Underthrow Podcast, 04/23/26
Source: Underthrow
“We Are Living in an Invisible Debtor’s Prison.” (04/23/26)
https://underthrow.substack.com/p/we-are-living-in-an-invisible-debtors
A New Nobel Prize for War
Source: The American Conservative
by Doug Bandow
“With the Middle East in flames, President Donald Trump’s desperate lobbying campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize looks ever more bizarre. Of course, his claim to have ended and prevented numerous wars is more fantasy than reality. Worse, his surprise bombing of Iran amid negotiations, twice, demonstrated that his goal is anything but peace. Moreover, his proposal for a massive military buildup with no connection to American security suggests he is preparing even more reckless wars of choice. … However, it would be a shame to disappoint someone so desperate for public acclaim. It is time to create a Nobel War Prize, to denounce rather than praise the year’s most ostentatious warmonger or warmongers. Although 2026 is far from over, Trump would be a strong favorite this year.” (04/23/26)
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/a-new-nobel-prize-for-war/
Can the United States Be Trusted? History Says No!
Source: CounterPunch
by George Katsiaficas
“Sadly, the history of nations that defeated the US provides Iran’s current misgivings with even more reasons not to trust anything Washington might promise. Soon after signing peace agreements with both North Korea and Vietnam, the United States of America immediately violated them. In short, the US cannot be considered trustworthy, no matter who is president. Whether Democrat or Republican, presidents come and go, but US dishonesty and deception remain steady.” (04/23/26)
https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/04/23/can-the-united-states-be-trusted-history-says-no/
Scientists uncover identity of mysterious “golden orb” discovered miles underwater in 2023
Source: Fox News
“A strange ‘golden orb’ pulled from more than 2 miles beneath the Gulf of Alaska, once rumored to be everything from an alien egg to an unknown species, has finally been identified after a yearslong scientific investigation. Researchers with NOAA and the Smithsonian announced the unusual object, first discovered in 2023 during a deep-sea expedition, is a remnant from a rarely seen giant deep-sea anemone called Relicanthus daphneae, specifically part of the organism that anchored it to the ocean floor. The discovery was made using a remotely operated vehicle exploring about 3,250 meters (over 2 miles) deep, where it encountered an odd golden structure attached to a rock. The strange, mound-shaped mass with a small opening stunned scientists, who admitted at the time they had no idea what they were looking at.” (04/23/26)
Advisory Opinions, 04/23/26
Source: The Dispatch
“Overturning Religious Precedent.” (04/23/26)
https://thedispatch.com/podcast/advisoryopinions/overturning-religious-precedent/
The EU still has no guts when it comes to Israel
Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Eldar Mamedov
“Despite rampant human rights violations, European elites refuse to break pact giving Israelis access to business and over a billion euros through 2027.” (04/23/26)
A Delusional Trump, Backed by Israel, Drives the Iran War
Source: Common Dreams
by Jamal Kanj
“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the temporary ceasefire is the culmination of an American policy defined by strategic incoherence. At the center stands Donald Trump, whose shifting positions, confused war objectives, and conflicting actions have not only failed to ease regional tensions but have actively deepened them. Nowhere is this clearer than in Trump’s threats to blow up the whole country, including its bridges and power plants. At the same time, he touted a military ‘big day’, presenting potential war crimes as diplomatic tool, aggression as diplomacy, and destruction as leverage. Trump’s inflated, almost delusional, promises ahead of potential talks come across less as statesmanship and more as a calculated sales pitch to the American public.” (04/23/26)
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/delusional-trump-iran-war
American Airlines cuts 2026 earnings projections after surge in jet fuel
Source: CNBC
“American Airlines on Thursday cut its 2026 earnings forecast, becoming the latest airline to lower its outlook after a surge in fuel costs added billions to expenses this year. American said it could post an adjusted per-share loss of 40 cents up to earnings of $1.10 a share, lower than the per-share earnings of $1.70 to $2.70 it forecast in January, though Wall Street analysts have been trimming their forecasts for the industry since the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran this year. Airlines have been either cutting their full-year forecasts or holding off on further guidance because of volatile prices for jet fuel since the war started. Fuel is generally their biggest expense after labor.” (04/23/26)
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/23/american-airlines-aal-q1-2026-earnings.html
Is the West in Civilisational Decline?
Source: Cobden Centre
by Max Rangeley
“[Max Rangeley talks] through different theories of the rise and fall of civilisations, and the extent to which they apply to the West’s current predicament.” (04/23/26)
https://www.cobdencentre.org/2026/04/speech-in-budapest-is-the-west-in-civilisational-decline/
Cultifying the US Military
Source: Paul Krugman
by Paul Krugman
“When Americans sign up to serve the nation under arms, they agree to temporarily forego many of the freedoms of civilian life. They must wear uniforms, not street fashion. They must eat Army or Navy food. They must salute officers and obey orders. They must, in other words, adhere to military discipline. It won’t surprise you to learn that Hegseth is completely hypocritical on this subject. He says that your body, your faith, and your convictions are not negotiable. But he has banned most beards from the U.S. military and cracked down on religious exemptions.” (04/23/26)
https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/cultifying-the-us-military