APRIL 8. 2026

Iraq’s Pro-Iran Groups Aren’t Going Anywhere

Militias aligned with Tehran are embedded in some of the country’s most powerful networks.

GOP Megadonor Leonard Leo Is Bankrolling a Website on the Warpath Against Somalis

The Maine Wire presents itself as a plucky upstart fighting for the common Mainer, but it’s fueled by powerful right-wing money men.

Hegseth’s Divine War

The U. S. defense secretary is using the military to promote Christian nationalism, experts say.

Why Trump Mishandled Iran

The U. S. president has a history of following other world leaders—or his gut—instead of his own intelligence officers and experts.

Iran Conflict Threatens Armenia-Azerbaijan Progress

Trump’s Iran policy might undermine his one successful peace accord.

Sedimental

Margeaux Walter unsettles the tropes of environmental photography

“The Alarm Bell”: Arizona’s Drop in SNAP Participation Signals Potential Nationwide Impact of Trump Legislation

Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act imposes stricter food stamp work requirements and shifts a larger share of the costs to states. Arizona’s swift implementation has made it more difficult to apply and caused nearly half of recipients to lose benefits.

What to expect when you’re expecting the end of the world

Jem Bendell predicted that society would collapse because of climate change. Then he tried to get on with his life.

There’s hope for the offshore wind industry — yes, really

Trump’s court losses give the industry a chance to get back on stable footing.

Free public transport via Montpellier

Universal free public transport in Montpellier, France, a runaway success.

Empire Resurgent: How Ultra-Nationalism Is Dismantling the World Order

The Israeli-US strike on Iran is not an isolated event, but the latest lurch in a systemic breakdown of international order — and the world must respond.

U. S. and Iran Agree to 2-Week Cease-Fire

The announcement came less than two hours before Trump’s deadline was set to expire.

APRIL 7. 2026

Iranian Women Elected to Office in U. S. Reject Trump’s Iran War

Trump invoked the Woman, Life, Freedom movement to justify the Iran war. Iranian American women like Rep. Yassamin Ansari rejected the idea.

Another Chinese Politburo Member Falls

Ma Xingrui is the latest official ensnared by anti-corruption purges.

Will Trump Attack or TACO?

T-minus four hours until either Tehran accepts a cease-fire deal or the United States attacks Iran’s civilian infrastructure.

The Iran War Is Exposing Iraq’s Weaknesses

Baghdad doesn’t control much of its own territory.

With Trump Threatening Genocide in Iran, Military Must Disobey His Orders, Former Pentagon Officials Say

“What President Trump is describing as the destruction of ‘a whole civilization’ would be a war crime, plain and simple. ”

Creatures of Water and Night

A serendipitous conversation about poetry and craft

Why Energy Has Become a Foreign-Policy Weapon

Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a reminder of how everything is fair game in an era of great-power competition.

Trump Is Attacking Iranians, Not Just Iran

The destruction of infrastructure is killing ordinary people.