Source: Foreign Policy
by Sina Toossi
‘It would be a mistake to view the protests across Iran that peaked on Jan. 7 and 8, and the subsequent brutal crackdown that killed at least 6,506 protesters, solely as a confrontation between state and society. Against a backdrop of economic hardship and political discontent, rival factions within the Islamic Republic have sought to steer, contain, or exploit unrest to advance their own agendas. The latest upheaval unfolded amid intense maneuvering inside the system, as competing power centers jockeyed over economic reform, foreign-policy direction, and control of the political field.” (02/19/26)
https://archive.is/ePUxy
Source: SFGate
“A large banner featuring Donald Trump’s face was hung on the exterior of Justice Department headquarters on Thursday in a physical display of the Republican president’s efforts to exert power over the law enforcement agency that once investigated him. While Trump banners have been hung outside other agencies across Washington, the decision to place one on the storied Justice Department building amounted to a striking symbol of the erosion of the department’s tradition of independence from White House control. The banner, hung between two columns on one corner of the building, says, ‘Make America Safe Again,’ a slogan used by the administration to tout its efforts to clamp down on illegal immigration and violent crime. Attorney General Pam Bondi has postured herself as the president’s chief supporter and protector, eschewing the approach of predecessors who sought to maintain an arms-length distance from the White House to protect the impartiality of investigations and prosecutions.” (02/19/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/large-banner-featuring-trump-s-face-is-displayed-21367587.php
Source: The Atlantic
“The End of Reagan-Era Republicanism.” (02/18/26)
https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/2026/02/david-frum-show-mona-charen-conservatism/686036/
Source: System Update
“Lindsey Graham’s Extreme Devotion to Israel on Full Display.” (02/18/26)
https://greenwald.substack.com/p/lindsey-grahams-extreme-devotion
Source: Orange County Register
by Alexander Langlois
“One can be excused for wondering why the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently beaten accusations of near-death since its inception in 1979. The regime in Tehran has held onto power through successive internal and external crises regardless of doomsday prophesizing in Washington or Tel Aviv. As the Iranian government faces one of the most difficult moments in its brief existence – both internally and externally — the question now, as the US sends a second aircraft carrier to the region is will this time be different?” (02/18/26)
https://archive.is/BOZvf
Source: In These Times
by Jeffrey D Sachs
“Distinguished Members of the Security Council, The President of the United States is issuing grave threats of force against the Islamic Republic of Iran if it does not accede to US demands. His actions risk a major regional war that would be devastating. Asked if he wanted regime change, he responded that it ‘seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.’ When asked why a second US aircraft carrier has been sent to the region, President Trump answered ’in case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it … if we need it, we’ll have it ready.’ These threats are in violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which declares that ’All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.'” (02/19/26)
https://inthesetimes.com/article/no-us-war-on-iran-open-letter-to-un-security-council-jeffrey-sachs
Source: The Hill
“U.K. police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Thames Valley Police, an agency that covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, said it was ‘assessing’ reports that the former Prince Andrew sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. The assessment followed the release of millions of pages of documents connected to a U.S. investigation of Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor features a number of times in the documents. The police force did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, as is normal under U.K. law. But when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his 60s. Mountbatten-Windsor is 66.” (02/19/26)
https://thehill.com/policy/international/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-arrested-jeffrey-epstein
Source: Freedom Works
“Jeremy Nighohossian, Competitive Enterprise Institute ‘FDA’s Flawed Moderna Decision.'” (02/18/26)
https://internetradiopros.com/freedomworks/?name=2026-02-19_zfw002182026.mp3
Source: Niskanen Center
“Legislators are raising money instead of making policy.” (02/18/26)
https://www.niskanencenter.org/legislators-are-raising-money-instead-of-making-policy
Source: Reason
by Mattha Busby
“Seth Ferranti was driving his Ford pickup on a southeastern Nebraska stretch of the interstate in November 2024 when law enforcement pulled him over, claiming that he had wobbled onto the hard shoulder. As the Seward County sheriff’s deputies questioned Ferranti, a filmmaker who had spent 21 years in prison for distributing LSD, they allegedly smelled cannabis. Declaring this probable cause for a search, they searched the vehicle and discovered more than 400 pounds of marijuana. But were those the actual reasons for the stop and search? When Ferranti went on trial, his attorneys presented a license plate reader report produced by the security communications company Motorola Solutions. It revealed Ferranti had been consistently monitored prior to his arrest, including by the local sheriff on the day he was apprehended.” (02/18/26)
https://reason.com/2026/02/18/was-it-a-coincidental-traffic-stop-or-ai-powered-surveillance/
