Dear valued readers,
As the situation regarding the Iran conflict remains relatively stable at this moment, we present a comprehensive compilation of Links, featuring an extensive focus on the Iran War.
The (super)natural history of haloes – Sacred Images Project (Micael T)
How to Be a Little Less of an Idiot – AporiaLab (Micael T). From my understanding, Theravada Buddhism lacks compassion, suggesting that beggars should not receive help as their presence is a reflection of their past karma.
Should We Strive for Well-Roundedness or Hyper-Focus? – Anya Leonard
What Is the Significance of Academic Freedom? – Unsafe Science (Micael T)
California Wineries Face Economic Struggles, Resorting to Burning Vineyards – New York Times (resilc)
Lab-Grown Meat: An Examination of the Science vs. Perception – Skeptic (Micael T)
Climate and Environment
New Mexico’s Clean Energy Success Story – Yale Climate Connections
El Niño: Potential to Trigger Supply Chain Disruptions – Weather Channel
Gironde Wildfires: Insights from Recent Mass Evacuations – The Conversation
China
China’s Factory Activity Slumps in July Amid Declining Demand and Typhoons – CNBC
AI Boomtowns Widen the Divide in China’s Economy – Japan Times
China Voices Concern Over New U.S. Trade Restrictions – Jakarta Post
In most countries, earning a PhD requires completing a dissertation. Hundreds of pages that few will ever read. However, China has opted for a different approach. Under a new law, select universities can now award engineering degrees with… pic.twitter.com/JAyQh65hE6
— Mike Netter (@nettermike) July 26, 2026
Japan
Bessent and the Fed Assist in Reversing Yen Decline – Japan Times
Death Toll in Japan Earthquake Rises to 35, Auto and Chip Production Halted – Channel News Asia
Koreas
AI Challenges Force South Korean Economy to Adapt – Asia Times
North Korea Claims NATO Fuel Strategy Signals War Preparations – Reuters
India
The Graham Sanctions Bill: A New Tool for Trump’s Coercion Against India – Indian Punchline
Africa
Voices of Sudan’s Child Soldiers: A Harrowing Account of Conflict and Colombian Mercenaries – Associated Press
Nigeria’s Banditry Issues Continue to Escalate – Eurasia Review
Ebola Outbreak Threatening Hunger in Eastern Congo, Warns UN Agency – PBS
Nationwide Blackouts Hit Ghana as Power Plants Fail – BBC
Protests Erupt in Libya Over Electricity Blackouts Amid Infrastructure Failures – Aljazeera
Cannibalism as a Policy Challenge – Small Wars Journal
O Canada
Trump Targets Canada in Tariff War, Forcing Nasty Retaliation – The Guardian
South of the Border
‘To Play God’: The Impact of U.S. Pressure on Cuba’s Healthcare System – Aljazeera
Vultures Descend on Venezuela: The Role of U.S. Troops and Business Interests – Venezuelanalysis (Robin K)
European Disunion
Europe’s Trillion-Euro Investment to Revitalize Its Troubled Industry – Reuters
Around 60,000 Migrants Arrive in Ceuta in Just 24 Hours, Claims Spanish Leader – BBC
I’m sure this has nothing to do with anything. Just a coincidence. https://t.co/apQXBOsr4v
— Ana Kasparian (@AnaKasparian) July 31, 2026
This is jaw-dropping. He spoke these words publicly for all to hear, and yet many will continue to dismiss it as an “organic invasion” rather than acknowledging the real military operation against a non-compliant nation. https://t.co/4pVYg1C2MZ pic.twitter.com/RVRWdawZpD
— Mel (@Villgecrazylady) July 31, 2026
The most disheartening aspect of this entire situation. https://t.co/bJ8i8KY0aO
— John O’Brennan (@JohnOBrennan2) July 31, 2026
Spain’s Migrant Crisis Sparks Italy’s Demand for EU Travel Restrictions – Financial Times
BREAKING: 🚨 Italy Suspends Schengen Agreement, Closes Air and Sea Borders with Spain https://t.co/8P0OS0oQyn
— TRENDING ➞ 911 (@911NewsBreaks) July 31, 2026
Old Blighty
Rajiv Menon KC Faces Contempt of Court Proceedings – Garden Court Chambers. An essential and deeply troubling issue.
