Source: Jacobin
by David Sirota

“With Donald Trump’s tariffs being ruled illegal, the government may be on the hook for up to $170 billion in refunds. Because Amazon helped conceal how much tariffs raised consumer prices, it will be easier for companies to hoard refunds for themselves.” (02/26/26)

https://jacobin.com/2026/02/tariffs-refunds-trump-bezos-amazon/

Source: spiked
by Tom Bailey

“While developed nations are investing in military hardware, they increasingly lack the manpower for any future, high-intensity conflict. They could employ conscription, but these are also ageing societies. They have shrinking youth cohorts – the very demographic historically relied on in high-intensity conflict. At the margins of the war in Ukraine, we can see how the two sides are trying to cope with this reality – through the recruitment of foreign soldiers.” (02/26/26)

https://archive.is/iigzx

Source: Los Angeles Times
by Jon Duffy

“As U.S. and Iranian negotiators prepare for more talks in Geneva, the White House is reportedly considering an initial, targeted military strike — with the possibility of broader action if Tehran refuses to accept demands for ‘zero enrichment’ of nuclear material. In his State of the Union address Tuesday, President Trump argued that last year’s U.S. strikes had ‘obliterated’ Iran’s program even as his administration continues negotiations now, without a clear objective. The strategic logic appears straightforward: strike first, demonstrate resolve, increase pressure and force Iran back to the table on American terms. Before momentum carries the country further down that path, the nation is owed clear answers. Decisions of this kind should not rest solely on tactical calculation; they require clarity about legal authority, strategic reality and risk.” (02/26/26)

https://archive.is/liMHJ

Source: The Bulwark
by Andrew Egger

“While the Pentagon has contracts with all the leading AI labs, Anthropic until this month was the only one contracted for AI use in classified settings: Claude was, for instance, reportedly involved in the operation to capture Nicolas Maduro. But Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has grown unhappy with two elements of the DoD’s contract with Anthropic. One, Anthropic won’t let its AI be used to conduct mass surveillance of Americans. Two, it won’t let the DoD use it to operate autonomous weapons systems that can identify, track, and kill targets without direct human involvement. To the Defense Department, the idea that a contractor would be able to tie the military’s hands like this is outlandish …. Hegseth could simply drop Anthropic’s contract over this …. But he doesn’t really want to …. So instead, Hegseth has issued Anthropic an ultimatum: Change your policy, or we’re going to start getting nasty.” (02/26/26)

https://www.thebulwark.com/p/ai-death-machines-no-human-oversight-hegseth-anthropic-claude-military

Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by Marie McMullan

“When student journalism came under fire last year, those sparks caught the public’s attention. With the ousting of The Indiana Daily Student’s advisor and temporary ban on its print issues, the University of Alabama’s decision to close two student-run magazines, and sadly more, 2025 was a busy year for student press censors. But not all efforts to suppress student journalists are as eye-catching. To help understand how censorship can sneak into newsrooms, here are six signs to look out for …” (02/26/26)

https://www.fire.org/news/six-signs-student-press-censorship

Source: Law & Liberty
by Joshua T Katz

“The famous second sentence of the Declaration of Independence is more complex than Isaacson realizes.” (02/26/26)

https://lawliberty.org/savoring-the-declaration/