Extra, Extra
Unmanned v Unprepared? “With Operation Epic Fury well into its third week, there are two increasingly urgent questions: how long U.S. defense systems can continue to hold off such attacks — not just in Iraq, but throughout the Middle East — and whether the U.S. underestimated the threat of Iran’s drones in the first place.” (I actually doubt that the military underestimated Iran’s drone program. But I wonder if we’re all underestimating the extent to which cheap drones, AI, and other tech are altering the battlefield and eroding some of the advantages held by the world’s military powers.) Cheap drones are reshaping modern warfare — and catching the U.S. off guard. In Ukraine, they know the power of Iranian-made drones all too well. Ukraine strings nets over cities as killer drones turn streets into war zones.
+ Mark Wanes: “Senator Markwayne Mullin, President Trump’s often pugilistic pick to lead the department, struck a milder tone at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.” Wow, I’ve never heard of nominees changing their tune during confirmation hearings. “Mullin apologized for his comments about the shooting of Alex Pretti. He declined, however, to apologize for his comments about the shooting of Renee Good, saying that the officer had to make a split-second decision.” Here’s the latest from NYT.
+ Opposite World, Continued: Trump’s tariffs are hurting American manufacturers instead of helping them. And, Trump Promised the ‘World’s Lowest’ Drug Prices. We Checked the Numbers. (It’s getting really hard to take this guy at his word.)
+ This May Be of Interest: Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, keeps 1 cut in play this year as uncertainty mounts. (One more thing for the market to be unhappy about…)
+ Stomping Stamps: “If it continues business as usual, the U.S. Postal Service is on track to run out of cash for paying its workers and vendors in about a year and may have to stop deliveries.” This probably doesn’t help. Amazon reportedly plans to slash its USPS delivery volumes by at least two-thirds. (Why would Amazon need the USPS? At this point, it won’t be long before they build a distribution center in your driveway…)
+ All Is Not Well: “Attia also went on to become one of the most trusted wellness influencers, with 1 million YouTube subscribers, 1.6 million followers on Instagram and 100 million downloads of his podcast.” I’m always dubious of the phrase, trusted wellness influencer, but Attia was as big as it gets. And then, because of his Epstein connection, it all came crashing down. Bloomberg (Gift Article): The Rise and Fall of Peter Attia’s Longevity Empire. (Maybe he should have studied career longevity…)
+ If Not Now, Ven? “Venezuela reigns supreme, the U.S. once again fell short by a run, and the global vibes of the sport were on full display.” The Winners and Losers of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. “Much like 2023, the most lasting takeaway won’t be that the Americans lost, but that this tournament has become appointment viewing. For two weeks every three years, the sport sheds its leisurely pace and turns into a high-stakes and emotionally charged spectacle rivaled only by October in intensity.” (Even as a fan, I was nowhere near ready for this level of baseball in March.)
