#middle_east | The Distraction Index
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#middle_east
14 events across 8 weeks
0
Damage
7
Hype
7
Noise
6.0
Avg Dmg
31.5
Avg Hype
WEEK 68
Apr 12 – 18
HYPE
2026-04-16
Senate Rejects Effort to Block Arms Sales to Israel; Democrats Split
Policy Change
federal · broad
Damage
3.0
Hype
65.8
HYPE
2026-04-16
US Blockade of Iranian Ports and Economic Pressure Campaign
Resource Reallocation
international · moderate
Damage
16.1
Hype
67.3
WEEK 63
Mar 8 – 14
HYPE
2026-03-08
Iran Escalation and Military Conflict
Damage
9.6
Hype
87.3
WEEK 61
Feb 22 – 28
NOISE
2026-02-26
US Military Builds Up Largest Middle East Force in Decades
Policy Change
international · broad
Damage
20.3
Hype
19.6
NOISE
2026-02-23
US Pulls Non-Essential Staff from Beirut Embassy
Policy Change
international · narrow
WEEK 59
Feb 8 – 14
HYPE
2026-02-10
Trump-Netanyahu Meeting on Iran Negotiations
international · moderate
Damage
—
Hype
26.0
WEEK 39
Sep 21 – 27
NOISE
2025-09-26
Trump Says He Will Stop Israel from Annexing West Bank
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
13.8
WEEK 27
Jun 29 – Jul 5
NOISE
2025-07-05
Trump Claims Ceasefire Deal Near in Gaza
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
15.1
WEEK 25
Jun 15 – 21
HYPE
2025-06-14
Iran Fires Drones and Missiles in Response to Israeli Strikes
international · broad
Damage
3.4
Hype
28.3
HYPE
2025-06-14
Iran Missile and Drone Attack on Israel
international · broad
WEEK 22
May 25 – 31
NOISE
2025-05-30
US and Israel Present Gaza Ceasefire Proposal
international · broad
Damage
0.0
Hype
5.8
Damage
0.0
Hype
13.0
Damage
0.0
Hype
31.0
NOISE
2025-06-14
Israel-Gaza Escalation with US-Backed Aid Site Attack
international · broad
Damage
21.1
Hype
24.6
NOISE
2025-06-14
Israel Thanks Trump for Support on Iran Conflict
international · narrow
Damage
0.0
Hype
2.6
HYPE
2025-06-14
Trump-Putin Phone Call on Middle East Tensions
international · broad
Damage
10.2
Hype
40.9