Friday, October 23, 2026
The US Is Quietly Ramping Up Its Troop Presence and Drone Capabilities in Latin America
A defence expert cited by the Times said he could not recall a deployment to the region “that ever came close to 600, except for contingencies like invasions or natural disasters.”
US Banks Scramble to Shut Down AI Access to Customer Accounts
Banks worry that AI agents are going rogue inside customer accounts.
“Neoliberalism Is Over”
Neoliberalism, or more accurately, the inequality it was designed to create, has generated major backlash. But will positive change follow?
Job-Based Health Plan Costs Rise, With Little Relief in Sight
Health insurance cost in the US continue to rise to the sky. Guess what? AI is a big driver.
Iran War: Iran Believes Attack Imminent as Netanyahu Reported to Persuade Trump to Launch Before Midterms ; Global Stocks Fall as Oil Price Increases Continue
Today’s Iran war news: Markets go wobbly as the date for loudly-signaled US/Israel attacks on Iran nears.
Book Essay: The Sixth Extinction and the Demise of Biodiversity
Species loss ought to be a topic of paramount importance. Satyajit Das uses a new book on biodiversity, Lost Animal, as a point of departure.
How’s Your Crapification?
Before following the various US/Western hegemony-defending conflicts became a large task when done properly, we’d occasionally quiz readers on the condition of their economy, meaning personal, local and industry indicators. These queries provided informative sightings that would check the accuracy of official statistics and storylines. It should have occurred to me a long time ago […]
Coffee Break: Netflix Purges the C-Suite While Larry Ellison Goes Deep to Fund Skydance
The media landscape continues to shift as Netflix purges its executive class while Larry Ellison borrows big dollars to backstop his son’s Skydance media empire.
Democrats Should Get Behind a National AI Data Center Moratorium
Democrats have an opportunity to take real action on AI data centers to protect people and the environment. But will they take the risk?
Iran War: Iran Hardens Position as Israel Promises Strikes on Energy Infrastructure, US Moves in New Carrier Group; Will Saudis Get Mecca Accord Help?
Today’s Iran war news: Pressures grow as Iran takes a harder posture, Israel vows infrastructure destruction, and Turkiye may back the Saudis
On the Futile Search for the Modern Fountain of Youth
I visited the Fountain of Youth several times as a child. St. Augustine, oldest city of European origin in North America (1565), is full of tourist attractions directed primarily at children, from the Old Jail to Potter’s Wax Museum, to the remarkable Castillo de San Marcos. The latter is the only one that still has […]
A Scuff on Your Bag, A Dent in Your Mug – and Suddenly It Feels Like Time for a New One
Why do some people always need new goods, even when the ones they have are just fine?
