communities.

Its REBUILD program specifically supports justice-involved and formerly incarcerated people of color through free therapy and wellness support, while the REBUILD Youth program focuses on young people impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs.

For Rudolph, therapy became life-changing after decades of incarceration and years of rejection after returning home.

“Came home in 2015, started my own computer company, investing in real estate, did the normal thing and got some jobs here and there and was met with rejection after rejection and people telling me I am not a good person,” Rudolph shared. “Even had a rejection in church.”

He said one of the hardest battles became overcoming the mental barriers created during incarceration.

“I got in touch with a couple of friends, and they explained to me how I had to get over the mental hurdles and get rid of the way my prison mindset was in order to survive and become successful,” he said.

Rudolph later moved to North Carolina hoping for a fresh start, but the struggle continued.

“Things were looking bad,” he said. “Could not get a job. The struggle was real.”

Eventually, therapy and support through organizations like Darkness RISING helped begin his healing process. He said working alongside other justice-involved men through therapy gave him the ability to rebuild mentally while finding community with people who understood his experiences.

Stories like Rudolph’s reflect the foundation behind Darkness RISING’s mission: ensuring people feel seen, supported, and worthy of healing regardless of their background or circumstances.

Community members who attend the organization’s events often describe them as emotionally transformative.

Some participants say Darkness RISING encouraged them to seek therapy for the first time, while others say the organization gave them a safe space to openly discuss struggles they previously kept hidden.

“I have been encouraged by the beautiful, generous, brave and open individuals who come together and use their talents to create art, share personal experiences and provide hope to those who may be struggling with mental health,” one participant shared.

By combining art, wellness, education, and community outreach, Darkness RISING continues changing how mental health conversations happen within the Black community.

Not through silence.

But through healing, honesty, connection, and joy.

Originally published by The Carolinian — https://caro.news.

The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.