Win, lose, or thaw
The new US National Security Strategy contorts the Monroe Doctrine into the “Trump Corollary,” invoking imperialism in the Western Hemisphere. / Reuters, Foreign Policy
Related: The security strategy checks off most everything on Russia’s wishlist, and overall it’s less a “strategy” and more a “statement of values.” / Bloomberg [$], Foreign Policy
A CIA torture method used at a post-9/11 black site appears to have made its way—in a more cruel form—to Alligator Alcatraz, where it was used on detained migrants. / Forever Wars
“Networked misogyny is now firmly established as a key tactic in the 21st-century authoritarian’s playbook.” / The Guardian
See also: The woman documenting the life and death of every woman killed by a man in America. (Content warning) / The Atavist
How “digital sewer socialism” could serve individuals by pulling basic internet services out of the hands of corporations. / Jacobin
Why 2025 became the year people understood the potential of CRISPR therapies, which could completely change the economics of treating rare disease.” / The Atlantic [$]
More cancer diagnoses in the US aren’t necessarily tied to more deaths, since many of the cancers can pose little threat or may resolve without intervention. / The New York Times [$]
Whitepaper of the week: In a survey of physicians, most support “prescribing anticoagulants to terminal patients to improve preservation quality” for future revival. / medRxiv
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A fascinating look at the homegrown techniques an Iron Mountain engineer uses to rescue legendary musicians’ decaying magnetic tapes. / The New York Times [$]
“When the system goes down, it's me that sorts it.” Interviews with people who don’t particularly care for living off-grid. / BBC News
Why leftover pizza may be healthier: When the crust cools, the starches convert to a state that doesn’t break down into sugar when digested. / Scientific American
Seven years ago, Carole Turek decided to photograph all 366 of the world’s hummingbird species, and expects to reach 300 next year. / Audubon
“Do we want sexual tension on a board game cover for eight-year-olds?” What were they thinking with the Mastermind box cover? / McSweeney’s
Remembering photographer Martin Parr, who captured the brilliance of everyday life, and who died last week at 74: “This is all very entertaining and interesting to me.” / Artnet News
See also: Our interview with Parr and his photos from a trip to Mexico. / The Morning News
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