Critical State: Iran Strikes Prompt No Rally ‘Round the Flag
If you read just one thing this week … read about the large number of Americans who don't want a war with Iran.
At The New Republic Greg Sargent wrote that President Donald Trump’s bombing of Iran failed to generate the traditional “rally around the flag” effect seen in past US military actions, largely due to deep public distrust of Trump’s decision-making on national security.
A CNN poll, conducted before an abrupt ceasefire came into effect Tuesday morning, revealed that 56% of Americans — and 60% of independents — disapproved of the strike, while 55% did not trust him to make informed decisions about the use of force.
The article contrasted Trump’s reception with George W. Bush’s post-9/11 popularity, noting that war fatigue and skepticism now temper public response. Trump’s erratic handling of intelligence and his inflammatory rhetoric further undercut confidence.
The piece also criticized the emerging “Trump Doctrine,” which frames quick, limited strikes as non-war actions, and warned that bypassing congressional approval threatens democratic oversight.
Ultimately, Sargent suggested the public’s preference for diplomacy over force has grown stronger, and that Trump’s political control over foreign policy appears more constrained than in previous eras.
For now, it seems Trump has shifted to diplomacy. “Trump erupted at Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire he’d announced on Truth Social, fuming that they ‘don’t know what the [f**k] they’re doing,’” Sargent wrote.
If You Read One More Thing: SpaceX’s Environmental Toll
At the Border Chronicle, Pablo De La Rosa covered the explosion of SpaceX’s Starship 36 on June 18, during fueling operations at its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The rocket, slated for its 10th test flight, was being loaded with liquid methane and oxygen when it erupted on the launch mount.
No injuries were reported, and safety protocols were in place.
The explosion marked the largest grounded blast at Starbase to date and raised concerns among local environmental groups, who had warned regulators for years about such risks.
Critics highlighted the proximity of other industrial projects, including a nearby LNG terminal. SpaceX stated it was working with officials to secure the site.
The FAA had recently approved an increase in annual launches at the facility, intensifying scrutiny. Observers described the incident as a “huge setback” for the Starship program, with potential delays to future launches and renewed calls for comprehensive safety reviews
Sisters Left in Limbo under Trump’s New Immigration Ban
At The Nation, Cecile McWilliams reported on two Afghan sisters, separated by the Taliban’s ban on women’s education, and the new obstacles they face under Trump’s 2025 travel restrictions. Afsana, who had secured a scholarship to study in New Jersey, left Kabul in 2023, while her younger sister, Nora, remained behind. Their hopes of reuniting were jeopardized by Trump’s executive order, which tightened visa rules and revoked hundreds of student permits.
The sisters’ story highlights the compounded impact of Taliban repression and US immigration policy under Trump, a stalwart anti-immigration president, as Afghan women struggle to access education and safety abroad.
Advocates warn the travel ban undermines US commitments to Afghan refugees, especially women fleeing gender-based persecution and seeking academic opportunities.
Deep Dive: Turkish Police Brutality Needs Investigation
In a new report, “I Cannot Breathe,” Amnesty International has documented serious human rights violations by Turkish law enforcement during mass protests held between March 19 and 26, 2025.
These protests erupted following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and opposition presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu and 91 others affiliated with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Tens of thousands participated in largely peaceful demonstrations across major cities including Istanbul, Ankara, and İzmir.
Authorities responded with sweeping bans on public assembly, internet restrictions, and aggressive policing. Amnesty recorded numerous instances of excessive force, including beatings, kicking, and the unlawful use of tear gas, water cannons, and kinetic impact projectiles — often at close range and targeting the head or upper body. Protesters were injured, hospitalized, and in some cases, subjected to treatment that may amount to torture. Many were attacked while dispersing or already restrained.
Amnesty found “there were also multiple incidents in Istanbul where law enforcement officials beat protesters with batons and bare hands and kicked and dragged people along the ground causing head, back, leg, and stomach injuries. At least one person was hospitalized due to severe stomach pain after being beaten by police on his stomach with a baton.”
