Playing JeoparDoD!, Ukraine’s Counteroffensive, Civilian Deaths in Sudan’s War, and More
This week on Inkstick Media.
Hello everyone!
It’s a big day today. Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated biopic titled “Oppenheimer,” about the “father of the atomic bomb” J. Robert Oppenheimer, has been released. (“Barbie” is out too.) MacKenzie Knight gave us tips on what to look out for when watching the film (retweet this, link this, thread this) while Emily Faux pointed out that the origin story of nuclear weapons is often told through American men (retweet this, link this, thread this).
Taylor Barnes, our field reporter for the military-industrial complex, reported that top Pentagon contractors favor “right-to-work” states over union-friendly ones. The anti-labor moves raise the question of what Americans are getting in exchange for their tax dollars funneled to defense giants (retweet this, link this, or thread this.). Barnes also published her first newsletter! Check it out here and subscribe!
Terrell Jermaine Starr, a resident of Inkstick’s and Bombshelltoe’s Creative Capsule Residency, examined Russia’s militarization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and concluded that Russia doesn't want to be told what it can and cannot do when it comes to taking over Ukraine’s civilian nuclear power plants (retweet this, link this, or thread this). Also, don’t forget to apply for the Creative Capsule Residency. We’re accepting applications through the weekend here.
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This week on Inkstick Media:
“Recognizing Opposition Movements is Riskier Than It Seems” by John Reid Wilcox (July 17)
Officially promoting long-shot opposition figures with no promise of paving their path to power is damaging to US interests.
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“Playing JeoparDoD! In the Pentagon” by Willian D. Hartung (July 17)
Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) drives home how Pentagon spending practices put taxpayers in jeopardy.
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“The Untold Stories Behind ‘Oppenheimer’” by Emily Fauz (July 18)
The labors of working-class women who handled uranium, uninformed about the lasting radiation impacts of their dangerous work, are forgotten.
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“Examining Russia’s Militarization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant” by Terrell Jermaine Starr (July 18)
This isn’t the first time nuclear powers have worried about the weaponization of their power plants. India and Pakistan have an agreement to mitigate such threats.
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“Top Defense Contractors Favor Relocations, Expansions in Anti-Union States” by Taylor Barnes (July 19)
A new Inkstick analysis shows top Pentagon contractors favor “right-to-work” states over union-friendly ones by a factor of about 1.5.
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“Amid Counteroffensive, Heavy Fighting Ensues in Northeast Ukraine” by Hunter Williamson (July 19)
As Kyiv pushes slowly forward with its highly anticipated counteroffensive, Russian forces attempt to break through Ukrainian lines.
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“Biden’s Decision to Send Cluster Bombs to Ukraine Is a Tragedy” by Don Super (July 19)
Any short-term tactical or strategic advantage on the battlefield from the utilization of cluster munitions is far outweighed by the immediate risk to civilians.
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“Playing the ‘Collateral Damage’ Card in Sudan” by Udo Jude Ilo (July 20)
The failure of Sudan’s warring parties to protect civilians cannot be met with impunity. More than battlefield statistics, civilians are individuals with families, dreams, and hopes. They must be protected.
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“Five Takeaways from the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius” by Jacob Sharpe, Aaron Dresslar, Elizabeth Rosen, Marisol Maddox, and Michael Gradus (July 20)
While there are varied reactions to the summit, one thing is clear: NATO leaders have a lot to think about — and do.
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“Pink and Greenwashing: Part I” by Kelsey D. Atherton (July 20)
The US military has identified climate change as a threat but its role in contributing to climate change is understudied.
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“Climate Change Is the Biggest Threat to US National Security” by Connor Sutherland (July 21)
By not approaching environmental threats with the same zeal as it does its adversaries, the US is leaving itself more vulnerable to climate change.
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–From the desk of Sahar Khan, managing editor of Inkstick Media.