Will's Weekly Email Digest 7-29-15

Will's Weekly Digest | July 29, 2015

View this email in your browser

Almost August

July expires soon, but rest assured, the hot weather will be with us longer, and hopefully that summer feeling as well, no not the sweat clinging to you, just the laid-backness of it all.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but my list of dogs is dwindling, so please send me pics of your pups so I don't have to resort to googling Buzzfeed articles. Especially you, mom. I know we have at least two animals at home who have not appeared in the digest yet. And yes, I just called out my mom in this digest. Love you though!

As always, happy Wednesday and happy reading!

This Day in History

1958 - NASA is created, ostensibly in response to Sputnik, but really...well really, in response to Sputnik. Just 11 years later, Neil Armstrong left his footprints in the Sea of Tranquility...or in a Disney studio, depending on who you believe.

Remember that Iran Deal?

Last week I shared that I was (and still am) in favor of a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program. Truthfully, I simply don't see a real alternative to an agreement other than war, but of course that doesn't mean there isn't another path, nor does it mean a deal is a good deal. I've recently read two thoughtful critiques of the deal, one about how it does little to prolong Iran's breakout time to a bomb (from the New York Times), and another about how our ability to accurately inspect Iranian nuclear facilities is not as firm as we think (from the New York Times). Both of these criticisms give me pause, but they also lead me to question what options exist to bar Iran from a bomb.

What Say Netanyahu?

Israel's Prime Minister has been one of the deal's most outspoken critics, condemning it well before it even existed, and holding his ground since then. His stance has done little to deter the US, but our actions have led him to start flirting with others (from the Economist). I wonder if this represents a true rift in our relationship with Israel or if it reflects the feelings of Obama and Netanyahu towards each other. I'm hoping it's the latter since neither of them will be around for too much longer, and the US and Israel need each other to contain Iran and confront other regional threats.

There Are Other Threats in the Middle East?

Perhaps you've heard of the assholes in black, or the Islamic State as they like to call themselves. These guys make the 11th century look delightful, and their goal is to reestablish a caliphate (read: autocratic theocracy), and they literally don't care how many heads they need to cut off to do it. The Islamic State is awaiting the army of Rome for the great battle that will usher in the apocalypse. If this sounds crazy to you...well, it's worse than that actually, it's barbaric and it's apocalyptic (from the Atlantic). That is to say, while any individual terrorist may be imagining the afterlife for himself, the Islamic State is imagining the end of the world for everyone. Needless to say this isn't a worldview compatible with the 21st century or life in general. It will take a concerted effort from the US, Israel, and other regional players (including the Kurds) to wipe ISIS and their evil from the map, and right now it doesn't seem like we have much of a plan (from Medium).

The Kurds, You Say?

The Kurds indeed. One of the oldest ethnic groups on the planet, but without their own nation state, the Kurds have been around since at least the days of Xerxes (the guy from the 300 Movie). Notably, Kurdish archers harassed his army as they made their way from Persia to Greece. That martial spirit still lives; the Iraqi Kurdish military - the peshmerga - is easily the most effective ground force that has stood up to ISIS (from the Atlantic Council). An effective strategy to combat ISIS needs to incorporate the Kurds who are already embroiled in the fight, and who will continue their quest through statehood whether we assist or not.

Lizzy the Lazy!

Just kidding, Lizzy, but seriously, how restful does Lizzy look here? The struggle is REAL, eh Lizzy? Lizzy comes to us from the wonderful Amier and Ellie here in NYC, and when she isn't napping she is helping her humans celebrate their recent wedding (shout out to Ellie and Amier!!), lounging around, or napping. She has recently been putting quite a bit of pressure on her humans to find a house with a backyard somewhere in Jersey. Here's to wishing the clan luck finding a new home and big yard!

And so you made it this far

Thank you for subscribing to this digest. If you enjoyed it, please pass along the opt-in form to a friend, and whatever you do, don't forget to make the world a better place today!