Radhika Desai and Michael Hudson on the media and market disconnect between Trump Iran barker talk and dire economic and political effects.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Coffee Break: Scientists Being Bad and Good, the Moon, and More Ancient Archaeology
Part the First: Dealing with Scientific Misconduct. Trust in science has declined during my professional work life. Some, but not all, of this is due to misconduct by scientists, as it should be. The recent case of Sylvain Lesné is one of the more spectacular examples. We have discussed this previously. Dr. Lesné published a […]
Diplomacy, and Politics Before the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor: A Precursor to Current Use of Economic Sanctions
History does not repeat but often rhymes, as parallels between the US deployment of economic sanctions against Japan and now Iran shows.
Iran War: Narrative Wars and Ceasefire Claims
Today’s Iran War Update: Ceasefire begins in Lebanon, material shortages hitting, War Powers vote comes up one short.
The EU’s Digital Gulag Is (Apparently) Ready to Roll
“It is for parents to raise their children, and not the platforms.”
Home Care Workers Launch Hunger Strike as 24-Hour Work Shifts Persist
The battle over 24-hour care shifts has pitted the mostly immigrant women against vulnerable patients who rely on round-the-clock care.
The War on Iran Is to Isolate It From Its Neighbours and Curb a Rising Sunni Bloc
The War on Iran aims to break Tehran, curb a rising Sunni bloc, and secure Israeli hegemony in the Middle East. But it’s not working
Democracy Depends on Broad-Based Taxation—History Is Clear About That
How governments raise revenue, as in taxation versus slavery or external extraction, determines their accountability to citizens.
Iran War: Trump Expects Hugs From China, Israel Still Bombing Lebanon
Today’s Iran war update: Trump claims he’s opened the Strait to Chinese shipping, Israel launches the most massive attack yet on Lebanon, U.S. stocks hit record high.
Jesus Christ! Xi Jinping Is Hugging Donald Trump on the Sidelines of Three US-Israeli Genocidal Wars
Trump tries muscling Xi. Let me know how that works out.
Satyajit Das: Book Essay: Walter Benjamin – Leftist Outsider, Man of Letters
An overview of the acutely observant, enigmatic and quixotic writer and thinker, Walter Benjamin
Coffee Break: AI’s Reputational Crisis Leads to Popular Backlash and Violence
AI’s reputational crisis is triggering a massive backlash against data centers including two attacks on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and another against an Indiana city council member.
Maine Gov. Mills Urged to Sign ‘Nation-Leading’ AI Data Center Moratorium
The Maine legislature wants to hit pause on data center buildouts. The governor’s silence says she needs a big push to do the right thing.
