Charles Max Barsky

Simply not so. Pre modern societies were way more violent than modern Western ones. Pinker’s “Angels of our better nature” is v good on that. But Western cultural superiority is not only a matter of less violence. It has created technological sophistication and a better moral system (hence Britain being the first culture to end slavery). Your empathy for non Western cultures is itself an expression of Western culture

A US official confirms to me that Israel has carried out a strike against Iran. Both the official and another senior US official say Israel indicated they would not attack nuclear targets. US didn't "green light" this attack, the 2nd official told me.

Don't look away. Don't look away. Don't look away.

Two authoritarian governments are putting millions of people in harm’s way. Further escalation only serves these warmongering, corrupt politicians' interests. We urge Israel, Iran, and all parties to de-escalate now before this escalates into a broader regional war.