Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Mending the vestiges of jihadism

 

at 2/6/26 1:49pm

Conflict in Syria has renewed a world focus on what to do with thousands of former Islamic State fighters and their families held for years in prison camps.

— Why Japan’s prime minister is gambling with snap elections

 

at 2/6/26 1:32pm

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has broken through her country’s political malaise with a bold vision for a more assertive Japan. Her party is expected to sweep in snap elections this weekend.

— Phillis Wheatley wrote poetry while enslaved. Now, she graces a postage stamp.

 

at 2/6/26 1:10pm

The 18th-century poet Phillis Wheatley praised revolutionary ideals and inspired generations of Black educators and students with her tenacity.

— As some tech stocks tumble, cryptocurrency goes over a cliff

 

at 2/6/26 3:00am

Despite a president who boosts digital money, cryptocurrencies face a major sell-off. It casts doubt on theories that bitcoin is akin to digital gold, a haven from financial storms.

— In ‘K-shaped’ economy, football fans’ experiences vary – based on what they can pay

 

at 2/6/26 3:00am

Pricey offerings aimed at the wealthy – letting them cut lines, watch events from private boxes, and travel in comfort – now make up a growing share of consumer spending, as regular Americans cut back. Some say there’s a social cost to living in such a bifurcated economy.

— Purpose amid pandemonium: A dad’s first year with twin babies

 

at 2/6/26 3:00am

Here’s what I’ve learned as a dad and primary caregiver to four kids, including twin babies: “[Embrace] the life I’m being called to live.”

— When she married, she declined to join her library with her husband’s

 

at 2/5/26 3:54pm

In “Bookish,” author Lucy Mangan treats tomes like old friends, and zealously guards the precincts of her personal collection (10,000 books and counting.)

— ‘Before my birth, cotton formed me’: A story of family and struggle

 

at 2/5/26 3:11pm

Cristina Rivera Garza’s “Autobiography of Cotton” blends memory, history, and investigation into a beautifully written book about how stories are lost.

— A weakened Iran and a flexing America maneuver in run-up to pivotal talks

 

at 2/5/26 3:10pm

U.S.-Iran talks set for Friday were briefly canceled, then revived at the urging of Arab governments. But the two adversaries’ preferred agendas are very different. Does each side have a realistic grasp of what is at stake?

— Why the 2026 Milan Cortina Games won’t look like any that have come before

 

at 2/5/26 3:00pm

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games are launching a new era of Olympic hosts. Instead of a singular city, an entire region will sponsor a variety of events.

— Japan votes on a new model of leader

 

at 2/5/26 1:51pm

Young voters are drawn to a selfless, funny, and plain-spoken woman who has already broken taboos as Japan’s first female prime minister.

— Cannes favorite ‘The President’s Cake’ is a fable with real-world immediacy

 

at 2/5/26 10:52am

Set in early ’90s Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s rule, “The President’s Cake” reveals not only corruption but also kindness and fortitude.

— US Olympians see more than a divided America. They see unity, love, and hope.

 

at 2/5/26 8:15am

One purpose of the Olympic Games is to unite the world through sport and promote peace and mutual understanding. These Olympians want to show us how.

— A ‘Reagan conservative’ explains why he resigned from the federal judiciary

 

at 2/5/26 3:54am

It’s rare for a federal judge to resign over the actions of a president. Mark Wolf, a district court judge in Massachusetts appointed by President Ronald Reagan, made that choice.

— As firewall between White House and DOJ erodes, Americans are losing trust

 

at 2/5/26 3:00am

Reforms during the post-Watergate period boosted the independence of the Justice Department and restored public confidence. Amid President Donald Trump’s pressure on the DOJ, polls show half of Americans doubt that federal law enforcement is fair and impartial.

— With missile stockpiles low and tensions with Iran high, US moves to increase weapons

 

at 2/5/26 3:00am

America’s recent use of missile interceptors has left supplies low. An Iranian counterattack would deepen the dent. The U.S. is now trying to restock.

— With US-Russia nuclear arms pact expiring, new players like China pose challenges

 

at 2/4/26 3:08pm

As a key nuclear arms agreement is set to expire, the world ponders what kind of arms-control architecture needs to be built to address the geopolitical challenges of the 21st century.

— 2026 Winter Olympics are set to soar. Here are the faces to watch.

 

at 2/4/26 3:06pm

For the first time in 20 years, the Winter Olympics are back in the Alps. At the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, there will be other firsts – from near gender parity to the debut of ski mountaineering.

— Lifelines amid a deepfake flood

 

at 2/4/26 1:44pm

AI is allowing people to produce and share highly manipulated, often sexualized, imagery. Governments, tech leaders, and citizens are being called to rebalance core freedoms and protection from harm.

— Lifelines amid a deepfake flood

 

at 2/4/26 1:44pm

AI is allowing people to produce and share highly manipulated, often sexualized, imagery. Governments, tech leaders, and citizens are being called to rebalance core freedoms and protection from harm.

— As global trade splinters, India finds leverage

 

at 2/4/26 1:02pm

At a time when U.S. trade policy has alienated traditional allies and drawn middle powers closer together, what do India’s recent trade deals tell us about its position in the emerging global order?

As of 2/6/26 6:01pm. Last new 2/6/26 2:11pm.