Sunday, June 28, 2026

Iran War: Negotiations Deadlocked on Fundamental Issues as Media Keeps Up Happy Talk; Iran Promises Retaliation as US Still Coiled to Strike

Today’s Iran war news: Much of the media depicts to-ing and fro-ing as progress while Israel escalates in Lebanon and the energy cliff nears

And Then There Was One: The Eurasian Unity Project Runs Out of Trade Route Options as Washington Successfully Spreads Chaos

With multiple other routes coming undone Beijing ramps up efforts for a corridor through Iran and Türkiye to Europe.

A Short History of Sportswriting: The Clues Are on the Billionaires’ Scorecards

A retrospective on US sportswriting, with a focus on class warfare.

Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – The Cuba Temptation

After a failed Middle East campaign, Washington could face immense political pressure to demonstrate restored American strength through a nearby and seemingly manageable military operation. Cuba’s proximity, military weakness, and symbolic significance could make it appear deceptively attractive as a target. Yet what begins as coercive intervention could rapidly evolve into occupation, regional destabilization, hemispheric political backlash, and strategic overreach.

A More Resilient Europe Faces a Renewed Energy Shock – But Difficult Trade-Offs May Resurface

A new analysis of the impact of the Iran war on the energy and economic prospects for Europe has a whistling-pas-the-graveyard feel.

Links 5/26/2026

Iran War: US and Iran Exchange Fire as Trump Reveals Extent of Israel Capture With Barmy Abrams Accord Proposal; Continued Denial of Approaching Energy Crunch After Reserves Depleted

Iran war news: Negotiations are supposedly advancing despite a US attack, a fiery Khamenei speech, and Israel declaring “full war” in Lebanon

Puerto Rico’s Trump-Adjacent Governor Warns of an Imminent US Attack on Cuba

“We had a war until recently with Venezuela and we are going to have one with Cuba in the coming week.”

Coffee Break: Resistance Meets Reaction, Pope, Pension Funds, Data Centers, Trump Crypto Edition

The American technocracy is using corruption, media manipulation, and sectarianism to crush popular (and Papal) resistance.

Links 5/25/2026

Iran War: Trump-Claimed Agreement Coming Apart as Iran Sticks to Long-Held Positions and Republican Stalwarts Rebel; Experts Argue It May Be Only to Temporize

Today’s Iran war news: As the latest Iran war “deal” comes unglued, it looks like it was intended merely to hit the pause button….why?

Who Do Members of the Military Serve? 

A Memorial Day look at a military recruitment crisis in a country being feasted on by transnational capital. 

Private Equity Now Owns 1 in 8 Apartment Units, a 50 Percent Increase Since 2021

Private equity’s expansion into housing comes at the same time as Americans are increasingly struggling to afford rent.

Links 5/24/2026

The Sunday Morning Movie Presents: Vampira (1971) Run Time: 44M Bonus: Tangerine Dream

Vampira is a movie about a very strange household indeed.