Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Iran War: Pervasive Misinformation About the (So Far Successful) US Blockade; Trump Keeps Up “Negotiations Soon” Hype; Markets Become Even More Unhinged
Today’s Iran war update: the information environment has become hopelessly populated, as reporting on the blockade attests.
Economic Questions: Guy Standing and the Rise of the Precariat
Guy Standing’s notion of the precariat, and his policy observations and prescriptions.
Armenia Relations with Russia Reach Crisis Point, Continuing Worrying Trend for Moscow
The Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity through Armenia increasingly appears guaranteed to bring conflict and devastation instead.
Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – Eyes in the Sky that Cannot Hide
Airborne ISR has long been treated as a source of persistent, reliable battlefield awareness. But the conditions that enable this capability also create structural vulnerabilities. As sensor networks improve and contested environments intensify, ISR effectiveness becomes conditional rather than assured.
They Speak for the Trees: Meet the ‘Petal Protectors’ Guarding NYC’s Cherry Blossoms
Touching or shaking the fragile flowering cherry trees can harm them. Volunteers on Roosevelt Island make sure that doesn’t happen.
Iran War: Contested Reports About US Blockade Failure in First 24 Hours as Saudi Arabia Protests and Experts Warn of Difficulty and High Risk; Markets Still Buying Trump Howlers About Iran Begging for Deal Despite Intelligence-Insulting Lie About His Jesus Tweet
Today’s Iran war update: Trump’s blockage of Iran ports looks to be unraveling but Mr. Market will grasp at any happy news straws.
With US Bogged Down in West Asia, Cuba Agrees to Grant Russian Companies Management of Cuban Industries
“Russia is not going to leave the Western Hemisphere, no matter what they say in Washington.”
Kevork Almassian, Michael Hudson, and Tarik Cyril Amar: Has the Iran War Created a New Geopolitical Reality?
How the US is massively hoist on its own petard with its Iran miscalculations
Coffee Break: Information War Goes Sectarian, Trump vs. the Pope
POTUS Trump’s ugly and open social media conflict with Pope Leo XIV is a new chapter in the information war that shows some deep sectarian cracks in the American pro-war consensus.
The Causes & Consequences of Orban’s Downfall
“Most Hungarians came to take Orban for granted and won’t appreciate what they had until it’s gone.”
Iran War: US Imposing Strait of Hormuz Blockade Monday AM; Experts Criticize Further Pressure on Oil Prices, Illegality, and Risk of Failure; Will Houthis Close the Red Sea to Back Iran?
Today’s Iran war update: Trump again demonstrates his need to dominate results in self, US and global harm, here with a barmy blockade plan.
Bombing Schools Abroad, Destroying Education at Home
As the US and Israel work to destroy Iranian education centers and cultural heritage sites, US oligarchs want to put a meter on knowledge.