A protester that Amnesty identified as CN, who was at Saraçhane Park on March 20, 21, 22, and 23, told the rights group, “It was clear that the protesters around him did not want to confront the police or use violence because they were telling each other to remain calm.”
On March 20, CN was close to the police when they used pepper spray and kinetic impact projectiles directly on his face and body.” The protester said, “They were trying to pepper spray directly into the eyes. On March 21, another kinetic impact project hit his nose. After the experience, “he experienced pain and burning sensations all over his body for over a week,” the report claimed.
Amnesty’s Evidence Lab verified 53 videos and reviewed court documents, medical reports, and 36 judicial decisions. At least 32 detainees reported abuse during detention. Victims included students, journalists, and lawyers. Some were dragged, kicked while on the ground, or threatened with sexual violence.
One protester lost partial vision; another had their foot crushed by a water cannon. Many expressed fear of retaliation if they filed complaints, citing a lack of faith in accountability mechanisms.
The report also strongly criticized the use of blanket bans on public assemblies during the protests. It notes that several governorates — including Istanbul, İzmir, Ankara, and Manisa — issued preemptive, province-wide bans on all gatherings. In Istanbul, the ban was extended for an additional four days and included restrictions on entering or exiting the province.
Amnesty emphasized that such blanket bans are presumptively disproportionate under international human rights law. Restrictions on peaceful assembly must be based on individualized assessments, not sweeping prohibitions. The report argued that these bans violated Turkey’s obligations to uphold the right to peaceful protest and contributed to the unlawful suppression of dissent.
“Under international human rights law, generalized restrictions on peaceful assemblies are ‘presumptively disproportionate,’” the report stated.
Amnesty said the Turkish government violated its obligations under international human rights law, particularly the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The organization called for prompt, independent, and impartial investigations into all allegations of abuse, accountability for perpetrators, and redress for victims.
Turkish authorities did not respond to Amnesty’s right of reply letter, the report stated.
Show Us the Receipts
In a searing personal essay at Inkstick, Ghada Abu Muaileq chronicled the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign. Framed through the death of her grandfather and the daily struggles of her family, Abu Muaileq illustrated how war has turned basic survival into a deadly gamble. Access to food, medicine, and safety is scarce. Flour is dubbed “white gold,” and even eggs can cost $20. Israeli forces have fired on civilians seeking aid, and hospitals have become targets. Abu Muaileq called out the global indifference to Palestinian suffering, arguing that their lives are treated as expendable.
Anne-Gaëlle Lissade wrote about the rise and fall of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s once-vibrant capital and revolutionary heart. Founded in 1749, the city bore witness to the world’s only successful slave revolt and blossomed into a cultural and political hub. But decades of foreign intervention, corruption, inequality, and natural disasters eroded its foundations. The 2010 earthquake, political assassinations, and gang violence accelerated its collapse. By 2025, the city had become a shell of its former self — its streets ruled by armed groups, its institutions crumbled.
At The World, Tibisay Zea covered the story of Marimar Terrón, who in 2004, recorded a call for scrap metal from her father, Marco Antonio. Using a cassette and home stereo, they created a message that soon echoed across Mexico City: “We buy mattresses, drums, refrigerators…” The recording, mounted on pickup trucks, became a fixture of the city’s soundscape. Marco sold CDs of the call, and it spread virally, appearing in TV shows, music, and even at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Despite its fame, the family struggled to profit due to the delayed registration of its copyright. As online platforms replaced traditional collection methods, the iconic jingle began to fade, but it remained a nostalgic symbol of Mexico City’s urban rhythm.
Inkstick’s Things That Go Boom Hits the Limelight
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Critical State is written by Inkstick Media in collaboration with The World.
The World is a weekday public radio show and podcast on global issues, news, and insights from PRX and GBH.
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Critical State is made possible in part by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.