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For The New Republic, Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling [ [link removed] ]detailed [ [link removed] ] how Donald Trump’s effort to designate Antifa (short for antifascism) a domestic terrorist group has faltered due to legal constraints and lack of evidence. Conservative podcaster Glenn Beck claimed FBI agents visited him after he aired a series about an alleged Antifa network, suggesting the bureau was desperate for leads.
Beck said his series “dove in head first” and “analyzed the Antifa network” from the “street thugs to the support groups and eventually to the funding. To say the FBI was interested in this might be an understatement.”
FBI Director Kash Patel, a former right-wing commentator, reportedly sent agents to Beck’s home, underscoring the politicized nature of the investigation.
But despite Trump’s executive order branding Antifa as a violent anarchist movement, he lacked the authority to make such designations, which rest with Congress, Houghtaling said.
The administration’s broader crackdown — marked by National Guard deployments and conflation of Antifa with legitimate political groups — raised alarms about suppressing dissent and misusing federal power.
If You Read One More Thing: EU’s Doubts on The Israel-Gaza Ceasefire
In an article for Politico Europe, Tim Ross, Esther Webber, Sarah Wheaton, and Clea Caulcutt [ [link removed] ]reported [ [link removed] ] that European officials privately insisted Israel must be held accountable for the destruction of Gaza and the deaths of over 60,000 Palestinians, even as Donald Trump’s peace deal brought a ceasefire that entailed little EU involvement.
Diplomats in Brussels, London, and Paris expressed relief over the release of Israeli hostages but remained skeptical of Trump’s initiative, stressing that pressure on Israel must continue.
EU leaders blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for a “man-made famine” and debated sanctions, though consensus remained elusive. France led efforts to recognize Palestinian statehood, while Germany halted arms exports to Israel.
European officials demanded a role in Gaza’s reconstruction and oversight, wary of being sidelined by US interests. With public outrage and political polarization surging across Europe, leaders warned that justice and accountability were essential to any lasting peace.
Systemic Failures in US Arms Oversight
At The Intercept, Alain Stephens [ [link removed] ]reported [ [link removed] ] that the State Department failed to properly monitor and report end-use violations of US-exported weapons, despite over 150 flagged incidents by the Pentagon since 2019.
A Government Accountability Office report found the system lacked clear procedures, leaving Congress largely uninformed. Experts warned that this negligence undermines national and global security, especially as US arms have surfaced in cartel violence and conflict zones.
The Biden-era policy requiring humanitarian law assessments was scrapped under President Trump, even as evidence mounted of US-origin munitions used in Gaza strikes.
Stephens highlighted how vague standards and political pressure have eroded oversight, risking diplomatic fallout and enabling misuse of American weapons worldwide.
Deep Dive: Washington’s War on Palestine Solidarity
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has published a report, “Palestinian Solidarity Under Fire [ [link removed] ],” that documents a global crackdown on pro-Palestinian advocacy, with special attention given to draconian measures in the United States. The report underscored how US authorities and institutions — both governmental and private — have increasingly targeted individuals and groups expressing solidarity with Palestinians, particularly in the wake of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the broader escalation of violence since October 2023.
FIDH found that US activists, students, and academics faced heightened surveillance, employment threats, and public vilification for criticizing Israeli policies or supporting Palestinian rights. The report cited multiple cases where university faculty were investigated or dismissed for social media posts or public statements deemed “anti-Israel.” In one example, a professor was placed on administrative leave after reposting a Human Rights Watch article critical of Israeli military conduct. FIDH argued that such disciplinary actions reflect a broader trend of institutional censorship and political pressure.
Yosra Frawers, Head of the Maghreb and Middle East Desk at FIDH, said in a press release that the “trend reflects a worrying shift towards the normalization of exceptional measures in dealing with dissenting voices.”
Student groups, particularly chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), were also targeted. The report detailed how several universities suspended or banned SJP chapters following campus protests or statements condemning Israeli actions. In some cases, administrators cited vague concerns about “safety” or “incitement,” despite no evidence of violence or threats. FIDH emphasized that these bans often occurred under pressure from donors, politicians, or pro-Israel advocacy organizations, raising concerns about academic freedom and viewpoint discrimination.
FIDH also focused on the role of legislation and executive action in suppressing Palestinian solidarity. More than 35 US states have enacted anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) laws, which penalize individuals or companies that support boycotts of Israel or Israeli settlements. The report noted that such laws have been used to deny public contracts to businesses and silence advocacy groups. In one case, a speech pathologist in Texas lost her school contract after refusing to sign a pledge not to boycott Israel. Courts have struck down some of these laws as unconstitutional, but many remain in force, creating a chilling effect on the freedom of expression.
