The lethal strikes on boats in the Caribbean are not “war crimes” or “likely war crimes.” They are murders, pure and simple. First, in order to be war crimes, we would have to be at war. Congress has not declared war, and the passengers on these boats are not combatants. Even with all its lies, the Trump
Administration has not gone so far as to assert that the targeted individuals were armed. Nor did they pose a threat, much less an “imminent” threat to the U.S. There’s not even evidence that they were headed to the U.S.
Much of the media is now focused exclusively on the possibility that these strikes were war crimes, often singling out the second strike (“tap”) on the two survivors of the last boat who were clinging to debris following the first strike.
This is misguided if not irresponsible reporting. Focusing as they do on the second strike suggests that the other strikes may have been legal. They are not. Again, we are not at war. As a separate issue, neither Congress nor the public at large have been provided a shred of evidence that the targeted individuals were drug runners. We’re expected to take on faith the allegations of serial liars that these people were running drugs. Even if they were, however, there are procedures for interdicting boats believed to be transporting drugs. The Coast Guard has successfully carried out these operations in the past, according those who were apprehended due process. And drug running, even if proven, is not a death penalty offense.
In sum, the Administration’s excuses of “fog of war,” suggesting that in war anything is justified, is misleading garbage. These are murders, not war crimes, and the distinction is important. The NYT, which we often have reason to mistrust (e.g., for its coverage or lack thereof, of Israel’s ongoing genocide), actually had two good articles on the distinction on Thursday and Friday of this week, citing legal experts, some with a military background, who know the difference between war crimes and murder. By contrast, the coverage by MS NOW, as it now calls itself, has been lousy. The latter has focused almost exclusively on the second strike on the last boat, which, although egregious in its own right, distracts viewers from the overriding fact that all these strikes are illegal. They also suggested that Admiral Bradley, who directly ordered the strikes, is being scapegoated by those who are responsible. Although in a democracy, Hegseth and Trump would be prosecuted for crimes, Bradley is also culpable in that he knowingly carried out illegal orders. Congress should be drawing up impeachment charges against Trump and calling for the court martial of Hegseth and Bradley. But then, that would mean we are a nation of laws.
Thank you for this. I've been calling it murder since the first boat strike and every one since then. Anyone involved in these strikes should be brought up on murder charges, I don't care who they are, including trump. It's time people call it out for what it is and stop tiptoeing around it. How low this country has fallen in just 11 months. I don't even recognize it anymore.
The blanket examination of green cards is Unacceptable - that is going at. Class of people who have done NOTHING WRONG. It needs to be block or a major lawsuit needed.
Every week, new reporting emerges about institutions acting with sweeping authority and minimal oversight. This article's breakdown was no different: stories of detention policies, aggressive enforcement, procedural shortcuts, and human consequences scattered across the system like warning signs. What struck me most while reading it wasn’t the politics — it was the pattern. A pattern my highly anticipated Chronicles from the Inside also explores in your neighbour up north. Yes, we are working through our fair share of struggles systemically in our public institutions. My flagship podcast raises alarms of little talked about issues in places where the public eye rarely ever sees: behind the scenes of a public hospital in Canada- the country known for free universal health care. However, what's the use of universal health care.
This upcoming investigative podcast based on a black muslim man's 14-day involuntary detention in a Canadian psychiatric ward after voluntarily seeking help for a panic attack.
On two very different stages — national policy and a hospital hallway — the same themes repeat.
The podcast focuses on a young man named Malik. He speaks boldly and plainly after an experience he would not wish on his worst nightmare. Malik says plainly, "stupid people in power, whether it be politics, doctors, lawyers, judges or otherwise, can do a lot of harm. The public needs media that boldly fact checks all claims as the media is one of the only real defenses we have from the wanton operation of stupid people in power."
Chronicles from the Inside will be out in early January 2026- the flagship podcast of URoot Media.
Mehdi Hassan, we at URoot Media welcome you to discuss the real universal issues impacting world citizens today regarldess of background. People are hurting financially, psychologically, and emotionally. URoot Media and its affiliates will work to bring to the surface the reasons for the slowing of productivity and dips in GDP, soaring cost of living, and other real issues real day to day citizens across the globe are facing in a straight talk style without mincing words. We will offer a refreshing take to the days news not looking for ratings in anxiety inducing headlines. This is a new form of media where story telling and unrelenting commitment to truth remains paramount.
Chronicles from the Inside is released in early January, 2026.