Burnham Pledges a ‘Pragmatic’ Approach to North Sea Oil and Gas – The Guardian
Israel vs. The Resistance
Prof. Marandi Critiques the Dershowitz Perspective Sharply; Worth a Watch
— Health Ranger (@HealthRanger) July 31, 2026
Ben Gvir’s Crocodiles: A New Tactic in Israel’s Warfare Against Palestinians – Middle East Eye
Why Are Turkic Nations Moving Closer to Israel? – MultiPolar Press (Micael T)
Turkey Urges Iran to Cease Attacks on Kurdish Forces – Middle East Eye
Iran War
U.S. Iran War Briefing: Remarks by Joseph Goebbels (Sen. Tom Cotton) – Daniel Davis, YouTube. Kudos to Davis. Additionally, check out this talk: IRAN WARHAWKS: THEIR FATAL LOSING STRATEGY
* * * Trump Pauses Military Strikes as Iran Strikes American Targets | Janta Ka Reporter – YouTube. A brief overview of the current situation involving U.S. and Iran military actions.
⭕️ President Donald Trump expresses no clear strategy for returning to the memorandum of understanding with Iran, stating, “We just want to win,” while hinting that the renewed conflict may persist.
His comments during the war meeting this morning:
➤ “We’re trying to be as nice as you… https://t.co/1xHb8ENpVh
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) July 31, 2026
BREAKING: CENTCOM Plans a Massive Two-Week Bombing Campaign – Analysis by Col. Larry Wilkerson – Mario Nawfal, YouTube
Trump Considers Attacks on Iran’s Oil and Energy Infrastructure – Larry Johnson. Notably, Iran’s doctrine, revised in January 2026, now permits preemptive strikes. Iran has already demonstrated this with attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan.
Underlying Article: U.S. and Israel Preparing to Target Energy Infrastructure in Iran – CBS
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 31, 2026
Pentagon Requests $18.2 Billion in Funds for War Efforts Against Iran – Bloomberg
The Trump Administration is losing its grip:
BREAKING: The U.S. and Israel are contemplating a comprehensive land blockade of Iran, requiring cooperation from all seven neighboring countries. This includes Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to secure border crossings, according to the Telegraph.
This confirms…
— The Hormuz Letter (@HormuzLetter) July 31, 2026
President Trump appears to be subscribing to the illusory strategy of “maximum pressure,” imposing sanctions and potentially bombing Iran’s essential industries. He previously suggested the blockade would be removed but appears to have reverted.
— Brett Erickson (@BrettErickson28) July 31, 2026
* * * War on Iran: U.S. Once More Blocks Strait Shipping – Moon of Alabama
Iran targeted another oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, striking the engine room and causing it to lose control.
— 𝕊𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕻𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 (@SprinterPress) August 1, 2026
* * * Iran Reportedly Attacking Amazon Data Centers – Futurism
The reasoning behind their actions suggests it may have been a false flag operation, as indicated by the Iranian Foreign Minister. https://t.co/BNi1iDMaBu
— Policy Tensor (@policytensor) July 30, 2026
Al-Monitor reports that the last remaining U.S. forces in Iraq commenced withdrawal from Erbil last week, having relocated Patriot missile batteries to an undisclosed site.
— barry with the NED (@bonzerbarry) July 31, 2026
Saudi Economy Shrinks Amid Escalating Conflict in the Middle East – Financial Times
North Yemen Civil War – Wikipedia. Resilc notes: “Rule #1: Yemenis are resilient individuals.”
Syraqistan
Clashes in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir Result in Numerous Fatalities – NHK
Attack on Police Checkpoint in Pakistan Claims 15 Lives Amid Rising Violence – France24
New Not-So-Cold War
An Agent of Influence – Scott Ritter. Ritter typically provides insightful commentary, especially in written form, compared to his variable accuracy on YouTube.
Nine Confirmed Killed and 28 Injured in Russian Attack on Ukraine’s Capital – Anadolu Agency
British Imperialism Escalates Tensions with Russia Over Shipping – The Communists (Robin K)
‘I Killed a Thousand of My Men in a Week!’ – Events in Ukraine
Russian Missile Strikes U.S. Firm’s Drone Factory in Kyiv – The Guardian
* * * Brief Frontline Report – July 30, 2026 – Marat Khairullin and Mikhail Popov
Russia Seeks Refining Capacity in Kazakhstan Amid Fuel Shortages – OilPrice
Caspian Pipeline Suspends Oil Loading Again After Tanker Strikes – Maritime Executive
Big Brother Is Watching You
Vandalism Targets Flock Cameras Across the U.S. – CNN
X Raises Alarm Over Australia’s Plans for Censorship Beyond Its Borders – Reclaim the Net. When even X has a point, you know it’s serious…
Imperial Collapse Watch
⚡️ $109 Million F-35 Crashes in California—Wreckage Creates Impressive Smoldering Scenepic.twitter.com/pZnII9a2Nm
— RT (@RT_com) July 31, 2026
World War Three: The Conflict to End Hegemony and Exceptionalism – Karl Sanchez
Understanding Section 219 – American Conservative (resilc)
In Washington, Politicians are Merging U.S. and Israeli War Machines into One Unified Entity – Turkiye Today (resilc)
Morocco Outpaces California – Issues & Insights. However, where do we place the terminal in Los Angeles? What neighborhoods will face transformation for access tracks?
