Notes in the Margin

"The IC continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized the nuclear weapons program."

Japan's economy contracted at a higher pace than expected in the first quarter of 2025, according to official data for the January to March period released on Friday. 

The deployment of California National Guard troops and active-duty U.S. Marines onto the streets of Los Angeles without local approval is an assault on federalism.

Because keeping the US involved in only 2 hot wars isn't enough to please the war party. 

Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and US involvement shatter the illusion that America First guides President Trump’s Middle East policy. Article by Brandan Buck. 

Its intent may be to sabotage whatever peace deal trump might have pursued. But US taxpayers will pay either way. 

Critics decried the "retirement" of the previous 17-member ACIP, fearing the committee would make new vaccine recommendations not favored by Big Pharma. 

It could be that deporting private sector workers isn't quite as popular as deporting violent criminals on the dole. 

"By this time next week, the U.S. and Iran could be at war." From Andrew Day of The American Conservative.

Alex Pollock has questions for the Federal Reserve in the Financial Times.