DIThe Distraction Index

#Middle East

24 events across 15 weeks

1Damage
15Hype
8Noise
4.5Avg Dmg
36.8Avg Hype
WEEK 86Aug 16 – 22
HYPE2026-08-16
NOISE: Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations
international · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
14.8
WEEK 82Jul 19 – 25
HYPE2026-07-25
US Pauses Iran Strikes and Expands Military Buildup in Israel
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
0.7
Hype
38.2
NOISE2026-07-25
Netanyahu Set to Visit US Amid Regional Tensions
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
9.5
NOISE2026-07-24
Trump conditions Saudi Arabia Abraham Accords participation on nuclear deal
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
8.0
NOISE2026-07-24
Trump Administration Announces Nuclear Deal Conditions with Saudi Arabia
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
4.8
Hype
13.8
WEEK 81Jul 12 – 18
NOISE2026-07-17
US and Iran Escalate Military Strikes Across Middle East
Enforcement Actioninternational · broad
Damage
0.5
Hype
14.0
WEEK 80Jul 5 – 11
NOISE2026-07-08
Trump Shores Up Relations with Regional Allies Amid Netanyahu Rift
international · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
14.0
WEEK 79Jun 28 – Jul 4
HYPE2026-06-28
US Military Strikes Iran Following Ceasefire Violation Claim; Iran Threatens Peace Talks Halt
international · broad
Damage
—
Hype
80.5
HYPE2026-06-28
Trump Pressures Syria on Hezbollah, Raising Regional Tensions
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
5.5
Hype
41.5
WEEK 77Jun 14 – 20
HYPE2026-06-15
Trump Claims Strait of Hormuz Reopened; Shipping Activity Remains Minimal
Information Operationinternational · moderate
Damage
0.0
Hype
50.8
WEEK 72May 10 – 16
HYPE2026-05-10
Iran-US Military Tensions and Ceasefire Status
international · broad
Damage
—
Hype
34.3
HYPE2026-05-10
Iran-US Tensions Over Oil Tankers and Ceasefire Status
Damage
0.0
Hype
50.0
WEEK 69Apr 19 – 25
HYPE2026-04-19
Iran Strait of Hormuz Closure and Ceasefire Expiration
Damage
0.0
Hype
87.3
WEEK 68Apr 12 – 18
HYPE2026-04-16
US Blockade of Iranian Ports and Strait of Hormuz; Troop Deployment to Persian Gulf
Resource Reallocationinternational · broad
Damage
24.6
Hype
82.3
HYPE2026-04-16
Trump Announces Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Agreement
Damage
2.6
Hype
75.8
HYPE2026-04-15
US Troop Deployment to Middle East as Trump Seeks to Pressure Iran
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
17.6
Hype
61.8
WEEK 67Apr 5 – 11
HYPE2026-04-05
Trump Salutes Israel Rescue Mission
Information Operationinternational · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
68.0
WEEK 60Feb 15 – 21
NOISE2026-02-20
Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Kill at Least 12 People
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
18.6
HYPE2026-02-19
Trump Board of Peace Initiative Announced with Global Commitments
Policy Changeinternational · broad
Damage
8.4
Hype
27.9
WEEK 59Feb 8 – 14
HYPE2026-02-10
US Diplomatic Engagement on Iran Tensions in Strait of Hormuz
international · narrow
Damage
—
Hype
2.8
WEEK 57Jan 25 – 31
DMG2026-01-30
Trump Weighs Military Action Against Iran
Policy Changeinternational · moderate
Damage
32.0
Hype
26.5
WEEK 36Aug 31 – Sep 6
HYPE2025-09-06
Trump Claims Deep Negotiations with Hamas on Hostage Release
Information Operationinternational · narrow
Damage
6.6
Hype
25.4
WEEK 30Jul 20 – 26
NOISE2025-07-26
Trump Dismisses Macron's Palestinian State Recognition
international · narrow
Damage
0.2
Hype
16.9
NOISE2025-07-26
Democratic Senators Demand Investigation of US Citizen Killed in West Bank
international · narrow
Damage
3.2
Hype
20.0