Washington insists the Iran war is over even as Hormuz remains threatened and oil spikes.  The note contrasts this declaration of peace with realities in shipping lanes and markets.

The note recalls Marx’s observation that “Communist” began as a smear and concludes that when labels like “woke” or “fascist” silence debate, the answer is to publish openly.

Referencing Weyl, the essay rejects myths of a bygone golden age, saying Trump’s MAGA exploits nostalgia and scapegoating and lets people ignore past injustices and avoid thinking about building future.