FEBRUARY 27. 2026

The culture war is coming for your electricity

Utah Republicans are calling for an energy "divorce" from blue states. A major utility just granted part of their wish.

The Colorado River is nearing collapse. It’s Trump’s problem now.

The Interior Department must force seven bickering states to agree on drastic water cuts — after the driest winter in decades.

Europe Is Decoupling From U. S. Tech

The European Union is serious about technological sovereignty, but it’s aware that it won’t be easy.

Aid Is Not Development: We Need a Different Conversation

Despite trillions spent over decades, more people than ever face starvation—because aid was never designed to end poverty.

Tehran Has Discovered Moscow Is a Fair-Weather Friend

Iran’s Look East doctrine resulted in a strategic partnership but not a strategic commitment.

Hyperscale data centre protests

Global Action Plan UK is coordinating two days of action from Friday, 27 February 2026 to oppose the expansion of massive data centres.

FEBRUARY 26. 2026

Surprise on Ice

Obviously Canada considers the US its biggest rival. They’re playing in the gold medal game, and the Soviet Union no longer exists.

The Pentagon and Anthropic’s High-Stakes Game of Chicken

The U. S. military wants unrestricted use of the AI company’s language models.

U. S. , Iran Make ‘Significant Progress’ in Nuclear Talks, Mediator Says

Technical-level discussions are to take place in Vienna next week, Oman’s foreign minister said.

U. S. Military Buildup Casts Shadow Over Iran Talks

Technical-level discussions are to take place in Vienna next week, Oman’s foreign minister said.

Why Is America So Obsessed With Cuba?

Trump’s rhetoric is reviving old U. S. fantasies about the island.

Democrats Finally Get Around to Forcing Iran War Powers Vote

With Congress not reconvening until next week, there’s a chance the vote might come after attacks start.

Can Critical Minerals Calm the Trans-Atlantic Relationship?

The United States and Europe have found a rare area of cooperation.

But Seriously, What if Russia Wins?

What a popular new work of speculative political science gets right about Russia, Ukraine, and NATO.

Pro-Palestine International Students Have Won in Court. Why Hasn’t Mahmoud Khalil Won His Freedom?

One of Trump’s tricks is to send people to Louisiana where they get harsher treatment. Mahmoud Khalil is pointing out the iniquity of it.

The beautiful Venetian plant with a secret climate superpower

Not far from the crowds of Venice, sea lavender locks away carbon, builds ecosystems, and could help coastal cities weather a warming world.

Congress Isn’t Likely to Rescue Trump on Tariffs

Few Republicans seem interested in codifying the duties that the Supreme Court struck down.

Trump’s New Tariffs Are Also Illegal

The 1974 Trade Act was designed to counter long-gone problems.

Columbia University: Federal Agents “Made Misrepresentations” to Enter Building and Detain Student

The school president advised Columbia University community members to not let federal agents into non-public areas of the campus.