Two new reports tell a similar story about democratic decline inside “the Western alliance”. One tracks the steep fall of academic freedom in the United States. The other shows Turkey sinking to the bottom of the World Press Freedom Index. Together, they suggest that NATO’s “allies” are increasingly aligned militarily, but drifting away from any … Read more
I wanted to collect propaganda content for all sides during the war for the record. Here is what ChatGPT’s deep research found out. It looks like this is not just propaganda in the traditional sense, but a platform-native propaganda system, where states, semi-state actors, and meme producers operate within the same attention economy. How I … Read more
Of course, if only Israel allow it… Reactions to the Iran-US-Israel Two-Week Ceasefire (April 8, 2026) Overview On April 7–8, 2026, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, announced just under two hours before President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating attacks on its … Read more
When I saw this A wave of posts claimed Benjamin Netanyahu was dead. Here’s how it spread. I realized it is time to update the disinformation patterns: Disinformation and War Propaganda in the Iran-Israel-US War (As of 23 March 2026) Overview Since Operation Epic Fury began on 28 February 2026, the Iran-Israel-US conflict has generated … Read more
Below is a broad, data-style mapping of the educational careers of leading Iranian and U.S. political/military figures involved in the 2026 war, separated into living and killed leaders where relevant. Iranian leaders (living) Name Role in 2026 war Highest/primary education & training Type Mojtaba Khamenei New Supreme Leader Seminary studies in Qom; mid‑level clerical … Read more
The technologies that would make the web more participatory Boing Boing by Cory Doctorow The early web was heralded as a revolution in participatory media where everyone could make media as well as consuming it. Mark Zuckerberg explains Facebook’s behavior to US Congress Stories – WikiTribune by Charles Turner The WikiTribune community reporting on Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony before … Read more
Turkey’s Worst Day Yet in Syria Offensive: At Least 7 Soldiers Killed NYT > Turkey by By ROD NORDLAND Syrian rebels in the northern city of Afrin also destroyed at least one tank, a day after other rebels shot down a Russian warplane. Turkey has no aim to invade Syria during Afrin operation: Erdoğan Turkey has no aim … Read more
Border security force to be stationed at borders with Turkey, Iraq: US-led coalition Hurriyet Daily News The U.S.-led coalition is working with its Syrian militia allies to set up a new border force of 30,000 personnel, the coalition said on Jan. 14, a move that has added to Turkish anger over U.S. support in Syria. Possible Afrin … Read more
Pro-Kurdish footballer Deniz Naki shot at on German motorway World news: Turkey | guardian.co.uk by Agence France-Presse in Berlin German-Turkish player, sentenced last year by Turkish court for terrorist propaganda, unharmed after his car came under fire German prosecutors have opened an attempted murder investigation after a German-Turkish football player known for his pro-Kurdish views was fired … Read more
Deadly storm blasts across Europe, killing three BBC News | Europe | World Edition Three people die and at least 20 are injured as high winds pummel most of western Europe. Emmanuel Macron: French president announces ‘fake news’ law BBC News | Europe | World Edition Social media could face tougher rules on content during elections, … Read more
Turkish Banker Is Convicted in Plot to Evade Iran Sanctions New York Times – Benjamin Weiser – Jan 3, 11:10 AM A Turkish banker was convicted on Wednesday of taking part in a billion-dollar scheme to violate American sanctions against Iran, in a case that painted a picture of high-level corruption in Turkey and heightened tensions … Read more
via It seems that Turkey forgot that it is a state and asked Germany to exchange 2 Turkish generals who asked asylum in Germany for the jailed German journalist… Hanging out in Middle East too much may have caused self-identificatory problems…. Germany warns citizens of Turkey risks amid arrests – BBC News BBC – Jul 20 … Read more
RISJ Digital News Report: New models emerging from the wreckage of digital disruption Journalism.co.uk by Nic Newman The 2017 Digital News Report offers some glimmers of hope that the news industry in Europe is beginning to move forward with new approaches and fresh thinking Using social media appears to diversify your news diet, not narrow it Nieman … Read more
Judge rules emoji are proof of intent The Next Web by Rachel Kaser A landlord in Israel has successfully sued a couple who mislead him with emoji, with the judge ruling that the tiny pictures constituted a statement of intent. The landlord, Yaniv Dahan, posted an ad on a classified site for his home, and received a response from a couple. … Read more
Trump Praises Erdogan, Whose Bodyguards Then Assault Protesters in Washington The Intercept by Robert Mackey Updated: 1:37 p.m. EDT Casting aside his predecessor’s concerns about human rights abuses and the suppression of free speech in another nation, Donald Trump lavished praise on another autocratic foreign leader on Tuesday, calling it “a great honor to … Read more