A tally of the great planetary damage expected to result from AI growing use, thanks to its insatiable hunger for power.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Iran War: US Doubles Down on Claim Iran Agreed to IAEA Inspections, Ballistic Missile Limits After Iran Denial; Dispute Over Food for Frozen Assets; Lebanon Ceasefire Holds as US Presents Withdrawal Plan; More on Looming Oil Cliff, Diesel and Lubricants Shortages
Today’s Iran war update: The big struggle is on the narrative front, as Iran swatted back JD Vance claims as the oil cliff keeps approaching.
Amid Iran Failures, Is the U.S. Finding More Success With Its Economic War on Iraq?
With few options, Baghdad is promising to rein in militias and pursue other oil export routes. Will any of it stick?
After the US President Ordered the British Prime Minister Out of Office, What’s Left of the Anglo-American Special Relationship?
Why the Trump Administration is set to be able to push around incoming British Prime Minister Andy Burnham even more than with Kier Starmer.
Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – Trust Destruction and Nuclear Roulette
Nuclear war is often discussed as a weapons problem. It is more accurately understood as a trust problem. As trust between adversaries deteriorates, relationships can move through a predictable sequence of rivalry, suspicion, distrust, hostility, and ultimately existential threat perception. Each stage generates evidence that justifies the next, creating a self-reinforcing cycle that expands the influence of what may be called the War Power ecosystem. In a world of nuclear-armed states, the cycle of trust destruction results in repeated games of nuclear roulette in which global catastrophe is at risk with each spin.
Good Riddance, Alan Greenspan
Cataloguing some of the less-well recognized ways that Alan Greenspan did tremendous harm to the financial system and citizens at large.
Iran War: Brief Update – JD Vance Acting in Bad Faith, Israel Stressed Even as It Doubles Down on Intent to Stay in Lebanon
Today’s Iran war news: Despite media cheerleading, JD Vance’s repeated displays of dishonesty do not bode well for getting the “deal” ‘done.
The US and Israel’s (Covert and Overt) Political and Election Meddling, on Multiple Continents, Is Off the Charts
In stark contrast with Russiagate, there is little coverage, let alone outcry, in the Western legacy media.
Keir Starmer Resigns: Can Anyone Survive as Prime Minister in Today’s Britain?
Starmer post-mortems raise questions about what next for what passes for UK leadership.
Coffee Break: Mamdani Endorses in New York Dem Congressional Primaries
Zohran Mamdani has endorsed multiple candidates in Democratic congressional primaries as part of a “vigorous push by the DSA to claim more ground in Congress.”
What Would Happen if the UK Tried to, or Did, Repay Its National Debt?
The leadership contest in the UK is set to produce yet more flogging of bad neoliberal tropes, so this post provides a needed counterpoint.
Iran War: Iran Snubs US, Walks Out of Direct Talks Due to Trump Threats; Israel Still Refusing to Exit Lebanon; Strait of Hormuz Transits Expected to Stay Low Due to Scrapping
Today’s Iran war post: Ugly antics by Trump led to hard pushback by the negotiators, boding ill for fast progress the US so badly needs.