I really don't have the vocabulary to fully describe my disgust for this administration. Every week this newsletter is full of outrageous actions by odious people. It's a true Kakistocracy. Thank you again for distilling this horror show each week. It really helps me track what is going on. Take care, DA
The lethal strikes on boats in the Caribbean are not “war crimes” or “likely war crimes.” They are murders, pure and simple. First, in order to be war crimes, we would have to be at war. Congress has not declared war, and the passengers on these boats are not combatants. Even with all its lies, the Trump
Administration has not gone so far as to assert that the targeted individuals were armed. Nor did they pose a threat, much less an “imminent” threat to the U.S. There’s not even evidence that they were headed to the U.S.
Much of the media is now focused exclusively on the possibility that these strikes were war crimes, often singling out the second strike (“tap”) on the two survivors of the last boat who were clinging to debris following the first strike.
This is misguided if not irresponsible reporting. Focusing as they do on the second strike suggests that the other strikes may have been legal. They are not. Again, we are not at war. As a separate issue, neither Congress nor the public at large have been provided a shred of evidence that the targeted individuals were drug runners. We’re expected to take on faith the allegations of serial liars that these people were running drugs. Even if they were, however, there are procedures for interdicting boats believed to be transporting drugs. The Coast Guard has successfully carried out these operations in the past, according those who were apprehended due process. And drug running, even if proven, is not a death penalty offense.
In sum, the Administration’s excuses of “fog of war,” suggesting that in war anything is justified, is misleading garbage. These are murders, not war crimes, and the distinction is important. The NYT, which we often have reason to mistrust (e.g., for its coverage or lack thereof, of Israel’s ongoing genocide), actually had two good articles on the distinction on Thursday and Friday of this week, citing legal experts, some with a military background, who know the difference between war crimes and murder. By contrast, the coverage by MS NOW, as it now calls itself, has been lousy. The latter has focused almost exclusively on the second strike on the last boat, which, although egregious in its own right, distracts viewers from the overriding fact that all these strikes are illegal. They also suggested that Admiral Bradley, who directly ordered the strikes, is being scapegoated by those who are responsible. Although in a democracy, Hegseth and Trump would be prosecuted for crimes, Bradley is also culpable in that he knowingly carried out illegal orders. Congress should be drawing up impeachment charges against Trump and calling for the court martial of Hegseth and Bradley. But then, that would mean we are a nation of laws.
Thank you for this. I've been calling it murder since the first boat strike and every one since then. Anyone involved in these strikes should be brought up on murder charges, I don't care who they are, including trump. It's time people call it out for what it is and stop tiptoeing around it. How low this country has fallen in just 11 months. I don't even recognize it anymore.
The blanket examination of green cards is Unacceptable - that is going at. Class of people who have done NOTHING WRONG. It needs to be block or a major lawsuit needed.
Another week, another wreak on our country
Every week, new reporting emerges about institutions acting with sweeping authority and minimal oversight. This article's breakdown was no different: stories of detention policies, aggressive enforcement, procedural shortcuts, and human consequences scattered across the system like warning signs. What struck me most while reading it wasn’t the politics — it was the pattern. A pattern my highly anticipated Chronicles from the Inside also explores in your neighbour up north. Yes, we are working through our fair share of struggles systemically in our public institutions. My flagship podcast raises alarms of little talked about issues in places where the public eye rarely ever sees: behind the scenes of a public hospital in Canada- the country known for free universal health care. However, what's the use of universal health care.
This upcoming investigative podcast based on a black muslim man's 14-day involuntary detention in a Canadian psychiatric ward after voluntarily seeking help for a panic attack.
On two very different stages — national policy and a hospital hallway — the same themes repeat.
The podcast focuses on a young man named Malik. He speaks boldly and plainly after an experience he would not wish on his worst nightmare. Malik says plainly, "stupid people in power, whether it be politics, doctors, lawyers, judges or otherwise, can do a lot of harm. The public needs media that boldly fact checks all claims as the media is one of the only real defenses we have from the wanton operation of stupid people in power."
Chronicles from the Inside will be out in early January 2026- the flagship podcast of URoot Media.
Mehdi Hassan, we at URoot Media welcome you to discuss the real universal issues impacting world citizens today regarldess of background. People are hurting financially, psychologically, and emotionally. URoot Media and its affiliates will work to bring to the surface the reasons for the slowing of productivity and dips in GDP, soaring cost of living, and other real issues real day to day citizens across the globe are facing in a straight talk style without mincing words. We will offer a refreshing take to the days news not looking for ratings in anxiety inducing headlines. This is a new form of media where story telling and unrelenting commitment to truth remains paramount.
Chronicles from the Inside is released in early January, 2026.
and how about this: Yosemite loses MLK Day and Juneteenth free entry as Trump adds his birthday-yes! Fucking hell!
I really don't have the vocabulary to fully describe my disgust for this administration. Every week this newsletter is full of outrageous actions by odious people. It's a true Kakistocracy. Thank you again for distilling this horror show each week. It really helps me track what is going on. Take care, DA