In today’s update, Yves will provide a brief overview of the ongoing situation in Iran and the war’s developments at 9:55 EDT.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Solar eclipse over Qatar morphed into "devil's horns." A rare optical phenomenon created a striking formation over the sea—the sun appeared as two glowing horns.</p>
<p>This phenomenon happens because of the eclipse combined with light refraction in the atmosphere above the water.</p>
<p>Video:… <a href="https://t.co/kXgVVw2hGF" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/kXgVVw2hGF</a></p>
<p>— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) <a href="https://x.com/nexta_tv/status/2087918638682517643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">August 13, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Climate and Environment</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-026-02730-w" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Inability to monitor a stable AMOC state amid rapid climate change</a> Nature. Argues that the future of AMOC heavily depends on the speed of global warming.</p>
<p><a href="https://archive.is/2a3ZQ#selection-285.0-285.78" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A record El Niño will soon provide a preview of coming temperatures</a> WaPo</p>
<p><a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/wildfire-in-southwestern-france-spreads-across-2-700-acres-prompts-500-evacuations/4027123" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wildfire in southwestern France expands to 2,700 acres, leading to 500 evacuations</a> Anadolu Agency</p>
<p><a href="https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260813-european-drought-shrivels-crops-despite-farmers-best-efforts-to-adapt" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">European drought damages crops, despite farmers' efforts to adapt</a> France24</p>
<p><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/germanys-dry-rivers-spark-battle-051455079.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Germany's dried rivers ignite debate between engineering and restoration</a> AFP</p>
<p><a href="https://bengoldsmith.substack.com/p/rewilding-is-the-best-defence-against" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rewilding as a robust defense against wildfires</a> Ben Goldsmith</p>
<p><a href="https://www.counterfire.org/article/climate-and-class/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The intersection of climate and class</a> Counterfire</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Pandemics</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/ebola-spreads-sixth-province-congo-163324753.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ebola spreads to a sixth province in Congo, with deaths exceeding 2,000</a> DPA</p>
<p><a href="https://mattersofperspective.substack.com/p/air-cleaning-technologies-and-the" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Air purification technologies and the fight against Randomised Control Trials</a> Matters of Perspective</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>China?</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-announces-drone-tariffs-100-063335401.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump announces drone tariffs up to 100%, targeting Chinese manufacturers</a> DPA International</p>
<p><a href="https://thewire.in/world/us-warns-countries-including-india-could-face-penalties-for-helping-china-evade-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">US warns that countries, including India, may face penalties for assisting China in evading tariffs</a> AP</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pekingnology.com/p/david-daokui-li-on-the-end-of-offshore" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">David Daokui Li on the termination of offshore tax evasion for China's affluent</a> Pekingnology</p>
<p><a href="https://yaqil.substack.com/p/what-the-heck-does-china-want" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">What does China truly desire?</a> New China Literacy by Yaqi Li</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>South Asia</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/world/articles/usaid-fallout-nepal-aid-workers-043610032.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Impact of USAID: In Nepal, the cessation of aid workers has led to increased deaths among women and infants</a> AP</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Syraqistan</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/israel-blocks-crucial-supplies-entering-gaza-putting-thousands-risk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Israel prevents essential supplies from reaching Gaza, endangering thousands</a> Médecins Sans Frontières</p>
<p><a href="https://news.antiwar.com/2026/08/13/huckabee-calls-israeli-settler-siege-of-palestinian-homes-an-act-of-terror-but-defends-the-broader-settler-movement/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Huckabee labels the Israeli settler siege of Palestinian homes 'an act of terror' while endorsing the wider settler movement</a> Antiwar</p>
<p><a href="https://bettbeat.substack.com/p/why-power-hates-palestine" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The reasons behind the animosity towards Palestine</a> BettBeat</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iran-blocks-us-backed-plan-for-syrian-military-intervention" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Iran halts the US-supported initiative for military intervention in Syria from Lebanon</a> Al Mayadeen</p>
<p><a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/us-roll-economic-isolation-plan-025058567.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">US to unveil an 'Economic Isolation' strategy for Iran next week</a> Bloomberg</p>
<p><a href="https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/southern-iran-us-airstrikes-civilian-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">US infrastructure strikes have devastated Iranians' livelihoods in the south</a> Drop Site</p>
<p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/uss-abraham-lincoln-replacement-washington-b3032763.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">USS Lincoln to be replaced amid concerns for troops' mental health</a> The Independent</p>
<p><a href="https://x.com/imetatronink/status/2087661790478172243" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A concise history of the USS Potemkin Village</a> Will Schryver</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Africa</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.africanistperspective.com/p/the-end-of-post-apartheid-south-africa" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The conclusion of "post-apartheid South Africa" and the emergence of improved politics</a> Ken Opalo</p>