Trump 2.0
Trump White House Orders Fleet of Luxury SUVs While Americans Face Hardships – The Guardian
FIFA President Abandons Plan to Sell Stake in World Cup – Anadolu Agency
Immigration
Airports, Nursing Homes, and Schools Prepare for Disruptions Due to Absence of Haitian Workers – Washington Post
New York Migrant Children Must Navigate Immigration Court Alone – Gothamist
Democrats in Question
How Far Left Will Democrats Shift in 2028? It Depends on 2026 – Washington Monthly. The Democrats are unlikely to stray far from centrist positions reminiscent of the Reagan Era.
Democrats Mobilize Amid Fears of Trump Deploying Troops at Polling Places – NOTUS. Resilc remarks, “I suppose I need to carry my shotgun?”
AIPAC’s Risky Game in Michigan – Zeteo
Our Diminishing Free Press
A federal judge has determined my rights were violated with the seizure of my phones, highlighting the broader context of Trump’s assault on press freedom.
My case advances thanks to the dedicated efforts of @JeninYounesEsq and @adchttps://t.co/CydZq7bYWF
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) July 31, 2026
ABC Alleges FCC’s Censorship Attempts – Politico
The Underlying Issues Leading to Substack’s Challenges – Scott Carney (Micael T)
Evidence of Meta’s Censorship of Palestinian Content – +972
He transformed the Washington Post editorial page into something dull and unreadable. His mission is complete. https://t.co/PFT2YmmHfv
— Bruce Bartlett (@BruceBartlett) July 31, 2026
Economy
These satellite-based crude oil inventory data providers have difficulty accurately representing U.S. data; it raises concerns regarding their global data reliability.
Just because data is accessible doesn’t mean it’s accurate.
Kpler reported a build of 4.1 million barrels in PADD 3 last week. The EIA reported…
— HFI Research (@HFI_Research) July 31, 2026
U.S. Oil Inventories Drop to Alarming Levels Amid Iran War – Financial Times
Global Economies Brace for Potential Energy Crisis – Aljazeera
Oil Prices Dismiss Alerts from Physical Markets as Refinery Crack Spreads Increase – Energy News Beat
Unexpected Slowdown in U.S. Economic Growth During the Second Quarter – BBC
Mr. Market Should Exercise Caution
Trying to Decode Warsh’s Insights – FT Alphaville
AI Developments
Anthropic’s Claude AI Breaches Security to Compromise Three Organizations – BBC
Significant Vulnerability in Large Language Models Exposed – MIT Technology Review
The Seven Most Chaotic AI Developments Today – Gary Marcus
Guillotine Watch
Musk’s Strategy to Secure Influence in the Midterms for the GOP – Caleb Ecarma
Class Warfare
Social Care: The Fight for Economic Equity – Chris Dillow
Growing Support for Socialism Among American Workers and Youth – WSWS
Antidote of the Day (via):
A Special Bonus:
This man brushes a crow, who then returns the brush, seeking more care pic.twitter.com/zAjmdtMcS2
— Nature Unedited (@NatureUnedited) July 30, 2026
A Second Bonus:
Unexpected reactions ensue when he offers his fish to the bird.pic.twitter.com/AkCjNrqb07
— Johnny Midnight ⚡️ (@its_The_Dr) July 31, 2026
A Third Bonus:
A honey badger intervenes to free a leopard caught in a poacher’s snare.pic.twitter.com/6UOzcXAZFM
— Gabriele Corno (@Gabriele_Corno) July 31, 2026
A Fourth Bonus:
This is Fenrir. He is trying to sneak in cuddles with the cat without being detected. 13/10 pic.twitter.com/seqPvOT4pA
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) July 30, 2026
A Unique Bonus:
This gentleman surprises his blind girlfriend with a Braille marriage proposal. pic.twitter.com/OBVometlNP
— The Best (@TheBestqueenx) July 31, 2026
For more updates, refer to yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here.
