US Intervention Could Spark Chaos in Iran

James M. Dorsey, January 18, 2026

 

US threats of military intervention in Iran amid protests risk unintended consequences, including regime destabilization and regional fragmentation. While some see parallels to Venezuela, Iran’s complex power structure and ethnic divisions complicate such approaches. Regional opposition and communication challenges further hinder external support for protesters, raising concerns about long-term instability in the Middle East. Read More

We’re Racing Down the Highway to a Mad Max World

Stan Cox, January 18, 2026

 

Relentless fossil fuel use and economic growth are driving a climate crisis that demands a shift toward degrowth to avoid ecological collapse. Reducing militarism, car dependency and energy waste can improve public health, social justice and restore natural wonders like the night sky. Degrowth offers a hopeful path to collective sufficiency and environmental balance. Read More

Trump Backs Down From Iran Threats, for Now

Gary Grappo, January 17, 2026

 

Mounting economic collapse initially drove Iran’s largest protests since 1979, but they were quickly fueled by open demands for regime change. The government responded with lethal repression. As demonstrators persisted, US President Donald Trump threatened intervention, which raised questions about US capacity and responsibility. While US support could aid dissidents through cyber and communication tools, direct intervention risks further uncertainty and long-term consequences. Read More

Saving Auroville: A Call for Immediate Intervention

Rahul Dev, January 17, 2026

 

Auroville is being strangled by the institution designed to protect it. Auroville’s crisis is not just a local administrative failure; it’s a warning about institutional vulnerability everywhere. When appointed administrators can dismantle democratic structures, weaponize bureaucracy against residents and silence dissent with impunity, it raises urgent questions about institutional integrity worldwide. India’s handling of Auroville’s situation will have significant implications far beyond Tamil Nadu. Read More

The Devil’s Advocate in a World Without Saints

Peter Isackson, January 16, 2026

 

Modern society has abandoned its search for saints, both religious and political. Since the Vatican eliminated the Devil’s Advocate role in 1983, canonizations skyrocketed but public interest vanished. Meanwhile, naked cynicism has defeated America’s political idealism. Ambition and wealth have replaced humility and public service as our defining virtues. Read More

The End of the Liberal Garden Era

Elliot Neaman, January 16, 2026

 

US President Donald Trump’s military operation in Venezuela marks a revival of the Monroe Doctrine, prioritizing transactional geopolitics and control over resources rather than democracy. This approach risks encouraging rivals like Russia and China to assert their own spheres of influence aggressively. Renewed commitment to international rules is essential to prevent a dangerous return to imperial competition. Read More

Designing Contestable Digital Markets in Malaysia

Muhammad Ardhin & Kurniawan Arif Maspul, January 15, 2026

 

Malaysia’s digital future depends on collaboration between a wise government, responsible businesses and engaged communities, turning technology into a promise of fairer work and compassionate wealth. Digital platforms thrive by blending innovation with local culture and regulation, reshaping work and governance. However, addressing challenges like worker precarity through smart policies is essential to ensure inclusive, dignified and competitive growth. Read More

Iran’s Protest Moment: Four Stakeholders, One Coherent Vision

Ashraf Haidari, January 15, 2026

 

Iran’s protests stem from deep economic hardship and a clash between societal change and an entrenched regime. Four groups — the regime loyalists, monarchists, nationalist intellectuals and pragmatic citizens — shape the crisis, with nationalist intellectuals advocating a cautious, internally driven transition. Lasting change depends on building broad coalitions, avoiding external interference and earning the trust of everyday Iranians seeking stability and fairness. Read More

The Indian Subcontinent’s Hindu-Muslim Divide

Ayan Rakshit, Atul Singh & Ishtiaq Ahmed, January 15, 2026

 

The Indian National Congress (INC) convenes to make demands from the colonial British government on behalf of Indians of all regions, religions, castes, classes et al. The British administration approves of the INC as a safety valve to dissipate Indian dissent. Read More

Once an Economic Giant, Japan Now Tests a New Fiscal Path — and the World Is Watching

Masaaki Yoshimori, January 14, 2026

 

Global current-account imbalances widened sharply in 2024, revealing a structural divergence driven by entrenched asymmetries between surplus and deficit economies. Protectionist measures are ineffective remedies, but fiscal sustainability, productive investment and stronger social safety nets could restore balance. Ultimately, institutional credibility — fiscal and monetary coherence — has become the world’s most fragile yet essential public good. Read More

Why Is Iran Declaring War on Multiple Countries When It’s at War With Itself?

Farhang Faraydoon Namdar, January 14, 2026

 

Iran’s recent declaration of war against the US, Israel and the EU signals a strategic effort to project strength amid deepening internal crises and widespread protests. Despite aggressive rhetoric, Tehran seeks to leverage its position for a potential deal, reflecting its underlying vulnerabilities. The key uncertainty remains whether the Trump administration is willing to pursue meaningful negotiations with Iran. Read More