Category «Defense»

Trump’s Fundamental Misunderstanding in Iran

The Atlantic (Gift Article): Trump’s Fundamental Misunderstanding in Iran. “One of the U.S. government’s recurring mistakes about Iran has been to conflate the country’s national interests with regime interests. The two are in many ways opposites. What benefits the Iranian people—global economic reintegration, diplomatic recognition, investment, normalcy—threatens a regime that operates an extensive mafia and …

Subjects: Censorship, Civil Liberties, Defense, Economy, Free Speech, Legal Research

When War Crimes Rhetoric Becomes Battlefield Reality

Just Security: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” posted President Donald Trump on Easter Sunday. In case one thought that was an impulsive utterance, it’s notable that the president in apparently prepared remarks a few days earlier said, “If …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Defense, Government Documents, Legal Research

New York City Bar Association Follow-Up Report Documents Escalating Constitutional Violations

“The New York City Bar Association (City Bar) has released an update to its December 2025 report on presidential abuse of power, documenting a sharp escalation of constitutional violations by President Donald J. Trump and his Administration since that report was issued, and calling on Congress to act immediately, including by considering impeachment, to hold the …

Subjects: Censorship, Civil Liberties, Congress, Defense, Free Speech, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research

America Is Now a Rogue Superpower

The Atlantic Gift Article: “Whenever and however America’s war with Iran ends, it has both exposed and exacerbated the dangers of our new, fractured, multipolar reality—driving deeper wedges between the United States and former friends and allies; strengthening the hands of the expansionist great powers, Russia and China; accelerating global political and economic chaos; and …

Subjects: Defense, Economy, Energy, Financial System

Trump showed off a classified map during a 2022 plane trip, letter from Democratic lawmaker alleges

Scott McFarlane/AP – Memos, documents released under GOP-led Arctic Frost probe raise new questions about Mar-a-Lago classified records case. In an inquiry released this morning, the ranking member of the US House Judiciary Committee alleges the investigation into then-ex-President Trump’s retention of classified records at Mar-a-Lago found possible evidence Trump showed a classified map to …

Subjects: Congress, Defense, Government Documents, Legal Research

New Research: Think Tank Funding Tracker Provides Insight into Cheerleading of Iran War

Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft: “Top think tanks received over $25 million from foreign governments and $7 million from Pentagon contractors in 2024, according to the newly updated Think Tank Funding Tracker released today.  Both figures, drawn from the most recently available donor rolls, are conservative estimates, as about 40% of think tanks do not …

Subjects: Defense, Economy, Financial System, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research

What is the cost to Americans of the War in Iran?

Via Ben Amata, Government Information Librarian, University Library, California State University, Sacramento: “Neither DOD nor the Whitehouse are providing budgetary information at their websites, to Congress, or to the public on the Iran war costs. Some in Congress are commenting. https://www.congress.gov/119/crec/2026/03/18/172/49/CREC-2026-03-18-pt1-PgH2587-4.pdf https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-172/issue-50/house-section/article/H2609-6?hl=iran+war&s=1&r=1 https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-172/issue-42/house-section/article/H2452-5?hl=iran+war&s=1&r=18 See also – NPR – How much is the Iran war costing …

Subjects: Censorship, Congress, Defense, Economy, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research, Libraries

Donald Trump must stop soon. His ill-considered conflict risks descending into chaos

The Economist no paywall: “…In this war, Israel’s aim is clear: to demolish the threat posed by Iran’s regime. By contrast, Mr Trump and his cabinet have offered a mess of shifting assertions—about Iran’s missiles, nuclear weapons, regime change, following Israel’s lead, a “feeling” Iran was about to attack and settling scores after decades of …

Subjects: Copyright, Defense, Economy, Financial System, Legal Research

Pentagon is planning for AI companies to train on classified data, defense official says

MIT Technology Review: “The Pentagon is discussing plans to set up secure environments for generative AI companies to train military-specific versions of their models on classified data, MIT Technology Review has learned. AI models like Anthropic’s Claude are already used to answer questions in classified settings; applications include analyzing targets in Iran. But allowing models to train …

Subjects: AI, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Defense, E-Government, E-Records, Education, Government Documents, Knowledge Management, Legal Research