#max-blumenthal

#max-blumenthal

The conversation reveals that the ongoing conflict raises critical questions about the motivations behind US foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel's role in shaping military strategies.

Waves of deadly Israeli airstrikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon are threatening to derail the US-Iran truce, raising concerns about regional stability.

The book takes readers inside secret deliberations of a president who has fundamentally altered the nature of the office he holds and, with it, how the rest of the world understands American power.

Public Citizen president Rob Weissman set the tone for the day, telling the cheering rallygoers, 'We have to persist to end this illegal, unconstitutional, and devastating war on Iran—and make sure that Congress does not give a penny more to pay for or extend this war.'

We have known that Russia and Iran have this symbiotic, have this strategic partnership for some time now. I will just point out too, because a lot of critics out there are making hay of this, it was President Trump that put sanctions on Russia's largest oil producer, Rosneft. He also put sanctions on Lukoil. The Biden administration did not do that for many years.

More fake news from CNN. 'Reports that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran war's impact on the Strait of Hormuz.' Patently ridiculous, of course. For decades, Iran has threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This is always what they do: hold the strait hostage. CNN doesn't think we thought of that. It's a fundamentally unserious report.

Watching Fox News assure viewers the Iran war is going SUPER well and Trump is a total stud is like watching the same network assure viewers that Dominion Voting Systems rigged the 2020 election and Trump was the winner.

The U.S. and Israel are carrying out an unprovoked, illegal bombing campaign on Iran. This war serves no one but a tiny elite and oil executives.

But then in a country where I've read 80-90% of the people are thrilled that the Ayatollah is gone. What picture did they put? Picture of people mourning the Ayatollah. Which exists, but I can't believe that somebody at the desk didn't get, I've got a great picture of people dancing in the streets' Yeah. we're going to go with the 10% who are sorry the Ayatollah is dead because that's going to funnel the thought of our readers toward oh this is a bad war to get into'.

The other piece of this that I found really disturbing in the messaging around the war recently is some of the language in the description of their opponent. Sort of the way they seem to create this image of the Iranians and all of their sort of proxies or allies, the sort of imagery that they conjure up. And I think that it takes a certain amount of arrogance and I'm also going to say it, a bit of racism, to constantly talk about people like they are savages.

The reason PROFESSIONAL WARRIORS avoid unnecessary TAUNTING of the Enemy: it can come back and Bite, HARD. And it's the PILOTS who fly over enemy territory at Risk. I served with FOUR PILOTS who got shot down and TORTURED. Lose an engine (only one in the F-35, thanks a lot Lockheed Martin!) and they'll be the ones to answer for Pete's Rhetoric.

Director of Al Jazeera Digital News Jamal Elshayyal speaks to The Take on leading Al Jazeera's next era of journalism. At Web Summit Qatar, we hear from Jamal Elshayyal, Al Jazeera's new Director of Digital News Content, on forging his own path at the network and how those lessons will guide Al Jazeera through the AI age. In this episode: Jamal Elshayyal (@jamalelshayyal), Director, Al Jazeera Digital News Content Global Episode credits:

Trump has also said taking the territory is what I feel is psychologically needed for success. In a message to the prime minister of Norway, Trump raged against the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which declined to award him the Peace Prize he has long sought. The president cryptically claimed, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America.

The American civil rights icon, Rev. Jesse Jackson, died today at the age of 84. His advisor James Zogby, who traveled with him throughout the Middle East, discusses his legacy. Also, at this week's India AI Impact Summit, Delhi brings together leaders of nations and tech for what it's calling the first major summit on AI hosted in the Global South.

With votes tallied from about 50% of polling places, incumbent President Yoweri Museveni is projected to win reelection in Uganda. Also, Indian authorities continue searching for an elephant that's already killed 22 people in the first two weeks of 2026. And, Sara Mardini, who was arrested for helping rescue migrants from the sea in 2018, is acquitted of her charges in Greece. Plus, searching for the best mıhlama for breakfast in Turkey.

As bitter cold descends on Ukraine, so has a fresh barrage of Russian drone and missile strikes. Recent attacks on transformer substations and power plants have plunged Kyiv into its worst wartime heating and power outage. Also, as opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado meets US President Donald Trump in Washington, Venezuelans are watching with a mix of hope and unease.