Reading archive 2026-08-27

Why Did John Ratcliffe Go to Moscow?: Despite Trump’s claims, the CIA director’s visit was anything but routine. It might be a sign that Putin is getting more dangerous.

The Real Reason Trump Wants Economic Sanctions in Iran: The quieter, longer-term strategy could help push the conflict out of the minds of voters ahead of the midterms. - "With few options remaining, the Trump administration has settled into a potentially lengthy campaign of economic pressure, pledging to squeeze Iran until its leaders have no choice but to seriously return to negotiations. But that tack could prove toothless if the U.S. doesn't also punish the nations that still do business with Iran and keep its economy afloat - and Trump has historically shown little willingness to stand up to the likes of China and Russia, or even North Korea, which has a strategic alliance with Tehran."

Trump Plans to Buy Midterm Ads About His Own Record: The president has come up with a simple plan to win the election: more Trump.

The Jason Arday Truthers: The concerted effort to airbrush the late fabulist’s life - "Without question, the media coverage of Arday was harsh and high-volume. But much of that volume came from competing outlets breaking fresh news, as more and more of Arday's extraordinary claims crumbled under scrutiny. Some commentators have argued that coverage ought to have stopped after his resignation. I feel differently; the reporting should (and I think would) have stopped if he admitted to the fabulism. But Arday died still maintaining that he had never lied, and his memoir is on sale, untroubled by corrections to anecdotes that now seem enormously implausible. 

"Unfortunately, unlike Arday's fabrications, anti-Black racism in Britain is only too real. But you can believe in that without believing in Jason Arday."

How scientists found a weakness in one of the deadliest ‘undruggable’ cancers: An experimental pill has shown unprecedented success in treating pancreatic cancer, upending conventional wisdom about the disease.

A former Mike Collins staffer posted KKK and Nazi images. Some Republicans see a pattern.: Rep. Mike Collins (R-Georgia) is challenging Sen. Jon Ossoff (D). The former Collins staffer posted a swastika and shared an image of himself in what appear to be KKK robes.

Sen. Rand Paul’s Son William Hurled Antisemitic Insults at Rep. Mike Lawler: The younger Paul interrupted Lawler at a Capitol Hill bar to say “Jews” would be to blame if Rep. Thomas Massie loses his primary. - "'Do you think I’m Jewish?' Lawler asked. 'I’m not.' 

"'Oh wow, I’m so sorry for calling you a Jew,' Paul said.

"He then continued on a tirade about how Jews were 'anti-American' and how Lawler and his 'Jewish supporters' served Israel more than America. Lawler repeatedly pushed back and engaged with Paul, defending his support of Israel, and told Paul he was being antisemitic."