Hello, everyone. The recent Israeli and US strikes on Iran did more than escalate tensions in an already war-stricken Middle East. As Iran and Israel traded missiles, the response of Tehran’s allies, according to Alec Birnbach, highlighted its growing isolation — a lesson Washington would do well to take note of. Speaking of war and isolation, Russia’s occupation of parts of eastern Ukraine has emerged as a challenge to the Trump administration’s stance on that conflict. US support may be wavering, but Kris Parker reports that civilians in eastern Ukraine remain steadfast in their opposition to Russia’s military occupation. That’s not all we’ve got at Inkstick. And if you’re not already, please follow us on LinkedIn, Threads, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. “Iran’s Growing Isolation is a Warning to the United States” by Alec Birnbach (July 7) When the Israeli-led attacks on Iran broke out, Tehran’s most important allies failed to come to its support. That’s because partnerships between autocratic authoritarian states are transactional. The Trump administration’s shunning of its democratic allies risks pushing the US into a similar quandary. “Concern in Greece as Infamous Neo-Nazis Leave Prison” by Patrick Strickland (July 8) In October 2020, a Greek court designated the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party a criminal organization, sending many of its members to prison. Now, courts are paroling many of these former neo-Nazis only a fraction of time into their sentences. “What Happens If the World Lets Ukraine Go” by Kris Parker (July 9) Russia’s full-scale war is well into its fourth year and the prospects for peace remain as distant as ever. Moscow has rejected recent attempts to implement a ceasefire and has launched a summer offensive as Russian President Putin continues to demand that Ukraine surrender the entirety of Donetsk. “The Year Arms Contractors Stopped Sponsoring Pride Parades” by Sophie Hurwitz (July 10) This year, corporations across the country quietly pulled their sponsorship from local pride parades. Companies that once faced criticism for surface-level allyship with the LGBTQ+ community — changing their logos to rainbow colors during Pride month, for instance — have now abandoned the show of support altogether. “Deep Dive: Guatemala’s Manufactured Indigenous Water Crisis” by Inkstick A new Human Rights Watch report explores the “manufactured” water crisis Guatemala’s Indigenous population is enduring. Although Guatemala has more fresh water than most countries, it has failed to provide safe, reliable access to its Indigenous peoples. You're currently a free subscriber to Inkstick’s Substack. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription. |