Source: Reason
by Matt Welch

“Hungary, whose economy led all Central European countries out of the post-communist starting gate, now languishes in the per-capita second tier with once-devastated Romania. It is the 17th-largest economy in the 27-member European Union, despite having the 13th-largest population. Importantly, none of these numbers is obscure, even to a vice president. It’s that Vance and other American Orbánistas define prosperity differently, there and here.” (04/08/26)

https://reason.com/2026/04/08/viktor-orban-and-his-american-apologists-all-deserve-to-lose/

Source: Caitlin Johnstone, Rogue Journalist
by Caitlin Johnstone

“Trump has announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran after previously threatening to exterminate their ‘entire civilization,’ citing ‘a 10 point proposal from Iran’ as the reason for the climb-down. Trump and his cronies are spinning this as a colossal victory for the United States and framing Tehran’s 10-point plan as a major capitulation to the president’s threats. But some reporters are noting that Iran has had the same terms on the table for weeks — which would mean that it is in fact the White House who is backing down.” (04/08/26)

https://caitlinjohnstone.com.au/2026/04/08/the-empire-backs-down-for-now/

Source: UnHerd
by B Duncan Moench

“Armageddon has been diverted, at least for another fortnight. Yet if Iran’s civilian infrastructure remains intact, the American postwar order will never recover. The damage is not primarily military, but reputational — a collapse of the legitimacy that once underwrote American leadership. In the same way that, once you say certain things to your spouse, there’s no going back, once your country goes from world policeman to the equivalent of the crazy person at the bar threatening to shoot anyone who looks at him funny, there’s really no going back.” (04/08/26)

https://archive.is/617IJ

Source: The Intercept
by Hooman Majd

“Survival of the regime alone was a victory — but its demonstration of control over the Strait of Hormuz may be a strategic game-changer.” (04/08/26)

https://theintercept.com/2026/04/08/ceasefire-iran-war-israel-us/

Source: Future of Freedom Foundation
by Jacob G Hornberger

“Among the 10 points in Iran’s peace proposal that President Trump has now agreed to use as a basis for peace negotiations between the United States and Iran is a plank that prohibits any more attacks on Iran. That point reminds me of what John Kennedy agreed to in his peace agreement with the Soviet Union to resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis, an agreement that ultimately led to his assassination at the hands of the U.S. national-security establishment.” (04/08/26)

https://www.fff.org/2026/04/08/when-kennedy-bucked-the-u-s-national-security-state-on-cuba/

Source: New York Post
by staff

“‘TACO,’ anti-Trump crackpot Rick Wilson posted on social media, shortly after the president announced a two-week cease-fire that has Iran agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This ‘Trump always chickens out’ sentiment was repeated by left-wing pundits, who only hours before were furious that President Trump was threatening to ‘blow up the whole country.’ So which is it? You’re mad when he threatens to bomb a country, then mock him when he doesn’t? No matter how many times Trump turns to the same playbook — maximum pressure and outrageous threats to force a deal — Democrats and the press are shocked, shocked by his actions.” [editor’s note: Trump agreed to a ceasefire with the Iranian regime’s offer as the basis of further negotiation. Sure, he’s not in a bunker contemplating suicide as Iranian troops approach, but it’s still a clear and unambiguous loss – TLK] (04/07/26)

https://nypost.com/2026/04/07/opinion/trumps-iran-cease-fire-makes-the-left-lose-its-mind-but-lets-just-take-the-win-for-now/