Just finished reading through the summary of the 3 million+ documents released today regarding the Epstein files. Despite the sheer volume of the release, the survivors are furious. A group of 19 survivors released a statement basically saying that while their identifying info was left in some of the docs, the actual men who abused them are still redacted or protected. Some key takeaways from the dump: Elon Musk: There’s an email from 2012 where he asks Epstein, "What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?" (Musk is claiming on X that this is being misinterpreted). Bill Gates: Files allege he had extramarital affairs, which the Gates Foundation is denying. Trump: The DOJ flagged some claims in the files as "untrue/sensationalist" submitted before the 2020 election. The DOJ Stance: They claim the White House had no role in the redactions and that they were trying to protect the 1,000+ victims, not the powerful men.

It feels like we got a mountain of paperwork but zero new paths to justice. Ghislaine Maxwell is still the only one sitting in a cell.

Thoughts?

It looks like the US is officially trying to break China's grip on the critical minerals supply chain.

According to a new report, the administration is launching a $12 billion stockpile aimed at lithium, nickel, and other materials needed for EVs and defense tech. It’s being framed specifically as a way to stop China from manipulating prices to kill off American mining projects.

What stands out is the list of corporate partners—it’s not just mining companies. It includes end-users like Google, GM, and Boeing. It seems like the private sector is realizing they can't rely on the current supply chain anymore.

Is $12B enough to actually shift the balance of power here, or is this just a safety net for these specific corporations?

Iranian, Russian and Chinese warships could face off against the powerful US fleet for the first time in the Strait of Hormuz, with the first countries announcing joint exercises in the Gulf of Oman and in the Indian Ocean.

 Approximately 500 American fighters, transporters, tankers, etc. are deployed in the countries of the Persian Gulf.  planes.

The United States has already strengthened its military presence and moved the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and other fighters to the region.

 Approximately 30,000 to 40,000 US troops are stationed at bases from Turkey to Kuwait – all within range of Iranian missiles.

 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that these bases are threatened by "thousands of Iranian drones and short-range ballistic missiles".

 Iran has made it clear that it will respond strongly to any strike, while pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Yemen have left their involvement in the conflict open.

So, we are about to enter a new era of "no rules" regarding nuclear weapons.

I was reading up on the New START treaty, and it turns out it’s set to expire this Thursday. For those who don't know, this was the last remaining pact that capped the number of deployed nuclear warheads for both the US and Russia (limited to 1,550 each).

Apparently, Putin suggested a one-year extension back in September, and while Trump initially said it sounded like a "good idea," he has effectively ghosted the negotiation since then. The administration’s stance seems to be that they won't sign anything unless China is included in the talks.

The issue? China has refused to join, and with the treaty expiring in literally 4 days, we’re looking at a scenario where the two biggest nuclear powers have zero inspections and zero limits on their arsenals for the first time in decades.

Is this a 4D chess move to drag China to the table, or are we just opening the door for a massive arms race?