The Intercept

A CENTCOM public affairs official revealed that U.S. Central Command maintains a secret blacklist of journalists, stating that reporters who call the command too often could be added to it. This disclosure occurs amid scrutiny regarding a failed war in Iran, casualty cover-ups, and repeated refusals by CENTCOM to address questions about civilian deaths. Critics argue these actions are part of a broader assault on press freedom, including filing SLAPPs and restricting journalist access.

After the Cold War ended with the Berlin Wall falling in 1989, the U.S. has faced hollowed-out political and corporate issues. Now, China has stepped up to challenge the United States, recently circumventing Donald Trump’s tariffs on solar panels using a trade route running through Kenya and an Indonesian island off Singapore. The article concludes by using Godzilla and Rodan as metaphors for understanding the current state of U.S.-China relations.

Alexander Vindman lost to Angie Nixon in the Florida Democratic senatorial primary on Tuesday. The loss is framed by the article as an end to 'Russiagate,' which critics argue was used by Democrats and media allies to explain Trump's victory. This trend saw many figures, such as George Conway and Dan Goldman, relying on opposition to Trump rather than presenting alternative policy plans.

United Nations experts report that Israel has continued bombing Gaza and killed over 1,200 people despite a recent 'ceasefire.' Doctors in Gaza noted severe devastation to the healthcare system due to lack of materials and security guarantees. American physicians volunteered to provide emergency medical care while facing multiple threats, both from the Israeli military and later in mainstream media outlets.

A state attorney general challenging the mega-merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery is being targeted by a mysterious nonprofit called Neighbors for Strong Communities. This group sent text messages encouraging support for the merger, which the attorney general has sued to block in court. Free-speech advocates labeled the activity an "astroturf" campaign due to the lack of transparency regarding the group's donors.

The article reviews several books, focusing on Karen Tei Yamashita's Questions 27 & 28. This novel explores the varied political and personal narratives surrounding the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans. It utilizes a multi-formatted structure to examine the infamous loyalty questionnaire administered to incarcerees.

Mohammad Ali Kialha was born in Tehran while geopolitical tensions were rising between the U.S. and Iran. The conflict included attacks like one at Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school that killed more than 150 people, forcing families to navigate intense danger within crowded residential areas like Pirouzi neighborhood.

Internal emails reveal that ICE agents collaborated with Iranian government officials to deport over 100 Iranian nationals, directing the flights while the United States planned for wartime action against Iran during the Twelve-Day War. The coordination marked a policy reversal from previous protection given to Iranians in the U.S., and activists criticized the timing as particularly cruel. The documents show high pressure from Trump administration officials regarding these deportation efforts.

Journalist Carlitos Ricardo Parias has been detained by ICE in Adelanto, Calif., for nearly 300 days following an incident where federal agents allegedly shot him. He suffers from a festering wound on his arm and poor living conditions, including finding worms in the drinking water at the processing center. Parias's detention is cited as an example of sustained violence endured by journalists at the hands of the U.S. government.

Organizers in Minneapolis learned via a court filing that they were subject to extensive government surveillance, including undercover ICE agents attending meetings and protests while the Sunrise Movement pursued nonviolent protest. The federal investigation used aggressive tactics, which included subpoenas of financial records and an apparent attempt to entice an organizer into more confrontational action. These revelations came out through reports detailing ICE investigations like Operation Puppet Master.

In Wisconsin, democratic socialist Francesca Hong narrowly lost her primary race for governor to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. However, in Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan defeated AIPAC-backed Rep. Angie Craig in a Senate primary race. The discussion also covered the intensifying democracy crisis, which according to David Sirota rests on concentrated executive power and the supremacy of money.

Cornell University is threatening two graduate students, Momodou Taal and Amandla Thomas-Johnson, with losing their funding if they do not return to the U.S. for teaching this fall. This move comes after the university previously pledged support allowing them to complete their degrees abroad following targeting by the Trump administration related to pro-Palestine protest participation. The students fear that returning would result in detention by immigration authorities, and losing Cornell's sole funding source threatens their housing and ability to finish their Ph.D.

Francesca Hong, a gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin, is facing primary debates where opponents are focusing media coverage on her 2020 tweet suggesting the cancellation of Thanksgiving due to colonialism and superspreader events. The article notes that this focus distracts from key policy issues relevant to Wisconsinites, such as free childcare and a moratorium on data centers. Hong has also been the subject of coverage discussing her past statements in an interview.

The Pentagon is reportedly overhauling its nuclear strategy to focus on shorter-range tactical nukes due to potential regional conflicts with China and Russia. This buildup puts Hawaiʻi at risk, potentially making it a front line in a conflict between the U.S. and China. Furthermore, the article notes that the proposed military budget increase is largely centered on justifying a forward, offensive strike posture anchored by Hawaiʻi.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a policy banning visas for foreigners linked to “far-left terrorism,” referencing Donald Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum-7. Critics worry that vague language regarding “economic sabotage” could be used to suppress dissent or target groups associated with divestment movements. Advocacy attorneys suggest the vagueness is intentional, designed to create a broad chilling effect on public disagreement with government policy.

The Pentagon posted biblical messages, including 'SEND ME,' on official social media accounts as U.S. forces faced warnings regarding the war with Iran's strain on resources. These posts marked an institutional shift, following months of controversy concerning the role of religion within the Defense Department and specific commanders' statements. The agency declined to explain whether these biblical passages were intended as an expression of faith, proselytizing, or a coordinated communications strategy.

Wesley Bell defeated Cori Bush in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District primary, supported by pro-Israel funding from AIPAC and United Democracy Project. Bush faced significant opposition spending, while progressive groups focused resources elsewhere.

Bari Weiss’s hire of Tanya Lukyanova for “60 Minutes” has drawn criticism due to Lukyanova’s past work downplaying Gaza starvation and justifying violence against journalists. The hiring reflects broader concerns about the right-wing shift of CBS News under Weiss and the Ellison family’s ownership.

Malik Muhammad, a 2020 Black Lives Matter protester serving the longest federal sentence, was transferred to a South Carolina prison after a misconduct report about their activism and critical blog posts. The transfer followed weeks of unexplained communication issues with family and attorney, raising concerns about censorship and free speech in Oregon's prison system.

The Pentagon is using a new method to undercount U.S. casualties in Iran by separating data into a new 'Overseas Operations' webpage, according to a government official who claimed the approach 'obscures the count.' The official casualty total rose to 704 after combining data from both systems, but unreported casualties may exceed 900. The change follows Iranian attacks that overwhelmed U.S. defenses.