By Jake 27 May 2026 Normal life in Tehran, Iran on April 8th (A.P., F Seco) Many Iranians woke this morning to a buzzing phone, full of hundreds of new messages from relatives that finally arrived after an 88-day internet blackout was finally lifted. One citizen told the BBC “When I realized I could once again send messages through Telegram, WhatsApp, and other platforms, the feeling was indescribable. Even now, as I speak, I'm on the verge of tears from happiness.” I can’t help but wonder:...

By Jake 23 April 2026 A screenshot from the CFR's Global Conflict Tracker this morning. It is frustrating to be jerked back and forth by news with the feeling that I can’t do anything. Announcements, leaks, interviews, and misleading headlines compete for my attention, and my distracted brain gives in far too many times. But even if these headlines or announcements are speaking to things I care about deeply, like global peace efforts and the sanctity of human life, I doubt that the media...

By Jake 19 March 2026 Mourners accompany the body of Muhammad Bani Odeh, 5, at the funeral for four members of the Odeh family who were killed by Israeli security forces in Tammun, West Bank. (Associated Press) The war we feared has come, and despite promises of a short operation, the conflict’s scale only grows. The global energy economy will feel the impact of burning oil fields and blocked trade routes for years, but too much of the media coverage, especially in America, has been about...