Trump’s Golden Dome, Anxiety in Kashmir, Ukraine Ceasefire, and More
The latest at Inkstick Media.
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History might repeat itself, but the do-over is often more baffling than the first time around. Now, US President Donald Trump is hyping a forthcoming, supposedly state-of-the-art missile defense system called the Golden Dome. Yet, as Inkstick field reporter Taylor Barnes reported, experts and former engineers see little reason to expect more from the Golden Dome than the country got from past endeavors, such as Ronald Reagan’s infamous “Star Wars” system.
Meanwhile, the threat of nuclear war was only narrowly averted earlier this month when Islamabad and New Delhi agreed to put an end to the latest round of fighting. For everyday people living in Indian-administered Kashmir, the ceasefire brought immediate relief. Still, many told longtime Inkstick contributor Hanan Zaffar that they were certain it wouldn’t be the last time the two countries turned their weapons on one another.
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“In India and Pakistan, Anxiety Lingers over the Next Conflict” by Hanan Zaffar (May 19)
Fierce fighting between the Pakistani and Indian militaries raged for days, but Islamabad and New Delhi soon backed away from the nuclear edge. On the ground in Indian-administered Kashmir, though, no one believes the conflict is anywhere near resolved.
“Was US Military Action Against the Houthis Worth It?” by Adults in a Room (May 20)
This month’s installment of the Adults in a Room series brought together experts to discuss the impact of the Trump administration’s military attacks on the Houthi armed group in Yemen. The attacks have come to an end, but questions remain over whether they paid off for the US.
“A Former ‘Star Wars’ Engineer Weighs In on the ‘Golden Dome’” by Taylor Barnes (May 21)
As the Trump administration lauds a questionable missile defense system, an ex-Raytheon engineer in Huntsville, Alabama, “the Pentagon of the South,” discussed how weapons engineers see their jobs — and what they don’t see.
“Ukrainian Soldiers Under Fire as Ceasefire Talks Stall” by Kris Parker (May 22)
With Ukraine now in its fourth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Trump’s contentious return to the White House has ushered in an era of uncertainty. Among soldiers on the frontlines, there is widespread concern about the longevity of US support for Ukraine.
“Deep Dive: The Pentagon Influence Behind the Silver Screen” by Inkstick (May 23)
Ever flip on a movie only to pick up on the subtext that the American military is the hero? Your mind’s not playing tricks on you. According to a new report by the Costs of War project, there are deep and enduring ties between the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the entertainment industry.