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Bitcoin’s implied volatility holds steady as panic hedging drives traditional volatility indexes higher.

Palantir’s (PLTR) CEO Alex Karp is jumping into the Middle East fracas, courtesy of his latest comments. The CEO said in plain words that Palantir’s software is helping U.S. allies in the Middle East.Palantir is a controversial company. But no one can deny the company’s software capability. His statement links the data analytics company’s AI platform directly to one of the world’s most volatile conflicts, as the US looks to increase its influence throughout the world.Speaking with CNBC at Palantir’s AIPCon event in Maryland, Karp said that the artificial intelligence is giving the U.S. and its allies an edge in the conflict, which is leading into a unique symbiotic relationship between American military strength and AI leadership.The messaging to the markets is clear enough. Palantir wants to be seen not as another company talking about AI, but as one already using it at the highest echelons of power where the stakes are the highest.That distinction is important to note as a Palantir investor. Palantir has long been considered one of the best defense and intelligence companies in the world. But the stock’s bull run is fueled by a larger faith that the company can turn its government credentials into a larger commercial AI business.Karp’s latest remarks support both parts of the thesis. They highlight Palantir’s role in national security while giving a timely reminder to Wall Street bigwigs that the company’s software is being deployed in high-pressure settings.The market is rewarding all of this judiciously. Palantir’s latest quarterly results showed booming commercial growth, strong government demand and unusually high profitability for a company suffering from outsized headline risk. That helps explain why every new sign of traction can lead to outsized gains for PLTR investors.Karp told CNBC that “the AI revolution is uniquely American. What makes America special right now is our lethal capabilities, our ability to fight war,” he added. Palantir’s war comments sharpen its defense-AI imageKarp’s CNBC appearance generated more than just market heat. It sharpened Palantir’s identity at a moment when investors are still trying to separate durable AI winners from companies that are riding the gravy train.Palantir has spent years building software that helps governments and large institutions connect massive amounts of data, make big decisions in war theaters like the Middle East, and respond to fast-moving situations.Related: Legendary skeptic delivers 6-word verdict on Palantir’s hot streakKarp’s comments suggest the company sees that capability as central to modern warfare, where speed, coordination, and secure data-sharing will matter more than traditional military hardware, as we can see during the current geopolitical tensions.That is a powerful message because it strengthens Palantir’s moat. A company trusted in defense and intelligence will have a different market reputation than an enterprise vendor. An added layer of credibility is thanks to Palantir’s intimate relationship with the US military brass. For bulls, that credibility can carry over into the commercial market, where user and investors increasingly want AI systems that have the potential to move past the pilot programs and deliver useful results.There is also a branding advantage with how Karp speaks about Palantir. He rarely sounds like a conventional tech CEO, which is fast becoming the reason for Palantir’s appeal. Whether or not investors like the tone, the message is unmistakable.More Palantir Palantir CEO delivers curt 8-word message to investorsPalantir drops  immigration enforcement bombshellPopular analyst reveals 9 ‘buy the dip’ tech stocksPalantir’s appeal is that it now effectively works like a two-story thesis. One is the former Palantir, which functions as a hard-nosed, defense-focused software company with deep government ties.The other is the newer one: a fast-growing AI company finding broader demand from commercial customers who see that the software can work in challenging circumstances.Karp’s most recent comments put those two pieces together in a way that Wall Street will probably remember.

Palantir CEO Alex Karp rarely sounds like a typical tech CEO.Photo by Michael M. Santiago on Getty Images

Palantir’s numbers give investors a reason to listenKarp’s war comments would not land as forcefully if Palantir was lacking in terms of fundamentals. Instead, they arrive alongside the kind of numbers that have kept the stock near the center of the AI hype cycle.The company’s latest quarter showed growth across both its commercial and government businesses, giving investors yet again an indication that the stock does not depend on one area to support its valuation. Related: Palantir faces a ‘quiet shockwave’ from a small deal with big opticsIts commercial business continues to expand at a pace that few large software companies can match, while its government segment is becoming an important cog in America’s foreign policy designs. Palantir: Financial markers behind the AI storyQ4 revenue hit $1.41 billion, up 70%. That is the sort of growth rate that keeps Palantir in the top tier of AI names.U.S. commercial revenue jumped 137% to $507 million. Bulls see this as proof Palantir is becoming much more than a defense story.U.S. government revenue rose 66% to $570 million. The legacy business is still strong, which gives the broader AI case more weight.Adjusted free cash flow reached $791 million. Strong cash generation makes the growth story feel sturdier.Palantir ended 2025 with $7.2 billion in cash and no debt. That gives the company room to operate from a position of strength.PLTR’s valuation remains extremely rich. The business is delivering, but the stock still leaves little room for disappointment.Important points from Karp’s comments on CNBCKarp just gave Palantir another reason to look at the stock through its oldest lens: defense.The U.S. and its allies are gaining an advantage in the Middle East war thanks to Palantir’s software. Palantir’s products are in use in theaters where failure has real consequences.The proof-of-concept gives it an edge over the newer AI players.Related: Nvidia bull drops shocking take on upside

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An oil tanker anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates was struck by a projectile on Tuesday as Iran carried out renewed missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region.

