Source: Persuasion
by Marlene Laruelle
“The movement’s electoral defeats are no accident. Something more than restoration is needed.” (07/14/26)
https://www.persuasion.community/p/liberalism-needs-to-reconstruct-itself
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
“The European Union (EU) has banned the purchase, import and transfer of gold from Sudan, saying the trade has become a key source of financing for the country’s civil war that erupted in April 2023. The conflict between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, forcing more than 14 million people from their homes. Sudan is one of Africa’s largest gold producers and its vast reserves have become a crucial source of revenue for both sides, according to rights groups. EU foreign ministers approved the measures alongside a ban on exports to Sudan of mercury and cyanide, chemicals widely used in gold mining.” (07/14/26)
Source: Semafor
“AI is coming for lawyers. Are they ready?” (07/14/26)
Source: The American Conservative
by Harrison Berger
“As a candidate, Donald Trump famously promised to end the war in Ukraine ‘within 24 hours’ of taking office. This past week, he acknowledged that Ukraine’s strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure represent an ‘escalation’ in the conflict and offered new support for Kiev’s war effort. ‘It’s an escalation,’ Trump said, ‘but it’s also an escalation that can help lead to an end of the war.’ … That view—which sees Ukraine’s war as winnable, if only the West will send enough money and weapons—has been the consensus among foreign policy elites since this thing kicked off. Now, aided by Western news outlets, hawks in Europe and our own national security bureaucracy are successfully selling this narrative to a gullible president who had previously resisted their blandishments.” (07/14/26)
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/after-ankara-deep-state-and-euro-hawks-celebrate-wins/
Source: The Hill
by Bill Press
“Of my four years of high school Latin, very little has stuck. But one phrase remains lodged in my mind: ‘De mortuis nil nisi bonum.’ Loosely translated, that means ‘Of the dead, don’t say anything but good things.’ That dictum popped into my head when I learned the sad news of the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). But life is not that black and white. Yes, there are many good things to be said about Graham, but his life and political career are so complex it defies characterization as all positive or all negative.” (07/14/26)
https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/5966936-lindsey-graham-political-journey/
Source: US News & World Report
“China has expelled Ma Xingrui, a former Politburo member, from the ruling Communist Party on corruption charges, making him the third sitting member of the elite decision-making body to be purged since 2025 as President Xi Jinping intensifies his anti-graft campaign. Ma, who also served as the deputy head of the central rural work leading group, was placed under investigation in April over suspected ‘serious violation of law and discipline’ – the party’s euphemism for corruption. Investigators found that Ma had sought benefits for others in the selection and appointment of officials and improperly arranged jobs for others, Xinhua reported.” (07/14/26)
Source: We Are Libertarians
“The Declaration of Independence at 250: Dan Miller on America’s Founding.” (07/13/26)
https://www.chrisspangle.com/p/the-declaration-of-independence-at
Source: CounterPunch
by Bruce Altschuler
“Diplomacy is difficult. It requires patience together with deep knowledge of the country on the other side and the issues under negotiation. The nuclear agreement Barack Obama negotiated with Iran took nearly two years and was 160 pages long. The negotiating team included experienced diplomats and scientists compared to Trump’s team of two real estate developers, one of whom is his son-in-law. Meanwhile, the American military, obviously far superior to that of Iran, presented another option. As Anton Chekhov put it, albeit in a very different context, ‘One must not put a loaded rifle upon the stage if no one is thinking of firing it.'” (07/14/26)
https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/07/14/chekhov-the-military-budget-and-endless-wars/
Source: Townhall
by Brad Slager
“Over the weekend, The New York Times came out with an overview of its coverage last month of the Graham Platner sexual assault allegations. It was just over one month ago when the outlet delivered its quasi-exposé on three women detailing troubling experiences with the Senate candidate who possesses no discernible resume. The primary focus was on Lyndsey Fifield, and there have been contentious reactions about that report—Fifield included. … If you are wondering why The Times is now doing this dose of introspection, it is because Fifield has since taken her story—and evidence—to CNN, and the network was able to do what The Times reporters Katie Glueck and Lisa Lerer were incapable of doing, and that is to corroborate Fifield’s details with others. This becomes an even more scalding hit to the paper’s credibility.” (07/13/26)
Source: Fox News
“A bipartisan push to make Daylight Saving Time permanent is heading for a chamber-wide vote after clearing a key House hurdle. The House Rules Committee on Monday teed up a floor vote on the Sunshine Protection Act, which would allow states to enact Daylight Saving Time year-round — with an option to opt out. The committee approved the rule in a 6-4 vote. The measure has the support of many coastal lawmakers and President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly urged Congress to make Daylight Saving Time permanent and end the twice-a-year ritual of changing clocks — a practice currently observed by every state except Hawaii and most of Arizona.” (07/13/26)
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-backed-daylight-saving-time-bill-clears-key-house-hurdle