FIDH further documented the impact of media framing and political rhetoric. US officials, including members of Congress, have frequently equated Palestinian solidarity with support for terrorism, particularly when criticizing groups like Hamas. The report argued that this conflation has led to smears and defamation against activists, with some facing doxxing, harassment, or threats. In one high-profile case, a Palestinian-American journalist was fired after being falsely accused of glorifying violence, based on a misinterpreted tweet.
The report also addressed the role of tech platforms in silencing Palestinian voices. FIDH found that social media companies, including Meta and X (formerly Twitter), disproportionately removed or suppressed content critical of Israel. Activists reported shadow bans, post deletions, and account suspensions, often without explanation. FIDH cited internal whistleblower accounts suggesting that platform moderation policies were influenced by lobbying from pro-Israel groups and government agencies. The result, according to the report, is a digital landscape where Palestinian narratives are marginalized or erased.
Despite these challenges, FIDH noted that Palestinian solidarity in the US remains resilient. Grassroots coalitions, legal advocacy groups, and student networks continue to organize protests, educational events, and campaigns for divestment. It also highlighted the growing intersectionality of Palestinian advocacy, with activists linking their cause to broader struggles for racial justice, Indigenous rights, and anti-colonial movements.
In its recommendations, FIDH urged the US government to repeal anti-BDS laws, end surveillance of political activists, and protect freedom of expression and assembly. It called on universities to uphold academic freedom and resist donor-driven censorship. The report also pressed tech companies to ensure transparency and fairness in content moderation, especially regarding political speech.
The FIDH report painted a sobering picture of the US as a battleground for free speech and human rights, where Palestinian solidarity is increasingly under siege.
Alice Mogwe, President of FIDH, said the US “must guarantee everyone the right to express themselves and to mobilize peacefully, on all causes. The defense of human rights ought not to be constrained by political sensibilities.”
Show Us the Receipts
For Inkstick, Cian Ward [ [link removed] ]reported [ [link removed] ] on thousands of internally displaced Syrians, unable to return home after the civil war, who settled in the Byzantine-era “Dead Cities” of northwestern Syria. Families like that of Daher al-Sheikh and Sultan al-Sultan constructed makeshift homes amid UNESCO-listed ruins, often using ancient stones for shelter. While 1.8 million Syrians began returning home after the Assad government’s collapse, many lacked the means to leave. Residents voiced frustration over dwindling aid and government neglect. Experts warned that encroachment and looting were damaging the archaeological sites, showing the tension between survival and heritage preservation in postwar Syria.
In a new piece, Hannah Bowlus [ [link removed] ]revealed [ [link removed] ] for Inkstick that increased rocket activity from Vandenberg Space Force Base — up to 100 launches annually — has sparked alarm among environmentalists and coastal residents. The California Coastal Commission warned of cumulative harm to endangered species, citing flawed sonic boom modeling and insufficient biological monitoring. Wildlife advocates documented seal pup deaths and nesting disruptions among protected birds. Critics accused SpaceX of downplaying impacts and using outdated data. Marine biologists and activists expressed concern over underwater noise affecting whales and dolphins. Despite objections, launches continued, prompting calls for stricter oversight and accountability from both federal agencies and private aerospace firms.
At The World, Carolyn Beeler [ [link removed] ]spoke [ [link removed] ] with Kholood Khair, head of Sudan’s Confluence Advisory think tank, about the International Criminal Court’s conviction of Ali Kushayb for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Darfur genocide. Khair emphasized the symbolic importance of the ruling, noting it marked the ICC’s first conviction tied to the 2003–2004 atrocities. She cautioned, however, that justice remained incomplete without broader accountability for Sudanese military and political leaders. Khair also warned that ongoing violence in Sudan risked eclipsing the significance of the verdict, urging international actors to sustain pressure and support transitional justice efforts.
Pitch Inkstick
Inkstick is on the lookout for US-related pitches [ [link removed] ]. We’re especially interested in reported features and personal essays that examine issues like the weapons industry, the increasing militarization on the US-Mexico border and within the country, domestic extremism, and the people in power pushing for more wars abroad.
Support Inkstick, Get Merch
Democracy might be dying, but you can still support independent journalism. Inkstick now offers merch: hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, and just about whatever else you’d want. Check it out here [ [link removed] ].
Critical State is written by Inkstick Media in collaboration with The World.
The World is a weekday public radio show and podcast on global issues, news, and insights from PRX and GBH.
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Critical State is made possible in part by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

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