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TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why is this a great deal?In the smartphone era, being on the road feels more dangerous than ever before. We’ve all had a moment where we glanced at the driver next to us and saw them holding their phone in one hand and driving with the other. Luckily, many states have now passed hands-free laws, requiring drivers to use phone mounts when driving. I wanted to get on board, so I researched my options and decided to invest in the Lisen MagSafe Car Mount, which is currently on sale at Amazon for $13. It’s been more than a year since I bought my mount, and I can’t imagine driving without it now. Since I drive a 2016 Honda, it doesn’t have built-in GPS, so I rely on Waze to lead the way. Now getting where I need to go is as easy as popping my phone on the mount, setting my destination, and I’m off. And since my husband also uses an iPhone, he can easily use the mount when he drives our car, too.Listen MagSafe Car Mount, $13 (was $17) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Why do I love it?After researching different types of phone mounts, I decided on a MagSafe option because it seemed like the easiest to use. I opted for the black version for my car, but you can choose from blue, purple, and silver for a few dollars more. The Lisen mount clips to an air vent, although I will say that it’s not compatible with round or vertical rectangular air vents, as it needs a horizontal piece to clip onto. I like this one because the hook that attaches to the vent is metal rather than plastic, which won’t be vulnerable to hot temperatures. Once you slide that hook into the vent, you turn a small knob to tighten the mount, and you’re ready to use it.

Courtesy of Amazon

The manufacturer promises that this mount is strong enough to hold up to ten iPhone 17s. I did not test that claim, but it seems to do just fine holding my iPhone 13 through its case. The head of the mount can be adjusted in any direction, which is nice as I like to angle the phone toward myself when I’m driving. As I mentioned before, I’ve used this mount for over a year, and my phone has never fallen off when I’ve hit a bump or a pothole. I find this impressive, as I have owned other phone mounts that didn’t perform as well under the same conditions.One nice touch is that it includes a magnetic ring with an adhesive backing with your purchase that you can attach to your phone case if it does not have MagSafe built in. That way, you can use this mount with any phone, not just Apple products.However, there has been one downside to using the mount. About three months ago, I noticed the joint that holds the hook on the vent was cracked. As it’s an inexpensive product, I didn’t mind buying a replacement, so I’m now on my second one. If this one suffers the same fate, I may consider buying a higher-priced option and see if it lasts longer (although this one is such an affordable option that it’s tempting to just pay $13 for a mount that works for another year).The only other thing that may give some shoppers pause is that this is not a charger. It’s only a mount for your phone. As I simply plug my phone in when it needs juice, I don’t mind this, but if you want an option that holds your phone while charging it, Lisen does make a model that does both, which retails for $27 (it’s on sale from its usual $40 at the time of writing).Pros and cons of the $13 MagSafe Phone MountPros:Easy to install: It took me less than a minute to set this up in my car.Powerful magnet: My phone has never fallen off, even when I hit bumps on the road.Adjustable mount head: I love that I can adjust the angle of my phone.Cons:I did have to replace it once: The joint did crack after about a year of use.It will not fit all air vents: The mount is not designed to fit circular or vertical rectangular vents.Related: Amazon’s convenient portable phone charger is on sale for only $40More than 10,000 shoppers have given this phone mount a five-star rating, with many praising it for the same reasons I do. “Best phone holder I’ve had,” one wrote. “Super easy to install, and after having this item for a while, it still hasn’t faltered. I’ve now bought a second one for my wife’s vehicle.””The magnetic hold is very strong and keeps my phone perfectly secure, even on bumpy roads,” another shopper wrote. “It snaps on effortlessly with MagSafe, looks sleek, and doesn’t block the air vent at all. Super convenient, well designed, and easily one of the best phone mounts I’ve used.”Shop more deals Lamicall MagSafe Car Mount Charger, $16 (was $22) at AmazonBelkin Wireless Magnetic Car Charger, $40 (was $48) at AmazonUgreen Wireless Car Charger Mount, $30 (was $40) at AmazonDespite having to replace it once, I think the Lisen MagSafe Car Mount is a winner. It’s affordable and functions well, and it allows me to use my GPS and play music while I drive, while keeping my hands on the wheel.