<p><a href="https://roape.net/2026/08/05/burkina-faso-and-the-return-of-political-economy/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Burkina Faso and the resurgence of political economy</a> Review of African Political Economy</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>European Disunion</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://archive.is/v5Alz#selection-1211.0-1211.62" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Why Europe faces challenges in building its gas reserves before winter</a> Bloomberg</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Latvia's national airline has been downgraded to CCC- by S&P, placing it deep in junk territory, with estimates suggesting it requires an additional €120–170 million in capital due to the significant role the Russian market played in its business model.</p>
<p>airBaltic is… <a href="https://t.co/8IWFkmXkBV" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/8IWFkmXkBV</a></p>
<p>— Brian McDonald (@BrianMcDonaldIE) <a href="https://x.com/BrianMcDonaldIE/status/2087907415136043095?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">August 13, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A significant explosion shakes an ammunition plant near Rome</p>
<p>A fire and powerful explosion occurred at the KNDS Ammo Italy facility in Colleferro, which manufactures medium and large-caliber ammunition, as well as solid propellant for aerospace rockets.</p>
<p>Initial information suggests that… <a href="https://t.co/hm8FQ2GpUf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/hm8FQ2GpUf</a></p>
<p>— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) <a href="https://x.com/nexta_tv/status/2087913326739136624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">August 13, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Old Blighty</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/12/just-20-of-6600-defra-staff-working-on-climate-adaptation-amid-drought-and-wildfires" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Only 20 out of 6,600 Defra staff are focused on climate adaptation as droughts and wildfires escalate</a> The Guardian</p>
<p><a href="https://www.declassifieduk.org/exclusive-uk-funded-therapy-for-israeli-soldiers/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">EXCLUSIVE: UK FUNDED THERAPY FOR ISRAELI SOLDIERS</a> Declassified UK</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/14/uk/nigel-farage-count-binface-clacton-election-intl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nigel Farage triumphs in an election where his primary opponent was a trash can</a> CNN</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>New Not-So-Cold War</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/644202-kurils-japan-putin-medvedev/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">‘Dire consequences’ if Japan maintains its claims over the Kuril Islands – Medvedev</a> RT</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nice try, <a href="https://x.com/WSJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">@WSJ</a>: “Russia seized the islands from Japan during the final days of World War II, leading to a long-standing dispute over their sovereignty.” <a href="https://t.co/1HMBtXl4M9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/1HMBtXl4M9</a></p>
<p>No, there wasn't a seizure. Possession of these islands has…</p>
<p>— George Szamuely (@GeorgeSzamuely) <a href="https://x.com/GeorgeSzamuely/status/2087906838868103601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">August 13, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://tsargrad-tv.translate.goog/articles/putin-sdelaet-svoj-ormuzskij-proliv-pri-pomoshchi-kndr-nazvany-379-celej-kto-v-spiske_1822983?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">PUTIN PLANS TO CREATE HIS OWN STRAIT OF HORMUZ WITH NORTH KOREA’S ASSISTANCE: 379 TARGETS IDENTIFIED. WHO IS ON THE LIST?</a> Tsargrad TV (machine translation)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/sell-ukraine-10-us-patriots-213816047.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Zelensky asks CNN to sell Ukraine 10% of US Patriots, promising to ‘eliminate all Russian’ ballistic missiles</a> CNN</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rt.com/news/644213-zelensky-patriot-math-mistake/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Zelensky’s missile math errors: A handful of Patriots won’t save him</a> RT</p>
<p><a href="https://marksleboda.substack.com/p/odessa-in-deep-trouble-no-one-will" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Odessa faces severe challenges – No one will negotiate with the US</a> Mark Sleboda</p>
<p><a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/ukrainian-drones-wipe-out-entire-us-tank-brigade-in-live-war-game/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ukrainian drones obliterate an entire US tank brigade in a live war exercise</a> Ars Technica</p>
<p><a href="https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/poland-may-cut-off-ukraine-s-starlink-access-1786564343.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Poland may terminate Ukraine’s Starlink access amid disputes with Musk</a> RBC Ukraine</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>South of the Border</strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚨BREAKING: In April, I was the first journalist to publish a detailed investigation into 3 mysterious boat strikes/abductions in the Galapagos. A source now informs WaPo that it was part of a CIA covert operation. Last month, I released NASA images/evidence of the bombing. Link below. <a href="https://t.co/fC5yaOFWi7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/fC5yaOFWi7</a> <a href="https://t.co/vEOoS11Jmp" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/vEOoS11Jmp</a></p>
<p>— Camila Lourdes Galarza (@sovietwithsazon) <a href="https://x.com/sovietwithsazon/status/2087952282566443032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">August 13, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Trump 2.0</strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This implies that if foreigners set up a shell company in Delaware to fund superPACs for elections—an illegal act—there would be no way to trace it.</p>
<p>Beneath is AIPAC's lobbying disclosure form revealing their efforts to influence the Treasury and State Departments to facilitate this. <a href="https://t.co/0Ph2pdn6H7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/0Ph2pdn6H7</a></p>
