Studying history and reading novels both get us out of our own heads, the first by helping us to imagine different worlds, and the second by prompting us to inhabit different subjectivities. Those who do neither are forever imprisoned in the here, the now, and the self.

De Gaulle's policy of "going it alone," hazarded a thought: "No doubt the sort of balance that has been established between the atomic power of the two camps is, for the moment, a factor in world peace. But who can say what will happen tomorrow? www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/a...

Congratulations to Sarah! Sarah R. Bin Tyeer, *The Well-Tempered Reader: The Legitimization of Adab in the Arabic Literary Tradition* California University Press, 2026

He has a Green Card! US judge blocks detention of British social media campaigner flip.it/vj9yMF

It's always something Tajikistan-Taliban border clashes: What’s behind them, why it affects China flip.it/Q1ld5t

Middle East, video shows Israeli soldier running over Muslim while he prays flip.it/JfgJnR

“If we are stuck talking about this from just a scientific or political standpoint, that’s an incredibly narrow set of stories to tell, when this is the biggest story on the planet.”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/26/us-voters-link-climate-crisis-affordability?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

the universities are often willing to pay $1 mn to get rid of someone. Juries should make it more expensive

In less than a week, I will be sworn in as the next mayor of New York City. It was only possible because of the more than 100,000 people who volunteered on our campaign. Here’s a story about one of them, my mother.

Was Colonialism a Crime? Algerian Parliament Criminalizes 130 Years of French Rule

West Antarctica’s History of rapid Melting Foretells sudden Shifts in Continent’s ‘catastrophic’ Geology

From Steamships to Sovereignty: How Iraq’s old Arteries challenge modern Myths

“Reports from Israeli newspapers suggest that the UAE & Israel have already set up a joint military & intelligence facility on the Yemeni islands of Socotra and Abdul Kuri. […] the UAE is reportedly mediating on Israel’s behalf to establish a military base in Somaliland.” bsky.app/profile/terr...

Harriet Malinowitz’s new book, "Selling Israel: Zionism, Propaganda, and the Uses of Hasbara," reveals how Israeli propaganda and public relations promoted Zionism while concealing Palestinian oppression and dispossession. mondoweiss.net/2025/11/how-...

Could it be more obvious that Trump is corruptly paying off his big fossil fuel donors at the public’s expense? Squelching clean energy does the same, moving the grid to higher-cost fossil fuel plants. Try it: COR-RUP-TION. Easy word, and accurate.

At least 11 congressmen from 1865-1871 were arguably not citizens under Trump's interpretation of 14th A, our research finds. Yet no one challenged their eligibility to serve. Why not? Obviously, b/c no one who drafted or ratified the 14th A shared Trump's view. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

BEST NEWS EVER!! 🤍 After years of prison, probation, and travel ban, Egyptian activist and blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah was able to get on a plane today, travel to London, and reunite with his family!!!!

Was Colonialism a Crime? Algerian Parliament Criminalizes 130 Years of French Rule

Wow - this sure says it for tRump!

West Antarctica’s History of rapid Melting Foretells sudden Shifts in Continent’s ‘catastrophic’ Geology

From Steamships to Sovereignty: How Iraq’s old Arteries challenge modern Myths

Israel’s public broadcaster Kan airs footage showing the total destruction of Jabalia Refugee Camp in northern Gaza: Video: Mosab Abu Toha via X (@MosabAbuToha)

Merry Christmas! 🎄 Here is the lid of a fourth century sarcophagus in the Vatican Museums showing one of the earliest depictions of the Nativity. flic.kr/p/itxcNf #Christmas #photography #BuonNatale

Tesla doesn't recongise Trade Unions. Apple doesn't recognise unions. Amazon is anti-union. McDonald's is anti-union. Starbucks is anti-union. Google is anti-union. Walmart is anti-union. The big corporations are not on your side.

Well, it would align with Trump’s degrading vocabulary level.

Trumpfoolery

It's that way with some marches since the first term inaugural parade

I imagine she is heartbroken

Right

Legally changed their names or just tomfoolery?

Won’t be long before every American English word is replaced with “Trump”. So: Trump Trump Trump Trump

So is it Miller-Trump or Trump-Miller?

The government failed at actually redacting the Epstein files because DOGE cancelled the feds adobe acrobat premium subscription is the funniest shit.

Why Stop with the Kennedy Center? Cabinet Officials add Hyphenated -Trump to their Names

While Bethlehem Holds First Full Christmas Since Genocide Began, Little to Celebrate in Gaza

What World was Jesus born into? A Historian describes the turbulent Times of the real Nativity

It’s like The Ramones, only stupid and talentless.

Israel normalized genocide as a weapon of war—and the world is already copying the playbook. In Sudan, mass extermination has spiraled out of control using the same tactics Israel deployed in Gaza. mondoweiss.net/2025/12/isra...

so Stephen Miller is about free speech and people who combat disinformation are censors. Also up is down and war is peace

From the Editorial Board: The American Booksellers Association reported that more than 420 new bookstores opened this year, part of a rebirth of bookshops after the initial Amazon/big-box shock that caused so many to go under.

Why Stop with the Kennedy Center? Cabinet Officials add Hyphenated -Trump to their Names

While Bethlehem Holds First Full Christmas Since Genocide Began, Little to Celebrate in Gaza

What World was Jesus born into? A Historian describes the turbulent Times of the real Nativity

During all my years working for a state agency, I had no idea that almost everyone there was really Antifa!

'BIG problem': Legal expert says Trump DOJ lied to judge about Todd Blanche's actions

This is genuinely horrifying. Fact-free far-right agitprop given accolades by credible media across the political spectrum.

Propagandist for the greatest explosion of Nazism in American history doubles down on insisting Nazis be given air time on "60 Minutes" to spread lies about the people they kidnapped, tortured, and sent to concentration camps.

CIA Predecessor: Simple Sabotage Field Manual against Fascist Offices, 1944 www.juancole.com/2025/01/pred...

Oh we are so cooked www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/b...