Democracy Now

Trump’s Counterterrorism Chief Resigns over Iran War, Criticizes “Pressure from Israel”
Joe Kent, Trump's National Counterterrorism Center Director, resigned over the Iran war, stating it was driven by Israeli pressure, exposing a significant rift within the MAGA movement on US-Israel policy.

Speeding Up the “Kill Chain”: Pentagon Bombs Thousands of Targets in Iran Using Palantir AI
The US and Israel are leveraging AI systems like Palantir's Project Maven, incorporating Anthropic's Claude, to accelerate military targeting, raising critical ethical and legal questions about civilian casualties and the erosion of oversight.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 18, 2026
A rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has triggered global economic instability and a humanitarian crisis, while domestic US issues include a DHS shutdown, controversial foreign aid policies, and political primaries.

Report from Havana as Trump Threatens to "Take" Cuba & Pushes for Ouster of Cuban Leader
Amidst a nationwide blackout and severe fuel shortages caused by US sanctions, former President Trump declared his intent to 'take' Cuba and demanded the removal of its current leader, sparking outrage and deepening a humanitarian crisis.

Ground Invasion of Iran Could Be "Suicide Mission" for U.S.: Ex-Army Intelligence Analyst
A former US Army intelligence analyst warns that any US ground invasion of Iran would be a "suicide mission" due to overwhelming logistical and tactical challenges, while US allies refuse to participate in the conflict.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 17, 2026
Global conflicts escalate with significant casualties and economic repercussions, while domestic US policy faces judicial challenges and political funding controversies.

"Mr. Nobody Against Putin" Wins Oscar; Meet the Russian Teacher Who Confronts State Propaganda
A Russian primary school teacher, Pasha Tankin, became an international whistleblower by secretly documenting Putin's pro-war propaganda in schools, forming the basis of the Oscar-winning documentary 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin'.

"A Sense of Despair": Many Iranians Fear a Prolonged War — and What Comes After
Amidst escalating US-Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation, experts reveal a profound sense of despair among Iranians caught between a brutal regime and external war, challenging simplistic narratives.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 16, 2026
The US-Israeli war on Iran enters its third week with escalating strikes, civilian casualties, and global economic repercussions, while domestic crackdowns on media and activists intensify.

Economist Jeffrey Sachs: U.S.-Israeli "War of Choice," Assault on U.N. Charter Could Lead to WWIII
Jeffrey Sachs argues that current U.S.-Israeli actions against Iran constitute a 'war of blatant aggression' and a 'war of choice' that flagrantly violates the UN Charter, pushing the world towards a potential World War III and economic calamity.

Israeli Journalist Gideon Levy: Israel Will Not Stop Wars & Occupation Until U.S. Pulls Support
Award-winning Israeli journalist Gideon Levy argues that Israel's escalating wars and occupation will persist as long as the United States provides 'massive, blind, and automatic' support, while detailing widespread public and media complicity within Israel.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 13, 2026
This report details the escalating US-Israeli war in Iran and Lebanon, its severe humanitarian consequences, and related global and domestic incidents, including a major labor strike and international legal actions.

Agnès Callamard on Iran War, Global Fight for Gender Justice & Killing of Yanar Mohammed
Amnesty International's Secretary General Agnès Callamard condemns the US-Israeli war in Iran, arguing it harms civilians and human rights, while highlighting global attacks on gender justice and the instrumentalization of women's rights for war.

Iranian American Scholar Narges Bajoghli on the History of U.S.-Iran Relations
An Iranian American scholar details how escalating US-Israel military actions and Trump-era sanctions have fueled extreme polarization within Iran, strengthened nationalism, and led to a global economic counter-strategy focused on oil markets.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 12, 2026
The US and Israel continue large-scale bombings across Iran, leading to significant civilian casualties, economic disruption, and a US admission of fault for a girls' school strike, while domestic US political battles intensify over voter rights and the Epstein investigation.

"Killers of Roe": Amy Littlefield Investigates the "Mysterious Death of Abortion Rights" in U.S.
Investigative journalist Amy Littlefield details how abortion rights were dismantled over decades, revealing the complex figures and policies that led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the current contradictory landscape of abortion access.

"No Stupid Rules of Engagement": Ahead of Iran War, DoD Halted Efforts to Limit Civilian Deaths
The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegsath, systematically dismantled teams and processes designed to limit civilian casualties and uphold international law prior to and during the current conflict with Iran, raising concerns about potential war crimes and strategic blowback.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 11, 2026
This episode reports on the escalating US-Israeli war in Iran, its global economic impact, controversies surrounding AI in military applications, a major data breach, and significant domestic and international legal and political developments.

"The Gulf Fears Whoever Wins This War": U.S.-Israeli War on Iran Could Destabilize Entire Region
Gulf nations are caught in a perilous geopolitical bind, fearing the outcomes of both an ascendant Iran and an empowered Israel, while simultaneously questioning the very US security architecture meant to protect them.

Ret. Col. Lawrence Wilkerson: Netanyahu Could Turn to Nuclear Bombs If Iran War Escalates
Retired Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson warns that the US-Israeli war on Iran is an illegal, misjudged conflict leading to significant US military damage, widespread war crimes, and a potential nuclear escalation by Netanyahu.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 10, 2026
President Trump sent mixed messages on the Iran war amidst escalating regional conflict, environmental disaster in Tehran, and significant domestic developments including election integrity investigations and an ICE shooting controversy.

"Racist Regime": Orly Noy on Israel Denying Bomb Shelter Access to Palestinians
Israeli-Iranian journalist Orly Noy details how Israel's 'racist and supremacist regime' denies Palestinians access to bomb shelters and uses regional conflicts to escalate actions in the West Bank and Gaza.

Iran Picks New Supreme Leader; Toxic Black Rain Falls After Israeli Strikes on Iranian Oil Depots
As the US-Israeli war on Iran intensifies, Iran's Assembly of Experts defied US pressure by selecting Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader, while civilian infrastructure faces devastating attacks, including a US missile strike on a girls' school.

Top U.S. & World Headlines — March 9, 2026
The US and Israel continue extensive bombing campaigns across Iran, leading to widespread civilian casualties, environmental damage, and escalating regional conflicts, while global oil prices surge and the US economy faces job losses.
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