<p>— Wally Rashid (@wallyrashid) <a href="https://x.com/wallyrashid/status/2087599033258827916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">August 12, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Additionally:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">For unaware Africans, this indicates that politically exposed African public officials with US residency, such as Ken Ofori-Atta and Oyindamola Tinubu, who have shifted misappropriated African funds into the US via their US-registered firms, are no longer required to disclose… <a href="https://t.co/rEvpZlz71K" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/rEvpZlz71K</a></p>
<p>— David Hundeyin (@DavidHundeyin) <a href="https://x.com/DavidHundeyin/status/2087910565091872847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">August 13, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/13/trump-presidency-revenue-wealth" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump has accumulated immense wealth during the 'most openly corrupt' presidency</a> The Guardian</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-directs-navy-return-steam-010006608.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump orders Navy to revert to steam catapults on aircraft carriers</a> The Hill</p>
<p><a href="https://gcaptain.com/trump-opens-door-to-foreign-built-warships-in-major-navy-shipbuilding-overhaul/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump facilitates foreign-built warships in a significant Navy shipbuilding overhaul</a> gCaptain</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Police State Watch</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/08/13/feds-spied-on-protesters-left-wing-organizations-and-unions-during-metro-surge/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Documents unveil federal surveillance on protesters, left-oriented organizations, and unions during the Metro Surge</a> Minnesota Reformer</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Casino Nation</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://archive.is/9odyu#selection-1465.0-1465.53" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">JPMorgan discontinued its services for Polymarket due to regulatory issues</a> FT</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Big Brother Is Watching You Watch</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://archive.is/iHhWV#selection-721.0-721.87" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CBP employees allegedly used government databases to monitor ex-partners, crushes, and colleagues</a> Wired</p>
<p><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/aclu-flock-guardrails" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ACLU states that the new Flock camera guardrails are merely a 'thinly veiled public relations effort'</a> Common Dreams</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Groves of Academe</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.campusreform.org/article/umich-bury-first-semester-grades-bid-curb-mental-health-crisis/30386" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">UMich will conceal first-semester grades to address the mental health crisis</a> Campus Reform</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Our Famously Free Press</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://husseini.substack.com/p/the-press-club-has-banned-me-for" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Press Club has excluded me for questioning Schumer</a> Sam Husseini</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Immigration</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/08/12/nx-s1-5929456/migrant-children-our-rescue" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">A controversial group secures a $158 million contract to aid unaccompanied immigrant children</a> NPR. This raises concerns, especially with Epstein’s <a href="https://jennbudd.substack.com/p/cbp-and-epstein" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">connections to Customs and Border Protection</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Supply Chain</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://christopherchico.substack.com/p/the-us-is-blocking-black-mass-exports" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The U.S. is hindering black mass exports</a> The Battery Chronicle</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Imperial Collapse Watch</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://archive.is/o44sP#selection-2425.0-2425.87" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">An increasing number of affluent Californians are pursuing 'golden visa' residencies outside the U.S.</a> Los Angeles Times</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>AI</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/anthropic-could-be-worth-2-trillion-when-it-goes-public/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Anthropic may reach a valuation of $2 trillion upon going public</a> Ars Technica</p>
<p><a href="https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/12/amazon-will-train-on-twitch-streamers-content-by-default-unless-they-opt-out/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Amazon will automatically train on Twitch streamers’ content, unless they choose to opt out</a> TechCrunch</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/05/ai-election-bots-simulated-voters-2026-2028" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">We are approaching the first truly AI-driven election</a> Axios</p>
<p><a href="https://archive.is/95o9W#selection-741.0-741.85" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Poll-rigging bots and AI robocalls: The dystopian technology shaping Israel’s election campaigns</a> Haaretz</p>
<p><a href="https://archive.is/EzlQT" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hollywood is now enlisting 'slop janitors.' The financial implications are visible.</a> WaPo</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Class Warfare</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.theargumentmag.com/p/hillbilly-economics" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hillbilly economics explained</a> Phil Magness</p>
<p><a href="https://kyla.substack.com/p/how-to-get-rich-in-america?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Strategies for achieving wealth in America</a> Kyla Scanlon</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Antidote du jour (<a href="https://x.com/earthcurated/status/2025501120886370800" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">via</a>):</strong></p>
<p>
<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-314773" src="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/HBwGiHFWMAEby68-948x1024.jpeg" alt="" width="555" height="600"/>
</p>
<p>For yesterday’s links and the Antidote du Jour, click <a href="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/08/links-8-13-2026.html">here</a>.</p>
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