No. of Recommendations: 4
"Three weeks ago, the news cycle stopped briefly on a subject that for a brief moment was shocking even in spite of this algorithmic numbing. The dazzling glare of public exposure shone a light on a global network of rich and powerful men, many of them household names, who had participated in, or turned a blind eye to, an international trafficking operation involving hundreds of women and girls. For the briefest of moments, it felt like a sharp blast of daylight had been shone on one of the darkest corners of our world. There was no path to justice or accountability for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, but there was some small comfort in that at least, finally, it couldn’t be ignored.
How wrong can you be? Of course, it could be. The news cycle hasn’t just moved on, we are now deep into the testosterone zone, the fizzing, almost sexual excitement of war. This is what the early stages of all wars look like. Pumped up officials walking stiff-legged to podiums to tell the waiting press about the incredible potency of their firepower. Videos of fighter jets commanding the skies. Mesmerising footage of high-tech “intercepts” across the night sky. Spectacular explosions among dense tower blocks, all of it so familiar from any video game while a constant parade of interchangeable military men, analysts, commentators pontificate across our screens." —Carole Cadwalladr
