Hedges

• Chris Hedges argues in a recent commentary that Donald Trump's strategic approach toward Iran has accelerated the collapse of the American empire. • The author claims that U.S. military bases in the oil-rich Persian Gulf have been damaged or destroyed. • This shift suggests a permanent loss of U.S. military infrastructure and strategic influence in a critical global energy region.

• Several EU nations are investing in "gigafactories" to bolster data center infrastructure and digital sovereignty. • France, Denmark, Poland, and the Czech Republic have each pledged €100 million for smaller facilities, while Portugal, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Greece plan to invest €200 million each for larger sites. • These strategic investments aim to reduce reliance on non-EU tech giants and secure the region's data processing capabilities amid shifting global power dynamics.

• Director of National Intelligence nominee Jay Clayton faced questioning from Democratic lawmakers regarding his stance on the 2020 election. • During the hearing, Clayton avoided definitive answers and stated he was unaware that Donald Trump ordered a former intelligence chief to attend an FBI raid at an Atlanta election site. • The exchange highlights potential tensions between Clayton's professional obligations and the political expectations of the president.