Headlines

Iran's protests: What we know

Iran has been rocked this week by protests that started in Tehran and have spread to other cities, with at least six people killed in clashes with security forces. Official media has largely played down the protests but videos have flooded social media, many of which are

Al Monitor •

Massie: Trump's Iran threat about oil not free speech

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) on Friday criticized President Trump’s threat to interfere in the Iranian protests, arguing that the move would be more about oil than free speech concerns. The president vowed on Truth Social that the U.S. will “rescue” protesters if the Iranian

TheHill •

10 Directors to Watch 2026

When Sean Baker’s “Anora” won both the Palme d’Or at Cannes — followed by best picture at the Oscars — those honors reinforced what Variety had been saying a decade earlier, when the filmmaker appeared on the publication’s 10 Directors to Watch list, before “Tangerine” had even

Variety •

How foreign policy realists lost touch with reality on Russia

Russia's aggression in Ukraine is being met with a double standard by some scholars, who suggest that the West is to blame and that restraint should be demanded of the victim, rather than recognizing Russia's actions as a threat to the security architecture that has maintained

TheHill •

The Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks Worth a Shot This Dry January

Every year, more people are trying a Dry January — abstaining from alcoholic drinks for a month — as a way to reset health priorities after the holidays or as a test run for an alcohol-free lifestyle. And now there’s also “Damp January,” which can mean whatever you want it to

Variety •